Area students honored among South Dakota’s top 1 percent

Several area high school seniors were recognized April 27 as part of the top 1 percent of South Dakota’s Class of 2026 at the 36th annual Academic Excellence Recognition luncheon. The event, hosted by Gov.

Commissioners raise speed limit on County Road 23

Union County commissioners raised the speed limit on a por‑tion of County Road 23, approved a zoning change in Dakota Dunes and moved forward on several ma‑jor highway projects during their April 28 meeting.

DDCID talk golf cart rules, rezoning

April 20, 2026 was the date for the Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District (CID) regular meeting, at the Welcome Center on Sioux Point Road, per the meeting minutes. It was called to order at 6:00 pm with members Scott Wetz, Ken Beaulieu, Dalton Hanson, Janet Finzen and William Shorma present. The CID Manager Andrew Tramp, legal counsel Darrell Jesse, CID employee Katelyn Irby, plus Union Country Sheriff Jim Prouty were also on-hand. In addition there were members of the general public who attended the meeting. They were: Larry Wiese, John D’Auguste, Wayne Bradshaw, Mark Brown, Robert Shuey, Brian Goeden, Boyd Allison, Shannon Hughes and Duane Quinn.

County approves courthouse reno bid

On March 31, 2026, the Union County Commission‑ers accepted the low bid of $5,780, from “L&L Build‑ers based in Sioux City, IA. The commission voted unanimously to accept the bid. The bid will cover renovations and additional square footage to the exist‑ing Union County Court‑house. The bid also covers renovations and additional square footage to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. The current Union County Courthouse was completed in 1978.

Historic brick kiln undergoing restoration

The Union County Historical So‑ciety is continuing restoration work on the county’s historic brick kiln, a 19th‑century beehive kiln believed to be one of the earliest brick‑making sites in South Dakota.

Masquerade magic fills the gym at EPJ

Masquerade Ball was the theme for Elk Point-Jefferson’s prom on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Huskies in 11th grade and 12th grade, plus their guests, were dressed in formal attire for a fun evening. Justin Clercx, the activities director at Elk Point-Jefferson (EPJ) served as master of ceremonies.

Elk Point kicks off phase 2 of Country Club Estates

A crowd was observed on the south end of Pheasant Road, in Elk Point, on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The large gathering occurred at 10:30 am. All were present for the ribbon cutting ceremony to honor Elk Point’s city council approval of the second phase in regards to Country Club Estates. John Curry, Principal of Elk Point Investments, was on-site as were many local officials, community members, the developer plus members of Elk Point’s Chamber of Commerce.