Custer County Chronicle

Down Memory Lane July 20

Published by admin on Thu, 07/21/2022 - 11:12am

10 years ago, 2012 — Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Matthew Charles Tornquist, 26, Hot Springs, was indicted last Thursday by a Fall River County Grand Jury. The indictment charges that on or about Oct. 4, 2011, Matthew Tornquist murdered his mother at her home in Fall River County... The Highlands fire, which burned 394 acres, forced homeowners out of their homes in the Highlands area, 13 miles miles southeast of Newcastle, Wyo. Three homes were lost in the fire and numerous buildings and structures were damaged.

Documentary features Purple Pie Place

Published by admin on Thu, 07/21/2022 - 11:11am

The Purple Pie Place is no longer just a wildly popular restaurant in Custer.
It’s also a movie star.
Since March, a film crew from Braker Lane Films of El Rancho, N.M., has been in and out of Custer shooting a documentary at the revered Custer landmark. The documentary follows owner Bobby and Yulia Yehle and staff as they navigate the season-opening of the restaurant through the hustle and bustle of the tourism season through the end of the season in the fall.

Postmaster glad to be home in the Hills

Published by admin on Thu, 07/21/2022 - 11:10am

Custer’s new postmaster is no stranger to West River or to the Southern Hills for that matter. Marcia Kenobbie took over as postmaster recently upon the departure of Kirk Rust but was already familiar with the workings of the Custer post office from her time at the Hot Springs and Edgemont offices.

Eight Days in Custer County

Published by admin on Thu, 07/21/2022 - 11:08am

Thursday, July 21
Teen Summer Reading Program Angler Fish Circuts, 3 p.m., Custer County Library
Hermosa/Fairburn Food Bank, 3-5 p.m., Hermosa Town Hall Lower Level
Civil Air Patrol, 6:30 p.m., Custer County Airport

Friday, July 22
Show & Shine, 5:30-7 p.m., S&B Motor Parts

Sunday, July 24
Avis Hespen Garden Tour, 1-4 p.m., tour maps available at the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce

Sheriff's Log July 8-12, 15-16

Published by admin on Thu, 07/21/2022 - 11:00am

Friday, July 8
1:04 p.m.: An internet scam that promised the sale of puppies was reported in the Hermosa area. The suspects are likely not in this area and the matter may not be resolved with an arrest.
1:15 p.m.: Deputies were asked to look for a person with an active warrant from another state in the Buffalo Gap area. Once found, it turned out the person was given 24 hours to return to that state and turn themselves in.

Peterson’s pottery now on display

Published by admin on Thu, 07/21/2022 - 10:56am

Hot Springs potter Sarah Peterson returns to the Custer County Courthouse Art Gallery with her “fire, water, earth, and air” created pottery. Peterson’s pottery was previously exhibited in the Art Gallery in 2016.
Peterson retired on March 29, 2020, from her five-year and three-month position as a social services assistant at the Hot Springs Veterans Administration Hospital. She was an angel of “encouragement and safe presence.” 

Down Memory Lane July 13

Published by admin on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 10:07am

10 years ago, 2012 — Summer was only halfway through and much of the Black Hills had been affected by forest fires. While the height of fire season is normally in August, many areas had seen large fires beginning in June. Fire crews from across the nation were working hard and aiding other parts of the country. The Oil Creek Fire near Newcastle, Wyo., and the White Draw Fire near Edgemont were among the large blazes... Custer School District Supt. Scott Lepke addressed rumors of students leaving the Fairburn school and attending other schools.

Sheriff's Log July 3-8

Published by admin on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 10:01am

Sunday, July 3
12:33 a.m.: Suspicious people were seen outside a Boot Hill Road residence. Deputies did not find them.
12:49 a.m.: A deputy checked on a possibly suspicious person using free computer WiFi at the Custer Library lot.
1:57 a.m.: A stolen wheelchair was reported from in front of a downtown Custer tavern. It was later located behind another downtown business.
3 a.m.: Deputies helped with an emergency medical call on Custer’s north 4th Street.

Eight Days in Custer County

Published by admin on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 9:51am

Thursday, July 14
Co-op Day, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Black Hills Electric Cooperative
Gold Discovery Days Carnival, 5-10 p.m., Washington Street
ADD/ADHD Support Group, 6:30 p.m.,
Monument Health Custer Hospital Conference Room
Civil Air Patrol, 6:30 p.m., Custer County Airport

Down Memory Lane July 6

Published by admin on Thu, 07/07/2022 - 9:36am

10 years ago, 2012 —A mountain lion that was suspected of coming into city limits recently and killing a house cat has been killed by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks (GF&P) officers after it once again came into town, this time late in the evening on June 26. The lion was killed behind Leo’s Auto, near French Creek on the eastern side of town...Over a dozen cases of Coca-Cola pop cans spilled onto Mt.