Elk Point‑Jefferson School District announced that the final day of class‑es will now be Wednes‑day, May 20, shifting the calendar one day earlier than planned. District of‑ficials said the adjustment is necessary to accommo‑date construction work scheduled for late May. Families were notified of the change on Monday.

Union County commissioners voted 4–1 on Tuesday to accept a $45,600 proposal from Michaels Fence to replace the failing fence around the fairgrounds track and grandstand. Commissioners Kevin Joffer, Bob Ballard, Tom Kimmel and Peggy Ustad supported the bid, while Commissioner Michael Dailey cast the lone dissenting vote.

Union County 4‑H member Regan Ras‑mussen returned from San Antonio with more than memories—she came home a national reserve champion. Rasmussen, the daughter of Mike and Trisha Rasmussen of Elk Point, represented South Dakota at the 2026 4‑H Family & Con‑sumer Sciences Nation‑al Championship, where the state’s Skill‑A‑Thon team earned second place nationally and third place in the Life Skills Assessment.

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The Dakota Valley School Board moved through a full agenda March 9, taking action on personnel changes, curriculum purchases and 2026–27 contracts while hearing updates on school safety, community events and the upcoming school board election deadline.

The Horizon Health Foundation is hosting an event April 18 to raise money to support pa‑tients living with chronic diseases like diabe‑tes, heart and dental disease. This is the finale of the Drive It Home ’26 Campaign Raffle.

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The Elk Point‑Jef‑ferson Board of Educa‑tion covered technology updates, staffing needs, building projects and student achievements during its March 9 regu‑lar meeting, while also approving resignations, volunteer coaching ap‑plications and Board of Equalization appoint‑ments.

Panther high schoolers in speech and debate traveled to Aberdeen, South Dakota on March 6-7, 2026 for the annual state contest. Success was garnered as Dakota Valley brought home a state champion in Hrishika Vimalkumar who took top honors in the category of Informative Speaking.

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