May 23, 2013
Special Legislative Session Called by South Dakota Governor

State Legislatures will meet late June to address construction cost overruns of new State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.

Governor Dennis Daugaard has called a special session of the SD Legislature to address the cost overruns in the construction of a new State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.  The governor said that contractor bids were considerably above projections.

May 19, 2013
Locally Grown, Farmers' Markets Set to Open in Several West River Locations

The popularity of farmers' markets is booming in the Black Hills.

With more Americans seeking locally grown food sources, farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) are increasing in popularity.  A farmers' market features food sold directly by farmers to consumers.  CSA  is a 'farm share' program where, for a fee, people share the risks and rewards of farming.  One such CSA is at Black Hills Health & Education Center.  Read the

April 9, 2013
Internship Positions Still Available

The Black Hills Knowledge Network has internship openings for the summer of 2013.

We have a number of internship opportunities available for this summer. Topic areas are marketing/PR, digital archiving,  and website programming. If you or anyone you know may be interested, please see the position descriptions attached. We will continue reviewing applications until the positions are filled.

March 26, 2013
Another Hungry Beetle Eating into Black Hills Trees

Black Hills forest assaulted by engraver beetles in the spring and mountain pine beetles in the summer.

When pine trees have plenty of moisture and are not stressed, pine engraver beetles attack only the limbs and tops of the trees.

March 7, 2013
New State Librarian Featured on Dakota Midday

Listen to the interview to learn about the role of the state library and the impressive return on investment that even the smallest communities get from libraries. Wall Community Library gets a special shout out at the end!

Today's Dakota Midday featured the new state librarian, Daria Bossman. During her interview, she mentioned that libraries are not just about books -- they're about information. Listen to the full interview to learn about the impressive return on investment that communities get from libraries, and to see what Daria means when she calls libraries "anchor institutions."

February 5, 2013
South Dakota Cattle Numbers Up As National Herd Hits Record Low

South Dakota was one of 19 states to see its herd size increase in 2012.

The Rushmore State's 3.85 million cattle far outnumber its people, and the herd is up 5 percent in the past year, according to recent news reports.

Nationwide, cattle numbers are down 3 percent year over year.

Industry experts cite a widespread drought as well as farmers choosing to plant crops rather than graze livestock, given the nation's crop insurance policies eliminate most risk.

October 30, 2012
SD's Loudner maintains seat on US Census Bureau diversity committee

Donald Loudner, an enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, was once again named to the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations.
 

By Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Staff Writer

MITCHELL — On Oct. 12, Donald Loudner, an enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, was once again named to the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations.
The National Advisory Committee will work to help guide the Census Bureau in multiple areas including, housing, children, youth, privacy, race and ethnicity, and gay, lesbian and transgender populations.

September 19, 2012
Rapid City Area Schools Could Receive $4 million From One-Cent Sales Tax

The Rapid City Journal reports that the Initiated Measure 15 could bring $175 million a year.

The Rapid City Journal reports that the Initiated Measure 15 could bring $175 million a year, which must be divided equally in two: half going towards K-12 education and the other for South Dakota Medicaid providers.

August 31, 2012
More West Nile Cases Reported In South Dakota

South Dakota gains 16 more confirmed cases of the West Nile Virus since August 22.

South Dakota gains 16 more confirmed cases of the West Nile Virus since August 22. This bring the total of cases for the state to 98, of which Pennington and Lawrence Counties claim one human case each.

The Rapid City Journal reports that already this year one person in South Dakota has died from this virus.

July 17, 2012
Badlands to Host Heritage Celebration

Badlands National Park will host the 4th Annual Heritage Celebration, July 20-22.

Badlands National Park will celebrate it's Heritage Celebration with events that will focus on traditional Native American songs, dances, and crafts, the park reports in a news release.

Activities and discussions will include traditional Lakota music and dance performances, hoop dancing, flint knapping, use of an atlatl and cradleboards. A keynote speech will focus on "Traditional Lakota Philosophy."

May 18, 2012
Rapid City's Western Dakota Technical Institute Gets New President

Rapid City School board approves hiring Mark Wilson for new WDTI president.

Mark Wilson of the SD Department of Education, will begin his presidential duties in Rapid City at Western Dakota Technical Institute July 2012. 

At the same meeting, the School Board approved an agreement with the Rapid City Library Board of Trustees to operate a joint-use library at WDTI.  See related story here.

April 12, 2012
Black Hills Knowledge Network Lights Up Local Information

Maybe it happens at dinner one night. Someone asks a question. No one knows for sure. Someone else tries Google. Maybe you have your answer in seconds. Or maybe not. If it’s a question about your neighborhood or your community, you might not find anything at all. In the age of Google, the most elusive information is local.

 

So the Black Hills Area Community Foundation got together with a team of librarians to create the Black Hills Knowledge Network, an online resource for everything local in the Black Hills. Our librarians are organizing news stories, city council minutes and research reports to give you the history of an issue. Visit our virtual community archives to see historic photographs or find data on issues. We have information on how to start a business, train for a new career or get involved with volunteers doing good work in your community. The document library for the history of this project can be accessed to view the mission statement, presentations about the project, and more.

Lightning, like social media, strikes Black Hills media

Photo courtesy of Tom Warner

Maybe it happens at dinner one night. Someone asks a question. No one knows for sure. Someone else tries Google. Maybe you have your answer in seconds. Or maybe not. If it’s a question about your neighborhood or your community, you might not find anything at all. In the age of Google, the most elusive information is local.

 

April 1, 2012
2011-2012 Flu Deaths in South Dakota Total Eight

Overall, flu activity has decreased.

Two more South Dakotans have died as a result of influenza.

Read full report in Rapid City Journal.

South Dakota Seasonal Influenza Surveillance for week ending March 24, 2012.

Track influenza information HERE.

April 1, 2012
Black Hills Wildfire Season Off To An Early Start

546 acres of burned Black Hills National Forest land not all bad.

Apple Fire as good as it gets: no injuries, no structures lost, and trees will survive.

Read full story in Rapid City Journal.

Be prepared for wildfire in your area.  FEMA has a plan.

Follow wildfire stories HERE.

April 1, 2012
Proposed Brand Inspection Fee Requires Approval of Rules & Review Committee

Board's decision not supported by producers.

Brand inspection fees increase to $1.00 per animal.  Stockgrowers group disappointed.

Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

Find SD Brand Book.

Follow SD Brand information HERE

 

April 1, 2012
State Grants and Loans Available for Water Projects

State Board of Water and Natural Resources approves $43.4 million to water projects.

Grants and low-interest loans are available throughout the state.  Several in Black Hills to receive money.

Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

SD Board of Water and Natural Resources homepage.

Collection of stories relating to water and resources HERE.

April 1, 2012
Tony & Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund Grants Support Youth

The late Tony Dean, outdoor  broadcaster and conservationist, will be remembered through education fund.

The Tony & Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund will offer money to qualifying projects through individual grants.

Read full afticle in Rapid City Journal.

Grant Program applications at Tony Dean homepage.

Follow more conservation articles HERE.

February 12, 2012
Billboards Now an East-West River Battle

Flying in the face of Rapid City's initiated measure, Senate Bill 157 would restrict the ability of local governments to ban digital billboards.

Senate Bill 157 would restrict local government's ability to regulate electronic billboards. Rapid City legislators are working to defeat the measure, but East River legislators may have the votes to pass the bill. Opponents of Senate Bill 157 say the issue revolves around local control.

February 12, 2012
Black Hills Corp. Announces Growth in 2011 Income

Overcoming a rough start to the year, Black Hills Corp. increased earnings 6 percent per share in 2011, compared to 2010.

Growth in demand and earnings in its electric and gas utilitiy operations helped Black Hills Corporation increase earnings per share to $1.92, up 6 percent from $1.81 in 2010. The company's full year and fourth quarter results press release is available here. The company has posted an Investor Presentation webcast on its website.

February 12, 2012
Government Benefits Provide Increasing Share of Income to Black Hills Residents

Payments for social security, medicare, medicaid, veteran's benefits, food stamps and more accounted for a significant percentage of personal income in 2009.

Across the United States, Americans derived 17.6 percent of their personal income from government benefits including Social Security, veteran’s benefits, food stamps, unemployment insurance, Medicare and more. Most counties in the Black Hills, except Meade and Pennington, exceeded this national average. Using data provided by the U.S.

February 12, 2012
Meade County Challenges Census Count

Deputy planning director says government missed Summerset and some parts of the City of Sturgis.

Meade County officials believe that many residents were not counted in the 2010 U.S. Census. According to Deputy Planning Director Bill Rich, information from the board of equalization indicates that residents of the City of Summerset were missed entirely and the City of Sturgis may have been undercounted. All totaled, county officials are asking the Census Bureau to revise the population count by adding 3,305 people to the county's reported population of 25,434.

February 12, 2012
New $1 Million Fund to Benefit Lead

Income from the Goldcorp-Wharf Sustainable Prosperity Fund, a permanent endowment, will benefit area nonprofits.

Wharf Resources, a gold mining company in the Northern Hills, contributed $1 million to establish the Goldcorp-Wharf Sustainable Prosperity Fund at the South Dakota Community Foundation. Income from the fund will be used to support nonprofits in the Lead area "doing good things in our community," said Wharf Administrative Manager Ron Everett. Read the article in the Black Hills Pioneer.

February 11, 2012
Billboards and House Bill 157

The Senate Transportation Committee decided to go forward last week with Senate Bill 157 that removes the right of local communities to determine billboard regulations. At the Crackerbarrel in Rapid City on Saturday, Rapid City area representatives and senators urged citizens to contact members of the House Transportation Committee as the bill will be considered by them in the upcoming week.

The Senate Transportation Committee decided to go forward last week with Senate Bill 157 that removes the right of local communities to determine billboard regulations. At the Crackerbarrel in Rapid City on Saturday, Rapid City area representatives and senators urged attendees to contact members of the House Transportation Committee as the bill will be considered by them in the upcoming week.

February 11, 2012
Valentines for Veterans

Deliver a Valentine to US Vets-National Salute to Veterans week.

Started by the late Anne Landers, the week of Valentines is an opportunity to share the love with US Veterans that go to VA hospitals.

See short video at WDTV.

Find South Dakota locations.

 

December 3, 2011
Lee Rainie Speaks at Black Hills Knowledge Network Symposium

Lee Rainie, the director of the Pew Research Project on the Internet and American Life, spoke at the Black Hills Knowledge Network's symposium, held June 9, 2011.

Lee Rainie is the director of the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, a non-profit, non–partisan "fact tank" that studies the social impact of the internet.