News

Custer County rescinds burn burn

Published by admin on Fri, 09/18/2026 - 3:00pm

Feel the Roundup rumble in Custer Sept. 25

Published by admin on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 2:50pm

Are you ready to feel the rumble of 1,500 buffalo crossing the prairie? 
Cowboys and cowgirls are already gearing up to round up and drive a herd of approximately 1,500 buffalo across the park for the 61st Annual Governor’s Buffalo Roundup, Friday, Sept. 25 at 9 a.m.
Rounding up the buffalo has always been a land management practice in the park. Originally, it was attended by park personnel, and it grew to include friends and family. Then, in the 1990s, the roundup developed into the attraction it is today. 

City budget just under $13 million

Published by admin on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 2:49pm

The City of Custer is set to spend $12,944,472 in 2027 after the Custer City Council passed the first reading of its appropriations ordinance for next year at its Sept. 8 meeting, which was held on a Tuesday due to Labor Day. The budget is around $3.5 million more than last year, and more in line with the 2025 budget, which was  $12.6 million.

SAR second in defender service award

Published by admin on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 2:48pm

Six months of preparation and it all came down to one night. Around a hundred people gathered at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Co. Sept. 12 to learn the results of the 2026 Land Rover Defender Service Awards. Friends of Custer County Search and Rescue (CCSAR) was one of two organizations to advance to the final round of this nationwide award.  
“We started this back in the spring of this year, so we’ve been working on the Defender Service Awards for six months now,” said CCSAR director Sam Smolnisky. 

Campground owners feeling burned

Published by admin on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 2:47pm

Four Custer County campground owners were at the Sept. 9 meeting of the Custer County Commission, imploring the commission to consider modifications to the county burn ban that has been in place since late July.
The hope, they told the commission, is that an exception could be made for private campgrounds so they could have campfires, saying the ban as it is now is costing them thousands of dollars in business.

Public encouraged to attend proposed tax sessions

Published by admin on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 9:49am
Hill City will vote on an additional one percent sales tax levy Nov. 3. To help voters understand more about the proposal, there will be two informational meetings Sept. 23 at the Hill City Center. An afternoon meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. while an evening meeting will take place at 7 p.m.
People are encouraged to attend either session to ask questions, provide feedback or to understand how the additional tax, if approved, will impact them.

Votes approve new members, way forward

Published by admin on Wed, 09/16/2026 - 9:44am
The Keystone Chamber of Commerce held a meeting to discuss its future. About 30 people filled the meeting room at Sprockets Fun Foundry Sept. 9 and listened to current chamber secretary John Wells talk about the state of the chamber.
“There are several open positions on the chamber,” said Wells, including vice president and treasurer.

Dry winter to blame

Published by admin on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:32am

Custer is behind on precipitation, but it’s winter—not summer—that is mostly to blame

Jason Ferguson

Custer roots lead Rapid City public information

Published by admin on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:28am

With roots reaching back to Custer, Tessa Jaeger and Brendyn Medina are at the helm of community relations in Rapid City, serving as the Public Information Officers (PIOs) for the fire department and police department, respectively. 
Jaeger was born and raised in Rapid City and visited Custer often growing up since both her parents used to live in Custer, as did all of her grandparents. 

250th exhibit traces state history

Published by admin on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:27am

The Great American State Fair was held from June 25 through July 10 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event spanned from the Capitol to the Washington Monument and had exhibits, live music, a ferris wheel, a rodeo and exhibits from states and territories.