Ron Burtz is writing for a newspaper again after a nearly 40-year break . Right out of high school , the Winner native worked two summers for his hometown paper , the Winner Advocate . Then after a few years of reporting news on radio , he became a pastor . Ron served churches in Illinois and South Dakota for 25 years before moving with his wife , Tammy , to Custer in 2017 where he now writes for Southern Hills Publishing , Inc .
Eric moved to the Black Hills in 2018 to work as a news journalist for the now-defunct Hot Springs Star . Joining Southern Hills Publishing in November of 2022 , he brings a variety of skill sets to our community as a musician , photographer , writer , and sales professional . He is passionate about supporting locally owned and operated news publications and is excited to use his creative experience in digital media production to educate and entertain the great peoples of west river South Dakota .
Jason Ferguson has been writing for the better part of 20 years and has won dozens of South Dakota Press Association awards , including being named the state ’ s Outstanding Young Journalist in 2002 . Ferguson has a bachelor ’ s degree in English and journalism from Chadron State College . He enjoys movies , exercising and being outdoors .
Esther Noe has been writing since she could first hold a pencil . She recently graduated with a bachelor ' s degree in Liberal Studies from Thomas Edison State University where she studied writing , communications and literature . In October 2021 , Esther moved from Minnesota to the Black Hills with her parents and siblings . She now works as an office manager and journalist for Hill City Prevailer News . In her free time , she enjoys crafts , reading and talking with friends .
Jay Gismondi has traveled and lived all over the country and the world . He is a father of six children and a K-9 enthusiast who loves rucking and hiking in the Black Hills . Jay is an avid horseman who has accomplished two - 1,000 mile endurance rides , five - 500 mile plus endurance rides and has ridden horseback on three continents . He now rides a desk doing graphic design for Down Country Roads and several other publications .
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