Hill City Prevailer

Regarding the nursing home closure

Published by admin on Thu, 12/16/2021 - 8:59am

I am very sorry to hear that the nursing home in Custer will be closing. This facility, which is operated by Monument Health, has served hundreds of residents and their families very well over the years.  

Jingle bells don't always rock

Published by admin on Thu, 12/09/2021 - 10:03am
I’ve never seen a town so festively decorated for Christmas. On one side of the street, there are wreaths with candle lights, poinsettias, candy canes, garlands and more. On the other side, there are snowmen, Santa Claus figures and a Christmas tree taller than any I’ve ever seen. The town is merry and the people are more so. However, sometimes when the holiday music begins, I have mixed feelings.

Twelve legislative years later

Published by admin on Thu, 12/09/2021 - 8:44am

I have been asked what the potential economic impact could be if the newly proposed soil tables are implemented and ranchers see a significant increase in their taxes. I have spoken to many ranchers across the state and have personal testimonies stating that if the new soil tables are implemented and their land that has always been assessed as grassland is reassessed as cropland, they would be at the point where their taxes would exceed the income generated by their ranch and could risk losing their ranches and homes.

Noem named Governor of the Year

Published by admin on Thu, 12/09/2021 - 8:43am

Greetings! ‘Tis the Christmas season, which is a great time of the year celebrating the birth of the Christ child. I’m not trying to take anything away from that, but before Christmas is here, there are some great college football games!  
I had the distinct pleasure of taking my oldest grandchild, Rachel, to the Wisconsin Badgers vs. Minnesota Gophers game in the Twin Cities two Saturdays ago. Rachel is a twin and attends the University of Wisconsin.  This fall she really got into Badger football home games. Who wouldn’t with 85,000 screaming fans?  

An update on Draft Bill 50

Published by admin on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 10:09am

During the upcoming legislative session Sen. Castleberry and I will be introducing Draft Bill 50.
Bill Draft 50 states that, “Agricultural land may also be categorized as non-crop land, regardless of the soil classification of the land. If the elevation of the land is greater than one 1,950 feet above sea level, it has been seeded to perennial vegetation for at least 20 years and used for animal grazing or left unharvested, or if the agricultural land is native grassland.”

Constitutional Amendment A struck down

Published by admin on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 10:08am

Greetings! The state Supreme Court struck down Constitutional Amendment A Yep! It’s final. The court ruled that Constitutional Amendment A was unconstitutional. This amendment would have legalized marijuana use in South Dakota.
So, what happened? Well, in Constitutional Amendment A there were three subjects: medical marijuana, recreational marijuana and hemp. The Supreme Court, using my layman’s terms, not hard evidence, decided that those three items were three different subjects. Why was that important?  

A trip to Rushmore Mall

Published by admin on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 9:53am
So the other day after I took Sadie to PetSmart I went to the MMMMMMMall. You know, being a Jersey girl I practically grew up in one. 
We had several in my hood, with the Ocean County Mall being closest. My favorite was the Seaview Square Mall because it had a rad arcade and I loved to play Galaga growing up.  It also featured the only Merry-Go-Round store in the area, and that was where I bought all my Spandex and girlie girl shirts.

A family tradition of thankfulness

Published by admin on Wed, 11/24/2021 - 9:57am
With Christmas coming holiday traditions are a prominent topic. Everyone has their own rhythm of when Christmas music is allowed and how soon the Christmas tree will go up. Then there are places to go, events to attend and shopping to do. Some people light Advent candles every night. Others read holiday- themed books. Plus there are always plenty of goodies that need to be baked. These traditions make the holiday season special and bring families close year by year.

Sorting out all of the redistricting

Published by admin on Wed, 11/24/2021 - 9:53am

Greetings! Let’s start off with a Happy Thanksgiving to all. We truly live in the greatest country on Earth and we all have a lot to be thankful for.
Last week we talked about redistricting and now that it is final, you probably want to know what legislative district you live in.  There’s no chance of figuring it out! Just teasing.

Taking a legislative road trip

Published by admin on Wed, 11/24/2021 - 9:52am

It is Sunday and I am on my way home from a whirlwind week of travel across the beautiful state of South Dakota. What a week it was! On Wednesday, at 9:30 a.m., I had the opportunity to present our Grassland Tax Relief Bill to the Bennett County Commissioners in Martin.  The meeting was very well attended including the Bennett County director of equalization and local ranchers. We had enthusiastic support for our bill and the commissioners issued a resolution of support for the legislation.