Hill City Prevailer

Concerns swirl over election canvassing

Published by admin on Thu, 06/11/2020 - 10:26am

In the most recent Hill City election held on June 2, Dale Householder defeated incumbent John Johnson by a vote of 77-34 for a seat on the Hill City Common Council for Ward 2.

However, election volunteers committed an error, which caused as many as nine Ward 2 ballots handed out to those who live in Ward 1.

At Monday’s council meeting, Brett McMacken, city administrator for Hill City, broke down what that meant.

Sales tax down in Keystone

Published by admin on Thu, 06/11/2020 - 10:26am

“It’s bad,” said Keystone finance officer Cassandra Ott.

Sales tax numbers for the month of May are down 23 percent when compared to the same time last year. And BBB (bed booze and board) taxes are down 45 percent from last year.

In addition, at least 12 businesses failed to renew their business license by the June 1 deadline.

“Twelve is a large number for us,” Ott said. “Usually we have two or three that don’t renew. Owners may be hesitant to renew if they are not yet open since there is no penalty if you’re not open and have not renewed.”

Council tables going out to bid for BID projects

Published by admin on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 11:48am

The Hill City Common Council decided on May 26 to table going out to bid two projects.

Brett McMacken, city administrator for Hill City, brought the two projects to the council after it previously tabled going out to bid in March.

“It’s still difficult to determine the hotel tax money because this is a slow time for us,” he said. “We won’t see that money until June 20.”

Changing practices on the boardwalk

Published by admin on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 11:48am

A decision to block off part of the Keystone boardwalk by one owner has been met with some controversy.

Surrounding boardwalk businesses think Red Garter Saloon/Ruby House’s decision to block off part of the Keystone boardwalk to foot traffic hinders the flow of foot traffic.

But owner Lisa Schaeffer sees things differently.

“We need to keep our patrons safe,” Schaeffer said. “We need to keep our employees safe. Everybody is doing 50 percent of their business. How can you survive on 50 percent?”

Keystone tourist season starts strong

Published by admin on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 11:47am

The Keystone Chamber of Commerce has officially opened the visitor information center (VIC) for the season June 1.

This coincided with the opening of the 1880 Train, once of the biggest draws for tourists in the region. The center had been open for the busy Memorial Day weekend. Summer hours for the VIC are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The center has plenty of town maps available for tourists and locals alike.

The chamber is also finishing interviews for a new director. According to Leah Serrano, “We have a couple of great candidates and it’s a hard choice.”

Another AUP goes to the county

Published by admin on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 11:47am

The Keystone Area Historical Society (KAHS) agreed upon procedures (AUP) has been turned over to law enforcement.

According to KAHS Board President Jon Veltman, “filing the report was a prerequisite the town put on us in order for them to pay for the audit.” The AUP was shared with local deputies who would not comment on the matter, saying only that the matter has been turned over to Pennington County investigations.

Black Hills welcomes visitors from all over

Published by admin on Thu, 05/28/2020 - 10:28am

This past weekend — Memorial Day weekend — marked the unofficial start of summer, and visitors were out in full force.

At Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Friday, the monument grounds — while still undergoing renovations — had a steady stream of people coming from all over the county to catch a glimpse of the famous stone faces.

Pyrotechnics firm visits Rushmore

Published by admin on Thu, 05/28/2020 - 10:28am

Little is being shared with the public about the return of Independence Day fireworks; however, pyrotechnics experts have completed a site evaluation.

“We have conducted a site survey and were very excited to have a plan that we feel is very responsible to put on a spectacular performance while keeping in mind being sensitive to the environmental aspects involved in the forest and everything that is involved in doing a show at a National Park and a very special memorial here,” said Kevin Gilfillan, General Manager of Pyro Spectaculars, a California based firm.

Bulk water rate to double in Keystone

Published by admin on Thu, 05/28/2020 - 10:27am

Two vie for council seat

Published by admin on Thu, 05/28/2020 - 10:27am

Dale Householder and John Johnson are both vying for a seat on the Hill City Common Council for Ward 2.

We asked each candidate to fill out a candidate questionnaire so that voters may better get to know each candidate.

Their responses are below, in alphabetical order  by last name and are unedited.

Dale Householder

1 (Name). Hi, my name is Harold Dale Householder, but I have gone by “Dale” all my life.