News

Attainable housing life-changing: Lee Tackett grateful to finally be a homeowner

Published by admin on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 8:48am
The Bull Run subdivision was created and touted as an attainable housing project in Hill City. And for at least one resident the project has been a dream come true. 
Seventy-three year old Lee Tackett has owned his home since March 2021. His face still lights up at the thought that he is a homeowner.
“I’ve never owned a home in my life” said Tackett. “I don’t know how to own a home. I never dreamed I’d own one.”
He says the most surprising thing about his Bull Run home is that it is his. 

Taxpayer asks city for answers on Hill City Center

Published by admin on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 8:47am
There were several public comments at the Hill City Common Council meeting April 11.
Two addressed action items further in the agenda, however, and Connie Wolters once again spoke to the aldermen requesting financial information regarding the Business Improvement District (BID) project and the new Hill City Center. 

Town of Keystone test drives new software

Published by admin on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 10:13am
The Town of Keystone has test driven the new software it plans to purchase. 
According to the April 6 Keystone board meeting, Cassandra Ott, town finance officer,  said it was “quite an eye-opener” to see what up-to-date software is capable of.
The new software has a $1,000 annual fee that is  more expensive than the  software the town currently uses, but  the product will save employees time and eliminate third-party fees associated with credit card transactions.

Alley project updated

Published by admin on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 9:53am
On April 5 a group of officials, business owners and community members met at the Boys & Girls Club of the Black Hills to hear more about the upcoming alley project.
“This is really phase two of our bigger (Business Improvement District) BID Board project with the public restrooms and the enlargement of the senior center facility into the new community center building,” said city administrator Brett McMacken. 

Nightly rentals issue back on ballot

Published by admin on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 9:42am
The Hill City Common Council approved a citizen- initiated measure regarding an ordinance establishing a ban on non-owner-occupied nightly rentals in residentially zoned areas within the city of Hill City to appear on the June 7 election ballot. The approval came at the most recent meeting April 11. 
This was the second time the council approved this initiated measure (IM). However, it was determined the first time it was approved that it was not in the correct format required by the state. 

OHV workshop stresses collaboration

Published by admin on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 9:40am
The second agenda workshop for the Black Hills Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Collaborative Learning Process took place in Hill City April 5. 
The goal of the workshop was to create a Black Hills Regional OHV strategy for success,  a living document with solutions and an implementation strategy. This particular workshop had two specific topics for discussion. 
One, to develop a successful long-term strategy for stakeholders/partners and public engagement and two to collaborate across all political and ownership boundaries solutions.

Primary election candidates named

Published by admin on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 9:37am
There will only be one contested race in the June primary election, while challenges dominate at county and state levels.
Mayor Kathy Skorzewski is facing no opposition this year and will be Hill City’s mayor once again. In addition alderman Jason Gillaspie will again be representing Ward 1 as he too is running unopposed.
However there will be a race in Ward 2. Incumbent Dale Householder is being challenged by former alderman John Johnson.

Fire burns Hill City garage

Published by admin on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 9:35am
There were no injuries to civilians, domestic animals or firefighters as the Hill City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a blaze at the 200 block of Pine Avenue in Hill City the night of April 5.
According to a press release, “firefighters found a fire burning with heavy smoke conditions, in a detached garage extending into the roof assembly and the immediate adjacent residential structure.”
Wind gusts exceeding 50 mph complicated matters but firefighters were able to confine the fire to the initial structure and the adjacent residential structure. 

Wabash Springs Fire threatened homes

Published by admin on Wed, 04/13/2022 - 4:09pm

With dry conditions and high and gusty northwest winds, last week’s Wabash Springs wildfire west of Custer was dangerous, but it could have been a whole lot worse according to local officials.
The fire in grass and timber in the Fjerdingren Place/Pinto Lane/Palamino Road area was reported at shortly after 7 o’clock Thursday morning and, whipped up by 40 mph winds, quickly grew to between 50 and 100 acres in size.

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday

Published by admin on Wed, 04/13/2022 - 4:08pm

The Custer YMCA, Custer VFW Women’s Auxiliary and Southern Hills Title Co. will sponsor the annual easter egg hunt Saturday, but the annual hunt has been moved from Harbach Park due to the ongoing construction there.
This year’s hunt will instead be held at French Creek Park, located across Washington Street from The Custer Beacon. The event is free for children up to 8 years old. No registration is required.
Children should bring their bags or baskets to the park to collect eggs stuffed with special treats.