Hill City Prevailer

School future gets technical

Published by admin on Wed, 02/18/2026 - 8:42am
While Hill City continues to outperform state and national averages in academic achievement, the district is broadening its focus to support students pursuing diverse post-graduation pathways by investing in a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility.
As universities graduate students into increasingly saturated fields, the country faces a growing labor crisis driven by a shortage of skilled trades workers.

Chamber gets funding for birthday events

Published by admin on Wed, 02/18/2026 - 8:41am
About a half dozen merchants came to the Feb. 9 Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting in support of the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce in its request for funding for a special Hill City birthday event. 
The proposed idea by Erica Layton, executive director of the chamber, is to hold the celebration Memorial Day weekend, starting at the Hill City Center for a locals gathering complete with a birthday proclamation, state dignitaries, hors d’ouveres, cake and Smokey Bear. Layton called it a “nice little get together for the community.”

Contract awarded to Dakota Bus Company

Published by admin on Wed, 02/18/2026 - 8:40am
The Hill City School Board of Education met Feb. 9 with a full agenda, including a decision on the district’s next transportation contract.
The district is at the end of a five-year bussing contract with Harlow’s Bus Company and had solicited new proposals in which they received two—one from Harlow’s and one from Dakota Bus Company.

Program helps with windstorm cleanup

Published by admin on Wed, 02/11/2026 - 9:41am
A U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA) program to help homeowners after the December windstorm is now accepting applications.
Emergency Forestry Restoration Program (EFRP) is a program that gives financial assistance to restore forested land after a disaster. 

Keystone follows Custer’s lead

Published by admin on Wed, 02/11/2026 - 9:28am
Despite some thinking it is not strict enough, the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting affixing merchandise to the exterior of any building was approved at the Feb. 4 Keystone Town Board meeting. The ordinance is modeled after one in Custer. 
Trustee David Cofoid felt the ordinance was a good start but that it did not go far enough.

Morning camper fire complete loss

Published by admin on Wed, 02/04/2026 - 9:03am
The Hill City Volunteer Fire Department was paged to a camper fire South of town around 3 a.m. Thursday morning.
Fireman Jason Peters was quick to respond, arriving on scene in under five minutes, and had the fire out shortly after arrival. It was unclear how long the camper had been burning before the department was dispatched. 
The camper belonging to Rick Allgier was a loss, but he and his dog, Hercules, were able to escape without injury. The fire department was also able to save Allgier’s pickup from the flames. 

New fee structure at center prompts discussion over nonprofits

Published by admin on Wed, 02/04/2026 - 9:02am
Aldermen discussed at length proposed changes to fees at the Hill City Center. The Jan. 26 conversation took place at the Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting and centered mostly around fees for nonprofit groups using the facility for a for-profit endeavor. The Hill City Lions Club was used as an example. 

Local, county bodies look to fill vacancies

Published by admin on Wed, 02/04/2026 - 9:01am
Nominating petitions for Hill City Common Council positions are available for pickup at city hall. 
Several positions are available, including that of mayor for a two-year term. The current mayor is Tana Nichols.
Two-year term positions for Ward I and Ward II aldermen are also up for grabs. The seats are currently held by Justin Thiry and Dennis Siebert.

Property taxes focus at crackerbarrel

Published by admin on Wed, 02/04/2026 - 8:53am
Nearly 60 people came to a District 30 legislative crackerbarrel hosted by the Hill City Prevailer and Custer County Chronicle Jan. 31 at the Super 8 in Hill City.
Similar to last year’s event, many in the room were there to discuss property taxes with the District 30 legislators, offering their take on what may play out in Pierre on taxes as well as other issues.

Concerns over contingency discussed

Published by admin on Wed, 01/28/2026 - 9:38am
Trustees approved an amendment to Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district No. 2 for the K Bar S  Lodge expansion project at the Jan. 21 Keystone Town Board meeting. The TIF project costs have increased 35 percent over the original amount. The TIF approved in May of 2025 had the project costs in the amount of $1,806,275 for the purpose of infrastructure improvements. The Developer, K Bar S Lodge, LLC, requested this  amendment to increase the eligible project costs to $2,438,471.