Custer County Chronicle

District 30 plans for property tax reform

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:16am

What is the plan to address property taxes?
District 30 Rep. Trish Ladner and Rep.-elect Tim Goodwin shared more about the property tax bills they are working on during the District 30 Legislators Discussion on Education meeting hosted by the Hill City School District (HCSD) Board of Education Dec. 18.
Entering her third session, Ladner said her passion is property taxes.

Community center master plan unveiled

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 10:15am

At the Dec. 16 meeting of the Custer City Council, Matt Fridell and Tanya Olson of Tallgrass Landscape Architecture gave an overview of the Custer Community Center Master Plan, a project that has been in discussion for years now, with several public meetings haven taken place over the past year to narrow focus on the project.
The presentation began with a summary of the existing facilities on site for the center, which include the city pool, old elementary school lot, county annex and library as well as a parking lot.

District 30 legislators react to budget address

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 9:07am

Proposed cuts to the state library, South Dakota Public Broadcasting and the creation of Education Savings Accounts were among the topics discussed by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem when she gave her final budget address as governor Dec. 3 at the state capitol in Pierre.
The state’s Bureau of Finance and Management released a summary saying the proposed budget  for fiscal year 2026 prioritize “people over programs,” but it is already receiving hearty pushback from many corners, particularly when it comes to the proposed cuts.

City commits more funds to West Dam

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 9:06am

The City of Custer will spend $156,620 on design and bidding services for the West Dam reconstruction project, after the council approved the expenditure at its Dec. 16 meeting.
The money will support RESPEC’s proposal for a pair of subtasks to help meet the city’s goal of beginning sediment removal from the reservoir. Work has already begun at the site to install erosion control and cut a channel to allow the pond to dry out.

Hermosa won’t commit to childcare study

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 9:06am

The last meeting of 2024 for the Hermosa Board of Trustees was held Dec. 17. The usual array of topics was up for discussion, including the new treatment plant, which should be fully functional by February 2025; the lease of the town shop; the progressing plans for obtaining Hill City’s old Vaktor truck; and an upcoming work session for the board scheduled for Jan. 28.

‘Vouchers’ are focus of District 30 discussion

Published by admin on Tue, 12/24/2024 - 8:48am

Seventeen school board members, teachers, librarians, superintendents, business managers, principals and parents gathered at the Hill City High School Board Room Dec. 18 for the District 30 Legislators Discussion on Education meeting hosted by the Hill City School District (HCSD) Board of Education.
Primarily, those in attendance were from the HCSD and the Custer School District (CSD). A representative from Edgemont attended as well.

Lack of fire funds discussed

Published by admin on Wed, 12/18/2024 - 3:31pm

A recurring theme was revisited at the Dec. 11 meeting of the Custer County Commission when Fairburn Fire Department chief Klinton Rittberger came before the commission to discuss how inflation is hammering county departments in terms of keeping up with proper funding and equipment for those departments.

Board talks facilities, ‘voucher’ program

Published by admin on Wed, 12/18/2024 - 3:30pm

The Custer School District Board of Education met last Monday, Dec. 9, at the Hermosa School.
Among the topics of discussion was the current construction project at the Custer Jr./Sr. High School to build a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) addition. After breaking ground on the building in September, things have more or less been moving along as planned.

Hermosa selects lagoon contractor

Published by admin on Wed, 12/18/2024 - 3:29pm

The Hermosa board meeting was well attended on Dec. 3 to discuss upcoming and ongoing infrastructure projects and Christmas events.  
Hermosa area residents were prparing for a festive end of the week, with the first annual Hermosa Christmas Parade held Dec. 14, with other festivities ahead of time, including ice skating at the baseball fields, hay rides and a chili cookoff at the fairgrounds and community center and cookies and hot chocolate at the post office.  

Sheriff’s office investigating thefts

Published by admin on Wed, 12/18/2024 - 3:29pm

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of thefts that have taken place in Custer County, including stolen mail and packages, tools, and a saddle, as well as other items. Locations of the thefts include the areas west of Custer along Hwy. 16 to Pleasant Valley Road, south on Hwy. 385 from Custer to Farmer Road and 20 mile road, as well as within Custer city limits.