The Daily Slice, your Black Hills news podcast in under 10 minutes. Delivered every morning Monday-Friday at homesliceaudio.com/dailyslice
Second Arrest Made in 2003 Disappearance and Murder of Belle Fourche Woman
STURGIS, S.D. – A second man has been connected to the apparent murder of Beverly Ozuna-Ulrich, the Belle Fourche woman who disappeared without a trace in October of 2003. Steven Ulrich was arrested in late November and charged with First Degree Murder in Beverly’s death. Also arrested, according to the Belle Fourche Police Department, was Max Piekkola, who has been charged with Accessory to a Felony. Court documents allege Ulrich murdered Ozuna-Ulrich on October 17, 2003, in Butte County. According to charging documents, Piekkola is accused of having rendered “assistance by concealing, destroying, or altering any physical evidence that might aid in the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction or punishment of the other person.” If convicted as an accessory, Piekkola could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. Steven Ulrich could face the death penalty if convicted.
Rapid City Launches Upgraded Utility Payment Portal
RAPID CITY, S.D. – The City of Rapid City has upgraded its online portal for utility payments. The online portal provides a more enhanced and accessible view of resident billing and payment history and allows new payment options for customers such as scheduled and eCheck payments. City Finance officials advise the upgrade is scheduled to go live mid-day Thursday.
Governor Rhoden Proposes Flat State Budget with No Pay Increases
PIERRE, S.D. – There are no salary increases for state government employees in the governor’s budget proposal. Governor Rhoden announced the budget this week saying spending must remain flat because revenues haven’t grown much. There’s also no increase in state aid funding for K-through-12 schools. Lawmakers will approve a budget during the next legislative session that begins January 13th.
Mark Speirs Wins Deadwood Recall Election, Commissioner Joseph Removed
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Deadwood City Commissioner Blake Joseph is out after a recall election Tuesday. Mark Speirs won the recall election with 187 votes. David Ruth Jr. was the runner-up, collecting 108 votes. Joseph only received 22 votes. Joseph attempted to block the recall election last month, arguing against the validity of a petition to recall him. Fourth Circuit Judge Eric Strawn denied all of Joseph’s motions. A warrant was also issued for Joseph’s arrest November 24 for an alleged violation of a no-contact order.
D-Day Medic Charles Shay, Celebrated Native American Veteran, Dies at 101 in France
PARIS (AP) — Charles Shay, a highly decorated U.S. Army medic and member of the Penobscot tribe who saved lives on Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings, died Wednesday at age 101. Shay died at his home in Bretteville-L’Orgueilleuse in Normandy, where he had lived since 2018 near the beaches where he served as a 19-year-old on June 6, 1944. Awarded the Silver Star for rescuing wounded soldiers from the surf and France’s Legion of Honor in 2007, Shay later served in the Korean War, took part in U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands and worked for the International Atomic Energy Agency. After decades of silence about his World War II experiences, he became a regular presence at D-Day commemorations, sharing testimony and promoting peace. A memorial in his name overlooks Omaha Beach, where he long performed sage-burning tributes to fallen soldiers.
Federal Agents Begin Large-Scale Immigration Crackdown in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Federal agents launched a major immigration enforcement operation in the New Orleans area on Wednesday, targeting people accused of violent crimes as part of the Trump administration’s nationwide deportation efforts. More than 200 Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are participating in the 60-day sweep, known as “Catahoula Crunch,” with arrests reported outside big box stores and in residential neighborhoods. The operation follows similar actions in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte and is expected to expand into Mississippi. Officials say the effort is focused on individuals previously arrested on charges such as armed robbery, home invasion and rape. The crackdown has fueled fear in immigrant communities, prompting some businesses to close and residents to document encounters with agents. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said the state is prepared to support the operation, which could involve National Guard troops. Local advocacy groups have filed legal challenges over a related state law they say inhibits their ability to educate the public about their rights during immigration actions.
Europe, Ukraine Accuse Putin of Stalling After U.S.–Russia Peace Talks Produce No Breakthrough
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine and European leaders accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday of pretending to engage in peace efforts after five hours of Kremlin talks with U.S. envoys ended without progress. The meeting with U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner came as the Trump administration pushes for a negotiated end to the nearly four-year war. While President Donald Trump said his envoys believed Putin wants a deal, European officials stressed that Russia continues attacking Ukraine and has offered no concessions. A major sticking point remains Russia’s claim to four occupied Ukrainian regions, which Kyiv says it will not surrender. European NATO members meeting in Brussels pledged continued military and financial support for Ukraine, while Russia and Ukraine carried out new drone and missile strikes that killed civilians and caused damage in multiple regions.
