Community News · Rapid City, SD
FEMA has approved more than $638,000 in federal funding to assist with recovery from strong winds that struck the area in December 2025. Rapid City will receive nearly $469,000 to repair or replace damaged fencing, netting, poles and related equipment. Pennington County is slated to receive nearly $170,000 to help cover debris removal costs from the same storm. The funding comes through FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which helps state, local and tribal governments recover from disasters.
Public Safety · Rapid City, SD
Knollwood Drive in Rapid City reopened Wednesday afternoon after utility crews repaired a natural gas line struck during construction earlier that day. The incident, involving an estimated four-inch line, prompted the evacuation of a portion of the Oglala Lakota College campus and temporary power shutoffs to nearby commercial buildings. Rapid City Fire Department Chief Josh Lange noted a rising trend in gas-related calls due to increased construction activity, urging residents and contractors to call 811 before digging.
Local Politics · Rapid City, SD
Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun has selected Scott Anderson, who has managed the city's Parks Division since 2017, to lead the Parks and Recreation Department. The Rapid City Common Council is expected to consider the appointment on Nov. 2. Anderson, employed by the city since 2009, oversees parks and facilities, the urban forest, cemetery operations and park rangers. He would succeed Jeff Biegler, who retired in September.
Public Safety · Rapid City, SD
A red flag warning takes effect at 11 a.m. Friday for northeast Wyoming and Carter and Harding counties in South Dakota, lasting until 11 p.m., amid gusty winds and record-breaking heat across KOTA Territory. Afternoon temperatures are expected to climb well into the 80s, breaking daily records in multiple communities. A significant cold front arriving from Montana Friday evening will bring isolated showers to the Black Hills and push overnight temperatures into the 30s. Winds exceeding 45 mph are likely Saturday morning through afternoon from Ekalaka and Faith southward to Rapid City. The weekend brings cloudy skies, rain, and possible light snow or wintry mix around the hills by Monday before temperatures recover into the low 50s midweek.
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Crime · Rapid City, SD
Jaimie High Horse, 36, of Rapid City was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in federal prison for her role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that operated across South Dakota. She pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and will serve five years of supervised release after her prison term. Federal prosecutors say she was one of 13 defendants in the case and was personally involved in distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. High Horse was arrested in April following a high-speed pursuit involving an officer with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety.
Education · Rapid City, SD
Rapid City Area Schools implemented a new automated visitor check-in system on Monday to enhance student safety. The $27,000 system scans visitor IDs against the sex offender registry, terrorist watch list, and district-uploaded flags before issuing printed passes. Funded by grants from the South Dakota Department of Homeland Security and a STOP Violence grant, the initiative aims to save staff time while adding security layers.
Public Safety · Pennington County
The South Dakota Highway Patrol plans to conduct sobriety checkpoints during November in 15 counties statewide, including Custer, Lawrence, and Pennington in western South Dakota. Troopers will coordinate with local law enforcement agencies at the checkpoints, which are intended to improve road safety and identify impaired drivers. Other affected counties include Beadle, Brule, Codington, Edmunds, Hanson, Hughes, Jones, Lincoln, Minnehaha, Moody, Roberts, and Union. Officials encourage anyone planning to drink to arrange a sober driver or use another safe way home.
Community News · Rapid City, SD
Temperatures in Rapid City are expected to reach near 80 degrees on Thursday, about 22 degrees above normal for this time of year. A cold front is forecast to move through the region by Saturday morning, bringing gusty winds and a temperature drop of more than 20 degrees. Southeasterly winds could gust to 30 to 35 mph in Rapid City on Thursday, with stronger gusts possible as the front arrives.
Transportation · Pennington County
Forest Road will close at its southern intersection with South Dakota Highway 44 in Pennington County on Tuesday, Oct. 27, for bridge work. The Pennington County Highway Department announced the closure but has not specified how long it will last. Drivers can check the Pennington County Public Safety Hub for updates or call the Highway Department at 605-394-2166.
Community News · Rapid City, SD
Monument Health opened a larger endocrinology and diabetes care clinic at 855 Omaha St. in Rapid City, replacing its former Flormann Street location. The new 26,000-square-foot facility is roughly twice the size of the previous clinic and includes 35 exam rooms plus ultrasound, bone density and X-ray services. Monument Health says the expansion will allow providers to see more patients and give diabetes educators additional space for nutrition, medication, insulin pump and glucose monitoring guidance. Patients with upcoming appointments should go to the new Omaha Street location.
Public Safety · Rapid City, SD
The Rapid City Police Department is launching a safety education effort targeting electric bike and scooter riders after receiving complaints about speeding on sidewalks and bike paths, failure to yield to pedestrians, and running traffic signals. Officers will focus on educating young riders who use e-bikes and scooters for school or travel around town, issuing warnings and notifying parents of juvenile riders when appropriate. Police remind riders to follow traffic signals, wear helmets, use lights in poor visibility, and maintain safe speeds. Motorized scooters are prohibited on roads with speed limits above 35 mph, and officers can take enforcement action for serious or repeated violations.
Community brief · Rapid City, SD
The Stevens High School girls tennis team was recognized by Mayor Jason Salamun at Monday's Rapid City council meeting for winning the 2026 Class AA state championships. The victory marks the team's third consecutive state title and fifth in six years, with top finishes in both singles flight 1 and doubles flight 1 matches—the first time achieving both since 2006. Head coach Jason Olson noted the team entered the season ranked third or fourth…
Community brief
A record number of South Dakota high schools are offering the ProStart culinary career program during the 2026-27 school year, reaching 28 communities statewide. The two-year program, coordinated by the South Dakota Retailers Association, combines culinary training with restaurant management and customer service education. Participating western South Dakota schools include Rapid City Central, Rapid City Stevens, Sturgis Brown, Hot Springs, St.…
Community brief · Rapid City, SD
The annual Festival of Lights Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 28, in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. The event will feature decorated floats, holiday music, and participation from local groups to mark the start of the Christmas season. Community organizations can register for the parade via festivaloflightsrc.com.
