A new organization came to South Dakota in April, 2022 – Hometown Hero Outdoors (HHO). The purpose of this 501(c) (3) non-profit organization is to reach out to every first responder, law enforcement offi cer, military service member and military veteran and ensure that they’ve got a way to temporarily escape the daily stress and frustration of civilian life through a safe outdoor adventure of their choosing.

The Elk Point-Jefferson Marching Band members had a unique experience Jan. 2.

A new law that makes it easier for people to sell homemade foods directly to consumers in South Dakota could expand business opportunities for small producers and increase product offerings at homes, farmers markets, fairs and roadside stands.

The third annual Name the Snowplow Contest began in November, before the snow began to fly in earnest. The contest was created by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) to engage people across the state in winter driving safety awareness. The SDDOT encourages travellers to use SD511 resources to make informed travel decisions during winter weather. Travellers can sign up for customized notifications on https://sd511. org to receive text messages and/or email notifications for road closure updates and travel advisories along pre-selected travel routes.

South Dakotans depend on their local community newspaper to keep them informed and connected. Who are the people who read South Dakota newspapers? Every month, 574,000 consumers – or 83 percent of South Dakota adults – read the local newspaper in print or online.

Few if any people in South Dakota will argue that the state’s vaunted pheasant hunting industry in 2022 is as strong as in the past. Compared to prior decades, the slow and steady declines are apparent in both license sales and bird numbers and, to some extent, how out-of-state visitors who pump millions into the East River economy plan their trips.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners held their last meeting of 2022 on Dec. 27. To end the year, the commissioners conducted final transfers of money to balance funds. These included: Courts – $3,150; Public Building – $101,600; Fair – $188,500; Rural Fire – $340; and Domestic Abuse – $1,485 for a total of $295,075.

Braden Evans, an 18-yearold Elk Point-Jefferson senior, was offered a chance to gain some real life, hands-on experience through a program at school while gaining school credit. Evans learned about the program through a friend that participated in the program in 2021.

Dolores J. Hofland died Dec. 21, 2022 at Mercy Medical in Sioux City at the age of 92. Visitation will be held Dec. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Kober Funeral Home. Services will be held Dec. 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Kober Funeral Home with Noah Ruppert officiating. Burial will be at St. Paul Cemetery in Elk Point SD.

The Jolley Historic District in Vermillion has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register is the official federal list of properties identified as important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.