Custer County Chronicle

Enclosed camper raises questions

Published by admin on Wed, 08/21/2024 - 2:29pm

What constitutes a structure?
That question may be answered—at least in part—at the next meeting of the Custer County Commission, as the commission will address late fees for what the county planning department says is failure to acquire a building permit for a structure on Upper French Creek Road.
At its Aug. 7 meeting the commission heard from Colt Clewly, who is selling his home on the aforementioned road, but called to protest fines levied by the planning department for what it says is Clewly’s failure to acquire a building permit for a structure on his property.

Tax discussion shows divide between residential, agriculture

Published by admin on Wed, 08/21/2024 - 2:17pm

Testimony to a legislative committee Tuesday in Pierre highlighted a growing divide between the property tax payments of residential and agricultural property owners.
Lawmakers on the state’s Study Committee on Property Tax Assessment Methodology heard from county directors of equalization and lobbying groups.
People who own the house they live in are described as the “owner-occupied” class of property taxpayers. Matt Krogman, lobbyist for the South Dakota Association of Realtors, said those homeowners are bearing the brunt of tax increases.  

T-shirts can’t be lasting signage

Published by admin on Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:52am

The Custer City Council passed the first reading of an ordinance to regulate types of signage in Custer at its regular meeting Aug. 5. The ordinance was first discussed at the June 3 meeting, but was tabled pending discussion with business owners who would be affected by the regulations.
City planner Tessah Behlings said that this ordinance pulls from the existing signage ordinance as well as others in nearby towns in the Black Hills like Spearfish.

Shop 'till you drop this weekend

Published by admin on Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:51am

It’s Crazy Days here in Custer this weekend, and the remedy to that craziness is some good old retail therapy. Between the plethora of deals and sales at various Custer businesses and the city-wide rummage sale this weekend, there will be no shortage of places to shop around and score a bargain.
“Rummage sales bring a lot of extra traffic to town. It’s a great opportunity for stores to increase their traffic, and its a great time for you the consumer to get some great deals,” said Custer Area Chamber of Commerce director Dawn Murray.

Second Hermosa trustee quits

Published by admin on Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:38am

Another Hermosa Town Board of Trustees member has abruptly resigned from the board, as former board president Vicki Henrichsen did not attend the Aug. 6 meeting, instead sending a letter announcing her resignation. The letter was read at the meeting.

No news on Buffalo Gap tax issue

Published by admin on Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:38am

The Buffalo Gap Town Board of Trustees hoped it would have heard an update on its ongoing tax situation, but has not received any  updates from the state, town board president Glenn Scofield said at the most recent town board meeting Aug. 5.
The investigation was affecting other areas of town business, however, as on July 17 the Custer County Sheriff’s Office confiscated the computer that the town distributes its water bills from, meaning if it is not received back by the middle of this month everybody in town will get a standard flat-rate bill.

Back to basics for rescued bald eagle

Published by admin on Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:37am

Last Wednesday the Black Hills Raptor Center and conservation officers in Custer State Park were ready to re-release a 1-year-old bald eagle back into the wild at Stockade Lake. The eagle, however, was not so ready.
The eagle was first found last Saturday when it  flew into the Game Lodge Campground, where a group of about 30 people had gathered around it. Earlier that day, it had been discovered following some bicyclists, even landing on a bike.

Three fatalities reported during rally

Published by admin on Wed, 08/14/2024 - 11:36am

With the influx of bikers to the Black Hills for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally comes motorcycle accidents. The following is a list of accidents that were local, involve local people or were fatal.
On Aug. 10 at 3:43 p.m., a 2022 Honda Odyssey was traveling northbound onHwy. 16 near mile marker 59. The driver of the Honda slowed for vehicles attempting to turn ahead, near a curve. A 2004 Harley Davidson FLHR Road King and a 2007 Harley Davidson FLHX Street Glide were traveling northbound behind the Honda.

County fair starts Thursday

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 10:02am

Hermosa is the place to be this weekend, as the Custer County Fair returns for four days of fun Aug. 8-11.
The action begins Thursday, Aug. 10, at 8 a.m. with small animal registration beginning at the same time.

Custer school board talks Team Billy

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 10:01am

The Custer School District Board of Education  heard from Dr. Stephen Greene of Greene & Greene Psychotherapy in Custer about work he has been doing with teachers and students in the school district at its July 15 meeting. For the past two years, Greene has been working with teachers to incorporate polyvagal theory into their work with the aim to improve the emotional and mental regulation of themselves and students and in turn, decrease disruptive behaviors in students.