Custer County Chronicle

Tomac out as forest supervisor

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:18am

Jeff Tomac, who has served as supervisor of the Black Hills National Forest for the past two years, has been reassigned to the Rocky Mountain regional office in Colorado. A U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman declined to comment fully on the reason for the reassignment.
Regional press officer Donna Nemeth said on Monday that Tomac “is on assignment as a special assistant to the regional forester, working on high priority issues in the regional rangeland management program.”

French Creek effluent could be declared nuisance

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:13am

When the June 6 election comes this spring, the residents of Custer County will have an opportunity to decide whether discharging water from the City of Custer’s wastewater treatment plant into French Creek will be declared a nuisance by Custer County.
Whether or not that impending vote will be anything more than symbolic? That’s up for debate.

Ladner charged with simple assault

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:12am

The husband of a District 30 representative is facing a charge of simple assault in the wake of an incident that occurred at the conclusion of the Feb. 25 legislative crackerbarrel held at Custer Senior Center.

No decision on section line improvement

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:12am

If the Custer County Commission moves ahead with authorizing the improvement of one mile of section line from Aspen Lane to Harris Lane, it won’t be anytime soon.
That was the message delivered by the commission at its March 8 meeting, as the possible improvement was again discussed at the behest of commissioner Mike Busskohl.

A lifetime of Sunrise Services: the lost years

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:11am

This is part three of a seven-part series exploring the rich history of the Easter sunrise service at Mount Rushmore National Memorial as the tradition will celebrate its 75th year on April 9.

Bluegrass jams return for spring

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

Anyone with a mandolin, banjo, fiddle or guitar is welcome to come to the Custer Beacon on Wednesday nights. The first jam took place last Wednesday, and they will continue through the rest of the spring. Any musicians with acoustic instruments are welcome to participate. The jams will be held each Wednesday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Custer woman dies in Fall River County crash

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:07am

A Custer woman has been identified as the person who died last March 8 in a one-vehicle crash southeast of Hot Springs.
Preliminary crash information indicates that a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee was northbound on U.S. Hwy. 18 when it left the roadway, entered the median and rolled.
Michelle Gudeta, the 30-year-old driver, was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the vehicle. She was transferred by ambulance to Fall River Health Services in Hot Springs where she later died.

Observers note more positive pulse in South Dakota politics

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 9:56am

As it winds to a close, the 2023 legislative session in South Dakota will likely be remembered as the year of the great tax cut debate and for the somewhat surprising willingness of the GOP-led Legislature to reject several proposals from a popular Republican governor.
But many observers and participants in the process are noting another significant milestone this year: a noticeable return to civility, decorum and cordiality in the state Capitol.

Input sought on solar lights

Published by admin on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 10:25am

A $700,000 project that would see solar lighting placed along the Mickelson Trail within the city limits of Custer is being explored by the Custer Area Economic Development’s Recreation/Wellness team, and the team would like to gauge city residents’ interest in the project.

Some opposed to Elk Mountain well

Published by admin on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 10:24am

A handful of residents in the Custer Highlands area have filed a petition opposing the application for a water rights permit for the Elk Mountain Water Users Association’s planned well near Elk Mountain School.