Opinion

Charges against shooter’s parents are justified

Published by admin on Wed, 09/11/2024 - 9:56am

For only the second time in American history, a parent has been charged in connection with a mass shooting by a minor. Last week Colin Gray, father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, was arrested on multiple charges in connection with the Georgia attack that left four dead—charges that experts say push the legal limits of parental responsibility for a child’s alleged gun crime, CNN reported.

Still learning to enjoy fall

Published by admin on Wed, 09/11/2024 - 9:52am

Yet another Black Hills summer has come and is nearly gone. The temperatures are still pushing the mercury high on the thermometer, but the ground is starting to collect the yellow and brown leaves which have already begun to drop. Usually, this is a depressing time of year for me. I enjoy the changing of the seasons and excitement that comes with it, but I always seem to mourn the departure of summer, my favorite season.

The pen is mightier than the sword

Published by admin on Wed, 09/11/2024 - 9:10am
My friend Cathe always says life is impermanent and that we are imperfect. I often regard those words in times of incredible joy or incredible sadness.
This week was one of those times.
As a writer I am used to getting a lot of backlash. I remember writing a column on a mall once and almost being driven out of dodge.
This week my boss received a very threatening letter saying some vile things about me both personally and professionally.

Nobody wins in Maude situation

Published by admin on Wed, 09/04/2024 - 12:28pm

The ranching community was stirred recently by the federal criminal indictment of ranchers Charles and Heather Maude following a complaint March 29 about a 70-year-old fence allegedly blocking public lands access. From local ranchers to retired U.S. Forest Service (USFS) personnel to politicians to leaders in the ag industry, there is a nearly-unanimous outcry that the USFS – or someone representing them - overstepped in its rapid escalation of this investigation to a criminal suit.

South Dakota sturdy

Published by admin on Wed, 09/04/2024 - 12:23pm

It’s back to school time! My kids are all grown up with their school days behind them, and though my grandkids are still young, Miss Addie is starting preschool. This time of year means so much to me. Everything that I do is about making our state safer and stronger for our kids and grandkids—and making sure they get an excellent education is a huge part of that.

Trying to avoid the back-to-school blues

Published by admin on Wed, 09/04/2024 - 9:07am
Just like that Labor Day has come and gone. School is back in session. And although the days are still warm, the mornings and evenings are getting brisk. I even saw yellow leaves on the trees this morning. 
As usual, summer went by way too fast, but I had a wonderful time. With the absence of school reporting, I was able to work a few less hours and take more time to enjoy the Hills this summer. 

Don’t give up on fire district

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 12:57pm

If you read the front page of this week’s Custer County Chronicle, you already know that the proposed Custer Fire Protection District took a step backward last week at the most recent meeting of the Custer County Commission. The commission announced it would not vote on a resolution that would have set forth the process of getting whether or not to form the district in the hands of the proposed district residents during this November’s general election.

Fantasy drafts always a good time

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 12:56pm

Last weekend was my annual pilgrimage out of town to participate in some of the fantasy football drafts I participate in on a yearly basis. This year I joined another league, and that, combined with the two other leagues I’m in and the two other leagues I run means I’m now in five fantasy football leagues.
Yes, I might have a problem.
I have written about fantasy football in this space before. It’s one of the few hobbies I have (I openly admit I need more) and something I really enjoy for a variety of reasons.

Suze’s Words of Wisdom

Published by admin on Wed, 08/28/2024 - 8:36am
“People first, then money, then things.” This is how Suze Orman used to close her wildly popular TV show each week in the early 2000s.
This phrase has always stuck with me, due to its simplicity in this consumerfocused capitalistic society in which we live.
Anyone who knows me well knows that while I am not overly generous, I couldn’t care less about material things.
I don’t own a TV. I have no “subscriptions” to anything. I wear clothes that I purchase in thrift stores and spend more on Zeuss annually than on myself.

Sign ordinance is a positive step

Published by admin on Wed, 08/21/2024 - 2:26pm

By the time you read this, the Custer City Council will have passed the second reading of its new signage ordinance that, among other things, states that T-shirts cannot be permanent signage. We support the city council in this effort.