One heartbreaking phone call in November 2021 sums up the depth of devotion Jill Meier and other weekly newspaper editors across South Dakota feel toward keeping their communities informed. Meier took the call while working at the Brandon Valley Journal and learned that her 83-year-old mother had died at a hospital in Minnesota.

Marshall Hill was recently presented a plaque for his 30 years of dedicated service to the United States Postal Service. In his 30 years, Hill has worked at the North Sioux City, Jefferson and Elk Point Post Offices. Hill is currently the Interim Post Master at the Elk Point Post Office.

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The Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District (CID) hosted “Snow Cones in the Park” on Saturday, Aug. 12 in Dakota Dunes. Free snow cones were offered at the Prairie Park from 1 to 2:30 p.m. before the vendor moved to the Meadows Park from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

The Dakota Valley School Board met in regular session on Aug. 14 to discuss enrollment, an Education Student Ambassador program and the upcoming school year.

After 23 years, there will be a new face for Dakota Dunes. Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District District Manager Jeff Dooley submitted his resignation to the Board of Supervisors July 17. Until the last five years, Dooley had never thought of leaving his position with the CID, but now, he decided, it’s time for someone else to breathe some new life into the CID.

Staff from the office of U.S. Senator Mike Rounds will be conducting outreach in the community of North Sioux City to assist residents with any issues they may have with federal agencies.

Panther girls soccer started their season at home on Friday, Aug. 11 with a match versus the Tea Titans. It promised to be a great contest as the 2023 South Dakota high school soccer preseason coaches poll had Tea ranked #1 for Class A girls and Dakota Valley ranked #4.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners discussed a resolution to establish a criteria to award rural access infrastructure funds at their meeting Aug. 8. Resolution 2023-004 was approved. The resolution, along with South Dakota Codified Law 31-34 created a Rural Access Infrastructure Fund (RAIF) in which Union County’s share of the $3 million will be deposited. The resolution also creates a process for townships to apply for RAIF grants to help fund construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of small structures. A letter will be sent to all the townships on how to apply for the RAIF.

Top NAIA women’s volleyball programs from across the country will be flooding the CNOS Fieldhouse Labor Day weekend for the 3rd Annual United Sports Academy/College of Saint Mary Labor Day Classic Tournament. MVP United Volleyball Club will be serving as the tournament organizer, College of Saint Mary is the host team, and CNOS and Wall of Fame are tournament sponsors.