South Dakota’s new‑est historical marker was dedicated Aug. 8 at Elmwood Cemetery in rural Elk Point, where about 60 people gath‑ered for a ceremony that also rededicated the historic burial grounds.

The Panthers represent‑ed well at the Best Buddies leadership conference, on the campus of Indiana Uni‑versity, on July 17-19, 2026. Dakota Valley (DV) teacher and Best Buddies advisor Madison Kenney accompa‑nied six students from DV as they attended education‑al sessions and met peers from across the country. Students at the conference included: India Orr, Emily Olhausen, Payten Kono‑pasek, Tyce Emrich, Ian Weber and Logan Brandon.

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The Jefferson City Council accepted a res‑ignation Monday and ad‑vanced zoning updates while approving a hous‑ing study and addressing park equipment needs. Ward 1 Council Mem‑ber Mark LaFleur, who has served on the council for many years, resigned following a brief execu‑tive session at the start of the meeting.

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Union County’s relocation of several courthouse offices to the Turner Building began this week as commissioners advanced a re‑zoning request, closed out a high‑way project and approved personnel changes during their Aug. 4 meet‑ing at Elk Point City Hall.

The Elk Point City Council discussed re‑peated garbage service complaints, reviewed on‑going project work and outlined steps in the city’s lead‑pipe inventory dur‑ing its Aug. 4 regular meeting. The council also scheduled a special ses‑sion later this month to begin work on the 2027 budget.

The July meeting for the Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District (CID) was held on the 20th of the month, at 6:00 pm, at 335 Sioux Point Road. Members present included Ken Beau‑lieu, William Shorma, Dal‑ton Hanson, Janet Finzen and Brian Goeden. Also on-hand were: Larry Wi‑ese, Boyd Allison, Wayne Bradsha, manager An‑drew Tramp, legal counsel Darrell Jesse and CID em‑ployee Katelyn Irby. It was noted that Goeden left the meeting at 7:48 pm.

Beautiful weather and large crowds were present at the Adams Homestead Celebration on Saturday, August 8, 2026. This annual event is held to honor the anniversary of Ad‑ams becoming a state park which happened back in 1997. The event was free to the public and many from across the tri-state area at‑tended.