Hill City Prevailer

Fresh-baked fundraiser

Published by admin on Wed, 01/08/2025 - 9:50am

Before you put away your old family recipes for the season consider submitting your favorites to the Hill City Lions Club’s (HCLC) new collaborative cookbook.
Early last year, HCLC president Stefanie Doaty saw a post on the Hill City Happenings Facebook page about an old recipe book from an organization in Hill City.

Keystone Country store to close its doors

Published by admin on Wed, 01/08/2025 - 9:47am

The Keystone Country Store will permanently close by the end of the month. That is according to current owner Sarah Digmann.
Digmann is sad at this decision, one that did not come easy to her. She has been wrestling with the idea for quite some time, staying open solely because of the people who really have nowhere else to go.
However, at this point she says the store was no longer economically viable for her and her family to continue to run.
“There are winter days when I see less than three customers,” she said.

Pat Forrer named Hill City Prevailer News Citizen of the Year

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:39am

It’s been said that she is involved in countless projects, programs and organizations but always works in the background. Now her family and friends agree it is time for her to receive the recognition she deserves.
For her years of dedication to the community, Pat Forrer has been named the Hill City Prevailer News 2024 Citizen of the Year.
Forrer moved to Hill City in the summer of 2009. After retiring as a special education and English teacher, Forrer was trying to decide whether to move near her daughter or her son.

District 30 legislators react to budget address

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:38am

Proposed cuts to the state library, South Dakota Public Broadcasting and the creation of Education Savings Accounts were among the topics discussed by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem when she gave her final budget address as governor Dec. 3 at the state capitol in Pierre.
The state’s Bureau of Finance and Management released a summary saying the proposed budget  for fiscal year 2026 prioritize “people over programs,” but it is already receiving hearty pushback from many corners, particularly when it comes to the proposed cuts.

Live on Stage returns to the Chute Rooster

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:37am

Live on Stage is coming back to the Chute Rooster this winter.
Although the Hill City Arts Council (HCAC) event never officially was held at the Chute, the restaurant held an open mic night for years, which eventually morphed into the HCAC Live on Stage series.
Chute Rooster owner Ryan Ellingson didn’t own the restaurant when open mic night was held there but he is excited to have the music come back to Chute Rooster. In fact he has been hoping to get the event back from High Country Guest Ranch since he took over at the Chute in 2021.

‘Vouchers’ are focus of District 30 discussion

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 8:48am

Seventeen school board members, teachers, librarians, superintendents, business managers, principals and parents gathered at the Hill City High School Board Room Dec. 18 for the District 30 Legislators Discussion on Education meeting hosted by the Hill City School District (HCSD) Board of Education.
Primarily, those in attendance were from the HCSD and the Custer School District (CSD). A representative from Edgemont attended as well.

Hill City Council discusses 2025 water, sewer rates

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 8:47am

All future projects aside, the Hill City water and sewer rates need to be increased to cover regular operation and maintenance expenses. How to best do so without impacting low users was the council’s primary concern at the Hill City Common Council meeting Dec. 9.
“In the past number of years, we’ve been short about $30,000 on our revenue generated within sewer and water,” said city administrator Nate Anderson. “As part of our discussions on the loan package that we’ll be seeking, we realized that we have about $120,000 in assets that we have not been depreciating.”

District 30 plans for property tax reform

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 8:46am

What is the plan to address property taxes?
District 30 Rep. Trish Ladner and Rep.-elect Tim Goodwin shared more about the property tax bills they are working on during the District 30 Legislators Discussion on Education meeting hosted by the Hill City School District (HCSD) Board of Education Dec. 18.
Entering her third session, Ladner said her passion is property taxes.

Keystone businesses nab tourism awards

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 8:45am

Once again Keystone is at the forefront of South Dakota tourism with three businesses taking home two awards from Travel South Dakota.
Big Thunder Gold Mine, Sprockets Fun Foundry and Rush Mountain Adventure Park  were each recognized as a South Dakota Great Place for 2024. These tourism-focused businesses and individuals earned the designation for their outstanding hospitality and customer service, according to a Dec. 5 press release from Katlyn Svendsen, global public relations & content services senior director for Travel South Dakota.

Hill City set to lose FAITH

Published by admin on Wed, 12/18/2024 - 4:10pm

The Hill City Arts Council recently announced that its Fine Arts in the Hills (FAITH) show formerly known as the Sculpture Show and Sale will not be happening in 2025.
Hill City Arts Council board (HCAC) president Kristie Van Bogart said this was not an easy decision and expressed the challenges with keeping the event going, including  rising costs and decreased income from memberships and sponsorships. While she is uncertain whether losing city funding would have saved the show, she does concede  FAITH is an expensive event costing about  $30,000 to $40,000.