News

COVID-19 origin probed

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 9:11am

Once dismissed by most public health experts and government officials, the idea that COVID-19 leaked accidentally from a Chinese lab is now receiving scrutiny under a new U.S. investigation, according to an Associated Press article.
Former State Department officials under President Donald Trump have pushed for further investigation into virus origins, as have scientists and the World Health Organization.
Many scientists, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, still believe the virus most likely occurred in nature and jumped from animals to humans.

Custer County has lead feet on gravel roads

Published by admin on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 9:11am

Who is speeding in the county? A lot of people. In some places, everyone.
At the June 9 meeting of the Custer County Commis-sion, county highway superintendent Jess Doyle detailed data collected from the middle to the end of May from a new traffic counter. Included was the number of people speeding as they drove by it.
The average daily traffic count on America Center Road was 164 vehicles. An average of 40 drove over the speed limit. On Little Italy Road, the average was 66 vehicles a day—not a single one of which was obeying the speed limit.

Auch defeats Johnson

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:59am

Hill City Council alderman Gary Auch has defeated challenger John Johnson in the race for a seat on the city council.
Auch garnered 30 votes while Johnson received 10  votes in the race for a two-year term in Ward II.
Auch was initially appointed to the council August of last year to fill out the term of Bill Miner. Johnson was a long-time council member who was defeated in a council election in June 2020 by Dale Householder.

County puts pause on pot

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:56am

The Pennington County Commission has joined a growing list of towns, cities and counties across the state that has placed a moratorium on issuing permits and licenses for medical marijuana pending further instruction from the state.
At its June 2 meeting, the commission unanimously approved Ordinance No. 727 a temporary ordinance that puts a hold on issuing such permits or licenses.

Public airs views on airbnbs

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:53am

By Leslie Silverman

No deaths when motorcycle hits truck

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:51am

An accident involving a truck and a motorcycle took place the morning of June 6 in Keystone. A patient was transported to Rapid City Monument Hospital at 10:15 a.m. that day according to the Keystone Ambulance Service. The patient, the motorcyclist in the incident, is in stable condition and suffered broken bones according to Denise, a passenger in the truck.

Quest for fireworks at Rushmore fizzles

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:51am

There will not be any Independence Day fireworks at Mount Rushmore this year, according to a recent ruling handed down by  U.S. District Court chief Judge Roberto Lange.
The decision denied the injunction Gov. Kristi Noem sought on behalf of the State of South Dakota.
“This court fully understands the state’s position and why this suit was brought, but under governing law, the state is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims and has not met the requirements for the sort of mandatory injunction or writ of mandamus sought,” the ruling states.

Keystone meeting times changed

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:47am

The Keystone Town Board discussed moving meeting times to evenings so more people, including trustees, can attend. The discussion took place at the town’s June 2 board meeting.
A survey on facebook showed most residents wanted a 6 p.m. meeting time, although only eight people took the survey. Finance officer Cassandra Ott was concerned about having two evening meetings because of “exhaustion” of employees, like public works superintendent Jerry Przybylski, who begin their shifts very early in the day.

Calumet Fire breaks out near Keystone

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:46am

Firefighters from Battle Creek Volunteer Fire Department in  Keystone responded to a three to four acre fire near Calumet Road just outside of Keystone June 8.

City narrowly passes medical pot changes

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:27am

The Custer City Council at its June 7 meeting narrowly approved a modification to an ordinance for which it had already passed a first reading on placing a moratorium on applications for medicinal marijuana establishments until groundwork for the rules for such establishments are clarified by the state.
The modified ordinance passed by a 3-2 vote, with alderwomen Dixie Whittaker, Peg Ryan and Nina Nielsen voting in favor, while aldermen Bob Schilling and Todd Pechota voted against.