Custer County Chronicle

Rise in property values discussed

Published by admin on Thu, 03/19/2020 - 10:04am
The Custer County Commission feels your pain. There’s just nothing they can do about it.
A brief discussion at the commission’s March 11 meeting centered around the continuing rise of property values in Custer County, spurred by what is perceived as continual overpaying for property, which in turn drives up neighboring property values.

State’s first coronavirus cases suspected

Published by admin on Thu, 03/12/2020 - 9:25am
The state’s Public Health Laboratory in Pierre has confirmed the first presumptive positive cases of coronavirus in South Dakota.

Cash in hand soon

Published by admin on Thu, 03/12/2020 - 9:24am
The first $10 million of the projected $13.7 million needed to build a new elementary school in Hermosa should be in the Custer School District’s bank account within a few days. That was the report from superintendent Mark Naugle at the March meeting of the school board held on Monday. 

Scrubs Camp moves to hospital, clinic

Published by admin on Thu, 03/12/2020 - 9:24am
High school students participating in Custer’s fourth annual Scrubs Camp this Saturday will get an even better feel for what it’s like to work in a hospital or clinic than in previous years. That’s because the event is moving from Custer Armory to Monument Health Hospital and Clinic. 
Organizer Dr. Joy Falkenburg said she is excited to have this year’s camp at the healthcare facility because it will enhance the students’ experience. 

Rushmore fireworks comments sought

Published by admin on Thu, 03/12/2020 - 9:22am
The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the next steps for the return of fireworks to Mount Rushmore National Memorial for the first time in 11 years.
A draft environmental assessment is available for public review, which explores the return of fireworks to the memorial in a way that protects the memorial, the environment and park visitors.

How we look at pain

Published by admin on Thu, 03/12/2020 - 9:18am
Part 2 of a series
 
In the ongoing battle against the abuse of opioid drugs, there is a group of people feeling more and more like they are caught in the crossfire. They are the patients, like robbery suspect Chris White, who suffer from chronic pain, have been taking narcotics for many years and now are unable to get the medications on which they have become physically and psychologically dependent. 

SAR  helps lost hiker to safety

Published by admin on Thu, 03/12/2020 - 9:17am
Custer County Search & Rescue (SAR) was paged around 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, for a report of a lost hiker near Black Elk Peak. The woman hiking solo made it up the mountain via Trail 9, but decided to take a different trail, Trail 4, on the way down. With all the snow, and possibly overlooking a directional sign, she ended up on Trail 3, which led the wrong way from where she had parked her car near Sylvan Lake.

Optimism that coronavirus won’t impact tourism

Published by admin on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 9:21am
State Department of Tourism officials, as well as local tourist destination and hospitality industry officials say they are not yet worried the spread of the novel coronavirus will affect this summer’s tourism to the state, either through visitation or the import of foreign workers.
“South Dakota sees great success in international visitation,” said Katlyn Richter, global media & public relations director for the South Dakota Department of Tourism. “We remain confident that we will be able to see another successful year of travel tourism in South Dakota.”

Aker access saga rolls on

Published by admin on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 9:19am
The ongoing saga of the Alan Aker land was back before the Custer County Commission at the commission’s Feb. 26 meeting, as lawyers representing both Aker and an adjacent landowner, the Pray family, were present at the meeting to discuss the possibility of platting land in an agreed-upon swap between the two as part of a settlement agreement in a lawsuit.

An in-depth look at opioids

Published by admin on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 9:18am
Editor’s Note: The Feb. 11 law enforcement standoff that ended with the death by suicide of Chris White on the streets of Custer shocked the community. At the same time, the fact that White appeared to be acting out of desperation because of a dependence on prescription opioids has awakened many to the fact that Custer County is not immune from the nationwide opioid crisis. In this series, we plan to examine the situation here from the perspective of the medical community, law enforcement and state and volunteer agencies seeking to help those struggling with addiction.