Custer County Chronicle

Some legislators shift to blaming county spending

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:58pm

Two years ago, South Dakota lawmakers were so concerned about the financial struggles of counties that they devoted a summer study to the topic.
After it was completed, state Sen. Randy Deibert, R-Spearfish, a former Lawrence County commissioner and member of the study committee, said it was illuminating.
“I do believe we’ve had a lot of education that’s taken place because of the summer study — especially with the committee members and the word they’re getting out to constituents and fellow legislators about the hardships counties are having and why they’re having it.”

Body identified, airman charged

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:44pm

An Ellsworth Air Force Base airman is under arrest in connection with the discovery of a decomposed body found near the Custer County/Pennington County line off Hwy. 87 March 4.
Quinterius Chappelle, 24, was arrested and charged with federal second-degree murder charges after the badly decomposed body of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait of Box Elder was discovered last week.

Legislature balks at West Dam funding

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:44pm

There will be no state funding for West Dam. Not this year, at least.
On Feb. 26 the legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee tabled HB 1237, a bill introduced by District 30 Rep. Tim Goodwin that sought $1.5  million to help with the reconstruction of West Dam.
The end of the legislative session came and went with the bill still tabled.
That means for the second year District 30 legislators and the City of Custer’s  pleas for help in fixing the dam went unanswered, leaving the city disappointed but still determined to see the project through.

Mount Rushmore fireworks to return

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:43pm

According to a Feb. 17 press release fireworks will be coming back to Mount Rushmore in 2026. The release states that South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum “agreed that fireworks will return to Mount Rushmore for America’s 250th birthday in 2026.” Burgum is the former governor of North Dakota.

Buffalo Gap having sales tax issues

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:39pm

Some sales tax issues have come to the forefront recently for the Buffalo Gap Town Board, which were discussed at the meeting on March 3. The board was informed it needed to start charging a 4.2 percent sales tax on the community center when it is rented out, and it also learned it should have been charging sales tax on trash collected by Cheyenne Sanitation, with whom the town of Buffalo Gap has a trash contract.

Test warnings to be sent March 26

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:33pm

A test alert and warning message will be sent to all of Custer County’s available alert and warning methods Wednesday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m. This testing is being conducted in coordination with Fall River, Meade, and Pennington counties.
The test message will be sent to the public by:
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to cell phones (that have been enabled to receive test messages)
• Emergency Alert System (EAS) via participating television and radio broadcasters
• Weather radios - All zazards tuned into the proper codes

County property tax appeal process

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 11:28am

Although the deadline to appeal property taxes has already passed for those living in the city limits of Custer, Pringle, Hermosa, Fairburn or Buffalo Gap, those taxed at a county level have until April 1.
Assessment notices for 2025 payable 2026 property taxes have already been sent out. If residents question something in their assessment, they can call the equalization office or stop by the Custer County Courthouse.

Two arrested after standoff

Published by admin on Wed, 03/12/2025 - 1:03pm

A pair of Rapid City men are in the Pennington County Jail on a variety of charges following a standoff in southern Custer  County.
At about 7 a.m. Saturday, March 8, citizens reported two men in a vehicle were burglarizing the Sunshine Storage units south of Custer.

Senate Bill 191 fails on House floor

Published by admin on Wed, 03/12/2025 - 12:58pm

After unanimously running through the Senate, Senate Bill (SB) 191 introduced by District 30 Sen. Amber Hulse narrowly passed the House State Affairs Committee March 5 with a 7-6 vote before failing on the House floor March 10 with a 62-7 vote of opposition.
Originally, Hulse introduced SB 191 Feb. 3 as “An Act to limit annual valuation increases on owner-occupied single-family dwellings.”

Body found near county line

Published by admin on Wed, 03/12/2025 - 12:55pm

On Tuesday, March 4, at approximately 1 p.m., Pennington County Sheriff’s  Office deputies were dispatched to a location south of Hill City, near the Pennington County and Custer County line in reference to a badly decomposed body. A hiker in the area discovered the body and called the sheriff’s office.