An item in the 2014 Veteran's Administration budget appeared to confirm the closing of the Hot Springs facility. According to the Rapid City Journal, Senator Tim Johnson questioned VA Secretary Eric Shinseki about it during the Department of Veterans Affairs Appropriations hearings. Shinseki responded that this was an oversight, and no decision had been made. Read more »
Mammoth Site Eyes Expansion
A 5,800-square-foot learning center would ease crowding at the Mammoth Site, the Hot Springs Star reports.
The addition would include: Read more »
Hot Springs Voters to Decide City Ownership of Evans Plunge
After the Hot Springs City Council tabled a motion to purchase the privately-owned Evans Plunge water attraction, citizens referred the matter to a vote, the Hot Springs Star reports.
City officials estimate they could put more than $50,000 per year into city coffers after expenses are paid. That money could go towards further improvements at the facility or to property tax reduction. Read more »
Rapid City Crackerbarrels for 2013 Wrapped Up On Saturday
Cracker Barrel opened with Senator Rampelberg updating the audience on the library districting bill, property tax bill, animal cruelty bill, all of which did not pass in the legislature. Read more »
Radiation Testing in Buffalo Gap Creates Delay For SD National Guard Training
The South Dakota National Guard field training in Buffalo Gap National Grasslands has been put on hold due to possible uranium radiation. The Rapid City Journal reports that a concerned citizen wrote to Governor Dennis Daugaard because he was worried about the possible health issues it could impose on the soldiers. Read more »
Wind Cave Park Collars Elk, Seeks Herd Reduction
After work for three years to build a fence around Wind Cave National Park, efforts will get serious to keep hundreds of elk - mainly cows and their calves - outside the park, KOTA's MyTown site reports. (See photos of helicoptors tracking elk plus video.)
Many of the evicted animals are expected to move to Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest lands.
Radio collars have been placed on dozens of elk and will help biologists track their movement. Read more »
Black Hills Forest Resource Association
The Black Hills Forest Resource Association provides biological information on the pine beetle and what causes these outbreaks to occur. Information presented gives a history of the beetle as well as how it attacks and kills a tree, resulting in scenes that are currently playing out in the Black Hills region.
Edgemont to Host Crackerbarrel on Feb. 9
The public is invited to attend and meet their South Dakota Legislature representatives and senator. The Crackerbarrel will begin at 9:30 AM at the Senior Center, 5th & F St in Edgemont.
Save the VA Committee Plans Community Meeting in Hot Springs
The Save the VA Committee will give the same presentation they delivered in Washington at a community meeting on Tuesday, according to a post on the committee's website.
The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Mueller Civic Center in Hot Springs.
The committee met Jan. 28 with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, South Dakota's congressional delegation and the governor to make their case against the VA's proposal to close its facility in Hot Springs. Read more »
Mammoth Site Seeks National Accreditation
The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs has reached the advanced level in its quest to receive accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, KOTA's MyTown site reports.
Members of the site's senior staff have signed the organization's Pledge of Excellence to show the museum’s commitment to being a good steward of the resources it holds in the public trust.
The accreditation process can take up to three years. Read more »
