The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Chokecherry Fire at Bear Butte 100% contained
STURGIS, S.D. — A fire that sparked on top of Bear Butte Friday night is now 100% contained. The Chokecherry Fire was initially reported around 7:30 Friday evening, on the north side of the mountain. Crews remained on the fire overnight, and by the next morning, had successfully established a fireline around the fire. There was no word on the cause of the fire and no injuries were reported. The fire burned less than an acre. (Full story)
Pete Lien Memorial Field renovation aims to boost regional sports, tourism
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Construction is well underway on a multi-million-dollar renovation of Pete Lien Memorial Field, a project local organizers say will transform the facility into a premier destination capable of drawing regional athletics and boosting local sports tourism. The upgrades are designed to work synergistically with nearby Post 22 baseball facilities, creating a high-level sports hub across the parking lot that will allow Rapid City to host larger, higher-caliber regional events. Phase 1 of the project – a new field – is expected to be completed in January and Phase 2 is anticipated to begin next year. (Full story)
Major Lazelle Street reconstruction project planned in Sturgis
STURGIS, S.D. — The State Department of Transportation held a public meeting last week to update Sturgis residents about the major project that will widen and rebuild Lazelle Street. The roadway is seeing increased traffic and is in desperate need of improvements including to aging pavement and infrastructure, outdated pedestrian accessibility, and traffic signal updates and a widening of the highway. The plan is to begin construction of the $27 million project in 2030 with right-of-way acquisition beginning in 2029. Because of the motorcycle rally, the project would need to be done in phases. (Full story)
Rapid City Area Schools holds first bond referendum information session
STURGIS, S.D. — The Rapid City Area School District bond issue was on display last week during the first of several Bond Referendum Information Sessions hosted by the district. About 35 people attended the hour-long meeting at South Park Elementary School to hear the district’s presentation about why the bond is needed, and how the district will proceed if it doesn’t pass. RCAS has put forward a $107 million bond proposal to address growing needs in the school district including HVAC, renovations, security and new schools. Several information sessions are planned both in person and virtual – the complete schedule and bond information is available on the school district website. (Full story)
US strikes Iranian rocket launchers on the Strait of Hormuz in first military action in weeks
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces have struck Iranian rocket launchers on the Strait of Hormuz, marking their first military action in a month. Later, Iranian state television showed what it said were ballistic missiles being fired by Iran at U.S. bases in Jordan in response. The Revolutionary Guard Corps was reportedly preparing to launch rockets with sea mines into the strait where Tehran has asserted control. The U.S. recently cleared sea mines from the strait’s shipping routes. The Trump administration just days ago had shifted focus to economic pressure. A return to open conflict would be dangerous for the region, where Iran has targeted U.S. military bases and infrastructure in Gulf countries. (Full story)
Dozens evacuated from Grand Canyon after flash flood hits creek leading to the Colorado River
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Officials say dozens of people have been evacuated from the depths of the Grand Canyon because of heavy rain and flooding. The National Park Service says flash flooding on Saturday destroyed footbridges over a creek that flows into the Colorado River and sent large boulders and other debris downstream. No injuries were reported but the park service says it’s seeking information about 15 people who may be missing or unaccounted for. Popular tourist spots including a campground and parts of a major trail that are now closed. River rafting trips also have been halted. The park service says more than 60 people were evacuated and that the evacuations are continuing. (Full story)
NASA’s newest space telescope launches on a quest to explore the hidden universe
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s newest space telescope has blasted off on a quest to find planets around other stars and explore the hidden universe. SpaceX launched the $4 billion Roman Space Telescope on Sunday from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. Roman blazed toward an observation point 1 million miles away that’s home to the Webb Space Telescope, one of NASA’s other crown jewels in the sky. Roman will take three months to reach its destination. Once there, it will survey the cosmos like never before. The telescope is named after the late Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer. (Full story)
