The woman who has been Chris White’s coworker and companion for the past 32 years said the politics of the war on opioids are to blame for White’s death at the end of a standoff with law enforcement in Custer last week.
After White’s vehicle was stopped by Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley at 4:01 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, he spoke to Becki Geyer, who he referred to as his wife, three times by cell phone as he was held at gunpoint by numerous officers. He was also using her cell phone and driving her GMC pickup.
Nearly $65,000 in Aug. 2 flood damage assistance has been raised so far by the Custer County Long Term Recovery Group (CCLTRG) and $45,000 has been distributed to a number of parties, according to Jill Kettle, committee head.
An additional $10,000 has been promised from Lutheran Social Services to assist in disaster recovery, according to Laurie Arthur, Resource Development chair.
Donor letters sent out at the end of last year to individuals, businesses and corporations brought in $5,000, Arthur said.
10 years ago, 2010 — A bill designed to keep the Black Hills Playhouse operational in its current location was before the legislature ... Who should be allowed access to city employee personnel records was at the center of a debate over proposed changes to the city’s personnel manual at a Custer City Council meeting ... Three wrestlers — Cody Herman, Tanner Eisland and Ty Cooper — were to represent Custer at the State “B” Tournament.
12:39 a.m.: A deputy checked on an open car door at Aspen View Apartments in Custer. Nothing was found wrong with or missing from the vehicle.
1:04 a.m.: A deputy checked on a possible illicit fire on Stagg Road. The fire was being conducted safely with a valid permit.
10:48 a.m.: A speedy white pickup with a short box mowed down an innocent tree near the Custer Skate Park and then escaped the area. Any information about “White Lightning” or its driver would be appreciated.
Nancy Martinz fought to control her emotions as she keyed the police radio mic in her National Park Service patrol vehicle the morning of Dec. 31, 2019. It would be her final 10-7 (out of service) call after over 30 years as a federal law enforcement officer.
Martinz, who has worked at Jewel Cave National Monument for the past four years, was retiring that day because she had reached the mandatory retirement age for her position.
10 years ago, 2010 — The Black Hills mountain lion season closed after the limit of 40 lions was met ... Concert pianist Eugene Gienger, 56, was the newest addition to Custer, joining the ranks of artists and other eclectic personalities in Custer County ... Custer Community Improvement Committee commended Tanya Olson for her presentation of the Custer City Design and Maintenance Guidelines to the planning commission.
One of the top trail running races in the world, the Coastal Challenge, is being run this week in the Latin American country of Costa Rica and will have a participant who started her running career as a student in Custer.
A 2009 graduate of the ACE alternative high school, Ashton Keck now lives in Costa Rica and is participating in the 236km (Nearly 147 miles) Coastal Challenge race. The competition lasts six days (Feb. 7-12) and will have her running through rainforests, along the tropical coastline and on mountain trails near the Pacific Ocean.
10 years ago, 2010 — Shane Gruber, 17, Custer, shot a 134-pound male mountain lion northwest of Custer while hunting with his father, Gary. A total of 30 lions had been taken at this point in the season ... Banished from Custer State Park for a growing list of reasons, the Black Hills Playhouse show planned to go on during the summer, but in mobile fashion ... Information about the four-day school week was provided to Custer School Board by Supt. Dr. Tim Creal.
