The commission’s approval of a new roadway safety plan, men‑tioned in our Aug. 3 meeting cov‑erage, reflects a broader shift in how North Sioux City evaluates transportation needs. The Safe Streets for All plan details five priority corridors, recent crash patterns and new performance measures intended to guide fu‑ture safety improvements.

The North Sioux City Fire Department has been recognized as a Gold Hel‑met Department by the Na‑tional Firefighter Registry for Cancer, marking the first time a South Dakota depart‑ment has earned the distinc‑tion.

Dakota Valley El‑ementary Principal Kristi Maloney has been named the 2026 Instructional Leader of the Year by the South Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals, a statewide organization that rec‑ognizes administrators who strengthen teach‑ing and learning across their districts.

Preparing for the 2026‑27 school year, the Dakota Valley School Board used its Aug. 10 annual meeting to finalize staff‑ing changes, approve major curriculum purchases and authorize several facility upgrades. The meeting lasted 56 minutes and covered more than $2.2 million in ex‑penditures across district funds.

Jefferson Beer Supply will celebrate Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 19 at the craft brewery and restaurant. The annual community celebration will feature a full afternoon of Oktoberfest-themed fun for all ages, including the debut of the Jefferson Beer Mile, along with traditional games and activities such as hammerschlagen, straw bale throwing and stein-holding contests.

Crittenton Center invites the community to join its annual fundraiser, Passport to Possibilities, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Susanne Pilani, USPS Clerk is retiring as of August 31st, 2026, from the North Sioux City, SD Post Office. Susanne has been with the organization for 27 + years, starting back in 1999 being a Postal clerk.

A statewide network of weather stations is seeking to expand in Union County. Mesonet at SDState is the statewide network of weather stations providing crucial data to the National Weather Service, Army Corps of Engineers and South Dakota citizens. The mesonet is seeking a public or private landowner in Union County to host a new station.

Midco has launched Midco Mobile in Elk Point and Jefferson, expanding its communications offerings to include wireless service alongside internet. The new service connects customers with local support teams and ex‑tends the com‑pany’s regional network foot‑print.

Under new ownership, the Jefferson Conoco Pit Stop is expanding its inventory, extending daily operating hours and introducing a new on-site dining option for local residents and interstate travelers. The travel plaza recently secured its municipal liquor license and began stocking full inventory across the previously empty shelves. To better serve evening travelers and local convenience needs, the station extended its daily hours, remaining open seven days a week until 11 p.m.