Public Safety · Rapid City, SD
Authorities are searching for James Traversie, 41, who left the Rapid City Minimum Center on Wednesday, Oct. 28, for his assigned work-release employment but never arrived at the job site, according to the South Dakota Department of Corrections. Traversie is serving sentences from Pennington County for possession of a controlled substance and from Meade County for receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle. He is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, approximately 222 pounds, Native American, with black hair and brown eyes. State law classifies failure to return to custody following a work assignment as second-degree escape, a Class 5 felony carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The Department of Corrections asks anyone who sees Traversie or has information about his whereabouts to contact local law enforcement.
Crime · Rapid City, SD
Rapid City police responded to a shooting in the 1500 block of Kellogg Place just before 1 a.m. on Oct. 27, where a man was found with gunshot wounds and later died at a hospital. About 50 minutes later, a Pennington County sheriff's deputy attempted to stop a speeding truck during routine traffic enforcement, leading to a pursuit that ended near Lone Tree Road off Highway 44. Authorities identified two suspects taken into custody as Harley High Wolf, 21, and Antwon Long Visitor, 19, both of Rapid City, and reportedly found several guns in the abandoned pickup. The homicide investigation remains ongoing, and police have not released details about what led to the shooting.
Crime · Rapid City, SD
Rapid City police announced Wednesday that Maricel Barrientos, 19, of Rapid City has been charged with one count of vehicular homicide and one count of vehicular battery following a rollover crash on Skyline Drive. The crash occurred around 1 a.m. Oct. 23 when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled down a steep embankment, sending four occupants to the hospital; two suffered life-threatening injuries and one passenger later died from injuries sustained in the crash. Police said alcohol appeared to be a factor based on witness statements gathered during the investigation. The Rapid City Police Department's Critical Accident Reconstruction Team took over the scene, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Transportation · Rapid City, SD
Rapid City Regional Airport has opened the first phase of its roughly $80-million terminal expansion, activating new airline ticket counters on the east side and a linear inline baggage system that routes all bags to one central screening area. The project replaces the old saw-tooth counters where bags were screened behind each counter, with crews set to demolish the former ticket area to create a larger open hall. Executive Director Patrick Dame said Phase One is expected to wrap in May, while Phase Two will add five gates to accommodate larger 150-seat aircraft. Passengers are asked to arrive early as traffic patterns shift during construction.
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Public Safety
South Dakota Wildland Fire officials caution Black Hills landowners that snow cover can melt quickly, making slash pile burning unsafe even with valid permits for the Nov. 1 through March 31 season. Small piles (6 feet wide by 6 feet tall or smaller) require at least 2 inches of continuous snow cover; larger piles require 6 inches, and burning is prohibited during wind advisories, fire weather watches, or red flag warnings. Seth Stevens, assistant fire management officer for the Hot Springs District, warned that escaped piles can reignite months later when embers settle into pine needle beds. Landowners must contact their local county dispatch center before igniting a pile and may face financial liability for suppression costs if a fire escapes.
Public Safety · Box Elder, SD
A coordinated South Dakota Highway Patrol operation in Box Elder on Oct. 21-22 resulted in 14 arrests, 19 drug charges and 21 warrants served over two days. Seven of those arrested faced drug-related charges (eight felonies, 11 misdemeanors) while seven were taken into custody on other offenses. Officers also issued 63 citations and 53 warnings, including five for driving with revoked licenses; no DUI arrests were reported. The effort was part of Operation Prairie Thunder, a statewide initiative active in 12 communities since August 2025 that has produced 484 arrests and more than 1,200 drug charges across South Dakota.
Community News · Rapid City, SD
The Salvation Army has begun in-person signups for its Angel Tree gift program and Christmas food box assistance for families in Rapid City and Spearfish, South Dakota. Spearfish-area signups run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the thrift store at 125 Industrial Drive, with Oct. 30 as the last day. Rapid City signups take place Nov. 3 through Nov. 13, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with an extended evening option until 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. The Angel Tree program provides Christmas gifts for children from infant to age 14; parents must bring photo ID and proof of children's ages. Community members can participate by picking up a tag, purchasing a gift, and dropping it off at any Angel Tree location or the main office at 405 N. Cherry Ave.
Community brief · Rapid City, SD
Black Hills Community Theatre in Rapid City is staging a world-premiere apocalyptic comedy, "The Four Horsemen!," written by Rapid City playwright L.D. Potter. The play follows War, Famine, Pestilence and Death as they navigate workplace frustrations and question why the world must end. Performances take place at the Studio Theater on Oct. 30-31, Nov. 6-7 and Nov. 13-14 at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees Nov. 1, 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. Opening night on…
