Robert Lawrence remembers the war not only for the battles he survived, but for the stories he wasn’t allowed to tell. Now living in McCook Lake, the former Army broadcaster has published Good Night, Vietnam, a memoir that confronts censorship, deception and the personal toll of America’s most divisive war.

The Dakota Valley School District Board of Education met Dec. 8, moving through routine business while fielding commu‑nity input on athletics and ap‑proving an emergency repair to the middle school water line.

Holiday cheer could be heard from Elk Point-Jefferson as middle schoolers performed for the winter music concert on Monday, December 8, 2025. The program began with vocals as EPJ choir members, in grades 6th-8th, performed under the direction of Katelyn Brunick.

South Dakota’s state oral interpretation festival, for high schoolers, was held on December 5-6, 2025. The event took place in Watertown and Elk Point-Jefferson was represented at state by Carter Heckathorn, Austin Clercx, Jaxon Vande Vegte, Lexi McDermott and Stella Bonnema. All of these pupils punched their tickets to state after qualifying at regionals in November.

The Union County Board of Commissioners met Dec. 9 at the court‑house, working through a wide agenda that ranged from facility upgrades and highway easements to tax abatements and budget adjustments.

The Elk Point-Jefferson School Dis‑trict Board of Education met Dec. 8, approving routine business, personnel changes, and policy updates while high‑lighting student achievements across the district.

It is the holiday season of giving and Kshitij Patil, a Dakota Valley sophomore, has gone to great lengths recently to make an impact at the local level. Patil has helped the environment and made gains to combat littering as he donated money and collected trash in Sioux City. He also recently made a significant dona‑tion to help those in need of food and support in the local area.

A beloved North Sioux City tradition returned Dec. 6 as ARK United Methodist Church hosted its an‑nual Kids Free Shop‑ping Spree, drawing dozens of families for a day of holiday cheer and generosity.

Dorothy Langle, a member of St. Paul Lu‑theran Church, secured a $250 Thrivent grant that was used to sup‑port the Elk Point Food Pantry.