Custer County Chronicle

Down Memory Lane - Mar. 31

Published by admin on Thu, 04/01/2021 - 10:06am

­­10 years ago, 2011 — FLDS prophet Warren Jeffs revealed how he found the land on which the FLDS compound in Custer County sits in an April 2004 recitation: “This area will become a stronghold for the redemption fo Zion. Other lands will be purchased in this area, the Black Hills,” he added ... Custer School District was considering opting out of the state aid formula because of a budget shortfall. The district had made $1 million in cuts since 2000 ... A vehicle driven by Cody Hadlock, 19, of Custer broke off a power pole and slammed into Dakota Trading Post.

Sheriff's Log March 18-20

Published by admin on Thu, 04/01/2021 - 9:57am

Thursday, March 18
2:47 a.m.: A burglar alarm came from a residence on Elk Valley Road. It was false, like all the others.
7:04 a.m.: Someone called to report their driveway had been blocked by plowed-up snow and ice in the Custer area. The matter was referred to the city.
9:29 a.m.: Deputies were asked to check the welfare of a family, with minimal information on their whereabouts. The family was eventually found in another county, safe and sound.
9:31 a.m.: A deputy checked the welfare of a person on Usera Drive near Hermosa.

Team effort opens airport

Published by admin on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 9:26am

While area residents were struggling early last week to dig out from under the two feet of heavy snow left behind by storm Xylia, Custer’s airport manager was concerned about the possibility of needing to land and take off an aircraft for a medical evacuation.
For that to take place, the 5,000-foot asphalt runway would have to be cleared of drifted snow and enough room on the apron near the terminal would need to be opened up so any planes could be turned around.

Eight Days in Custer County

Published by admin on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 9:13am

Thursday, March 25
Hermosa School Kindergarten Roundup and Pre-Registration, Hermosa School, Call 255-4345 for an appointment
Lions Club, 5:30 p.m., Pizza Works
The Straner Braid Talk, 6 p.m., Custer Jr./Sr. High School Theare
Life Struggles Suicide Prevention Group, 6 p.m., Custer VFW
Civil Air Patrol, 7 p.m., Custer County Airport

Friday, March 26
Purple People Storytime Day, 10 a.m., Custer County Library Facebook Page
The Great Easter Egg Hunt, 4-6 p.m., Start at Custer State Farm

Sheriff's Log March 13-18

Published by admin on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 9:07am

Saturday, March 13
The 911 Misdial of the Day: Someone’s new “smart” phone started calling for help right after it was turned on. Watches with gears in them never did this.
9:34 a.m.: A found backpack was turned in at the sheriff’s office under somewhat suspicious circumstances. A deputy investigated and found the pack belonged to a person taken to the hospital in Rapid City and delivered it to a deputy from that county to be reunited with its owner.
10:48 a.m.: A deputy checked on an abandoned vehicle on Hwy. 40 west of Custer. It disappeared a short time later.

South Dakota tourism hopes for big bounce back

Published by admin on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 8:58am

South Dakota tourism officials and operators are happy to see a tough 2020 in the rearview mirror, and even happier to look forward to what could be a banner year for visitors and spending in 2021.
Aside from some pockets of unexpected prosperity in 2020 — in tourist activities focused on the outdoors and at accommodations located in wide-open or wilderness settings — the South Dakota tourism industry suffered significant reductions in visitors and revenues last year.

Eight Days in Custer County

Published by admin on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 9:29am

Thursday, March 18
Custer Elementary Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Roundup and Pre-Registration, Custer Elementary School, Call 673-4483 for an appointment
Custer Area Chamber of Commerce Mixer, 5-7 p.m., Art Expressions Gallery
Civil Air Patrol, 7 p.m., Custer County Airport

Saturday, March 20
Buffalo Gap Community Dance, 7 p.m., Buffalo Gap Community Center

Monday, March 22
Rotary, noon, Mountainview Room at Crazy Horse Memorial

Down Memory Lane - Mar. 17

Published by admin on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 9:27am

­­10 years ago, 2011 —  Custer School District was considering cutting music and art, as it faced a $910,000 budget shortfall ,,, The controversy over whether or not city attorney Chris Beesley could be allowed to be part owner of a liquor store in a city-owned building ended when he withdrew his proposal to participate in the operation and ownership of the city liquor store ... The old ranger’s residence at Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch was burned after it was condemned by Black Hills Area Council Scout Board, as it was deemed uninhabitable.

Sheriff's Log March 6-12

Published by admin on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 9:16am

Saturday, March 6
The 911 Misdial of the Day: A 911 misdial came in from the Hazelrodt Cutoff area. The cagey caller would not give his full name but appeared to be in no distress.
6:22 a.m.: A deputy noticed a flashing red light on a city-owned pump house east of Custer. City crews were contacted to deal with it.
8:21 a.m.: A deputy dealt with dog drama on Paha Sapa Drive near Fairburn.
12:19 p.m.: A deputy checked the welfare of a person at a residence on Dewey Road. The person purported to be fine.

Steve Esser is new OEM director

Published by admin on Thu, 03/11/2021 - 9:20am

After spending over two decades working for the state, Steve Esser decided he wanted a new challenge. He found it at the Custer County Courthouse.
Esser is the new Office of Emergency Management director for Custer County, having started March 3. His career in government work began in 1999 when he worked in Custer State Park for the Department of Game, Fish & Parks before joining S.D. Wildland Fire in 2007. When he left. he was serving as fire management officer for Hot Springs Fire District.