Custer County Chronicle

Real estate market booming

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:38am
If the COVID-19 pandemic was supposed to cause the complete collapse of the U.S. economy, somebody forgot to tell the Black Hills real estate market.
While it is true the pandemic has sent the U.S. into the worst recession since the Great Depression and costs thousands their jobs and homes, there are those who are buying new homes as the pandemic unfolds, and many of those are buying those homes in Custer County, and throughout the Black Hills and entire region, for that matter.

Tourism season varied

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:37am
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 tourism season, which is now winding down, appears to have been a mixed bag. Some businesses and attractions, such as motels and caves, saw a downturn, but others experienced a banner year precisely because of virus-related lockdowns in other states. 

School studies adding staff

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:36am
The Custer School District Board of Education and school administrators plan to fast track a proposal to increase staffing to meet the needs of a growing distance learning program in the wake of coronavirus. 
During discussion at Monday night’s regular meeting on a line item related to in-district versus “distance learning by choice” numbers, several staff members said the burden of trying to keep track of students who have chosen to do courses online is putting added stress on the staff who are trying to administer the program. 

County records second death

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:34am
Custer County has recorded its second death from COVID-19-related complications, as another person died, according to the state Department of Health’s report on Saturday, Sept. 12. It was one of six deaths reported that day.
The Department of Health does not release the name, age group or gender of the person who died.
After a significant spike in cases through August and into early September, it appears the second surge of confirmed COVID-19 cases appears to be leveling off in the United States, according to multiple reports.

City budgets $7.9 million

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:33am
The Custer City Council passed the first reading of a $7,967,955 budget for 2021 at its Sept. 8 meeting, around $1.3 million less than last year’s budget.
Projected general fund expenditures are over $2 million down from a year ago, largely due to the absence of money to be spent on what was to be the Custer Community Center. Earlier this year the council balked at the cost of renovating the former Custer Elementary into a community center and the project has been put on hold for the time being, so money be put into the building has been put on hold as well.

STAR Academy auction next week

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 10:09am
Is the third time the charm?
The former State Treatment and Rehabilitation (STAR) Academy will hit the auction block again a week from today and state officials are undoubtedly hopeful this year’s auction turns out better than the last time the campus was sold to the highest bidder.

County sets budget at $10.2 million

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 10:07am
Custer County is set to spend around over $10 million in 2021, as its budget crests $10 million for the first time, should the budget pass its second reading later this month.
At the Sept. 2 meeting of the Custer County Commission, the commission unanimously passed the $10,232,738 provisional budget, with a second and final vote to take place later this month. The commission still has the option to make changes to the budget before final passage.

Custer County has its first COVID-19 death

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 10:04am
Custer County recorded its first death due to COVID-19-related complications, the S.D. Department of Health reported.
The death came last Sunday, according to the state. The Department of Health declined to released the age group or gender of the person who died.
South Dakota is one of four Midwestern states, along with Iowa, North Dakota and Kansas, making news for their large jump in COVID-19 cases.

Chronicle turns 140

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 10:00am
This Friday, Sept. 11, the Custer County Chronicle will celebrate 140 years of continuous business serving the readers and advertisers of this area and beyond.
This makes the Chronicle the oldest, continuously-operated newspaper and business in the Southern Black Hills.
There will be an open house at the newspaper from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the exact day of the newspaper’s founding 140 years ago. People may stop in, meet the staff and share in some refreshments.

Baker is back on school board

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 9:57am
Larry Baker of Hermosa, who served temporarily as a member of the Custer School District Board of Education for several months in 2018, has been selected to fill an open seat on the board following a resignation. Baker will occupy the seat vacated by Ronni Calvird who resigned shortly after being sworn in earlier this summer. 
Baker was appointed in the winter of 2018 to fill Tom Martin’s unexpired term after Martin resigned and moved away. He then ran for one of two openings on the board in June of that year, but came in third behind Jeff Prior and Jeff Barnes.