News

Big Valley Road District presents usage concerns

Published by admin on Wed, 10/15/2025 - 9:42am

Whose problem is it, and who is supposed to deal with the situation? That’s what the Custer County Commission and Big Valley Road District representative Thomas Veigh discussed at the meeting at the courthouse Oct. 8. 
Veigh explained that the Big Valley Road District had a problem with a commercial vacation rental property using its residential road for access. Part of the issue, he said, was that due diligence was not completed and notice was not given to the district and neighborhood before the subdivision was formed for commercial use. 

County passes $13 million budget

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 2:54pm

Custer County will spend $13.2 million in 2026, after the Custer County Commission formally approved its final budget for next year at a special Sept. 24 meeting.
The budget of $13,221,560 is up around $170,000 as compared to last year’s budget, which was $13,050,418.
The highway and bridge fund is down slightly, from $3.44 million a year ago to $3.4 million in 2026. The sheriff’s budget rose again this year, from $1.918 million last year to cresting $2 million for the first time at $2,031,663.

Board member, attorney resign

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 2:53pm

The whole Hermosa Town Board of Trustees was turned topsy turvy Sept. 23, beginning with the acknowledgement by board president Kel Koontz of Shanna Harris’s resignation.
“For those of you who may not know,” Koontz said, “Shanna had resigned effective Sept. 5. At that time, we weren’t really privy to how the statutes speak on the matter, but since it was delivered to the town clerk, we have to consider that resignation effective.”
This resignation was submitted via text message. 

Vision, need for pipeline unfolds

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 2:53pm

The Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) annual meeting  was held at the K Bar S Lodge in Keystone Sept. 25.
Executive director Kristin Conzet said the underlying message is, “We are all interconnected because we are using the  aquifers that lie beneath us.” 
Conzet stressed that Western South Dakota is growing and that the challenges uncovered by the South Dakota School of Mines study indicate  “potential of droughts, limited recharge and strained infrastructure.”

Raising awareness, walking against violence

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 2:52pm

“No more,” was the silent cry of the crowd that marched through the intersection of 5th Street and Mount Rushmore Road to the 1881 Courthouse Museum Oct. 2 during the Walk Against Violence. The annual event is sponsored by Women Escaping A Violent Environment (WEAVE).
The Walk Against Violence and Candlelight Vigil has been going on since around 1990. 

United Way Lip Sync Battle Oct. 11

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 2:49pm

United Way of the Black Hills (UWBH) is syncing up with the Custer community for a fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Custer Beacon.
The Lip Sync Battle is the primary fundraiser for UWBH in the Southern Hills. Contestants will battle it out for the win, and viewers vote with their money. 

Vehicle-pedestrian collision Sept. 30

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:24pm
A 12-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle while in a crosswalk at Main Street  and Oak Street in Hill City Sept. 30. Hill City School  District superintendent Blake Gardner verified that the incident occurred at 12:53 p.m. and was reported to the middle school secretary and school resource officer. Both the family of the partially-enrolled student and 911 were also called.

Pennington County passes 2026 budget

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:23pm
Pennington County Commissioners adopted a 2026 budget of $131,558,231. The 2024  county population is estimated to be 115,979.
By means of comparison, Minnehaha County, which is estimated to have a 2024 population of  208,639 passed a $132,633,413 budget for fiscal year 2026.
While Minnehaha County’s budget reflects a 1.5 percent increase over its 2025 budget, Pennington County Commissioners passed a budget that was comparable to the one passed for fiscal year 2025,  which totaled $131,617,545.

Gertie Fire contained to single alarm

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:21pm

The Hill City Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reported wildland fire in the Gertie Road area, approximately one mile southwest of the city limits of Hill City, unincorporated Pennington County. First arriving firefighters observed an active fire burning in cured grass and timber and immediately attacked the fire. As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, the fire named the “Gertie Fire” had been contained at 18 acres. Firefighters would remain on the fire, conducting mop-up and holding operations. Active suppression operations continued Oct. 2.

Amid illegal immigration purge, new citizens are welcomed

Published by admin on Wed, 10/08/2025 - 1:06pm
Rose Wah came to the U.S. at the age of 8 to join her father, who had immigrated to Sioux Falls from the west African country of Liberia.
Wah graduated from Roosevelt High School and earned a nursing degree from South Dakota State University in 2024. She now works as a pediatric nurse at the Lifescape Children’s Services clinic in Sioux Falls.
As of Oct. 2, Wah now holds a new title—that of American citizen.
“I feel good and will now have the perks and privilege of being a citizen, especially in terms of travel,” said Wah, 23.