Custer County Chronicle

Pamyua to bring 'Inuit soul' to Custer

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 3:30pm

From Native Americans’ Day Oct. 9 through Oct. 14, Custer will be filled with the sounds of Pamyua, a  musical group from the Yup’ik culture of Alaska. They come to Custer through a partnership between Arts Midwest’s World Fest program and the Custer Area Arts Council. While here they will spend a week offering workshops and a concert for the community.
Earlier this year, Custer welcomed Okra Playground of Finland and Okaidja Afroso Ensemble from Ghana through this same partnership.

Council amends VRBO rules

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 3:29pm

A year after it put a halt to allowing more vacation rentals in residential areas of the city, the Custer City Council voted unanimously to allow more such rentals in residential areas—with a very specific catch.
At its Sept. 18 meeting the council passed the first reading of an amendment to Ordinance No. 896, which amends Title 17, Chapter 17.12 of the city’s municipal code, which deals with residential areas of town.

County audit shows improvement

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 3:29pm

The Custer County Commission received good news on the audit front at its Sept. 20 meeting—things are improving in the auditors office.
That was the message delivered by Bruce Hintz of the South Dakota Department of Legislative Audit, who has been at the Custer County Courthouse working with Auditor’s Office staff working on the county’s 2021 audit.

58th Annual Governor’s Buffalo Roundup is Friday

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 9:02am
By Nathan Steele
 
An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people are expected to gather and watch the stampede of 1,300 buffalo at Custer State Park’s 58th annual Buffalo Roundup this Friday, September 29. 
The roundup starts at about 9:30 a.m., but does depend on the cooperation of the bison. Viewers who wish to pick their preferred viewing spot are advised to arrive early with gates to viewing areas opening at 6:15 a.m. Handicap parking is available and golf carts are available to assist people to the viewing area should they need it.

Joining the picket line

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 2:33pm

Custer can hardly seem further removed from the bright lights and intricate sets of Hollywood entertainment, but as small towns tend to reveal, it is a small world.  In fact, Custer native, Anne Cofell Saunders is right in the middle of the latest Hollywood hubbub as she is actively involved in the Writers Guild of America strike and has been on the picket lines often in hopes that the strike will end soon so she and other professionals in the industry can get back to work—with fair wages and protections from controversial technology like Artifical Intelligence, for example.

CTE wing yet to have any wings

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 2:29pm

At the Sept. 11 meeting of the Custer School District Board of Education, Jeremy Altman of Architecture Inc. presented on a new design for the CTE (Career and Technical Education) expansion project.
“At this point, we’re looking for direction on whether or not this is feasible,” said Altman.
At a total project cost of $39,219,670, it’s looking like the answer is “no”—at least in the iteration presented at the meeting.

Judge denies writ of mandamus

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 2:28pm

Preserve French Creek, Inc., was dealt a blow in its quest to prevent the City of Custer from redirecting its effluent discharge into French Creek. Its request for a writ of mandamus that would stop that portion of the project was denied again in Seventh Judicial Circuit Court.
In a ruling issued Sept. 15, Seventh Circuit Court  judge Stacy Wickre wrote the ordinance voted on by Custer County voters that deems discharge of the city’s effluent into French Creek or its tributaries as a nuisance is preempted by state law that prohibits the county’s enforcement of the ordinance.

Crazy Horse to end laser light show Sept. 30

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 10:26am

Sept. 30 will mark the end of an era as the Legends in Light laser show shines for the last time against the Mountain at Crazy Horse Memorial.  What began as a dream and a generous one million dollar donation from Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s mogul Ray Kroc, went on to amaze and entertain Crazy Horse Memorial visitors from all over the world for nearly 20 years.

Businesses asked to pitch in to ‘Freedom Works Here’ campaign

Published by admin on Wed, 09/20/2023 - 9:14am
Gov. Kristi Noem’s administration reached out to economic development groups and major employers across South Dakota last month, asking them to help extend a run of national TV commercials touting her “Freedom Works Here” workforce recruitment campaign.
By contributing $10,000, they were told, they would receive perks such as callouts on the “Freedom Works Here” website and social media channels, detailed market research data and two invitations to the Governor’s Pheasant Hunt.

Mostly strong tourism season reported

Published by admin on Wed, 09/13/2023 - 3:26pm

Memorial Day, Independence Day, Gold Discovery Days, the Rally and Labor Day and almost  all of the other golden days of summer have all come and gone. Gone with them are many of the millions of annual tourists who come to visit the area, but not without leaving their mark on local businesses, parks and attractions.
This year seems to be a bit hit or miss. Some business report lessened visitation, while others are just as busy as ever—even on par with record years.