Custer County Chronicle

CSD libraries receive statewide award

Published by admin on Wed, 08/05/2026 - 12:47pm

Here’s an achievement to bookmark. The Custer School District (CSD) libraries, including Custer Elementary School, Custer High School and Hermosa School, recently received the School Achievement Through Libraries (SATL) award through the South Dakota State Library (SDSL). This accreditation is valid for three years, running from 2026-2029. 
The application process for the award was completed by district library coordinator Doris Ann Mertz and her team of library paras. Mertz was the county library director for 11 years before she transitioned to  CSD in 2022. 

City, county inching closer to law enforcement pact

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:29pm

Judging by events that took place at the July 22 meeting of the Custer County Commission, it appears the City of Custer and Custer County may be nearing reaching an agreement on a new contract for the county to provide law enforcement for the City of Custer once more.
Nothing is a done deal yet, however, as a proposed requirement for the contract received by Custer County in its most recent letter from the City of Custer has provided the latest sticking point in the negotiations.

City wants more info from CVFD

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:21pm

The Custer City Council wants to see more details of budget figures from the Custer Volunteer Fire Department before agreeing to provide an additional $269,500 in funding to the $30,5000 allocated to the department for 2026.
That was the message relayed to department chief Matt Spring at the July 20 meeting of the council, at which Spring came before the department to make the request for the additional funding.

Hermosa battles water supply issues

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:21pm

After weeks of setbacks and water restrictions, the Hermosa Board of Trustees has mapped out a way forward to preserve and strengthen the drinking water supply to Hermosa residents. The timing of the ordeal coincided with record-setting regional heat and drought conditions, but an end is in sight. 

Burn ban back on

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:20pm

Custer County has reinstated a burn ban effective as of Monday, to coincide with the Black Hills National Forest moving to Level II restrictions on Forest Service land.

Woman dies in Hermosa house fire

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:20pm

While on the phone with emergency services July 21, 77-year-old Margaret Miracle of Hermosa died of smoke inhalation due to the fire that consumed her home and blocked the exit. 
The fire was called into the Custer County Sheriff’s Office’s 911 center by Miracle who was trapped inside at 7:45 p.m. The house was located off Hwy. 36. 
“(Miracle) reported that there was a fire in her living room and that she was unable to get out of the house,” said Custer County Sheriff Derrick Reifenrath. 

Trump says no August recess with out SAVE America Act

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:17pm

President Donald Trump on Monday called on the U.S. Senate to cancel its five-week August break, keeping lawmakers in session to advance several of his priorities, despite not having the votes.
Trump wrote in a social media post that he wanted Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the chamber open, preventing vulnerable Republicans facing reelection from the campaign trail, to pass a voter identification bill, among other measures. 

SAR in the running for $30k prize

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 12:16pm

Friends of Custer County Search and Rescue (Friends) has been selected as one of only five North American finalists in the Search, Rescue & Emergency Support Services category of the 2026 Defender Service Awards presented by CHASE.

New term, same team for Custer School District

Published by admin on Wed, 07/29/2026 - 11:58am

Business shall continue as usual in the Custer School District (CSD) as Larry Baker, Travis Hartshorn and Sara Barrick took their oath of office to continue as members of the board of education for the next three years at the July 13 meeting in Custer. Baker and Hartshorn also asked to forgo payment for their services. 

Holly Nielsen’s FCCLA project first in nation

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 12:28pm

From bronze to gold, Holly Nielsen is making herself known in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) organization nationwide, placing first at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference July 6-10 in the National Programs in Action—Stand Up category for her project Petals of Appreciation. 
Nielsen, the daughter of Dane and Karen Nielsen of Custer, is heading into her senior year at Custer Jr./Sr. High School, and she has been involved in FCCLA since seventh grade.