Custer County Chronicle

Off to the races for 2026 elections

Published by admin on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 10:11am

Petitions are in, and the results are out. While several town board and city council seats were open across the county, there will only be an election for the Hermosa and Buffalo Gap town boards. The rest did not receive enough petitions to warrant an election. 
However, the Custer and Elk Mountain School Districts will see an election. The Custer County Commissioner role has the most candidates, and there will be District 30 races this election as well.

County enacts hiring freeze

Published by admin on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 10:10am

Custer County is staring at a potential budget crisis down the road if it doesn’t act now to cut spending.
That is the position of at least two Custer County Commission members who have spent several weeks studying the issue, it was revealed at the March 25 meeting of the commission.

Water could be next on tap for city

Published by admin on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 10:09am

With its renovated/upgraded wastewater system set to go online in a couple of months, the City of Custer will likely now focus—at least sometime in the near future—on an upgrade to the entrance on the opposite side of the water system.

Commission OKs abatements

Published by admin on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 10:08am

A property tax/abatement issue that began last November came to a conclusion at the March 25 meeting of the Custer County Commission, as the commission agreed to a full abatement on a pair of Custer County lots while agreeing to split the difference on a requested abatement on six other lots. All told, the county abated $24,147.71 in property taxes for which it has sent out bills.

Legislators proud of property tax relief

Published by admin on Wed, 04/08/2026 - 10:01am
Like many years, the 101st South Dakota Legislative Session saw some successes, triggered some disappointment and inspired aspirations for the next session.
Overall, District 30 Rep. Trish Ladner said it was a highly successful session, with Rep. Tim Goodwin saying it was perhaps the most productive session he has ever participated in.
“The House and Senate worked together effectively to serve the people of South Dakota. Our shared focus remained clear throughout, and that was working for the people of our state,” said Ladner.

Black Hills Energy seeks rate increase

Published by admin on Wed, 04/01/2026 - 2:55pm

By Jason Ferguson

Custer County churches celebrate Holy Week

Published by admin on Wed, 04/01/2026 - 2:52pm

Custer County churches are celebrating Holy Week with a number of special services. This year, Maundy Thursday is April 2, Good Friday is April 3 and Easter Sunday is April 5.
Custer Lutheran Fellowship ELCA is having a Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 p.m and a Good Friday Crosswalk at 6:30 p.m. Then, an Easter Sunrise Worship service will take place at 6:30 a.m., followed by a worship service at 9:30 a.m.

Ad hoc group says ‘more T-shirts needed’ in Custer

Published by admin on Wed, 04/01/2026 - 2:49pm

By Jason Ferguson

Community response to Qury Fire ‘impressive’

Published by admin on Wed, 04/01/2026 - 2:48pm

In the aftermath of the Qury Fire, which began March 12, many are marveling at the community’s response to the incident, from providing meals and lodging for evacuees to volunteering hours of time to help emergency services. 
“Having people and organizations step up like that, it makes the job very rewarding,” said Custer County Emergency Management director Steve Esser. “I can’t say enough about how great it was to have so many people that were a part of how successful it was.” 

Sheriff’s office talks patrol changes

Published by admin on Wed, 04/01/2026 - 2:48pm

When the City of Custer opted not to enter into a law enforcement contract with   Custer County for law enforcement services within the city, it not only trimmed the county’s law enforcement budget by over $300,000, but it also changed the way the sheriff’s office patrolled the county, county officials say.
The results of that change were discussed at the March 11 meeting of the Custer County Commission.