The Panther Pantry is a school-based pantry that provides Dakota Valley students and their families with food, personal care items,and new/used school supplies. All donations are appreciated; however, they are currently low on the following items:

Fall is inching closer and with the changing of the season, it brings colder temperatures. Changing seasons and colder temperatures inherently mean it’s cold and flu season. We have had relatively mild flu seasons the last couple years. Scientists have several reasons to attribute this to mask wearing, social distancing and heightened awareness for hygiene practices. However, it does appear that our mild flu seasons may be ending. The 2022-23 flu season is predicted to be severe. It’s important to know these predictions are based on the flu season that has just ended in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia just had the worst flu season in the last five years. These are predictions, but they are a warning of potential problems we may face this coming flu season.

As the pandemic’s unseen costs begin to unfold on the mental health front, some wonder how school children will be impacted. Despite the massive challenge everyone faces, there are growing resources to help families who are struggling.

The Dakota Valley School Board held two meetings last week – their regular meeting on Sept. 12 and a special meeting Sept.

Everywhere one looks in North Sioux City, there’s construction, a sure sign of a growing community. Currently on the south western edge of the city, Stockwell Engineering is monitoring the construction of the Sioux Point Road realignment project.

The Dakota Valley Emergency Services District approved Oban Construction to do dirtwork for the North Sioux City Fire Department training facility. The bid was awarded at $83,400 at their last meeting, Aug. 17. Oban Construction has been moving quickly and has slated the next week or two for completion. A second bid was received from Two Rivers Contracting for $126,405.

North Sioux City’s recent acquisition of land northeast of the current city limits now has a master development plan in place. The plan was unveiled at the city’s meeting Sept. 6 and shows the development of land owned by both the city and Graham Aviation. As noted, multiple times, the plans are conceptual illustrations and are subject to change depending on the city’s economic needs and the needs of Graham Aviation. The plan was presented by Jon Brown of Stockwell Engineers. For now, the plan includes residential, highway commercial, planned development and industrial zonings and street and utility configurations.

The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) is seeking nominations for the 2022 South Dakota Specialty Crop Producer of the Year Award. Producers and members of the public are invited to nominate a farmer who has made a significant contribution to specialty crop production in the state. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and nursery crops, including floriculture.

An appraisal for the Union County Fairgrounds has been in the works since the June 14 meeting. A commercial appraiser from Sioux Falls was hired not to exceed $8,000 and half was to be repaid by the City of Alcester. However, after hearing nothing from the appraiser and seeing no progress, the Union County Commissioners approved a different appraisal company to handle the work at their meeting Sept. 6. Elwood & Martin Appraisals, LLC was approved to do the appraisal for the fairgrounds on the recommendation of State’s Attorney Jerry Miller.

This year’s theater production at Dakota Valley will be Seussical: The Musical. Auditions took place over a threeday period at the end of August with Cody Juffer, the DV middle school and high school theater director, announcing the cast and crew Aug.