The Dakota Valley administrators gave their monthly reports to the school board on Oct. 9. Kristi Maloney • Elementary Principal Sixty-six students were named Maloney’s October MVPs. (Pictures ran in last week’s edition). The MVPs celebrated with cookies.

The proposed Jan. 21, 2024, postage increase for community newspapers is nearly four times the rate increase proposed for other users of the mail. In an announcement last Friday, the United States Postal Service announced it expected a 7.3 percent increase for the local Within County mailing rate for newspapers.

The North Sioux City Fire Department kicked off Fire Prevention Week with an Open House Sunday, Oct. 8. Children were able to take tours of the fire trucks and ambulances to see what the inside looked like, tour the fire station and go through a smoke trailer. Fire Department members were on hand to help answer questions and provide information to those interested in volunteering on the department.

The South Dakota State 4-H Horse Show took place July 24-26, 2023 in Pierre, SD. Union County 4-H Members Matthew Bryan and Kade Frank had the honor of riding in the American flag and signing the National Anthem to start the shows. Results from Union County are as follows: • Beginner Western Showmanship: Baylee Warner, 4th Place Beginner; Mya McCabe, White.

The South Dakota State Fall 4-H Shoot took place Sept. 8-10, 2023 in Mitchell, SD. 4-Her’s must shoot a minimum qualifying score throughout the season to be eligible for state. Results from Union County are as follows:

There is new development to the Union County Courthouse property after their meeting Oct. 3. The Union County Board of County Commissioners approved the quote from Calhoun Communications for the new tower antennas and wiring at a cost of $46,893.99.

Some city council members have been approached by residents about code violation letters they had received earlier this year. The residents the council is hearing from are the ones who fixed the violation right away, but now see the same violation on other properties. They asked the council members why other residents are not yet in compliance. This question was brought before the North Sioux City City Council at their Oct. 2 meeting.

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of the South Dakota State Historical Society in Pierre is preparing for its federal fiscal year 2024 grant application and invites public comment through Nov. 1 on the state’s preservation needs and projects.

An asphalt surfacing project on Interstate 29 at exit 18 near Elk Point began on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Work on the project includes shoulder strengthening at each of the structures located at exit 18.

At the beginning of September the thespians of Dakota Valley took their talents to the stage to audition for this fall’s three-act production of “Puffs”. It is a stage play written by Matt Cox and a hilarious twist on the happenings of Harry Potter and Hogwarts.