Custer County Chronicle

Grassland bill sails through committee

Published by admin on Thu, 01/27/2022 - 9:32am

­­­­­­­The Grassland Tax Relief Bill being sponsored and championed by Rep. Trish Ladner (Dist. 30) of Hot Springs is working it’s way through the South Dakota House of Representatives.

Fire destroys Custer home

Published by admin on Fri, 01/21/2022 - 9:07am

Fire destroyed this home at 418 Harney Street in Custer last night. The fire call came in at 9:06 p.m. and first arriving firefighters found a free burning fire, with a moderate to heavy smoke condition, in the interior of the two story residential structure with fire extending to the exterior and roof assembly of the house. They immediately struck a second alarm and eventually the fire went to multiple alarms.

Baumann to run for House

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:12am

Third-generation Custer County resident Pat Baumann of Custer has announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 30. In announcing the run, the Republican said he is not a politician, but a statesman and a patriot who “has been called to stand up for freedom as guaranteed by our state and national constitutions.”

Gennaro to run for District 30 House

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:11am

Lisa Gennaro of Keystone has announced her candidacy for the House of Representatives in District 30.
Gennaro describes herself as a legislative lobbyist for family values, education and more.
“As I am at the capital talking with legislators, senators and other lobbyists, I am reminded that people are here because the state of South Dakota means something to them,” she said. “We may not always agree on policy, but we all agree that our families and state mean something to us.”

Timber sale causes controversy

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:07am

What exactly is taking place during the timber sale off Limestone Road in Custer County?
The answer is clear cut.
What kind of clear cut? That’s being debated.
Rob Hoelscher, district ranger for the Hell Canyon District of the Forest Service, said the Bull Springs Timber Sale has a focus of removing overstory (larger, older trees) so that younger trees have the space, sunshine, etc., to flourish.

Changes made to subscriptions

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:05am

Changes have been implemented to the subscription model at the Custer County Chronicle and Hill City Prevailer News, and local nonprofits will now be beneficiaries of a portion of each subscription.
Effective the beginning of this year, the cost of a yearly subscription to both the Custer County Chronicle and Hill City Prevailer News will be a flat fee of $50, regardless of the type of subscription or where the subscriber lives.

Opposition to new campground mounts

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:02am

Private campground owners, a wildlife organization and a District 30 legislator are banding together in opposition to a proposed new 176-site RV campground in Custer State Park (CSP) that was touted by Gov. Kristi Noem in her budget address last month.

COVID wave hits schools

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:01am

­­­­­­­It appears the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has hit Custer like a tsunami and that the flu and other seasonal illnesses are back as well. The Custer School District announced on Wednesday that it would be moving to Level 2 of its COVID Operational Plan the next day and then on Thursday it was announced school would be closed on Monday this week due to the rising number of COVID cases.

School board relaxes COVID plan

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:01am

Less than 48 hours before school officials announced a move to Level 2 of the district’s COVID Operational Plan, (see the separate article in this edition) the Custer Board of Education moved to relax some of its COVID guidelines based on new guidance from the CDC. At its January meeting on Monday, Jan. 10, the school board voted 5-2 to shorten the number of days students and staff must stay out of school following a positive COVID-19 test.

Monument expands testing

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:00am

To meet increasing demand for COVID-19 testing, Monument Health is opening an additional Rapid City drive-through site at Monument Health Orthopedic and Specialty Hospital. The site at Catron Boulevard and U.S. Highway 16 is expected to begin collecting samples today.