A large crowd was gathered on the morning of Friday, July 18, 2025, in Dakota Dunes, to honor veterans Robert Irwin and Robert Ensurd. Centenarian Awards were presented to both of these brave heroes as Irwin celebrated his 100th birthday and Ensurd turned 95-years-old.

Children in the Elk Point-Jefferson area have been giving back to the community this summer in a unique and helpful way. The nice acts have come in the form of lawn care and free mowing services. Several young adults have taken the challenge to help others for no fee as a way to be kind, considerate and upstanding.

Two Panther students were in Anaheim, California on June 29-July 2, 2025 for the Future Business Leaders of America, Inc.’s (FBLA) National Leadership Conference (NLC). Soon to be 11th grader Asher Pfeifer and incoming 10th grader Kshitij Patil were South Dakota student representatives at this year’s conference. The pair from Dakota Valley attended along with over 15,000 others.

Stifel (NYSE: SF) today announced that its Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated broker-dealer subsidiary has moved its office from Sioux City, Iowa, to Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. The Sioux City office’s origin dated back to the early 1950s when TC Henderson established an investment office in the Badgerow Building in downtown Sioux City.

The Dakota Valley School District #61-8 held its annual Board of Education meeting on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the district boardroom. All five board members— Jesica Hanson, Steve Kistner, Andrew Nilges, Emily Norby, and Matt Thompson—were present, along with Superintendent Dr. Craig Schmidt and Business Manager Sponder. Chairperson Kistner called the meeting to order and welcomed visitors before the board unanimously approved the agenda. No new conflict-of-interest disclosures were presented.

There is a new face at the extension office and the counties of Union and Clay are excited about it. Laurie Fritsch has hit the ground running in her new position as 4-H Educator for the two neighboring areas in South Dakota’s southeastern corner. She began her new job role on June 2, 2025. She comes to the extension office from the University of South Dakota where she worked for the computer science department as a Senior Administrative Assistant.

Elk Point-Jefferson High School’s own Karlene Stabe, teacher leader for the school’s Educators Rising chapter, attended the National Educators Rising Conference held June 25–29 in Orlando, Florida. Accompanied by three students, the group represented EPJ with pride on the national stage. One of Stabe’s students, Ava Peters, placed an impressive 8th out of 80 competitors in the Job Interview competition.

.

The Elk Point-Jefferson Board of Education convened its regular monthly meeting and annual budget hearing on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room. The meeting began with President Travis Geary calling the Fiscal Year 2025 board session to order. Board members in attendance included Geary, Sabrina Sayler, Noelle Jacobs, Kyle Hanson, and new member Tory Norby. District leaders present were Superintendent Philip Schonebaum, Business Manager Heather Watterson, Principals Skyler Eriksen and Laura Throener, and K–12 Dean of Students/Activities Director Justin Clercx.

Young anglers across Elk Point are invited to cast their lines and make lasting memories at the upcoming Youth Fishing Derby, set for Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Heritage Park. The event welcomes children ages 3 to 14 for a morning filled with friendly competition and outdoor fun.