Custer County Chronicle

BHE opens operations center

Published by admin on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 9:50am
Black Hills Energy (BHE) cut the ribbon on its new $2.5 million Southern Hills Operations Center on the west side of Custer last Wednesday. Officials say the new heated shop, expanded office and outdoor storage yard will help the company better serve customers throughout the lower Black Hills service area. 
The open house at the new facility featured refreshments, service truck bucket rides, electrical safety demonstrations and tours of the building, as well as speeches from local officials and BHE representatives. 

Fall comes early to French Creek

Published by admin on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 9:45am
Within a week of the Aug. 2 flood, many trees along the French Creek corridor in downtown Custer started to look sickly and today many are nearly bare of leaves, looking more like the end of October than early September. 
In the opinion of certified arborist Taylor Gust of Rushmore Tree and Turf, the reason could be that the trees received a knockout “one-two punch” in this unusually wet year.

Sheriff's Log Aug. 27-Sept. 7

Published by admin on Thu, 09/12/2019 - 9:06am

Tuesday, Aug. 27

New pastor at Grace Family Fellowship

Published by admin on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 10:12am
Early this spring Pastor Mike Brennan of Rapid City had wrapped up 15 years of ministry on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and thought he might never pastor another church again.
Then he got a call to preach one Sunday at Custer’s Grace Family Fellowship. The next week he moved to Custer as the church’s full-time pastor. 
“We’re just thrilled to be there,” said Brennan in a phone interview. “We love the people. I probably wouldn’t have taken another church if it wasn’t for the people and their attitude toward doing church.”

Connections key to artist’s success

Published by admin on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 9:58am
Cait Irwin showed up to make a book presentation to Custer Elementary School last week in a shirt and pants splotched with dozens of different paint colors, which was entirely appropriate because the book she was presenting contained illustrations painted by Irwin herself. 
Irwin, who is currently working as the artist-in-residence at Sylvan Lake Lodge, came in her everyday work clothes to present a copy of the new book “The Secret Life of Phil” to principal Barb Paulson for the school library. 

Sheriff's Log Aug. 22-27

Published by admin on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 9:44am
Thursday, Aug. 22
4:43 p.m.: Theft of a vehicle was reported on N. 11th Street in Custer. Be on the lookout for a rusty 1983 Chevy S10 pickup that starts without a key. 
4:46 p.m.: Deputies investigated a disturbance in the Hermosa area. Further follow-up action may occur. 
5:24 p.m.: Criminal sexual contact in another state was reported. The incident will be referred to the proper agency. 
7:26 p.m.: Deputies arrested a person on an active warrant on Mount Rushmore Road in Custer. 

Retired pastor writes first ‘heartfelt comedy’

Published by admin on Thu, 08/29/2019 - 9:53am
Wally Steele of Custer did a great deal of writing in his 40 years as a minister and has helped with the behind-the-scenes production of dozens of plays, but he has never written a play ... until now. 
“Do You Remember?”, an original full-length “heartfelt comedy” by Wally Steele is in rehearsals and will open Friday, Sept. 6, at Custer Senior Center. 

Green named Realtor of the Year

Published by admin on Thu, 08/29/2019 - 9:48am
 
Sheila Green of Custer was 600 miles away Aug. 21 when she was awarded the title of 2019 Realtor of the Year, but she was in tears as she watched the ceremony live via the internet. Green and husband, Jerry, were sitting in a motel room in Rochester, Minn., last Wednesday night as they watched her son and business partner, Jared Carson, accept the award on her behalf at the Mt. Rushmore Association of Realtors awards banquet in Deadwood. 

Sheriff's Log Aug. 15-22

Published by admin on Thu, 08/29/2019 - 9:21am
Thursday, Aug. 15
The 911 Misdial of the Day: Nothing particularly stupefying or comic was broadcast over the talking wires to the dispatch center today. 
6:50 a.m.: A deputy transported a prisoner from a correctional facility in Rapid City to Custer for court, and then back again. 
1:34 p.m.: A deputy dealt with a trailer registration issue on Sidney Park Road. 
3:33 p.m.: Credit card fraud was reported on Renegade Pass Road. 

Steel Magnolias shows strength

Published by admin on Thu, 08/22/2019 - 9:54am

“Steel Magnolias,” the latest offering at the Black Hills Play House offers a slow moving drama interspersed with bits of comedic charm.