Chronicle wins multiple SDNA awards

The Custer County Chronicle won 19 awards—including seven first place awards—in its category at the 2025 South Dakota NewsMedia (SDNA) Better News Media Contest held as part of the annual SDNA convention held last week at The Lodge in Deadwood. The Chronicle competed in Division II of the competition, for cities 3,000 to 15,000.
Chronicle general manager Jason Ferguson brought home four first-place awards, including the award for Best Headline Writing.
“Excellent headline writing. Attention-catching, but also accurate. Great job,” the judges wrote.
Ferguson’s next first-place finish came in the Best Publication Promotion category, for an ad he made promoting the Chronicle’s planned publication celebrating the City of Custer’s 150th anniversary.
“Great idea to tie in with the town-wide celebration and create a special issue with longevity,” the judges wrote.
Also in the advertising category, Ferguson placed first in the Best Use of Local Photography Award for an ad for Burning Beetle.
“Made me want to attend the next Burning Beetle,” judges wrote.
His next first-place finish came in the Best Local Government story for his coverage of the law enforcement contract issues between the City of Custer and Custer County.
“A city is entering the new year without a renewed law enforcement contract in place. While much of the story appears to be from a meeting, the story also seems to give more detail and history,” judges wrote. “Local government coverage often begins with covering meetings, but the best stories will go beyond the meeting with history and/or follow-up coverage. The winner clearly went beyond standard meeting coverage.”
The Chronicle also once again took first in the Best Special Publication - Stand Alone Piece for Down Country Roads Magazine.
“(I) really liked your product and the fact you used contributors, who succeeded very well in offering the reader a diverse style of writing,” judges wrote. “Especially enjoyed the outhouse races and the story behind them, along with the beetle burn. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you how much I liked your ‘priceless’ price.
“If you guys do this every other month, you really set a high bar!”
The entire staff of Southern Hills Publishing works on the magazine, which is laid out by former Chronicle graphic artist Deb McLain of Sheridan, Wyo.
Chronicle reporter Esther Noe won a first place in the Best Lede category for a story she wrote on Cody Norberg’s stargazing business.
“A great lede gets your attention and makes you want to read the rest of the story, while also accurately conveying the general topic of the article,” judges wrote. “Witty and original are good. Compelling is essential. You got this more than any other entrant this year. Nice work.”
Chronicle contributor Laura Lindblom placed first in the Best Local Column category for her Ranch Wife Musings column.
“Laura Lindbom writes a thought-provoking column on how we all look at different aspects of life,” judges wrote. “All three columns were good thinking pieces.”
Lindblom also placed second in the Best Local Government story for her reporting on a Hermosa Town Board meeting where a board member and town attorney both resigned.
A town council member says she was coerced into resigning from the board by text and wants to continue, but the council won’t let her,” judges wrote. “Mostly coverage of a meeting, but gets into more detail than some other entries.”
Noe was second in the Best Feature Photo category for a photo she took during the homecoming lip sync contest.
“What a great picture to anchor the front page—lots of enthusiasm pulses through the image along with confetti in mid-flight,” judges wrote. “The picture has great lines and framing.”
Noe was also second in the Best Local Column category, for her column Pen to Page.
“Esther Noe is a young journalist new to the publication who writes a personality-based column that explores thought provoking advice for daily living,” judges wrote.
Ferguson’s second-place awards included for sports reporting for a story he did on the pole vaulting Stiefel sisters at Custer High School.
“While this follows the winning story by being about pole vaulting, this story is a very in depth look at a track and field  inspired family,” judges said. “You get to know the sisters and admire their closeness as a family and as competitors.  A very worthwhile read.”
He also placed second in the State Government Reporting category for his work on reporting about the debate over the planned new men’s state prison.
“Where did the money go? Surely someone can find out...” judges wrote.
The final second-place finish for the Chronicle came in the Best Publication Website category for its website, myblack
hillscountry.com.
Third place finishes for Ferguson included Best Editorial for his writings in “Our Viewpoint.”
“This entry delivers solid editorial fundamentals: clear logic, an accessible tone and strong command of civic context,” judges wrote. “The writing is steady and professional, with good local grounding. It does not reach the same emotional punch or originality as the top two, but it is consistently competent.”
Ferguson received third place in Best Feature Story Non-Profile for an article on the West Dam renovation.
“A new generation will make memories at West Dam,” judges wrote. “Nice job of intertwining the memories of the past with prospects for the future.”
Another third for Ferguson came in the Best News Series category for his coverage of the planned Black Hills Energy Public Safety Power Shutoff.
“‘Power shutdown program imminent’ deserved a larger font,” judges wrote. “Lots of information here, but I would have liked to see a screaming headline. It’s a big deal and I’m glad the Chronicle provided the space it deserved.”
His final third-place finish came in the Best Series Ad Idea for a series of ads he designed for Horatio’s Homemade Ice Cream.
“We all scream for ice cream,” judges wrote.
The Chronicle’s final third-place finish came for Special Section within an issue for its annual Progress Edition.
“I’m sure your community appreciates the coverage of this important project,” judges wrote.