Custer County Chronicle

Down Memory Lane April 24

Published by admin on Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:36am

10 years ago, 2014 — It looked as if the winner of this year’s Custer County Chronicle “Biggest Loser” contest might well end up being the person who simply sticks out the contest for six months. Eight more contestants fell by the wayside and the competition was only halfway though...Cassie Cowan was  winner of the Jodi Larabee Pep in Your Step Award. Cowan, daughter of Kim Cowan, was presented the sixth-annual award commemorating Larabee at the Custer High School cheer banquet...Law officers served a “Demand for Possession” Wednesday to residents of the YFZ Ranch near Eldorado.

Black Hills Live April 24

Published by admin on Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:35am

Wednesday 4-24

Men’s Breakfast
Bible Study
The Little White Church
Hill City, SD
7:30 AM

Custer County Commission
Custer County Courthouse
Custer, SD
8 AM

Seniors Functional Fitness
Hill City Center
Hill City, SD
9 AM

Women’s Bible Study
The Little White Church
Hill City, SD
10 AM

Seniors Bridge Card Games
Hill City Center
Hill City, SD
10 AM - 3 PM

Public forum highlights potential property tax political storm

Published by admin on Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:34am

Some frustrated taxpayers attended a public forum Saturday to tell state officials they’re taking the wrong approach to taxation.
Several of the roughly 100 attendees said legislators and Gov. Kristi Noem should raise the sales tax rate instead of reducing it, and use the money to replace some of the local government revenue currently supplied by property taxes.
“I don’t think there’s any other way around getting our property taxes taken care of unless we raise the sales tax,” said audience member Beth Paulson of Custer.

Sheriff's Log March 25 - April 2

Published by admin on Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:25am

Custer County Sheriff’s Log
Call of the Week

Monday, April 1
6:09 p.m.: Several 911 calls came in during the evening reporting smoke north of Hwy. 40 near the Oglala Lakota County line. The smoke was from a legal burn pit being operated on private property in six inches of fresh snow at below freezing temperatures. Apparently common sense isn’t so common in this age of cell phones. 

Gov. Kristi Noem banned from fourth South Dakota reservation

Published by admin on Wed, 04/24/2024 - 10:18am

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe in south-central South Dakota is the fourth tribal nation to ban Gov. Kristi Noem from tribal lands this year.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe banished Noem in February after she spoke to the Legislature alleging Mexican drug cartels have infiltrated reservations. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe banned Noem earlier this month for comments she made at a town hall in Winner, alleging some tribal leaders are “personally benefiting” from cartels. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Rosebud Sioux Tribe banned Noem this week for her comments and in solidarity.

Freuh is district Teacher of the Year

Published by admin on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 9:29am

Kris Freuh, the reading interventionist at Hermosa School, has been named the Custer School District Teacher of the Year. The nomination came from her fellow teachers and staff at the school, and Frueh said she was surprised by the award.
“I was shocked. I really was,” said Freuh. She said she wasn’t expecting it and is  “completely honored.”

Naugle named outstanding superintendent

Published by admin on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 9:26am

Custer School District superintendant Mark Naugle has been named the 2024 Outstanding Superintendent Award by the South Dakota School Superintendents Association (SDSSA) in a letter that came earlier this month.
“You never expect to get anything like that,” Naugle said, saying he was surprised and humbled by the recognition. This is Naugle’s 10th year as the district superintendent, but he’s also a graduate of Custer High School.
He said the job is bigger than just one person, though, a result of the larger effort of the district as a whole.

Down Memory Lane April 17

Published by admin on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 9:14am

10 years ago, 2014 — It was the end of the road for parents, supporters and athletes of the soccer program after the Custer School District Board of Education decided not to add the sport back. “John (Pedersen, interim superintendent) talked with other coaches about the soccer program and they felt since numbers had dropped in student population and with the cutbacks, we’re not at that level yet,” said Tom Martin, board president.

Sheriff's Log March 21-24

Published by admin on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 8:55am

Thursday, March 21
2:32 p.m.: Deputies helped search-and-rescue personnel with locating a lost child on a large peak near Sylvan Lake. The lost youth was part of a school group that seems to lose someone every year they take this hike.
3:45 p.m.: More lost people were reported from the same group near Sylvan Lake. They were quickly found and reunited with the rest of the crew.
3:47 p.m.: A deputy assisted another agency with an investigation on Rose Place near Custer.

Hargens gives hints to county location

Published by admin on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 8:32am

This is another episode of: Where is it? What is it? Who is it? It is intended to get folks out of the house and into the forest and fresh air.
This involves a project that was seen as wasteful of taxpayer’s funds and therefore filled with misgivings and skepticism.
This government-funded project was apparently administered by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.
The project involved constructing a concrete dam and pipeline in Custer County about 18 miles from Custer.