Custer County Chronicle

Expecting the unexpected

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:21am
With 2020 already a busier than usual year for Custer County Search and Rescue (SAR) and thousands of people crowding the area on a holiday weekend for the July 3 fireworks at Mt. Rushmore, SAR director Rick March was geared up and ready for anything. However, in spite of all that, March said the long weekend turned out to be “fairly quiet.”
March admitted he hates to use the word “quiet” because things can change in an instant, but said “there were no serious incidents or major stressors” this past weekend.

The parade of marshals

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:20am
The man who rode as grand marshal in Custer’s annual Fourth of July Patriots Parade Saturday was not the person originally chosen for the honor by local veterans groups. In fact, John Culbertson is not even a military veteran. However, the former city council member, retired firefighter and 18-year Custer emergency medical technician turned out to be the perfect choice to preside over the parade which honored both military and first-responder heroes this year. 

Down Memory Lane July 8

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:15am

Eight Days in Custer County

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:08am
Thursday, July 9
Lions Club, noon, Pizza Works
Civil Air Patrol, 7 p.m., Custer County Airport
 
Friday, July 10
Quarantine Cruise and Pulled Pork Dinner,
6-8 p.m., Cruise begins at S&B Motor Parts, Meal at Custer State Farm
 
Saturday, July 11
Farmer’s Market, 8 a.m. to noon, Way Park
Buffalo Gap Blow Out Parade, 10 a.m., Main Street Buffalo Gap

Sheriff’s Log June 19-25

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 8:53am
Friday, June 19
12 a.m.: One UTV (also known as a side-by-side) fell on its side on Stockade Lake Drive. No injuries were reported there. 
1:48 p.m.: A deputy helped a stranded motorist on Hwy. 385 near Carroll Creek Road. 
5:15 p.m.: Deputies helped out with Custer High School’s belated but still awesome prom night. Apparently, a good time was had by all. 
8:04 p.m.: Deputies helped with an emergency medical call on Custer’s Ponderosa Street. 

Down Memory Lane July 1

Published by admin on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 11:29am
­­10 years ago, 2010 — Mike Bradeen won the Biggest Loser contest with a 40-pound  loss ... Clayton Sander grilled steaks over an open fire during the Old Fashioned Fourth ... McGas advertised fill-ups of propane for $1.19 a gallon.

Eight Days in Custer County

Published by admin on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 11:01am
Thursday, July 2
Civil Air Patrol, 7 p.m., Custer County Airport
 
Saturday, July 4
Independence Day Patriots’ Parade and Kids Parade, 10 a.m., downtown Custer
Flag Ceremony, 11 a.m., Veterans Memorial
Fireworks, 9:30 p.m., Pageant Hill
 
Sunday, July 5
Custer Community Action Team Food Distribution,
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., CAT building, corner of N. 6th and Lincoln streets
 

Mine Draw Fire burns 60 acres

Published by admin on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 10:37am
Over 100 firefighters aided by several aircraft battled a wildfire in Custer State Park last Wednesday and Thursday. The Mine Draw Fire, located between Hwy. 16A and Center Lake, was reported at 11:19 a.m. Wednesday and was said to be 100 percent contained as of 2 p.m. Thursday. 
For a time, Hwy. 87 North (Needles Highway) was closed between the intersection with 16A and Playhouse Road. Two helicopters were used to dip water out of a nearby lake to dump on the blaze and an air attack airplane was also used.

Stamp released in Custer turns 50

Published by admin on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 10:34am
When Brad McKinney was 12 years old, his aunt, the late Jessie Sundstrom, mailed him a letter. Make that an evelope.
McKinney, who lived in Illinois at the time, received the letter from Sundstrom shortly after she mailed it to him July 20, 1970. Why just an envelope and no letter?
History, of course.

Williamsons return to hometown of Custer

Published by admin on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 10:16am
It will be 50 years ago this fall that Dale Williamson’s college golf career got off to a fantastic start.
 The Chadron State Eagles were going to open the season in a tournament hosted by South Dakota Mines in Rapid City. Four of the five lettermen from the previous year had returned, but no one was available to fill the fifth slot.