News

Council tables sign ordinance revision

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2019 - 4:50pm

By Gray Hughes

 

The Hill City Common Council met on Tuesday, Nov. 12 — a day later due to the Veterans Day holiday.

The big topic on the agenda was the discussion and possible approving of the first reading of amendment to the new sign ordinance changes.

Judge pens decision on 2-2 tie issue

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2019 - 4:47pm

A judge has come to a decision on the City of Hill City mayor voting on appointments.

A letter by Seventh Judicial Circuit Judge Heidi Linngren sent to the attorneys representing the two sides in a lawsuit filed regarding the 2-2 issue says then-mayor Julie Wickware-Klein acted within her rights to break the 2-2 tie, meaning that the appointments are valid.

Veteran gives life advice to assembly

Published by admin on Thu, 11/14/2019 - 11:38am

The Hill City community came together Tuesday to celebrate and honor America’s veterans.

The program was hosted in Gins’ Gym and featured choral and band performances, a guest speaker, poetry readings and a presentation of quilts to honored veterans in the Hill City community.

This year’s guest speaker was chief Dan Richer, who is retired from the United States Air Force.

BBB rewrite passes second reading

Published by admin on Thu, 11/14/2019 - 11:38am

The second reading of the Keystone ordinance 35-10 passed at the most recent Keystone Town Board meeting.

The ordinance removes the “earmark” 50 percent of the Bed, Board and Booze (BBB) tax to the Keystone Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber board president Julie Smoragiewicz went back and forth with the board over the wording of the ordinance.

Housing study shows lack of rentals in Keystone

Published by admin on Thu, 11/14/2019 - 11:38am

A report on the housing options in Keystone was made public at the most recent Keystone Town Board meeting.

Steven Griesert, president of Community Partners Research, highlighted some of the key points of the 87-page study at the most recent town board meeting. The study is available online on the town government website. 

Ordinance committee forming in Keystone

Published by admin on Thu, 11/14/2019 - 11:38am

A new ordinance committee will meet on Nov. 18 at 9 a.m., according to the latest Keystone Town Board meeting.

No members have been assigned yet.

“I think the first meeting is going to be more of a planning meeting how we are going to tackle this large project of the ordinances and making sure they fit,” said Cassandra Ott, town finance officer for Keystone. “I know there’s been a few ordinances that people have had an interest in changing.”

Vets honored at 25th program

Published by admin on Thu, 11/14/2019 - 9:15am
For the 25th year in a row, Custer School District honored those who have served and are serving in the nation’s armed services at its annual Veterans Day program Monday. 
Hundreds of children and adults packed the Custer Armory at 2 p.m. to hear over an hour of songs by students in all grades, patriotic music by the high school band, poems and readings honoring veterans and a speech by guest speaker Kevin Morello of Black Hawk. 

GFP eyes state park fee increase

Published by admin on Thu, 11/14/2019 - 9:15am
The S.D. Game, Fish & Parks (GFP) Commission unanimously approved increases to its state park entrance and camping fees recently, which GFP officials say are needed to cover maintenance and flood damage costs at the parks.
The increase will now go to the legislative Rules Review Committee for approval. If it receives approval, the fee increases could go into effect Jan. 1.

More moves for Custer businesses

Published by admin on Thu, 11/14/2019 - 9:14am
If you walk into the office looking for Paul DeHaan at First  Western  Insurance in Custer, you won’t find him or the insurance company, but you will find the offices of Jim Meyer of Edward Jones at 40 North 5th Street. 
DeHaan retired months ago when First Western Insurance became HUB International in May, represented now by agent Craig Comer whose office is just across the hall from Edward Jones.
Edward Jones moved its offices from 449 Mt. Rushmore Road to the former home of the First Interstate Bank drive-up building in mid-October this year.

Active shooter scenario planned

Published by admin on Thu, 11/14/2019 - 9:13am
Having trained the entire student body and staff at both Custer and Hermosa in the ALICE active shooter protocols, administrators at Custer High School are planning an exercise that will both simulate an actual incident and expose potential weaknesses in the school’s defenses. 
In presenting the simulation plan to the Custer School District Board of Education at its Monday, Nov. 11, meeting, high school principal Orion Thompson and school resource officer Deputy Matt Tramp announced the exercise is set to take place at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25.