News

Answers sought over subdivision

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 12:25pm

More subdividing of land in Big Medicine Subdivision northwest of Custer has some residents concerned, with a handful of them attending the July 8 meeting of the Custer County Commission to express those concerns.
John Parker, owner of 50 acres of land in the area, has submitted a plan that would see him subdivide the land to presumably sell as around five acre parcels. County ordinance states a home cannot be built on under one acre of land.

Parade mural canceled, both parties share their side

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 12:24pm

What’s going on with the mural on the north wall of Lynn’s Dakotamart? There was a mural being painted, then it was covered up and now a completely different mural is being painted. 
Originally, the Custer County Historical Society had a contract with artist Taylor Young to paint a mural. However, in what was described as an unfortunate turn of events, the scene was returned to a blank slate when the contract was terminated June 24. Both parties have since shared their side of the story with the Chronicle. 

Confusion abounds on road, plat issue

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 12:20pm

“At this point I just need to know what you’re going to require me to do.”
Those were the words of east Custer County property owner Brandi Hunsaker, who was before the Custer County Commission at the commission’s July 8 meeting to address confusion over when and if she was to upgrade the section line on South Fairburn Road as it enters into Hunsaker Subdivision.
“As far as we know, we are not going to request (Hunsaker) to improve it,” commission chairman Jim Lintz said.

School board turns over seat to Holcomb

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 9:49am
With the end of one fiscal year and the beginning of the next, the Hill City School Board of Education wrapped up the ’25-’26 school year, and began the ’26-’27 year, all in one evening. 
Board member Todd Grabow finished out his term, stepping down after four years of service to the board. Superintendent Blake Gardner presented Grabow with a friend of education plaque to honor his time on the board. 

Aldermen create board to look into new tax

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 9:45am
Aldermen approved appointments to the Community Area Projects (CAPs) board at the July 13 Hill City Common Council  (HCCC) meeting.
This inches the city closer to the possibility of adding an additional 1 percent sales tax. The process, which is a result of the passage of House Bill 1245, is cumbersome but begins with what is known as a Capital Improvement Board (CIB). 

Water concerns force shut down

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 9:42am
Bulk water has been shut off in Keystone. That is according to public works supervisor Jerry Przybylski, who explained at the July 15 Keystone Town Board meeting concerns about having enough water for businesses and residents. 
“There’s wells all around here that are drying up,” Przybylski said, adding that he wanted to “focus on Keystone first.” Przybylski added that if the KBarS expansion was complete, “we would be struggling.” 

Surge in advance voting for Republican runoff driven by party switchers, county auditors say

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 9:37am
Advance voting in the runoff for the South Dakota Republican nomination for governor is ahead of the pace it was on for the primary election, and some county election officials are attributing it to people switching parties.
“I’ve got an election coordinator and that’s basically all she’s been doing since the primary: processing those party changes as they come in,” said Brown County auditor Lynn Heupel.

Lightning strikes (at least) twice in Custer

Published by admin on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 9:41am

What are the odds of lightning striking twice in Custer three blocks apart? On the evening of July 7, random chance became a reality as St. John the Baptist Parish Center and a private residence were hit by lightning. 
Administrative officer and firefighter for the Custer Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) Selena Spring, said the department responded to both incidents. 

Custer set to get new events center

Published by admin on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 9:32am

A new events center is in the works in Custer, and will be located on the Hwy. 16 frontage at Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort.
Mike and Bonnie Tennyson, owner of Custer Hospitality, which owns the camp resort and  five hotel properties around Custer, floated the idea of an events center at the July 6 meeting of the Custer City Council. He is proposing to fund the project through creation of a Business Improvement District (BID).

County discusses ambulances, alternative energy

Published by admin on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 8:59am
Commissioners discussed a future ambulance service in rural Pennington County following the Rapid City Fire Department’s notice that ambulance service outside the Rapid City municipal limits will end  effective Dec. 31 without a viable funding mechanism. The discussion took place at the July 9 Pennington County Commission meeting.