Custer County Chronicle

‘Life savings in jeopardy’

Published by admin on Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:38pm

A handful of Custer County residents near where gold exploratory drilling is set to begin understand there probably isn’t much they can do to stop the project from moving forward.
That doesn’t mean they aren’t going to try.
At the July 10 meeting of the Custer County Commission, some of those residents were before the commission to plead with the commission to help them find avenues to slow or stop the project, which got the green light from the U.S. Forest Service June 18.

Pitching the fire district

Published by admin on Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:37pm

Around 40 people were on hand at the Custer Volunteer Fire Department hall July 8 for the first of a series of informational meetings regarding the proposal to create a Custer Fire Protection District that fire department officials say is being necessitated by a dwindling number of volunteers, rising call volume and skyrocketing costs, among other issues.
Fire department assistant chief Matt Spring and secretary Selena Spring led the discussion, which began with a one-hour PowerPoint presentation that laid out the department’s plans and reasons for the district.

Crimes, fire hit county

Published by admin on Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:37pm

First responders in Custer County have been kept busy the past week, as an RV fire, an assault on a postal worker and and a hit and run were among the incidents responded to by the Custer Volunteer Fire Department, Custer County Sheriff’s Office and others the past week.
On July 5 at 5:14 p.m. sheriff’s deputies were called to Hermosa for a report of a man assaulting a U.S. Postal worker.

‘Ready to start another tea party’

Published by admin on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 9:59am

Armed with a box of Irish tea, Gretchen O’Mahoney declared she was ready for another Boston Tea Party.
O’Mahoney, an elderly Custer County resident, brought the tea to the June 20 meeting of the Custer County Commission, saying she was ready to pass the tea out to whomever would like to join her as she rebelled against the skyrocketing property taxes in Custer County.

Buffalo Gap Blowout set for July 12-13

Published by admin on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 9:58am

The annual Buffalo Gap Blowout makes its return to Custer County this weekend, July 12-13.
The fun starts on Friday evening. At 6 p.m. at the rodeo arena a quarter mile east of town, there will be a barrel racing jackpot event (exhibitions, peewee, youth 3D and open 4D series) presented by Crushin’ Cans. For more information call 605-890-0959 or go to the Crushin’ Cans and Ropin’ Calves Facebook Page.
The rest of the fun takes place Saturday starting with a parade through town at 11 a.m.

Council members take oaths

Published by admin on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 9:56am

Incumbent city council members  Julie Jenniges, Todd Pechota and Dixie Whitaker  were sworn in for their next terms on the council after taking the oath of office at the Custer City Council meeting last Monday evening, July 1.
Following the oath of office, the council elected its president and vice president. Alderwoman Nina Nielsen made a motion to nominate Peg Ryan for council president, and with no other nominations, it was carried unanimously. Ryan’s motion to nominate Nielsen for vice president was also passed unanimously.

Buffalo Gap tax issue still in flux

Published by admin on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 9:55am

There is no new news—and a little additional confusion—regarding the missing tax payments owed to the federal government by the Town of Buffalo Gap.
The issue was discussed briefly at the town’s July 1 meeting, with town chief financial officer Shelley Harris telling the 30 or so people gathered at the Buffalo Gap Community Center for the meeting that the town recently received a letter from the IRS saying all taxes were paid for the first quarter of the year, while another letter was received saying back taxes of $6,000 were still owed.

First responders busy with accidents

Published by admin on Wed, 07/10/2024 - 9:55am

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office responded to a couple vehicle accidents Monday, June 29.

Vissia resigns as county DOE

Published by admin on Tue, 07/02/2024 - 12:07pm

Custer County is in search of a new director of equalization after Leah Vissia resigned following an executive session at the Custer County Commission’s June 20 meeting. Her final day in the role is July 5.
Vissia started as the head of the county’s equalization office Oct. 21, 2019. Since that time property valuations and subsequently property taxes have skyrocketed as Vissia’s office struggled to get the county in line with state-mandated valuations in regards to full and true value of county property sales.

Debate over land subdivision riles some at meeting

Published by admin on Tue, 07/02/2024 - 12:07pm

The Custer County Commission wants the Town of Hermosa to deal with a variance/subdividing request within its one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction before it delves into the issue, it was learned at the June 20 meeting of the Custer County Commission.