Farmers are optimistic on soybeans going into this crop year.

Beginning April 24, South Dakotans are encouraged to start using 10-digit dialing (605 area code + phone number) to make all local phone calls. This transition is a necessary first step in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) move to establish 988 as a new three-digit dialing code f…

The first week in April was National Library Week. We prepared a scavenger hunt to help our patrons familiarize themselves with different areas of the library. Often, we find ourselves going directly to the area we like best, never looking at all the library has to offer.

Dakota Valley will hold an in-person graduation May 8 at 11 a.m. They have 93 seniors graduating this year. Seniors will get 10 ticket vouchers to give to family members or friends to attend their graduation ceremonies. This will help keep the gym at an acceptable capacity rate to ensure soc…

Jordyn Younger of Jefferson was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Younger was initiated at Oklahoma City University.

Women married in South Dakota who wish to change their middle name to their maiden name will have a more expensive road ahead of them with the passage of a new South Dakota law.

Vaccinations in South Dakota have opened to anyone age 16 and over and Avera has launched online appointments.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation said construction on the SD Highway 50 bypass in the city of Vermillion was scheduled to start April 7.

Effective July 1, the Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood has decreed the following appointments which relieve the following priests from assigned ministry and thus permit them to retire:

VFW Post 915 and its Auxiliary will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 15 at The Pointe Golf & Event Center in Elk Point. They will be planning for the District Spring Meeting that they are hosting at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18 at The Pointe.

The University of South Dakota broke ground on the new School of Health Sciences building and announced a $1 million gift from the Delta Dental of South Dakota Foundation April 1.

As of March 31, 63 of 66 sheriffs have endorsed Marty Jackley for Attorney General in 2022. He announced earlier that he has endorsements from State’s Attorneys – 59 of 66 counties.

The District 16 legislators will give a review of the 2021 South Dakota legislative session April 12 at 4 p.m. at North Sioux City City Hall. Senator Jim Bolin and Representatives David Anderson and Kevin Jensen will be in attendance. It is asked that people wanting to attend, RSVP to Teresa…

In his end of the legislative wrap up, State Senator Art Rusch of Vermillion discussed COVID-19 dollars and how they were to be used.

Former South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley will again seek that position. It is now held by Jason Ravnsborg, who has been indicted on three misdemeanor charges stemming from an automobile accident near Highmore.

For over 15 years, Elk Point and surrounding communities have been supporting the local blood bank, LifeServe Blood Center, at the community blood drive. At the blood drive Tuesday, March 23 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elk Point, LifeServe Blood Center collected 30 units of blood. savin…

Brigham Young University of Hawaii

Minnesota State Mankato

Winner, SD is a place that our readers have heard and read about the past few weeks, courtesy of a couple of state basketball tournaments.

The local Conservation District Board of Supervisors represents all citizens within the boundaries of the district (most follow county boundaries). The Conservation District Board provides a leadership role in promoting the wise stewardship of our natural resources by coordinating conservati…

Siouxland CARES and Growing Community Connections will host a town hall meeting on underage drinking and mental health April 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The meeting will be held via Zoom and on Facebook Live. To register, visit, https://unl.zoom.us/j/95938745373.

A Dakota Valley list serve email was sent out Friday, March 12 asking for winter clothing donations. The elementary school is seeking gently-used snow pants, coats, boots, gloves, etc… that are still in good shape. The school can keep these items on hand for other students to borrow/use when…

WEL-Life at Elk Point and Prairie Estates Care Center, both in Elk Point, have each received Pinnacle Quality Insight’s 2021 Customer Experience AwardTM.

Recognizing an increase in opioid overdose deaths during the pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced its 20th Take Back Day scheduled for Saturday, April 24. DEA collected a record-high amount of expired, unwanted and unused prescription medications during the last Take…

Elderly and disabled South Dakotans have until April 1 to apply for property tax relief under South Dakota’s Assessment Freeze for the Elderly and Disabled Program.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs is now accepting nominations for South Dakota’s “Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedication” program. South Dakota has dedicated seven bridges honoring nine heroes since dedications started in 2019.

Dakotans for Health, an emerging group of public officials, caregivers, health care advocates and concerned citizens supporting the expansion of Medicaid, announced that former South Dakota state senator and Democratic Party Executive Director Pam Cole will join their citizen-led effort.

More snow? I don’t know but we have books waiting for anyone who needs an escape from the weather. New books arrive on a regular basis. If you see a great book, let us know. We love patron approved requests.

VFW Post 915 and its Auxiliary will meet Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. at The Pointe Golf & Event Center in Elk Point.

Homeowners have until March 15 to apply for property tax relief through the owner-occupied program.

With stadiums, arenas, and other sports venues filled with cardboard cutouts of fans and prerecorded crowd noise due to COVID-19, television viewership has never been so important in keeping current fans engaged as well as luring in new fans.

South Dakota State University

The bitter cold stretch that recently gripped South Dakota required families to use more energy to stay warm. For families struggling to pay winter heating bills, the South Dakota Department of Social Services (DSS) may be able to help.

Western Iowa Tech Community College