Custer County Chronicle

Some property tax proposals won’t work

Published by admin on Wed, 08/06/2025 - 10:06am
Like many of you, I’ve felt the sting of rising property taxes—especially as a homeowner. The burden keeps growing, and for many families, it’s becoming unmanageable. I hear your frustration, and I share it.
South Dakota relies heavily on property taxes to fund our K-12 schools and local government services. In fact, our state constitution requires it. But that doesn’t mean we can’t demand a better, fairer system—one that doesn’t crush single-family homeowners in the process.

Losing two legends in a week

Published by admin on Wed, 07/30/2025 - 8:40am
Boy, last week was a rough week for icons. Within the span of a couple of days we lost both Hulk Hogan and Ozzy Osbourne, two titans and pioneers in their industry. This is not to diminish the death of Malcolm Jamaal-Warner, who had his own following due to “The Cosby Show,” but Osbourne and Hogan were in another stratosphere in terms of pop culture.

Not in my backyard is prison mantra

Published by admin on Wed, 07/30/2025 - 8:39am
If you’ve been following the news regarding the ongoing work the South Dakota Legislature, and more specifically, a select group of legislators and others assigned to a task force on the issue, has been doing on the issue, you know that the site for the new men’s state prison has been pretty much narrowed down to two sites. Both are in Sioux Falls, where the current men’s state prison is located.

A miracle at 40,000 feet

Published by admin on Wed, 07/30/2025 - 8:23am

As you may recall from my previous article, I recently attended the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) conference in Indianapolis, Ind. The conference was incredible—packed with valuable insights and ideas that I’m excited to bring back to our state and district. But as impactful as the conference was, nothing compared to what happened on my flight home.

Custer chamber runs the gauntlet

Published by admin on Wed, 07/23/2025 - 9:31am

Whew!
Take a breath, Custer Area Chamber of Commerce staff. Have a stiff cocktail. In fact, have two. Well, last weekend was Gold Discovery Days, so you might have already had a couple. Our point remains, you deserve a breather and a pat on the back for how busy you have been these past few weeks.

A Black Hills ethos

Published by admin on Wed, 07/23/2025 - 9:30am

Just as impressive as the Black Hills’ towering granite peaks, stands of majestic ponderosa pines, and rolling prairie hills are its crop of interesting people. Growing up in the Black Hills, you’re surrounded by tales of larger-than-life characters—people like Wild Bill Hickok, Fly Speck Billy, Calamity Jane, and Crazy Horse. Although all real people with real stories, sometimes fictitious tales contributing to their legend further mystified them into an almost godlike status. 

Thoughts on the prison-building process

Published by admin on Wed, 07/23/2025 - 9:21am

Gov. Larry Rhoden issued an executive proclamation calling for a special session of the South Dakota legislature Sept. 23 starting at 9 a.m. Legislators of both the House (70 members) and the Senate (35 members) will consider authorizing funds for a new men’s prison; not that its necessary as the present men’s prison was built in 1881! That’s even before South Dakota became a state Nov. 2, 1889. My point is we all know it’s way, way past time to build a new men’s prison. It’s just the best, most efficient way to “git ‘er done.”

Nothing wrong with educational trips

Published by admin on Wed, 07/23/2025 - 9:20am

I have just returned from a trip to the three-day annual conference for The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). ALEC is America’s largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators from across the U.S. who are dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism (local government). 

Welcome, one and, all to Gold Discovery Days

Published by admin on Wed, 07/16/2025 - 8:42am

It’s Gold Discovery Days time again here in Custer. Can you believe it? Where does the time go? It seems like we were just covering graduation, and now, here it is, the middle of July. From all of us here at the Custer County Chronicle, welcome to Gold Discovery Days! This is truly one of the most magical weekends of the year in Custer, if not the entire Black Hills.

There’s no place like home

Published by admin on Wed, 07/16/2025 - 8:36am

In college, I fancied myself a traveler. I have since realized I am much too much of a homebody for that, and conveniently I married a man who “never left the farm,” as they say. But I was much younger then, and I fantasized about being a world explorer.