A Letter From The Editor

As another year winds down, I find myself reflecting on the unexpected paths life takes us. From the years I spent as a kid delivering the Rapid City Journal—rain, shine, and everything in between—to studying communications in college, newspapers have always been a part of me. But I never imagined that one day I’d be the one carrying the torch of a small-town newspaper. And yet, here I am, doing my best to guard and grow a tradition that means more to me with each passing week.

This position isn’t just “putting together eight pages.” It’s documenting the heartbeat of our communities, our milestones, our challenges, our celebrations. It’s preserving today so that years from now, we have something to look back on. A record of who we were and what mattered.

While print has changed and continues to face its struggles, I want to remind you that The Bonesteel Enterprise is available both in print and online.

No matter how you prefer to read it, your support truly matters. It takes all of us to keep this publication strong: our subscribers (please take a moment to check the expiration date next to your address stamp on the front page), our advertisers who believe in the value of local news, and every reader who chooses to invest in the stories of our community.

For 2026, subscription rates will remain the same—$40 for print, $35 for online, and $45 for the combination of both—barring any unforeseen increases in printing or postage. But there is one major change coming, and it’s one I haven’t made lightly. Due to consistently late counter-copy arrivals (which are unfortunately out of my control) and extremely low local sales, I’ve made the decision to discontinue counter-copy sales at Cahoy’s General Store and McCarville Coffee Roaster.

Ever-changing Post Office processes, especially during winter, add another layer of unpredictability. This is why our online version is such a valuable option ($5 off for new subscribers right now), and why the combination subscription might be the perfect fit for some.

If you've enjoyed picking up the paper at either location, I would suggest the ease of subscription, however, a small number of counter copies will still be available at my Main Street office during business hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

To our loyal subscribers: thank you. Your support, encouragement, and stories keep this work meaningful. To our advertisers: your belief in what we do matters more than you know. You make it possible for us to keep telling the story of this place we all call home.

As we enter the holiday season, I hope you find time to enjoy our community, soak in the sparkle of lights, gather with loved ones, and appreciate the comfort found both in your home and in the pages of our local newspaper.

Thank you for keeping The Bonesteel Enterprise going.

Happy Holidays,

Kelly Wollman