Custer County Chronicle

Carter files lawsuit against county

Published by admin on Thu, 01/27/2022 - 9:37am

The former emergency management director for Custer County has filed a lawsuit in Seventh Judicial Circuit Court alleging the county is in breach of contract while alleging fraud and misrepresentation regarding a contract signed between the two parties when Carter resigned in December 2020.
The retirement came two days after Carter was put on seven-day paid administrative leave by the Custer County Commission following a three-hour- and-23-minute executive session at the commission’s Dec. 9, 2020 meeting.

Resident wants to shame Monument

Published by admin on Thu, 01/27/2022 - 9:37am

A Custer resident believes Monument Health management is treating Custer the way “a bully treats its victims,” and believes the community should mobilize to demand answers as to why the Custer Care Center and gather as much political and media attention for the express purpose of shaming Monument management.
That was the message delivered by Lea Anne McWhorter on behalf of her husband, Rob, at the Jan. 18 meeting of the Custer City Council, held on a Tuesday last week due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday.

Economic development to seek paid director

Published by admin on Thu, 01/27/2022 - 9:36am

The Custer Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) is currently the only economic development group in the Black Hills which does not have at least a part time executive director to oversee the daily operations of the organization. That may change in 2022, however, according to discussion at last week’s CAEDC annual meeting.
At the meeting held last Tuesday in the Courthouse Annex Pine Room, president Jeff Prior said one of the top initiatives the corporation plans to undertake this year is a plan to fund an executive director for the organization.

Grassland bill sails through committee

Published by admin on Thu, 01/27/2022 - 9:32am

­­­­­­­The Grassland Tax Relief Bill being sponsored and championed by Rep. Trish Ladner (Dist. 30) of Hot Springs is working it’s way through the South Dakota House of Representatives.

Fire destroys Custer home

Published by admin on Fri, 01/21/2022 - 9:07am

Fire destroyed this home at 418 Harney Street in Custer last night. The fire call came in at 9:06 p.m. and first arriving firefighters found a free burning fire, with a moderate to heavy smoke condition, in the interior of the two story residential structure with fire extending to the exterior and roof assembly of the house. They immediately struck a second alarm and eventually the fire went to multiple alarms.

Baumann to run for House

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:12am

Third-generation Custer County resident Pat Baumann of Custer has announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 30. In announcing the run, the Republican said he is not a politician, but a statesman and a patriot who “has been called to stand up for freedom as guaranteed by our state and national constitutions.”

Gennaro to run for District 30 House

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:11am

Lisa Gennaro of Keystone has announced her candidacy for the House of Representatives in District 30.
Gennaro describes herself as a legislative lobbyist for family values, education and more.
“As I am at the capital talking with legislators, senators and other lobbyists, I am reminded that people are here because the state of South Dakota means something to them,” she said. “We may not always agree on policy, but we all agree that our families and state mean something to us.”

Timber sale causes controversy

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:07am

What exactly is taking place during the timber sale off Limestone Road in Custer County?
The answer is clear cut.
What kind of clear cut? That’s being debated.
Rob Hoelscher, district ranger for the Hell Canyon District of the Forest Service, said the Bull Springs Timber Sale has a focus of removing overstory (larger, older trees) so that younger trees have the space, sunshine, etc., to flourish.

Changes made to subscriptions

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:05am

Changes have been implemented to the subscription model at the Custer County Chronicle and Hill City Prevailer News, and local nonprofits will now be beneficiaries of a portion of each subscription.
Effective the beginning of this year, the cost of a yearly subscription to both the Custer County Chronicle and Hill City Prevailer News will be a flat fee of $50, regardless of the type of subscription or where the subscriber lives.

Opposition to new campground mounts

Published by admin on Thu, 01/20/2022 - 10:02am

Private campground owners, a wildlife organization and a District 30 legislator are banding together in opposition to a proposed new 176-site RV campground in Custer State Park (CSP) that was touted by Gov. Kristi Noem in her budget address last month.