Custer County Chronicle

Alcohol, tobacco sales soared during pandemic

Published by admin on Thu, 08/19/2021 - 8:42am

South Dakotans bought far more alcohol and tobacco than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some healthcare professionals are concerned that residents who consumed more of the unhealthy products could suffer long-term physical and mental health consequences.
Health experts say the pandemic brought on social isolation, job loss, grief and ongoing anxiety about the future, all factors that likely contributed to heightened use of alcohol and tobacco.

Juvenile justice reforms not working as well for minorities

Published by admin on Thu, 08/19/2021 - 8:42am

A series of juvenile justice reforms enacted in South Dakota over the past decade have kept more low-level youth offenders out of detention centers and away from criminal activity that could land them in the adult system, according to state officials.
But state data show that youth of color — who make up a wide majority of the population in the juvenile justice system — have not benefited as much from the reforms and are still being detained in locked facilities at much higher rates than white youths.

Voters, road districts signal county growth

Published by admin on Thu, 08/12/2021 - 9:13am

Part 11 of a series of articles examining the numerous economic and lifestyle impacts of the current in-migration to Custer County.
 One of the main ways county chief deputy auditor Terri Cornelison at the Custer County Auditor’s office knows the county is growing is simply by the increased traffic at the courthouse these days.
“It seems like the courthouse is busy all the time,” said Cornelison, who notes that, depending on which door they enter by, visitors routinely stop at the first window they encounter to ask directions.  

Down Memory Lane Aug. 11

Published by admin on Thu, 08/12/2021 - 9:12am

­­10 years ago, 2011 — Hermosa and Buffalo Gap were celebrating their 125th anniversary ... A rain storm whipped through Custer, bringing heavy rain, strong wind, hail and several lighting strikes. It dumped two inches of rain in town in only 30 minutes. ... Warren Jeffs, prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), was found guilty on one count of sexual assault of a child and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Eight Days in Custer County

Published by admin on Thu, 08/12/2021 - 9:05am

Thursday, Aug. 12
Custer County Fair Begins
Lions Club, noon, Pizza Works
Custer County Fair Kickoff Supper, 5 p.m., Custer County Fairgrounds
ADD/ADHD Support Group, 6:30 p.m., Monument Health Custer Hospital Conferene Room
Civil Air Patrol, 6:30 p.m., Custer County Airport
Barnyard Olympics, 7 p.m., Custer County Fairgrounds

Sheriff's Log July 15-20

Published by admin on Thu, 08/12/2021 - 8:51am

Thursday, July 15
5:18 p.m.: A person with an unfriendly dog was reportedly seated outside a downtown Custer restaurant. A deputy spoke with the dog owner about controlling their beast.
5:43 p.m.: A firewood drive-off was reported at a downtown Custer convenience store. Yes, someone grabbed a bundle or two and trundled away. They were identified by their out-of-state license plates.
6:49 p.m.: Drunken shenanigans involving a knife were reported at a Pringle tavern. No one involved was hurt or wanted to press any charges.

More boxes, packages lead post office growth

Published by admin on Thu, 08/05/2021 - 9:38am

Part 10 of a series of articles examining the numerous economic and lifestyle impacts of the current in-migration to Custer County.
 “I know they’d like a break,” said Custer Postmaster Kirk Rust. “Some of them are working six days a week and 10-12-hour days.”
Rust is referring to his dozen postal carriers and other employees in the Custer office who are handling an increased workload in recent months because of the population boom Custer County is experiencing.

Behlings inducted to Florists Hall of Fame

Published by admin on Thu, 08/05/2021 - 9:36am

Flowers, it seems, have a way of opening many doors and that has certainly been the case for Jenny Behlings, owner of Jenny’s Floral in Custer. Behlings learned last week that the door to the S.D. Florists Hall of Fame has been opened to her and she is being inducted into that elite company.  

Couple renew friendship

Published by admin on Thu, 08/05/2021 - 9:35am

A couple of car guys who hadn’t seen each other for 20 years renewed their friendship last week and cruised around the Hills in a great-looking ’59 Corvette.
Tom Griffin and Carl Hansen of Custer met 45 years ago through a common love of skiing and cars. Tom was president of MinneSnowta Ski Council for several years and Carl was one of his vice presidents.

‘Altar Boyz’ delivers the laughs

Published by admin on Thu, 08/05/2021 - 9:32am

Lacking in any real story line or character development, it would seem that “Altar Boyz” would fall flat as a musical comedy. However, the brilliant blend of mockery of religion and boy bands, well choreographed numbers and superb delivery by the actors is a sheer delight, with laughs from beginning to end.