Opinion

Of Mice and Men

Published by admin on Wed, 04/10/2024 - 9:47am
Yesterday was a proud mama moment for me. Zeus and I went to do our weekly/monthly hike up to our favorite South Dakota high point, but a crazy snow storm and a car in a ditch on the switchbacks cost us some time. We ventured down the No. 9 trail with no particular goal in mind. One of us was wishing we had brought our gaiters and couldn’t fathom how intense the conditions were considering it was almost sunny in Keystone. 
The other of us was chasing deer trails in the snow.

Property taxes a complicated issue

Published by admin on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 10:46am

In this day and age when people can agree on next to nothing, there is one subject that unites people from every corner of Custer County: property valuations and the staggering increases in said valuations that are driving property values greatly upward and threatening to tax some people out of their homes.

Cow-calling

Published by admin on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 10:43am

The miracle of life is front and center during calving season. It is amazing to watch a heifer birth her first baby, looking in vague confusion at the squirming, slimy creature that made its sudden, un-asked-for appearance, and then, prompted by God-given instinct, begin to clean the baby off. The baby is up off the ground in a matter of minutes, his little legs wobbly and knock-kneed, and then he finds the life-giving udder and his little tail goes to wagging, just like a dog. What a sight to see.

Importance of community

Published by admin on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 9:27am
Our society has a very independent mindset. We are told to pull ourselves up, figure out the solution and fix whatever problem is at hand. Dependency is seen as a weakness, and independence is seen as a strength. This ideology is especially prevalent in big cities. 
And yet we are not meant to be alone either. Statistics show that three in five people feel lonely every day. Loneliness can leave people feeling isolated and disconnected. It can increase the risk of physical conditions like heart disease and strokes, and it amplifies depression and anxiety.

Property tax to be studied this summer

Published by admin on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 9:26am
So, we put the finishing touches on the 99th Legislative Session on Monday, March 25, which was scheduled as veto day, the day when legislators come back together to deal with the bills that the legislature passed through both chambers and sent to the governor for her signature in order to become law but she declined to sign. 

Meshell Will finally receives justice

Published by admin on Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:21am

A saga that dragged on for much longer than most people would have liked—the law enforcement who worked so hard to bring it to a close included—ended last Friday morning at a courthouse in Rapid City when Richard Schmitz was sentenced to prison for the murder of Meshell Will. For the purposes of accuracy it is important to point out Schmitz did not plead guilty, and did not plead to murder, but rather, entered an Alford Plea on a second degree manslaughter charge.

Four Percent

Published by admin on Wed, 03/27/2024 - 9:14am
Four percent. That was the average increase in assessments across Pennington County this year according to the Department of Equalization outreach presentation this week.
Wow, I would be psyched if mine were so small. I bet you would be too? I would be even happier if I lived in Silver City, because values on their homes went down.
Apparently everyone just wants to live in Keystone. Not Chapel Valley. Not the west side of Rapid. Not Nemo Rd. Not near the Air Force base. Nope, they all seem to want to live in Keystone (or Hill City).

Session disappointing for us

Published by admin on Wed, 03/27/2024 - 9:06am

Celebrating agriculture

Published by admin on Wed, 03/20/2024 - 11:07am

Agriculture is the lifeblood of South Dakota, and it is a heritage deeply rooted in our state. You can’t go far in South Dakota without encountering some sign of our bustling agriculture sector; whether it’s fields of corn and soybeans, ranches teeming with cattle or freight trains and trucks transporting agricultural products to market. During National Agriculture Week, we have a lot to celebrate.

Preserving our outdoor heritage

Published by admin on Wed, 03/20/2024 - 11:04am

Almost every memory I have from my childhood is outdoors. I think my parents used to send us kids outside as an attempt to keep us out of trouble. And to this day I am still more comfortable in my jeans and ball cap. As Governor, though, my hours are often filled with other things. But even with all those other things that have to fill up my time, one thing I have always prioritized is hunting.