In celebration of Veterans Day, Western Governors University (WGU) has launched a new scholarship for activeduty military personnel, veterans and their spouses who are interested in furthering their education. The “Military Appreciation Scholarship” valued at up to $2,500 each, is open to new students who plan on enrolling in any of the online, nonprofit university’s 60+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs in IT, business, K-12 teacher education, and health professions, including nursing.

The Panther debate team had their first competition of the season Nov. 4.

Anxiety in children More and more when students pass through the nurse office with nausea or a headache, a question that ends up getting asked is, “Are you nervous or stressed out about anything right now? Friends? Peers? School work? Anything at home?” Most often the answer is a quick, “No, nothing,” or “No, I don’t think so,” but sometimes as a student sits there to rest, they begin to talk. A class is stressing them out; there’s a big project that’s due; they have so many assignments they don’t know where to start; or it’s a fight with friends or a girlfriend/boyfriend; pressure to do well in sports and not having time to do homework and get enough sleep.

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With the increase in the cost of everything it seems this year, the North Sioux City Friends of the Library committee has decided to give back to those in need. The Friends will be hosting a grocery gift card giveaway.

An earlier-than-normal and more virulent strain of RSV infections in South Dakota is causing severe illness in young children, sparking concerns that pediatric intensive care units could become strained, especially if combined with a winter spike in influenza or COVID-19 cases.

Due to paper supply issues, the South Dakota Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division has stopped printing paper titles effective immediately. The paper used for printing titles is very unique as it has built in security features to prevent fraud. The Department anticipates being able to start printing paper titles mid-February 2023.

Over the past two winters, the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) engaged with thousands of South Dakotans in Name the Snowplow Contests. Heavy snow and high winds were no match for cleverly named snowplows that efficiently cleared the state’s highway system.

ARK Church will host its annual Kids Free Shopping Spree (KFSS). The KFSS is an opportunity for children to “shop” Christmas gifts for their parents and siblings at no cost. This fun event pairs the child with a personal shopper who will help them pick out and wrap gifts. This year’s Shopping Spree will take place Saturday, Dec. 3 at their church in North Sioux City. Due to the popularity of this event, pre-registration is required. The KFSS is for children in K-5th grade. The link is available at arkumc.org Communitymemberscan help in several ways: gift wrapping supplies, especially medium- sized gift bags; new/like new items for kids to “shop” from, especially for dads and teenagers; volunteering to setup/ clean-up; and volunteering to help with shopping and wrapping. More details are available at arkumc.org ARK Church seeks to bring help and hope to the community through events like the KFSS, providing food backpacks on the weekends to students at Dakota Valley facing food insecurity, meal kits during the holidays and more.

While there were plenty of electorial races on this year’s ballot, there was one particular item that brought voters out of the woodwork in North Sioux City. In 2020, South Dakota voters elected to allow for the growing, manufacturing, sale and use of medical marijuana.