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Teddy Roosevelt, portrayed by Joe Wiegand, visits with Mary Hollenbeck and Darrell Dutoit at the 2025 Focus on Fall River County History Conference at the Mueller Center last Saturday in Hot Springs. Photo by Katie Merdanian/Fall River County Herald-Star

Teddy Roosevelt, portrayed by Joe Wiegand, visits with Mary Hollenbeck and Darrell Dutoit at the 2025 Focus on Fall River County History Conference at the Mueller Center last Saturday in Hot Springs. Photo by Katie Merdanian/Fall River County Herald-Star

History Conference enjoyed by many

Katie Merdanian
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – Teddy Roosevelt led the charge at the annual Focus on Fall River County History Conference this past Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Mueller Civic Center in Hot Springs.
With the equivalent of 432 bags of groceries piled high behind them, the staff of Sonny’s Super Foods in Hot Springs poses for a photo with Sonny’s Manager Dan Grapentine, left, and Hot Springs Food Pantry Manager Kay Birkholt. Thanks to a joint effort by several members of the community, the large stack of food was purchased and delivered to the food pantry last Friday, Jan. 17. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

With the equivalent of 432 bags of groceries piled high behind them, the staff of Sonny’s Super Foods in Hot Springs poses for a photo with Sonny’s Manager Dan Grapentine, left, and Hot Springs Food Pantry Manager Kay Birkholt. Thanks to a joint effort by several members of the community, the large stack of food was purchased and delivered to the food pantry last Friday, Jan. 17. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

Community effort delivers 432 bags of groceries to Hot Springs Food Pantry

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – The saying “it takes a village” was demonstrated last Friday, Jan. 17, as 432 bags worth of groceries were picked up, delivered and placed on the shelves at the Hot Springs Ministerial Food Pantry.

Commission expresses concern about proposed wilderness area

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – Fall River County Commissioners unanimously approved $54,612 for a new fire alarm and sprinkler system repairs at the county jail and in the courthouse, following a presentation by new Emergency Manager Dar Coy who took over for Frank Maynard this past November.
In this photo from April 2023, Dakota Kind owner Forrest Fanning of Caputa poses behind the front counter of his medicinal marijuana dispensary in Hot Springs. Fanning recently asked the city to change its ordinances to allow him to open his own cannabis grow facility, which he said would help him to price his products more competitively compared to Rapid City. Despite getting initial support from the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission and Public Safety Committee, the revisions were shot down by council.

In this photo from April 2023, Dakota Kind owner Forrest Fanning of Caputa poses behind the front counter of his medicinal marijuana dispensary in Hot Springs. Fanning recently asked the city to change its ordinances to allow him to open his own cannabis grow facility, which he said would help him to price his products more competitively compared to Rapid City. Despite getting initial support from the city’s Planning & Zoning Commission and Public Safety Committee, the revisions were shot down by council.

Ordinance change is a ‘no-grow’ regarding cannabis cultivation

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – Public outcry during a public hearing last week helped convince the Hot Springs City Council to shoot down some proposed changes to its ordinances which would have paved the way to expand the cannabis licenses available within the city limits.
Dressed in a tutu, Tracy Day of Hot Springs prepares to jump into the waters of Cascade Falls during her annual New Years Polar Plunge, which she started doing while living in Seattle. Since moving to Hot Springs three years ago, Day has enticed some friends to now join her and hopes to see the event expanded in the future. Courtesy photo

Dressed in a tutu, Tracy Day of Hot Springs prepares to jump into the waters of Cascade Falls during her annual New Years Polar Plunge, which she started doing while living in Seattle. Since moving to Hot Springs three years ago, Day has enticed some friends to now join her and hopes to see the event expanded in the future. Courtesy photo

Resident hopes to make Polar Plunge a community-wide New Years experience

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – The beginning of a New Year is viewed by many as a time to cleanse and rewire by putting the past behind and moving forward with a positive outlook on the future.
The roof of the original Oelrichs town water well building is restored. This historic round rock well house was completed by the WPA in 1940. Photos by Katie Merdanian/Fall River County Herald-Star

The roof of the original Oelrichs town water well building is restored. This historic round rock well house was completed by the WPA in 1940. Photos by Katie Merdanian/Fall River County Herald-Star

Historic Oelrichs well house restored

Katie Merdanian
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Body OELRICHS – Many have heard of the Work Projects Administration (WPA) of the 1930s. The WPA provided jobs and income to unemployed people during the Great Depression. Those projects had a lasting impact on the lives of the residents of Fall River County.
Gerald Collogan of Hot Springs, left, a self-proclaimed hobbyist, chats with Tommy Ghost Dog before the New Years Powwow at Case Auditorium on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Collogan created his entire ensemble by hand – beading, sewing, all of it. Photo by Charity Maness/Fall River County Herald Star

Gerald Collogan of Hot Springs, left, a self-proclaimed hobbyist, chats with Tommy Ghost Dog before the New Years Powwow at Case Auditorium on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Collogan created his entire ensemble by hand – beading, sewing, all of it. Photo by Charity Maness/Fall River County Herald Star

Powwow held in Hot Springs

Charity Maness
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – A Powwow hosted by the MinneKa’ta Oyate – Hot Springs Family – was held New Years Day 2025 at Hot Springs High School’s Case Auditorium with dancers, drummers, singers, vendors and more.
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Remembering those who died in 2024

News Staff
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Body HOT SPRINGS – As one year ends and another begins, the Fall River County Herald-Star felt it fitting to take a look back and remember those who died this past year. Following is a listing of the obituaries that were published in the newspaper for those who passed on in 2024.
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