Custer County Chronicle

Community-school garden plan grows

Published by admin on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 10:58am
Damaged by high water several times over the years, Custer Community Garden located along Wazi Lane on the west side of town suffered its last blow in 2019. After being covered by several feet of raging waters on Aug. 2 last year, the garden plot was so devastated that only volunteer plants and weeds grow there this summer. However, a plan put together by a community group will most likely bring about a whole new garden in a brand new location that is expected to be ready for planting by next spring. 

Kidnapping suspect nabbed

Published by admin on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 10:55am
Thanks to some creative investigative methods employed by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office and the state Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the woman suspected in a July 5 kidnapping and carjacking has been arrested in Nebraska. Katrina Valazquez, 24, of Pine Ridge was arrested Monday, Sept. 14, by Gordon, Neb., law enforcement on a warrant issued in late July in Custer County. 

Third time isn’t a charm

Published by admin on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 10:50am
The vast majority of the former State Treatment and Rehabilitation (STAR) Academy campus is still in possession of the state of South Dakota after the most recent attempt to auction the sprawling property last Wednesday failed to receive a bid.
The state held the auction at the Custer County Courthouse and, despite five individuals signing up for bid numbers and seemingly plenty of interest, nobody bid on the bulk of the property, although two chances to do so were offered.

Real estate market booming

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:38am
If the COVID-19 pandemic was supposed to cause the complete collapse of the U.S. economy, somebody forgot to tell the Black Hills real estate market.
While it is true the pandemic has sent the U.S. into the worst recession since the Great Depression and costs thousands their jobs and homes, there are those who are buying new homes as the pandemic unfolds, and many of those are buying those homes in Custer County, and throughout the Black Hills and entire region, for that matter.

Tourism season varied

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:37am
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 tourism season, which is now winding down, appears to have been a mixed bag. Some businesses and attractions, such as motels and caves, saw a downturn, but others experienced a banner year precisely because of virus-related lockdowns in other states. 

School studies adding staff

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:36am
The Custer School District Board of Education and school administrators plan to fast track a proposal to increase staffing to meet the needs of a growing distance learning program in the wake of coronavirus. 
During discussion at Monday night’s regular meeting on a line item related to in-district versus “distance learning by choice” numbers, several staff members said the burden of trying to keep track of students who have chosen to do courses online is putting added stress on the staff who are trying to administer the program. 

County records second death

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:34am
Custer County has recorded its second death from COVID-19-related complications, as another person died, according to the state Department of Health’s report on Saturday, Sept. 12. It was one of six deaths reported that day.
The Department of Health does not release the name, age group or gender of the person who died.
After a significant spike in cases through August and into early September, it appears the second surge of confirmed COVID-19 cases appears to be leveling off in the United States, according to multiple reports.

City budgets $7.9 million

Published by admin on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 9:33am
The Custer City Council passed the first reading of a $7,967,955 budget for 2021 at its Sept. 8 meeting, around $1.3 million less than last year’s budget.
Projected general fund expenditures are over $2 million down from a year ago, largely due to the absence of money to be spent on what was to be the Custer Community Center. Earlier this year the council balked at the cost of renovating the former Custer Elementary into a community center and the project has been put on hold for the time being, so money be put into the building has been put on hold as well.

STAR Academy auction next week

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 10:09am
Is the third time the charm?
The former State Treatment and Rehabilitation (STAR) Academy will hit the auction block again a week from today and state officials are undoubtedly hopeful this year’s auction turns out better than the last time the campus was sold to the highest bidder.

County sets budget at $10.2 million

Published by admin on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 10:07am
Custer County is set to spend around over $10 million in 2021, as its budget crests $10 million for the first time, should the budget pass its second reading later this month.
At the Sept. 2 meeting of the Custer County Commission, the commission unanimously passed the $10,232,738 provisional budget, with a second and final vote to take place later this month. The commission still has the option to make changes to the budget before final passage.