News

Habitat enhancement project at Meeker Ranch

Published by admin on Wed, 06/11/2025 - 10:38am

Around 6,000 sandbar willows were planted at Meeker Ranch over the last week as part of the ongoing Meeker Creek Habitat Conservation Project.
Meeker Ranch is a 278-acre parcel managed by the U.S. Forest Service. In 2004, the property was purchased by a number of organizations and gifted to the National Forest Service under certain conditions, according to Kris Cudmore, aquatic habitat and access biologist with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) out of the Rapid City office.

City tables county variance request

Published by admin on Wed, 06/11/2025 - 10:37am

A variance request presented by Custer County to the City of Custer for a steel building it would like to move onto the Montgomery Street property of Custer County Search and Rescue (SAR) has been tabled until the county submits documentation that the building will align with the city’s technical requirements.

Keystone board president asked to resign yet again

Published by admin on Wed, 06/11/2025 - 8:51am
Keystone Town Boar trustee Matt Fullilove read a letter asking for the resignation of board president Casey McNulty at the June 4 Keystone Town Board meeting.
This was not the first time Fullilove asked for McNulty’s resignation, nor the first time he requested an executive session to discuss the matter.
Fullilove said he received a letter from a  citizen regarding the “TikTok ordeal.” Business owner Tammy Hunsaker later claimed to be the author of the letter. 

BHE plans spark concern for communities, emergency management

Published by admin on Wed, 06/11/2025 - 8:50am
A letter dated May 23 from Pennington County Emergency Management director Dustin Willett to the Hill City Common Council and Keystone Town Board is drawing concerns throughout the communities of Keystone and Hill City.
The letter was in response to a proposed Black Hills Energy Public Safety Power Shutoff  (PSPS) program. Officials in both towns say they were not informed about the plan by Black Hills Energy (BHE), yet the proposed plan could shut off power to residents and tourists of the towns for multiple days.

Abolish Property Taxes South Dakota gives Custer presentation

Published by admin on Wed, 06/11/2025 - 8:41am
A petition will be circulated in the near future that, if the 35,000 required signatures are gathered, will be voted on by state residents in 2026.
The petition’s goal? Abolish property taxes.

Power shutdown program imminent

Published by admin on Wed, 06/04/2025 - 9:51am

A program that will see Black Hills Energy (BHE) shut off power to high-risk fire areas during “extreme weather conditions” will be in place by the middle of the summer, a Black Hills Energy official says.
Lynn Kendall, regional public affairs manager for BHE, said if the power is shut off through a program called Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in those areas it will remain off until conditions improve.

Council receives golf course update

Published by admin on Wed, 06/04/2025 - 9:49am

Income is up and growth continues at Rocky Knolls Golf Course it was revealed at the May 19 meeting of the Custer City Council, as Rocky Knolls board member John Carson delivered the golf course’s annual update to the council.
Carson said gross income was up around 15 percent from 2023 to 2024, while the mix of members to greens fees stayed about the same and clubhouse revenue stayed about the same in terms of percentage. Expenses were also the same.

Tarap, Virtue on top of school board race

Published by admin on Wed, 06/04/2025 - 9:41am

Brandy Tarap and Corey Virtue are set to serve on the Custer School District Board of Education after unofficially emerging victorious from yesterday’s election. The results are unofficial until they are officially canvassed.
Tarap received 485 votes, while Virtue received 268. Just behind Virtue was Mark Perrenoud with 258 votes. It was unclear as of press time if Perrenoud was within the margin for a recount.
Rounding out the voting was Jesse Sorenson, who received 181 votes.

Man hits leg artery in accidental shooting

Published by admin on Wed, 06/04/2025 - 9:36am

A 43-year-old Minnesota man had his life saved by family after an accidental shooting left him bleeding profusely from an artery in his leg recently.
According to Custer County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Derrick Reifenrath, around 6:33 a.m. at the Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort, a 911 call was placed to Custer County Dispatch with the caller screaming her dad had been shot in the leg.

Lori Miner wins council election

Published by admin on Wed, 06/04/2025 - 8:52am
Lori Miner will remain on the Hill City Common Council after emerging victorious from yesterday’s election, the lone city council race in this spring’s election.
Polls stayed open until 7 p.m. as voters in Ward 2  chose between Miner, the incumbent, and challenger John Johnson for alderman. 
Miner received 39 votes while Johnson received 13.