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The Huskies represented well at Region 1 Junior High Festival Choir on March 25, 2026. Vocalists in grades 7th-8th, from Elk Point-Jefferson (EPJ), joined other area schools in the Irene-Wakonda gymnasium for a day full of singing and musical education. Katelyn Brunick, a choir director at EPJ, accompanied her students. Other participating schools included: Alcester-Hudson, Avon, Dakota Valley, Gayville-Volin, Irene-Wakonda, Lennox, Vermillion and Viborg-Hurley.

The South Dakota Legislature hosted two Dakota Valley seniors for their page program during the 2025/26 school year. They were Bennett Jensen and Danica Euliss. Both of these Panther high schoolers reside in Dakota Dunes and each got to serve with state representative Chris Kassin.

The North Sioux City Planning Commission on March 25 denied a conditional use request from Steck Wholesale Foods, Inc. for a temporary trailer at Crown Bakeries and later rejected a sign variance for a business along North Derby Lane.

On March 16, 2026 the Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District (CID) held a regular monthly meeting. Members on hand included: Scott Wetz, Ken Beaulieu, Dalton Hanson, Janet Finzen and William Shorma. Multiple residents were also in attendance plus CID Manager Andrew Tramp, legal counsel Darrell Jesse, CID employee Katelyn Irby, Rodd Slater of Two Rivers Golf Course and Mike Tison from the Dakota Dunes Country Club.

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Ha r d w a r e wa s brought home by the Elk Point-Jefferson jazz band as they put on a fine performance at the University of South Dakota (USD). Preston Pohlman, band director for the Huskies, was elated with his students and their musical prowess on the stage.

A portion of S.D. Highway 46 east of Beresford will close Tuesday, April 7, as crews begin the surfacing phase of a multi‑million‑dollar road project, according to the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

Northshore Drive will close to nearly all traffic beginning April 1 as the city begins a multi‑month reconstruction project, leaving the neighborhood and Dakota Valley school campus accessible only from the west.

Burbank resident Nor‑een Jorgensen is happy to share the beauty and histo‑ry of Blue Tin Ranch as it is more than just a home and a business. It is a dream. And also a source of joy that she shares with those who visit from near and far. On January 22, 2026, recogni‑tion of Jorgensen’s zeal for Blue Tin Ranch was on full display, as she received the Ruth Ziolkowski Outstand‑ing Hospitality & Customer Service Award.