News

Rental cars in demand

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:26am

Part 2 of a series of articles examining the numerous economic and lifestyle impacts of the current in-migration to Custer County.
Not all shortages and other impacts felt by local residents are solely the result of people traveling to or relocating to Custer County. Some, such as the scarcity of vehicles for rent, are being felt nationwide due to a number of factors, not the least of which is a serious shortage of new and low-mileage used vehicles

Fischer, Jenniges, Ryan win city council seats

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:24am

The Custer City Council will welcome back two incumbents in July following last night’s elections.
In Ward I,  incumbent Jeannie Fischer had 49 votes to challenger Corey Virtue’s 46, putting her in position for another two-year term. The city did caution all city results were unofficial, as provisional ballots are not included in the tally. The votes will be canvassed by the city Monday.
In Ward II, Julie Jenniges will serve a one-year term after defeating current council member Bob Schilling. Jenniges received 28 votes, compared to 15 for Schilling.

Joint pot hearing planned

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:23am

The Custer City Council and Custer City Planning Commission will hold a joint public hearing next Monday, June 14, to address Ordinance No. 854, a temporary ordinance regarding the issuance of local medical cannabis establishment permits and/or licenses.

Off-Road rally this weekend

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:23am

The Custer Area Chamber of Commerce will host the third annual Custer Off-Road Rally this weekend.
ATV and UTV owners can pack up their off-road vehicles and enjoy the Southern Hills at the rally. There will be a poker run, a Mayor’s Ride, a President’s Ride, an awards banquet Saturday evening and more.
Attendees can ride hundreds of miles of Southern Black Hills trails during the rally.
For more information, contact the chamber at 673-2244, email info@custersd.com or visit custersd.com/Off-Road-Rally.

COVID cases down to March 2020 levels

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:22am

The US just recorded a seven-day average of 16,500 new cases of COVID-19 last week, a 30 percent improvement over the week before. New cases declined in 43 states and held steady in the other seven.
Official case counts haven’t been this low, according to axios.com, since Americans went into lockdown in March 2020.
Overall, roughly 33 million Americans—about 10 percent of the population—have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the axios article.

Quest for fireworks at Mount Rushmore fizzles

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:21am

There will not be any Independence Day fireworks at Mount Rushmore this year, according to a recent ruling handed down by  U.S. District Court chief Judge Roberto Lange.
The decision denied the injunction Gov. Kristi Noem sought on behalf of the State of South Dakota.
“This Court fully understands the state’s position and why this suit was brought, but under governing law, the state is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims and has not met the requirements for the sort of mandatory injunction or writ of mandamus sought,” the ruling states.

Quest for fireworks at Mount Rushmore fizzles

Published by admin on Thu, 06/10/2021 - 9:21am

There will not be any Independence Day fireworks at Mount Rushmore this year, according to a recent ruling handed down by  U.S. District Court chief Judge Roberto Lange.
The decision denied the injunction Gov. Kristi Noem sought on behalf of the State of South Dakota.
“This Court fully understands the state’s position and why this suit was brought, but under governing law, the state is unlikely to succeed on the merits of its claims and has not met the requirements for the sort of mandatory injunction or writ of mandamus sought,” the ruling states.

Short-term rentals becoming a hot topic

Published by admin on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 9:55am

A subcommittee of the Hill City Planning and Zoning Committee comprised of four to five people have met a half dozen times over the course of a three-month period to try to address the short-term rental issue in Hill City.
The Hill City Council asked planning and zoning to look into the matter out of concern the short-term rental issue in residential neighborhoods was “getting out of hand,” said Ron Walker, chairman of the Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission.

Carrie dates, actors confirmed

Published by admin on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 9:53am

The Carrie Ingalls birthday festival has officially signed its actors and set its dates. After much back and forth the festival will be held July 26-28 and will feature Alison Arngrim and  Charlotte Stewart. Arngrim  played Nellie Oleson  on the long-running “Little House on the Prairie” television show from 1974-83. Her character, Nellie was a conglomeration of three girls from  Laura Ingalls’ childhood. Arngrim is an avid sock monkey fan and is requesting attendees bring their own sock monkeys to try to collect the largest gathering of sock monkeys ever.

Tourism surges in Keystone

Published by admin on Thu, 06/03/2021 - 9:50am

Business is booming in Keystone. Although the season officially  began last weekend, most businesses haven been up and running for the seaso for some time.
The May 25 town payment shows $15,540.08 was collected in bed, booze and board money. The same payment last year was right around $5,100.
The  increase is “insane,”  according  to finance officer  Cassandra  Ott who double-checked her math it seemed so unbelievable. Ott said $105,051.63 has been collected in total tax this year,compared to $71,710.15 during this same time period in 2020.