Custer County Chronicle

Vietnam vet continues service

Published by admin on Wed, 11/11/2026 - 3:45pm

For Darold Dean (D.D.) Couch, every day is Veterans Day. Because after serving in the Vietnam War and the National Guard, he went to work serving the Custer community and beyond through the Kenneth Kuper Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3442.
Couch grew up in the eastern part of South Dakota, including Woonsocket, Kimball and Wessington Springs. 
“I went to five different schools by the time I graduated. Living off the farm, you had to keep moving,” said Couch. 

Down Memory Lane Nov. 11

Published by admin on Wed, 11/11/2026 - 1:43pm

10 YEARS AGO, 2016

Sheriff's Log Oct. 18-28

Published by admin on Wed, 11/11/2026 - 10:29am

Custer County Sheriff’s Log
Call of the Week
Wednesday, Oct. 21
11:50 p.m.: A distraught camper reported others at their Custer State Park campground were playing guitars and harmonicas, and “telling stories, cursing, and drinking up a storm.” A deputy cruised around the campsites near the State Game Lodge, but found the apparent merry-makers had all gone to bed.   

Black Hills Live Nov. 11, 2026

Published by admin on Wed, 11/11/2026 - 9:44am

Wednesday 11-11

Veterans Day

Custer Area Economic Development Corp.
Black Hills Energy
Custer, SD
7 AM

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study
The Little White Church
Hill City, SD 
7:30 AM

Driver’s License Exams 
Custer County Courthouse 
Annex Pine Room
Custer, SD
8 AM to 4 PM

Veterans Day Meal for Vets
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
8 AM - 2 PM

Seniors Fitness Class
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
8:30 AM

Public comment open for uranium mining

Published by admin on Wed, 11/04/2026 - 2:40pm

A company that wants to mine for uranium in southwestern South Dakota is restarting its state permitting process and preparing for a public hearing after securing federal permits earlier this year.
Uranium is a metallic, radioactive element used as fuel in nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants. Interest in uranium exploration and mining has risen recently. That’s in response to nuclear energy’s potential to supply electricity for data centers.

Down Memory Lane Nov. 4

Published by admin on Wed, 11/04/2026 - 2:39pm

10 YEARS AGO, 2016

Black Hills Live Nov. 4

Published by admin on Wed, 11/04/2026 - 2:39pm

Wednesday 11-4

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study
The Little White Church
Hill City, SD 
7:30 AM

Driver’s License Exams 
Custer County Courthouse 
Annex Pine Room
Custer, SD
8 AM to 4 PM

Seniors Fitness Class
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
8:30 AM

Native American
Tourism Summit
Crazy Horse Memorial
Custer, SD
9 AM

Women’s Life Group
The Little White Church
Hill City, SD 
10 AM - 12 PM

Community discusses CTE housing project

Published by admin on Wed, 11/04/2026 - 2:32pm

Community members gathered at the Career and Technical Education (CTE) building last Wednesday evening to learn more about the CTE Community Housing Project that the Custer School District is launching. 

Sheriff's Log Oct. 8-17

Published by admin on Wed, 11/04/2026 - 2:25pm

Custer County Sheriff’s Log
Call of the Week
Saturday, Oct. 10
1:54 p.m.: A cat bite was reported in the Dewey district near the Wyoming line. The cat has not been charged.

Down Memory Lane Oct. 28

Published by admin on Wed, 10/28/2026 - 3:06pm

10 YEARS AGO, 2016