The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) reminds the public that political campaign and ballot-issue signs cannot be placed on state highway rights-of-way. “Election signs are showing up along the state’s roadways,” said Craig Smith, Director of Operations.

I wanted to take this opportunity to share important information regarding the upcoming general election, which will be held Nov. 8. South Dakota voters have the choice of voting in-person on Election Day or by casting an absentee ballot.

Like everything else, Immanuel Lutheran’s monthly Friends Feast was postponed due to COVID-19. Around April 2020, everything started closing and gatherings were limited. This also meant the brief end to Friends Feast. But now, come October, the event is back.

It was a long day for the Union County Board of County Commissioners with a packed agenda Tuesday, Oct. 4.

Ernie Nickels was 14 when the decision was made to tear down the Union County Courthouse and build the current facility. His mother, Wilma Strand, wanted a piece of the history that was being demolished.

Everywhere you look you can see either green, red or yellow farm equipment covered in dust harvesting this year’s crop. The fields are turning bare quickly as the lack of moisture has made it easier for farmers to stay in their fields longer.

It was a great evening for the Homecoming game as the Panthers took on the Lennox Orioles Friday, Sept. 30. Dakota Valley ended the month with a solid victory as they outscored their opponent 47-- 24. Lennox struck first as their quarterback passed to an open man very early in the 1st quarter, but the point after kick was no good. The Panthers answered when Senior Ethan Anema found fellow senior Jaxon Hennies for a completed touchdown pass. Hennies fended off a tackle to push through to the end zone and get the score. The extra point (PAT) kick was good by Ethan Christiansen to put the Panthers up 7-6. Senior Randy Rosenquist ran back a punt in the 1st quarter to score another 6 points for Dakota Valley. Christiansen was once again solid for the PAT and the Panthers were up 14-6. However, the Orioles were able to respond as their quarterback connected with the same receiver from earlier to score again. The PAT was good this time for Lennox and the 1st quarter ended with Dakota Valley leading 14-13. Junior Trae Piel ran in the Panther’s 3rd touchdown of the evening in the 2nd quarter. Piel also recovered a fumble to keep the Panthers in control. The next score for Dakota Valley occurred as Anema headed to the end zone with the ball, but had it knocked out. The fumble was recovered by Owen Hanshaw for another Panther touchdown. A Lennox injury halted the game with 1:40 left in the 1st half. When play resumed, Senior Lake Kistner had a blocked punt to give the Panthers good field position. However, an interception on an Anema to Hennies pass attempt almost caused trouble for the Panthers. But, Anema showed grit and chased down the interceptor to force him out of bounds and end the half with no damage done. The Panthers led 28-13 at half.

Growing up, Pauline Allard (Crevier) remembered seeing the Leader-Courier in her home. After becoming an adult herself, she started subscribing to the paper as well.

Expanding Medicaid in South Dakota is either a prudent use of tax dollars designed to enhance health care coverage or a disaster that will bust the state budget. Those are the arguments offered by backers and opponents of Amendment D, a measure that would expand access to Medicaid in the state.

It was an epic time of homecoming festivities for the Dakota Valley Panthers last week as the theme was “We Got Game” and many got into the homecoming spirit. The week started on Monday, Sept. 26 with “Chutes and Ladders Day” and students came dressed to class as construction workers.