News

Custer well below normal precip

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 10:08am

About three-quarters of Custer County is now in an extreme drought due to a year that saw most of the months—particularly the summer months—bring less precipitation than normal.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows that Custer County from the eastern border of Custer State Park west is in extreme drought, while the area from the western boundary of the park to the eastern border of the county is in severe drought.

First responders have busy 2024

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 10:04am

This year was a busy year in terms of calls for service among emergency response organizations in Custer. For some, this was a record year in terms of calls, and for others the busyness was on par with what have been gradually busier and busier years, on average.
The Custer Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD), Custer Ambulance Service the Custer County Sheriff’s Office and the Custer County Search and Rescue all reported busy years.

Star Valley residents celebrate home removal

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 10:03am

That sound you heard from south of town Dec. 4 was Star Valley residents celebrating homelessness.
Not that kind of homelessness.
It was on that day the three houses that have sat on Galaxy Drive in the subdivision for nearly three years were hauled away, the culmination of a vexing 1,075-ish days of a saga that included anger, tears, exasperation and even an arrest.

City spells out dog park rules in ordinance form

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 10:03am

Establishing dog park rules, passing a supplemental budget and approving the annual animal control contract with Battle Mountain Humane Society were all on the agenda for the Custer City Council as it breezed through a 23-minute meeting Dec. 2 at city hall.

Hermosa installs water treatment plant

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 10:02am

After years of dealing with lagoon capacity problems, the Town of Hermosa began installation of a water treatment plant on Nov. 27.
“We have been trying to get this process through for seven years,” Chuck Ferguson, Hermosa’s public works director, said. “It is going to be a huge improvement.”
The growth and development in Hermosa, including an anticipated 100 more homes to be built, are taxing the town’s infrastructure, forcing the town to hustle to keep up with increased demands.

Hermosa tackles infrastructure

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 10:01am

Hermosa is taking proactive steps to enhance its resilience against natural disasters. The town recently hosted the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, a federal initiative aimed at shifting disaster funding from reactive to proactive measures.

Holiday church services scheduled

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 9:57am

It’s almost Christmastime, and area churches have been busy planning their annual Christmas services, with some adding some additional services and events just for the holiday.
Custer Community Church will have its annual Christmas tea Dec. 12 at 2 p.m., with a concert duet by Lois Wells and Sharon Hansen beginning at 1:45 p.m.. Then, on Christmas Eve, the church will have a candlelight service at 5:30 with the story of Christmas and carols.

Worst case scenario for water rates

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 9:38am
A fluctuating crowd gathered at the Hill City Center Dec. 5 for a special Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting to hear how the planned improvement projects may affect their water and sewer rates if the city does not receive funding from the state. 
The meeting covered the need for the various projects, different alternatives evaluated by the project engineer, project selection, proposed financing, maximum amount that could be borrowed for the project, source of repayment and effect of the proposed financing on the users.

Town applies to state for sewer project

Published by admin on Wed, 12/11/2024 - 9:29am
The Town of Keystone is applying for funding for its sewer pipe upgrade project. A resolution authorizing application for financial assistance was passed by trustees at the Dec. 4 Keystone Town Board meeting. The public hearing held at the meeting, along with the resolution, are the first steps to ask the state water plan to fund the project. 
Jennifer Sietsema, executive director Of Black Hills Council of Local Governments, walked trustees through the public hearing process while town engineer Zach Grapentine explained the need for the project. 

Custer County gears up for Christmas events

Published by admin on Wed, 12/04/2024 - 5:11pm

Its time to get into the holiday spirit because a variety of Christmas events are set to return to Custer in the coming weeks, along with some new events in Hermosa.
The fun begins Dec. 7 with several events to help ring in the festive season.
The candy cane hunt will be at 9:30 a.m. at the Custer Elementary School playground, and is open to children up to 11 years old.