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Hot Springs native Ross Johnson, third from left, performs recently with The Lonely Rangers Band at the Custer Beacon. He and his bandmates will take the stage in Centennial this Saturday, May 30, from 7pm - 9pm. Photo by Tonya Johnson/RJ Design Co.

Hot Springs native Ross Johnson, third from left, performs recently with The Lonely Rangers Band at the Custer Beacon. He and his bandmates will take the stage in Centennial this Saturday, May 30, from 7pm - 9pm. Photo by Tonya Johnson/RJ Design Co.

Hot Springs native will help kickoff Rockin’ Riverside Summer Concert Series, May 30

News Staff
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS – This Saturday, May 30, the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce will kick-off it’s second annual Rockin’ Riverside Summer concert series with the Lonely Rangers, featuring Hot Springs native Ross Johnson.
Carol Boche

Carol Boche

Republican Fall River County Auditor candidates profiled

News Staff
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS – The primary election is slated to take place on Tuesday, June 2, which is when area registered voters will decide a number of races, including who will replace Sue Ganje as the next Fall River County Auditor, as she looks forward to retirement when her term expires...
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and his wife Sandy, center, pose with members of the Haskvitz family during a dedication and ribbon cutting held of the new S.D. Wildland Fire building located on the campus of the State Veterans Home. Also pictured from left are John and Laree Haskvitz and their two daughters; Don and Lujean Haskvitz; Ben Haskvitz and his son; Betsy Haskvitz and her children Cash and Ella. Below is the exterior of the building. Photos by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden and his wife Sandy, center, pose with members of the Haskvitz family during a dedication and ribbon cutting held of the new S.D. Wildland Fire building located on the campus of the State Veterans Home. Also pictured from left are John and Laree Haskvitz and their two daughters; Don and Lujean Haskvitz; Ben Haskvitz and his son; Betsy Haskvitz and her children Cash and Ella. Below is the exterior of the building. Photos by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

New SD Wildland Fire building honors Trampus Haskvitz

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS – A large crowd, including South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden, gathered in Hot Springs on Monday morning, April 20, to officially dedicate and cut the ribbon on a new South Dakota Wildland Fire building located on 23rd Street, near the State Veterans Home.
More than a dozen UFO enthusiasts, with rolls of aluminum foil in hand, attended the first UFO group meeting at World fossil Finder Museum earlier this month. For fun, participants donned their own tin foil hat designs, adding a light-hearted feel to the event. Photos by Charity Maness / Fall River County Herald Star

More than a dozen UFO enthusiasts, with rolls of aluminum foil in hand, attended the first UFO group meeting at World fossil Finder Museum earlier this month. For fun, participants donned their own tin foil hat designs, adding a light-hearted feel to the event. Photos by Charity Maness / Fall River County Herald Star

New Hot Springs group piques interest of UFO enthusiasts

Charity Maness
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS – Earlier this month, more than a dozen UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) enthusiasts and extra-terrestrial knowledge-seekers gathered at the World Fossil Finder Museum in Hot Springs in an effort to learn more about what might be in our night skies and our massive...
Despite being awarded a $9.166 million loan through the S.D. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, it is still up to the Hot Springs City Council on whether or not the city will accept the offer, which will result in a surcharge being added to all users water bills for the 30 year term of the loan. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Despite being awarded a $9.166 million loan through the S.D. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, it is still up to the Hot Springs City Council on whether or not the city will accept the offer, which will result in a surcharge being added to all users water bills for the 30 year term of the loan. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

City awarded loan, but not loan forgiveness for Phase 1 of upgrades at wastewater treatment plant

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Body PIERRE – The City of Hot Springs was approved by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) for funding of Phase 1 to replace its aging wastewater treatment facility, but the award fell short of what was hoped for when Mayor Bob Nelson traveled to...

Races announced for June 2 election

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS – With all of Fall River County’s school districts and municipalities agreeing to conduct elections together on June 2, 2026, voters everywhere will be coming to the polls – however not all races will need elections.
Hot Springs Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kyley Cumbow poses with Hot Springs High School student Victoria Davis who recently attended the Educators Rising SD State Conference in Spearfish. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Hot Springs Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kyley Cumbow poses with Hot Springs High School student Victoria Davis who recently attended the Educators Rising SD State Conference in Spearfish. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Hot Springs students engage with program to solve teacher shortage

Beth Bogart
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS — A statewide program to encourage students to consider teaching as a career, Educators Rising SD, now has a chapter at the Hot Springs school. Three seniors who have been active in the program initiated by Superintendent Dr.
Fall River County Commissioner Joe Allen put forth a motion to have voters decide if the County should borrow $20 million to build a new Justice Center on county property (pictured in the foreground) located across the street from the courthouse and current jail. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Fall River County Commissioner Joe Allen put forth a motion to have voters decide if the County should borrow $20 million to build a new Justice Center on county property (pictured in the foreground) located across the street from the courthouse and current jail. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

New jail bond likely on November ballot

Beth Bogart
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Body HOT SPRINGS — With the much-anticipated resolution from Commissioner Joe Allen for Fall River County to borrow money for a new jail on March 19 meeting agenda, a few local residents showed up to comment, and there was a lengthy debate among the Commissioners.

School Board hashes out plan to reduce next year’s budget

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Body Some of planned cuts go against Administration’s recommendations HOT SPRINGS – During a special meeting held last Thursday, March 19, the Hot Springs School Board hashed out a plan to effectively reduce next year’s budget while also still addressing most all of the concerns...
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