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 »
Spearfish Hospital Certified as Trauma Center
Spearfish Regional Hospital staff has earned certification as a Level 3 trauma center under the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol, the Black Hills Pioneer reports. Read more »
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 »
US Secretary of Veterans Affairs WILL Meet with Hot Springs Save the VA Group
Last October, Save the VA Committee had invited the Secretary of the US Department of Veteran's Affairs to meet with them in Hot Springs. The group wanted to discuss the future of the Hot Springs VA health facility. They finally received a reply last week; the answer was yes to a meeting but not in Hot Springs and not with Secretary Eric Shinseki. Shinseki said the group could meet with an under secretary and in Washington, DC. Read more »
VA Secretary Will Meet with SD Delegation
The US Veterans Affairs Secretary will meet with South Dakota's congressional delegation and members of Hot Springs' Save the VA Committee, KOTA's MyTown reports.
All three members of South Dakota's delegation sent letters on Wednesday criticizing Shinseki for offering only a meeting with an undersecretary.
Learn more about the Save the VA Committee at its website. Read more »
Future of Black Hills VA in Limbo
South Dakota congressional representatives Kristi Noem, John Thune and Tim Johnson have been waiting since October 2012 to receive a reply to their request for a meeting with US Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. Save the VA Committee of Hot Springs has also requested a meeting. Read more »
Spearfish Regional Hospital plans $5 million expansion
Construction will begin as soon as a design for the exterior of the addition can be completed, the Black Hills Pioneer reports.
The interior design will be completed during construction of the exterior, and some existing functions such as storage are expected to be moved to a second floor to make room for more operating rooms on the main level. Read more »
Spearfish Healthcare Business Merges with Minnesota Entity
Lantis Enterprises announces that the healthcare portion of its business is being leased to Mission Healthcare out of Edina, Minnesota. With the merger, Lantis will retain ownership of its facilities' real estate, according to the BH Pioneer.
For the full article, click here.
Congressional Delegation Seeks Meeting With VA Leaders
After a meeting between VA officials and a local group turned sour, members of Congress have written to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, KOTA TV reports. Read more »
Spearfish Ponders Annexing Land at Exit 17
The owner of this campground proposes adding housing and retail to the area near Exit 17. (Elkhorn Ridge RV Resort & Cabins image)
A developer has asked the city of Spearfish to annex 160 acres south of Interstate 90 at Exit 17, the Black Hills Pioneer reports. Read more »
