Our Community

Hill City Center opens

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 10:46am
The brand new Hill City Center opened its doors this week.
 Although not yet completely finished, the office meeting and event space has regular hours for the public to enjoy. 
“This is your center,” said Mary Walton, who staffs the office. Her favorite part, she says with a smile, is “when people start coming back in. The great thing is that this is for the community. It belongs to everybody.”

Wheel tax increase being considered

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 10:37am
Pennington County residents may see an increase in vehicle wheel tax.
The County Commission voted to approve the first reading of the proposed $5 tax, up from the current $2 tax that was implemented in 2020. State statutes limit the tax to $60 per vehicle.
According  to the Pennington County  website, counties in the state are “required by the state legislature to adopt a wheel tax in order to be eligible to receive funding from the state’s Local Bridge Improvement Grant (BIG) fund for the construction, reconstruction and repair of bridges.”

Jessie Phelps is new library director

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 9:18am

Custer County’s public library, located at 447 Crook Street, has hired Jessie Phelps as new director.
Phelps was hired this summer, taking over Doris Ann Mertz’s legacy.  
Phelps earned a master’s degree in Library Science from University of Kentucky and moved to Custer in 2020 with her wildland-firefighting husband, Dave.
When asked about the patronage of our Custer library, Phelps said the library “wants to be a large resource for all families” noting Custer is a mix of retirees, residents new to the Black Hills and a “large homeschool population in Custer.”

Down Memory Lane Aug. 3

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 9:15am

10 years ago, 2002 —This week marked a new era for readers of the Custer County Chronicle and Hill City Prevailer-News. Both newspapers owned by Southern Hills Publishing, Inc., switched to a narrower page size and sported a new look with design changes...Crystal Wiles was the winner of the Custer County Chronicle’s “Biggest Loser” competition. Wiles said exercise, healthy eating habits and a good support team were the keys to her 27-pound weight loss.

Crazy Horse foundation names new CEO

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 9:14am

The board of directors of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation has announce the appointment of Whitney A. Rencountre II as the new chief executive officer. He will assume responsibilities effective Sept. 1. Until that time, to assure continuity over the remainder of the tourist season, foundation interim CEO Joseph A. Konkol will retain his current responsibilities and support a transition of CEO leadership, then return to his role as chief financial officer of the foundation.

Eight Days in Custer County

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 9:12am

Thursday, Aug. 4
Blood Drive, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Custer Masonic Lodge
Civil Air Patrol, 6:30 p.m., Custer County Airport

Friday, Aug. 5
Custer Cruisin’ Starts

Saturday, Aug. 6
Farmer’s Market, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Way Park

Monday, Aug. 8
Rotary Club, noon, Custer Senior Center
Custer School District Board of Education, 6:30 p.m. Hermosa School

Sheriff's Log July 26 - Aug. 1

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 9:01am

Wednesday, July 26
2:49 a.m.: A deputy patrolled downtown Custer on foot.
2:51 a.m.: A deputy helped a missing male find his way back to a Hermosa campground.
5:11 a.m.: A possible car accident or medical emergency was reported by a passerby at the junction of Hwy. 16A and Sylvan Lake Road. By the time a deputy got there no one was around.
8 a.m.: Deputies searched a Rupp Street trailer park in Hermosa after receiving strange 911 calls from there. The source was eventually deemed to be a small child playing with a phone.
Thursday, July 27

The history of the feldspar industry in the area

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:59am

This narrative, as all good narratives, must begin with a little history. And the source of this history is an adventurous man named Frank Hebert. Yes, that is H-E-B-E-R-T, not Herbert.

Recalling when radio came to the Northern Plains

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:59am

Anniversaries are always memorable dates: Ellsworth AFB (80 years—2022), Custer City (150 years—2025), Custer Senior Center (50 yrs—2021); and the list goes on and on.
The radio has been a life force in South Dakota for at least a hundred years.

Down Memory Lane

Published by admin on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 8:52am
5 YEARS AGO, 2017
— 2017 marked the 15th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Black Hills. Prior to the Club being chartered in September 2002, it was known as the Hill City Teen Center. Over the years, the breadth and scope of the Club has expanded exponentially ...