Opinion

Time to fix our property tax issues

Published by admin on Wed, 12/06/2023 - 11:00am

We can all agree that property taxes are skyrocketing! It is no longer an  East River or West River issue, it’s statewide and it’s only getting  worse. I can’t begin to tell you how many homeowners from across the state  have contacted me and my fellow legislators about their property taxes.
Every individual I’ve corresponded with, whether through letters, emails  or phone calls, has consistently expressed their willingness to pay  their property taxes, but they are very concerned with the increased  financial burden.

Let’s not be so quick to cancel

Published by admin on Wed, 12/06/2023 - 10:55am

The race to the bottom of cancel culture rounded the turn and headed down the backstretch two weekends ago, when a Kansas City Chief fan was accused of being a racist by  a Deadspin (sports website) writer for supposedly wearing blackface at the Chiefs’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Did we mention the supposed racist is 9 years old?

Worth the wait

Published by admin on Wed, 12/06/2023 - 10:53am

How is it already December? That last page in the calendar, the last 31 days of writing “2023,” the last few weeks of this year, with all of its successes and failures and joys and sorrows. On the ranch, it is tempting to begin to look toward spring somewhat impatiently: to the increasingly-longer days, the arrival of the first calves, planting the first seeds, harvesting the first early greens. The lull in the regular rhythm of ranch work can be frustrating for those who want to be busy all the time.

The kindness of strangers

Published by admin on Wed, 12/06/2023 - 9:15am
I am a great traveler. I think it is one of my best skills. I learned early how to take care of myself without having to rely on others, how to read maps, how to navigate complex transportation systems and how to feed myself even when I have no money.
I could write a book on some of the interesting adventures I have had, from dumpster diving for mushrooms at an Aldi in Australia to deciphering the Cyrillic train system of Moscow in less than a few hours.

DIY wastewater systems a bad idea

Published by admin on Wed, 11/29/2023 - 11:34am

There are certain topics you can always count on cropping up when the Custer County Commission meets two Wednesdays a month. At least every few meetings, someone is at the meeting to complain about ever-escalating property taxes. The same can be said about complaints over the poor condition of a county road, whether real or perceived.

Back to birding

Published by admin on Wed, 11/29/2023 - 11:31am

Black-capped chickadees, house finches, northern flickers, red-breasted nuthatches, hairy woodpeckers—from my front porch, I’ve watched and listened to birds for hours in these recent weeks. On one of my usual walks around town, I spied a homemade pinecone bird feeder dangling by a string off of a tree in someone’s yard, and it inspired me to make some for myself so that I too could enjoy the sight and sounds of different birds through the winter. In doing so, I reconnected with an old hobby and found a new way to keep the cold winter blues at bay.

Christmas like a child

Published by admin on Wed, 11/29/2023 - 9:13am
Last Wednesday I spent some time walking up and down Hill City Main Street delivering copies of Down Country Roads magazine to the businesses. At every stop, the businesses either had Christmas decorations up or were in the process of decorating. 
Now twinkly lights glimmer in the store windows, crèches dot the streets, garlands drape the sidewalk railings and all that is before you reach the Alpine Inn, which has transformed into a winter wonderland. Hill City has a way of making the Christmas spirit contagious. 

We’re thankful for all of you

Published by admin on Tue, 11/21/2023 - 11:21am

Thursday we mark another Thanksgiving holiday in America. We certainly have enough to be thankful for. Our country is seemingly in constant turmoil, but the holiday season can be a time of year when we come together, reflect on all that is good for all of us and be thankful for all the things we have. In many parts of the world people don’t have nearly as much for which to be thankful. Even at a time when our country is seemingly as polarized as it has ever been, we can be thankful we live in this country.

The story of the reluctant journalist

Published by admin on Tue, 11/21/2023 - 11:17am

A few weeks ago for a work assignment I had to attend a creative writing seminar, during which we were tasked with talking to a fellow attendee about significant moments in our life when we were children, young adults and at an older time in our lives. After we discussed these events, we then had to pick one to write more in depth about. I chose to write about my young adult life, when I decided what I was going to major in while I was at Chadron State College (CSC).

The story of the reluctant journalist

Published by admin on Tue, 11/21/2023 - 8:54am
A few weeks ago for a work assignment I had to attend a creative writing seminar, during which we were tasked with talking to a fellow attendee about significant moments in our life when we were children, young adults and at an older time in our lives. After we discussed these events, we then had to pick one to write more in depth about. I chose to write about my young adult life, when I decided what I was going to major in while I was at Chadron State College (CSC).