Custer County Chronicle

School board opposes standards

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:37am

Current and retired Custer School District teachers came out in droves to last Monday’s Custer School District Board of Education meeting to express their disapproval of proposed new social studies standards for the state. The district’s curriculum director, Nora Smolnisky, presented an overview of the standards. The board passed a resolution during that same meeting in opposition to the standards.

Hermosa man pleads guilty to cybercrime

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:37am

Last Friday morning Hermosa resident Jason Ford pleaded guilty to one felony count of unlawful use of a computer system with confidential data without consent of the owner. Ford was an employee of the Pennington County Treasurer’s Office and unlawfully accessed the computer system at the office from January 2019 to March of 2022.

South Dakota teacher shortage worsens

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:36am

There were 176 statewide teacher openings at the end of December 2022, compared to 111 at the end of December 2021, a result of teacher retirements but also a rise in K-12 enrollment in South Dakota from 128,000 to 141,000 students over the past decade. The current openings include 36 in special education and 34 in elementary education.

Paying its fair share?

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 10:15am

Custer State Park is 71,000 acres of splendor that draws millions of people to Custer County annually.
It can also be a financial burden to Custer County, the Custer County Commission believes.

Assessments likely to rise again

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 10:15am

Fresh off a year where most property in Custer County experienced a dramatic increase in the assessed value of their property—and subsequently saw their property taxes spike—the Custer County Commission learned at its Dec. 28 meeting assessments are set to rise again, as property assessments still do not match the prices for which property is selling in the county.

City hears another plea on French Creek

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 10:14am

Two members of the Preserve French Creek group were once again before the Custer City Council to ask the council to reconsider relocating its wastewater discharge to French Creek from Flynn Creek, which the city is in the process of doing as part of its wastewater treatment facility upgrade.
Jill Schanzenbach spoke during the open forum portion of the council’s Jan. 3 meeting, saying the issue was the same, and again pleading for some kind of stay on French Creek “so that issues can be discussed and [we can] come to some kind of resolution.”

‘The Best’ coming Jan. 18

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 10:13am

On Jan. 18, the Custer County Chronicle and Hill City Prevailer News will put a new spin on the year in review when they publish the fifth annual “The Best,” which will feature photos and short descriptions of many of the things that happened in Custer County, Hill City and Keystone.
This separate publication will be printed in tabloid size in color, making for a great keepsake. It will be inserted into the Jan. 18 issues of both newspapers.

Legislators weigh in on upcoming session

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 10:03am

As South Dakota enters a new legislative session, the Chronicle heard from District 30 Representatives on their insights.
One topic of interest was Gov. Kristi Noem’s budget address given in December, which was met with varying attitudes.
“The governor’s address is her ‘wish list’ for the upcoming legislative session, and it’s always good to hear what her priorities, goals and objectives are before going into session,” said Rep. Trish Ladner.

State nixes Hermosa sewer line again

Published by admin on Thu, 01/12/2023 - 10:00am

For the seventh time since March of last year, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) has sent a letter disapproving the use of a newly-constructed sewer pipeline for the Town of Hermosa.
At issue is the fact that the sewer line, which runs through a flood plain, is too close to the surface and that the town failed to get DANR approval prior to starting construction on the project.

Marty and Jen Mechaley are the Custer County Chronicle Citizens of the Year

Published by admin on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 9:36am

It was the right thing to do.
Those were the words of Jen Mechaley, explaining why she and her husband, Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley, decided to take on the momentous task of helping free several girls and women from the grip of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
We couldn’t agree more.
What’s also the right thing to do? Honor the Mechaleys for their kindness and selflessness for not only helping the Jeffs, but being an overall asset to Custer County.