News

Two men face sex crime charges

Published by admin on Wed, 01/24/2024 - 3:20pm

A pair of Custer men are facing sex crime charges after they were recently indicted by a grand jury.
Dustin E. Harrison, 45, faces eight counts of possessing child pornography, a class 4 felony, as well as one county of manufacturing child pornography, also a class 4 felony. Class 4 felonies are punishable by 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $20,000.
The indictment alleges that between January and February of last year, Harrison possessed child pornography in the form of thumbnail images from vidoes as well as a regular image.

Court denies effort to restore Julie Frye-Mueller senate privileges

Published by admin on Wed, 01/24/2024 - 3:17pm

On Dec. 20, 2023, a trio of District 30 voters, each representing the counties of Fall River, Custer and Pennington, submitted a Petition to Proceed as a Class Action for a Writ of Habeas Corpus to the South Dakota Supreme Court. The lengthy filling was intended to allow District 30 Senator Julie Frye-Mueller “to fully function and perform her duties and privileges and function as their duly elected Senator in all proceedings of the South Dakota Legislature.”

Forum discusses how to care for your forest

Published by admin on Wed, 01/24/2024 - 3:04pm

“If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”
Many are familiar with this philosophical question, which the Chronicle won’t answer for you, but we do know that regardless of whether or not you hear the trees fall around Custer, you are likely to hear about them when it happens.

Facts of agricultural education presented to board

Published by admin on Wed, 01/24/2024 - 2:59pm

By Nathan Steele

Council gets wastewater update

Published by admin on Wed, 01/24/2024 - 2:50pm

“We can see the finish line.”
Those were the words of Trent Bruce of DGR Engineering as he spoke about the construction and renovation of the City of Custer’s wastewater treatment plant as part of an overall update on the progress of the project. Bruce gave the update at the Jan. 16 meeting of the Custer County Council.

It’s time to burn the beetle

Published by admin on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:05pm

An angry mob-style march complete with torches and pitchforks, a drum corps leading the way, and a giant pine beetle effigy awaiting a fiery demise. To an unknowing outsider, this could easily appear to be some bizarre cult ritual, but to many locals and visitors alike, Burning Beetle makes a cold day in January one of the most exciting of the year.

County discusses forced approach relocations

Published by admin on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:02pm

A Custer resident is being forced to move the approach to his home because it encroaches on Forest Service property, and there may be many more that follow suit in the coming months.
The issue was discussed at the Jan. 10 meeting of the Custer County Commission, an issue that was largely tabled from the previous commission meeting due to planning director Terri Kester’s absence.
“I just want it to be the same in our office moving forward,” Kester said. “It’s not the first and won’t be the last one.”

Teamwork helps build the beetle

Published by admin on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 12:01pm

“Do we want any teeth this year?” asked Hank Fridell in a Tuesday night beetle-building session for Custer’s 11th annual Burning Beetle event.
Standing or resting, teeth or no teeth, red eyes or green eyes—each year a small group of volunteer builders gets to design and build the over 20-foot pine beetle effigy.  

Property taxes is focus of 2024 session

Published by admin on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 11:59am

The 2023 version of the South Dakota Legislature is officially underway, and the District 30 contingent of Reps. Trish Ladner and Dennis Krull and Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller are gearing up for what could be an especially busy session.
“We anticipate hearing  over 500 bills within 38 legislative working days, along with numerous appointments to state agencies and boards,” Ladner said.

County in search of new 4-H advisor

Published by admin on Wed, 01/17/2024 - 11:58am

Custer County is in search of a new South Dakota State University Extension 4-H youth program advisor for  Custer and Fall River counties following the resignation of Erin McGlumphy, who previously held that position. McGlumphy resigned as of Dec. 31.
Jackie Maude, a leader of one of the county 4-H clubs, was on hand at the Jan. 10 meeting of the Custer County Commission to seek clarification as to how local club leaders should proceed in the absence of an advisor.
“We are out there in a dark cloud,” she said. “I myself would like a light on it so we know where to go.”