News

Incumbents sweep city races

Published by admin on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 9:39am
It appears there will be no change at the dais at Hill City Hall, as all three incumbents came away with convincing wins during yesterday’s Primary Election. All results are unofficial at this time.
Tana Nichols will remain the Mayor of Hill City, as she cruised to victory over challenger Kathy Skorzewski, picking up 187 votes compared to Skorzewski’s 76.
In the race for alderman in Ward 1, Justin Thiry will remain on the council, defeating challenger Cheryl Honour by a vote of 102-54.

Forest service, state agree to work together on forest management

Published by admin on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 9:19am
The U.S. Forest Service announced Friday that it has signed a five-year agreement to work with the state of South Dakota to carry out projects on national forest and adjacent land, possibly including timber harvesting, prescribed burning, forest thinning, grazing and habitat and watershed restoration.
Meanwhile, a former national forest employee said he suspects the agreement will allow the Forest Service to lean more on the state’s help to maintain logging levels.

Tour dates announced for One Book South Dakota

Published by admin on Wed, 06/03/2026 - 9:18am
The South Dakota Humanities Council will bring author Matthew Davis to seven communities at the end of June for the 2026 One Book South Dakota tour.
Davis is the author of “A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore.” The book explores the Black Hills, westward expansion, the carving of Mount Rushmore, and debates over land, identity and public monuments.

Primary election set for Tuesday

Published by admin on Wed, 05/27/2026 - 9:59am

Don’t forget to vote next week. The primary election is Tuesday, June 2, and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sample ballots were published in the May 20 issue of the Custer County Chronicle.  
The City of Custer will not hold an election this year since the candidates for the three two-year council seats were uncontested. Dixie Whitaker ran for Ward I, Julie Jenniges ran for Ward II and Monica McGowan ran for Ward III.

County approves variance despite opposition

Published by admin on Wed, 05/27/2026 - 9:54am
A variance request for Russ Johnson to allow more than 40 dwellings on a dead end road was heard by the Pennington County Commission May 19. The recommended motion  by the county’s planning department was to deny the variance, “as it is counter to the public safety and interest and there are no special conditions on the subject property that would support approval,” according to commission documents. 
An alternate motion to approve the variance with two conditions was also proposed, which is ultimately what commissioners decided to do.

A look at who is on the ballot

Published by admin on Wed, 05/27/2026 - 9:54am
Voters will take to the polls June 2 in the Republican Primary and local Hill City election. 
Tana Nichols, the incumbent mayor of Hill City, is running against a familiar name, Kathy Skorzewski, who was previously mayor of the town until 2023.
Ward I voters can choose between incumbent Justin Thiry or Cheryl Honour. In Ward II, incumbent Dennis Siebert is facing opposition from John Johnson.

Concerns addressed over speed in town

Published by admin on Wed, 05/27/2026 - 9:52am
Complaints of traffic going through Main Street too fast were brought up by trustee David Cofoid at the May 20 Keystone Town Board meeting.
Cofoid said he has seen pedestrians jump back from cars and skid marks of trucks trying to brake fast. The finance officer will discuss the crosswalks with the South Dakota Department of Transportation. Cofoid also addressed scooters and bikes that are parked on city property. 

City, county may reopen LEO talks

Published by admin on Wed, 05/27/2026 - 9:51am

Negotiations for a new law enforcement contract between Custer County and the City of Custer are likely to resume in some form or fashion in the near future. Exactly how they will unfold is not set in stone, however.
At the May 13 meeting of the Custer County Commission the commission discussed its push to have a joint, public meeting with the Custer City Council to discuss the issue and bring the public into the fold as to how the negotiations have transpired and how they did or did not come together.

School board celebrates good news, progress

Published by admin on Wed, 05/27/2026 - 9:51am
The Hill City School District Board of Education met last Monday for its last meeting of the school year. 
A handful of Hill City High School students competed at the SkillsUSA competition, and they were present to tell the board about their experience. 
A team of four—Justin Worden, Alec Gelvin, Karson Kolb and Ayden Kurtz—competed in the TeamWorks competition, finishing in fourth place, while Addyson Kurtz won in photography and T-shirt design. 

Uranium drilling hearings open in Hot Springs

Published by admin on Wed, 05/27/2026 - 9:50am

By Meghan O’Brien
South Dakota Searchlight