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Former Hot Springs City Councilman Dave Burris gets sworn into office once again by Finance Officer Misty Summer-Walton during last week’s July 7 meeting at the Mueller Center where he was appointed to the seat by a 4-2 vote of the council Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Former Hot Springs City Councilman Dave Burris gets sworn into office once again by Finance Officer Misty Summer-Walton during last week’s July 7 meeting at the Mueller Center where he was appointed to the seat by a 4-2 vote of the council Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Familiar faces sworn in to Hot Springs City Council

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – A total of five people were sworn in to office for the Hot Springs City Council last Monday night, July 7, however none of the faces are new to their respective positions.
Pat DeSmet’s cat Chowder enjoys greeting guests to the year-round house concerts held either inside his home, or outside weather permitting. Photo by Beth Bogart/Fall River County Herald Star

Pat DeSmet’s cat Chowder enjoys greeting guests to the year-round house concerts held either inside his home, or outside weather permitting. Photo by Beth Bogart/Fall River County Herald Star

‘Pat’s Place’ House Concerts enliven Hot Springs music scene

Beth Bogart
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – To call Pat DeSmet a music lover would be as great an understatement as describing him as a ‘colorful character.
One of the highlights of this past weekend’s All Class Reunion was the “Breakfast with Teachers” held in Centennial Park on Saturday morning, July 5. Pictured here are several of the teachers who attended the event and mingled with their former students and fellow faculty members. For more photos from the weekend, go to page A8. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

One of the highlights of this past weekend’s All Class Reunion was the “Breakfast with Teachers” held in Centennial Park on Saturday morning, July 5. Pictured here are several of the teachers who attended the event and mingled with their former students and fellow faculty members. For more photos from the weekend, go to page A8. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Many groups collaborate for a successful Fall River Fourth, HSHS Reunion weekend

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – This past weekend’s Fall River Fourth of July and Hot Springs High School’s All-Class Reunion proved to be as big as it was billed, with events spread out over a three-day period, from Thursday, July 3 to Saturday, July 5, with something for everyone and all ages.
The Blaine Halls family is shown above donating numerous paintings by local artist, Robert Gossell, to the Pioneer Museum in 2024. Dawn Johnson, museum director, is shown on the left accepting the generous donation. Photo courtesy of the Pioneer Museum

The Blaine Halls family is shown above donating numerous paintings by local artist, Robert Gossell, to the Pioneer Museum in 2024. Dawn Johnson, museum director, is shown on the left accepting the generous donation. Photo courtesy of the Pioneer Museum

Pioneer Museum celebrating Art Gallery Grand Reopening, July 13

Katie Merdanian
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – The Pioneer Museum has received nine new paintings by artist Charles W. Hargens Jr. The museum has also received five new paintings by artist Beulah Donnell. A celebration is called for!
A black bear runs through a field near Oelrichs, surprising a resident who lives nearby. Photo by Elyjah Dryden

A black bear runs through a field near Oelrichs, surprising a resident who lives nearby. Photo by Elyjah Dryden

Black bear spotted passing through the Oelrichs area

Katie Merdanian
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Body OELRICHS - A bear was spotted just west of the town of Oelrichs on Friday, June 6, by Elyjah Dryden. Dryden was able to take a video of the large black bear as it continued on its way. He said he didn’t realize bears ran that fast. At first, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Tim Schanno stands next to his motorcycle parked in the driveway of his Hot Springs home while he holds up the vest he was wearing when he was shot in the back. With his left hand, Shanno presses through the vest to show the bullet hole in the leather. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/ FRC Herald-Star

Tim Schanno stands next to his motorcycle parked in the driveway of his Hot Springs home while he holds up the vest he was wearing when he was shot in the back. With his left hand, Shanno presses through the vest to show the bullet hole in the leather. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/ FRC Herald-Star

Mystery bullet strikes man in back while riding motorcycle on Hwy. 79

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Body Bullet temporarily lodges in local man’s back, but falls out and is found during a CT Scan HOT SPRINGS – On the afternoon of Saturday, May 10, Hot Springs resident Tim Schanno was riding his Indian motorcycle north of town on Hwy. 79, heading towards Rapid City.
Paula Laughlin of Hot Springs, far right, points to the location of her winning card which earned her a total of $39,456 in the Can Man Trade Scholarship Fund’s weekly Jack of Hearts contest at the Winner’s Circle. Also pictured from left are scholarship fund board members Dusty Pence, Tom Merrill, Jacki Lockwood and Donna Merrill. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Paula Laughlin of Hot Springs, far right, points to the location of her winning card which earned her a total of $39,456 in the Can Man Trade Scholarship Fund’s weekly Jack of Hearts contest at the Winner’s Circle. Also pictured from left are scholarship fund board members Dusty Pence, Tom Merrill, Jacki Lockwood and Donna Merrill. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Local resident finds ‘Jack of Hearts’ to claim $39,456 jackpot in Can Man Scholarship event

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – For anyone who has driven by the Winner’s Circle the past few weeks on a Tuesday night, you may have wondered, “what the heck is going on?
Dr. Pete Sotherland reverses roles and sits in his own dentist chair as his two daughters Becki and Jenni surround him while he holds Jenni’s pug Louie. After nearly 45 years of being a dentist in Fall River County, “Pete” is planning to retire at the end of June. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Dr. Pete Sotherland reverses roles and sits in his own dentist chair as his two daughters Becki and Jenni surround him while he holds Jenni’s pug Louie. After nearly 45 years of being a dentist in Fall River County, “Pete” is planning to retire at the end of June. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Dr. Sotherland to retire after 45 years

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – After nearly 45 years as a practicing dentist in Fall River County, Dr. Pete Sotherland has decided it’s time to put away his scrubs and call it a career by the end of next month.
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