Community Corner
🌱 What Abbott House’s takeover of Wellfully means for Rapid City families
And check out Free Pinball Fridays | Hay Camp Brewing Rapid City... on the Rapid City Patch calendar
Morning Rapid City! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What Abbott House’s takeover of Wellfully means for Rapid City families
- Wondering how Rapid City’s TIFs affect your taxes and shopping hubs?
- How a Rapid City-led project could turn corn waste into medical materials
Also on today's calendar: Tahoe Knight Monsters at Rapid City Rush and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Rapid Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Rapid Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Very windy in the morning, with a high of 37 and low of 27 degrees.
- Friday: Strong winds; rather cloudy, temps: high: 64, low: 28.
- Saturday: Cooler with decreasing clouds, with a high of 42 and low of 26 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Two Nonprofits to Strengthen Services for Youth and Families (mitchellnow.com) — Youth and families in Rapid City could see stronger mental and behavioral health support as Abbott House moves to acquire Wellfully’s operations in the city. Leaders say the deal will more than double the number of youth served, stabilize local services, and keep care rooted in South Dakota communities, including Rapid City. 
2. Rapid City holds packed TIF information session (kotatv.com) — Rapid City residents packed the Council Chambers to learn how tax increment financing works and how it affects local development and property taxes. Finance Director Daniel Ainslie stressed that TIFs don’t raise individual tax bills and highlighted projects like Cabela’s and Rushmore Crossing. A second public information session is set for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. for anyone with questions.
3. Turning corn stover into high-value biomaterials (kbhbradio.com) — Based in Rapid City Mines is teaming with Dakota BioWorx to turn leftover corn stalks and leaves into high-value biomaterials with potential medical uses. The project links Mines’ MASON research team with a new Brookings pilot facility, giving students hands-on biotech experience while aiming to grow South Dakota’s biomanufacturing economy and keep more value from agriculture in-state.
4. Rock Excavation Blast Scheduled for Backslope Repair Project on U.S. Highway 14A near Deadwood (kbhbradio.com) — Drivers from Rapid City heading toward Deadwood should be ready for a rock-blasting closure on U.S. Highway 14A, about four miles east of Deadwood, on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 17, 2025. Traffic will be stopped by flaggers during the blast and debris cleanup, with the road reopening by day’s end, as Rapid City-based DRM, Inc. advances a $1.5 million slope-stabilization project.
5. Darlene Knight (chadronradio.com) — Rapid City readers are noted among the surviving family of Darlene May “Foster” Knight, whose brother James Foster lives in the city. The 88-year-old passed away December 15 at Gordon Countryside Care in Nebraska, leaving behind her husband Bud, four children, and a large extended family. Services will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church near Rushville, Nebraska.
📸 Around Rapid City
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Rapid City
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Free Pinball Fridays | Hay Camp Brewing Rapid City...
Hay Camp Brewing Company · Rapid City, SD, Rapid City
4:00 pm
Friday December 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Level Up! Teen Gaming Night
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
3:30 pm - Tahoe Knight Monsters at Rapid City Rush
The Monument · Rapid City , SD , Rapid City
7:05 pm - Custer State Park Presents
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
10:30 am - Wide Open Brew Indoor Arenacross Series
James Kjerstad Event Center · Rapid City , SD , Rapid City
7:00 pm - Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
5:00 pm - Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
9:30 am - Curiosity Club
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
3:30 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
📣 Rapid City Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Little Explorers
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
11:00 am - Chapter Chat Book Club
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
6:00 pm - CHS Winter Festival Performance
Central High School · Rapid City , SD , Colonial Pine Hills
7:00 pm - Stevens HS – Band
Stevens High School Theatre
7:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hello!
Is this anyone’s cat? She (or he) has visited our house the last few nights in a row and we just want to make sure no one is missing her/him! (Nextdoor Arrowhead) - Good morning.
I had a package delivered to the wrong address yesterday, Monday, December 15. It would be either in a large, light pink and white bag with MOCO… (Nextdoor Enchanted Hills)
- Wendy's posted a job opening for Team Member in Rapid City. Apply here.
- Texas Roadhouse posted a job opening for Meat Cutter in Rapid City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rapid City here.
Ok Rapid City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
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