News

‘A day we honor America’

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 11:23am

 

Mount Rushmore’s July 3 event emblazoned patriotism, liberty and American culture.

While for most locals the July 3 event at Mount Rushmore National Memorial was monumental, to the lucky 7,500 people who filed into the monument, the real draw was President Donald J. Trump.

“The day before the lottery was announced, we heard Trump would be speaking,” said Donna Lewis, who traveled with friends from Minnesota. “We all registered for the lottery. He is the icing on the cake.”

Keystone packed for show

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 10:52am

On a given Fourth of July weekend, the town of Keystone can expect to see an influx of people.

But this year was different.

Fireworks were being held at Mount Rushmore National Memorial for the first time in over a decade with President Donald Trump and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem in attendance, and the already busy summer tourism town was packed to the gills.

“It's just a good day to celebrate America,” said Brad Johnson, who made the trek out to the Black Hills from California.

Sheriff: 21 charged in connection to Mount Rushmore protests

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 10:52am

A total of 21 individuals — 20 adults and one juvenile — were arrested and charged relating to the protests in Keystone, according to the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.

It was the protests that brought Freddie Longsworth of Pine Ridge and a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe to Keystone July 3.

Longsworth was there to protest the Trump administration and its policies and practices towards indigenous people.

Interviewed before the protest started, Longsworth said he was hoping for a good turnout.

Wandering bear comes to town

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:24am
A visiting bear appears to be making the rounds and is perhaps looking for a taste of city life. A black bear was spotted at least twice in and around the town of Custer in the early morning hours of Friday morning. 
Sam Nicholai was on his way to Pleasant Valley Road west of Custer at about 5:15 a.m. to help launch a hot air balloon as a member of the crew of Black Hills Balloons. He had just passed the Super 8 Motel when he and his passengers saw the bear on the south side of Hwy. 16 in the vicinity of the Stage Stop Gift Shop. 

Kidnapping, carjacking in Hermosa

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:23am
After a long, but relatively quiet July 4 weekend, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office started the new week by investigating a bizarre case of assault, kidnapping and carjacking that began Sunday evening and continued into the wee hours of Monday morning. 

Quilt of gratitude

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:23am
After a long Friday of providing traffic control and keeping the peace on Iron Mountain Road for the presidential visit to Mt. Rushmore for the July 3 fireworks display, Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley returned home about 11 p.m. to find a pleasant surprise. Sitting outside his home was a wooden barn quilt bearing a shield and the Bible quote “Blessed are the peacemakers.” It was a gift made and delivered by the Black Hills Barn Quilters in gratitude for Mechaley’s service to the community. The makers had signed and written messages of support on the back. 

County’s help is sought for flooding remedy

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:18am
After heavy rain (with estimates as high as five inches in town) caused more flooding in residences in the Harbach Lane and Granite Heights areas, residents from those areas came before the Custer County Commission to request the county’s help in looking for solutions.
Larry Noem, who lives in the area, said ever since the new extension of Sidney Park Road was constructed, the problems are worse, as sediment from the hill washes down and plugs box culverts under the road.

Courthouse carry creates confusion

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:16am
A law passed by the South Dakota State Legislature during its 2020 session that allows county employees assigned to a courthouse to carry a firearm or other weapon  at the courthouse went into effect July 1.
While such a law seems simple on the surface, it has caused confusion and brought up a slew of questions, many of which were discussed by the Custer County Commission and some county employees at the July 1 meeting of the commission.

County has now had 10 COVID-19 cases

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:15am
The United States reached a daily global record for the coronavirus pandemic last week, reporting more than 55,000 new COVID-19 cases. The daily U.S. tally went to 55,274 late July 2, which exceeded  the previous single-day record of 54,771 set by Brazil June 19.
Among those last week were two new cases in Custer County, when the county added its ninth positive case last Wednesday and its 10th case last Thursday.

Buffalo Gap Blow Out is Saturday

Published by admin on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 9:14am
The fourth annual Buffalo Gap Blow Out will take place this Saturday, July 11, with a full day of events and live music.
There will be games and activities for children as well as for adults, including horseshoes, cornhole and human foosball. There will be food and drink vendors as well as a beer garden.  Dry camping will be available.
There will be a parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street and a free classic “Car n Park” all day.