The Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve is always a place of sanctuary and contentment. It was also a site to get into the spirit of the season thanks to the state park’s annual event known as Homestead Holidays. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the dates of December 6th to December 22nd, a truly beautiful array of holiday lights and decorations could be observed by walking the grounds from 5 pm to 9 pm.

On December 16, 2024, the North Sioux City City Council convened for its regular meeting at 7:00 p.m., led by Mayor Patti Teel. Present at the meeting were council members Kodi Benson, Gary Bogenrief, Jim Christenson, Joan Christiansen, Bob Davis, Lonnie Green, Lynn Hoffman, and Greg Meyer, along with City Administrator Jeff Dooley, City Finance Officer Amy Lilly, and City Attorney Sarah Kleber.

High school members of Dakota Valley’s National Honor Society spent time after school on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 to make blankets for those in need. The students fringed and cut cozy material in an effort to help the non-profit organization called Project Warm-Up.

The holiday season is a time of joy, reflection, and togetherness. This year, the Wel-Life Assisted Living Center embraced this spirit with a heartwarming Christmas celebration filled with music, games, and a sense of community.

Nobody puts on a holiday program like Sara Eckhoff and the Dakota Valley Elementary School. Each year, families look forward to seeing their young ones on stage for a night of “Season’s Greetings”. This year was no exception. Eckhoff, the elementary music director at DV, has been producing wonderful holiday shows for years and is always able to get the best from her students in order to wow audiences.

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On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the community cast their votes, unofficially resulting in 343 in favor and 238 against the proposed changes, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s political landscape. North Sioux City operates under an aldermanic form of governance featuring a mayor and eight aldermen, each representing a voting ward. Under this form, the mayor’s role is mainly limited to voting only to break ties that do not involve financial implications. This model has been longstanding.

The Dakota Valley School District convened its regular Board of Education meeting on December 9, 2024, chaired by Steve Kistner, with members present, including Andrew Nilges, Emily Norby, and Matt Thompson. Board member Jeff Dooley was noted as absent, while key administrative figures Dr. Tonia Warzecha and Business Manager Jill Sponder were actively involved in discussions throughout the meeting.

On Friday, December 6, 2024 a “Sounds of the Season” concert was held at the Dakota Valley Performing Arts Center by the high school’s music department. The DV jazz band, concert band and choir all performed.

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