The Omaha Zoo came to the North Sioux City Library on Thursday, June 15. Educators from the zoo talked about a variety of animals ranging from snakes, turtles, sharks, gorillas, penguins and insects. Hides, shells and even cockroaches were brought to display and show those in attendance.

The Elk Point-Jefferson Senior Legion baseball team opened their 2023 summer season June 2-4 at the Kyle Mueller Classic hosted by the Yankton American Legion Post 12 in Crofton, NE. EPJ defeated Norfolk 8-4 on June 2.

Leader-Courier will have an early deadline for the July 6 edition. Anyone needing to place an advertisement, public notice, an obituary, or story idea, needs to submit it to us no later than Noon on Thursday, June 29.

The Dakota Showdown Horse Trainer Challenge is underway this summer, providing 20 rescue horses and ponies with a unique opportunity to find their forever homes. Organized by Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue, this exciting event will showcase the incredible partnership between these equines and 20 dedicated volunteer trainers. The highly anticipated finale will be held on Aug. 12-13 at the Horseman’s Sports Arena in Mitchell, SD, with the horses and ponies competing in basic skills, over trail obstacles and finally presenting a freestyle exhibition open to the public.

The insect pictured at right, looks like a butterfly, but isn’t. It is in fact a moth – a cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) to be exact. This moth is the largest native moth to North America. They can feature a wingspan of up to 7 inches.

Elk Point’s Fore the Cure held their annual golf tournament fundraiser on June 16. They reported they raised over $24,000 to help this year’s local recipients – Larissa Coulter-Kommes and Jess LaFleur – and to help fund local scholarships.

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Hard fought games were had by Dakota Valley Legion Post 319 from Tuesday, June 13 to Sunday, June 18. Four games were played by the Panthers in the stretch of 6 days. Three of the 4 contests were close battles that resulted in losses, but a big 10-run win at the end of the long week brought the team’s record to 5-4.

On Saturday, June 3 a soon to be 6th grader at Dakota Valley competed in the 2023 North District Championships for martial arts. The tournament took place in South Sioux City, NE and Darian Feese earned the title of district champion in combat sparring and traditional forms. He also achieved 2nd place in traditional sparring.