The combat sport, and a highly practiced martial art, of judo has been popular with some high schoolers in the area. So popular in fact, that Eston and Bella Monical, from Dakota Dunes, traveled to judo’s birthplace of Japan this past summer. The siblings are both brown belts and they visited the Asian country accompanied by their mom Wendy.

The Dakota Valley School District Board of Education approved a district-wide data center upgrade and appointed Andrew Nilges as the ASBSD Delegate Assembly Member. It reviewed department updates and more than $1 million in expenditures during its regular meeting Oct. 13.

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First Dakota National Bank announced today the introduction of a no-interest, no-fee loan program for credit-qualified federal government employees affected by the shutdown. First Dakota has set aside $10 million to provide relief to federal staff. Through the Federal Employee Shutdown Relief Loan Program, borrowers can apply for loans of up to three months of their net pay. Applicants are not required to be existing customers of First Dakota to qualify.

Elk Point-Jefferson’s Unified Special Olympics Bowling team was in Sioux Falls on Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12, 2025 for an area competition. The 1st day of the contest was for individual bowling and the 2nd day consisted of doubles. Cassandra Schmith accompanied the EPJ bowlers. Schmith works with the Huskies in the school’s Structured Learning Center and is also the Unified Cham- pion Special Olympics Coach.

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The Union County Board of Commissioners approved a $240,021 budget supplement, accepted a resignation, and reviewed preliminary courthouse expansion plans during its regular meeting Oct. 14.

The Elk Point-Jefferson Board of Education approved a series of personnel actions, policy updates and a land acquisition during its regular meeting Oct. 15, while also recognizing student achievements in athletics and counseling services.

It was an early call time for the Panther marching band on Friday, October 3, 2025 as they traveled to Menno for their 2nd competition of the season. Seventeen schools competed at the 2025 Menno Band Day event. Dakota Valley was there along with Tea Area, Howard, West Central, Pierre, Parkston, Mount Vernon, Scotland, Centerville, Alcester-Hudson, Wessington Springs, Yankton and more.

The North Sioux City Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment approved multiple development requests during their September 24 and October 8 meetings, including a new drive-thru restaurant, a Kwik Star convenience store, and several zoning variances along River Drive.