December 16th, at 5 pm, was the date and time of the last regular meeting of 2024 for the Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District (CID) Board of Supervisors. It was held at the Welcome Center on Sioux Point Road. Budgets and plans for the year ahead were the main topics of discussion throughout the meeting.

Taxpayers affected by the flood will be eligible to file for an abatement for the taxes due in 2025. Those taxes are for the 2024 tax year. The 2024 tax year is from November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023. But whenever there is a natural disaster such as flood or fire, taxpayers may apply to abate taxes for that calendar year, even though those values were set over a year ago. The tax bills you will receive in January are not for this past year, including the flood. They are for 2024 tax year payable in 2025. This past calendar year is for the 2025 tax year. You will not receive a tax bill for those values until 2026 (payable in 2027). November 1, 2024, started the 2026 tax year (payable in 2027). This illustrates how we are ahead of the treasurer.

The Union County Board of Commissioners convened for their regular session on December 30, 2024. The meeting began at 8:30 a.m. and was attended by Commissioners Michael Dailey, Kevin Joffer, Tom Kimmel, and Peggy Ustad.

Dr. M. Frances Graham February 11th, 1930 – January 1st, 2025 Dr. M. Frances “Fran” Graham, 94, of McCook Lake, South Dakota, passed away January 1st, 2025. She fought the good fight until the very end of her life.

The Southeast Area Principals Association has named Elk Point-Jefferson’s Skyler Eriksen as “Principal of the Year”. Eriksen has been an important part of the Husky family and has served the district for the past six years with great leadership and passion.

Goodbyes are typically never easy and on November 14, 2024 an especially hard one happened in the local community. Karlee Hughes, of Dakota Dunes, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 19.

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The Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve is always a place of sanctuary and contentment. It was also a site to get into the spirit of the season thanks to the state park’s annual event known as Homestead Holidays. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the dates of December 6th to December 22nd, a truly beautiful array of holiday lights and decorations could be observed by walking the grounds from 5 pm to 9 pm.

On December 16, 2024, the North Sioux City City Council convened for its regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., led by Mayor Patti Teel. Present at the meeting were council members Kodi Benson, Gary Bogenrief, Jim Christenson, Joan Christiansen, Bob Davis, Lonnie Green, Lynn Hoffman, and Greg Meyer, along with City Administrator Jeff Dooley, City Finance Officer Amy Lilly, and City Attorney Sarah Kleber.

High school members of Dakota Valley’s National Honor Society spent time after school on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 to make blankets for those in need. The students fringed and cut cozy material in an effort to help the non-profit organization called Project Warm-Up.