Custer County Chronicle

Your phone or your life

Published by admin on Wed, 04/05/2023 - 11:16am

You are watching a show on your favorite streaming service in the not-too-distant future. What cable channel, you say? Hah! Broadcast TV and cable are now antiquated things of the past, like eight-tracks, VCR tapes and the word “iconic.” Now, let’s join our streaming content, already in progress:  

Put bad actors on no-fly list

Published by admin on Wed, 03/29/2023 - 11:02am

Recently in the news was yet another example of an out-of-control airline passenger who created complete havoc on a flight, putting lives in danger and forcing those on board to tackle him to the ground.
Francisco Torres was on a cross-country flight from Los Angeles to Boston when he was arrested for attacking a flight attendant and attempting to open the plane’s emergency doors. Torres also threatened to kill people and promised a “bloodbath” before charging toward the front of the plane, where passengers tackled him to the ground and restrained him.

Racism is a learned and ugly behavior

Published by admin on Wed, 03/29/2023 - 11:01am

I can’t tell you how much I hated writing the story on the front page of this week’s paper regarding the alleged racist incident at Custer Junior High. If it truly went down the way as being portrayed, the racist words and actions this 12-year-old black child suffered at the hands of a handful of fellow junior high students is horrible.

Effluent flap seems destined for court

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:10am

The latest move in the chess match between the City of Custer and Preserve French Creek, Inc., was completed at the March 8 meeting of the Custer County Commission. It was at that meeting Preserve French Creek presented the commission with enough signatures to put on the June ballot an initiative that, if passed by county voters, would see any effluent dumped into French Creek or its tributaries deemed a county nuisance.

Legislating for the people of our state

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:09am

There’s a perception that South Dakota’s future is charted in Pierre. That’s where big decisions get made; where Governors have taken historic actions; where legislators go every winter to represent the people and vote. But that perception misses our state’s foundational principle, our beautiful slogan: “Under God, the People Rule.” As elected leaders, when we make those decisions and cast those votes, we must do it on behalf of the people.

Let the ‘sun shine’ on governments

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:04am

This week is Sunshine Week – a national observance of the importance of open government and the public’s right to know.
As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said more than a century ago: “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” It is a proverb often cited by journalists and others when making a case for why transparency in government is important.
Transparency about the workings of government proves effective in preventing corruption and misuse or abuse of tax dollars.

Lighting the Mickelson is a necessity

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:02am

I was surprised to see so much negative feedback regarding a survey to gauge public interest in solar lights for the Mickelson Trail. I know people on Facebook tend to be quicker to post a complaint or negative comment than something constructive or supportive, so I guess I  shouldn’t be surprised. I want to share why I think solar lights on Custer’s share of the Mickelson Trail would be a great thing for our community, mainly by increasing safety. There’s no reason Custer shouldn’t be a place where someone can safely and peacefully walk at night.

Legislative session is over

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:02am
The 98th South Dakota Legislative regular session has come to an end.  
We will meet for one more day on March 27 for consideration of the gubernatorial vetoes. 
The House and the Senate came together to overwhelmingly pass the biggest tax cut in the history of South Dakota. It passed the House 70 to 0 and Passed the Senate 31-2. 

Proposed Florida laws are troubling

Published by admin on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 10:13am

State legislative sessions are in full swing around the country, and with that comes some states’ continual push to try to limit the freedom of the press and shield themselves from the scrutiny of the fourth estate.
Look no further than in Florida where the legislature is pushing a bill that would require any blogger who writes about Gov. Ron DeSantis — and is paid for their work — to register with the state ethics commission or the Florida Office of Legislative Services. They must do so within five days of their first post.

Yes I’m a conspiracy theorist

Published by admin on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 10:11am

I openly and freely admit it. I am a conspiracy theorist.
I confess to it without shame and, in fact, I proclaim it proudly because the last couple of years have proven that to be the opposite of a conspiracy theorist is to be sadly and even dangerously naive about what’s really happening in our world.