Custer County Chronicle

Elections will be sparse this June

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 10:37am

The window for the circulation of nominating petitions for the upcoming city and school board elections around Custer County closed March 25, but any petitions recieved through the mail that are postmarked by March 25 could change the results.
In the City of Custer, there are three seats up for election on the city council, including the Ward I seat belonging to Jeannie Fischer, the Ward II seat belonging to Nina Nielsen and the Ward III seat belonging to Peg Ryan. Each position is for a two-year term.
Mayor Bob Brown’s seat is also up for election with a two-year term.

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

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.

Ag program approved for CSD

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:46am

The addition of an Agricultural (ag) Science Program to the Custer School District (CSD) was approved by the Custer School District Board of Education at the board’s March 13 meeting at the school administrative building.
One of the concerns prior to the meeting was the availability of staff. District superintendent of schools Mark Naugle said he had around 10 requests for an interview even though there officially was not a job.

Legislators discuss session battles

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:44am

This year marked South Dakota’s 100th Legislative Session, and it was complete with both victories and battles, according to District 30 Sen. Amber Hulse and Rep. Tim Goodwin. Rep. Trish Ladner was contacted as well but was unavailable for comment.
“This session was a tremendous success for our values, our communities and the future of South Dakota,” Hulse said.
Both Hulse and Goodwin said they got some meaningful legislation through this session.