Leader-Courier and Dakota Dunes/North Sioux City Times move to Fridays

The Leader-Courier and Dakota Dunes/North Sioux City will move their publication day from Thursday to Friday beginning the second week of January 2026. Publisher Shannon Jost said the change also adjusts the weekly deadline to Tuesday at noon, instead of Monday at noon.

Flame of hope carried through Elk Point

Law enforcement officers, Special Olympics athletes and community members took part in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run in Elk Point on Monday, car‑rying the “flame of hope” through town in support of Special Olympics South Da‑kota.

Jefferson approves Allard memorial

The Jefferson City Council ac‑cepted a donated memorial statue for the Main Street pocket park and delayed action on a proposed text‑alert system during its May 4 meeting at City Hall. Council President Michael Stokely led the meeting with mem‑bers Mark LaF‑leur, John Lok‑horst and Martin Nelkie present.

Memorial Day services

Memorial Day services will be held Monday, May 25, in Jefferson and Elk Point to honor those who died in military service. The first ceremony is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.

Council backs replat

The Elk Point City Council moved through a light agenda May 4, ap‑proving a survey replat and renewing a slate of malt beverage licenses for the coming year. Mayor Deb McCreary led the meeting, with council members Brian Abraham, Renee Irwin, Ben Irlbeck, Meghan Aus‑tad and Kris Hurlbert present.

Union County prepares for June 2 primary

County‑Level Contested Races Union County voters will see several contested races on the June 2, 2026, primary ballot, according to the official publication bal‑lots released by the Union County Auditor and the South Dakota Secretary of State. The Republican primary includes competi‑tive races for sheriff, regis‑ter of deeds, three county commission districts and multiple legislative seats.

Commissioners raise speed limit on County Road 23

Union County commissioners raised the speed limit on a por‑tion of County Road 23, approved a zoning change in Dakota Dunes and moved forward on several ma‑jor highway projects during their April 28 meeting.

County approves courthouse reno bid

On March 31, 2026, the Union County Commission‑ers accepted the low bid of $5,780, from “L&L Build‑ers based in Sioux City, IA. The commission voted unanimously to accept the bid. The bid will cover renovations and additional square footage to the exist‑ing Union County Court‑house. The bid also covers renovations and additional square footage to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. The current Union County Courthouse was completed in 1978.

Historic brick kiln undergoing restoration

The Union County Historical So‑ciety is continuing restoration work on the county’s historic brick kiln, a 19th‑century beehive kiln believed to be one of the earliest brick‑making sites in South Dakota.