Students inducted into National Junior Honor Society

Dakota Valley middle school held an induction ceremony for National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) on Monday, March 4 in the Performing Arts Center. Students in 7th and 8th grade were selected for NJHS based on the following five pillars: scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship.

Youth wrestlers advance to SDWCA state tournament

The 2024 South Dakota Wrestling Coaches Association (SDWCA) Region 5 contest was held on Saturday, March 9. Eighteen Panther youth wrestlers qualified for regionals this season which took place in Hartford at West Central High School.

Bridge work scheduled to begin on Interstate 29 near Elk Point

On Monday, March 18, 2024, bridge work is scheduled to begin on Interstate 29 at exit 18 near Elk Point. The project includes approach pavement repair, bridge deck replacement, bridge deck chip seal, and berm protection at the structures located on I-29 at exit 18 and the Interstate railroad bridges located just north of exit 18. Lane closures, with temporary speed limit reductions, will be used to move traffic through the work zones. Motorists can expect delays during these times.

Jefferson commits to Safety Action Plan

The Jefferson City Council received a letter from the Southeastern Council of Governments (SECOG) about a grant opportunity. The council discussed the grant and their monetary commitment at their meeting March 4.

County approves annual Highway Department bids

The Union County Highway Department put out the annual bids for different construction materials which were approved at the Union County Board of County Commission meeting March 5. The bids were awarded to: • Chip and Seal from The Road Guy was awarded at $5,960 per mile.

Convenience fees to be passed on to NSC residents

Recently, the City of North Sioux City switched their accounting software which required them to change payment processors. At the March 4 meeting, the council discussed the new processor’s fees.

Council decides to go with option A

The Elk Point City Council convened on March 4 to discuss the future of the city’s lagoon. A preliminary study from Bolton & Menk was reviewed. “Option A” was determined to be the most cost effective option. City Administrator Derek Tuttle and Public Works Director Trevor Job explained this is the project the city is being forced to do by the state. The city originally was going to redo the lagoons, but the cost was too high. Option A is to purchase more aerators to help fix the issue with the lagoons.

School district releases building projects

The Elk Point-Jefferson School District has spent the last few years looking at and contemplating the needs of the growing school district, including various updates to the facilities. In 2022, the school district attempted a bond issue for these improvements, but the bond failed to pass a vote of the people. This sent the district back to the drawing board.