News

State denies accusation regarding gender language

Published by admin on Wed, 09/03/2025 - 12:05pm

The Trump administration’s accusation that South Dakota’s federally grant-funded sex education materials contain “gender ideology” is not accurate, according to state officials, while advocates for transgender people are condemning the federal government’s demand to remove language referencing them.

Leak repair approved for big blue

Published by admin on Wed, 09/03/2025 - 9:41am
The big blue tower leak is one step closer to being repaired. Aldermen voted to approve a quote from TMS in the amount of $16,875. The approval came at the Aug. 25 Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting. The quote was not the lowest one received. However, public works director Justin Asher said he is confident that it is the only company to guarantee to fix the tower. 
The other quote, from Great Plains Structures, was for $11,500, but according to Asher, if they show up with a small manlift, “They won’t be able to reach it.” 

County cattle guards failing

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 5:40pm

First, the good news—the overwhelming majority of the culverts in the county that are managed by the county are in very good shape.
Now, the bad news.
The same cannot be said for the cattle guard situation in the county, as of the 148 cattle guards on the county system, 64 percent, are failing.

Federal cuts result in SDPB cuts

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 5:40pm

South Dakota Public Broadcasting executive director Julie Overgaard announced Thursday that the organization plans to lay off 15 employees and eliminate two locally produced shows due to a loss of federal funding. 
SDPB depended on $2.2 million in annual funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which was about 20 percent of SDPB’s budget. Congress and President Donald Trump rescinded $1.1 billion in previously approved nationwide funding for the corporation earlier this summer, causing the corporation to announce it will cease operations.

West Dam work to resume in October

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 5:39pm

After previously stating the contractor working on digging material out of West Dam would seek to get a head start on the fall by beginning work in September, RESPEC engineer Steve Bareis told the Custer City Council at the council’s Aug. 17 meeting the work will now resume Oct. 15 when Rocky Knolls Golf Course closes.
“That may change, but that is his plans as of today,” Bareis said.

County freezes hiring temporarily

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 4:48pm

Creative ways to cut. That seemed to be the sentiment of the Pennington County Commissioners when they met Aug. 19 to discuss the 2026 provisional budget, among other things. 
Commissioner Jerry Derr’s sentiment seemed to be in favor of consolidating services by means of finding commonalities in certain county positions.
“One of the biggest issues that I’ve seen coming in is trying to get a handle on our personnel and what those costs are,” Derr said. 

Rising internet crimes against children

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 4:44pm

One of the most difficult obstacles to navigate as a parent in today’s world is digital awareness. Many young people are struggling with the negative effects of internet access. 
Holly Strand, a forensic examiner for the Pennington County Sheriffs’ Office who is assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, discussed the dangers of internet exposure for children last Wednesday at the Hermosa School.

Keystone trustees ordered to keep apart

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 4:44pm

A one month order for protection has been granted to Keystone Town Board president  Casey McNulty  against fellow town trustee Matt Fullilove. The two men appeared in court Aug. 25 in front of Seventh Circuit Court Judge Janki Sharma. Both men brought witnesses to the hearing. 
The order of protection states that Fullilove is restrained from acts of abuse, making threats of abuse, stalking or harassment.  In addition Fullilove is not permitted to have contact with McNulty directly or indirectly including via phone, email or third party contact.

Keystone trustees opt to align sewer line

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 4:43pm

Keystone trustees voted to keep the same existing location for the new upsized sewer line. The pros and cons of the location were discussed at the Aug. 20 Keystone Town Board meeting. 
Keystone town engineer Zach Grapentine said the benefit of following the existing alignment is the underground had been disturbed, whereas to the south, the town could find bedrock or boulders. 
“I would suspect there aren’t going to be any critical areas we’re gonna run into,” Grapentine said, using the existing alignment. 

SDPB cuts announced prompting campaign of support

Published by admin on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 4:42pm

A campaign to fund South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) is underway, with the goal of reaching $2 million in identifiable contributions by Oct. 31. Called the Bison Campaign, the fundraising effort hopes to stabilize current operations and protect the future of SDPB.
Earlier this year Congress voted to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasting. This amounted to a $2.3 million cut  from SDPB’s annual budget.