Robert Lawrence remembers the war not only for the battles he survived, but for the stories he wasn’t allowed to tell. Now living in McCook Lake, the former Army broadcaster has published Good Night, Vietnam, a memoir that confronts censorship, deception and the personal toll of America’s most divisive war.

It is the holiday season of giving and Kshitij Patil, a Dakota Valley sophomore, has gone to great lengths recently to make an impact at the local level. Patil has helped the environment and made gains to combat littering as he donated money and collected trash in Sioux City. He also recently made a significant dona‑tion to help those in need of food and support in the local area.

The Dakota Valley School District Board of Education met Dec. 8, moving through routine business while fielding commu‑nity input on athletics and ap‑proving an emergency repair to the middle school water line.

The Union County Board of Commissioners met Dec. 9 at the court‑house, working through a wide agenda that ranged from facility upgrades and highway easements to tax abatements and budget adjustments.

A beloved North Sioux City tradition returned Dec. 6 as ARK United Methodist Church hosted its an‑nual Kids Free Shop‑ping Spree, drawing dozens of families for a day of holiday cheer and generosity.

Mayor Chris Bogenrief and the North Sioux City Commission met Dec. 1 to ap‑prove a new malt beverage license, waive building permit fees for flood‑damaged properties, and review the city’s 2024 au‑dit.

A large crowd was seated at Dakota Valley’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) on Thursday, December 4, 2025 for the Panther’s holiday band concert. Student musicians in grades 5th-12th took the stage to perform festive pieces for all to enjoy.

The Leader-Courier and Dakota Dunes/North Sioux City will move their publication day from Thursday to Friday beginning the second week of January 2026. Publisher Shannon Jost said the change also adjusts the weekly deadline to Tuesday at noon, instead of Monday at noon.

The Leader-Courier and Dakota Dunes/North Sioux City Times have announced early deadlines for upcoming holiday editions. The deadline for the Dec.