William Shorma of Dakota Dunes said he will not seek re‑election to the South Dakota House of Representa‑tives and instead will run for the Union Coun‑ty Commission seat rep‑resenting District 1.

Early and absentee voting for South Dakota’s June 2 primary election will begin April 17, giv‑ing voters more than six weeks to cast ballots ahead of Election Day. Voters may cast absen‑tee ballots in person at their county audi‑tor’s office during regu‑lar business hours.

The Union County Commission moved for‑ward on a major court‑house and sheriff’s office expansion Tuesday while also approving a series of personnel changes, highway agreements and audit findings during a wide‑ranging March 31 meeting.

The South Dakota Depart‑ment of Transportation (SD‑DOT) will hold a public meeting open house on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (CT) to discuss and receive pub‑lic input on the proposed recon‑struction of the S.D. Highway 48 and S.D. Highway 50 inter‑changes with Interstate 29 in Union County. The public meet‑ing open house will be held at the Vermillion Fire EMS De‑partment, located at 820 N. Da‑kota St. in Vermillion.

The Huskies represented well at Region 1 Junior High Festival Choir on March 25, 2026. Vocalists in grades 7th-8th, from Elk Point-Jefferson (EPJ), joined other area schools in the Irene-Wakonda gymnasium for a day full of singing and musical education. Katelyn Brunick, a choir director at EPJ, accompanied her students. Other participating schools included: Alcester-Hudson, Avon, Dakota Valley, Gayville-Volin, Irene-Wakonda, Lennox, Vermillion and Viborg-Hurley.

Ha r d w a r e wa s brought home by the Elk Point-Jefferson jazz band as they put on a fine performance at the University of South Dakota (USD). Preston Pohlman, band director for the Huskies, was elated with his students and their musical prowess on the stage.

A portion of S.D. Highway 46 east of Beresford will close Tuesday, April 7, as crews begin the surfacing phase of a multi‑million‑dollar road project, according to the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

Burbank resident Nor‑een Jorgensen is happy to share the beauty and histo‑ry of Blue Tin Ranch as it is more than just a home and a business. It is a dream. And also a source of joy that she shares with those who visit from near and far. On January 22, 2026, recogni‑tion of Jorgensen’s zeal for Blue Tin Ranch was on full display, as she received the Ruth Ziolkowski Outstand‑ing Hospitality & Customer Service Award.

No nearby parking was to be found at the Union Country courthouse on Mon‑day, March 16, 2026. Poten‑tial jurors reported, at 9 am, to the Elk Point building for jury selection in the crimi‑nal case against Samir Yas‑ser Albaidhani. Over 180 county residents were at the courthouse as prosecutors and Albaidhani’s defense team went to work to select a jury of 12 plus three alter‑nates. First Circuit Judge Tami Bern oversaw the tri‑al. Jury selection was com‑pleted by mid-afternoon on March 16.

Union County commissioners voted 4–1 on Tuesday to accept a $45,600 proposal from Michaels Fence to replace the failing fence around the fairgrounds track and grandstand. Commissioners Kevin Joffer, Bob Ballard, Tom Kimmel and Peggy Ustad supported the bid, while Commissioner Michael Dailey cast the lone dissenting vote.