Elk Point firefighters work to extinguish a grass fire in a field along SD Highway 11 just outside Elk Point on April 20, 2026. Police and ambulance crews also responded as winds pushed flames through the dry vegetation.

The Elk Point‑Jeffer‑son Board of Education voted Wednesday to of‑ficially sanction E‑sports as a school activity, part of a wide‑ranging April 15 meeting that also included staffing approvals, technol‑ogy upgrades, facility up‑dates and early planning for next year’s academic and extracurricular programs.

Elk Point-Jefferson is launching a new tradition this fall, unveiling its inaugural Hall of Fame class honoring standout Huskies whose achievements have shaped the school and community. Ten inductees — including athletes, coaches, contributors and an unforgettable state championship team — will be recognized Sept.

The Elk Point City Council approved a series of summer hiring decisions Monday and accepted newly dedicated public infrastructure tied to the Country Club Estates development. Earlier in the day, the Planning and Zoning Commission advanced two survey plats connected to the same project.

The Union County Commission approved a series of highway easements, personnel actions and project agreements Tuesday during a wide‑ranging April 14 meeting that also included Board of Equalization business and updates on the courthouse and sheriff’s office construction plans.

Huskies in Cassandra Schmith’s Structured Learning Center (SLC) classroom took a field trip to the Elk Point police station on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The goal for the trip was to deliver communication cards, made by the Elk PointJefferson (EPJ) students, to the Chief of Police and his officers.

The annual band competition for Region 1 Large Group was held at the University of South Dakota, on April 8, 2026. Elk Point-Jefferson’s high school band was in attendance and earned high accolades. Judges gave the Huskies a Division I Superior rating for their performances of Overture for Winds by Charles Carter, Arioso by Clifton Williams, and The Cave You Fear by Michael Markowski. Husky band director, Preston Pohlman, was thrilled with how well his students competed in Vermillion, South Dakota.

The Jefferson City Council moved through a full agenda Monday night as members approved licenses, reviewed department updates and heard early plans for this summer’s Days of ’59 celebration. Mayor Padraic Rigg presided over the April 6 meeting with council members Tony Boulware, Jason Casper, Mark LaFleur, John Lokhorst, Martin Nelkie and Michael Stokely present.

A moment of panic at home led an Elk Point mother to create a new special needs safety pro‑gram now being used by local first responders. Earlier this year, Kelli Kappenman discovered that the front door of her home was open and her son Thomas, who is on the autism spectrum, was no longer inside.