News

84th rally stuck in low gear

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 9:59am

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has rolled back into the Black Hills, but what’s usually a booming thunder of revving bikes is sounding a little more like just a distant rumbling this year.  According to folks around Custer and to rally stats from the South Dakota Department of Transportation, attendance is down from previous years and the five-year average.
Giovanni Escobar works at one of the temporary  rally merchandise tents on Mount Rushmore Road, and didn’t hesitate to answer: “This year has been way down.”

Rapid City man dies in Hwy. 385 crash

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 9:56am

A 24-year-old Rapid City man, Seamis Eliason, died and another was seriously injured last Wednesday morning, July 31 in a two-vehicle crash at Carroll Creek Road and US Hwy. 385 south of  Custer.

Sayer JaDin Photography studio now open in Hill City

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 8:59am
Looking for a way to capture those special family memories? There is a new photographer in Hill City who might be able to help. 
Sayer Lockhart grew up in Hot Springs and got her first camera shortly after graduating high school. 
“I graduated high school when I was 17 thinking I was going to be a wedding planner, and I think that was God,” said Lockhart. 
Shortly after, two of her friends who were dating asked Lockhart to take anniversary photos for them.

Bikers rally around biker breakfast in Keystone

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 8:50am
The Keystone Senior Center rally breakfast saw about 45 people over the two-day event. Most were locals but several groups of out of town bikers came in throughout the morning of Aug. 2 to sample the biscuits and gravy, eggs and coffee.
Some like Casey Kaelin and his wife, Fay, were first -timers to the rally, coming all the way from Treasure Valley in Idaho. The couple rode into the Black Hills  on a Stratoliner  Yamaha 1800cc bike. They said people who trailer their bikes, specifically for the first time, at the rally are cheating. 

Rattlesnake caught in Hill City home

Published by admin on Wed, 08/07/2024 - 8:48am
By Esther Noe 
 
No one expects to come home to a rattlesnake in their kitchen, but that is exactly what happened to Hill City resident John Bintliff. 
Bintliff recently bought an older house on North Newton Avenue near the Hill City Post Office. 
“The kitchen was needing remodeling, so I knew there were some gaping holes underneath the sink and stuff. I brushed it off ‘cause it’s no big deal. I didn’t fully expect a rattlesnake in my house.” 

Court rules in favor of city in French Creek flap

Published by admin on Wed, 07/31/2024 - 12:24pm

Because the City of Custer’s action in constructing, establishing, operating and maintaining its upgraded wastewater treatment facility was done in a matter that follows state law, its actions cannot constitute a nuisance.
That was the opinion of the South Dakota Supreme Court as it handed down an opinion regarding the lawsuit filed by Preserve French Creek in an attempt to stop the city from discharging its effluent into French Creek just below Glen Erin Schoolhouse.

Custer Cruisin’ starts Friday

Published by admin on Wed, 07/31/2024 - 12:21pm

It’s early August in the Black Hills, which means thousands of two-wheelers are making their way here to participate in the 84th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which starts on Friday and runs through Aug. 11. When they arrive, the town of Custer will be ready for them with special Custer Cruisin’ events planned, bike-themed street vendors and of course restaurants and hotels ready to feed and board the riders.

High fire danger ignites Southern Hills

Published by admin on Wed, 07/31/2024 - 12:21pm

With record-pushing heat, worsening drought conditions across Custer County and dwindling moisture that often comes with lightning, fire season is beginning to take a turn for the worse. This week saw several fires across the area, all of which are now contained.
A wildfire at Bismarck Lake broke out and was reported at 11:55 p.m. Thursday, leading to evacuation of over 150 people at Camp Bob Marshall, many of them children attending a summer camp. Campers at Camp Bob Marshall were transported to Custer High School about 1 a.m.

CSP road project pushed back a year

Published by admin on Wed, 07/31/2024 - 12:19pm

A proposed project for milling, overlay, pipe replacement and a box culvert in Custer State Park on Hwy. 36 just inside the park from the east gate that was scheduled for this October will no longer take place this year. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) has decided to reschedule the project for next October. This is a state project, not a county project.

Headwaters Economics floats flood strategies

Published by admin on Wed, 07/31/2024 - 12:19pm

Propane tanks floated down flooded streets, unmoored boats were caught under bridges and cars were lifted off the ground in flash flooding that occurred five years ago Aug. 2, 2019. To help prevent such things from happening again, Headwaters Economics is helping the City of Custer and Custer County implement infrastructure projects with the aim of flood mitigation, which was discussed at a meeting at the Custer County Courthouse Annex Pine Room July 23.