The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, after final deliberation, approved a settlement stipulation for MidAmerican Energy Co. to increase rates for natural gas service to customers in its South Dakota retail service territory at their regular meeting, March 28.

The track squad for Dakota Valley looks to be strong this season with many returning letter winners. Strong finishes at last year’s state meet in Sioux Falls have many excited for the track and field season to begin.

With the cool temperatures and many areas of the state still accumulating snow, it is hard to imagine that high school baseball season will soon be here. The Dakota Valley Panthers look to be as strong as ever. Many returning lettermen from last year’s roster are back.

Science students in grades sixth-ninth showcased their knowledge in Science Olympiad on Saturday, March 25. The all-day event for South Dakota schools took place at the University of South Dakota and Vermillion High School. Dakota Valley won many honors. The team is coached by Eighth Grade Career Exploration teacher Amanda Vande Vegte and Sixth Grade Science instructor Lynda Grasso.

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Spring is here which means that Kindergarten Roundup is just around the corner. Entering school can be exciting and a little scary for new students and their parents for different reasons. There is quite a bit of paperwork involved when your child starts school which can seem very overwhelming. The State of South Dakota has requirements for school entry, including several required immunizations, a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate and a physical form.

To dip their toes into the season of track, Dakota Valley coaches took some of their squad to two indoor meets near the end of March. Runners and jumpers were at Yankton on March 24 and in Vermillion on March 27.

The spring baseball opener for Dakota Valley happened on Sunday, April 2 versus Wagner at home. While Wagner scored early during their initial at-bat to get 2 runs, the Panthers quickly answered and scored 3 of their own in the bottom of the 1st inning.

National Junior Honor Society inductions for Dakota Valley occurred on Tuesday, March 28 in the Performing Arts Center. Students in 8th grade, who became members in 2022, were on-hand to usher in the new inductees from this year’s 7th and 8th grade classes. In order to be eligible for the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) a pupil must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher. Community service work, leadership skills, citizenship and character are other criteria taken into consideration when a student applies for NJHS.

Ella Demers has been named the April 2023 Rotary Club Student of the Month from Bishop Heelan High School. She will be honored during the Rotary Club meeting on Monday, April 10, 12 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy Community Room.