GOP picks Mortenson as majority leader in South Dakota House
November 19, 2022 GMTPIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Republican Rep. Will Mortenson was elected Saturday to serve as majority leader in the South Dakota House of Representatives.
Mortenson, a Pierre attorney, defeated Scott Odenbach, of Spearfish, and Rebecca Reimer, of Oacoma.
Saturday’s Scores
October 22, 2022 GMTPREP VOLLEYBALL=
East/West Tournament=
Brandon Valley def. Rapid City Central, 25-19, 25-16
Saturday’s Scores
August 28, 2022 GMTPREP VOLLEYBALL=
South Dakota Board of Regents freezes university tuition
March 30, 2022 GMTSPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Board of Regents on Wednesday agreed to freeze tuition at the state's six public universities.
The move comes after lawmakers increased base funding for the university system by more than $8.6 million in the session that ended earlier this month.
Judge recuses herself from Spearfish murder case
February 25, 2022 GMTRAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A judge has recused herself from presiding in a case against a Spearfish man accused of fatally shooting his wife last month.
Fourth Circuit Judge Michelle Comer says she wouldn't be able to be impartial in the case because she has dealt with the defendant, Dreau Rogers, in drug court.
Spearfish man charged in shooting death of his wife
January 23, 2022 GMTSPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — A Spearfish man is accused in the shooting death of his wife early Saturday morning, authorities said.
Dreau Rogers, 33, has been arrested and charged with first degree murder in the killing of 43-year-old Destiny Rogers, Spearfish police said.
Forest service burning debris in Black Hills
January 7, 2022 GMTRAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service has started burning piles of forest debris in the Black Hills.
The Rapid City Journal reported Friday that workers plan to burn the debris for the next several weeks.
Mineral exploration company looks for gold in Black Hills
October 15, 2021 GMTSPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — A junior mineral exploration company is making a new push to find gold in the Black Hills.
Solitario Zinc Corp. arrived in Spearfish in July. Todd Christensen, a geologist with Solitario, says the company was invited to evaluate some claims from a group of investors and "we saw it as an opportunity to get our foot in the door and to evaluate exploration potential.”
Friday’s Scores
October 9, 2021 GMTPREP VOLLEYBALL=
Thune challenger among Jan. 6 demonstrators in Washington
September 20, 2021 GMTSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The Black Hills candidate who wants to unseat South Dakota Sen. John Thune in next year's Republican primary says he demonstrated in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6 against President Joe Biden’s victory.
Making safe choices
May 1, 2019 GMTSPEARFISH — Fire trucks, ambulances, and a variety of other emergency vehicles could be seen in the Spearfish High School parking lot Monday. Instead of signaling an emergency, however, these vehicles signaled an annual day of interactive, preventative education through the Freshman Impact: Caught in the Moment program.
Smokes N Things opens in Spearfish
April 25, 2019 GMTSPEARFISH — Smokes N Things opened recently in Spearfish at 348 E. Colorado Blvd.
The Popkes family owns the business, and the fmaily has operated businesses for more than 25 years.
When sons Cameron and Dustin proposed the idea of the business, the family was on board, and Smokes N Things was born.
BH Energy plans power line replacement in Northern Hills
March 5, 2019 GMTSPEARFISH — Black Hills Energy plans to replace about 10 miles of power transmission lines in the Northern Black Hills in two projects this summer.
One project, in the Tinton corridor, would replace 4.9 miles of transmission lines.
Exploring ‘Up, Down, and All Around’
March 2, 2019 GMTSPEARFISH — In the midst of patrons running laps and playing pickleball, a display devoted to the art of perspective is currently set up in the Lookout Room at the Spearfish rec center. Thursday, a group of eighth-grade students got to explore the “Up, Down, and All Around” display with its creator, Spearfish artist Dick Termes.
New faces at Visit Spearfish, Inc.
January 29, 2019 GMTSPEARFISH — Visit Spearfish, Inc., the private, nonprofit destination marketing organization located on Spearfish Main Street, is sporting a brand-new director of special events position and office and visitor center manager position, with two new faces joining the team since December.
South Dakota health care system expands grief counseling
January 12, 2019 GMTSPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota health care system is expanding its grief counseling program in the Black Hills region.
Regional Health has offered grief counseling in Spearfish and Belle Fourche, but is now adding services to Lead, Deadwood and Sturgis, the Black Hills Pioneer reported .
Regional Health expands grief counseling program
January 3, 2019 GMTNORTHERN HILLS — As part of its Home+ Hospice care program, Regional Health is expanding its grief counseling outreach.
“It goes back to our community investment,” said Patti Aurand, hospice chaplain and bereavement coordinator/social work associate with Regional Health.
South Dakota students teach science through scavenger hunt
December 31, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH, S.D. (AP) — About a dozen sixth-grade students at Spearfish Middle School enjoy science so much that they've approached their teachers about preparing and teaching lessons themselves...
Spearfish updates snow information and advisory guide
December 22, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — The city of Spearfish revised its snow information and advisory guide this month, updating priority snowplow routes in new developments and growth areas.
Public Works Administrator Cheryl Johnson said that there are a few more priority routes shown on the updated guide’s map, available at cityofspearfish.com/document_center/PublicWorks/2018%20Snow%20Info%20Advisory%20Guide.pdf, and that there are no major changes to the policies, which are also outlined in the guide.
Volunteers sought to help with Audubon’s 119th Christmas Bird Count this season
December 19, 2018 GMTNORTHERN HILLS — Each Christmas season, tens of thousands of volunteers count and record each individual bird and bird species they encounter during one calendar day, within a 15-mile diameter circle.
The ‘SCAdians’ of the Black Hills
December 14, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — There are a lot of small towns, cities, and communities in the Black Hills, but there’s only one shire, the Shire of Noiregarde. However, there are no hobbits in this shire, no wizards, no dragons — only “SCAdians,” the name applied to members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).
Madison Ice Rink in Spearfish open
December 13, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — They say the hardest part of ice-skating is the ice — and that occurred Monday in Spearfish.
City crews flooded the Madison Ice Rink in Spearfish City Campground and removed the “keep off the ice” sign, means the rink has frozen to the point that it is ready for people to use.
Good Day Café to open on W. Jackson Blvd. in Spearfish
December 11, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — Taking the floor down to the dirt and rebuilding the space from the ground up and original brick walls out to create Good Day Café at 541 W. Jackson Blvd., Spearfish, has been a labor of love for owners Kristen Bell and Ava Sauter.
Spearfish drug dealer pleads not guilty to new charges
December 6, 2018 GMTDEADWOOD — A woman recently found guilty of fentanyl analog distribution is back in court on new drug charges.
The latest allegations are said to have occurred while she was being held in the Lawrence County Jail as an inmate awaiting sentencing.
Journalism class returns to Spearfish
November 29, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — Journalism has returned as a class at Spearfish High School. English teacher Alyssa Walters is now teaching a class about journalism at Spearfish High School.
Lawrence County Commission approves 2 approach permits for Spearfish Pellet Company
October 31, 2018 GMTDEADWOOD — Two approach permits submitted by Spearfish Pellet Company, a division of Neiman Enterprises, Inc., were unanimously approved by the Lawrence County Commission Oct. 23, with Commissioner Randy Deibert abstaining.
U.S. Poet Laureate coming to Northern Hills
October 3, 2018 GMTNORTHERN HILLS — Poems should be celebrated everywhere, and that’s why U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith is coming to the Heartland to discuss poetry.
She will be in Belle Fourche and Spearfish on Friday and Sturgis on Saturday as part of her “American Conversations: Celebrating Poems in Rural Communities” tour.
Dakota Seafood open in Spearfish
September 28, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — For those wishing to try out a recipe they’ve been saving for a trip to the coast, there’s another option: Dakota Seafood, a retail market and wholesale supplier specializing in fresh seafood, meats, and charcuterie, is open at the corner of Main Street and Jackson Boulevard in Spearfish.
Bike bag business relocates to Spearfish
September 27, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — Need a bag for a bicycle?
Look no further than DirtBags Bikepacking, a company that specializes in handmade, high-quality bike bags, which moved to Spearfish from Laramie, Wyo., in June.
First Interstate Bank celebrates 50 years
September 17, 2018 GMTNORTHERN HILLS — In 1968, First Interstate Bank was established when founder, Homer Scott, Sr., purchased the Bank of Commerce in Sheridan, Wyo., starting to build what has become a $13 billion community bank with more than 120 branches across six states, including branches in Spearfish, Belle Fourche, Deadwood, Lead, and Sturgis.
What was that object in the sky Wednesday?
September 14, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — What was that bright object in the sky Wednesday night?
Was it a plane? Was it a star? Or was it a UFO arriving just in time for Hulett, Wyo., second annual UFO Festival?
The orb, that appeared higher than any plane would fly and lower than a star, seemed to hover for more than an hour.
Signalized pedestrian crossing signs added to Spearfish Main Street
August 25, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — Three sets of signalized pedestrian crossing signs have been added to Spearfish’s downtown, in the hopes of creating safer pedestrian pathways.
Police Chief Pat Rotert informed the Spearfish City Monday that the signs had recently been installed on Main Street, with two at the intersection of Illinois Street and one at the Grant Street intersection.
6th annual Jacket Ride raises scholarships for veterans
August 9, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — More than 70 participants on 55 motorcycles rode in the sixth annual Dennis Kirk Jacket Ride Tuesday.
The ride raises funds for veteran scholarships at Black Hills State University.
Ex-husband of former Spearfish resident pleads guilty to her murder
August 2, 2018 GMTSAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The ex-husband of Spearfish High School graduate and Army veteran Julia Jacobson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Monday in San Bernardino, Calif.
Jacobson, who lived in Spearfish from 1991 to 2001, vanished on Sept.
Spearfish Pizza Ranch robbed at gunpoint Monday
August 1, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — At approximately 10:18 p.m. Monday, the Spearfish Police Department received a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Pizza Ranch located at 2625 E. Colorado Blvd., off Interstate 90’s Exit 14 in Spearfish.
Spearfish 4th of July Parade seeks participants
June 23, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — The 2018 Spearfish Independence Day Parade will be held Wednesday, July 4 at noon. If you are interested in registering to participate in the parade, please contact Countryside Community Church at 642-0585 or the Spearfish chamber at 642-2626.
Putting the brakes on food trucks
May 26, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — The Spearfish City Council Monday delayed the first reading of an ordinance that would establish city code pertaining to mobile food and beverage vending.
City Planner Jayna Watson pointed out that nothing currently prevents mobile food vendors from parking on city streets and selling food or beverages to the public: The proposed ordinance does not allow a previously prohibited activity, she said; rather, it places reasonable limits on a currently unregulated activity.
Odenbach, Plocek win school board seats
April 11, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — Scott Odenbach and Ellen Plocek won Spearfish School Board seats Tuesday.
Odenbach received 268 votes and Plocek received 258 votes.
Budget supplement approved for Spearfish Fire Department
April 6, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — The Spearfish Fire Department received approval from the city council Monday for a budget supplement for the department’s general fund for approximately $44,690 worth of various unbudgeted expenditures, to be funded from the Spearfish Rural Fire Protection District contract revenues that were also unbudgeted in 2018.
Spearfish McDonald’s to be demolished, rebuilt
March 24, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — Get your Big Macs now.
The Spearfish McDonald’s, located at 131 Ryan Rd., is open through the first part of April and will then be closed through July for a demolition and rebuild.
Work ramping back up for final construction season at Exit 14
March 21, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — As spring approaches, so does an increase in construction activity at Exit 14. Work is ramping back up for the final construction season of the project, which has a June 1 completion date.
Dr. Vosler retires after 38 years in Spearfish
March 11, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — When he first arrived in Spearfish in 1980, Dr. Steven T. Vosler was the youngest doctor practicing in Western South Dakota — and 38 years later, as he is transitioning into retirement, he is among the oldest.
Winter storm expected to hit Sunday
March 4, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — The National Weather Service in Rapid City has issued a winter storm watch for the Northern Black Hills and northwest South Dakota from Sunday afternoon through Monday night.
A period of freezing fog and freezing drizzle is expected on Sunday with snow becoming widespread Sunday night and Monday.
Geuke named Spearfish High School Teacher of the Year
February 28, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — Chris Geuke, adaptive physical education teacher for the Spearfish School District, was named the 2018 Spearfish High School Teacher of the Year.
“When I first learned that I was Spearfish High School Teacher of the
Newman Center taking shape at corner of King, University streets in Spearfish
February 17, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — It’s been a dream for more than a decade, and every day, the 16,000-square-foot, $3.75 million Newman Center at the corner of King and University streets in Spearfish gets closer to completion.
Drone, horseback searches don’t turn up missing Spearfish man
February 14, 2018 GMTDEADWOOD — Law enforcement continue to follow up on leads regarding a Spearfish man who went missing nearly a month ago, but search attempts are turning up negative.
“We’re still following up on a few things, and we’ll probably bring back the cadaver dogs when we get a prolonged thaw, in April or so,” said Deadwood Police Chief Kelly Fuller Monday.
Search area for missing Spearfish man to expand
January 25, 2018 GMTDEADWOOD — The search area for a missing Spearfish man from Deadwood will be expanded, law enforcement officials said.
Deadwood Police Chief Kelly Fuller said the last time Christopher Oien, 28, was seen on video tape in town was Jan.
Math-based art
January 17, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — Animals, sports, plants, geometric shapes, and more made their way into the designs covering each student’s artwork, which would eventually come together as a mural made of tetrahedrons, or triangular pyramids, Tuesday at Spearfish Middle School.
Temporary restraining order granted
January 10, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — The Spearfish Volunteer Firefighters’ Association is limited in how it expends or disburses its finances and assets for the foreseeable future.
To the rescue
January 8, 2018 GMTLEAD — Nearly 30 Black Hills area Girl Scouts convened at the Lead Fire Hall Saturday to embark upon a survival skill-filled morning that just may have one of them saving a life or one day filling the same roles of those they learned from.
Private hangar to be constructed in area reserved for future use by city
January 5, 2018 GMTSPEARFISH — The Spearfish City Council Tuesday approved a request to allow for the construction of a private hangar at Black Hills Airport-Clyde Ice Field, and because the location has been reserved for use by the city if a proposed crosswind runway is constructed, an option agreement was also approved that allows the city to purchase the hangar for its own use in the future when necessary.
1st trimester Spearfish Middle School Honor Roll released
December 22, 2017 GMTSPEARFISH — The following students made the grade at Spearfish Middle School and are included on the 2017-18 first trimester honor roll.
Capp becomes 34th SHS Fine Arts Hall of Fame inductee
December 14, 2017 GMTSPEARFISH — Tuesday, the 34th inductee was welcomed into the Spearfish High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame: Jared “Cappie” Capp, Class of 1995, was inducted into the hall of fame under the visual arts, architecture, category.
Sturgis woman sentenced to 4 years in multiple burglaries, grand theft case
December 13, 2017 GMTBELLE FOURCHE — A Sturgis woman charged with multiple crimes stemming from numerous criminal acts that occurred between Sept. 20-21, was sentenced Dec. 6 to two, two-year sentences. Execution of those sentences is suspended contingent upon the defendant’s successful completion of the Northern Hills Drug Court program.
Bay Leaf Café to close Dec. 22, after 24 years as Spearfish fixture
December 9, 2017 GMTSPEARFISH — A fixture of the Spearfish community will close in a couple of weeks: The Bay Leaf Café will shut its doors at 3 p.m. Dec. 22.
After 24 years in business at the Bay Leaf, and in the restaurant industry since 1975, French Bryan and Taffy Tucker, co-owners of the Bay Leaf Café, are retiring and have sold the building.
Bodies of former Spearfish woman and her dog found
December 4, 2017 GMTSPEARFISH — The body of a Spearfish High School graduate and Army veteran was believed to be found Friday.
Julia Jacobson, who lived in Spearfish from 1991 to 2001, vanished on Sept. 2 in Southern California.
Free delivery of library materials available to Spearfish residents unable to make it onsite
November 30, 2017 GMTSPEARFISH — Unable to make it to the library due to health, transportation, or weather-related issues? There’s a new free delivery service available to ensure Spearfish residents have access to library materials no matter the obstacles.
‘Neither Wolf Nor Dog’ premieres Friday at NH Cinema
November 9, 2017 GMTSPEARFISH — The most recent South Dakotan movie, “Neither Wolf Nor Dog,” makes its premiere Friday at Northern Hills Cinema. It was filmed largely on location, from the Badlands to Kyle, by filmmaker Steven Lewis Simpson and features the late David Bald Eagle, who was 95 at the time of filming.
New pipe above Spearfish hydroelectric plant to get tied in
October 30, 2017 GMTSPEARFISH — It took longer than anticipated to get full saturation of Spearfish Creek past the diversion at the Maurice intake in Spearfish Canyon that carries the water through aqueducts and pipes to the Spearfish hydroelectric plant, but on Oct.