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This article is only a very synopsis of the rich history of Union Creek Lutheran Church, the land, and its people. Union Creek Lutheran Church is a rural church with deep pioneering roots, and because of this we have an extraordinary and unique history that encompasses the early years in Dakota Territory. Union Creek Lutheran Church is the second oldest Swedish church in South Dakota, Dalesburg being the oldest.

The Dakota Valley School Board recently held its regular Board of Education meeting at the Dakota Valley Board Room on August 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The following members were present: Jeff Dooley, Steve Kistner, Andrew Nilges, Emily Norby, and Matt Thompson. Chairperson Kistner chaired the meeting, which was also attended by administrators Dr. Tonia Warzecha and Business Manager Jill Sponder.

Aiden Keenan, a senior at Dakota Valley High School, recently participated in the South Dakota Senior High School Honor Choir camp for the second year. Under Kari Wilmes’s guidance, Keenan and his fellow students have had the opportunity to develop their musical abilities and represent their school at events of this caliber. The camp, held at the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD, brought together over 100 junior and senior choir members from the state.

Despite still being summer, sports for fall are keeping everyone busy at Dakota Valley. The Panthers have been gearing up for the 2024 season with workouts, training, conditioning and the start of practices. Girls soccer, boys soccer, boys golf, cross country, football and volleyball will all be on the autumn agenda for DV. It will be a time with many opportunities for those in the community to see student athletes hard at work.

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The Elk Point-Jefferson Board of Education convened for their regular meeting and budget hearing on August 12, 2024. The meeting in the high school study hall began promptly at 5:30 p.m. Vice-President Sabrina Sayler presided over the meeting, accompanied by board members Tim Brewer, Noelle Jacobs, and Kyle Hanson. President Travis Geary was absent. Also in attendance were Superintendent Philip Schonebaum, Business Manager Heather Watterson, Principals Skyler Eriksen and Laura Throener, and K-12 Dean of Students/ Activities Director Justin Clercx.

The Union County Board of Commissioners convened for its regular session on August 6, 2024, at the Courthouse in Elk Point, SD. The meeting commenced at 8:30 a.m. with the attendance of Commissioners Michael Dailey, Kevin Joffer, Richard Headid, and Tom Kimmel.

The North Sioux City community and outlying areas have continued to move forward as flood recovery and relief is still happening. Most recently, a controlled blast on August 19, 2024 took out part of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail bridge, on the South Dakota side, that was located over the Big Sioux River. Prior to the event, notices were sent out advising the general public in the area to stay inside from 8:30 a.m. until 9:15 a.m.