Students, law enforcement officers and community members gathered at Elk Point-Jefferson School on Friday, Oct. 2, for the school’s first Cool School Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics South Dakota.

Union County commissioners approved the county’s 2027 budget Sept. 29 while also reviewing progress on the county building project, awarding a jail meal contract and addressing several other county matters.

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After years of growing produce, creating spice blends and selling at farmers markets, Wendy Simpson is bringing the market to her. Simpson Spice Shop is set to open Oct.

Dakota Valley’s middle school library was one of 16 honorees to earn the School Achievement Through Libraries (SATL) Award in 2026. And on September 24, 2026 they received a banner from the South Dakota State Library to acknowledge the outstanding achievement.

North Sioux City commissioners continued work on flood recovery projects Sept. 21, approving nearly $950,000 in payments for reconstruction, property grading and a longterm study of flood risks along the Big Sioux River. The commission approved a $709,619.98 payment to Reede Construction Inc. for the Northshore Drive reconstruction project and an $88,747.22 payment to Lieber Construction for the second phase of McCook Lake property grading.

The North Sioux City Fire Department will open its doors to the public Sunday, Oct. 11, for an afternoon of fire safety information, demonstrations and family activities. The department’s open house will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the fire station, 205 Sodrac Drive.

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South Dakota voters will decide four proposed constitutional amendments in the Nov. 3 general election, covering Medicaid expansion, voting eligibility, unclaimed property and the number of votes needed to amend the state constitution.

Marching band season is here and Dakota Valley received stellar reviews from their first competition on Friday, September 25, 2026. The high school and middle school bands, for the Panthers, took part in the Watchdog Marching Festival held in Beresford, South Dakota.