Custer County Chronicle

COVID-19 impacts pile up

Published by admin on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 9:05am
As COVID-19 continues to tighten its grip on Custer, County County, the state of South Dakota, the United States and the world, more and more adjustments are being made by businesses, counties and towns and locally, that is no different.
Last Wednesday, Crazy Horse Memorial issued a press release saying in “support of prevention and the collective well-being of the community,” the memorial closed last Wednesday and will remain closed through April 7, while continuing to monitor the situation.

Incest charges filed

Published by admin on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 9:03am
A Custer County man faces up to 10 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines after being arrested on two counts of incest, a Class V Felony.
John Frederick Hildebrand, Jr., 64, is alleged to have committed the acts March 17-18.
The incidents were reported by a third party and Hildebrand was placed under arrest after interviews were conducted by Custer County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Hildebrand was then transported to the Pennington County Jail. Hildebrand has yet to be arraigned on the charges.

Man questions property class

Published by admin on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 9:02am
A Custer County man seeking clarity on how his property is classified by the county and, more importantly, how much he has to pay in taxes on that property came before the Custer County Commission at the commission’s March 25 meeting to say he was getting conflicting information regarding the status of his property and taxes owed.

Employees support courthouse closure

Published by admin on Thu, 04/02/2020 - 8:59am
In an effort to protect themselves and the public, Custer County Courthouse employees told the Custer County Commission at the commission’s March 25 meeting they are in favor of closing the courthouse to the general public while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip the country.

Custer State Park to give preference to visitors

Published by admin on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:57pm
Residents of the Black Hills who want to fish Stockade Lake, hike Lover’s Leap or pet the famous Wildlife Loop Road burros while it’s warm out better get to Custer State Park (CSP) soon — because your chances to do so this summer will be slim to none.

Coronavirus chaos

Published by admin on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 9:36am
As COVID-19 continues to spread around the globe, leaving catastrophic financial and physical damage in its wake, Custer and the surrounding area are not immune to the issues felt around the world.
Cancellations and postponements too numerous to name have become the norm. The state has closed schools until early May at least, stores are struggling to keep cleaning supplies, toilet paper and certain foods and drinks in stock. Layoffs and downsizing have begun as the ripple effect of the virus continues to take a toll.

Schools still closed

Published by admin on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 9:23am
“This isn’t a break,” said Custer School District superintendent Mark Naugle. “This is alternative instruction until we get back in session.” 
Naugle made those comments at a special school board meeting held last Tuesday to decide how to handle the statewide multi-week shutdown of schools in response to the COVID-19 virus. 
School board president Heather Grace echoed Naugle’s statement, saying, “We need to emphasize school is in session. This is just an alternative way of learning for a period of time.” 

Parents sent scrambling as district schools close

Published by admin on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 9:23am
When the State of South Dakota decided to shut down its schools two weeks ago due to the coronavirus, parents throughout Custer County got a new title added to their resume: teacher.
For the past two weeks, parents have been sent scrambling to collect packets of work assigned by teachers at the school to give to their children at home, while also helping them with that work and trying to make sure their children are supervised, taken care of and, in some cases, fed, throughout the day.

Monument prepared for virus

Published by admin on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 9:22am
Monument Health Custer Hospital is prepared to handle any COVID-19 cases that may come about in Custer or the area, a threat increasingly more likely, as the first case of COVID-19 in the state west of the Missouri River was confirmed Monday.

Infighting threatens Hermosa board

Published by admin on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 9:21am
Infighting on the Hermosa Town Board has led to an unprofessional, toxic environment that is ruining the board’s ability to effectively govern, says the former finance officer for the town.
Lynn Bauter, who abruptly resigned as the town’s finance officer earlier this month after only seven months on the job, said she did so due to the dysfunction on the board. At the center of the discord is a dispute between board president Vicki Henrichsen and board member Dan Holsworth.