The flood of 1972 was the most destructive flood in South Dakota, affecting many people in different ways and some are now sharing their stories, 50 years later. “For years, I wasn’t able to talk about it. I would just start shaking and all kinds of things,” Troy Dobyns, author...
Debbie Speas, Chief Operations Officer to the Mt. Rushmore Society, explains more about this nonprofit organization. “We’ve been around since 1930 and we are a partner with the National Park Service. So everything we do is to raise money to give back to the National Park Service, such as, a...
Part 1 Part 2 Chief Meteorologist Emeritus Bob Riggio chats with Chief Meteorologist Brant Beckman about the changes in forecasting weather since the 1972 flood. Riggio says, “From the flood to now, a thousand times improvement in the warning system, thousand times improvement.” Riggio remembers, “Back then…urgent. The word that...
RAPID CITY, S.D.- Over a foot of rain fell from the evening of June 9 to the morning of June 10 in 1972, taking thousands of homes and cars and hundreds of lives. As the Mayor of Rapid City, Don Barnett was tasked with making sure hope for his town...
ArtForms Gallery, which is a little gallery in downtown Hill City, offers a hybrid location where people can both view creative pieces and purchase it. “The gallery is a local art co-op. There’s 24 artists in here,” Pete Stach, of ArtForms Gallery, explains. “All of us are local artists; All...
Being one of the oldest buildings in Hot Springs, The Pioneer Museum offers a number of historical exhibits and items that guests can appreciate. Wanda Aaberg, who has been the director of the museum for 14 years, has deep ties and investment into the area, like her great grandparents having...
Two Cows Creamery has been open since April 2021, located on North River Street in Hot Springs and they are serving up more than just ice cream. Melissa Holt, Owner, says, “I’m a farmer. I’m a past chef. I’ve been a chef for more than two decades. I wasn’t planning...
Although the Kokomo Inn, a once hot spot in Lemmon, sat abandoned for many years until John Lopez, sculptor and Lemmon native, bought and renovated the building to restore its history. The building is now a community space with a sculpture garden called Boss Cowman Square and an art gallery...
Clair Scarborough, PR Coordinator for the Mammoth Site, says, “The mammoth site is currently still an active dig site. We were discovered in 1974 and have been digging since then. We have found over 60 mammoths and other creatures so far; 56 are Columbian, four are woolly mammoths. We are...
Wild Oats Restaurant in Lemmon, S.D., is a family-owned business. Managed by a husband and wife team who both love food and music creating a place with amazing food and awesome entertainment. Owned by Carrie Thoele and her husband Dan, Wild Oats offers a variety of food and drink selections....
RAPID CITY, S.D.- South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Conservation Officers aim to protect the state’s natural resources, and those who recreate in those areas. They’re certified law enforcement officers who handle a variety of different calls in an ordinary day. “Our training is almost identical to what anybody...
On June 9, 1972, Rapid City suffered one of the most devastating floods in South Dakota history and one of the deadliest floods in this country’s history. Bob Riggio, Chief Meteorologist Emeritus, says, “238 people lost their lives in the flood. Over 3000 people injured, thousands of homes damaged and...
Grapes & Grinds, a shop in Keystone, offers more than just wine and coffee and is a place that the whole family can joy. “Well, we kind of specialize in primarily coffee and wine. But in addition to that, we have gift-ware and we actually make authentic Italian Gelato. We...
Pactola Marina is currently filled with water for fun activities and its rentals are filling up as the summer grows closer. Despite surrounding areas having to deal with a drought, Angie Fisher, owner and operator of the Pactola Marina and store, says that the marina is actually 99.6% full. “We...
For anyone familiar, new or visiting the area, riding on the Mickelson Trail provides a way people can see and experience the Black Hills, kept slower and quieter than roads because motor vehicles are not allowed on the trail. Bikers can take enjoy the trail as well, either with a...
The National Presidential Wax Museum in Keystone gives visitors the chance to learn more about U.S. history with an interesting and unique spin on it. “Well, I think that just getting the sense of being able to be in the presence of the most iconic names and the most important...
Richard Parham, a WWII veteran, shares his story about being stationed in Okinawa, Japan. “Well, all the training I had was just my basic training, and I was sent overseas immediately. Leyte is where I landed, and they had the finishing up of that project. But we had about...
Lutheran Family Services has a mission to care for, support, and strengthen individuals, families and communities. Jenica Faal, from Lutheran Social Services explains about the statewide program. “There’s a Rapid City office and then there’s a Sioux Falls office, and they serve the whole state in different programs. They have...
The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program began in 1986 and has a need for volunteer advocates for children who are abused or neglected. Cristina Anderson, Volunteer Coordinator, says “We recruit and support and train volunteers who are then paired with children in foster care. Primarily, the volunteers will just build a...
Deborah Jensen, co-owner of Black Hills Bagels, appreciates the challenges that many small business owners face. Jensen has discovered one way to help fight the need for workers. Jensen utilizes Black Hills Works as an employment resource when she is needing help. Jensen says, “Well, first of all, I’d like...
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