Opinion

Lighting the Mickelson is a necessity

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:02am

I was surprised to see so much negative feedback regarding a survey to gauge public interest in solar lights for the Mickelson Trail. I know people on Facebook tend to be quicker to post a complaint or negative comment than something constructive or supportive, so I guess I  shouldn’t be surprised. I want to share why I think solar lights on Custer’s share of the Mickelson Trail would be a great thing for our community, mainly by increasing safety. There’s no reason Custer shouldn’t be a place where someone can safely and peacefully walk at night.

Legislative session is over

Published by admin on Thu, 03/16/2023 - 10:02am
The 98th South Dakota Legislative regular session has come to an end.  
We will meet for one more day on March 27 for consideration of the gubernatorial vetoes. 
The House and the Senate came together to overwhelmingly pass the biggest tax cut in the history of South Dakota. It passed the House 70 to 0 and Passed the Senate 31-2. 

Proposed Florida laws are troubling

Published by admin on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 10:13am

State legislative sessions are in full swing around the country, and with that comes some states’ continual push to try to limit the freedom of the press and shield themselves from the scrutiny of the fourth estate.
Look no further than in Florida where the legislature is pushing a bill that would require any blogger who writes about Gov. Ron DeSantis — and is paid for their work — to register with the state ethics commission or the Florida Office of Legislative Services. They must do so within five days of their first post.

Yes I’m a conspiracy theorist

Published by admin on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 10:11am

I openly and freely admit it. I am a conspiracy theorist.
I confess to it without shame and, in fact, I proclaim it proudly because the last couple of years have proven that to be the opposite of a conspiracy theorist is to be sadly and even dangerously naive about what’s really happening in our world.

When is free speech yelling fire?

Published by admin on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 9:41am
“I don’t agree with what he’s saying, but I defend his right to say it.”
That’s what a man screamed at me at the legislative crackerbarrel the Prevailer hosted.
The “he” being referred to is a man I’ll call a rabble rouser. 
I want to address the  words and actions of both men because they haunt me still one week later.
For those who don’t know, the Hill City Prevailer hosted a session for legislators to explain what they are working on in Pierre and for people to ask questions and voice opinions.

Reading more important than ever

Published by admin on Thu, 03/09/2023 - 9:20am
Last Friday was “Read across America” day and the Hill City School District participated. The elementary celebrated with a pajama day and a carnival to celebrate the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  Readers from around the community visited classrooms and the kids were beyond excited.

Crackerbarrels show good, bad of politics

Published by admin on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 11:36am

We want to thank everyone who attended our crackerbarrel last Saturday at Custer Senior Center. Boy, what a crowd we had! That was by far and away the largest turnout we have ever had for one of our crackerbarrels. If we are going to get those sized crowds every time, we are going to have to look at changing venues. I think we had every seat in the house full, with overflow to the back room and even up on the stairs. Thanks again to Jodi and the senior center board for allowing us to use their facility.

Sometimes death hits you differently

Published by admin on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 11:34am

It was in this space just over two years ago that I wrote a column about my mother’s death. It’s hard to believe it’s already been two years since she died, but in many aspects it seems like it was just yesterday.

Finding Rest in Busyness

Published by admin on Thu, 03/02/2023 - 10:26am
Last week my mom got her first batch of chicks. I could spend hours watching the fuzzy little darlings. In fact, I already have. They provide such a sense of wonder, and yet it is simple at the same time. 
Their needs are very basic. They primarily eat, drink and sleep. I love to feed them out of my hand and have all eight of them try to perch on my fingers at once. I love to watch them take a sip of water, raise their heads up and bob their throats as they swallow. 

Leave legal newspaper requirements alone

Published by admin on Thu, 02/23/2023 - 10:33am

A hoghoused Senate bill recently introduced (Senate Bill 178) during this year’s legislative session seeks to change the requirements for being a legal newspaper in South Dakota. The bill was already defeated once as Senate Bill 80, but the creators of the bill changed some wording and hoghoused (when a legislator will move to strike everything after the enacting clause of a bill and insert entirely new language, turning the bill into a completely different piece of legislation.