News

First RX cannabis shop to open

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:22am

Three years after South Dakota voters passed Initiated Measure 26 to legalize medical cannabis in the state, the City of Custer will have its first medical cannabis dispensary.
At the March 20 meeting of the Custer City Council the council unanimously approved Broken Boot Dispensary’s application for the city’s lone cannabis dispensary permit, with the business to be located at 145 Mt. Rushmore Rd.

Hermosa resident rails against town board

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:20am

The Commissioner’s Room at the Custer County Courthouse had the feel of a courtroom for a portion of the March 8 meeting of the Custer County Commission, as the commission heard from both representatives of the Town of Hermosa and a Hermosa resident who felt aggrieved by that town board.

Board discusses para mentoring

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:20am

The Custer School District Board of Education met Thursday, March 16, to discuss an array of topics: adopting a new paraprofessional mentoring program, health and counseling curricula and childcare issues in the area.
Tina Lundy and Katie Dethlefs, each paraprofessionals in the district, presented on a potential paraprofessional mentoring program for the district. Reasons for implementing the program included the high para turnover rate in the district (almost 20 percent each year) and the fact that new teachers already have a mentor program.

Over $30,000 raised at YMCA fundraiser

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:19am

Tickets to the “Lucky to Have the YMCA” childcare benefit auction at the Custer Beacon sold out last Saturday. The third annual fundraiser featured live and silent auctions, a best-dressed leprachaun pageant, live music and food provided by the Custer Beacon.
Proceeds from the event go toward funding the YMCA’s childcare programs in Custer. Before auction, YMCA childcare direcor Erica Van Horn spoke about the need for fundraising for the program and showed a short video of children and parents who are a part of the program explaining why they felt “lucky to have the YMCA.”

Tomac out as forest supervisor

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 11:18am

Jeff Tomac, who has served as supervisor of the Black Hills National Forest for the past two years, has been reassigned to the Rocky Mountain regional office in Colorado. A U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman declined to comment fully on the reason for the reassignment.
Regional press officer Donna Nemeth said on Monday that Tomac “is on assignment as a special assistant to the regional forester, working on high priority issues in the regional rangeland management program.”

Arts Council awards local legends, rising star

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 9:07am
By Esther Noe
 
On March 18 the Hill City Arts Council (HCAC) hosted its last Live On Stage (LOS) event of the season. According to HCAC president Kristie Van Bogart, they had a good turnout this year. 
Over a hundred people came to High Country Guest Ranch for the last night to find out who would win the 2023 Steve Thorpe Award. The Steve Thorpe Award, which is a bronze harmonica, was created in 2014 by Bonnie and Dave Guerre to honor Thorpe. 

Board tables wildlife feeding

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 8:59am
Living in the midst of the Black Hills National Forest, Black Hills towns have contended with how to best handle the practice of feeding wildlife within city limits. The Keystone Town Board discussed this at previous meetings, but due to public input, two things were changed from the original ordinance. At the March 15 town board meeting city attorney Mitch Johnson read the first reading of Ordinance Chapter 96.

A lifetime of sunrise services: the rise of audio and attendance

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 8:58am
This is part five of a seven-part series exploring the rich history of the Easter sunrise service at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, as the tradition will celebrate its 75th year on April 9.
 

Playhouse Fire contained March 14

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 8:55am
On March 14 a fire was reported southeast of Keystone in the area of Playhouse Road and Greyhound Gulch Road. 
In response to this call, agencies including Battle Creek Fire Department, Rockerville VFD, Hill City VFD, South Dakota Wildland Fire, U.S. Forest Service, Pennington County 911 and Great Plains Fire Dispatch responded to the site of the Playhouse Fire. 

Meet the Keystone candidates

Published by admin on Wed, 03/22/2023 - 8:50am
By Leslie Silverman
 
There are two open trustee positions in Keystone’s election this year. 
Casey McNulty is an incumbent seeking a second term.
McNulty grew up in Keystone and says he has “always been very active in the community of Keystone.” He is a “firm believer in fixing things rather than just complaining about them.” McNulty says that by “serving on the council I get to be involved and have the opportunity to work with community members and solve issues as they arise.”