Custer County Chronicle

Bear spotted near Hermosa

Published by admin on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 9:40am
Bridget Shorb, who lives off Murphy Road north of Hermosa, was surprised to get a call from her sister-in-law shortly before 9 a.m. Monday telling her a bear was headed toward her house. So while still on the phone, she headed outside with Leia, her German Shepherd, to investigate. 
“I went out and stood on the driveway and was talking to her, but I didn’t see anything,” said Shorb. 
At that time the bear was apparently making its way up the valley from near Hwy. 79 where it was first spotted by Craig Nelson, Shorb’s neighbor.

Buffalo will still come downtown

Published by admin on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 9:38am
The buffalo are still coming. They are just stuck in the chutes.
After announcing several weeks ago it would help return the fiberglass buffalo herd to downtown street corners this year, the Custer Area Arts Council had a snag when signs warning people to stay off the buffalo were slow to come to fruition.
Laurie Arthur, arts council treasurer, said the council planned to spray paint stencils on the sidewalk near the buffalo warning people to stay off them, but learned that technique wouldn’t last long enough.

Another body found in park

Published by admin on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 9:33am
The Custer County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 52- year-old Minnesota man whose body was found Monday near Stockade Lake in Custer State Park. The cause of death was not immediately known and an autopsy has been ordered. 
Sheriff Marty Mechaley said dispatch received a call early Monday morning from authorities in Minnesota asking law enforcement to be on the lookout for a man on a motorcycle who was believed to be suicidal. Authorities had determined from cell phone records that the man had been in Custer County the past several days. 

Plant improvements move ahead

Published by admin on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 9:31am
The Custer City Council took the next step in improving the city’s wastewater treatment facility when it approved the proposed antidegradation alternative analysis at its June 15 meeting.
Trent Bruce of DRG Engineering told the council the document justifies the ability to consider new treatment options that may not meet all the state requirements regarding effluent discharge.

Groundbreaking set for Hermosa School

Published by admin on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 9:31am
School district officials, teachers and students are all expected to participate in a formal groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday in Hermosa for the new school building to be constructed there beginning this summer.
Scheduling the event for June 30 at 6 p.m. came as the Custer School District Board of Education met in a special meeting Monday to approve the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the project submitted by Dean Kurtz Construction, which is the construction manager at risk for the project. 

County gets Forest Service update

Published by admin on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 9:25am
The front doors are locked, but the U.S. Forest Service supervisor’s office/ Hell Canyon Ranger District is still open for business.
That was the message delivered to the Custer County Commission by Hell Canyon district ranger Tracy Anderson at the commission’s June 17 meeting.

City extends restrictions to Sept. 1

Published by admin on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 9:36am
Custer’s ordinance and resolutions that declare a public health emergency due to COVID-19, limit public gatherings and modify how city business can be conducted will be extended by the Custer City Council, pending a second reading at the council’s next meeting. The first reading of a new ordinance to extend restrictions was passed by the council at its regular Monday evening meeting.
The council unanimously voted to extend the social distancing guidelines, etc., under a new ordinance that expires Sept. 1.

Park buffalo charges hiker

Published by admin on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 9:32am
A lone hiker in Custer State Park suffered minor injuries when he was charged by a buffalo during a June 4 hike in Custer State Park.
The out-of-state hiker was hiking on Centennial Trail near Badger Hole when he crested a hill and encountered a mature bull at the top of the hill. The hiker turned to go in the opposite direction, but the bull charged him and bumped him to the ground.

Prom (finally) set for Friday

Published by admin on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 9:32am
It’s pretty unusual to schedule a high school prom just one week before graduation, but then there have been a great many unusual things happening in 2020. 
Custer High School students will gather at Wheels West RV Park and Campground just east of Custer within sight of Calamity Peak on Friday for their long-delayed prom. Graduation is set for Saturday, June 27. 

Pechota wins dice roll for council seat

Published by admin on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 9:31am
Todd Pechota will join the Custer City Council as its newest alderman at the council’s July 6 meeting. He has the number 11 to thank.
While saying two people are really tied might be along the same lines as saying someone is a little pregnant, Carrie Moore and Pechota were really tied.