69-year old Ben Koens, former Whitewood police chief was sentenced to 15 years in prison with five suspended after earlier pleading guilty to sexual contact with someone under 16. Koens was originally charged with two counts of first degree rape but reached a plea agreement with prosecutors back in November. The incident happened somewhere between…… Continue Reading
Category Archives: News
Water district backs Missouri River water study
University researchers and a local water development board have teamed up to survey the prospect of channeling Missouri River water to Rapid City and western Pennington County. Four staff members and three students at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology have piloted the study. The West Dakota Water Development District subsidized their effort…… Continue Reading
Over 200 Federal workers apply for SD Unemployment
More than 200 people have filed for unemployment insurance in South Dakota because of the government shutdown. The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation says 227 federal employees have filed claims as a result of the partial government shutdown. The shutdown, the longest ever, hit the 30 day mark Sunday. Several area organizations, banks…… Continue Reading
Allender announces re-election bid
Rapid City mayor Steve Allender announced Thursday he plans to run for the office again. He is the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring. He first took the office in 2015 and ran unopposed in 2017. In that time, the former police chief says he has worked to make government more transparent,…… Continue Reading
SD Tourism sees growth in 2018
South Dakota officials say the state’s tourism industry reached record levels of visitors, spending and economic impact in 2018. Officials said Thursday that South Dakota tourism marked its ninth consecutive year of growth. A new study by Tourism Economics finds that visitor spending reached $4 billion in 2018, up 2.5 percent from a year earlier.…… Continue Reading
Rapid City Schools face overcrowding
Due to increased enrollment, Rapid City schools are dealing with over-crowded classrooms. The Rapid City school district gained 74 new students since the 2017 school year. At the School Board meeting the annual enrollment report was presented and it showed the west side of town is growing faster than current schools can accommodate. Corral Drive…… Continue Reading
Spearfish Pizza Ranch robber sentenced
The man who robbed the Spearfish Pizza Ranch last July will spend 5 years in prison. 19 year old Daniel Orlando Beck pleaded guilty to 1st degree robbery in November and was sentenced to 10 years in prison with 5 years suspended in 4th circuit court. Beck will also receive credit for 163 days served…… Continue Reading
Family files lawsuit in connection with Fairburn fire
The parents of a 26-year-old woman killed in a fire at their home in Fairburn filed a lawsuit against the small town and a neighbor, alleging a grass fire that sparked the deadly blaze was fueled by the remains of a nearby shed. The lawsuit was filed last month in Custer County. The suit claimed…… Continue Reading
Deadwood breaks ground on plaza project
The city of Deadwood broke ground on a four million dollar plaza on Main Street. It will have a big stage, an ice rink, fire pits, and a gazebo. Several people gathered to see the plaza that’s been in the making for five years. The city and the Main Street Initiative Committee wanted to make…… Continue Reading
Noem fills District 31 house vacancy
Gov.-elect Kristi Noem will name a former Meade County commissioner to fill the western South Dakota state House seat vacant after former Rep. Chuck Turbiville’s death. Noem announced Wednesday that she plans to appoint Dayle Hammock, of Spearfish, to the District 31 House seat. Hammock will serve in Pierre during the 2019 and 2020 sessions.…… Continue Reading