Custer County Chronicle

‘Corruption coming to an end’

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 9:14am

“I want to let people know the corruption of this church is coming to an end. We are a part of the side that is helping correct and make a difference here and other places they own.”
Those were the words spoken by Patrick Pipkin after he and two other former Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) members—Andrew Chatwin and Claude Seth Cooke—were the successful bidders for the now-former FLDS property in southwest Custer County when it was sold to the highest bidder at a sheriff’s sale last Thursday morning at the Custer County Courthouse.

Defendant brings drugs to court

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 9:12am

Pro tip: If you’re showing up for sentencing on a drug-related matter it’s probably best not to bring illegal drugs to court with you.
That advice comes too late, it seems, for 27 year old Ryan Kimball of Custer who is facing drug possession charges after allegedly appearing for a sentencing hearing on Jan. 8 with bags of cocaine in his pocket.

More oath issues

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 9:12am

It turns out newest Custer County Commission member Travis Bies isn’t the only commissioner who has had a snafu with his oath over the past few years.
Bies had to be appointed to the commission at the commission’s second meeting in January even though he was elected to the post by voters because he did not take his oath of office within the time frame allowed by state law, and because of that, will now serve only a two-year term.

Property tax revision bill killed in committee

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 9:11am

Legislation proposed by District 30 Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller that would have revised the definition of the term owner-occupied single- family dwelling for property tax classification purposes failed in committee during this year’s state legislative session, much to the chagrin of Custer resident David Reid.

Man drives from Utah to watch auction

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 9:11am

For Mike Manning, the 606-mile journey from Salt Lake City, Utah to Custer was a small price to pay to see the demise of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) in South Dakota.
And, that demise makes the drive back even sweeter.
“I can drive back to Salt Lake City rejoicing,” Manning said after the FLDS compound in southwest Custer County was sold to three former FLDS members at auction last Thursday.

Long Term Recovery Group deactivates

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 9:08am

The Custer County Long Term Recovery Group (CCLTRG) wishes to thank the Custer community for the tremendous support over the past 18 months.

New COVID relief package likely

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 9:07am

The U.S. House of Representatives approved its $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package last weekend, and the Senate is expected to began considering its version of the legislation this week.
The House bill includes payments of $400 per week to Americans receiving unemployment benefits, $1,400 stimulus checks to most households and their dependents, and assistance to families of up to $3,600 per child, according to a CNBC report. The bill would put $20 billion into COVID-19 vaccinations, $50 billion into testing and $350 billion into state, local and tribal government aid.

Civic collision injures drivers

Published by admin on Thu, 03/04/2021 - 9:02am

Two Custer County men were hospitalized after their Honda Civics collided nearly head-on on Hwy. 40 east of Hermosa on Feb. 17 at about 7 p.m.
Trooper Brandon Allen of the South Dakota Highway Patrol said the collision occurred at mile marker 43 near the intersection of Battle Creek Road. One of the vehicles was westbound and the other eastbound when the two vehicles struck at an angle.
Allen reported the eastbound Civic came to rest in the roadway while the other one went into the north ditch.

STAR Academy buyers plan to build, subdivide

Published by admin on Thu, 02/25/2021 - 9:18am

By Ron Burtz

FLDS auction Thursday

Published by admin on Thu, 02/25/2021 - 9:17am

What is sure to be the most attention-gathering sheriff’s sale in the history of Custer County tentatively begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the Custer County Courthouse.
It is at that time that the sheriff’s sale for the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) compound in southwest Custer County will commence, likely bringing to a close—or at least hastening the beginning of the closure—a 15-year saga of the FLDS’ presence in the county.