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 12, 2012
Rapid City School Board Budget Discussion Resources

The Rapid City School Board is negotiating the 2012-2012 school year budget and the $4 Million budget cuts. Use this resource guide to get background information and provide feedback at the citizen meetings about the proposed budget and cuts.

 School Board Budgets & Proposed Cuts

Proposed 2012-2013 Budget-April 5, 2012 Board Meeting

2012-2013 Budget Reduction Ideas

January 24, 2012
2012 South Dakota Legislature
As the South Dakota Legislature begins its 2012 session, you can find the information you need to understand what laws are being proposed and to learn how you can make sure your voice is heard. 
 
Track upcoming hearings and votes on the Legislature's official calendar.
 
December 24, 2011
SD National Guard to Restructure

The South Dakota National Guard will cut 19 full-time and 248 part-time positions by September 2012, according to a report in the Rapid City Journal. Some armories in the state may also close, according to Adjunct General Tim Reisch. The National Guard has 29 facilities in South Dakota.

December 23, 2011
Hot Springs Residents Organize for VA Services Retention

Local residents in Hot Springs are organizing a group to oppose the proposed closure of the VA medical facility there.

Local residents in Hot Springs are organizing a group to oppose the proposed closure of the VA medical facility there. It will consist of veterans, local concerned citizens, business owners, and state politicians in the area.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

December 22, 2011
Legislative District 30

 

December 22, 2011
VA Black Hills Announces New Chief of Staff

New Chief of Staff appointed to Black Hills Veterans Affairs.

Veterans Affairs of the Black HIlls appoints new Chief of Staff, Andrea Conti.

Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

United States Department of Veterans Affairs-Black HIlls

December 21, 2011
Dinosaur Park Icon Damaged Due to Hail, Rust

The brontosaurus atop Dinosaur Park was beaten up by hailstorms this past summer and now, rusting of the frame holding the nose to the rest of the model has caused the nose to break off.

The brontosaurus atop Dinosaur Park was beaten up by hailstorms this past summer and now, rusting of the frame holding the nose to the rest of the model has caused the nose to break off.  Fixing of the nose, as well as new paint job for the dinos of the park, will commence has soon as warmer weather comes this spring.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

December 21, 2011
Executive Sessions Down in Rapid City, Still High for State

The amount of time Rapid City council spends in executive session is down for the year but still remains higher than most other cities in South Dakota.

In May, the Rapid City Journal reported that Rapid City officials spent more time in executive session than any other city in South Dakota. Since then, city council has reduced the use of executive sessions, but use still remains higher than other cities in the state.

December 21, 2011
Pennington County Could Lose Millions if Old Federal Earmark Recalled

'Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century' targets unspent earmark money.  Pennington County funding may be in jeopardy.

In 2005 funding became available for to rebuild and pave South Rochford Road.  Now, MAP-21, a proposed federal law would target the funds and put them in danger of cancelation.

Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

Read summary of proposed bill HERE.

December 20, 2011
City to Consider Casino Buffer Zone

Rapid City Counsil is considering an ordinance that restricts the location of new video lottery casinos.

Proposed ordinance would restricts the location of new video lottery casinos from opening within 500 feet of a residential area.

Read full article in Rapid City Journal.

Read SD Codified Laws Chapter 42-7A: STATE LOTTERY

December 20, 2011
Donations Sought by City for Flood Commemoration

To offset the cost of the planned commemoration for the fortieth anniversary of the Flood of 1972, the city is asking residents for private donations for the three days of remembrance.

To offset the cost of the planned commemoration for the fortieth anniversary of the Flood of 1972, the city is asking residents for private donations for the three days of remembrance.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

December 20, 2011
School Superintendent Says Some State Funding Could Return

There is hope for the School District's budgetary future.

Governor Dennis Daugaard met with Rapid City Areas School's superintendent in early December. There is Hope for the district's budgetary future.

Read December 2 article in Rapid City Journal.

December 16, 2011
Rapid City Sales Tax Revenue Up From 2010

Sales tax revenue in Rapid City is up six percent over the same period last year.

Sales tax revenue in Rapid City is up six percent over the same period last year. From January through October 2010, the city's general fund received $16.2 million in sales tax receipts. During the same period in 2011, revenue reached $17.2 million.

December 16, 2011
State Training Funds Eyed by Rapid Schools

While the increases in funding education only amount to 0.8%, it does include new training for teachers.

While the increases in funding education only amount to 0.8%, it does include new training for teachers. It also includes language to help teachers maintain the skills learned and not let them fall by the wayside.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

December 15, 2011
Meidinger Claims Firing Based on False Claims from City

Randall Meidinger, the former city landfill worker who lost his job in connection with the Fish Garbage case, is accusing the city of defrauding another garbage company.

Randall Meidinger, the former city landfill worker who lost his job in connection with the Fish Garbage case, is accusing the city of leveling false claims against him. Meidinger was acquitted of grand theft and conspiracy charges in May 2011, but still faces charges in a civil case. In a suit filed on December 14, he alleges the city defrauded another garbage company by knowingly using inaccurate base weights for garbage trucks, resulting in higher dumping fees for trucks owned by Kieffer Sanitation.

December 14, 2011
$13 Million in Street Improvements Recommended by Study

Thanks in part to the consultant study that located Rapid's most dangerous streets as far as number of accidents that have occured, a total of $13 million in street improvements has been recommended by the study.

Thanks in part to the consultant study that located Rapid's most dangerous streets as far as number of accidents that have occured, a total of $13 million in street improvements has been recommended by the study. The improvement recommendations will move to the City Council for approval.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

December 14, 2011
City to Reimburse Property Owners for Removing Beetle-Infested Trees

City is offering to pay 75% of cost of removal of infected trees.

City officials are launching an aggressive campaing to stop the spread of mountain pine beetles within the city limits.  Read full story in Rapid City Journal.

Read more about pine beetle HERE.

December 14, 2011
Main Street Square Ice Rink Revenue On Track

The ice skating rink at Main Street Square on track to meet revenue projections.

The ice skating rink at Main Street Square is meeting revenue projections, according to square director Megan Karbowski. The skating rink, which opened on Thanksgiving, sold 2,200 day passes by December 5 and brought in $15,000 in revenue from day passes, skate rentals and other revenue.

For more Main Street Square information, click here.

December 13, 2011
Vacation Home Ordinance to be Revised

At the December 12, 2011 meeting the Pennington County Commission decided to revise the Vacation Home Ordinance. The next public meeting for comments is set for Jan. 5 in Johnson Siding.

The ordinance to amend existing zoning restrictions that limit vacaton rentals to general commercial and highway districts will be revised before the January 9, 2012 meeting of the County Commission. Read about the December 12 county commission meeting in the Rapid City Journal. For all the stories and proposed ordinance, click here.

December 9, 2011
Helipad Plan Grounded by County Commission

The proposal to build a disputed helipad near Rockerville has been grounded by county commissioners.

The proposal to build a disputed helipad near Rockerville has been grounded by county commissioners.  For the owner, Michael Jacobs, this is his second attempt at establishing a helipad at that location, which has drawn protests from neighbors who point to decreased property value and the noise it would produce.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

December 9, 2011
Local Officer Awarded for Work in North Rapid Neighborhood

Officer Ron Terviel of the RCPD has been nominated by NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources to receive a national award for his work in the Lemmon Ave. area of North Rapid.

Officer Ron Terviel of the RCPD has been nominated by NeighborWorks Dakota Home Resources to receive a national award for his work in the Lemmon Ave. area of North Rapid. Through his efforts, the area is no longer a neighborhood of constant need as it once was.  To read the full article from the Rapid City Journal, click here.

December 8, 2011
Court Rules in Favor of City of Rapid City on Billboard Issue

Seventh Circuit Court upholds Rapid City's decision to Lamar Advertising's request for permits for additional electronic billboards.

December 8, 2011
Hills City Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposed Vacation Home Ordinance

Pennington County Commission to hear vacation home ordinance at meeting on December 13, 2011. Hill City Residents spoke out about the proposed ordinance at a Town Hall meeting held December 7, 2011.

December 7, 2011
Rapid City Planning Commission Considering $3.3 million TIF Funding for Highway 16 Improvement

Developers have requested $3.3 in tax-increment financing funding to make improvements along U.S. Highway 16.