Opinion

We are witnessing track greatness

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 1:54pm

We don’t write much about sports in this space, after all, that’s what Jason’s column is for. We are going to do so this week, however, as we would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the historic season we are seeing from the Custer High School track and field teams.

Advice for the graduates of 2025

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 1:53pm

In the last few months, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know some of Custer High School’s graduating class of 2025, and it’s truly been a pleasure. Even in the short time I’ve been at the Chronicle, I’ve watched them score high on their ACT exams, perform live music for events, star in school musicals, set incredible sports records, achieve scholarships, sign for colleges and make school history. It’s pretty impressive.

The great faces of travel

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:05am
South Dakota is such a wonderful state that millions of visitors come every year to see it for themselves. And who can blame them? There’s something here for everyone in all seasons of the year.
I made my living in our state’s largest industry—agriculture. But because agriculture can be so up and down, it’s important that we have other thriving economic sectors. Variety helps keep South Dakota stable and growing—and our tourism industry is very helpful in that regard.

Talking the ongoing mountain lion season

Published by admin on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:02am
The 2025 Black Hills Forest District mountain lion season came to an end April 30. The season runs from Dec. 26 through April 30. Its a little confusing because Dec. 26 is 2024 and the season runs into 2025 and will start up again in 2025 on Dec. 26. Does that make sense?

County should sign off on jail funds

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 10:31am

The reaction to our posting of last week’s front page story regarding Pennington County asking Custer County for help in expanding its jail was swift, as it always is on social media. Admittedly, many people recognized the deal being pitched to Custer County is a good one, but there were some who were against the proposal, citing rising property taxes. If you are afraid that giving Pennington County money to help add on to its jail is going to cost a pretty penny, you really wouldn’t want to know what it would cost the county to operate its own jail.

Time with colleagues always refreshing

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 10:30am

Once a year the good folks of the South Dakota NewsMedia Association convene at our annual convention, a roughly two-day affair where news people from across the state enjoy some fellowship, learn some new techniques, sharpen old techniques and just exist in the presence of people who share your profession, your joys and your struggles.

Who let the dogs out?

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 9:37am
Every dog owner has experienced it before, haven’t they?
The scary, out in the stomach feeling of when your dog gets loose.
Missing.
Gone.
It’s happened with every dog I’ve owned.
My first dog, Brutus, broke out of a first-story bedroom window about  two weeks after I moved into a condo in the city.
My second dog, Sadie, disappeared after jumping over a six-foot fence. She used an old golf cart to soften her landing.

Finishing up last week’s Mickelson story

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 9:36am
Greetings! In last week’s article we ended with “to be continued.” I see the Hill City Prevailer didn’t pick that article, so let’s get caught up. The “S” in the late Gov. George S. Mickelson’s name stands for “Speaker.” His father, George Sr., was Speaker of the House of Representatives. The late George Jr., went on to also become Speaker of the House, as did his son G. Mark Mickelson. The “G” stands for “George” but he goes by Mark and he was Speaker of the House during my (and Sen. Howard’s) first two years in the legislature.

Editorials are a dying species

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 12:21pm

This past week we were in Aberdeen for the annual South Dakota NewsMedia Association convention, where news media outlets (now both print and online) come together to share stories, share ideas and learn new tricks of the trade. And if you haven’t read the story yet, the Chronicle cleaned up in the awards portion of the event, but that’s not what this editorial is about.

Celebrating 150 years of Custer

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 12:18pm

This is a special year in Custer. It’s special because this summer will mark the 150th year since Custer was formally established as the very first townsite in the Black Hills. Some may be familiar with this history, and I’ve written about this subject many times, but I think it’s becoming more and more important to tell history, and then tell it again, and keep on repeating it so that the “lessons” might have a chance of being understood and heeded.