Custer County Chronicle

Winter gets some payback

Published by admin on Thu, 02/25/2021 - 9:15am

With the recent arctic cold snap bringing sub-zero temperatures for more days in a row than most can remember, many are saying this is just payback for the mostly mild winter we’ve had so far.
Turns out they’re right.
Meteorologist Greg Richards of the Rapid City office of the National Weather Service says the stationary arctic cold front that kept our region locked in a deep freeze for days on end is a direct result of the milder weather we have been experiencing all winter.

Illicit fire leads to explosions

Published by admin on Thu, 02/25/2021 - 9:14am

An illegally used burn permit ended with a pair of explosions that damaged a Custer County Sheriff’s Office vehicle and caused minor injuries to the deputy in the vehicle last Saturday evening.
On Feb. 20, at around 5:33 p.m., a call to dispatch was received that a fire burning on the grounds of the Triple T Trailer Court had an explosion within it, and that the fire was “out of control.”

City pumps the brakes on land transfer

Published by admin on Thu, 02/25/2021 - 9:13am

One meeting after agreeing to move ahead with a transfer of land that would help facilitate the arrival of more affordable/subsidized housing to Custer, the Custer City Council pumped the brakes on the approved transfer, which had yet to take place.
At the center of the slowdown is the lack of a reversionary clause in the transfer agreement, a sticking point the city has said must be resolved before the transfer can be completed.

Vaccination program progresses

Published by admin on Thu, 02/25/2021 - 9:08am

The Monument Health COVID-19 vaccination program is progressing in Custer and throughout the Black Hills. So far, nearly 30,000 vaccinations have been administered at Monument Health locations, including Custer.
Katie Wiederholt, patient access specialist director, has led the process for scheduling and administering vaccinations.
Jeff McGee, RN, has been involved in vaccinations at Custer Hospital and Clinic. He said the team has the capacity to vaccinate about 60 people per day, or 300 per week.

Next week is restaurant week

Published by admin on Thu, 02/18/2021 - 9:23am

The fourth annual Custer Restaurant Week starts next Wednesday, Feb. 24, and runs to Saturday, Feb. 27, and brings Custer’s vibrant food scene to life for several days of dining. The event will showcase the freshest ingredients, most flavorful dishes and tastiest culinary gems Custer has to offer.
Participating restaurants will offer their regular menus, in addition to the Restaurant Week featured menu. It will be a great time to visit an old favorite or try something new, said Custer Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Dolsee Davenport.

STAR Academy sells for $1.325 million

Published by admin on Thu, 02/18/2021 - 9:11am

The fourth time—and a significantly lower price—was the charm for selling the former State Treatment and Rehabilitation (STAR) Academy.
The former academy, long a corrections facility for the state’s youth, was sold at auction for $1,325,000 last Friday at the Custer County Courthouse.

Church looks for a home

Published by admin on Thu, 02/18/2021 - 9:10am

Custer’s newest church is looking for a home, but the group’s pastor said he is willing to wait on God’s timing for that because he sees the hand of Providence in bringing him to the Black Hills in the first place.
Dwight Briggs is pastor of Amazing Grace Fellowship, a non-denominational Christian church meeting in his home on Eagle Ridge Drive south of Custer for weekly Bible studies and worship.

New emergency manager hired

Published by admin on Thu, 02/18/2021 - 9:09am

Steve Esser will be Custer County’s new director of emergency management, replacing the recently retired Mike Carter. The hiring took place at the regular meeting of the Custer County Commission last Wednesday during which the commissioners also heard a presentation regarding a new nationwide network offering dedicated cell phone and broadband service to first responders.

Crackerbarrel ’21 heats up cold day

Published by admin on Thu, 02/18/2021 - 9:09am

Despite temperatures in the double digits below zero on Saturday, about 30 hardy souls turned out for the 2021 Custer Legislative Crackerbarrel to be warmed by discussion that sometimes became heated. Not unexpectedly, the two issues that produced the most discussion in the forum held in the Custer High School Theatre were the proposed convention of states and the marijuana issue.

Group D up for vaccinations

Published by admin on Thu, 02/18/2021 - 9:06am

The S.D. Department of Health has announced that it has moved into Group D of its vaccination stage, meaning people ages 70 and older (65 and over with age lowered in five-year increments as allocation allows), high-risk patients (dialysis, post-transplant and active cancer) and high-risk residents living in congregate settings, residents in licensed independent living facilities and residents of licensed group homes are eligible.