President Trump expected at Mount Rushmore next July 4

The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that President Donald Trump will  come to Keystone in 2026. The confirmation came from Sgt. Amanda Swanson as she spoke with the Keystone Town Board at its July 23 meeting. Swanson spoke about the visit after being asked about the recent visit of vice president JD Vance.

“President Trump is coming next year. That will be another busy time,” said Swanson, who has already been talking to the town board about the visit. “I’m sure you guys will be very busy next summer.”

While no definitive plans have been made yet, trustee Nikki Ball suggested forming a committee for “things we can do in Keystone for the Fourth of July next year.” 

Business owner Sandi McLain wanted to know if businesses would be included to make it more “efficient,” suggesting that things could be improved from Trump’s last visit.  She said it will be a “huge mess” if  businesses aren’t involved.

Town board president Casey McNulty said the state and federal organizers are “being picky about security” for the visit but says those discussions are possible on a local level. 

Swanson also noted that the town “had increased warnings and citations which is pretty normal this time of year.” Swanson said this is due to tourists speeding through town or on Hwy. 40. She says her office has also increased its patrol of parking violations.

There will be a parking change on Winter Street during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally to help law enforcement.

“Last  year we had minor issues with cars not being able to get out and we had some medical emergencies,” Swanson said.

This year the town will have motorcycle only parking on the boardwalk side of Winter Street and car parking on the non-boardwalk side. Swanson says this will also help fit more motorcycles.

“I think it will definitely help with the parking issue,” Swanson said. 

McNulty said the SDDOT would not let the town go to bike-only parking on both sides of the street due to “fairness laws.”

Budget hearings are set for  Aug. 13 and Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. as well as Aug. 20 after the regular town board meeting.

Ball said because of a new state law the town needs to change the date of its municipal  election, saying the town has a choice between June or November. 

Ball is asking for input on which people prefer. Petitions for candidates now have to be filed 70 days before an election. 

Keystone tourism has started a digital push for rally rush to promote events for bike week.

The Keystone restaurant listing is going out to bikers in an effort to bring, “people to Keystone,  specifically  to eat,” said tourism director Laura Schluckebier.

Schluckebier also says there has been a lot of talk on how to beautify the town. Schluckebier said that “could be anything next year from baskets and banners to larger scale items like ordinances.” 

Black Hills Badlands has a consultant ready to help the town if needed. McNulty wanted a proposal from the consultant.

Keystone Area Historical Society Board president Deb Dargatz said the Keystone Museum had a great month.  She thanked the board for the museum’s new flagpole which she says “completes the picture.”

The museum has a new exhibit on the Haunting of Keystone which Dargatz calls, “pretty cool.” The museum is also raffling off a Paha Ska print.

The museum will close for the summer Sept. 7. McNulty says the town is looking at quotes to paint the museum and on having the Haunting funds pay for the work.

“It’s hard to get someone who wants to do something that’s that high,” McNulty said. 

Painting of the Keystone Community Center is almost complete and the town is still working on quotes to repair  the soffits. The town budgeted $90,000 for cemetery improvements last year but has not spent all that money. McNulty asked the town engineer for a proposal for curb and gutter and asphalt there.

McNulty thanked Swanson and her department for its response on a suicide call in town.  He also asked if there were any objections to allowing private individuals to install a memorial bench for Ben Brink near the creek outside of Sprockets. The board approved this request. 

The Keystone town board meets again Aug. 6 at 6 p.m.