News

Man dies in crash

Published by admin on Thu, 07/23/2020 - 8:47am
One person died Tuesday morning in a truck-motorcycle crash south of Custer.
Names of the two drivers are not yet being released pending notification of family members. They were the only people involved.
A 2008 Harley Davidson FLHTCU motorcycle and a 2008 Freightliner truck hauling gravel were both northbound on U.S. Highway 385. As the truck tried to pass the motorcycle, the motorcycle began a left-hand turn into an approach. The two vehicles collided.

School moving forward with in-person instruction

Published by admin on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 10:50am

The Hill City School District has spelled out how it plans to proceed with instruction in the fall.

The district plans to have in-person instruction as conditions permit, said Blake Gardner, Hill City School District superintendent, in a video sent to district stakeholders July 9.

The situation as of this point is fluid, Gardner said, and the district is prepared to go back to distance learning if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens and there are multiple cases within the school.

New aldermen sworn in

Published by admin on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 10:50am

The Hill City Common Council will look different this year, as three new aldermen were sworn in to serve on the four-person board.

Dale Householder, Jason Gillaspie and Carl Doaty, Jr. were all sworn in to serve out terms on the board. Householder, after defeating incumbent John Johnson during the municipal election in June, and Gillaspie, who has prior experience serving on the board and is replacing Jim Peterson who opted not to run again, will serve two-year terms. Doaty will serve a one-year term, replacing Steve Jarvis, who was selected to serve a one-year term last year.

Keystone sees boost from fireworks

Published by admin on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 10:49am

The July 3 fireworks event at Mount Rushmore had a significant impact on the town of Keystone, businesses and nonprofits alike.

The Keystone Project “had over 200 vehicles and served more than 1,000 meals,” to visitors July 3, according to David Saldivar.

“People were super happy and appreciative of the parking opportunity,” he said.

The parking area in Old Keystone, which landowners leased to the city for the event, did not fare as well.

Helicopters cause complaints

Published by admin on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 10:49am

A June 15 post on Keystone Happenings Facebook's page stirred up an old issue about helicopters in Keystone.

The initial thread, which has since been removed, began with a posting by Dawn Ahrens. “I matter, too,” Ahrens wrote. “They use my house for a circling landing field.”

Ahrens claimed the noise is “24/7.”

Other community members like Westly Parker agreed the noise is different than in previous years.

“There is a big difference in how Bruce (Schiltz) flew over us and these guys fly over us,” Parker wrote.

P and Z looking at signs again

Published by admin on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 10:49am

The Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission is once again looking at a proposed sign ordinance.

After taking a break from discussing the matter due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission took up the matter once again at its meeting July 6.

Gold Discovery Days starts Thursday

Published by admin on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 9:23am
It’s Gold Discovery Days (GDD) week and, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a full slate of activities scheduled, although some familiar activities have been cancelled or revamped in an effort to keep visitors safe.
Things get started Thursday with the opening of the carnival from 5-10 p.m.
Friday morning starts with the arts and crafts festival from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Washington Street between 4th and 5th streets. An hour later the carnival gets under way, with its setup again on the eastern part of Washington Street, just like last year.

Carjacked car is recovered

Published by admin on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 9:19am
The car stolen in a July 5 carjacking and kidnapping incident in Hermosa has been recovered, according to Custer County sheriff’s deputy Lt. Steve McMillin who is investigating the crime. 
The car, a black 2006 Ford Taurus SE, was allegedly stolen by a young Native American woman who had asked for a ride from Hermosa to Rapid City. After traveling to Rapid City and then back to Hart Ranch and Hermosa, the suspect allegedly assaulted and overpowered the car’s owner, took control of the vehicle and headed for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. 

County adds 11th positive case

Published by admin on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 9:19am
Custer County had its 11th positive test for the virus Monday. However, of the 11 positive cases the county has tallied, only two are active. Nine of the people who tested positive have made a full recovery.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) last week announced state gross domestic product (GDP) decreases for all 50 states. The South Dakota economy contracted by 2.2 percent, the second smallest amount in the country, for the first quarter of 2020, which covers January to March.

Schools open Aug. 24, with conditions

Published by admin on Thu, 07/16/2020 - 9:19am
Custer district schools are scheduled to reopen Aug. 24 to provide in-person learning at all schools, according to a plan approved by the board of education on Monday. 
Supt. Mark Naugle outlined the reopening plan crafted by a team of teachers and administrators emphasizing that the plan is still a “living document” that will need to be amended as the situation develops. 
“We know we’ll have some folks who aren’t comfortable in sending their kids back into the school buildings,” said Naugle.