Pennington County, SD

Pennington County, SD The official page of Pennington County, SD. History: Pennington County’s Black Elk Peak at 7,242 ft. In spite of the 1868 Ft. It was named for John L.

Mission: The mission of Pennington County, SD is to provide quality public services, as determined by law and citizen needs, through innovative leadership and the teamwork of its people, officials and employees. Services shall be provided in a fair, respectful and professional manner consistent with available human, natural and economic resources. is the highest point in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. A well-worn hiking trail leads to its top where a wonderful panoramic view rewards those who make the climb. Reports of gold from Custer's 1874 Expedition brought thousands of miners into the Black Hills over the next few years. Laramie Treaty with the Sioux Nation, small mining camps sprang up in the Black Hills; many in what would become Pennington County. In 1875, Pennington County was formed. Pennington, the governor of the Dakota Territory at that time. The first county seat was located at a mining camp called Sheridan. Sheridan and Pennington County, SD hold the distinction of hosting the first Federal Court west of the Missouri River. In 1878, the county seat moved to Rapid City. Sheridan eventually became a ghost town and in 1939 a dam was built covering the former county seat with what is now Sheridan Lake. In 1927, with the dedication speech by President Calvin Coolidge, the work on Mt. Rushmore began. A dream that began in 1923 with Doane Robinson, superintendent of the South Dakota State Historical Society, was now a reality. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum started the work of art that would bring visitors from around the world to the granite cliff known as Mt. Rushmore in Pennington County, South Dakota. The work he began that day would consume the last 14 years of his life. Borglum’s selections for the Mt. Rushmore monument include George Washington, the nation’s first president and the “father of our country”, Thomas Jefferson who envisioned a United States spanning from coast to coast, Abraham Lincoln “the Great Emancipator” who steered our country through the Civil War and Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, who Borglum saw as the embodiment of the American spirit. On October 31, 1941, the work on the sculpture was done. Located in Pennington County just east of Rapid City, Rapid City Army Air Base was established in 1942 to train B-17 crews. In 1947, after World War II, the base became the Rapid City Air Force Base for the B-29 Superfortress. In the following years, renamed in memory of Brig Gen Richard E. Ellsworth, Ellsworth AFB evolved with the country’s strategic needs. During the Cold War, it became known as the “Showplace of SAC”. It has been home to the B-36, B-52, Strategic Missile Wing and B-1B.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 29, 2026Fifth South Dakota DMV Now Kiosk Now Open In Pennington CountySouth Dakota reside...
09/29/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2026

Fifth South Dakota DMV Now Kiosk Now Open In Pennington County

South Dakota residents now have another convenient option for completing eligible motor vehicle transactions with the addition of a new South Dakota DMV Now self-service kiosk at The Country Store at Three Forks, 23820 US-385, Rapid City, SD 57702, open 7 days a week, 5am - 8pm.

The new kiosk brings the total number of DMV Now kiosks in Pennington County to five and expands access to self-service motor vehicle transactions for residents and visitors in the Southern Hills, including the Hill City and Keystone areas. Other Kiosk locations throughout our area are:

Pennington County Justice Center | Open 24/7
130 Kansas City Street Rapid City

Driver’s License Exam Station | Open during Business Hours of Operation
1301 E Catron Blvd. Rapid City

Department of Revenue Office in Rapid City behind Lowe’s | Open 24/7
221 Mall Drive

Pennington County Administration Bldg. | Open during Business Hours of Operation until further notice
900 Concourse Dr., Rapid City

“We’re excited for this expanded access to DMV Now kiosks throughout Pennington County,” said Pennington County Treasurer Annette Brant. “The Three Forks location provides another convenient option for residents in the farther corner of our county as well as the Southern Hills who may otherwise have to travel farther to complete these basic transactions. The machines located in Pennington County are state-funded and maintained. This additional machine appears to be an ideal location, and we appreciate the acceptance of The Country Store at Three Forks providing this space for the convenience of others."

Similar to an ATM, DMV Now kiosks use touchscreen prompts to guide customers through eligible transactions. Users can renew eligible vehicle registrations with a credit or debit card and receive their registration and license plate decal on the spot. The kiosks can be used to renew eligible vehicle registrations by those possessing a South Dakota Driver’s license or South Dakota Identification Card from any county in South Dakota, not just Pennington County.

In addition to vehicle registration renewals, DMV Now kiosks can be used for several other eligible transactions, including updating contact information, filing a report of sale, printing a seller’s permit, and completing certain driver licensing services. Brant states, “Any related transaction that the kiosk is unable to perform for you will need to be done physically at the Treasurer’s Office in the county of your residence, or anything other than a title transaction can also be done online at the My605Drive.sd.gov website."

A 2.25% processing fee applies to kiosk transactions to cover credit and debit card processing fees. Kiosks accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit or debit cards and do not accept cash.

For additional information, including all Pennington County kiosk locations, hours, eligibility requirements, and available services, visit the Pennington County Treasurer’s Office DMV Now Kiosk webpage.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 24, 2026Pennington County Provides Update on July Cybersecurity IncidentPennington County...
09/24/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2026

Pennington County Provides Update on July Cybersecurity Incident

Pennington County is providing additional information regarding the cybersecurity incident first identified on July 4, 2026, as the investigation, data review, and recovery process continues.

On July 4, Pennington County identified unauthorized activity within portions of its information technology environment. Threat actors had gained access to County systems and deployed ransomware, prompting the Pennington County Information Technology Department to take servers and systems offline to contain the threat, protect County information, and begin evaluating the affected environment.

Since the incident was identified, the County’s Information Technology Department, employees across County departments, outside cybersecurity professionals, and state and federal partners continue to work extensively to investigate the attack, safely restore systems, and strengthen the County’s cybersecurity environment.

During the earlier stages of the response, the County was limited in the information it could publicly provide. As the ongoing investigation continues to progress, the Commission believes the County has reached a point where additional information can and should be shared with the public.

“From the beginning, our responsibility has been to protect the integrity of the investigation, restore services safely and make decisions based on verified information,” said Pennington County Commission Chair Ron Weifenbach. “There were details we could not responsibly share at the time, and we understand that created questions and concerns in our community. We have now reached a point where we can provide a clearer understanding of what occurred. The Commission believes the public deserves that information, and we will continue to be as transparent as we can while the investigation continues.”

All Pennington County departments are currently operational. However, some systems and public-facing services continue to experience limitations as the Information Technology Department works through the careful process of restoring remaining services. Because restoration work is complex and must be completed securely, the County is not providing a specific date by which every system will be fully restored.

The nature and sophistication of cyber threats continue to evolve, and the County is using the findings from this incident to further strengthen its security posture. Improvements are already underway, including continued investments in technology, employee training, and additional security measures designed to better protect County systems and public information.

“This has been an extraordinary undertaking for our IT staff and employees throughout Pennington County government,” Weifenbach said. “We know the disruption has also been frustrating for the citizens who depend on County services. We appreciate the public’s patience as our employees continue this work. Our priority is not simply getting systems back online—it is making sure we restore them safely and take what we have learned from this incident to make Pennington County stronger going forward.”

Pennington County extends its appreciation to the South Dakota National Guard Cyber Incident Response Team, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the South Dakota Fusion Center, outside cybersecurity professionals, and others who have assisted the County throughout the response and recovery effort.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 10, 2026 Register of Deeds Announces Temporary Vital Records Service Interruption The Pen...
09/10/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2026

Register of Deeds Announces Temporary Vital Records Service Interruption

The Pennington County Register of Deeds Office will be temporarily unable to issue vital records from Monday, Sept. 14 through Wednesday, Sept. 16, due to operational timing considerations related to the transition to the State of South Dakota’s new Vital Records system.

During this temporary service interruption, vital records will not be available for issuance through the Register of Deeds office at 900 Concourse Dr.

Individuals with an urgent need for a vital record during this period should contact the South Dakota Vital Records Office at 605-773-4961 for assistance.

The Pennington County Register of Deeds Office apologizes for any inconvenience this temporary interruption may cause and appreciates the public’s patience and understanding.

Today’s the day!Join us from 4:00–7:00 PM at 3601 Cambell Street for the Pennington County Road and Rescue Experience!Th...
09/10/2026

Today’s the day!

Join us from 4:00–7:00 PM at 3601 Cambell Street for the Pennington County Road and Rescue Experience!

This free event features live equipment, emergency vehicles, food trucks, and a chance to meet the people who keep Pennington County safe and moving—including teams from:

• Pennington County Highway Department
• Pennington County Sheriff's Office
• Pennington County Search and Rescue
• Local fire departments

Bring the whole family for an evening of fun, learning, and community connection. We’ll see you there!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 9, 2026Property Tax Second Half Payment Deadline is October 31Pennington County Treasurer...
09/09/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2026

Property Tax Second Half Payment Deadline is October 31

Pennington County Treasurer Annette Brant announces the “Property Taxes” drop boxes will be open earlier than most years for payments 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, effective now through midnight on October 31st. Mail service has been unreliable at best, so your use of the drop boxes is highly encouraged. Online payments may not be an option for this tax season, so plan accordingly.

Rapid City Drop Boxes are located in the main entrance of both the New Administration Building, located at 900 Concourse Drive, and in our previous location next to the brightly colored motor vehicle self- service terminal at 130 Kansas City Street, clearly marked “Property Taxes.” ONLY property tax payments will be accepted in this manner. Payments being dropped off should include the Tax ID Number(s) or your payment coupons. Please make sure your current phone number is listed on your payment. Receipts will be mailed to those requesting a return receipt. The drop box will be accessible only through midnight on October 31st. All payments made after that time will be subject to interest.

The Wall Satellite Office has NOT BEEN cleared for opening as of yet since the county’s cyber incident. The scheduled dates of Oct 1st and Oct 21st will remain on the calendar in hopes this location will be ready for processing. Residents are encouraged to utilize alternative suggestions listed within this release to avoid missing deadlines.

Other methods of payment:
Payments may be made in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm) at the County Administration Building located at 900 Concourse Drive, Suite 150, Rapid City, SD 57703. Phone-in payments must be completed by 3:30 p.m. MT on October 31st. Plan ahead, as phone lines get very busy, and you may not get through. A 2% convenience fee for use of your credit card applies with this method of payment. Our phone number is 605-394-2163

Payments may be sent through the mail and should include the payment coupons for each Tax ID Number you are paying on, made payable to the Pennington County Treasurer and mailed to PO Box 6160, Rapid City, SD 57709-6160. Payments made through the mail must be postmarked no later than October 31st to avoid interest. Payments sent to the county's old address on Saint Joseph Street or Kansas City Street may no longer be forwarded by USPS and could be returned to you, causing late fees. The current remittance address has been on tax notices since 2024. Avoid late payments and update your records, especially for those using online banking. Payments must be postmarked by October 31st and addressed to PO Box 6160 to avoid interest due.

Online property tax payments may not be available due to the cyber incident investigation still taking place. Plan accordingly and utilize alternative suggestions listed within this release to avoid missing deadlines.

Additional questions? Contact the Treasurer’s Office Monday through Friday at (605) 394-2163 between 8:05 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. MT.

🎙️ Tune in to KOTA Morning Radio next Monday, featuring Rapid City Pennington County Emergency Management Director Dust...
09/09/2026

🎙️ Tune in to KOTA Morning Radio next Monday, featuring Rapid City Pennington County Emergency Management Director Dustin Willett.

September is National Preparedness Month, and Dustin will discuss what preparedness looks like for Pennington County residents, including the Ready, Set, Go evacuation framework, household emergency planning, emergency kits, and where to find trusted information when an emergency occurs.

He’ll also share a few simple steps individuals and families can take now to be better prepared before an emergency happens.

📅 September 14
⏰ 8:40 a.m.
📻 100.7 FM | 1300 AM

County Focus airs on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month and features conversations with county officials about projects, services, and issues impacting Pennington County residents.

Office Closure ReminderPennington County Administrative Offices will be closed today, Monday, September 7th, in observan...
09/07/2026

Office Closure Reminder

Pennington County Administrative Offices will be closed today, Monday, September 7th, in observance of Labor Day.

Offices reopen Tuesday, September 8th at 7AM and are open until 4PM.

One week to go!The Pennington County Road and Rescue Experience is happening next Thursday, September 10 from 4–7 PM at ...
09/03/2026

One week to go!

The Pennington County Road and Rescue Experience is happening next Thursday, September 10 from 4–7 PM at 3601 Cambell Street in Rapid City.

This free, hands-on event gives families the chance to get up close with the equipment and emergency vehicles used by:

- Pennington County Highway Department
- Pennington County Sheriff's Office
- Pennington County Search and Rescue
- Local fire departments

Kids can hop into the driver’s seat, meet the crews, and enjoy a fun evening with food trucks and fun.

No RSVP needed—just show up and explore!

More Info 👉 https://www.pennco.org/services/highway/road_rescue_experience.php

Address

900 Concourse Drive
Rapid City, SD
57703

Telephone

+16053942171

Website

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