KNBN NewsCenter1
July 8, 2021
RAPID CITY, S.D. South Dakota Mines hosts an alumni reunion every five years, but COVID put a halt to that last year.
Still, graduates made it back to the Black Hills, more excited than ever to share stories of their success, thanks to Mines.
Over the weekend, Mines is hosting it’s largest reunion with nearly 11,000 graduates returning to their alma mater.
“If you’d go to talk to our alumni that are here right now and that are coming back this weekend, you’ll hear them say that the school of mines was key in my life,” said reunion o-hair Scott Rausch. “I owe everything to the school of mines, my whole career, the fact that we’re ale to retire, enjoy life while we’re still healthy.”
KNBN NewsCenter1
July 8, 2021
RAPID CITY, S.D. The mayor and police chief gave just one-day notice, but a lot of people took them up on their invitation to a Wednesday evening block party aimed at ending gun violence and bringing the Rapid City community together.
The gathering was held at the Knollwood Townhouses on North Maple, the location of a recent deadly shooting Monday as well as a string of shootings this past month.
On Tuesday, Mayor Steve Allender and Police Chief Don Hedrick announced the get together, with community agencies on hand with information on mental health and other issues.
KNBN NewsCenter1
July 7, 2021
DEER MOUNTAIN, S.D. For 50 years, the Deer Mountain Ski Resort in Lead was a popular local and tourist destination, and it’s getting a major face lift.
The destination is getting a new life after being shut down in 2017 – it will become home to a new tubing venue and residential area.
According to co-owner Gerard Keating, the area is perfect for those who love the great outdoors.
“We have two mountains, the east side or the west side. So if you love the sunrise, you can have that,” said Keating. “Or if you love the sunset, you can have both. That’s unique and special. We’ll have a 360-degree view; you can see North Dakota, Wyoming – up to 100-mile view – it’s special.”
KNBN NewsCenter1
July 6, 2021
Law enforcement officers respond to suicide and fatal calls regularly, and it takes a toll.
“The average person doesn’t see and deal with the things that we see on a regular basis, so there is a cumulative affect to seeing that trauma and seeing those types of images,” said Sgt. Jason Mitzel of the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. “There is a cumulative PTSD that is accrued over time, and if we don’t deal with that, then certainly that can also lead to law enforcement who may think about committing suicide as well.”
Rapid City agencies have put an increased focus on the overall health and well-being of officers, to include the addition of a wellness program, peer support team, and agency psychologist.
KNBN NewsCenter1
July 6, 2021
RAPID CITY, S.D. Even with four people arrested for trespassing during the NDN Collective’s protest march and silo climb, the group’s Landback director, Krystal Two Bulls says she doesn’t regret her decision to hold the rally.
She says it was a call for native lands to be returned and to shed light on what the group says is police brutality against natives. Two Bulls says it was also a call to discard narratives surrounding the local native community.
“We will continue to organize, we will continue to stand together,” said Two Bulls. “Our campaigns will continue to collaborate, and we will continue to host actions. Until we reclaim our land, and until there is justice.”