A bill submitted for over $19,000 by the North Sioux City Parks and Recreation board turned into a lively conversation on spending authority. Mayor Patti Teel asked what the Parks and Rec was buying? Tammy Steemken with the North Sioux City Parks and Recreation Board informed her that they were going to update benches at the parks.

The North Sioux City Fire Department has recently added a new ladder truck to their fleet. The current ladder truck was built in 1997 is approximately 28 feet long and has a ladder that extends 75 feet.

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Brad Fowler State Farm Insurance is sponsoring a Wel-Life Resident Gift Tree. Gift tags are available at his office at 113 W. Main Street of Elk Point. People are able to pick up a gift tag, purchase a gift or gifts as indicated on the tag with a $20 value. If people don’t have time to shop, but would still like to participate, they can donate $20 and the shopping will be done for them. All gifts need to be returned, wrapped with the gift tag on the outside of the package by Dec. 15. For any questions or more information, call 605-356-3371.

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Another South Dakota nursing home is closing its doors. Prairie Estates Care Center in Elk Point has announced its upcoming closure as of Jan. 14, 2023. The closure is due to a combination of the ongoing underfunding of Medicaid, the current staffing crisis and costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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South Dakota is working to prevent suicide among veterans and act ive duty military. Persistent stress can affect anyone, and those who have served or are currently serving may be at greater risk for suicide than others.

In celebration of Veterans Day, Western Governors University (WGU) has launched a new scholarship for active-duty military personnel, veterans and their spouses who are interested in furthering their education. The “Military Appreciation Scholarship” valued at up to $2,500 each, is open to new students who plan on enrolling in any of the online, nonprofit university’s 60 + undergraduate and graduate degree programs in IT, business, K-12 teacher education, and health professions, including nursing.

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