News

President Coolidge vacations in South Dakota

Published by admin on Thu, 07/15/2021 - 9:10am

President Calvin Coolidge was on the hook and just needed reeling in.
William Williamson described his role in convincing President Calvin and First Lady Grace Coolidge to vacation in the summer of 1927 in the Black Hills in his autobiography, “William Williamson: Student, Homesteader, Teacher, Lawyer, Judge, Congressman and Trusted Friend.” He was South Dakota’s congressman from the state’s third congressional district, which covered the state’s west river counties, from 1921-33.

Presidential busts vandalized in Hermosa

Published by admin on Thu, 07/15/2021 - 9:09am

The Custer County Sheriff’s office is receiving tips and following up on leads regarding vandalism that occurred last Tuesday, July 6, at Southern Hills RV Park and Campground in Hermosa.
It was 11:30 a.m. that morning when the owner of the campground, Jerry Styles, contacted Custer County Dispatch to report two of the large presidential busts on the property had been vandalized, with “Murderer” being spray painted across George H.W. Bush’s bust, while “Drug Dealer” was spray painted across Ronald Reagan’s bust.

Ambulance may set call record

Published by admin on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 9:52am

Part 6 of a series of articles examining the numerous economic and lifestyle impacts of the current in-migration to Custer County.
If you ask Custer Ambulance director Ruth Airheart to describe what things are like these days for her agency, you might get the same one-word answer we did: “Busy!” As with all of the public and private sector services we have profiled so far in this series, Custer Ambulance Service, Inc. is indeed busier than ever and on track to answer more emergency medical calls this year than ever before.

Buffalo Gap Blow Out set to return

Published by admin on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 9:50am

The fourth annual Buffalo Gap Blow Out will take place this Saturday, July 10, with a full day of events and live music.
There will be games and activities for children as well as adults, including horseshoes, cornhole and human foosball. There will be various food and drink vendors as well as a beer garden, and dry camping is also available.
There will be a parade at 11 a.m. on Main Street. There will also be a free classic “Car n Park” all day. Free vendor spaces for the event are available.

Avis Hespen Garden tour set for July 25

Published by admin on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 9:48am

July 25 is the date for the Custer Mile High Garden Club’s 15th annual Avis Hespin Garden Tour. The tour will allow participants to social distance while strolling through local yards/gardens enjoying nature and the hard work of gardeners.
Five to seven gardens will be featured and the event will run from 1-4 p.m.
This event is free and complete details will be in a future issue of the Chronicle.

Black Hills 100 creates tent city

Published by admin on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 9:48am

Dozens of tents sprouted like mushrooms last Wednesday along French Creek in Custer, supported by a fleet of trucks, trailers, busses and staff which temporarily transformed French Creek Campground into a military-like encampment. By 8:30 the next morning the tent city and most of the other equipment were gone.

‘Fox & Friends,’ Gov. Noem come to Keystone

Published by admin on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 9:19am

Reporter Lawrence Jones of “Fox & Friends” came to Peggy’s Place in Keystone to speak with Gov. Kristi Noem. The event was featured as  part of the “Breakfast with Friends” segment to discuss  the changes to Mount Rushmore’s Fourth of July and current newsworthy events.
About several dozen supporters and fans of Jones and Noem also came out, including 12-year-old Taya Skogen, who was treated to a round of “Happy Birthday” led by Noem.

Star spangled Saturday a success

Published by admin on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 9:18am

A helicopter flyover kicked off the start of the parade for the Star Spangled Saturday in Hill City.
Although the Independence Day event officially began with a well-attended  pancake  feed at Hill City Senior Center, the parade was the pinnacle of the day. Keith Hayes and representatives from the American Legion were the first to greet attendees.
“It has brought a lot of people to town,” said Keith’s wife, Linda, who proudly awaited his blue truck and the start of the parade. Indeed the streets were lined with visitors and locals.”

Conditional Use Permit approved

Published by admin on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 9:16am

Although several people  opposed the approval of a nightly vacation rental at 241 Pine Mountain Ave. in Hill City, the conditional use permit was approved  by the Hill City Common Council at its June 28 meeting.
Opposition was voiced by those in attendance in addition to via email and the recent nightly vacation rental survey.
Connie Prautsch, who lives across the street from the proposed rental, said,   “I’m a  third no to this conditional use permit. It’s not a big place and there’s not enough off-street parking.”

Arise USA calls for return to constitution

Published by admin on Thu, 07/08/2021 - 9:15am

The Spirit of ‛76 was in abundant supply July 4 in Keystone as the the Arise USA “The Resurrection” bus tour took over Watson Park for the entire day for church services and rallies calling for a return to constitutional law and a focus on family, faith and freedom. Flags waved, patriotic songs were sung, children played, dogs barked and numerous speakers urged audience members from around the country to get involved in government at the grassroots level.