The Union County Board of County Commissioners met on Feb. 20 to conduct county business.

The Sioux City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), also known as the Siouxland tri-state region, retained the nation’s top spot for per capita economic development performance for populations under 200,000 for the fourth year in a row. Additionally, in the competitive ranking among states, the State of South Dakota was recognized as the top performing state in the nation based on per capita economic development projects for the 2023 calendar year.

Birthdays are a staple in life. And on Wednesday, Feb. 28 the 7th grade girls youth discipleship group from St. Teresa’s in Dakota Dunes worked together to give birthday parties to foster children in need. This act of kindness was done in conjunction with the Siouxland Foster Closet, a nonprofit organization, who makes it their mission to help children in the foster care system by providing a free shopping experience of clothing and other necessities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $42,956,000 from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for South Dakota drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades.

The start of March was an important time for the Dakota Valley high school debate team as they traveled to Watertown for the state competition on March 1 and 2. South Dakota has two classes for debate.

Dakota Valley high school art teacher Demi Harlan and some of her students were in Vermillion on Friday, Feb. 9 for the 2024 Art Wars competition. This event was hosted by South Dakota High School Activities Association and was held at the University of South Dakota.

The South Dakota Transportation Commission awarded 24 preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement Bridge Improvement Grants (BIG) totaling approximately $20 million at the recent commission meeting held in Pierre. The goal of the grant process is to enhance the overall condition of critical assets that South Dakotans are dependent upon each and every day. These struc- tures provide the link that drives the interconnectedness of the state’s overall transportation system, while enhancing statewide economic development overall.

The deadline to return petitions to be on the North Sioux City City Council election ballot was Friday, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m.

The North Sioux City City Council began their meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20 with a moment of silence in observance of the unexpected passings of North Sioux City City Council Member Doug Berg and Union County Sheriff Dan Limoges.

The second readings of Ordinances Nos. 202401 – Water Rate Increase and 2024-02 – Sewer Rate Increase were held Feb. 20 at the Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District Board of Supervisors meeting.