News

McDill charged in Star Valley impasse

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 11:57am

The man whose homes are sitting in public right of way on Galaxy Trail at the Star Valley Subdivision was present at the June 21 meeting of the Custer County Commission, and was none too happy he had been arrested on four warrants related to obstructing the right of way with the homes.
“I drove in and the sheriff’s [office] comes up and arrests me and gives me four warrants or whatever is going on,” Tom McDill told the commission. “I am (a) certified and trained, experienced mediator in these kinds of businesses but I have never run into something like this before.”

New wastewater discharge nearing completion

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 11:56am

A disputed force main that will take City of Custer effluent from the city’s wastewater treatment plant to French Creek near the Glen Erin Schoolhouse is nearing completion.
That was part of the update given to the Custer City Council at the council’s June 20 meeting, as Trent Bruce of DGR Engineering, the firm guiding the city through upgrades to its wastewater treatment plant, gave the council an update on the various parts of the plant upgrades.

‘When is a fact a fact?’ discussed

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 11:56am

How creative can you be when writing a true story? Can facts get in the way of the larger truth of a story?  Can the lines between fiction and non-fiction be blurred? These are some of the questions grappled with in the play, “The Lifespan of a Fact” and in a live panel discussion following a performance of that play at the Black Hills Playhouse on Sunday.

Resignation: what happens next

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 9:06am
With the resignation of Hill City Mayor Kathy Skorzewski, many people are wondering what happens next.
Officially the vacancy of the office of mayor will occur on July 11. 
Once the vacancy occurs, the president of the common council shall have the duties and powers of the mayor until a mayoral appointment is made by the common council or a special election is conducted. South Dakota codified law does not specify a timeframe for this to occur merely stating “as soon as practicable after the vacancy occurs.”

Board hears housing concerns

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 9:06am
Keystone Town Board trustees heard from Vanessa Rowe at the June 21 town board meeting.
Rowe spoke to trustees about the Keystone Elderly Housing Commission as there are numerous concerns about how it is managed as well as the safety and well being of its residents. Rowe sits on the volunteer commission and gave a brief history of the organization.
Elderly housing formed  in the 1990s as a means to help seniors in the community stay in the community. 

Keystone seniors host activities

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 9:05am
The Keystone Senior Center is open for business again. A core group of dedicated people have worked hard to refurbish both the inside and outside of the building, creating a warm and inviting space for fellowship, food and fun.
Currently the center is open Mondays and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. for movies and Tuesdays and Fridays for fitness. Thursdays at 1 p.m. is adult game day with cards, board games and Rummikub play.
The monthly meeting for the senior board happens the last Thursday of the month at 6 p.m.

Heart of the Hills gears up for Independence Day

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 9:04am
Area residents and visitors can enjoy Independence Day celebrations July 2-3 in the Hill City and Keystone area.
Hill City will once again be hosting a Star Spangled Saturday celebration, an all- day event at various locations in town.
Hill City Senior Citizens will sponsor two meals, a pancake breakfast at the Hill City Center from 7-10 a.m. and a lunch between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast is $3 for pancakes and coffee, while lunch is $5 for either a sloppy joe or hot dog plus chips and a drink.

Exercise classes help keep seniors strong

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 9:02am
After moving to Hill City in 2017, Rebecca Schindler realized there were no fitness classes in town. So she approached the senior center, asked if it would like to offer a fitness class and volunteered to teach one. 
“Physical fitness has always been an interest for me,” said Schindler. “I’ve been physically active my whole life. I’m just kind of wired that way.”
She was involved in sports as a child, had three brothers to keep up with and grew up in the country where she hiked, biked and walked. 

‘Exploring with Custer’ revised ahead of 1874 expedition anniversary

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 8:43am

The story behind ‘The Beautiful Snow’

Published by admin on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 8:39am
It was the illustration on the front cover of “On the Banks of Plum Creek” where Laura Ingalls Wilder is pictured running barefoot on the roof of the dugout that first drew Cindy Wilson into “The Little House on the Prairie” series. 
“Like a lot of little girls, I was reading ‘The Little House’ books in early elementary school,” said Wilson. “When I found out they were based on real people, I became fascinated by the real history.”