News

County approves improvements for SAR

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 1:38pm

The Custer County Search and Rescue (SAR) building needs a few improvements and will get them soon, thanks to approval from the Custer County Commission at its Aug. 6 meeting. 
Building and grounds maintenance supervisor Joe Panza said the HVAC system at SAR was not functioning and had leaked all of its freon. Joe Merkle of JAM Heating and Cooling inspected it and said it is not worth repairing because it is over 25 years old. 

Early numbers show a strong rally

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 1:38pm

The 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally appears to have been a successful one in terms of both visitors to the area and dollars spent, as the state and merchants are reporting improved numbers virtually across the board as the sound of the bikes fades away for another year.
John Parker, owner of Calamity Jane’s Kitchen and Gold Pan Saloon, said his businesses had a strong week, in particular Calamity Jane’s, which he described as “slammed.”

Four is official state rally fatality count

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 1:07pm

The State of South Dakota’s Department of Public Safety lists four as the number of those who died district-wide as a result of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally-related accidents. Last year there were three such fatalities. Below is a summary of all fatal accidents or accidents that happened in the area from Aug. 3 to Aug. 9 of the rally.

New public restrooms take shape in Keystone

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 9:22am
Discussion about the Town of Keystone’s future public bathrooms took place at the Aug. 6 Keystone Town Board meeting. The idea is to combine both a visitor center and restroom facility into one. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) will remove the current public restroom on Swanzey Street as part of a 2026 bridge project in town. 
Town engineer Zach Grapentine said the town is looking at a 18 x 44 footprint for the new public restrooms building.

County fair starts Thursday

Published by admin on Wed, 08/06/2025 - 12:55pm

Hermosa is the place to be this weekend, as the Custer County Fair returns for four days of fun Aug. 7-10.
The action begins Thursday, Aug. 7, at 8 a.m. with small animal check-in beginning at the same time.

County deals with approach issues

Published by admin on Wed, 08/06/2025 - 12:51pm

Access issues were among the top issues discussed at the July 23 meeting of the Custer County Commission as the commission dealt with a handful of applications to add additional approaches to landowners’ property.
The first one discussed was one that had been brought up at a previous meeting when the neighbor to the property urged the commission not to allow his Medicine Root Road neighbor an additional access point to his property.
The neighbor said at that time he felt allowing the additional access was a safety issue.

Trustee questions legality of claim approval

Published by admin on Wed, 08/06/2025 - 12:50pm

Heated and lengthy discussion ensued among the Hermosa Town Board when it came to monthly claims at the board’s July 22 town board meeting.
Up for approval was the $2,500 monthly August retainer for town attorney Kent Hagg, which provides the town with 10 hours of service at $250 per hour and an additional five-and-half hours at $275 per hour, for a total of $4,048. 
“Approval of this claim pushes us beyond our budgeted spending,” trustee Aaron Serviss said. 

Officials encouraging people to ‘Hike Smart’

Published by admin on Wed, 08/06/2025 - 12:50pm

“Western South Dakota is beautiful, but it can also be unpredictable,” states the new Unified Hiker Safety Campaign for Western South Dakota. 
In response to a sharp rise in calls for hikers in distress who were not adequately prepared for the conditions and unfamiliar environment, emergency management crews across the western part of the state have launched the campaign initiative, urging hikers to be prepared and practice caution before hitting the trails.

Celebrate the 150th birthday of Custer Aug. 10

Published by admin on Wed, 08/06/2025 - 12:49pm

Celebrate the 150th birthday of Custer City Sunday, Aug. 10, from 2-4 p.m. with the Custer County Historical Society the 1881 Courthouse Museum. Activities will include the reading of a proclamation, raffle drawing, kid’s activities and, of course, birthday cake and ice cream. 

Hill City locks up prison decision

Published by admin on Wed, 08/06/2025 - 10:21am
Aldermen did not mince words at the July 28 Hill City Common Council meeting as they said a hard no thank you to the idea of submitting a proposal for a state prison in Hill City.
Mayor Tana Nichols thanked Rep. Tim Goodwin for his presentation at the last Hill City Common Council (HCCC) meeting but said “we will not be pursuing the idea at this time.”