Hill City Prevailer

New marketing plans in Keystone emphasize collaboration

Published by admin on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:29am
The Town of Keystone is moving in a new marketing direction with a new director of tourism and a rebranding of the chamber of commerce.
About 30 people, including business owners, community members, marketing specialists and town officials attended the first Keystone Area Chamber of Commerce mixer of 2025 held at the Red Garter Saloon May 15. 
The message from the chamber and the town was the same: the need for feedback and collaboration. 

Arts council partnering for summer season

Published by admin on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 9:26am
Members of the Hill City Arts Council board  (HCAC) gave an update about the nonprofit at a meeting held at the Hill City Center May 12.
The HCAC held six  Live on Stage performances at the Chute Rooster this winter, which board president Kristie Van Bogart called very successful.
Seven thousand, three hundred dollars was raised during the auction portion of the event, which contained items donated by Jewel of the West. The HCAC was able to award scholarships to graduating seniors from the donations obtained from the “pass the hat” at Live on Stage.

Council candidates share views on hot Hill City topics

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:11am
John Johnson is running against incumbent Lori Miner for Ward II alderman of Hill City.  
Johnson, a self-employed electronic technician, said he is running to serve his community while Miner, who is retired, said she is running to give people a choice.
Each was asked to state their position on issues facing Hill City. 

McNulty re-elected president despite accusations

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:10am
New trustees Nikki Ball and Matt Fullilove were sworn in at the May 7 Keystone Town Board meeting. Once again, Casey McNulty was elected as town board president. This came with opposition from Fullilove who accused the board of voting in a block, adding that McNulty was trying to “consolidate his power.” 

Board holds final meeting before graduation, summer

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:09am
The Hill City School District (HCSD) Board of Education convened Monday evening for its final meeting before graduation and the end of the academic year May 22. With the conclusion of one school year and preparation for the next already underway, the board addressed a full agenda, celebrating student accomplishments and approving key infrastructure and staffing plans.

Will economic concern hurt tourism?

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:01am
John Carley joined about 100 other business operators in early May for a meeting of the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association to preview the 2025 tourism season.
The mood in the room, he said, was “a little muted” compared to recent years, when South Dakota set repeated records for visitors and tourism spending.
“I wouldn’t say they were jumping up and down like, ‘Yeah, we’re going to have a great year,’” said Carley, manager of the Elk Creek Resort and Petrified Forest in Piedmont.

Infrastructure plans continue to flow

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 9:41am
Aldermen continued to move forward with the water and sewer infrastructure project by giving approval to several key facets of the project at the April 28 Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting.
Council members approved the funding for phase one of the water and wastewater projects, accepting the state revolving fund program water quality grant agreement  with little discussion. 

South Dakota rises to its highest rank in teacher pay

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 9:34am
South Dakota ranks 46th in the nation for average teacher salaries—its highest standing since the National Education Association started ranking states in 1943, according to the South Dakota Education Association.
The state previously reached 47th in the 2019 report for the 2017-18 school year, after South Dakota lawmakers approved a half-cent sales tax increase in 2016. The effort poured millions of dollars into school districts with the intent of raising average teacher salaries.

Prevailer honored for excellence

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 8:55am
For the first time in its existence, the Hill City Prevailer News was named the best newspaper among newspapers its size in the State of South Dakota.
At the South Dakota NewsMedia Association (SDNA) Better News Media Contest last Friday in Aberdeen, the Prevailer won the General Excellence Award in its size division, meaning it was deemed the best overall newspaper.
The Prevailer competed in Division I of the completion, which is for cities and towns which are under 3,000 in population.

Opt out petition rejected by district

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 8:54am
About 20 people packed into the Hayward Fire Station to attend a special meeting of the Battle Creek Fire Protection District to discuss a petition for the district opt out to go to a public vote.
The all-volunteer district board is made up of former fire board members from Hermosa and Hayward as well as two Keystone residents. 
Those that attended came from Hayward and  Hermosa predominantly, with a varying number of newer residents and lifelong residents, including Jim Baker, who created the petition.