Dakota’s graduating class of 2022 earned an average ACT composite score of 21.5, which is above the national average of 19.8 and the highest among neighboring states. Considering the state’s public school test-takers only, the average composite score was 21.6. The ACT is used to gain admission into colleges and universities throughout the country and for scholarship consideration.

South Dakotans will take to the polls Nov. 8 to vote in this year’s general election. While multiple races are happening at the state level, there will be some district races and court appointments for people to vote on. Along with this are two more items – Initiated Measure 27 and Constitutional Amendment D.

The price of postage is going up – again. The United States Postal Service officially announced the price of Forever stamps and other postage will go up on Jan.

Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve would like to invite their visitors to get in the holiday spirit and take a step back in time by attending the annual Christmas at the Homestead Saturday, Nov. 12 from noon to 4 p.m. This free, family event allows participants to tour the Stavenger Church, Shay/Adams House and Lamont Countr y School decorated for the Christmas season. Adams Homestead volunteers will be showing off their talents in each of the homestead buildings. Visitors will also get to enjoy refreshments in the Visitor Center, make children’s crafts in the Lamont Country School and hear Christmas music in the Stavenger Lutheran church throughout the day.

The only race for District 17 residents is for the State Representative seats. With two seats available, one democratic and two republicans are vying for the seats.

The annual Fran Moore Luncheon returns after COVID- 19 induced hiatus. The meal will be a Loaded Potato Bar to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Eagles Club in downtown Vermillion on Monday, Oct. 24. The luncheon is sponsored by Juno Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. To help kick your experience up a notch, music will be provided by Elaine Peacock and Isabel Trobaugh. Juno has supported the Banquets in Vermillion, Elk Point, Centerville & Beresford as well as our own state projects such as the Eastern Star Home in Redfield, Service Dog fund, Eastern Star Educational Scholarship, the ESTARL Scholarship for students and missionaries in seminary.

Safety was the theme of the Elk Point-Jefferson School Board meeting Oct. 10 as the board discussed secure entrances to all the buildings and the addition of a School Resource Officer.

In 2020, the Union County Historical Museum was looking to replace the bricks on the barn on West Main Street in Elk Point. However, the original plan of putting the bricks on the barn wasn’t able to be accomplished.

Once again, schools have become the target of a TikTok Challenge and not in a good way. Last year the school’s experienced strains of vandalism as students were challenged to photograph or video themselves vandalizing school property. The new challenge – “swatting” – goes even further.