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Meade County Drug Bust Uncovers 157 Pounds of Marijuana in Piedmont
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Meade County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a significant drug bust following the execution of a search warrant on a residence in Piedmont Tuesday. Kevin Gilmore, 42, faces numerous charges after initially being arrested in Wisconsin on a warrant related to a child exploitation investigation originating out of Minnesota. A search warrant executed on Gilmore’s Piedmont property turned up 157 pounds of marijuana, 10-20 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, THC products and electronic storage devices. (Full story)
Pennington County Advances Utility-Scale Wind and Solar Restrictions
RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Pennington County Commission voted 3-2 to advance an ordinance restricting utility-scale wind and solar projects, including a ban on such developments on agricultural land. The proposal, which must pass a second reading on July 7, shifts approval authority from the Planning Commission to county commissioners and significantly increases setback requirements for projects. The vote follows months of debate and a temporary moratorium on new projects after public opposition to large developments near New Underwood. (Full story)
Meade County Moves Forward With Local Sales Tax to Offset Property Taxes
STURGIS, S.D. — The Meade County Commission on Tuesday approved first reading of an ordinance that will introduce a local sales tax to help lower property taxes for residents. Ordinance 60 would establish a gross receipts tax on goods, services, and electronically transferred products sold within the county. The move follows the recent passage of Senate Bill 96 during the 2026 South Dakota legislative session. Effective July 1, the new state law grants counties the authority to levy a local sales tax of up to 0.5%. That money is then used to provide owner-occupied tax credits against the county portion of the property tax bill. (Full story)
Three Area Businesses Cited in Underage Alcohol Compliance Check
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Three establishments in the Rapid City area could face fines after selling alcohol to an underage informant during a June 3 compliance check by the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Officials inspected 10 businesses, with seven passing and three failing the operation. Two of the violations occurred at Hart Ranch Golf Course and Hart Ranch Camping Resort, along with Rockerville Lodge & Cabins/General Store. Employees involved were cited for furnishing alcohol to someone under 21, a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. The businesses also face penalties, including a $1,000 fine for a first offense, increasing for repeat violations and potentially leading to license revocation. (Full story)
Rural area in Northern California jolted by its biggest quake since 1940
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A rural area of Northern California has experienced its strongest earthquake since 1940, but it caused only mild shaking with no immediate reports of major damage. Mendocino County authorities say some injuries have been reported but have provided no details. The U.S. Geological Survey says the epicenter of Wednesday’s quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6, was about 7 miles northwest of the agricultural town of Willits. The USGS says it was about 5 miles deep. Three other quakes under a 2.7 magnitude struck near the epicenter within an hour. (Full story)
Ex-chief of staff to former NYC Mayor Eric Adams charged with taking bribes
NEW YORK (AP) — A former chief of staff to New York ex-Mayor Eric Adams has been arrested in a bribery case. It’s the latest sign that federal prosecutors continue to scrutinize Adams’ inner circle months after the scandal-bruised Democrat left office. Frank Carone pleaded not guilty Wednesday. He’s accused of exploiting his position to get over $100,000 in payoffs for steering a lucrative migrant shelter contract to a hotel. His lawyer calls the indictment baseless. Separately, federal authorities searched the homes of current and former New York Police Department leaders Wednesday in connection with a different bribery investigation. Adams was himself indicted in 2024 on bribery and other charges that were later dismissed. (Full story)
Savannah Guthrie says family remains ‘in agony’ over missing mom, begs the public for tips
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie made an emotional appeal to viewers Tuesday. She pleaded with them to step forward with any information about her missing mother. Her plea came a day after news organizations said a ransom note months ago had indicated that she was dead. Eighty-four-year-old Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her Arizona home on Feb. 1. Authorities believe she was taken against her will. Savannah Guthrie says her family “cannot be at peace” while her mother’s whereabouts are unknown. Authorities recently conducted a search near the Arizona-Mexico border but didn’t report finding her. (Full story)
