The South Dakota Association of Middle Level Edu‑cation (SDAMLE) awarded Elk Point-Jefferson’s Cas‑sandra Schmith with the Emerging Educator Award on July 27, 2026. The announcement came at this year’s SDAMLE conference in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

With the start of the school year approaching, the Elk Point-Jefferson School Board locked in coaching positions, raised adult meal prices and reviewed facility up‑dates during its Aug. 10 meeting.

South Dakota’s new‑est historical marker was dedicated Aug. 8 at Elmwood Cemetery in rural Elk Point, where about 60 people gath‑ered for a ceremony that also rededicated the historic burial grounds.

Beautiful weather and large crowds were present at the Adams Homestead Celebration on Saturday, August 8, 2026. This annual event is held to honor the anniversary of Ad‑ams becoming a state park which happened back in 1997. The event was free to the public and many from across the tri-state area at‑tended.

.

The Jefferson City Council accepted a res‑ignation Monday and ad‑vanced zoning updates while approving a hous‑ing study and addressing park equipment needs. Ward 1 Council Mem‑ber Mark LaFleur, who has served on the council for many years, resigned following a brief execu‑tive session at the start of the meeting.

.

Union County’s relocation of several courthouse offices to the Turner Building began this week as commissioners advanced a re‑zoning request, closed out a high‑way project and approved personnel changes during their Aug. 4 meet‑ing at Elk Point City Hall.

The Elk Point City Council discussed re‑peated garbage service complaints, reviewed on‑going project work and outlined steps in the city’s lead‑pipe inventory dur‑ing its Aug. 4 regular meeting. The council also scheduled a special ses‑sion later this month to begin work on the 2027 budget.

Union County residents now have a direct line to official county information and alerts following the launch of TextMyGov, a mobile text messaging service implemented Aug. 1 by county officials.