The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities across the nation covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10 percent lower than 2012 releases, even with an eight percent increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed more than 89 percent of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11 percent of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.

The South Dakota Department of Health (SDDOH) Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification is providing a grant opportunity to support skilled nursing and long-term care facilities in enhancing their infection prevention infrastructure necessary to support resident, visitor and facility healthcare personnel safety. This funding supports recruitment and retention opportunities for skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities and assisted living centers in South Dakota.

At Dakota Valley Elementary School, we are ready to begin welcoming our newest Panthers to the district during our Kindergarten Round-Up event on March 30 and 31. These newest students will be members of the class of 2036! Each year as we hold this event, it gives our teachers a chance to share about school and kindergarten readiness with families, which many times includes the cognitive abilities that encompass what is referred to as Executive Function.

The Dakota Valley middle school production of “The One-Act Play Disaster” written by Don Zolidus brought a lot of laughs on Monday, March 13th and Tuesday, March 14th. Both performances took place on stage in front of full crowds. There were 56 DV Panthers, in grades 6th-8th, who took part in this 45-minute show. Director Cody Juffer described the group of students involved as a “fantastic, awesome, one-of-a-kind, middle school cast and crew.” Director’s Notes: “This cast and crew have been anything but a disaster! These students have worked so incredibly hard to get this production put together in an extremely short amount of time. I have been so very impressed by their willingness to go along with crazy ideas – their “can-do” attitudes certainly have been contagious!

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Rabbitt Family Vision Center, of North Sioux City, has been in business for 25 years and to celebrate they started things off by giving back to the area. Dr. Dan Rabbitt and Offi ce Manager Jeff Rabbitt were both at the North Sioux City Community Library on Thursday, March 2 to donate a low vision magnifier that can be used by all patrons.

With the help of coworkers, two young people fell in love and have made that love last for 72 years. Danny and Arlene Nyreen were married Feb.

Photo Courtesy of Erin Bormett, Argus Leader As it winds to a close, the 2023 legislative session in South Dakota will likely be remembered as the year of the great tax cut debate and for the somewhat surprising willingness of the GOPled Legislature to reject several proposals from a popular Republican governor. But many observers and participants in the process are noting another significant milestone this year: a noticeable return to civility, decorum and cordiality in the state Capitol.

In order to guarantee a revenue source and be a better asset to the community, the Elk Point Ambulance is seeking to create an Ambulance District. The idea of a district began in November, 2022.

An oversight in the Union County Handbook sparked discussion at the Union County Board of County Commission meeting March 7. In the current handbook, there is a section on employee compensation time, however, it doesn’t state how long compensation time can be carried.