Some of the coaches and athletes from the 2003 State Runner-Up Football Team pose for a photo during this past weekend’s induction banquet for the Hot Springs Bison Athletics Hall of Fame. Pictured from left is Jeremy Pepin, Jack Brophy, Scott Beehler, Mike Molitor, Levi Klippenstein, Tyler Norton, Josh Redden, Charlie Baker, Barry Hansen, Ben Puffer, Trent Pikula, Ross Fees, John Haskvitz, Scott Harkless, Riley Northrup, Joe Beehler and Barry Scott. Photo by Richard Anderson

Some of the coaches and athletes from the 2003 State Runner-Up Football Team pose for a photo during this past weekend’s induction banquet for the Hot Springs Bison Athletics Hall of Fame. Pictured from left is Jeremy Pepin, Jack Brophy, Scott Beehler, Mike Molitor, Levi Klippenstein, Tyler Norton, Josh Redden, Charlie Baker, Barry Hansen, Ben Puffer, Trent Pikula, Ross Fees, John Haskvitz, Scott Harkless, Riley Northrup, Joe Beehler and Barry Scott. Photo by Richard Anderson

Athletics Hall of Fame honors new inductees

Thursday, October 8, 2026

HOT SPRINGS – Three athletes, one coach and the first Bison football team to play in a state championship game were honored in front of a full house during the 11th Hot Springs High School Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet this past Saturday night, Oct. 3, at the American Legion.
Fall River County Herald-Star e-Edition

News 

Photo by Beth Bogart/Fall River County Herald-Star Irma Fees of Hot Springs won the Jack of Hearts lottery to benefit the CanMan scholarship fund last Tuesday at the Winner’s Circle lounge

Photo by Beth Bogart/Fall River County Herald-Star Irma Fees of Hot Springs won the Jack of Hearts lottery to benefit the CanMan scholarship fund last Tuesday at the Winner’s Circle lounge

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CanMan lottery winner nets $24K

Beth Bogart
Thursday, October 8, 2026
HOT SPRINGS - When the Jack of Hearts lottery held Tuesday nights at the Winner’s Circle lounge was down to three cards and the kitty was up to almost $50,000, the drawing at 7:30 PM on September 29 was packed with hopeful ticket buyers.
The annual Blessing of the Water ceremony, a traditional Lakota practice, was held September 26 at Brookfield park, bringing the local community (and a couple tourists) together to celebrate a shared vision of unity. The sponsor was the recently reconfigured Mni’Ka’Ta’ Otakuye or ‘Hot Springs Relatives’, non-profit group in Hot Springs.

The annual Blessing of the Water ceremony, a traditional Lakota practice, was held September 26 at Brookfield park, bringing the local community (and a couple tourists) together to celebrate a shared vision of unity. The sponsor was the recently reconfigured Mni’Ka’Ta’ Otakuye or ‘Hot Springs Relatives’, non-profit group in Hot Springs.

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‘Hot Springs Relatives’ group brings Lakota Culture to whole community

Beth Bogart
Thursday, October 1, 2026
HOT SPRINGS - With an amended name, a recentlyacquired 501(c) designation as a non-profit organization, membership in the Chamber of Commerce, a lovely new logo and an expanded board, the revamped Mni’Ka’Ta’ Otakuye brings new purpose and progress in sharing Native culture and history with all...
New secondary principal Steve Helgeland, a native Mt. Vernon, S.D., stands in front of the Hot Springs High School building. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

New secondary principal Steve Helgeland, a native Mt. Vernon, S.D., stands in front of the Hot Springs High School building. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/Fall River County Herald-Star

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Helgeland takes over as new secondary principal

Brett Nachtigall
Thursday, September 24, 2026
HOT SPRINGS – New Hot Springs Secondary Principal Steve Helgeland comes to the district most recently from Menno, where he served one year with multiple roles including superintendent, but has spent more than 20 years of his career in education on the side of Special Education.
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Sports 

Twenty years later, a few of the members of the 2003 state runner-up football team pose for a photo during the 2023 state championship game when the Bison finally returned to the Dakota Dome to win the Class 11B state title over Elk Point-Jefferson. Pictured from left is Assistant Coach Scott Beehler, Riley Northrup, Head Coach Trent Pikula, John Haskvitz, Barry Hansen, Jeremy Pepin, Scott Beehler, Tyler Norton and Kyle Bachand.

Twenty years later, a few of the members of the 2003 state runner-up football team pose for a photo during the 2023 state championship game when the Bison finally returned to the Dakota Dome to win the Class 11B state title over Elk Point-Jefferson. Pictured from left is Assistant Coach Scott Beehler, Riley Northrup, Head Coach Trent Pikula, John Haskvitz, Barry Hansen, Jeremy Pepin, Scott Beehler, Tyler Norton and Kyle Bachand.

Bison Athletics Hall of Fame to host induction banquet Oct. 3

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
HOT SPRINGS – The Hot Springs Bison Athletics Hall of Fame will host its Induction Banquet on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the American Legion, where one team, one coach and three athletes will be recognized.
Hot Springs’ Layton Ringstmeyer pitches during an elimination game versus eventual champion Winner on Friday, July 17. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/FRCH-S

Hot Springs’ Layton Ringstmeyer pitches during an elimination game versus eventual champion Winner on Friday, July 17. Photo by Brett Nachtigall/FRCH-S

Post 71 finishes 2nd in Region 7B baseball tourney

Submitted By Jess Naze
Thursday, July 23, 2026
HOT SPRINGS – Last week, on Thursday and Friday, July 16-17, the Hot Springs Post 71 baseball team hosted the 7B Legion Jr. Prep 14u Regional tournament, which saw the local squad finish in second place with a 2-2 behind undefeated Region Champion Winner who will now move onto the SD State Class B...
Alt Text for ImageHot Springs Zetta Kuhl earned three awards at this year’s state trapshooting championship included first in the conference, first in the state female division as well as first overall.

Alt Text for ImageHot Springs Zetta Kuhl earned three awards at this year’s state trapshooting championship included first in the conference, first in the state female division as well as first overall.

Hot Springs Claybusters finish as trapshooting state runners-up

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
ABERDEEN – Fresh off their state title in 2025, the Hot Springs Claybusters trapshooting team had another successful season in 2026 which culminated this past weekend in Aberdeen at the South Dakota State High School Clay Target League (SDSHSCTL) State Tournament featuring 860 athletes from 52 high...
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Obituaries 

Fritz

Fritz

Barbara Ann Fritz

News Staff
Thursday, October 8, 2026
February 22, 1967 - September 26, 2026 On September 26, 2026, Barbara Ann Fritz, a deeply loved wife, mother, daughter, sister, artist, and friend, joined Jesus after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.
Knuth

Knuth

Fred Carl Knuth

News Staff
Thursday, October 8, 2026
July 3, 1925 - September 29, 2026 Fred Carl Knuth, 101, of Hot Springs, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Fall River Health in Hot Springs.
Miller

Miller

Vera Miller

News Staff
Thursday, October 8, 2026
January 13, 1938 - October 3, 2026 Vera Miller, 88, of Hot Springs, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026. She was born to the late Willi & Hedwig (Reiss) Hesse, January 13, 1938, in Trier, Germany.
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