Custer County Chronicle

Harlow’s talks driver walkout

Published by admin on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 2:58pm

At this time, the exact number of bus drivers who abruptly quit Harlow’s School Bus Service Feb. 19 is not known.
Harlow’s region vice president Warren Lanphier said the drivers decided as a group to quit and did not say why they quit.
To handle the loss of drivers, Lanphier said certified drivers from around the region were brought in to fill the gaps, “until we could bring drivers back or hire additional drivers.”
A Custer School District (CSD) bus inspection did take place Feb. 17. 

Dry weather douses beetle

Published by admin on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 3:16pm

By Esther Noe

HVAC fix will likely cost county millions

Published by admin on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 3:13pm

The HVAC system in the Custer County Courthouse is coming to the end of its useful life—and its replacement is not going to be cheap.
The replacement for the system is going to cost the county millions of dollars, and at the Feb. 17 meeting of the Custer County Commission, the commission discussed how it will go about selecting a new system and funding options.

Commission hears fire opt-out parameters

Published by admin on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 3:12pm

A proposed opt-out to assist county volunteer fire departments would essentially double the current fire fund mil levy in areas of the county not already within the boundaries of fire districts.
The current mil levy would rise from around 0.1990 to around .395 if the levy, which would add .196 to the fire fund levy, if approved by voters during the June primary. That was the information shared at the Feb. 17 meeting of the Custer County Commission as the opt-out was discussed by Klinton Rittberger, president of the county fire board.

Changes down the road after bus driver walkout

Published by admin on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 3:12pm

A number of bus drivers recently abruptly quit Harlow’s School Bus Service, causing a sudden disruption in school transportation services as replacements needed to be arranged with little notice.

Fire opt-out meeting March 9

Published by admin on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 3:06pm

The Custer County Fire Advisory Board will host a public comment meeting March 9 from 6-8 p.m. at the Custer County Courthouse Annex Pine Room.
Board members will be on hand to both present information and answer questions regarding the proposed opt-out.

City OKs summer music series

Published by admin on Wed, 02/25/2026 - 3:02pm

Music is returning outdoors this summer in Custer, thanks to the Custer County Historical Society/1881 Museum and the South Dakota Outdoor Shop.
Courthouse museum director Deb Hanagan asked for and received approval from the Custer City Council at the council’s Feb. 17 meeting to have an open container area for eight events over the course of the 2026 season, including for a summer music series.

Fire departments vote in favor of opting out

Published by admin on Wed, 02/18/2026 - 12:58pm

Winners, losers emerging on property tax bills

Published by admin on Wed, 02/18/2026 - 12:56pm

South Dakota lawmakers in Pierre have property tax proposals aplenty to discuss, built upon 19 ideas from a tax relief task force and others from the governor and individual legislators. 
Last Thursday they tore through a flurry of the bills, leaving some in the conversation and dropping others out.
The activity came a day after Gov. Larry Rhoden signed a property tax bill into law for the first time this legislative session.

Property owner holds suspect at gunpoint

Published by admin on Wed, 02/18/2026 - 12:53pm

Sunday, Feb. 15 was progressing like any other day for Steve Saint, owner of Ft. Welikit Campground, located north of Custer on Sylvan Lake Road.
Saint was doing campground work in his home, which is located on the campground property, when an alert from one of his Ring cameras came across his phone.
Thinking it was likely his wife setting off cameras they own at a property in Colorado, he didn’t pay much attention to the alert. When another alert came across, he glanced at his phone.
Ten minutes later, he would have a would-be burglar at gunpoint.