Custer County Chronicle

Occupancy achieved at CTE building

Published by admin on Tue, 11/25/2025 - 12:29pm

A Substantial Completion Certificate from Dean Kurtz Construction and a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Custer were transferred to the Custer School District (CSD) Nov. 10 for the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) building. The Custer School District Board of Education discussed it at its regular meeting in the Custer board room that evening. 
Dean Kurtz is working through a final punch list of items, and Architecture Incorporated will complete a final walk-through to ensure all items have been completed. 

Resident seeks property tax leniency

Published by admin on Tue, 11/25/2025 - 12:27pm

Around $44,000.
That’s the price difference a rural Custer County man will have to pay next year as compared to this year in property taxes if something cannot be worked out with the county.
That’s the situation facing Dennys Warren, who came before the Custer County Commission at the commission’s Nov. 19 meeting at the Custer County Courthouse to tell the commission of his plight.

Sanford plans to build Rapid City medical center

Published by admin on Tue, 11/25/2025 - 9:33am
Sanford Health announced Monday that it will use a $300 million gift from its namesake philanthropist, Denny Sanford, to build a medical center in Rapid City.
Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, announced the gift during a Rapid City event that drew numerous local and state dignitaries.
“This philanthropic investment will strengthen health care in this community and across the entire region,” Gassen said.

Legislators emphasize collaboration in upcoming session

Published by admin on Tue, 11/25/2025 - 9:15am
Maintaining adequate funding for public schools in rural areas across the state as property tax bills are presented in the 2026 South Dakota Legislative Session was the primary concern of school leaders who met in Custer Nov. 19 for a special board meeting with District 30 Rep. Trish Ladner and Sen. Amber Hulse. 

Chronicle to move to north 5th Street

Published by admin on Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:13am

Extra, extra, read all about it—the Custer County Chronicle is on the move.
The Chronicle is set to move to 431 N. 5th Street, just across from Custer Armory and just north of Smyth Automotive. The move comes as a result of the venerable Garlock Building where the Chronicle has been for the past 25 years being sold by Chronicle owner Jerry Lenander to Custer County Candy Company owners Trapper and Mary Lappe.

Christmas parade set for Dec. 6

Published by admin on Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:09am

The 36th annual Custer Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m.
This annual parade of lights signals the kick-off of the Holiday season in the Southern Hills. After the parade, make plans to attend the Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony at Way Park.  The parade will begin at 8th Street and Mt. Rushmore Road and end at Way Park on 4th Street and Mt. Rushmore Road.

Power outage began in Wyoming

Published by admin on Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:08am

A widespread power outage last Thursday that left residents in three states without power for as long as eight hours in some cases began in Wyoming, officials have said.

The deterrence, overwhelming force of America

Published by admin on Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:07am

On Nov. 11, the Custer Jr./Sr. High School (CHS) Student Council, along with the Custer American Legion Post No. 46, presented the 31st Annual Veterans Day Program at the Custer Armory. The program included the presentation of colors by the Custer Veterans Honor Guard, the National Anthem by the CHS choir, the Pledge of Allegiance, an invocation by legion chaplain Rob McWhorter and a POW/MIA empty chair remembrance ceremony. 

Phase two, three of museum repairs approved

Published by admin on Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:07am

As is evidenced by the large machinery parked outside, restoration work is quickly progressing at the 1881 Courthouse Museum. 
Last winter, museum director Deborah Hanagan noticed ice building up outside the building. After a heavy snow, she realized that water was dripping through the soffit planking, and the gutter system was not working. Since then, she has been adamant that the problem needed to be addressed. 

Hermosa forum focuses on ambulance district

Published by admin on Wed, 11/12/2025 - 12:52pm

The possibility of forming an ambulance district to serve eastern Custer County was discussed at a heavily-attended community forum Oct. 28, at the American Legion in Hermosa. The forum brought together Hermosa and Custer County residents, area ranchers, members of the Hermosa Board of Trustees, Custer County Commissioners and representatives from various sectors of public service in and around Pennington and Custer counties, including Battle Creek and Fairburn fire districts, emergency management and the Rapid City Fire Department.