News

Arrest made in Pringle arsons

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 3:53pm

A Pringle man is facing nine felony charges related to nine separate wildland and structure fires that occurred in the Pringle area of Custer County.
Jerimiah James Stange, 31, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 3. The fires occurred between Aug. 28 and Sept. 30 in various locations throughout Custer County.

Names released in murder/suicide

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 3:52pm

Authorities have released the names of the two Custer County residents who died in a murder/suicide that occurred Sept. 25 on Lonesome Dove Drive in the Argyle area.
According to Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley, at around 5:35 p.m. that evening a 66-year-old man, now identified as Warren Peck, murdered his wife, 67-year-old Suzanne Peck, with a handgun before taking his own life.

Strong tourism season reported

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 3:52pm

It’s been a mostly strong  season this year for the Custer tourism industry—some businesses report a dip from previous  summer seasons, and others say they’ve had their biggest and best year yet.
Custer Hospitality, which runs several hotels and resorts in Custer, reported one of its most succesful seasons to date this year, saying some of its locations experienced a lift in business while others “struggled” through the season.

Marching for vets

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 3:51pm

At the outset of the 21st Annual Veterans March and Marathon, local veteran Jon Gindhart wasn’t quite sure he had enough warm clothes on.
That’s because at 10 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 21 at the Dumont Trailhead of the Mickelson Trail—where nine hardy Custer County veterans and veterans supporters gathered to do the 16-mile mini-march portion of the event—it was a blustery, cold morning.
“It was definitely colder than Custer,” Gindhart said. “Everyone just took off because it was so cold.”

Property tax confusion addressed at meeting

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 3:50pm

A woman who purchased property in Custer County wants delinquent taxes owed on the property waived, saying she didn’t know about the additional taxes when she purchased the property.
At the Sept. 25 meeting of the Custer County Commission, Cynthia Finlayson came before the commission to talk about property she purchased in 2020 south of Custer.
The previous owner lived in a two-bedroom log cabin on the north side of the property, and subsequently built a second cabin on the south side of the property before renting the original cabin to her son.

Keystone gearing up for Halloween

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:45am
Keystone is poised to become the Halloween headquarters of the Black Hills with several events taking place throughout the month.
The fun kicks off Oct. 11 with the first night of the Haunting of Keystone, a tradition in the tiny town for 14 years.
The event takes place on weekends Oct. 11-13, Oct. 18-20 and Oct. 25-27.
Prices vary depending on what night people choose or if they choose to bundle their experience or just visit one attraction.

Hulse, Swanson are senate candidates

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:42am
District 30 will have a new senator after Amber Hulse defeated incumbent Julie Frye-Mueller in the Republican primary in June.
The General Election ballot will see District 30 residents with a choice between Hulse and Democrat Bret Swanson of Hermosa.

Town leaders make changes to funding

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:36am
Keystone and Hill City are both undergoing some changes in marketing and funding for major organizations in town. The Hill City Common Council members opted to no longer fund two arts organizations, the Black Hills Film Festival and the Hill City Arts Council (HCAC).
That funding, $4,000 for the film festival and $9,000 for the HCAC, instead was allocated to the Hill City Chamber of Commerce. 
HCAC has been funded by the city since 2020 and was funded by an amount given to the chamber in 2017, according to Stacia Tallon, the city finance officer.

Water, wastewater plans submitted to state

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:35am
The next step for Hill City’s Water Facility Master Plan and Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan is in motion. 
During the Hill City Common Council meeting Sept. 23, Joe Nobel with city engineer AE2S requested authorization from the council to add both plans to the State Water Plan (SWP). 

Ponderosa Park shelter to go out for bid

Published by admin on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 10:34am
By Esther Noe 
 
Ponderosa Park is in the process of getting a new shelter. 
At its meeting Sept. 23, city park board member Nate Anderson presented the design plans for the shelter to the Hill City Common Council.
“Ponderosa Park is our newest named park, formerly known generically as visitor center. The area we’re talking about is on the L-shaped pond where the old warming hut was during the wintertime,” said Anderson. “In fact, that mobile trailer was our inspiration for why we wanted to pursue this shelter.”