Union County 4-H club members and leaders completed the 2022-23 club year with an annual Recognition Event on Sunday, Oct. 22 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elk Point. Congratulations to all the club members on a successful 4-H year!

In preparation for All Saints Day on Nov. 1, the 6th grade religious education students at St. Teresa of Calcutta presented ‘For All These Saints’ on Oct. 25. Costumes were prepared by the Catholic Daughters, Mary Parker and Mary Grasso. Each of the students answered questions about the life of the saint they depicted. Everyone learned a lot about the life of each saint and the process of how one becomes a saint in the Catholic Church.

The National Honor Society induction for Dakota Valley high schoolers happened on Monday, Oct. 16 in the Performing Arts Center. Spanish teacher, Amanda Valbuena, is the Panther advisor for National Honor Society (NHS) which inducts junior and senior members on an annual basis.

Some of South Dakota’s most talented high school vocal students were in the Black Hills on Saturday, Oct. 28 for All State Chorus. The 2023 concert was held in Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City.

The cross country Academic All-State list was announced on Oct. 24.

The Siouxland Humane Society (SHS) has received national recognition from the Best Friends Animal Society. A plaque was awarded for achieving a save rate of over 90 percent for year 2022, naming the SHS a no-kill shelter.

The Dakota Valley School Board met in regular session Oct. 9 to a short agenda.

A project which was supposed to be completed by Oct. 31, will be delayed due to a water leak. The Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District (CID) Board of Supervisors was notified of the complication at their meeting on Oct. 16.

Every October, the students and staff of Dakota Valley look forward to seeing the “spooky house” on Northshore Drive. It has become a staple to signify Halloween and autumn are coming to the area. The multiple horror story characters on the balcony, along with hanging skeletons and mock tombstones are known for getting neighbors and all who pass by into the Halloween spirit.

A fundraising event for park equipment for Tower Park in Jefferson will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the park. Events include a trunk or treat from 1 to 4 p.m., zombie walk at 4 p.m., a pork and chili feed, zombie face painting and pumpkin painting.