The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2021 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals from facilities across the nation covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels and releases in 2021 are 10 percent lower than 2012 releases, even with an eight percent increase from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, in 2021, facilities managed more than 89 percent of their TRI chemical waste through preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery and treatment, while reporting that they released 11 percent of their TRI chemical waste into the environment.

Multiple teacher and coaching contracts were approved at the Elk Point-Jefferson School Board meeting March 13. Non-certified personnel salary agreements were approved for Melissa Curry adding Middle School/High School Principal’s Secretary for 2022-23 school year and Jake Terry as 7th Period – sixth grade computer class for 2022-23 school year.

The family of Eldon Barnes filed a lawsuit against Prairie Estates and Thomas Olson, a medical director, after the death of Barnes. Barnes was admitted into Prairies Estates Healthcare Community in March 2015.

The South Dakota Department of Health (SDDOH) Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification is providing a grant opportunity to support skilled nursing and long-term care facilities in enhancing their infection prevention infrastructure necessary to support resident, visitor and facility healthcare personnel safety. This funding supports recruitment and retention opportunities for skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities and assisted living centers in South Dakota.

At Dakota Valley Elementary School, we are ready to begin welcoming our newest Panthers to the district during our Kindergarten Round-Up event on March 30 and 31. These newest students will be members of the class of 2036! Each year as we hold this event, it gives our teachers a chance to share about school and kindergarten readiness with families, which many times includes the cognitive abilities that encompass what is referred to as Executive Function.

The Dakota Valley middle school production of “The One-Act Play Disaster” written by Don Zolidus brought a lot of laughs on Monday, March 13th and Tuesday, March 14th. Both performances took place on stage in front of full crowds. There were 56 DV Panthers, in grades 6th-8th, who took part in this 45-minute show. Director Cody Juffer described the group of students involved as a “fantastic, awesome, one-of-a-kind, middle school cast and crew.” Director’s Notes: “This cast and crew have been anything but a disaster! These students have worked so incredibly hard to get this production put together in an extremely short amount of time. I have been so very impressed by their willingness to go along with crazy ideas – their “can-do” attitudes certainly have been contagious!

.

Rabbitt Family Vision Center, of North Sioux City, has been in business for 25 years and to celebrate they started things off by giving back to the area. Dr. Dan Rabbitt and Offi ce Manager Jeff Rabbitt were both at the North Sioux City Community Library on Thursday, March 2 to donate a low vision magnifier that can be used by all patrons.

With the help of coworkers, two young people fell in love and have made that love last for 72 years. Danny and Arlene Nyreen were married Feb.

The Board of Directors and Management of Farmers Coop Society (FCS) is pleased to announce the construction of a state-of-the-art grain elevator in southeast South Dakota. The “Union Grove” elevator will be located nine miles directly south of Beresford, SD, and one quarter mile east of I-29 Exit 38. The construction will start this March and will accept soybeans in the Fall of 2023.