Dakota Valley high school is giving back to the community this holiday season with their annual giving tree. Panther student council members, in grades 9th-12th, have organized an online giving wishlist to directly benefit local children and families. And they have already received a high number of requests from those in need.

Union County 4-H members, leaders, and supporters gathered at the Southeast Farmers Elevator Coop, Elk Point, SD, on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, to celebrate the hard work and dedication of 4-H youth and volunteers. This year’s event brought together families, community members, and supporters, to acknowledge outstanding accomplishments and encourage continued involvement in 4-H programs. Several individuals and clubs received special recognition for their exceptional contributions. demonstrated outstanding leadership and community service, volunteer efforts, as well as clubs that achieved significant milestones in project work.

Federal approval of South Dakota’s disaster relief plan has cleared the way for more than $15 mil‑lion in recovery aid to reach North Sioux City, nearly 18 months after floodwaters swept through the commu‑nity in 2024.

Elk Point provider Traci McDonald, EdD, MS, APRN, CNP, PMH‑NP BC; has accepted the role of Director of Behav‑ioral Health for Horizon Health. She began her new position on Novem‑ber 24.

The Elk Point-Jefferson School district received a significant donation from Thermo Bond Build‑ings, LLC on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. A check for $40,000 was presented to the Huskies and all members of the school district are beyond excited and thankful.

Accolades were on the docket for Tami Goehring, of Elk Point-Jefferson, as she was named Middle School Physical Educa‑tion Teacher of the Year on No‑vember 6, 2025. Bestowing this honor was the Society for Health and Physical Educators of South Dakota (SHAPE SD). They an‑nounced this award during a banquet at their annual conven‑tion in Brookings, South Dakota. Goehring has a career in educa‑tion that spans many years, and she has been a part of the Husky family for over a decade.

Elk Point’s second annual Hometown Christmas Market filled Main Street with holiday spirit as families gathered Nov. 30 to celebrate the season with San‑ta, Mrs. Claus and a cast of familiar char‑acters.

The Union County Board of Commission‑ers met in regular ses‑sion Nov. 25, 2025, at the courthouse in Elk Point, with Commissioners Peg‑gy Ustad, Michael Dailey and Kevin Joffer present.

Fourteen families across Union County schools received com‑plete Thanksgiving meals this week thanks to donations from local businesses and coor‑dination by the Union County Sheriff’s Office. The initiative provid‑ed turkeys, side dishes and desserts to fami‑lies in the Dakota Val‑ley, Elk Point‑Jefferson, Beresford and Alcester school districts.

The North Sioux City Commission on Nov. 17 approved a slate of infrastructure measures, staffing updates and financial actions during a meeting that also featured community concerns and plans for the city’s holiday parade.