Eleven minutes into the beginning of their meeting, the Dakota Valley School Board entered into executive session for legal advice with School Superintendent Dr. Tonia Warzecha, Business Manager Jill Sponder and School Attorney Tyler Coverdale in attendance. The board was in executive session for one hour and 15 minutes. They reconvened in regular session with no motion from the executive session.

With the unexpected death of Union County Sheriff Dan Limoges on Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Union County Board of County Commissioners called a special meeting on Feb.

The updated 2024 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, IA, continues to be below average. January runoff in the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City was 0.4 million acre-feet (MAF), 56 percent of average.

Richmond Newspapers v. Virginia (1980), in the words of Justice John Paul Stevens, “squarely held that the acquisition of newsworthy matter is entitled to constitutional protection,” it was protecting under the First Amendment’s Free Press Clause the essential foundation of our democracy.

Choir students from Dakota Valley were in Vermillion on Wednesday, Feb. 7 for the annual Region Vocal Solo/Ensemble Contest. The Panthers were entered in 30 events and represented DV well at the contest according to Choir Director Kari Wilmes.

Dakota Dunes murder suspect, Alfredo Castellanos-Rosales, was ordered by the court to receive county dollars in order to hire a forensic pathologist for his defense. The judge’s order stated Castellanos- Rosales may utilize a forensic pathologist to assist in his defense, but any cost above $5,000 would need another approval.

After an executive session toward the end of their meeting on Feb. 13, the Elk Point-Jefferson Board of Education approved a bid from Persing Excavating to demolish the existing nursing home facility – formerly known as Prairie Estates Care Center.

It is again that time of year when taxpayers will be receiving a tax bill and an assessment notice. The tax statement comes from the Treasurer’s office and the assessment notice comes from the Assessor’s office. Even though these notices come within a month of each other, they are for separate years. The tax bill you received is for the 2023 tax year payable in 2024. The assessment notice is for the 2024 tax year payable in 2025.

Mark Leinweaver has been travelling a lot lately to deliver his message of “Why Character Matters” which places an emphasis on anti-bullying and social media awareness. He speaks to students throughout the country on this matter. Dakota Valley was his stop on Friday, Feb. 9 as Leinweaver discussed the importance of being accountable and being selfless.

A trip through the stars – that’s what the Elk Point-Jefferson elementary students experienced on Monday, Feb. 5.