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With the ever present advancements in technology, educators need to be more aware of ways it can hinder teaching practices. The Elk Point-Jefferson School Board discussed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at their meeting March 11 and approved their final reading of Policy IIBFA: Use Of Artificial Intelligence Technology on April 8.

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By Beth Hutcheson times1reporter@gmail.com The City of Jefferson held a municipal election on April 9 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

MacKenzie Stone of Elk Point was among 234 University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate students officially admitted to teacher education programs during the 2023-24 academic year who were recognized at the inaugural Teacher Education Convocation April 5 at Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall. Stone is a junior in the elementary education program.

On April 3, the Elk Point- Jefferson High School band traveled to Vermillion High School to participate in the Region 1 Large Group Music Contest. The band performed “Symphonic Prelude” by John Cacavas, Arisoso by G.F. Handel arr. John Kinyon, and Kaleidoscope by Frank Bencriscutto. Three judges gave a rating based on a number of categories such as Tone, Accuracy, Interpretation, Technique, etc. The band received a Division 1 or Superior rating, which is the highest rating and so did the choir. The judges also give us constructive feedback to continue to improve our sound.

Twenty-four EPJ students put on the play “Too Many Detectives at the Murder Mansion.” The play had not one, but 11 famous detectives including Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, Batman, the Scooby Doo and the Mystery Crew, Miss Marple, and Sam Spade and two not famous ones, Kane and Christie. They were all called to Madame Doyle’s house to solve the murder of Madame Doyle. The cast and crew put in several hours memorizing their lines and blockng, to bring the show to light and it had not one, but three endings.

The Union County Board of County Commission meeting on April 2 had a lot of insurance talk and was wrapped up in 2.5 hours. The county’s current Wellmark, health insurance plan, was due.

After the City of Elk Point closed its recycling center on Feb. 6, 2023, a committee was formed to figure out new recycling options for residents. The city closed the recycling center due to resident’s abusing the amenity.

The Elk Point Police Department will now participate in grant program through the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety (SDOHS). The department got the city council’s approval at their meeting on April 1.