The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission held their meeting at the Rapid City Outdoor Campus Oct. 6-7.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) reminds landowners hay remaining in highway ditches needs to be removed. The bales must be removed to ensure road safety in the coming months.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7 percent in 2023, the Social Security Administration announced. On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January. The 8.7 percent cost-ofliving adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023. Increased payments to more than 7 million SSI beneficiaries will begin Dec. 30, 2022. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Medicare premiums are going down and Social Security benefits are going up in 2023, which will give seniors more peace of mind and breathing room,” Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi said.

For the first time since 2013, Dakota Valley will be sending both the girls and boys varsity teams to state for cross country on Saturday, October 22nd. The meet will take place in Huron, SD at the Broadland Creek National Golf Course. Members of the girls varsity team include: Sophia Redler, Alex McCullough, Ella Otten, Mia Riibe, Finley Huber and Lizzie Mueller.

A brisk afternoon, along with some strong running competition, greeted the Dakota Valley cross country team in Vermillion on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the SDHSAA Region 3A meet. A lot was on the line, as only the top 3 boys teams, top 3 girls teams and the 20 fastest individuals from each varsity race would qualify for state.

Send-offs will be held on Friday, Oct. 21 for the Cheer, Dance and Cross Country teams as they leave for their state tournaments. The North Sioux City Police and Fire departments will escort the teams to the interstate on ramp. The send-off for Cheer and Dance is at 9:30 a.m. and Cross Country is slated for noon. The community is invited to attend.

The Panther competitive cheer squad travels to state competition in Watertown, SD on Oct. 21. The competition is set to start at 5 p.m. on that Friday for Class A schools. The Class AA schools will compete on Saturday. Dakota Valley is slated to perform at 6:19 p.m. “We were state runner up last year and it would be incredible to continue to hold that title,” Cheer Coach Melanie Yakel stated. “We would ultimately be happy with a top four placement.” The Panther cheer squad consists of 9 students, which makes their squad unique and also smaller than most when it comes to competition. Members of the 2022 roster include: Olivia Scardino, Bailey Link, Madison Bell, Mia Lynch, Sunny Byington, Raelee Felix, Chloe Smith, Claire Kilcullen and Rachel Bryan. “The team’s biggest strength this year is their ability to overcome any obstacles in their way,” Yakel detailed. “We are tiny – but mighty – this year so any absence, illness or injury takes a large toll on our ability to practice efficiently. They have proven over and over again that they can handle that pressure. They are quick to pick up changes, they are willing to sub in for different positions when needed and continue to pour everything they have into every performance.”

The dance squad for Dakota Valley has high goals for their state contest in Watertown, SD Friday, Oct. 21. It is the hope of all that the Panthers will extend their consecutive state run of 1st place titles.

The Dakota Valley dance team travelled over 160 miles on Saturday, Oct. 15 to dominate and perform at the Black Panther Cheer and Dance Competition hosted by Platte- Geddes. First place honors were achieved for both of Dakota Valley’s routines in pom and jazz. These top finishes also crowned the talented dance squad as grand champions for the day.

The Panther competitive cheer squad brought home a 3rd place finish on Oct. 10 from the Bon Homme Invite. Dakota Valley battled through a teammate’s illness and adjustment to their routine to still score high and come away with a solid performance.