The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Rapid City Man Sentenced for Vehicular Homicide
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Rapid City man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for vehicular homicide in connection with a Christmas Day crash in 2021. A jury found 29-year-old Faron Mesteth guilty on two counts of vehicular homicide in January. Mesteth was under the influence of methamphetamine when he crashed a car on Highway 44 near Centre Street. The crash resulted in the deaths of two people, Richard Fenhaus and Jame Scott Sayler. Mesteth was given 20 years in prison for each count to be served consecutively.
Rapid City Man Killed in Rollover Crash on I-90 Near Wall
WALL, S.D. — The Highway Patrol has identified a Rapid City man who died in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 90 Monday afternoon, 10 miles east of Wall, SD. Tage Harold Tyler, the driver of a 2009 Ford Focus, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 90 near mile marker 121 and in the process of passing a 2002 GMC Sierra driven by Hartley Jerome Hertel of Sioux Falls. As the Ford was changing lanes back to the driving lane, it came in contact with the front bumper of the GMC and began traveling sideways and both vehicles left the roadway and entered the south ditch. The Ford began to rollover, ejecting Tyler from the vehicle. Tyler died from his injuries. Hertel and three passengers in the GMC were not injured.
Rapid City Man Pleads No Contest to Aggravated Child Abuse in High-Speed Chase Case
RAPID CITY, S.D. — A Rapid City man has pleaded no contest to aggravated child abuse in a court hearing this week. Dante Baker was accused of being intoxicated and stealing a vehicle with a young child inside and leading police on a high speed chase that reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped other charges against him. Baker’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 1. He could spend up to 15 years behind bars.
AG Marty Jackley Urges Participation in National Drug Take Back Day This Saturday
RAPID CITY, S.D. — South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley encourages people with unneeded prescription medication to safely dispose of it during this Saturday’s National Drug Take Back Day. Jackley says the event is an opportunity for citizens to safely dispose of their unwanted, unneeded, or unused medication at participating locations which include pharmacies and law enforcement agencies. National Drug Take Back Day is held twice a year and is sponsored by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The service is free and anonymous. The October 2024 Take Back Day nationally brought in 629,953 lbs. (314 tons) of medication.
Two-Alarm Fire Engulfs Home in Black Hawk, No Injuries Reported
BLACK HAWK, S.D. — A two-alarm structure fire broke out Thursday evening in the 9000 block of Willow Street in unincorporated Meade County, prompting a major multi-agency emergency response. The Black Hawk Volunteer Fire Department arrived to find heavy smoke and flames consuming a single-story home, with the fire spreading into the ceiling and roof. Additional crews were called in as the blaze extended to nearby trees and grass, though firefighters contained it to the original property. No injuries were reported, and the American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents. The cause remains under investigation.
Rapid City Regional Airport Seeks Additional State Funding Amid Record Travel Demand
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City Regional Airport is seeking additional state funding to support its ongoing expansion amid record-breaking travel demand. The airport experienced a nearly 9% increase in passenger traffic in the first quarter of 2025, with 76,958 passengers recorded. To accommodate this growth, the airport is in the midst of a multi-phase expansion project, which includes terminal upgrades and enhanced safety measures. However, securing sufficient funding has been a challenge, with local officials advocating for increased state investment. In 2024, the South Dakota Legislature allocated $10 million for airport projects statewide, with Rapid City receiving $3 million. Despite setbacks in securing further funds, stakeholders continue to push for more support to meet the region’s growing transportation needs.
Black Hills IV Opens in Rapid City with Focus on Wellness and Natural Healing
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Black Hills IV recently held its grand opening, introducing a holistic approach to health and wellness focused on prevention, recovery, and natural treatments outside traditional medicine. Founded by Amber Fondren, a registered nurse with two decades of experience, the center offers services like IV nutrient infusions, red light therapy, PEMF therapy, BrainTap cognitive support, and Flowpresso lymphatic compression. Amber, who previously provided mobile IV therapy, expanded the business to offer comprehensive treatments that promote cellular health and enhance recovery. “Our goal is to support your body’s natural ability to thrive, whether you’re managing chronic pain, stress, or just want to feel better day-to-day,” Fondren told The Rapid City Post. Services are available for clients aged 10 and older, addressing issues like chronic pain, stress, and fatigue. Black Hills IV is open Monday through Friday, with Saturday appointments available.
Trump and Zelenskyy among dignitaries converging on Rome for funeral of Pope Francis
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Heads of state and royalty will begin converging on Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral in the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Square, but the group of poor people who will meet his casket in a small crosstown basilica are more in keeping with Francis’ humble persona and disdain for pomp. U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei are among the leaders arriving Friday. That is the last day Argentine pope will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica before his coffin is sealed in preparation for his funeral Saturday. More than 150,000 mourners have waited hours in line to bid farewell to Francis, who died Monday.
Spaceship carrying 3 Chinese astronauts docks with Tiangong space station in latest crew rotation
JIUQUAN, China (AP) — A spaceship carrying three astronauts has docked with China’s space station in the latest crew rotation. The Shenzhou 20 spaceship took off as planned atop China’s workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 5:17 p.m. local time on Thursday. It reached the Tiangong space station about 6.5 hours later. The rocket lifted off from the launch center in Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The Tiangong, or “Heavenly Palace,” space station has made China a major contender in space. It was entirely Chinese-built after the country was excluded from the International Space Station over U.S. national security concerns.
