News

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.

Council approves setback variance request

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

Is the preferred physical placement of a home reason enough to approve a setback variance request?
At the Hill City Common Council meeting Dec. 9, council members voted three in favor to one opposed to the setback variance request submitted by Tim and Mary Braithwaite.

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.

Friends of the Library to meet next Wednesday

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:35am

Friends of the Hill City Library will kick off the new year Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 10:15 a.m. in the Super 8 conference room. Local co-authors Peter Larson, founder of Black Hills Institute, and Kristin Donnan, have been hard at work updating and expanding their popular books on paleontology. While both books explore the science of T. rex and its “pals,” they do so in very different ways, and Donnan will share the story at the meeting.

Citizen of the Year

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:16am

A job done well. A job done.
For nearly 40 years—with just over the last 13 spent in Custer—Rex Jorgensen has dedicated himself to communities, families and children of four different YMCAs.
For that reason and many more, Jorgensen has been named the Custer County Chronicle’s Citizen of the Year for 2024.
All told, Jorgensen has dedicated 37 years of his life to the YMCA. He began his career at the Custer YMCA in August 2011, but began his career at the Aberdeen YMCA in 1985.

District 30 plans for property tax reform

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:16am

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.

Community center master plan unveiled

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:15am

At the Dec. 16 meeting of the Custer City Council, Matt Fridell and Tanya Olson of Tallgrass Landscape Architecture gave an overview of the Custer Community Center Master Plan, a project that has been in discussion for years now, with several public meetings haven taken place over the past year to narrow focus on the project.
The presentation began with a summary of the existing facilities on site for the center, which include the city pool, old elementary school lot, county annex and library as well as a parking lot.

District 30 legislators react to budget address

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 9:07am

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.

City commits more funds to West Dam

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 9:06am

The City of Custer will spend $156,620 on design and bidding services for the West Dam reconstruction project, after the council approved the expenditure at its Dec. 16 meeting.
The money will support RESPEC’s proposal for a pair of subtasks to help meet the city’s goal of beginning sediment removal from the reservoir. Work has already begun at the site to install erosion control and cut a channel to allow the pond to dry out.