Custer State Park to Host Festival of Trees

October 25, 2017

Custer, SD – Custer State Park is hosting a Festival of Trees event again this year to celebrate the Christmas season.  The Festival of Trees is an opportunity for local businesses, civic organizations, and individuals to display a tree at the new Custer State Park Visitor Center throughout the holiday season.  Participants will need to provide their own tree and decorations and are encouraged to decorate their tree in a creative way that promotes their business and services offered.

Trees can be set up beginning Friday, November 24 to December 15 between 9:30am and 3:00pm.  Each tree will have the chance to be voted “Favorite Tree” of the event with all trees on display for community and visitor viewing and voting from December 15 – January 1.  All participants are responsible for the removal of their tree the week of January 2-8.

Space is limited to approximately 20 trees and is being offered on a first-come, first served basis.  Interested parties can contact Julie Brazell at 605-255-4515 for further information, to register a tree, and to reserve a time for tree set up.  There is no fee to participate in the Custer State Park Festival of Trees or for the visitors to view the trees; however a park entrance license is required to enter the park.  Park entrance licenses can be purchased at the visitor center.

Custer State Park Visitor Center hours are 9:00am – 4:00pm every day.  The visitor center will be closed on November 23, December 25-26 and open limited hours on December 24.

2ND ANNUAL MAMMO OR BUST MICKELSON TRAIL RUN WALK

Thune, Heitkamp Introduce Legislation to Preserve Rural Access to Therapy Services

January 31, 2017

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) recently introduced the Rural Hospital Regulatory Relief Act of 2017 (S. 243), legislation that would permanently prohibit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from enforcing direct supervision policy for certain outpatient therapeutic services, a harmful regulation that would jeopardize access to therapy services, particularly in rural areas where there are fewer practicing physicians. U.S. Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) and Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) recently introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“CMS’ flawed direct supervision rule is a perfect example of a Washington-based, one-size-fits-all policy that might look good on paper, but does not deliver its desired result,” said Thune. “In this case, like many others, it is rural America that is overlooked. If CMS had its way and this policy was fully implemented, outpatient therapy services in rural South Dakota could be put at risk. It is the wrong approach that could ultimately end up hurting, not helping seniors.”

“Delivering the dependable, accessible health care services rural families need is critical to maintaining strong, thriving communities – but too often, a one-size-fits-all regulations can hinder that access,” said Heitkamp. “By removing barriers that could hurt rural seniors’ abilities to obtain reliable, therapeutic care, we can prioritize the quality services rural towns need to strengthen the health of our statewide community. I’ll keep fighting for smart, commonsense fixes like this bipartisan bill so the nation’s health and regulatory systems fully support the vitality and growth of our rural communities.”

CMS’ policy would require practicing physicians to directly supervise other certified medical professionals who deliver outpatient therapy services. Without direct supervision, this type of service could not be administered. Thune and Heitkamp believe there is a more efficient and cost-effective approach, which would allow other certified medical professionals, like general practitioners, to provide outpatient therapy services with a more indirect role from a physician.

In response to concerns raised by hospitals and lawmakers, including Thune and Heitkamp, CMS delayed enforcement of its direct supervision policy through 2013 for Critical Access Hospitals and small rural hospitals. Congress suspended enforcement of the regulation from 2014-2016.

2017 South Dakota “Cracker Barrel” Schedule

2017 South Dakota “Cracker Barrel” Schedule

Below is a comprehensive list of cracker barrels around the state for the next few months. Be sure to show up and make your voice heard!

Aberdeen:

In the Centennial Rooms at Northern State University from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Saturday, February 4
• Saturday, February 11
• Saturday, February 25
• Saturday, March 4

Alexandria:

In the Hanson Library Community Room, beginning at 10 a.m.

• Saturday, February 4^th

Belle Fourche

From 1 to 3 p.m.

• Saturday, January 21 (American West Steakhouse)
• Saturday, February 4 (Belle Fourche Country Club)

Brandon:

In the Bethany Meadows Community Room (3008 East Aspen Blvd.) from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

• Saturday, February 25^th

Brookings:

In the City/County Building, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

• Saturday, January 28^th

Canton:

Location TBD, from 10 a.m. to noon.

• Saturday, February 4^th

Chamberlain:

In the Chamberlain Community Center, begins at 1 p.m.

• Saturday, February 11^th

Custer:

In the Custer Senior Center from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• Saturday, February 4^th

Highmore:

At the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium, beginning at 10 a.m.

• Saturday, February 25^th

Hill City:

At the Little White Church, beginning at noon

• Saturday, February 4^th

Huron:

In the City Hall Commission room beginning at 9 a.m.

• Saturday, January 21
• Saturday, February 4
• Saturday, February 25

Kimball:

Location TBD, beginning at 9 a.m.

• Saturday, February 11^th

Mitchell:

In the Mitchell City Council chambers beginning at 12 p.m.

• Friday, January 27
• Friday, February 17

Newell:

At the Newell City Hall beginning at 10 a.m.

• Saturday, February 11

Onida:

At the Sully Buttes High School Study Hall beginning at 10 a.m.

• Saturday, February 11

Piedmont:

At the Piedmont American Legion from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

• Saturday, February 11

Pierre:

In the Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce Community Room from 9 to 10:00 a.m.

• Saturday, January 21

Rapid City:

In the South Dakota School of Mines New Classroom Building from 9 to 11 a.m.

• Saturday, January 21
• Saturday, February 4
• Saturday, February 25
• Saturday, March 4

Another Cracker Barrel will be held at the Outdoor Campus West from 9 to 11:30 am

• Saturday, February 18

Redfield:

At the Historic CNW Train Depot beginning at 2 p.m.

• Monday, February 20

Sioux Falls: 

At the Ramada Hotel and Suites beginning at 10 a.m.

• Saturday, February 4
• Saturday, February 11
• Saturday, February 25

Sisseton:

At Sisseton High School

• Saturday, January 21

Spearfish:

From 9 to 10 a.m.

• Saturday, January 28 (High Plains Western Heritage Center)
• Saturday, February 18 (BHSU Joy Center)

Sturgis:

At the Erksine Building from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

• Saturday, January 21
• Saturday, February 4

Vermillion:

At Vermillion City Hall from 9 to 11 a.m.

• Saturday, January 28
• Saturday, March 4

Watertown:

Beginning at 9 a.m.

• Saturday, January 21 (at the LATI Student Center, Room 514)
• Saturday, February 11 (at the Watertown Winter Farm Show)

Webster:

In the Guard Room of the Webster Armory from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Saturday, January 28

Yankton:

In the Avera Sacred Heart Pavilion from 10 to 11 a.m.

• Saturday, January 21
• Saturday, February 4
• Saturday, February 25

9th Annual Run for the Hill City “Rangers” – 3 Mile Run – Walk

 

 

It’s time to register for the 

NINTH ANNUAL RUN FOR THE RANGERS!

Click the link below to register online,

or fill out a registration form at Granite Sports.

 Call us at (605)574-2121 with any questions!

REGISTER ONLINE!

RUN FOR THE RANGERS 2017

3-Mile Run/Walk

Sunday, March 26th, 2017

Race-Day Check-In/Registration: 11:45am – 12:45pm 

at Granite Sports

Race starts at 1:00pm

Pre-registration is $25 received at Granite Sports, or paid online, by Feb. 25th.
After Feb. 25th registration fee is $30

Pick up registration form at Granite Sports
(201 Main St., Hill City), print here, or register online.
Please make checks payable to Granite Sports, Inc.

ALL PROCEEDS FUND
HILL CITY HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS!

**RACE T-SHIRT!**

**POST-RACE FEED!**

**OVER $10,000 IN DOOR PRIZES!**

Thank you to all our generous sponsors! Merrell, Marmot, Camelbak, Prana, Sherpani, Patagonia, Keen, Toad & Co., Wallaroo Hat Co., Mammut, Darn Tough, Joshua Tree, ENO, Teva, Mountain Hardwear, La Sportiva, OBOZ, Buff, Black Diamond, Outdoor Research, DMM, Red Chili, Petzl, Smartwool, Kuhl, Woolrich, Pistil, Hydro Flask, Salomon, Granger, Kiss My Face, Osprey & Krull’s Market.