Custer County Chronicle

After the cold snap

Published by admin on Wed, 02/26/2025 - 4:10pm

This melt-off and warmup is as good as it gets in February or early March, days full of sun and the sound of water running off everything. There is mud everywhere!

Prison funding still up in the air

Published by admin on Wed, 02/26/2025 - 3:35pm

At the crackerbarrel in Fall River County last weekend, I asked the question, “Who acknowledges that we need a new prison?” Practically everyone in the room raised their hand. My follow-up question was, “How many of you want to pay the $860 million price tag?” Absolutely no one raised their hand.

Amtrak rail system approved in House

Published by admin on Wed, 02/26/2025 - 2:43pm

All aboard northwest! What in the world am I talking about? Great question! I’m talking about an Amtrak rail system (Yep!) connecting our rural state with the rest of the passenger train networks.

Rhoden is a breath of fresh air for media

Published by admin on Wed, 02/19/2025 - 10:00am

Smiles all around.

How we are keeping South Dakota safe

Published by admin on Wed, 02/19/2025 - 9:58am

I’ve now been Governor of South Dakota for about two weeks. We finally have bills reaching my desk. I just signed my first bill as governor, Senate Bill 7, which bans Sanctuary Cities in South Dakota.
This bill is a strong piece of legislation. It’s a show of support for President Trump’s work to make America safe again. This bill reiterates South Dakota’s respect for the rule of law.

Property tax bills are coming to the fore

Published by admin on Wed, 02/19/2025 - 9:51am

Greetings! Week five down. We got a four-day weekend which was great. I got back to God’s country.
I spent Saturday, Feb. 15, at crackerbarrels in Rapid City and then in Hot Springs. I really enjoy seeing old friends and meeting new ones at these events. Attendance at both events was great with a full house at both locations.
The next crackerbarrel, combining Custer and Hill City, is at the Hill City Center (I thought it was called the senior center). It’s from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 22, and all are welcome.

Five bills have passed through the Senate

Published by admin on Wed, 02/19/2025 - 9:50am

I promised I would give the Black Hills its voice back and let me share with you how that is going. So far this year, I have successfully passed five bills through the Senate.
• SB 75 – Requiring citizenship on drivers licenses and ID cards
• SB 72 – Allows counties to save money by recovering autopsy costs
• SB 91 – Updating the petition format to be more transparent (consent calendar)
• SB 92 – Requiring the Initiated measure process to undergo single subject review just like constitutional amendments (passed the Senate floor unanimously).

The Chronicle that almost wasn’t

Published by admin on Wed, 02/12/2025 - 5:09pm

Man, what a difference a week makes.
Last week was one of the most difficult weeks in the recent history of the Custer County Chronicle. That’s because a week ago there almost wasn’t a Custer County Chronicle.

Violent Jan. 6 rioter pardons an outrage

Published by admin on Wed, 02/12/2025 - 5:07pm

When I first wrote this column, it started out as our weekly editorial found to your left titled “Our Viewpoint.” But, I decided not to do that, because I wanted this to have my face and my name on it. It’s something I feel very strongly about. Very strongly about.

Fighting for South Dakota’s military, veterans

Published by admin on Wed, 02/12/2025 - 4:58pm

This week in the legislature we made significant progress for South Dakota’s military, veterans and families. From protecting our National Guard to supporting veterans and tackling rising property taxes, here’s what we’ve been working on for you.
SB 82: Protecting the National Guard