News

Forest proposes fees for day sites and trails

Published by admin on Wed, 09/04/2024 - 9:20am
According to a Black Hills National Forest (BHNF) news release from early August BHNF is proposing new and increased fees that affect sites around the Black Hills. If approved, the fees would go into effect in 2025.
Forest recreation program manager Bradley Block said this is the first round of fees that will be introduced.
“Sometime mid-September there will be another news release about a fee increase for basically the day-use sites, picnic areas  and campground locations. These proposals  will only be for off-season use,” Block said. 

Become a district angel

Published by admin on Wed, 09/04/2024 - 9:09am
Back to school is an important time of year for students and parents. 
While it means going back to classrooms, activities and a familiar routine of fall, it also means a lot of paperwork for parents. Within that pile are some very important forms, including the free and reduced lunch form.
These forms are important, not just to individual families who may receive free or reduced lunches, but also to overall school funding linked to programs known as Title and Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP).

Hill City Quilt & Fiber Arts Show this weekend

Published by admin on Wed, 09/04/2024 - 9:00am
The Heart of the Hills Quilters are busy with final preparations for the 25th anniversary of the Hill City Quilt & Fiber Arts Show which takes place Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Gins Gym from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission to the show is $7 for adults and free for children under 18. 
Twenty-five years ago the show started as an all-outdoor event. Today quilts are still displayed at businesses along Main Street, but the majority of the quilts and fiber arts are exhibited at the Hill City school gymnasiums. 

Deadline missed for November fire district vote

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 1:26pm

There will be no November vote to enact the proposed Custer Fire Protection District after a deadline to get the issue onto the November general election ballot came and went without a required resolution to establish the district being approved by the city and county.

Leave it to beaver (dam analogs)

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 1:25pm

Beaver dam analogs (BDAs) seem to be the hottest technique in stream restoration across the country. What many consider to be destructive pests are proving to be instrumental in maintaining the health of watery ecosystems in South Dakota and beyond, but by using BDAs, the benefits of beavers can be replicated without the challenges of managing a beaver population.

Fire district talk resurfaces

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 1:24pm

About an hour or so after the Custer County Commission had discussed  a fire protection district resolution failing to make this  November’s ballot the issue came up again during the public comment portion of the Aug. 21 meeting of the Custer County Commission meeting.

City gives OK to sign regulations

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 1:23pm

The Custer City Council passed the second reading of its new sign regulations ordinance at its Aug. 19 meeting, an ordinance that, among other things, prohibits T-shirts as permanent signage outside of a downtown store.
That doesn’t mean the current T-shirts are going away anytime soon.

Third annual Rubber Duck Race Saturday

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 8:54am
Celebrate the end of summer with the Hill City Lions Club’s (HCLC) third annual Rubber Duck Race, Mini Carnival & Craft Fair Saturday, Aug. 31 at Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking will be available at Memorial Park and off Smokey Drive. 
“I would encourage people to come out because it’s going to be a fun-filled day. You can spend time with your family. It’s the last hurrah for the end of summer,” said HCLC president Stefanie Doaty. “This is just a nice thing for the locals that we like to do. It’s just going to be a very fun day for us all.” 

Things get heated in Keystone after contacting fire marshall

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 8:51am
Keystone Area Historical Society (KAHS) had two meetings in the span of a few days to address the Keystone Museum and vacancies from its board, and people packed into the Keystone Community Center for its Aug. 23 meeting.
During that meeting it was revealed that the current lease between KAHS, which runs the museum, and the town, which owns the museum building, was not renewed in January. 

Defunding possibility looms in Keystone

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 8:49am
Keystone budget hearings continued Aug. 21 with trustees preliminarily deciding to defund both the Keystone Chamber of Commerce and the Keystone Area Historical Society.
Keystone trustees decided to move in another direction rather than fund the Keystone Chamber of Commerce for another year despite a presentation from chamber of commerce board members Melody Heinis and John Wells.