News

Frederick chosen new CSD superintendent

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 10:35am

On March 14, the Custer School District (CSD) Board of Education offered Dr. Tim Frederick the superintendent of schools position.
Frederick has been the superintendent in the Mobridge-Pollock School District since 2010. Before that, he served as the district’s high school/middle school principal.
Frederick’s journey in education started at the University of Mary, where he got a bachelor’s degree and played college basketball. As it turned out, one of his coaches encouraged him to go into education.

Water line repair bill causes angst for Hermosa Town Board

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 10:34am

The Hermosa Board of Trustees meeting March 18 covered a lot of ground, with updates on the new well project, progress made on the Preston development north of town and some news regarding Roy’s Drive-In, which has been closed for the last two years.
Board member Aaron Serviss got in touch with the owner of Roy’s Drive-In and reported that there are plans to reopen the popular spot this summer.
“He is authorized to open,” Serviss reported, “as long as he is storing and pumping for his septic.”

County airport retains top rating

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 10:34am

In 2024, the Custer County Airport cost county taxpayers only $15,887, nearly $35,000 less than the previous year.
That report was part of several highlights by airport manager Brenden Hendricksen during his annual report on the airport to the Custer County Commission at the commission’s March 19 meeting.

City aligns subdividing with county rules

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 10:33am

A resolution passed by the Custer City Council at a special March 24 meeting will allow for rural subdivisions of one acre within the city’s extraterritorial platting jurisdiction.

Hermosa ambulance discussed

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 10:32am

By Jason Ferguson

Manage your forest, protect your home

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 10:03am
Have you ever wondered how to manage your property, protect your home from wildfires, care for the trees on your property and detect beetle damage? 
The Custer County Conversation District (CCCD) partnered with the South Dakota Family Forests Association to teach just that through a landowner workshop titled Forestry Management in Action. The workshop was hosted at the Argyle Volunteer Fire Department at the fire hall March 28. 

Keystone candidates discuss deer, media, marketing

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 9:58am
A Keystone Town Board candidate forum was held March 26 in Keystone. Nikki Ball, Matt Fullilove and Lynette Tyon fielded questions from town finance officer Samantha Epler as well as members of the community.
Each candidate was given time for an opening statement. Ball said she has been in Keystone since 1982 and moved here permanently 20 years ago. She has served on the library, historical society and senior center board as well as being the only person to volunteer for Bill Babcock’s town board seat when he resigned mid-term. 

Keystone, Hill City projects approved for funding

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 9:55am
Both Keystone and Hill City have had funding applications for projects approved by the South Dakota Board of Water and Natural Resources.
Keystone received an award to update the diameter of its sewer line from 10 inches to 15 inches to meet the current seasonal and growing expansion needs of the town. 

Will ‘heroes garden’ bloom near Rushmore?

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 9:46am
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden sent President Donald Trump an invitation Tuesday to fulfill a promise from five years ago: the creation of a “National Garden of American Heroes.”
And Rhoden wants Trump to put the statue garden in South Dakota’s Black Hills.
“In fact, we have a plot of land available in sight of Mount Rushmore that would be ideal for this fantastic effort,” Rhoden wrote in a letter to Trump.

County looks at ag crackdown

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:47am

Custer County may make it more difficult for landowners to qualify for agriculture land taxes in the near future.
The topic of landowners who apply for and/or receive ag land status on their land who are not using said land for true ag purposes was discussed at the March 19 meeting of the Custer County Commission, with county equalization director Scott Storms saying he would like to see it made more difficult to qualify for ag status.