Custer County Chronicle

County looks at ag crackdown

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:47am

Custer County may make it more difficult for landowners to qualify for agriculture land taxes in the near future.
The topic of landowners who apply for and/or receive ag land status on their land who are not using said land for true ag purposes was discussed at the March 19 meeting of the Custer County Commission, with county equalization director Scott Storms saying he would like to see it made more difficult to qualify for ag status.

Ag program approved for CSD

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:46am

The addition of an Agricultural (ag) Science Program to the Custer School District (CSD) was approved by the Custer School District Board of Education at the board’s March 13 meeting at the school administrative building.
One of the concerns prior to the meeting was the availability of staff. District superintendent of schools Mark Naugle said he had around 10 requests for an interview even though there officially was not a job.

Legislators discuss session battles

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:44am

This year marked South Dakota’s 100th Legislative Session, and it was complete with both victories and battles, according to District 30 Sen. Amber Hulse and Rep. Tim Goodwin. Rep. Trish Ladner was contacted as well but was unavailable for comment.
“This session was a tremendous success for our values, our communities and the future of South Dakota,” Hulse said.
Both Hulse and Goodwin said they got some meaningful legislation through this session.

Iowa man dies in early morning wreck

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:43am

A Cherokee, Iowa, man died in the early morning hours of March 22 in a single vehicle crash in Pringle.
According to preliminary crash information, Jordan Morris Anfinson, 24, was in a 2019 Ford Fusion was traveling eastbound on Lime Kiln Road in Pringle when the vehicle left the road and entered the ditch, striking a culvert and overturned. The driver was ejected and died at the scene.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary.

Council listens to project updates

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:42am

It’s a busy time in the world of infrastructure in the City of Custer, as the wastewater treatment plant project winds to a close, West Dam construction gears up and a utilities improvement project appears on the horizon.
The Custer City Council heard updates on all of the projects from Trent Bruce of DGR Engineering at the March 17 meeting of the Custer City Council, with Bruce saying a kickoff meeting for the start up process of the upgraded wastewater treatment facility will happen in the near future.

Rhoden signs bills related to education

Published by admin on Wed, 03/26/2025 - 9:40am

South Dakota Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden signed four bills Wednesday that reduce education funding in some areas and increase it in others.
The cuts are in HB 1040, which reduces the state subsidy for high-schoolers taking dual enrollment courses for college credit, and HB 1039, which bars new enrollments in a program that pays teachers and school counselors a stipend for becoming nationally board certified. Both measures were among numerous budget-cutting ideas considered by lawmakers during the legislative session.

Some legislators shift to blaming county spending

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:58pm

Two years ago, South Dakota lawmakers were so concerned about the financial struggles of counties that they devoted a summer study to the topic.
After it was completed, state Sen. Randy Deibert, R-Spearfish, a former Lawrence County commissioner and member of the study committee, said it was illuminating.
“I do believe we’ve had a lot of education that’s taken place because of the summer study — especially with the committee members and the word they’re getting out to constituents and fellow legislators about the hardships counties are having and why they’re having it.”

Body identified, airman charged

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:44pm

An Ellsworth Air Force Base airman is under arrest in connection with the discovery of a decomposed body found near the Custer County/Pennington County line off Hwy. 87 March 4.
Quinterius Chappelle, 24, was arrested and charged with federal second-degree murder charges after the badly decomposed body of 21-year-old Sahela Sangrait of Box Elder was discovered last week.

Legislature balks at West Dam funding

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:44pm

There will be no state funding for West Dam. Not this year, at least.
On Feb. 26 the legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee tabled HB 1237, a bill introduced by District 30 Rep. Tim Goodwin that sought $1.5  million to help with the reconstruction of West Dam.
The end of the legislative session came and went with the bill still tabled.
That means for the second year District 30 legislators and the City of Custer’s  pleas for help in fixing the dam went unanswered, leaving the city disappointed but still determined to see the project through.

Mount Rushmore fireworks to return

Published by admin on Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:43pm

According to a Feb. 17 press release fireworks will be coming back to Mount Rushmore in 2026. The release states that South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum “agreed that fireworks will return to Mount Rushmore for America’s 250th birthday in 2026.” Burgum is the former governor of North Dakota.