News

P&Z finds remedy for business registry

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 12:36pm

At its June 7 meeting the Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission discussed the language of the Business Registry Ordinance being proposed. The discussion centered on the attorney’s suggestions upon review of the document. The board agreed to strike language concerning “civic or service activities” due to potential confusion. The board also made 501c3s exempt from paying the registration fee while still requiring them to register.
The biggest dispute was in regards to remedies and penalties, should a business refuse to register.

More short-term rental discussion held

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 12:34pm

About 40 people packed into the Hill City Senior Center for the second in a series of public meetings about nightly vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods. The June 14 meeting began with an overview of the issue, presented by Ron Walker of the Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission.
Walker explained the town is in the beginning stages of trying to get a handle on the issue that has about a 10 year history.
“We are potentially heading down the same trails as other western tourist towns have gone,” he said.

Bridge set for rehab

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 12:34pm

Rehabilitation of a bridge just outside Keystone is set to take place this summer, according to the Highway Department of Pennington County.
The bridge in question is located 0.8 miles west of Keystone on  Old Hill City Road crossing Battle Creek.  JV Bailey was awarded the contract to remove and replace seven double tee bridge deck units. A preconstruction meeting date is yet to be determined  with work anticipated to begin in July.

Council hears marijuana ordinance

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 9:25am

Hill City jumped on the bandwagon of South Dakota towns intent on creating temporary marijuana ordinances, buying them time to digest the state’s guidelines when they come out on or before Oct 29.
With the legalization of medical marijuana on July 1, municipalities are creating temporary roadblocks for individuals interested in cultivating, testing, manufacturing or opening a dispensary for cannabis until regulations from the state are in place.

Memories of Dad

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 9:22am

Father’s Day ... so often overshadowed by Mother’s Day, yet our relationship  with our fathers are so important.  Local residents recount some of their favorite memories of their fathers.

Lawsuit over valuation is threatened

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 9:20am

The definition of obsolescence, a disputed motion, claims of harassment and the threat of a lawsuit all intersected at the Custer County Commission meeting June 9 when Wally and Pat Steele came before the commission to protest what they felt was an inaccurate assessment of their property as well as what they felt was impropriety by both the commission (acting as the board of adjustments) and county director of equalization Leah Vissia.

Ag qualifications may tighten

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 9:19am

When is ag land not really ag land? In Custer County, that’s for the county commission to decide.
At its June 9 meeting, the commission, at the behest of county director of equalization Leah Vissia, set a special session date to work on curtailing what some believe is an abuse of agriculture land classification/taxation rate.

Lumber prices are through the roof

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 9:19am

Part 3 of a series of articles examining the numerous economic and lifestyle impacts of the current in-migration to Custer County.
 

Baby elk rescued

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 9:17am

A baby elk was unable to escape some fencing north of Custer last Tuesday, June 8. The elk was on the east side of Hwy. 16, while its mother was on the west side.
Law enforcement was not able to reunite the two and hoped they would work it out between themselves. However, the next morning the animals were still separated by the fence and the highway.
Two conservation officers with the S.D. Department of Game, Fish and Parks along with a deputy sheriff from the Custer County Sheriff’s Office hiked out into the field and were able to catch the baby elk by hand.  

Record numbers for Custer Off-Road Rally

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 9:16am

Last weekend’s Custer Off-Road Rally was a success, as there were 85 machines/vehicles registered for the event, which brought in 169 people, according to Dolsee Davenport, Custer Area Chamber of Commerce executive director.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” she said. “We definitely had a great weekend.”
The poker run held over the weekend sold 200 poker hands. Davenport said all the numbers are records for the event and more than the chamber originally expected for this year’s rally.