Custer County Chronicle

Residents learn about property tax legislation

Published by admin on Wed, 03/05/2025 - 10:13am
More than 70 people attended a two-hour informational meeting  Sunday, Feb. 23, at the Hot Springs American Legion where they heard from Hot Springs resident Robert Paul and District 30 Senator Amber Hulse, who together discussed the various property tax bills which are in play during this session of the state legislature.

City seeks home for West Dam dirt

Published by admin on Wed, 02/26/2025 - 4:25pm

Should bids the City of Custer will open next Monday for the second phase of the West Dam reconstruction project come in at acceptable prices, the city will be in need of places to put a whole lot of dirt. Around 90,000 cubic yards, to be exact.
To that end, city officials have begun conversations with many people and entities—Custer County included—about whether it had any use for the material set to be excavated from the dry reservoir at West Dam.

Esther Noe joins Chronicle staff

Published by admin on Wed, 02/26/2025 - 4:24pm

Award-winning journalist Esther Noe is the newest addition to the Custer County Chronicle team.
Since moving to Custer in 2021 with her family, Noe (pronounced “no”) has been working for the Hill City Prevailer News as an office manager, journalist and photographer.

Rezoning approved despite opposition

Published by admin on Wed, 02/26/2025 - 4:18pm

The location that will be home to the future Allure Spa was approved for a zoning change at the Feb. 19 meeting of the Custer City Council, despite the objection of neighbors to the lot.
The council approved the zoning change for 928 Crook Street, with Timothy and Michaela Braun as applicants of the zoning change.  The rezone came from the city’s planning committee with a recommendation to pass.

Mortenson: ‘We’re locking up librarians’

Published by admin on Wed, 02/26/2025 - 4:14pm

In a move that one lawmaker said would lead to “locking up librarians,” South Dakota legislators advanced a bill 38-32 on Thursday at the Capitol in Pierre that would remove legal protections for libraries and other institutions if children view books that meet the legal definition of “harmful to minors.”

Hermosa on the cusp of new water well

Published by admin on Wed, 02/26/2025 - 4:13pm

The Hermosa Board of Trustees met for its regular meeting Feb. 19. A handful of citizens were in attendance, as well as two Custer High School seniors who were observing the meeting as part of their government class.

Taxes, prisons are hot topics

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

District 30 House of Reps. Tim Goodwin and Trish Ladner along with   Sen. Amber Hulse were on hand for a legislative cracker barrel that took place Feb. 22 at the Hill City Center.
About 70 people attended the event, with questions ranging from specific deregulation to protecting  the environment. By far the most questions posed to the panel was about libraries.

West Dam bill moves ahead

Published by admin on Wed, 02/19/2025 - 10:22am

A bill asking for $1.5 million to help fund the reconstruction of West Dam is headed to the South Dakota Legislature’s Joint Bill Appropriations Committee with no recommendation as to whether or not to pass the bill following an introductory hearing on the bill last Thursday in Pierre.

Rhoden unveils plan to slow property tax increases

Published by admin on Wed, 02/19/2025 - 10:21am

Responding to a public outcry about rising property taxes, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden proposed a bill Thursday at the Capitol to cap growth in owner-occupied home valuations for five years.
The plan would also put stricter limits on the annual growth of local governments’ property tax collections and expand eligibility for property tax relief programs.
Rhoden lauded the approach as a reasonable compromise in a legislative session where property tax relief has spurred a host of competing proposals.

Hermosa up for Elders’ Wisdom program

Published by admin on Wed, 02/19/2025 - 10:12am

Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song (EWCS) is coming to Hermosa Monday, Feb. 24, to honor two more elders in the community, Linda Hasselstrom and Bill Kelly. The program will take place at the Hermosa School Gymnasium at 6 p.m.
“The EWCS brings so much pride and joy to our school and community as we celebrate the elders who have helped to build Hermosa into the special place it is today,” said Hermosa School Principal Forrest “Frosty” Paris.