Hill City Prevailer

Chamber awards honor leaders, businesses

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 8:53am

Each year the Hill City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors honors chamber member businesses and community members with awards. These awards were announced at the April 26 Chamber Annual Meeting, dubbed “Charting the Course.”

As people mingled below, a banner in honor of Rick Mills that read, “Community leader, train fanatic, you will be missed,” hung high.

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Roggenthen ‘rocks’ at Sanford Underground Research Facility

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 8:49am

The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), hosts world-leading experiments seeking answers to some of the most profound mysteries of the universe while the facility itself is a mystery to most.

Long-time Keystone resident Bill Roggenthen, however, is no stranger to the interworkings at SURF. In fact, after the Homestake Gold Mine closed in 2002, and the idea of America’s Underground Lab started to take shape, Roggenthen was instrumental in making a case for the mine to become the home of SURF.

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R is for Retirement

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 8:48am

We sure will miss her.

Hill City Elementary School Principal Samantha Weaver said it best in regards to kindergarten teacher Donna VanNess’ retirement at the end of this school year.

After starting her teaching career at Clear Lake and then teaching at Wagner for 12 years, where she also coached gymnastics, VanNess found her way to the Black Hills.

“Mrs. VanNess has been a huge part of shaping our Rangers, teaching a variety of grade levels and making a difference every step of the way,” said Weaver.

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Down Memory Lane April 30, 2025

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 8:47am

5 YEARS AGO, 2020

— The National Park Service (NPS) announced Tuesday the return of Independence Day fireworks to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The fireworks returned after an 11-year absence. “There is no better place to celebrate America’s birthday than Mount Rushmore,” said South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem in a release.

10 YEARS AGO, 2015

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Museum staying on track despite sudden departure

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 8:46am

Despite the sudden and sad loss of Rick Mills the South Dakota State Railroad Museum (SDSRM) will open as scheduled May 10.

SDSRM board president Lesta Turchen said, “For me personally, Rick was a dear friend. I will always remember his laughter and the courage with which he faced life’s challenges.”

As the board figures out what its next steps are, James Wilmus, a board of directors member and volunteer for many years, is taking over as interim director. Wilmus was previously honored by Mills and the SDSRM for his volunteer service.