A heartbreaker loss followed by a pair of wins was how Dakota Valley girls soccer closed out the month of August. They took a 1-2 loss versus #1 ranked Sioux Falls Christian (SFC), but steadily defeated St. Thomas More and Belle Fourche.

Cross country season started in Beresford, as it does every year, with an epic meet on August 27, 2026. It was a contest full of fantastic competition and personal records. Dakota Valley’s varsity girls and varsity boys both took home 5th place finishes in team scoring. Many secured top times and some brought home individual medals.

August was busy for the Panther boys golf program as meets were played on August 24, 2026 and a couple of days later on August 26, 2026. Dell Rapids was the team’s 1st destination as the Dakota Valley (DV) varsity roster placed 2nd overall as a team. They played the Rocky Run Golf Course and had a trio of Panthers secure individual medals.

Dakota Valley started quickly Saturday at Groton, with Bryan Cardona opening the scoring about 10 minutes into the match. Goalkeeper Diego Ayala started the buildup with a long pass to Jack Bomgaars on the left wing, who carried the ball forward before delivering a precise through ball to Cardona. Cardona finished the opportunity with a well-placed left-footed shot from near the edge of the penalty area into the back corner.

The North Sioux City Planning Commission moved quickly through a short agenda Aug. 26, recommending approv‑al of a new plat in the Union Crossing devel‑opment and authorizing a three‑story training tower for North Sioux City Fire & Rescue. The meeting lasted 17 min‑utes.

The commission’s approval of a new roadway safety plan, men‑tioned in our Aug. 3 meeting cov‑erage, reflects a broader shift in how North Sioux City evaluates transportation needs. The Safe Streets for All plan details five priority corridors, recent crash patterns and new performance measures intended to guide fu‑ture safety improvements.

The North Sioux City Fire Department has been recognized as a Gold Hel‑met Department by the Na‑tional Firefighter Registry for Cancer, marking the first time a South Dakota depart‑ment has earned the distinc‑tion.

Dakota Valley El‑ementary Principal Kristi Maloney has been named the 2026 Instructional Leader of the Year by the South Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals, a statewide organization that rec‑ognizes administrators who strengthen teach‑ing and learning across their districts.

Preparing for the 2026‑27 school year, the Dakota Valley School Board used its Aug. 10 annual meeting to finalize staff‑ing changes, approve major curriculum purchases and authorize several facility upgrades. The meeting lasted 56 minutes and covered more than $2.2 million in ex‑penditures across district funds.

Jefferson Beer Supply will celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 19 at the craft brewery and restaurant. The annual community celebration will feature a full afternoon of Oktoberfest-themed fun for all ages, including the debut of the Jefferson Beer Mile, along with traditional games and activities such as hammerschlagen, straw bale throwing and stein-holding contests.