June 25 will be a bittersweet day for many in the Elk Point community as Pastor David Bambas says farewell to the community he’s known for the last 19 years. Bambas has been a pastor with the United Methodist Church (now the Global Methodist Church (GMC)) for 38 years.

Dakota Valley Panthers who were named to the Class B Region 1 Academic All-State team were Isaac Bruns, Jake Pruchniak and Randy Rosenquist. These seniors were named to the team because they met the requirements of having a GPA of 3.5 or above.

Approximately 170 Virginia Military Institute cadets, commissioned into the armed services in Cameron Hall Monday, May 15 in the annual Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) joint commissioning ceremony. The historic day marked the first time VMI cadets were sworn in to all six branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard. The ceremony was livestreamed for family and friends who could not attend the event in person.

A wonderful Sunday was had by Dakota Dunes residents on June 4. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Dakota Dunes Community Association (DDCA) hosted three food trucks at the Prairie Park in Dakota Dunes. Specialty corn dogs, street tacos, chicken wings and more were available for locals to feast on and enjoy courtesy of the DDCA. Many congregated to munch on delicious food and chat with friends and neighbors.

Alfredo Castellanos-Rosales was released from Webb County Jail in Laredo, TX on May 31 into the hands of another law enforcement agency and is being transported back to Union County, SD. Castellanos-Rosales is being charged with first-degree murder and a charge of seconddegree murder stemming from the death of 23-year-old Jordan “Jordy” Beardshear back on April 25. Authorities found Beardshear’s body inside her Dakota Dunes apartment on April 26.

Tyson Foods shared, in a press release, they will be terminating 262 corporate employees who were working at the Dakota Dunes location. Those in the corporate positions were offered the opportunity to keep their jobs if they relocated to Springdale, AK. The employees being terminated at the end of July chose not to relocate.

For over 15 years, Elk Point and surrounding communities have supported the local blood bank, LifeServe Blood Center, with at least six blood donation opportunities per year. Over the course of May, one blood drive was hosted to support the 150-plus local hospitals that LifeServe Blood Center serves. From this drive, 21 units of blood were collected which has the ability to save up to 63 local lives.

The Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies advanced to the first-ever South Dakota High School Activities Association State Softball Tournament after their dominating win over the Wagner Raiders May 23. Going into the game aga inst Wagner (# 8), Elk Point-Jefferson was ranked #9.

This year’s Fore the Cure recipients were announced on May 16. Larissa Coulter Kommes and Jess LaFleur are both members in the Elk Point and Jefferson communities. Fore the Cure is an annual event meant to help those in the community come together to help others fighting cancer.

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