South Dakota earned the No. 2 overall spot in the latest U.S.

Union County officials tackled a packed agenda during their July 21 meeting at Elk Point City Hall, balancing a major road construction surprise with widespread bridge-funding initiatives, commercial expansion plans and administrative reshuffling.

Elk Point-Jefferson Schools will honor nine outstanding individuals and a historic championship team this fall during the dis‑trict’s inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 5, at The Pointe in Elk Point.

Motorists navigating the central highway cor‑ridors of Union County are now passing automatic license‑plate readers follow‑ing the county’s deployment of vehicle‑tracking technolo‑gy. The Union County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of four sta‑tionary Flock Safety ALPR cameras on Sept. 30, 2025, and the units were installed along major travel routes in mid‑2026.

Elk Point Ambulance will host its fifth annual golf tournament on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, raising funds to support the local emergency medical service provider.

Local growers, makers, and neighbors are gearing up for a full afternoon on the patio as Jefferson’s fifth annual Farmers Market returns next month. The community market is set for Sunday, Aug.

Load King employees combined team appreciation with community support on Monday, July 13, raising $433 for the Elk Point Food Pantry during an outdoor employee luncheon. The Team Appreciation Day featured a catered lunch and friendly competition, with workers taking on games of darts and cornhole throughout the afternoon.

Union County officials tackled a packed agenda during their July 21 meeting at Elk Point City Hall, balancing a major road construction surprise with widespread bridge‑funding initiatives, commercial expansion plans and administrative reshuffling.

Gov. Larry Rhoden has won the Republican primary runoff for governor, overcoming Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden in Tuesday’s historic election to secure the GOP nomination for South Dakota’s highest office.

Larry Rhoden, the 34th and current Governor of South Dakota, was in Dakota Dunes on Wednesday, July 14, 2026 to speak with Union County residents about his current campaign. Governor Rhoden is looking to win the upcoming runoff election versus Toby Doeden that is set for July 28th. Approximately 30 people were in attendance at the event that took place at the Dakota Dunes Country Club. While addressing the room, Governor Rhoden reflected on his two sessions in office and took questions from the crowd.