News

Development a key topic in Hermosa

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:40am

There was a full house in attendance at the Nov. 5 Hermosa Town Board meeting, and a range of matters was up for discussion and consideration, from a dog running loose in town to issues with possible contamination of wells, the lagoon expansion project, the Preston Development, potential development of the Carriage Hills Subdivision, and an update on the controversial tax increment finance (TIF) district that has plagued the board in previous meetings, among other things.

Board discusses future of FFA

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:40am

The Future Farmers of America (FFA) program advisor Becky Treloar spoke to the Custer School District Board of Education at the board’s Nov. 11 meeting to talk about the future of the program, now in its second year. Treloar is the new advisor of the program this year after Brian Albers,  retired ag teacher from Minnesota, served for a promised one year to get the program on its feet and give the district and students an idea of what a successful FFA program needs—namely, an in-school agricultural ed. teacher and class offerings.

Buffalo Auction raises $884K

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:38am

The Custer State Park Fall Classic buffalo auction brought in a whopping total of $884,775.00, a figure just over $250,000 more than last year’s auction sale total. All that, and with selling 17 fewer bison than last year.

County now part of IPAWS system

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:37am

Custer County has a new tool in its toolbox when it comes to notifying the public or warning the public of potential disasters, weather events, etc.
The county is now a part of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), FEMA’s national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public through mobile phones using wireless emergency alerts, to radio and television via the Emergency Alert System, and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Radio.

Get ready for a Hallmark Christmas in Hill City

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:22am
“Everything about Christmas in Hill City just feels kind of magical,” said Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Erin Loder. “I feel like we have our own little, unique Hallmark town.” 
With Thanksgiving just a week away, Hill City is quickly transforming into a winter wonderland minus the snow with Christmas wreaths, lights and boughs around every corner. 
This year, along with Hill City’s signature holiday proceedings, the chamber is introducing some new and old Christmas shopping events. 

Council confirms water, wastewater funding requests

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:20am
After submitting the Water and Wastewater Facility Master Plans to the State Water Plan, Joe Nobel with city engineer AE2S came to the Hill City Common Council meeting Nov. 12 to get confirmation regarding what projects within each plan the council wanted to request funding for. 
In total, the Water Facility Master Plan included a list of alternatives and potential projects adding up to around $15 million. Of that, Nobel said they wanted to confirm exactly what projects the council wanted to seek funding for. 

Learn more about water, sewer rate increases Dec. 5

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:19am
Monthly water and wastewater rates are expected to increase with the  projects on the horizon in Hill City.
Recently the Hill City Common Council had a water and wastewater rate study completed by Miranda Kleven with city engineer AE2S. During the Nov. 12 meeting, Kleven, along with Joe Nobel of AE2S, presented the rate study and their recommendations to the council. 

Parents dish about food in district

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:16am
A parent engagement meeting between Lunchtime Solutions Inc and Hill City School District parents was held Nov. 12. 
Lunchtime Solutions Inc. (LSI)  is the food service provider for the school district. The meeting was scheduled after numerous posts on Facebook, although Erica Layton, Food Service Director for LSI  said she has received only two complaints since November 2023, both about the lactose-free milk being offered.

Board approves traditional calendar

Published by admin on Wed, 11/20/2024 - 9:15am
The 2025-26 Hill City School District  school calendar was approved by the  Hill City School District Board of Education at its Nov. 11 meeting.

Students honor vets in 30th program

Published by admin on Wed, 11/13/2024 - 3:52pm

Custer Jr./Sr. High School honored area veterans with music, poetry and speeches in its 30th annual program Monday, which brought a packed house of veterans, students and other community members together to honor the nation’s veterans. The guest speaker at the event was Deb Hanagan, a local veteran and director of the 1881 Courthouse Museum in Custer.
The program opened with a welcome by CHS principial Tobey Cass and student body president Brook Bennett, followed by the presentation of colors by the Custer Veterans Honor Guard.