Drew Matthews
Rapid City Journal
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Past articles by Drew:
New firefighters in Rapid City may see pay rise 18% to $45,000 a year
Recruitment and retention of firefighters and other emergency workers has been a frequent problem for the Rapid City Fire Department, which officials say has the lowest starting pay among fire → Read More
Mountain coaster ride near Mount Rushmore gets nixed by the county
Imagine racing through the Black Hills on a runaway cart, navigating around trees and the twisting curves of the land, eventually coming to a peaceful stop at the bottom of → Read More
Why South Dakota is a tax haven for the rich
Forget Switzerland; South Dakota is actually one of the best places in the world for the wealthy to stash their cash in secret. → Read More
Commissioners block Croell mining expansion on U.S. Highway 16
By a 4-1 vote, the Pennington County Commission today rejected the county Planning Commission's decision to grant Croell Redi-Mix a construction permit to expand its mining operations south of Rapid → Read More
City will consider regulating short-term rentals
Jamin Hübner has been pocketing some extra cash by renting out the extra bedroom in his modest Rapid City home to visitors, but his slice of the growing cottage industry → Read More
Civic center task force meets in secret before open meeting
Mayor Steve Allender's Civic Center Task Force convened its third meeting on Tuesday, although journalists and the public were barred from entering the conference room for the first 30 minutes. → Read More
Updates to city's wastewater facility could mean uptick in utility rates
The Rapid City wastewater-treatment plant needs an expensive makeover, requiring eventual increases in utility rates, because water flowing through Rapid Creek could be contributing to a deadly condition in the → Read More
City council reprimands Alderman Jerry Wright over conduct violation
Two and a half months after a code of conduct violation complaint was filed against Alderman Jerry Wright, his Rapid City Council colleagues unanimously voted to reprimand him for his → Read More
Phase 2 of Mount Rushmore Road project, to begin in May, draws welcome low bid
Compared to the sticker shock that accompanied the first part of the Mount Rushmore Road reconstruction, Phase 2 of the redo and beautification project sounds like something of a bargain. → Read More
I-190 construction continues; some road closures on the way
After six months of heavy work alongside Interstate 190, the state's massive reconstruction project is entering its second phase, in which inconvenience for drivers will be apparent on the four-lane → Read More
Proposed ordinance could create permitting process for Art Alley
Rapid City's iconic public painting canvas known as Art Alley may go from freewheeling to formal this summer. → Read More
Urban designers pitch fewer streets downtown and altering paid parking
Downtown Rapid City could transform into a pedestrian and bike promised land if changes in parking and traffic patterns discussed this week eventually are adopted as part of a revised → Read More
Vehicle owners from neighboring counties thwarted in their try to avoid wheel tax
Lots of people are showing up at the Pennington County Treasurer's office for renewals of their vehicle registrations, and some of those in line this year are strangers. → Read More
Parks staff harvests 100 deer within city limits
For six chilly January mornings, Rapid City employees waited for deer to catch the scent of the alfalfa bait and wander into their gun sights. → Read More
West Boulevard Historic District may expand
A Rapid City commission is trying to expand the reach of history, but some West Boulevard-area residents who would be reached are standing staunchly against the effort. → Read More
Ferebee blocks gym donation again, equipment goes to auction
For now, the children at St. Paul's Lutheran School will continue to play basketball on concrete floors after the Pennington County Commission voted for the second time to deny the → Read More
Commissioner Petersen will accept smaller raise
Pennington County Commission Chairman Lyndell Petersen said he will take only a $50 per month pay raise for 2016, which amounts to 20 percent of the 20 percent raise he → Read More
Fence proposed to keep homeless out of shopping area
The owner of the Prairie Market building on New York Street is asking Rapid City for permission to build a fence between its property and the homeless population that congregates → Read More
Highway Department could dip into reserves to shore up slashed budget
In arguing for a wheel tax, Pennington County officials often mentioned that if the tax was not imposed, the county Highway Department budget would face a deficit of about $2.2 → Read More
Rep. DiSanto gathers petition to repeal commissioner salary increases
State Representative Lynne DiSanto, R-Rapid City, is angry that Pennington County commissioners gave themselves a 20 percent raise, and she is calling for a repeal of the the increase. → Read More