News

County passes $13 million budget

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 2:09pm

Custer County will spend $13 million in 2025, after the Custer County Commission formally approved its final budget for next year at its Sept. 25 meeting. The commission held the meeting at the 1881 Courthouse Museum, as it typically does once a year.
The budget of $13,050,418 is up about $350,000 as compared to last year’s budget, which was $12,699,000.
The highway and bridge fund is up slightly, from $3.36 million a year ago to $3.44 million in 2025, as is the sheriff’s office budget, which rose from $1.786 million last year to $1.918 million this year.

Murder/suicide near Argyle

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 2:07pm

Two Argyle-area residents are dead after a murder/suicide ocurred Sept. 25 on Lonesome Dove Drive.
According to Custer County Sheriff Marty Mechaley, at around 5:35 p.m. that evening a 66-year-old man murdered his wife with a handgun before taking his own life.
Mechaley said shortly before the murder, neighbors in a pickup pulled up to the property to talk to the woman, 67. The man came out of a camper the two were living out of on the property with his arm behind his back, holding a handgun. The woman mentioned to the people the man had been drinking.

‘Food tax’ measure on November ballot

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 2:07pm

As South Dakota voters cast their ballots in this year’s general election, they will be tasked with understanding several ballot questions on topics ranging from abortion rights to landowner rights and from marijuana to Medicaid. Here’s the rundown on all the initiated measures and referred law set to appear on the ballot.
Initiated Measure 28 to prohibit taxes on
anything sold for
“human consumption”

Prison families group hopes to push lawmakers

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 12:21pm

Family members and friends of people in state prison packed a downtown library meeting room Thursday night in Sioux Falls for the first meeting of a group that aims to put pressure on the Department of Corrections (DOC) to address their concerns.
The organizers of South Dakotans Impacted By Incarceration told the 70 in-person attendees and 40 online viewers that their plans include regular meetings, advocacy and outreach to those in power.

Updated fees for Hill City Center

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 9:56am
Community coordinator Christy Derynck brought a new fee structure for the Hill City Center to the Hill City Common Council for approval Sept. 23.
“I was asked by the council to come and talk about the fee schedule for the center and probably make a recommendation based on where I think we’re at with that,” said Derynck. 
Derynck stepped into the position in May 2023. At that time, Derynck said things were just getting started. The building was not entirely done with some internal things to finish like doors and painting. 

McMacken will not be reappointed

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 9:55am
During the Hill City Common Council meeting Sept. 23, mayor Tana Nichols said, “After many lengthy discussions and conversations with (city administrator) Brett (McMacken) and huge appreciation from the city for 16 years of loyal service, I need to announce that I will not be reappointing him as city administrator. I offered to let him continue working a while. However, he chose to make this his last day.” 
With assurances that this was a mutual decision between McMacken and herself, Nichols said she and the council had their work cut out to find the path forward. 

Roundup in the books

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 9:54am
Kevin Robling, secretary of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), said the 59th annual Buffalo Roundup was fantastic.
“We got them moving early this morning,” he said of the 1,480 bison the riders pushed into the corrals at Custer State Park.
Robling expects 400-500 of those animals are going to be auctioned, bringing the herd down to 975. There were 488 calves born this year, which is typical for the herd, and each can weigh between 400 and 500 lbs.

Several amendments on November ballot

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 9:40am
As South Dakota voters cast their ballots in this year’s general election, they will be tasked with understanding several ballot questions on topics ranging from abortion rights to landowner rights and from marijuana to Medicaid. Here’s the rundown on all the amendments set to appear on the ballot. 
Amendment E to update references to certain officeholders and persons

Voters consumed by exactly what IM28 will mean

Published by admin on Wed, 10/02/2024 - 9:32am
As voters go to the polls there are many people discussing the “grocery tax” and what its impact will be on South Dakota and Keystone and Hill City. The proposed initiated measure (IM-28), if passed, would  prohibit a state sales tax on anything sold for human consumption, except alcoholic beverages or prepared food.

Suspicious fires under investigation

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 12:05pm

A series of suspicious fires in the Pringle and Argyle area are under investigation by local authorities.
Custer County Sheriff’s office Lt. Jeff McGraw said there have been several suspicious fires over the past few weeks, including one Sept. 20 at the intersection of Carroll Creek and Lime Kiln roads, which burned roughly a tenth of an acre.
Around that same time, the wooden portapotties at the Pringle Cemetery were burned to the ground, and there were other suspicious fires on Lime Kiln Road.