Hill City Prevailer

Court silences copter arguments, upholds ban

Published by admin on Wed, 06/26/2024 - 8:57am
“It was completely expected.”
This from Mark Schlaefli, Black Hills Aerial Adventures, in response to the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruling on helicopter flights over Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park.

Hill City Ambassador Program coming soon

Published by admin on Wed, 06/26/2024 - 8:56am
How often do you talk to tourists, answer questions and point them in the right direction for their next adventure? 
Now through the Hill City Ambassador Program (HCAP) a group of volunteers will be on the streets of Hill City to do just that. 
This program was spearheaded by alderwoman Lori Miner. 

Second street alley plans still on hold in Keystone

Published by admin on Wed, 06/26/2024 - 8:53am
The 2nd  Street alley was again discussed at the most recent Keystone Town Board meeting, and once again the board tabled the matter for referral to engineers. 
Attorney Mitch Johnson wrote a memo to the board regarding the alley. He wasn’t quite clear on the city’s overall maintenance of the road nor any express dedication of the roadway, according to what he stated at the June 19 town board  meeting.
Johnson referred to a document from 1975 saying that  the alley from the lot to the south “ends right at your (the senior center) property line.”

Poll: Majority of South Dakotans want new system for primary elections

Published by admin on Wed, 06/26/2024 - 8:46am
South Dakotans by a wide margin support a constitutional amendment that would change the way the state conducts primary elections, according to a scientific poll of 500 registered voters co-sponsored by South Dakota News Watch.
The statewide survey, also sponsored by the Chiesman Center for Democracy at the University of South Dakota, showed that 55 percent of respondents favored the plan to change the state’s election format, with 33 percent opposed and 12 percent undecided.

Temporary signal not so temporary

Published by admin on Tue, 06/18/2024 - 9:48am
]Commuters to Rapid City have noticed another slowdown on their route: a traffic light at the Moon Meadows Highway 16 intersection. This light is considered “temporary” by South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) standards. 
But that term is a bit misleading.

Board talks cell phones

Published by admin on Tue, 06/18/2024 - 9:46am
The Hill City School Board  (HCSB) discussed  the student handbook at its June 10 meeting. There was no action taken on the matter.  Superintendent Blake Gardner tasked principals and teachers with reviewing the handbook policy regarding cell phones specifically.
Staff can direct students to use cell phones if “there is an academic component to its use.” Otherwise phones are to be powered off and not visible during the academic school day.
“That discretion maybe reigns in cell phone use not primary to academics,” Gardner said.

Mowing contracts higher than expected

Published by admin on Tue, 06/18/2024 - 9:45am
Brought to the table as a discussion item May 28, Hill City Mayor Mike Verchio was concerned with how much time the Public Works Department (PWD) was spending mowing the lawn at city properties and parks when there were other pressing projects requiring their attention. 

Ordinance reading sparks park model home talk

Published by admin on Tue, 06/18/2024 - 9:44am
By Esther Noe 
 
Should park model homes (PMH) be allowed in residential zones with conditional use permits (CUP)? 
At the first reading of the ordinance to amend chapters two, five and nine of Title Nine Zoning & Subdivision Regulations at the Hill City Common Council Meeting May 28, alderwoman Lori Miner requested that PMHs be defined as recreational vehicles. 

Temporary placement of Hill City Carved Signs approved

Published by admin on Tue, 06/18/2024 - 9:43am
A conditional use permit (CUP) request turned into a discussion about building codes and fire safety at the Hill City Common Council meeting June 10. 
Victor Alexander of Iron Horse Properties requested a CUP to allow for a temporary structure to be set up next to HippieRockstar Boutique Wine & Beer Bar for six months at 116 Main Street.

Artists praise arts council for show

Published by admin on Tue, 06/18/2024 - 9:33am
By Esther Noe 
 
It was a beautiful weekend for the Hill City Arts Council’s (HCAC) annual Fine Arts in the Hills (FAITH) Show and Sale June 14-16. 
This year’s show featured 19 artists proficient in an extensive variety of mediums. Some artists were from Hermosa, Rapid City, Hill City and Custer. Others traveled from across South Dakota or even across the country coming from Montana, Minnesota, Wyoming and Arizona for the show.