Custer County Chronicle

Challenges remain despite burn pit legislation

Published by admin on Thu, 08/18/2022 - 9:48am

Combat veterans in South Dakota are encouraged by new legislation in Congress to expand treatment and benefits for soldiers exposed to toxic burn pits during deployment overseas, but questions remain about the federal government’s ability to effectively provide the needed health care.

Motorcycle rally accidents piled up

Published by admin on Thu, 08/18/2022 - 9:43am

With the influx of bikers to the Black Hills for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally comes motorcycle accidents. The following is a list of accidents that are local, involve local people or were fatal for last Tuesday through the end of the Rally.
On Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m. on Hwy. 44, mile marker 88, within the city limits of Scenic, three motorcycles were eastbound when a 2019 Harley-Davidson Trike stopped on the shoulder of the road and then attempted a U-turn. A 2012 Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided with the trike and a 2018 Harley-Davidson Trike then struck the motorcycle.

Weekend events raise money for community

Published by admin on Thu, 08/18/2022 - 9:18am

Members of the Hill City community flocked to two separate events both supporting organizations in the area. About 100 people attended a free community social event at the Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch. The evening featured music and appetizers as a means  to celebrate their 50-year anniversary. It was also a good excuse to support the Hill City Community Foundation, according to Gwyn Wathen of Recreational Adventures Company (RAC).
Wathen delivered a $50,000 check to the Hill City Community Foundation.

Custer County Fair starts Thursday

Published by admin on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 9:20am

Hermosa is the place to be this weekend, as the Custer County Fair returns for four days of fun Aug. 11-14.
The action begins Thursday, Aug. 11, at 8 a.m., when open class exhibit entries will be accepted. Small animal registration begins at the same time.
The first showmanship begins at 10 a.m. and continues into the afternoon. At noon, judging of 4-H indoor exhibits and Cloverbud displays begins. At 5 p.m. the annual kickoff supper will take place, followed by the Barnyard Olympics at 7 p.m.

Hermosa sewer project stopped by DANR

Published by admin on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 9:18am

As a result of a long-running dispute with the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), the Town of Hermosa may face the expensive prospect of having to tear out a newly installed sewer extension and replace it to comply with state standards.
On July 26 board of trustees chairman Dan Holsworth was sent a fourth letter from DANR natural resources engineer Neal Konda again denying approval of the town’s recent water and sewer extension project, construction of which was apparently started before state approval was given.

Businesses report up and down Rally

Published by admin on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 9:17am

The Sturgis Rally is usually a tsunami of motorcycle activity and tourist bikers, but this year’s 82nd event is showing some ebb and flow in Custer. Some Rally vendors started setting up their retail tents on the main drag of Mt. Rushmore Road weeks ago in anticipation of pre-Rally sales. Yet, some of these business owners stood under their tents wondering where all the customers were.

School board touches on variety of topics

Published by admin on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 9:17am

The final Custer School District Board of Education meeting before the start of the school year was held Monday, Aug. 8 at the Hermosa School.
Among those to speak were district behavior therapist Sonja Tennyson, who reviewed what was learned at a behavior therapy conference in Denver.

SAR responds to injured rock climber

Published by admin on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 9:08am

Custer County Search and Rescue (SAR) and Custer Ambulance Service was dispatched July 30 at 2:04 p.m. for a report of an injured rock climber who had fallen 30 feet from a spire along the Needles Highway, just up the road from the Cathedral Spires Trailhead parking area. SAR officials say the climber’s rope probably saved him from a longer fall but the report stated he had landed on some rocks, making it likely a serious situation.

Rushmore fireworks appeal rejected

Published by admin on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 9:01am
A federal appeals court has rejected an appeal from Gov. Kristi Noem’s administration regarding Noem’s efforts to have a July 4 firworks display at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
After having fireworks at the memorial in 2020, Noem’s administration sought to once again have firework at the memorial July 4, 2021. That request was denied by the National Parks Service, which cited COVID-19, wildfire safety, environmental concerns and tribal relations as among the reasons for denying the permit. The state sued, arguing the rejection was arbitrary and capricious.

Motorcycle rally accidents piling up

Published by admin on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 8:59am

With the influx of bikers to the Black Hills for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally comes motorcycle accidents. The following is a list of accidents that are local, involve local people or were fatal.