News

Commercial property values to rise

Published by admin on Thu, 02/20/2020 - 9:50am
As Custer County continues to struggle with properties selling at prices that are in many cases wildly more than what they are assessed at, new county director of equalization Leah Vissia is planning a multi-pronged attack to tackle the issue.
At the Feb. 5 meeting of the Custer County Commission, Vissia told the commissioner she plans to combat the problem by raising the values on commercial property countywide for the 2020 taxes payable in 2021. And although that move will only scratch the surface of the issue, it’s a starting point, she said.

Coronavirus risk low for South Dakotans

Published by admin on Thu, 02/20/2020 - 9:50am
While the novel coronavirus has killed more than 1,870 people globally and experts have warned the epidemic could create havoc in less prepared countries, South Dakota public officials said the risk for South Dakotans remains low, although public health officials continue to monitor the situation.
“We have no persons under investigation [in South Dakota], which would be someone we suspect of having the novel coronavirus,” said Dr. Josh Clayton, state epidemiologist. “The risk to the general public and South Dakota is low.”

Solar project gets green light

Published by admin on Thu, 02/20/2020 - 9:49am
Lookout Solar Project, whose transmission line will run through a portion of eastern Custer County, was given the go-ahead by the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

Kremer elected to NBA board

Published by admin on Thu, 02/20/2020 - 9:45am
Longtime Custer State Park (CSP) bison herd manager Chad Kremer has been appointed National Bison Association (NBA) director at large at the NBA’s annual winter conference held in late January each year in Denver, Colo. He was elected to the position and had served as regional director for the NBA in the early 2000s while living in Colorado before moving to South Dakota.

Seconds to react, hours to wait

Published by admin on Wed, 02/19/2020 - 2:07pm
By Ron Burtz 
 
Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley had only seconds in which to decide how to end a brief police chase through Custer on Tuesday, Feb. 11. But then, when the suspect vehicle had been spun around and stalled in the middle of Mt. Rushmore Road, a standoff would begin that involved more than a dozen law enforcement officers from multiple agencies and ended tragically over three hours later with the suspect taking his own life. 

Final senior center designs near completion

Published by admin on Thu, 02/13/2020 - 10:26am

The Hill City Business Improvement District Board (BID board) took the time to answer some questions pertaining to the renovation of Hill City Senior Center its last meeting.

At a meeting Feb. 6, Brett McMacken, city administrator for Hill City, updated the board with the progress of the plans for the renovation and addition to Hill City Senior Center, informing the board that he just received an email that day from architect Donovan Broberg with ARC International.

Town votes to approve AUP

Published by admin on Thu, 02/13/2020 - 10:25am

The town of Keystone will enter into a contract with Ketel Thorstenson to do an Agreed Upon Procedures (AUP) for the Keystone Area Historical Society (KAHS), according to the most recent town board meeting. The cost of the AUP is $3,500.

According to KAHS board president  Jon Veltman the AUP should be complete by the middle of March. 

Trump family gets formal invitation to Mount Rushmore fireworks

Published by admin on Thu, 02/13/2020 - 10:25am

The Trump family has its invitation to attend the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Fireworks scheduled for July 3.

New tower considered

Published by admin on Thu, 02/13/2020 - 10:25am

Keystone might get a new tower to help communications with public safety officials.

“We’re here today looking at places where we could put them, “ said Ted Rufledt with Pennington County 911 on a recent visit to Keystone Town Hall.

Council tables sign ordinance first reading

Published by admin on Thu, 02/13/2020 - 10:25am

The Hill City Common Council had a busy meeting Monday night, tackling the planned use development (PUD) for the attainable housing project and the Hill City sign ordinance revision.

The council started out by discussing the PUD. The council did not need to approve the PUD, rather, it was discussing six required contributions for the PUD.

“This is the heart of the TIF (tax increment financing district),” said Dani Schade, development service coordinator for Hill City.