News

Annual Buffalo Roundup, arts festival return

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 11:53am

Thousands of people will gather to feel the ground shake and watch the stampede of 1,300 buffalo at Custer State Park’s 59th annual Buffalo Roundup this Friday, Sept. 27.
The roundup starts at about 9:30 a.m., but does depend on the cooperation of the bison. Viewers who wish to pick their preferred viewing spot are advised to arrive early, with gates to viewing areas opening at 6:15 a.m. Handicap parking is available and golf carts are available to assist people to the viewing area should they need it.

City tables law enforcement contract

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 11:50am

The Custer City Council tabled approving its 2025 law enforcement contract with Custer County pending more information on the number of calls that generate from within city limits. The council unanimously approved the action at its Sept. 16 meeting.
The city pays Custer County on an annual basis to have the Custer County Sheriff’s Office provide law enforcement for the City of Custer. The contract calls for the city to pay the county $435,000 in quarterly payments.

Several amendments on November ballot

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 11:49am

As South Dakota voters cast their ballots in this year’s general election, they will be tasked with understanding several ballot questions on topics ranging from abortion rights to landowner rights and from marijuana to Medicaid. Here’s the rundown on all the amendments set to appear on the ballot.
Amendment E to update references to certain officeholders and persons

Group aims to stop mining through petition

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 11:49am

This June, the U.S. Forest Service gave its OK to the Newark Project, a project that would allow F3 Gold to conduct an exploratory gold drilling project on Forest Service land northwest of Custer. Before and after the agency issued its decision to allow the project, it has drawn steady criticism, and at one point, some considered taking legal action against the Forest Service, arguing a full Environmental Impact Statement was justified for the project before it could be approved.

Nothing plain about plein air

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 10:08am
This year’s Black Hills Plein Air Paint Out, hosted by the Hill City Arts Council, drew a wide variety of artists to the Heart of the Hills region. Two of them, Michael Walter and Nick Hix, show the diversity of the field that comes to compete for best in show and cash prizes.
Walter heard about the Pelin Air show through an advertisement in a Plein Air magazine. He had wanted to do it last year but the dates did not work out. But this year he jumped in.

Support the Hill City Purse Project

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 10:07am
What is in your purse that you could not go without?
The Hill City Purse Project (HCPP) is already planning for the Christmas season, and they need help gathering personal and essential items to fill around 60 purses for the Cornerstone Women’s and Children’s Home in Rapid City and Women Escaping A Violent Environment (WEAVE) in Custer. 
“It’s going to be pretty much patterned after what we’ve done the last several years,” said event organizer Sue Anderson. 

Black Hills Film Festival this weekend

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 10:05am
The 15th annual Black Hills Film Festival (BHFF) is kicking off in the Hills Friday, Sept. 27 with events running through Sunday, Sept. 30. People travel from across the country and even across the world for this event, which averages an attendance of 400 people. 
This year’s festival features 22 unique films in various lengths and genres divided into 11 film sessions.
“These are all independent films that were made outside of the Hollywood studios by aspiring filmmakers,” said BHFF executive director Chris VanNess. 

Commissioners approve county budget

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 9:58am
The Pennington County Commission approved the 2025 county budget at its Sept. 19 meeting. Only three commissioners were present for the vote.
The budget approved is $131,617,545, which is more than Minnehaha County’s provisional  budget of $131,084,358, according to information retrieved online. Minnehaha County includes South Dakota’s largest city of Sioux Falls.
County residents will see an increase in the county mil levy when compared to last year, rising from 3.681 to 3.685.
The county fire fund will also increase from 0.060 to 0.061.

Keystone moves toward city control of marketing

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 9:49am
The Town of Keystone is giving some responsibility of its marketing to its finance officer, Samantha Epler. The change of direction was discussed at the Sept. 18 Keystone Town Board of Trustees meeting. 
Trustees had conducted a special meeting the week before to consider a committee to handle marketing for the town. Only a handful of attendees had expressed interest in serving on that committee and it was unclear what the roles and responsibilities of the committee would be. 

Meals on Wheels provides a meal and a visit

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 9:00am
Meals on Wheels may not be for you, but it may be a possibility for a friend or loved one who needs a daily dose of good food and nutrition. Those enrolled in the program have a home cooked meal delivered to their door Monday through Friday.
The meals are prepared at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer each day, packed in hot and cold insulated containers and delivered to residents in the Custer and Hill City area. Tiffany Wilcox, the site manager and cook who prepares the meals for delivery, encourages adults to consider this option for receiving food.