News

58th Buffalo Roundup is Friday

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 3:36pm

An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people are expected to gather and watch the stampede of 1,300 buffalo at Custer State Park’s 58th annual Buffalo Roundup this Friday, September 29.
The roundup starts at about 9:30 a.m., but does depend on the cooperation of the bison. Viewers who wish to pick their preferred viewing spot are advised to arrive early with gates to viewing areas opening at 6:15 a.m. Handicap parking is available and golf carts are available to assist people to the viewing area should they need it.

FLDS series wins national award

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 3:33pm

Custer County Chronicle general manager Jason Ferguson was recently awarded third place in the National Newspaper Association Foundation Editorial Better Newspaper Contest for his writing on Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley and his wife, Jen, helping several daughters and a niece of Warren Jeffs escape the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Pamyua to bring 'Inuit soul' to Custer

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 3:30pm

From Native Americans’ Day Oct. 9 through Oct. 14, Custer will be filled with the sounds of Pamyua, a  musical group from the Yup’ik culture of Alaska. They come to Custer through a partnership between Arts Midwest’s World Fest program and the Custer Area Arts Council. While here they will spend a week offering workshops and a concert for the community.
Earlier this year, Custer welcomed Okra Playground of Finland and Okaidja Afroso Ensemble from Ghana through this same partnership.

Council amends VRBO rules

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 3:29pm

A year after it put a halt to allowing more vacation rentals in residential areas of the city, the Custer City Council voted unanimously to allow more such rentals in residential areas—with a very specific catch.
At its Sept. 18 meeting the council passed the first reading of an amendment to Ordinance No. 896, which amends Title 17, Chapter 17.12 of the city’s municipal code, which deals with residential areas of town.

County audit shows improvement

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 3:29pm

The Custer County Commission received good news on the audit front at its Sept. 20 meeting—things are improving in the auditors office.
That was the message delivered by Bruce Hintz of the South Dakota Department of Legislative Audit, who has been at the Custer County Courthouse working with Auditor’s Office staff working on the county’s 2021 audit.

CEO tries to pass the buck for quarters

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 9:39am
Michael Schlumpberger, CEO of Midwest Lithium, appeared before the Keystone Town Board at its Sept. 20 meeting to ask for a way to access bulk water via a hydrant on Old Hill City Road.
The water would be used for the company’s mid-October exploratory drilling operation at the old Ingersoll Mine, which will take approximately three weeks.
The operation will use 11 pads to drill up to 55 holes at a maximum depth  of 850 feet. The holes will get backfilled with clay and cement and soil to prevent any contamination.

Good to soft tourism season reported

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 9:35am
Between the Wine, Brew & BBQ, Rubber Duck Race, Hill City Quilt and Fiber Art Show and Sale, Holy Terror Days, Plein Air Paint Out and Black Hills Film Festival, the summer fun in Hill City and Keystone has been stretched out through the end of September. 
Now as fall weather sweeps in, many are reflecting on how the 2023 tourism season went.

Clean Water Alliance talks lithium

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 9:32am
By Leslie Silverman
 
Lilias Jarding with Black Hills Clean Water Alliance  talked about lithium activities  in the Black Hills to about 40 people at the Hill City Center Sept. 19.
Jarding shared a map created by a company in Sioux Falls showing mining claims as of April 26. According to Jarding there are 248,000 acres of active mining claims.
“That’s 20 percent of the Hills, or one in every five acres that has an active mining claim,” she said. 

Black Hills Film Festival starts Friday

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 9:29am
The 14th annual Black Hills Film Festival takes place Friday, Sept. 29 through Sunday, Oct. 1. This year the festival will feature over 30 independent films including narratives and documentaries varying in length from three minutes to two hours and 18 minutes. 
“These are independent films. They’re not made by Hollywood studios so the stories are very unique. They’re interesting and entertaining,” said executive director Chris VanNess. 

Good to soft tourism season reported

Published by admin on Wed, 09/27/2023 - 9:17am
Between the Wine, Brew & BBQ, Rubber Duck Race, Hill City Quilt and Fiber Art Show and Sale, Holy Terror Days, Plein Air Paint Out and Black Hills Film Festival, the summer fun in Hill City and Keystone has been stretched out through the end of September. 
Now as fall weather sweeps in, many are reflecting on how the 2023 tourism season went.