The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Rapid City Woman Sentenced to 260 Days in Jail After Body Found in Hotel Room
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Rapid City woman has been sentenced to 260 days in jail in connection with the discovery of a man’s body in a local hotel room. Diana Hairy Shirt, 29, pleaded guilty to violating burial permit requirements and failing to notify authorities of a death. A Pennington County judge sentenced her to about eight and a half months in jail, with credit for time already served. The charges stem from the discovery of 33-year-old Jason Horned Eagle’s body at the Rodeway Inn on North LaCrosse Street in July. Investigators believe the body had been left in the room for several months. Two other Rapid City residents still face charges in the case. (Full story)
Rapid City Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposed Data Center Ordinance
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Residents filled City Hall Wednesday during a public open house on proposed changes to Rapid City’s data center ordinance. The proposal addresses concerns about water use, power, noise and proximity to residential areas. Under the ordinance, hyperscale data centers using 50 megawatts or more of power and 10,000 gallons of water daily would be prohibited. Smaller facilities would face restrictions based on size and location. Survey responses showed many residents favored stricter regulations or banning data centers entirely. The Planning Commission will reconsider the proposal Nov. 5 following additional public input. (Full story)
Groundbreaking Marks Start of Northline Business Park Development in Rapid City
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Business leaders broke ground on Northline Business Park Thursday morning officially launching the first phase of the northern Rapid City development project. The 128-acre mixed-use business park is designed to expand Rapid City’s inventory of development-ready sites and support future business growth. Located on Mall Drive across from the State of South Dakota building, developers say the site will provide space for local companies to expand and space for new employers considering Rapid City, while creating additional opportunities for commercial and industrial development.
South Dakota DOT Schedules Public Meetings on Rapid City Highway Corridors
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Transportation will host public meeting open houses to share information about the Rapid City Major Investment Study regarding Interstate 90 and US Highway 16B Corridors. The open houses are scheduled for Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Dahl Arts Center. DOT staff will be available at the open houses to provide information on the study, present existing conditions along the corridors and receive public feedback. Written public comments will be accepted on the study until Friday, November 6 and can be submitted during the public meetings or through the project website.
Car registered to man accused of planning mass shooting was at Hindu temple he targeted, police say
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois authorities believe a 19-year-old man charged with planning a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in suburban Chicago entered the building’s parking lot on Sunday, hours before police arrested him near his home after receiving a tip about the alleged attack plan. Authorities announced Wednesday that they had arrested Alexandros Paporakis and provided the additional detail about his suspected movement during a news conference Thursday. Leaders of Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in a statement said a security threat had “targeted our Temple” and announced an increased security presence. Paporakis faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawfully possessing a rifle. (Full story)
Authorities investigate letters with ‘suspicious substances’ sent to congressional, election offices
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating letters with “suspicious substances” that have been mailed to congressional and election offices nationwide. Authorities are urging recipients to treat the letters as “potentially hazardous.” The Senate was informed of the investigation by a message from the Senate Sergeant at Arms that was obtained by The Associated Press. The FBI says suspicious mailings were sent to various addresses nationwide, including secretary of state offices in several states. The mailings come just three weeks before Election Day and are reminiscent of a similar threat in 2023. (Full story)
New StarGate drone lifts off in Ukraine for medical missions
A drone called StarGate is being tested in Ukraine for battlefield medical evacuations. Developed by Ukrainian defense tech company SkyFall, StarGate aims to rescue wounded soldiers from dangerous areas where ground vehicles can’t reach. The drone can carry a casualty up to 9 miles, bypassing obstacles like mines and enemy drones. This week, StarGate was handed over to a combat brigade for evaluation under frontline conditions. SkyFall emerged after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and has grown into a major Ukrainian drone manufacturer. If successful, StarGate could revolutionize how soldiers are evacuated from the battlefield. (Full story)
