Custer County Chronicle

Pitching property tax proposals

Published by admin on Wed, 02/11/2026 - 5:26pm

Sen. Sue Peterson, chair of the Senate Taxation Committee, summed up what others on the panel seemed to think in rejecting a proposed state sales tax increase in exchange for a reduction in local property taxes.
“I do have concerns that we're trying to do too much all at once,” said the Sioux Falls Republican.
The failed proposal, Senate Bill 99, tabled by Senate Majority Leader Jim Mehlhaff, would have increased the sales tax to 6.2 percent and use the receipts to create a local replacement fund to lower property taxes.

Custer Area EDC looking for feedback

Published by admin on Wed, 02/11/2026 - 5:24pm

Join a community roundtable meeting this spring and share your feedback with the Custer Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC). The community roundtable meetings will consist of small groups of five to 10 people, so community members and business leaders in the area can share what they need and what they think the CAEDC should focus on. 

City approves flurry of chamber requests

Published by admin on Wed, 02/11/2026 - 5:23pm

It was unofficially Custer Area Chamber of Commerce night at the Feb. 2 meeting of the Custer City Council, as the council approved a bevy of requests from the chamber as it begins to make plans for its summer activities.
Six requests were approved for the chamber, which dealt with the farmer’s market, off-road rally, July 4 celebration, an arts and crafts fair, Gold Discovery Days and the annual Studebaker car show.

Restaurant Week coming soon

Published by admin on Wed, 02/11/2026 - 5:21pm

The Ninth Annual Custer Restaurant Week, taking place Monday, Feb. 23, through Sunday, March 1, celebrates Custer’s food scene with a full week of dining.
Participating restaurants will feature their regular menus alongside special Restaurant Week offerings, making it a great time to revisit a favorite dining spot or try something new. 

Program helps with windstorm cleanup

Published by admin on Wed, 02/11/2026 - 5:17pm

A U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA) program to help homeowners after the December windstorm is now accepting applications.
Emergency Forestry Restoration Program (EFRP) is a program that gives financial assistance to restore forested land after a disaster. 

Election season brings numerous vacancies

Published by admin on Wed, 02/04/2026 - 9:51am

Election season will soon be upon us, and petitions are now available for a number of vacant seats across Custer County and District 30.
Locally, the City of Custer has three council member seats for two-year terms up for election. Currently, the Ward I seat is held by Dixie Whitaker, the Ward II seat by Julie Jenniges and the Ward III seat by Todd Pechota.

County talks east county ambulance

Published by admin on Wed, 02/04/2026 - 9:44am

For an east Custer Ambulance District to be feasible, it almost certainly has to include parts of Pennington County near the Custer County line.
Those were the thoughts shared by Custer County Commission chairman Jim Lintz at the Jan. 20 meeting of the commission, where the potential formation of the ambulance district will be put to the vote of residents in the proposed district this year.

Illegal medical waste transfer alleged

Published by admin on Wed, 02/04/2026 - 9:43am

A Hermosa resident has raised the spector of an illegal medical waste transfer station in Custer County, and would like to see the Custer County Commission take action to shut it down.

Property taxes focus at crackerbarrel

Published by admin on Wed, 02/04/2026 - 8:53am
Nearly 60 people came to a District 30 legislative crackerbarrel hosted by the Hill City Prevailer and Custer County Chronicle Jan. 31 at the Super 8 in Hill City.
Similar to last year’s event, many in the room were there to discuss property taxes with the District 30 legislators, offering their take on what may play out in Pierre on taxes as well as other issues.

Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song Monday

Published by admin on Wed, 01/28/2026 - 3:59pm

Children in the Custer School District are sharing wisdom gleaned from local elders during the Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song program Feb. 2. The celebration will take place at the Custer High School theater at 6:30 p.m. This year, the elders being honored are LaVonne LaFollette and Bonnie Thompson.