News

Dry winter to blame

Published by admin on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:32am

Custer is behind on precipitation, but it’s winter—not summer—that is mostly to blame

Jason Ferguson

Custer roots lead Rapid City public information

Published by admin on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:28am

With roots reaching back to Custer, Tessa Jaeger and Brendyn Medina are at the helm of community relations in Rapid City, serving as the Public Information Officers (PIOs) for the fire department and police department, respectively. 
Jaeger was born and raised in Rapid City and visited Custer often growing up since both her parents used to live in Custer, as did all of her grandparents. 

250th exhibit traces state history

Published by admin on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:27am

The Great American State Fair was held from June 25 through July 10 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event spanned from the Capitol to the Washington Monument and had exhibits, live music, a ferris wheel, a rodeo and exhibits from states and territories. 

Keystone citizens make accusations to board

Published by admin on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:16am
William Waggoner  again came to the Keystone Town Board, this time demanding the town freeze water and sewer allocations to the KBarS Lodge.
The request came in front of a packed house at the Sept. 3 Keystone Town Board meeting.
Waggoner referred to several codified laws stating that “trust has been fundamentally broken” in regards to Keystone’s water and utility infrastructure.  
“This leadership has allowed our infrastructure to degrade,” Waggoner said. 

How donors in De Smet are bringing big projects to little town on the prairie

Published by admin on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:06am
Even though it happened more than a decade ago, Rita Anderson can still recall the worry she felt as all her hard work, planning and fundraising to build a community and event center in De Smet appeared to be fizzling out at the very last minute.
Anderson was the director of the De Smet Economic Development Corp. (EDC) in 2013 and had raised most of the money in private local donations to pay for the building that would include a senior center, theater, kitchen, workout room, meeting spaces and a new lighted high school football field outside.

Committee seeks three Habitat builds

Published by admin on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 12:42pm

When Gene Fennell discussed being on the new steering committee for Habitat for Humanity in Custer with local realtor  Andrea Ronning, she knew she wanted to help.
However, she also wanted to make sure something got done.
“I didn’t want to (just) be on another housing board. We’ve all sat on these boards, we’ve all had these conversations in town,” she said. “There’s not one thing that has been built. That’s why I’m so grateful for this steering committee. We all jumped in, working our tails off to get something done.”

Man arrested for fighting deputy

Published by admin on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 12:41pm

A 40-year-old Fort Morgan, Colo., man is facing a felony charge of Simple Assault against a Law Enforcement Officer, as well as four misdemeanor charges in relation to an incident with a Custer County Sheriff’s Office deputy Aug. 13.

More fire ban talk at county meeting

Published by admin on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 12:40pm

More county fire ban exemptions were granted at the Aug. 26 meeting of the Custer County Commission, while a question was raised as to whether or not incinerators are permitted under the ban as well.

Nonprofit strives to be PALS to veterans

Published by admin on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 12:40pm

A local nonprofit organization is endeavoring to be PALS to veterans at the Hot Springs VA Medical Center and the Michael J. Fitzmaurice South Dakota State Veterans Home. 
PALS’, or the Patriotic Alliance of Loyal Service’s, mission is to make a better community for veterans and their families by working to assist other veteran organizations in filling the gap for needs. 

BHE now seeks both rate increase, surcharge

Published by admin on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 9:35am
The average Black Hills Energy residential electric customer in South Dakota faces a monthly bill that will be $45 higher if state regulators approve a pending rate increase and surcharge.