Custer County Chronicle

Minnesota man arrested after pursuit

Published by admin on Wed, 08/20/2025 - 12:38pm

A 35-year-old Minnesota man is facing multiple charges after evading law enforcement in Custer State Park.
On August 14 at approximately 9:30 a.m., Shane Ryan Dwyer, 35, of St. Paul, was stopped by a Custer State Park law enforcement officer on the Wildlife Loop Road for a traffic violation. 
According to the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, Dwyer fled the traffic stop and continued along Wildlife Loop Road toward Hwy. 16A despite attempts to stop the vehicle.

Make a splash at Hermosa’s duck races Sunday

Published by admin on Wed, 08/20/2025 - 12:37pm

Grab a lawn chair, make a dish to share and get ready for Hermosa’s Annual Duck Races—promising a full afternoon of fun, food and entertainment for the whole family. 
The event will take place at the Lintz Ranch located at 13937 Hwy. 36 in Hermosa. 
At noon, things will kick off with a potluck, with hamburgers provided by Bishop Beef. Attendees are encouraged to bring a side or dessert to share. Beverages and paper products will be provided.

Hermosa man caught in Sturgis sting

Published by admin on Wed, 08/20/2025 - 12:34pm

A Hermosa resident was among the five men arrested during a child exploitation operation conducted by the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Joshua Michael Allen, 36, was charged with Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet during the course of the operation.

Capitol work looms as major expense

Published by admin on Wed, 08/20/2025 - 10:34am
As South Dakota lawmakers consider spending $650 million to build a prison, another major building expense is looming: the first full restoration of the state Capitol in nearly 40 years.
The state official in charge of planning the restoration is Darin Seeley, commissioner of the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration. When he briefed a committee of legislators during a public meeting Tuesday at the Capitol, one of them asked for a ballpark estimate of the cost.

Residents question legal expenses

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 1:41pm

Once again the legal budget was a top item of discussion at the Hermosa Board of Trustees Aug. 5 meeting, but this time, a shift from the norm, a full house was in attendance and with plenty to say. 
Ordinance 2.077A, the Supplemental Appropriations Ordinance, was given a first reading, and this supplemental budget increased the town’s legal budget by $10,000, and also provided a number of other budget adjustments. 

City council approves more WWTP costs

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 1:38pm

Just over $16,000 was added to the City of Custer’s wastewater treatment plant upgrade project via change order at the Aug. 4 meeting of the Custer City Council.
The council heard from Trent Bruce of DGR Engineering via teleconference at the meeting, with Bruce telling the council the increase is due to a pair of reasons—an privacy slats on a fence and the delay of implementation of the plant due to the ongoing federal court case regarding the plant.

County approves improvements for SAR

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 1:38pm

The Custer County Search and Rescue (SAR) building needs a few improvements and will get them soon, thanks to approval from the Custer County Commission at its Aug. 6 meeting. 
Building and grounds maintenance supervisor Joe Panza said the HVAC system at SAR was not functioning and had leaked all of its freon. Joe Merkle of JAM Heating and Cooling inspected it and said it is not worth repairing because it is over 25 years old. 

Early numbers show a strong rally

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 1:38pm

The 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally appears to have been a successful one in terms of both visitors to the area and dollars spent, as the state and merchants are reporting improved numbers virtually across the board as the sound of the bikes fades away for another year.
John Parker, owner of Calamity Jane’s Kitchen and Gold Pan Saloon, said his businesses had a strong week, in particular Calamity Jane’s, which he described as “slammed.”

Four is official state rally fatality count

Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 1:07pm

The State of South Dakota’s Department of Public Safety lists four as the number of those who died district-wide as a result of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally-related accidents. Last year there were three such fatalities. Below is a summary of all fatal accidents or accidents that happened in the area from Aug. 3 to Aug. 9 of the rally.

County fair starts Thursday

Published by admin on Wed, 08/06/2025 - 12:55pm

Hermosa is the place to be this weekend, as the Custer County Fair returns for four days of fun Aug. 7-10.
The action begins Thursday, Aug. 7, at 8 a.m. with small animal check-in beginning at the same time.