HOT SPRINGS – With the passing of another year, the Fall River County Herald-Star this week offers a glimpse back at the headlines of 2025.
This past year began with the newspaper reporting on a pair of tragedies in which local residents J.D. Myers and Garland Wright were both killed in separate auto accidents on Hwy. 18 between Hot Springs and Edgemont. Some of the other top news stories from the early part of 2025 included the Hot Springs City Council considering the request by the town’s only medicinal marijuana dispensary to open a marijuana grow facility in town.
The potential closure of the BNSF railyard in Edgemont was also reported on last spring, with no new developments occurring over the remainder of the year. Also occurring last spring was the Green Acres Fire which burned 340 acres south of Hot Springs.
As it has been for several years, a possible new Fall River County Jail was also a common subject of the past year’s headlines, as was the potential uranium mining in the area.
Several milestones were celebrated and reported on in the past year, including the 140th anniversary of Landers Ranch & Star Cattle Company, the 90th anniversary of Hot Springs Ace Hardware, George Darrow’s 60 years of service to the Edgemont Ambulance Service, Julie Hills 50th anniversary of owning and operating the H&R Block office in Hot Springs and also Dick Dryden’s announced retirement from Black Hills Federal Credit Union after 40 years. The communities and schools of Hot Springs, Edgemont and Oelrichs all also celebrated big reunions in July, August and September.
A pair of longtime pending local missing persons cases also came to a close in 2025 with the discovery of the remains of Matthew Marshall Jr. on the Seven Sisters mountain range near Hot Springs, reported on in June, and the remains of Edgemont’s Chance Englebert found near Gering, Neb., and reported on in December.
Other bigger stories later in the year included Hot Springs’ plans for a new wastewater treatment plant, along with the start of a project which will replace the Minnekahta Avenue bridge in downtown Hot Springs, as well as a planned workforce housing project by Fall River Health Services along Hwy. 71.
And now, here is the list of the top headlines of 2024.
JANUARY
Firefighters respond to semi tractor fire inside old Armory building Move into SD bunker backfires on family seeking a new life County Commissioners agree to send tax relief request to S.D. State legislature JD Myers, 26, dies in Dec. 23 collision Oelrichs VFD Coyote Contest attracts 47 teams County settles lawsuit with family of deceased inmate Powwow held in Hot Springs Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual run to pass through area Bureau of Reclamation invests $10.7 million to repair Angostura Dam spillway Local children receive bikes through Masonic Lodge and YMCA Partnership Wind Cave National Park closes backcountry for upcoming elk management operation Ordinance change is a ‘no-grow’ regarding cannabis cultivation City Council approves $74,800 in unbudgeted expenses at its first meeting of the year Resident hopes to make Polar Plunge a community-wide New Years experience Historic Oelrichs well house restored Oelrichs student earns Guiness World Record for longest hair Wayne Hertel wins top prize in Fall River Festive Rewards drawing Commission expresses concern about proposed wilderness area Community effort delivers 432 bags of Sonny’s groceries to Hot Springs Food Pantry 20th annual Fall River History Conference enjoyed by many Former Oelrichs resident (Benny Benson) sentenced to federal prison for conspiracy to distribute Fentanyl on Pine Ridge Supporters of expanded medicinal cannabis pack city council meeting Local cowboy legend Franklin Manke gives presentation at Edgemont Historical Society’s Annual Meeting New Wellness Center in former Scout Hall features Tesla Coil
FEBRUARY
Crash claims life of Edgemont school teacher, mother of two Edgemont Middle School students launch a new ‘Mogul Message’ Podcast Oelrichs woodshop class donates dog houses Ham radio club to erect radio repeater antenna City will not reconsider opposition to medical cannabis grow Hot Springs’ castle upon a hill bustling with activity McClure win HSMS Spelling Bee Explosion, fire injures one in Edgemont; home is a total loss Three Bison gymnasts qualify for State Meet District 30 Legislative Crackerbarrel held in Hot Springs MniKa’Ta group brings native traditions, hops for permanent home to share culture Parent shares concerns with school board about bullying School teacher’s survival of heart condition celebrated Fall River County community comes together in support of the Wright family Hot Springs graduate (Josh Redden) to become new high school principal at Hemingford, Neb.
KC Fees wins Armchair in Super Bowl contest Confederate Railroad rocks the Prairie Wind Casino Commissioner Allen recommends site for proposed jail Residents learn about Property Tax legislation Julianna Hill celebrates her Golden Anniversary in H&R Block green Jegeris takes over operation of Hot Springs Dairy Queen Tyler Norton names Hot Springs Teacher of the Year, Michelle Nelson wins Classified Staff honor Edgemont AAU Youth Wrestlers grateful to community for new singlets Five boys, four girls qualify for State Wrestling Championships Coach Levi Klippenstein receives S.D. Broyles Award
MARCH
Green Acres Fire turns 340 acres black Two die in accident east of Oelrichs SB 191 property tax reset bill unanimously passed by State Senate (later fails in House) Fall River Gun Club celebrates big improvements at Annual Banquet Holistic Fair marks is 8th year Hot Springs girls wrestling team places 9th in state Kunz places fourth in B’s at 175 lbs Cone burn celebrates end of road work Hot Springs neighborhood sees second fire in 10 days County considering contracting for Public Defender services City supports a plan by SHRec to design disc golf course at Butler Park Mosset awarded Chamber’s Citizen of the Year at 85th banquet Ackerman: ‘Battle is not over’ in regards to saving Hot Springs VA Former Hot Springs Star reporter pens his 3rd book in series Closure of Edgemont BNSF rail yard is likely Safety concerns about river channel wall increased after dog jumps over and dies How to fund new jail draws public warnings at county meeting Edgemont mayoral candidates from 2023 face each other again (Rheta Reagan & Carla Shepler) Edgemont City Council discusses railroad concerns, potential new business opening Oelrichs VFD offer property to town
APRIL
Vietnam Veterans welcomed home at event in Hot Springs Changes to property tax assessment freeze bring hope to relief from ‘subsistence’ living Community again shows up big for family of Garland Wright Olifant’s Tea & Coffee House open for business in Hot Springs 10 out of 15 youth Bison wrestlers earn medals at State Tourney in Rapid City Hot Springs School District announces plan to partner with homeschool parents Edgemont Mayor shares BNSF concerns with reps of SD’s congressional leaders Commissioners learn of possible power shutdown this summer City Finance Officer (Misty Summers-Walton) reelected to chair District 9 of SD Municipal League American Legion Family covers unpaid lunches City of Hot Springs accepts bid to cleanup private property New group aims to eliminate property taxes in the state Jim Tays to be inducted into South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame Edgemont re-elects Rheta Reagan as mayor in decisive 135-98 vote South Dakota Life crew interviews Edgemont residents for upcoming PBS documentary Hot Springs announces plan to double size of its free preschool Fall River Thrift Store striving to make community of better place Commissioner hear new info about jail costs Chautauqua Craftsmen & Artisans of the Black Hills host Jordanian vocalist Farah Siraj Edgemont’s Landon Harrod selected for All-State Band Three Hot Springs student athletes sign letters of intent for college (Aidyn Janis, McCoy Rippentrop, Laurel Rush)
MAY
Mueller great-grandchildren come home to Hot Springs Symposium connects scientific truths with teaching in Bible Edgemont town hall set to discuss BNSF plans First reading of ordinance revision to expand cannabis hours passes unanimously Area history shared at Oelrichs conference Digging the ‘cool’ life: National surveyfindsthatbeingaPaleontologist at The Mammoth Site is the ‘coolest career’ in South Dakota BH Energy presents power shut-off plan Optimismenergizesnewcommittee to keep BNSF Railroad in Edgemont FRC Commission asked to consider contributing to new Pennington County Jail instead of building its own jailE dgemont Library celebrate retirement of Agnes Reecy Transformer malfunction shuts down cave tours at Wind Cave Edgemont’s Hollenbeck commits to compete at Dakota State University Fall River Foundation pledges $15,000 matching grant for Hot Springs Preschool City, School approve contract renewal for Resource Officer Hot Springs to graduate 46 seniors, Edgemont five Seven seniors graduate at Oelrichs High School Kamryn Selzler wins ‘Hunt of a Lifetime’ through state’s NWTF Hot Springs students to attend 11 more days of school next year Salute to Valor weekend planned for Hot Springs World Fossil Finder Museum again making history with 30,000 year old Bison skeleton Edgemont home completely destroyed by fast-moving fire Dr. Sotherland to retire after 45 years Edgemont Ambulance Service honors George Darrow for 60 years of service Three individuals, five relays qualify for State ‘A’ Track Championship Three Hot Springs girls golfers qualify for state Community effort improves Mueller Soccer Field
JUNE
- Remains found of Hot Springs man (Matthew Marshall Jr.) missing since July 2024 Taya Ritterbush of Hot Springs crowned Miss South Dakota’s Teen New Chamber Director (Amber Sierra) hist the ground running Five medals won by Fall River County female athletes at State Track & Field Championships Governor Rhoden visits Hot Springs Local resident find ‘Jack of Hearts’ to claim $39,456 jackpot at Can Man Scholarship event Craig Romey wins back Ward 1 council seat Comments opposed uranium exploration perform for Canadian company City passes sign ordinance revision to allow ‘ attention attracting devices’ Pine Shadows residents share concerns at county meeting about dog owner Hot Springs School Board to revisit decision on 2025-26 calendar Mystery bullet strikes man in back while riding motorcycle on Hwy. 79 Black bear spotted passing through Oelrichs area Legality of Igloo bunker leases being considered Students, parents share concerns about Hot Springs School’s staffing decisions Claybusters are the 2025 South Dakota State High Overall Trapshooting Champion Team Hatfield father/son team wins 61st Father’s Day Golf Invite No cell phones, closed campus lunch for underclassmen highlight changes to 2025-26 HSHS Student Handbook Refurbished fountain to greet attendees of 48th Main Street Arts & Crafts Festival Fall River Community Foundation awards $27,000
JULY
Fall River County Sheriff Department adds deputies, equipment Many groups collaborate for a successful Fall River Fourth, HSHS Reunion weekend Plans for new jail move forward with hiring of design firm FRC State’s Attorney to run for S.D. Attorney General Pioneer Museum celebrating Art Gallery Grand Reoping Measles exposure reported in Hot Springs Pilot dies in airplane crash at Hot Springs airport Familiar faces sworn in to Hot Springs City Council ‘Pat’s Place’ House Concerts enliven Hot Springs music scene Circus Classics comes to the community of Edgemont Hot Springs Rattlers host 12u VFW State ‘B’ Baseball Tournament County to consider federal funding for ICE detention center as solution to jail dilemma School Board discusses possibility of purchasing Jennings Avenue property Pilot killed in crash was longtime participant in Hot Air Balloon Festival Black Hills Energy official grilled by commission at July 17 meeting New owners take over Hi-D-Way Oil & Gas City, County discussion about dispatch center gets contentious Local man rows his way to a divisional win in non-stop, 340-mile river race Town of Oelrichs approves the purchase of VFD’s former fire hall New electric bike dealership opens in Hot Springs Hot Springs’ Rippentrop finishing season strong for Post 22 Hardhats
AUGUST
School Board votes 6-1 to extend school year rather than have five 5-day weeks New superintendent brings outgoing energy to Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Vets Home School District will not buy the Jennings Ave. property Evans Plunge Aquatics Director (Lillian Broyles) receives Red Cross recognition The Texas Longhorns are coming to town City, County again clash over dispatch contract Ace Hardware celebrates 90 years of family service to community Buck Fire burns 60 acres southwest of Hot Springs New Oelrichs Museum building gets a new roof Hot Air Balloon Festival celebrates 10 years of aerial wonder SD Wildland Fire gets new space on State Veterans Home campus Local project tests the viability of wool as a soil additive Much-anticipated restaurant opens in Oelrichs: Triple 7 Skillet & Spirits Willie B’s offers family dining with a swing Landers Ranch, Star Cattle Company celebrates 140 years Unique community event planned to help save local woman’s lifelong homeschool Commissioners say they will be stricter on subdivision plans 8th annual Evan Walker Memorial Poker Run raises funds for local special needs youth Edgemont receives a new sign welcoming folks to town
SEPTEMBER
Fall River County welcomes new Veteran Service Officer (Darren Russell) Westerners are coming to Hot Springs for its 2025 National Convention, Sept. 17-20 Dick Dryden to retire after 40 years with credit union KHSB completes downtown beautification art project County employees urge commissioner to get forensic auditor, new payroll service Work on Angostura Dam in full swing Uranium proposal on fast-track permitting program Oelrichs native Dustin Twiss showcased at artist’s reception City Council approves first reading of three ordinances, including new meeting start time Blessing of the Waters held at Chautauqua Park 12th annual 9-11 Memorial Grand Stair Challenge again inspires local heroism Serendipity Farmstead practicing regenerative agriculture Unique opportunity for area children to make Pow-Wow Drums 79th annual Oelrichs Last Roundup Rodeo brings rain to the area Patriots Day Dinner honors emergency responders and military Meals on Wheels to see changes in Hot Springs, Edgemont Hot Springs City Council discusses dire state of its Wastewater Treatment Facility Hot Springs man (Wayne Anspach) dies in motorcycle/deer collision Four residents apply for the one vacant seat on Hot Springs School Board Angostura Rural VFD raising funds for fire hall FRC Treasurer warns that changes by state may cause some delays City Council shows support for new ‘Hometown Heroes’ banner project Hot Springs wins inaugural Southern Black Hills Cup
OCTOBER
Hot Springs Bison athletic success celebrated at Hall of Fame banquet Edgemont Meals program at risk without more support Prescribed fire planned this fall Wind Cave National Park Local Kiwanis Club enrollment is growing Area residents hope to move uranium hearing to Hot Springs Saving our sandstone buildings through passion, education City completes nuisance property cleanup Commission hears from meals program volunteers Annual Soil Health Workshop held in Oelrichs City Council denies request to block Hwy. 385 for march Hot Springs Chamber hosts Ag Appreciation Banquet Local family awaiting identification of remains founds near Gering, Neb.
Meals on Wheels Program will not be reinstated locally Edgemont YMCA to celebrate 20th year at annual Giving Thanks Dinner Igloo bunker residents file classaction lawsuit against owner of Vivos xPoint City commits to supporting effort to move uranium permit hearing Expanded free preschool proving to be successful at Hot Springs School District
NOVEMBER
Community members gather with ICAP to discuss future of Fall River County food service for seniors New Edgemont reporter begins at newspaper Pair of highly anticipated construction projects to get underway in Springs 2026 (Minnekahta Bridge replacement & Fall River Health Services workforce housing project) Pennant once again flying above historic Morris Grand building Volunteers recognized at KHSB Banquet Northern Lights brighten local night sky School report card, declining enrollment discussed at school board Power outage affected different areas of Fall River differently Three new detail businesses open in downtown Hot Springs Assistant Finance Officer (Aerial Allison) promoted to City Administrator City approves plan for CCABH to place bronze sculpture in downtown Hot Springs County Commissioners hear price quotes on two options for new jail Rio Grande Bible College to Texas expands to Hot Springs Edgemont City Council passes resolution that adjusts how utility customers are charged New Christmas banners, snowflakes festoon the town
DECEMBER
Missing for more than six years, remains found in Nebraska are of Edgemont native Chance Englebert Tierneys recognized by Casey Tibbs Foundation Community served during Thanksgiving feasts Youth Community Garden sees first phase begin in Hot Springs Several Hot Springs city fees set to increase in 2026 Southern Hills dazzle with Christmas Spirit Fall River Health Services begins expansion of Emergency Department Pair of 10 year old girls (Braxton Hanes & Olivia Renwick) share Edgemont’s Citizens of the Year honors Painful facts regarding dire state of wastewater plants shared at hearing Body of female found north of Ardmore KOTA’s report of toy theft was not true, according to American Legion Hot Springs School Board discusses concerns about past due lunch accounts Boys & Girls Club’s Wine and Wreath event a delicious success Hot Springs’ Mrs. Claus, the lady, the legend at 98 years young Thousands impacted by wind storm Downtown Minnekahta Avenue Bridge project gets underway Commission approves purchase of new software to improve finance logistics City of Edgemont unanimously passes resolution in support of uranium mining