Hill City Prevailer

Rise and shine for a Black Hills Easter tradition

Published by admin on Wed, 04/09/2025 - 10:31am
Rise early as the 77th Annual Easter Sunrise Service returns April 20 at 7 a.m.
It’s a chance to experience a long-standing Black Hills tradition while celebrating Easter with worship, music and fellowship on one of the biggest stages in South Dakota, the Shrine of Democracy, and the freedoms it represents.
“You know, in this day and age, to have something be ongoing since 1947 is just a marvelous thing,” said Eileen Roggenthen, the church historian for the First Congregational Church of Keystone and member of the Easter Sunrise Planning Committee. 

GoFundMe set up for high school burn victim

Published by admin on Wed, 04/09/2025 - 10:26am
A Hill City High School freshman was badly burned following an accident Saturday, April 5. The girl was severely burned on most of the left side of her body.  
Lisa Johnson, a close family friend, is calling the incident a “traumatic accident” for all involved and stated that there was “a heroic effort to help (the girl).” 

Spring clean up week set

Published by admin on Wed, 04/09/2025 - 10:24am
Spring clean up week in Keystone occurs April 25- May 2. The date was set at the April 2 Keystone Town Board meeting. 
Wednesday, April 30, will be the town and creek clean up day. 
“I’ve done Old Hill City Road to Keystone,” said town board president Casey McNulty.

Manage your forest, protect your home

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 10:03am
Have you ever wondered how to manage your property, protect your home from wildfires, care for the trees on your property and detect beetle damage? 
The Custer County Conversation District (CCCD) partnered with the South Dakota Family Forests Association to teach just that through a landowner workshop titled Forestry Management in Action. The workshop was hosted at the Argyle Volunteer Fire Department at the fire hall March 28. 

Keystone candidates discuss deer, media, marketing

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 9:58am
A Keystone Town Board candidate forum was held March 26 in Keystone. Nikki Ball, Matt Fullilove and Lynette Tyon fielded questions from town finance officer Samantha Epler as well as members of the community.
Each candidate was given time for an opening statement. Ball said she has been in Keystone since 1982 and moved here permanently 20 years ago. She has served on the library, historical society and senior center board as well as being the only person to volunteer for Bill Babcock’s town board seat when he resigned mid-term. 

Keystone, Hill City projects approved for funding

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 9:55am
Both Keystone and Hill City have had funding applications for projects approved by the South Dakota Board of Water and Natural Resources.
Keystone received an award to update the diameter of its sewer line from 10 inches to 15 inches to meet the current seasonal and growing expansion needs of the town. 

Will ‘heroes garden’ bloom near Rushmore?

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 9:46am
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden sent President Donald Trump an invitation Tuesday to fulfill a promise from five years ago: the creation of a “National Garden of American Heroes.”
And Rhoden wants Trump to put the statue garden in South Dakota’s Black Hills.
“In fact, we have a plot of land available in sight of Mount Rushmore that would be ideal for this fantastic effort,” Rhoden wrote in a letter to Trump.

Legislators discuss session battles

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:44am

This year marked South Dakota’s 100th Legislative Session, and it was complete with both victories and battles, according to District 30 Sen. Amber Hulse and Rep. Tim Goodwin. Rep. Trish Ladner was contacted as well but was unavailable for comment.
“This session was a tremendous success for our values, our communities and the future of South Dakota,” Hulse said.
Both Hulse and Goodwin said they got some meaningful legislation through this session.

Fire prompts evacuations near Town of Keystone

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:20am
A fast moving fire in Keystone prompted evacuations of two neighborhoods east of town March 22.
Battle Creek Fire Department supported the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department on the wildland fire north and west of South Rockerville Road and Hwy. 40. The South Dakota Highway Patrol had South Rockerville closed at the intersection of Hwy. 40. Forest Service Road 365.1F, the site of the actual fire, remained closed throughout the weekend. By mid-afternoon March 24 it was reopened, and the fire was confirmed completely contained.

Park board seeks community engagement

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:19am
After an hour and a half executive session which resulted in a vote to move forward for a no-rise Third Street bridge, the Keystone Town Board of Trustees began its regular meeting  March 19. A no-rise is usually obtained to make certain that a bridge will not increase flood heights.