Custer County Chronicle

Property tax relief ideas forwarded

Published by admin on Wed, 11/05/2025 - 2:36pm

After a year of meetings, ideas and a 2025 legislative session that saw plenty of attempts but few results in curbing skyrocketing property taxes in South Dakota, the state’s Comprehensive Property Task Force has presented a bevy of suggestions for ways the 2026 legislative session can deal with the issue.
On Oct. 24, the taskforce announced its recommendations in a press release that pledges to provide property tax relief for South Dakotans “through responsible fiscal reform and smarter government spending.”

Tax payer set to lawyer up over tax rift

Published by admin on Wed, 11/05/2025 - 2:36pm

A saga dating back five years was brought to a close at the Oct. 20 meeting of the Custer County Commission—albeit with the threat of getting a lawyer involved.
Before the commission at the meeting was Cynthia Finlayson, once again addressing a tangled property tax issue that was first brought before the commission last year but actually began in 2020 when Finlayson purchased some county property.

Bison auction brings in over $900K

Published by admin on Wed, 11/05/2025 - 2:30pm

Revenue was up at the 60th Annual Custer State Park Fall Classic Bison Auction Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Custer State Park Visitor Center. In 2024, the total auction revenue was $885,425 with the sale of 482 animals. This year, the total revenue was  $971,350, and 387 animals were sold. 
The live public auction, which offered online bidding with simulcast, was managed by Bradeen Real Estate & Auctions of Custer. 

Spooktacular events in Custer County

Published by admin on Wed, 10/29/2025 - 4:58pm

Custer County is about to get spooky with witches, ghosts and zombies wandering the streets, along with some princesses and cartoon characters. Halloween is fast approaching, and with it comes a shower of candy and family-friendly events. 
Kicking off the festivities in Custer is a Haunted House at The Armory Thursday, Oct. 30 and Friday, Oct. 31 from 7-9 p.m. The Haunted House is open to all ages at the discretion of parents. There is a $5 entry fee, and all proceeds go to support the Custer Jr/Sr High School wrestling team. 

R.I.S.E. seeks prevention funding

Published by admin on Wed, 10/29/2025 - 4:56pm

A nonprofit group working to provide support and resources to prevent drug abuse in Custer County could get as much as $100,000 through Custer County for its cause.
At the Oct. 22 meeting of the Custer County Commission, Juliann Gramkow and Amanda Carlin of Recovery, Intervention, Support and Education (R.I.S.E.) were before the commission requesting funding distributed by the federal government from an opioid settlement reached four years ago.

Bomb threat was a hoax

Published by admin on Wed, 10/29/2025 - 4:54pm

A heavy law enforcement presence that included cordoned-off blocks within the City of Custer last Saturday was all the result of a hoax.
It was at 7:54 p.m. last Saturday evening when Custer County Dispatch received a call from a man who told the dispatcher who received the call he had planted a nail bomb at the Custer Volunteer Fire Department fire hall, while also claiming he had murdered his wife.
“I had a falling out with my wife,” the caller said. “I killed my wife. I slit her throat.”

Spike strips deployed in felony DUI stop

Published by admin on Wed, 10/29/2025 - 4:53pm

A Rapid City woman and a Custer man are both facing felony eluding charges as a result of fleeing from police during the course of DUI arrests in the City of Custer.
According to Custer County Sheriff’s Office documents, on Oct. 14 at around 9:17 p.m. deputy Jeremy Schuelke was traveling northbound on Hwy. 16/385 near Upper Elk Park Road in Pennington County when a vehicle traveling south came toward him in the wrong lane. Schuelke swerved into the ditch to avoid being hit by the oncoming vehicle.

Vote for Elk Mountain School expansion Nov. 4

Published by admin on Wed, 10/29/2025 - 4:52pm

For the Elk Mountain School District, polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the school. On the ballot is the board of education’s proposal to issue a bond for around $4 million to expand and remodel the school. This will require an increase in property taxes to repay the bond. 

City will continue flower program

Published by admin on Wed, 10/29/2025 - 4:49pm

The City of Custer will spend $1,750 in 2026 to continue to have the nodes on north and south 6th Street planted with flowers by a local floral shop.

Chamber launches Small Business Season

Published by admin on Wed, 10/29/2025 - 4:48pm

The Custer Chamber has announced the launch of its 2025 Small Business Season, a community-wide initiative celebrating the businesses that keep the local economy thriving. Running from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, this year’s campaign carries the message “Every Purchase Has a Purpose.”