Our Community

Partnerships on all levels

Published by admin on Wed, 01/28/2026 - 9:46am
While Hill City has an active merchants association that works to bring businesses together and  events like the Tour de Chocolate and Spring Fling to Main Street during the slower winter and shoulder seasons, most Keystone businesses are left on their own. 
Many remain seasonal, opting to close late in October and reopen in May. Some have a successful online ordering presence that supports storefronts staying open despite few physical customers. And some look toward unique experiences, using local partnerships to stay relevant and draw customers into town. 

Paint with PIPTO at Family Fun Night

Published by admin on Wed, 01/28/2026 - 9:43am
Roll up your sleeves. It’s about to get messy—and fun—at this year’s art-inspired Family Fun Night Jan. 30 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria gym, sponsored by Parent Involvement Parent Teacher Organization (PIPTO).
Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion and wear something they won’t mind leaving a little more “colorful” than when they arrived.
This year PIPTO team collaborated with the high school art club, led by teacher Jessica Kautz, to create an experience that kids just don’t typically get in school or at home. 

Celebrating Hill City, the gift of a newspaper

Published by admin on Wed, 01/28/2026 - 9:42am
Hill City is celebrating its 150th birthday in February. Events are in the planning stages for a big birthday bash to be held this summer. 
The Hill City Prevailer News doesn’t quite go back that long, but a newspaper has served the area since the late 1880s.
The Black Hills Weekly Journal served Pennington County as long ago as 1878. The weekly publication morphed into the Rapid City Daily Journal and eventually the Rapid City Journal.

Down Memory Lane Jan. 28, 2026

Published by admin on Wed, 01/28/2026 - 9:36am

 5 YEARS AGO, 2021

Down Memory Lane Jan. 21

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 1:38pm

10 YEARS AGO, 2016

Morrow, Murray join forces again

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 1:37pm

The band is back together.
LaMonte Morrow and Chuck Murray, who for four years worked together at the earlier iteration of LaMonte’s Auto Center, have joined forces again under the business of the same name.
The two are back together through a partnership that sees Murray acquiring shares of Morrow’s business, with the idea in mind he will eventually take over when Morrow retires. 
Murray had been on his own under the Murray Automotive banner for four years, but when his father retired as his bookkeeper the current plan began to evolve.

Sheriff's Log Jan. 11-17

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 1:28pm

Custer County Sheriff’s Log
Call of the Week
Friday, Jan. 16
3:41 p.m.: A tourist called 911 to report their car was surrounded by bison on Hwy. 87 in Custer State Park. The caller was advised to drive forward slowly without honking their horn and smile a lot. This was apparently successful.

Black Hills Live Jan. 21, 2026

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 10:30am

Wednesday 1-21

Driver’s License Exams 
Custer County Courthouse 
Annex Pine Room
Custer, SD
8 AM to 5 PM

Seniors Fitness Class
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
8:30 AM

Seniors Bridge Card Games
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
10 AM 

Seniors Board Meeting
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
10 AM 

Keystone Town Board Meeting 
Keystone Community Center
Keystone, SD 
5 PM

Breakin’ the Winter Blues always a hot competition

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 9:49am
The Breakin’ the Winter Blues Merchant Chili Cook Off was held Jan. 17 and once again drew people from all over the region to sample hot chili and warm welcomes to Hill City.
Clay King said the competition was stiff this year. King was set up with a red chili in Granite Sports  alongside Richey Weischedel, who was also offering a red chili. 
Weischedel boasted that his was better than King’s and a little more spicy.
“I’m a spice guy,”   Weischedel said.

Building a prepared community through CPR training

Published by admin on Wed, 01/21/2026 - 9:48am
“Staying alive, staying alive…ah, ah, ah, ah, staying alive.”
The classic Bee Gees tune isn’t just catchy—it might actually help save a life.