Custer County Chronicle

Starting the conversation on suicide

Published by admin on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 9:06am

Hope has power – it drives us to achieve incredible things that we never thought possible or endure difficulties that previously seemed insurmountable. Unfortunately, for the same reasons, hopelessness can hold tremendous power over a person’s life, too. Too often, that loss of hope leads to suicide, a suicide that is entirely preventable. Suicide is a growing public health issue in our country and in South Dakota, and it affects each of our lives in some way.

Some information on Medicaid expansion

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 9:15am

Constitutional Amendment D, sponsored by South Dakotans Decide Healthcare, will appear on the November ballot.
Amendment D seeks to expand Medicaid by changing the state constitution, which is viewed traditionally as a more ironclad method of initiating new policies.
South Dakota is one of 12 states where federal funding to expand Medicaid has not yet been accepted by the state. So, Medicaid eligibility rules in South Dakota remain the same as they were prior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Recess, recess, read all about it

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 9:02am

The month of August usually reminds people of the first day of school. But for the House of Representatives, August kicks off the traditional District Work Period or “August Recess.” Historically, August Recess was implemented because there was no air conditioning in the Senate Chamber and members and staff couldn’t handle the swampy heat of Washington. Members don’t have the month “off,” but we get to spend the majority of August in our states and districts. A majority of House and Senate Members come home every weekend after voting in Washington, D.C.

Cat food and a theology of work

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 9:01am

There I was stacking and straightening up dozens of tiny cans of Fancy Feast cat food on the store shelf last week (Who knew there were so many different flavors?) when I began reflecting on how quickly and drastically life can change.

The good and bad of shooting response

Published by admin on Thu, 07/28/2022 - 9:45am

We saw the good and the bad in terms of the response to a mass shooting within the past few months, as a catastrophic failure to properly respond to such a shooting was laid bare in the past few weeks as more and more reports come out about the response, or lack thereof, to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Contrast that with the situation at the Greenwood Park Mall in Indiana, where Elisjsha Dicken saved countless lives when he drew his pistol, engaged and killed a mass shooter.

On words

Published by admin on Thu, 07/28/2022 - 9:42am

I meant what I said in my introductory article on page 1A that working at this newspaper is an honor to me. The words we read, hear and write matter a great deal to me. And the importance of words is an emphasis I aim to always remember in my writing career here at the Chronicle. My focus in writing for this newspaper is to convey thoughts with words selected with the right intention. I appreciate you listening and I welcome feedback. My email is  custer
chronicle@gwtc.net.

Vote no on Constitutional Amendment D

Published by admin on Thu, 07/28/2022 - 9:20am

Greetings! Hope summer is going well for all of you. Marcia and I have been at our lake cabin with grandkids. There is something special about teaching grandkids to fish.
Jonathan, 7, caught his first Northern Pike—off the dock no less. I had him run to the shoreline and reel in from there. God only knows what could happen on the dock with our chocolate lab Mocha dancing around and then trying to lift the Northern out of the water onto the dock! The fish wasn’t big to us (three pounds), but to a 7-year-old, it was huge. Great memories!

Work hasn’t stopped, time to catch up

Published by admin on Thu, 07/28/2022 - 9:20am

There has been so much going on since we last touched base. It is policy that the newspapers don’t publish articles from legislators a few weeks prior to the primary election. I totally get that, but the work didn’t stop, and it is time to catch up!  So, let’s get to it!
First of all, thank you for supporting me in the primary election. I have told many of you that there is so much more to be done, not only for District 30, but for South Dakota and I appreciate the opportunity to continue “our” work together in Pierre.

Another great Gold Discovery Days

Published by admin on Thu, 07/21/2022 - 11:02am

Is it just us, or does Gold Discovery Days seem to get bigger and better each year? If the size of the crowds that converged on Custer over the weekend are any indication, Gold Discovery Days was another huge success. Kudos to the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce staff, board and army of volunteers who make it all happen each year. It is such a well done event.

Looking back at two decades of GDD

Published by admin on Thu, 07/21/2022 - 11:01am

It was July 2001 when I participated (and covered) my first Gold Discovery Days. Two decades later, I’m still covering Gold Discovery Days, still participating and still loving it. It is such a fun time, and so well done by the army of people who make it happen.
My memories from my first Gold Discovery Days aren’t terribly vivid. I do remember there was a carnival, also on Washington Street, but I thought I remember it being set up further down the street than it is now. I also remember joining new friends for two nights out on the town at various water holes.