Custer County Chronicle

Custer State Park survives windstorm

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 3:41pm

Despite extensive damage from the windstorm Dec. 18, Custer State Park (CSP) will continue to be a vital part of the community, although it will look a little different in the coming years as the forest recovers from the extensive tree loss. 
Like so many areas throughout Custer County, the power went out across CSP a little after 2 a.m. Dec. 18. 

They said it: The most quotable quotes of 2025

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 3:40pm

As is always the case, Custer County had no lack of quotable quotes in 2025. Below is a list of some of the more memorable quotes that appeared on the pages of the Custer County Chronicle in 2025. These quotes are from the first half of the year.
“Everyone calls him by name and most become members because of his way of making every individual special and important, no matter their age, status or ability.” - Linda Fennell on the 2024 Custer County Chronicle Citizen of the Year, Rex Jorgensen.

2025 Sheriff’s Log Top 20 of 2025

Published by admin on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 3:40pm

The following is a list of the top entries in the Custer County  Chronicle’s Sheriff’s Log for 2025, as selected by the staff of the Chronicle, as well as this year’s guest judges, Mara Frybarger and Bryan Hoss. There will be 20 of the year’s favorite calls featured over the next two weeks, with numbers 20 through 11 this week. The Sheriff’s Log was written by reserve deputy Seth Thompson.

Law enforcement contract will expire

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 1:34pm

Barring an 11th hour deal, the City of Custer will enter 2026 without a law enforcement contract in place with Custer County.
After several months of negotiations the two entities remain at loggerheads, with the Custer County Commission rejecting the city’s latest counteroffer at a special commission meeting held last Thursday afternoon.

Wind wreaks havoc on Custer County

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 1:25pm

A record-breaking storm blew through Custer County and beyond in the early morning hours of Dec. 18. The wind snapped or fell trees by the hundreds, many of which landed on vehicles, homes, trailers, campers, chicken coops and more. Fences were busted, roofs were torn apart, billboards were ripped in half, sheds were flipped or smashed, cement benches were lifted off pedestals and garbage cans flew through the air. 

City council hears 2026 marketing plan

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 1:20pm

Summer was in the air at the Dec. 15 meeting of the Custer City Council, as the council heard the Custer Business Improvement District (BID) board marketing campaign for 2026.
Jessica Noteboom of the BID board was at the meeting via teleconference, as were representatives of Love  Communications, the company the BID board contracts with for its promotion. The city serves as a pass through for the funds, which totals $200,000, some of which is matching funds provided by Travel South Dakota.

Mechaley lays out LEO issues at meeting

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 1:20pm

Editor’s note: This meeting happened prior to the county rejecting the city’s final contract offer.

Pursuit ends with arrest in Custer

Published by admin on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 1:18pm

A Georgia man was arrested last Wednesday following a pursuit that began at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and ended in Custer. 

Some doubt property tax reform will come

Published by admin on Wed, 12/17/2025 - 2:55pm

Over the course of five months, the Comprehensive Property Tax Task Force met eight times across the state. The panel, which consists of 16 voting members and two non-voting members, heard from experts, officials and constituents about the impacts rising property taxes have on property owners across South Dakota. 

East Custer ambulance work continues

Published by admin on Wed, 12/17/2025 - 2:53pm

It appears the vast majority of the residents of eastern Custer County are in favor of creating an ambulance district on that side of the county. However, whether or not that is actually the case could be decided sooner rather than later.