Hill City Prevailer

Rezoning request dies at the table

Published by admin on Wed, 01/31/2024 - 9:10am
By Esther Noe 
 
Standing room was all that remained at Hill City Hall Jan. 22 for the Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting. A total of 35 people signed in and another 11 joined over the phone. Many attended the meeting to contest the rezoning change request on the agenda. 
This request was submitted by Victor Alexander to correct the zoning category of a parcel located at 142 Ponderosa Ave. The parcel includes a fourplex with parking which is rented out to long-term tenants. 

Haunting of Keystone brings back tourism award

Published by admin on Thu, 01/25/2024 - 10:22am
The Haunting of Keystone/Holy Terror Days  received the Peter Norbeck Excellence in Tourism Innovation Award at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism Jan. 18.
According to a press release from Travel  South Dakota the  award “recognizes an industry partner for their innovative thinking in making their destination, business, event or attraction even more appealing to visitors.”

Court denies effort to restore Julie Frye-Mueller privileges

Published by admin on Thu, 01/25/2024 - 10:20am
On Dec. 20, 2023, a trio of District 30 voters, each representing the counties of Fall River, Custer and Pennington, submitted a Petition to Proceed as a Class Action for a Writ of Habeas Corpus to the South Dakota Supreme Court. The lengthy filling was intended to allow District 30 Senator Julie Frye-Mueller “to fully function and perform her duties and privileges and function as their duly elected Senator in all proceedings of the South Dakota Legislature.”

Property taxes are focus of 2024 session

Published by admin on Thu, 01/25/2024 - 10:19am
The 2023 version of the South Dakota Legislature is officially underway, and the District 30 contingent of Reps. Trish Ladner and Dennis Krull and Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller are gearing up for what could be an especially busy session.
“We anticipate hearing  over 500 bills within 38 legislative working days, along with numerous appointments to state agencies and boards,” Ladner said.

Petitions ready for pick up in Keystone

Published by admin on Thu, 01/25/2024 - 10:18am
Circulation of nominating petitions for two open seats on the Keystone Town Board can be picked up Jan. 26. The announcement was made at the most recent, Jan. 17, town board meeting. There are two open trustee positions, a one-year term currently being filled by Nicki Ball and a three-year term currently filled by Matt Fullilove. Petitions are due back to city hall by Feb. 23 at 5 p.m.

Supporters keep inching closer to goal

Published by admin on Thu, 01/25/2024 - 10:06am
The Supporters for the Hill City Ambulance have raised over $300,000 toward the cost of  building a permanent ambulance building on the Hwy. 385 site in town. Lori Comer, who sits on the nonprofit board, said just that day, for example, she got three more donations: one for $1,000 and two for $100.
“Every little bit helps,” she said. “If you’re somebody who’s ever had to call the ambulance to your house you know how important it is. It’s a long time to have it come from Rapid City.” 

Court denies effort to restore Julie Frye-Mueller senate privileges

Published by admin on Wed, 01/24/2024 - 3:17pm

On Dec. 20, 2023, a trio of District 30 voters, each representing the counties of Fall River, Custer and Pennington, submitted a Petition to Proceed as a Class Action for a Writ of Habeas Corpus to the South Dakota Supreme Court. The lengthy filling was intended to allow District 30 Senator Julie Frye-Mueller “to fully function and perform her duties and privileges and function as their duly elected Senator in all proceedings of the South Dakota Legislature.”

Extra funds means free food at schools

Published by admin on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 9:56am
The school lunch program has “a little extra to figure out what to do with,” said school district business Mmanager Cassandra Ott at the Jan. 8 Hill City School Board (HCSB) meeting. 

Variance approved, mayor announces resolutions

Published by admin on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 9:53am
When should a variance be approved, and when should it be denied? What standards are used to determine this? 
This matter was discussed at the Hill City Common Council Meeting Jan. 8 when the council reviewed a variance request. 
The application was from Samuel Farrar with the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research, and the request was to allow a five foot reduction of the required 30-foot rear yard setback. 

Financial impact of closed mill difficult to quantify

Published by admin on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 9:42am
Nearly three years after the sawmill in Hill City closed, the financial impact to the region is difficult, at best, to quantify. According to Kendra Baucom  at the South Dakota Department of Revenue the agency does not do economic impact studies and is unable to determine the impact the sawmill closure had on Pennington County. Since the mill was located outside of Hill City limits, the city of Hill City, too, has no means to quantify what the closure means to the area.