News

‘They just won’t listen:’ Rural SD nears postal breaking point

Published by admin on Wed, 07/01/2026 - 9:47am
At Petersen’s Variety store, there are no less than three signs in the window advertising that residents of Philip can ship, pick up and drop off packages via UPS. The store is just a block away from the town’s post office.
Residents in this western South Dakota town may be forgiven for choosing the—often more expensive—private shipping company over the nation’s postal service: Long delivery times and unreliable service have led to growing distrust and dissatisfaction with the United States Postal Service’s operations in rural parts of the state.

Derrick Reifenrath appointed sheriff

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 10:03am

There’s a new sheriff in town.
Derrick Reifenrath of the Custer County Sheriff’s Office was appointed as sheriff June 18 due to the retirement of Sheriff Marty Mechaley. Reifenrath ran uncontested for the position of Custer County Sheriff when petitions were open this spring.  
The appointment took place at a special meeting of the Custer County Commission Thursday in the commission meeting room. 
“Thank you, gentlemen, for all the years. I really appreciate all of you,” said Mechaley.
The commissioners said they appreciated Mechaley as well. 

Besco alleged to have embezzled more than $131,000

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 10:02am

The Buffalo Gap Town Board convened June 9 for a special meeting to hear a report presented by state auditor general Russ Olson regarding alleged embezzlement of funds by the former town finance officer, Heather Jean Besco (a.k.a. Heather Jean Besco-Clyde) to the tune of more than $131,000 from 2016-24. She was arrested in Nebraska April 9 and charged in Seventh Judicial Circuit Court for Grand Theft-Embezzlement of Property Received in Trust. 

School board hears facilities update

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 10:02am

The Custer High School serving kitchen is in need of upgrades, and time is short to get them done.
At the June 8 meeting of the Custer School District Board of Education, the board discussed changes to the kitchen that are required by the state’s Deparment of Health, including upgraded wall panels, sink and countertops.
The needs were part of the district’s Facilities and Transportation Committee discussion that was held prior to the board’s regular meeting, which was held at the Hermosa School.

Funding request sent to committee

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 10:01am

The Custer Volunteer Fire Department’s 2026 additional funding request was sent to the Public Works Committee for further discussion. This was decided at the June 15 meeting of the Custer City Council. Councilperson Nina Nielsen made the motion, and it was unanimously approved without further discussion. 

County approve Black Hills Marketplace TIF

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 9:38am
The Pennington County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District No. 8 for the Black Hills Marketplace development during its meeting June 3, marking a significant investment in future housing, commercial growth, infrastructure improvements and economic development in western Rapid City.

Keystone gets gaga pit, hears summer updates

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 9:37am
There is still no word on whether an official dog park will be allowed in Keystone, but trustees did approve a request for a gaga ball pit, an enclosed variation of dodgeball. That approval came at the June 17 Keystone Town Board meeting.
Keystone Area Historical Society Board president Deb Dargatz gave samples of vanilla ice cream made with the original Thomas Jefferson recipe that will be for sale at  Keystone Museum as a fundraiser for the Living History School program next spring. The museum “just about broke even” for the program this year. 

Fall River Health Services contributing to housing

Published by admin on Wed, 06/24/2026 - 9:30am
In a first-of-its-kind project in South Dakota, the small hospital in Hot Springs is investing in a subdivision project to provide housing for its employees.
Fall River Health Services, an independent nonprofit medical center is paying $2.3 million of the overall $3.4 million cost of infrastructure for a subdivision that could create 48 new affordable housing units a few hundred yards from the hospital campus.

Fall River Health Services contributing to housing

Published by admin on Wed, 06/17/2026 - 9:36am

In a first-of-its-kind project in South Dakota, the small hospital in Hot Springs is investing in a subdivision project to provide housing for its employees.
Fall River Health Services, an independent nonprofit medical center is paying $2.3 million of the overall $3.4 million cost of infrastructure for a subdivision that could create 48 new affordable housing units a few hundred yards from the hospital campus.

Road issues brought forward

Published by admin on Wed, 06/17/2026 - 9:35am

Road issues—or one stretch of road in particular—were front and center at the June 4 meeting of the Custer County Commission, as the commission listened to three people air road concerns during the open forum portion of the meeting.
John Gisi, who lives off 20 Mile/Remington Road, said he had concerns over a stretch of Remington Road that was having its ditches pulled in, saying a long stretch of it was “barely passable for a pickup.”