Dakota Dunes North Sioux City Times & Southern Union County Leader-Courier

Courthouse goes pink to honor survivors and spread awareness

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CONGRATULATIONS

Sixteen really is sweet, as the Dakota Valley dance team earned their 16th state championship on Friday, October 24, 2025. Dancing in Watertown versus other programs in Class A, the Panthers outperformed all of the competition to grab gold by a large margin.
CONGRATULATIONS

Huron, in Beadle County, saw quite the uptick in population on Saturday, October 25, as the best high school runners in South Dakota descended on the area for the 2025 state meet. The Huskies made up some of those numbers as the Elk Point-Jefferson boys team was in town to compete.
Panther band earns top honors at Hobo Day Parade

Multiple Panthers were seen on the streets of Brookings, South Dakota on Saturday, October 11, 2025. This was because the Dakota Valley marching band was in Jackrabbit territory to compete and perform at South Dakota State’s Hobo Day Parade. The annual event was taking place to celebrate the college’s homecoming festivities and also incorporated a band competition for high school band programs. It was a long morning, but well worth it as the Panthers brought home top honors.
New multipurpose room takes shape at EPJ

Construction advances on Elk Point-Jefferson’s new multipurpose room, a centerpiece of the district’s $8.3 million facilities upgrade.

DV board approves contracts, hires and curriculum

Shannon Jost

Friday, March 20, 2026

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.

DV announces 2026 prom court for‘Masquerade Mystery’ dance

Kelly Riibe

Friday, March 20, 2026

This year’s prom at Dakota Valley will be on Saturday, March 28, 2026 for Panther seniors and juniors, plus their dates. This year’s theme is “Masquerade Mystery”. The grand march is set to happen at 8 pm in the high school gym. It is a great opportunity for the general public to attend and take photos in addition to seeing attendees in their formalwear.

Horizon event to raise money for patients in need

Submitted

Friday, March 20, 2026

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.

Plane spotted in Elk Point identified as Italian‑made trainer

News Staff

Friday, March 20, 2026

EPJ board reviews technology costs

Shannon Jost

Friday, March 20, 2026

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.

Dakota Valley’s Vimalkumar wins state speech title

Kelly Riibe

Friday, March 20, 2026

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.

Local church volunteers

News Staff

Friday, March 20, 2026

Swatek earns Wrestling Hall of Fame spot

Kelly Riibe

Friday, March 13, 2026

South Dakota’s state wrestling tournament is always a memorable experience. And this year was something special for Dan Swatek of Elk Point. In addition to watching his son, Luke, win 5th place in the 150 pound weight class, Swatek was inducted into the South Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame on February 28, 2026.

Big turnout for ‘Donuts with Grown‑Ups’

Kelly Riibe

Friday, March 13, 2026

School parking lots, at Dakota Valley, were full as many attended the Panther’s annual “Donuts with Grown-Ups” event for the elementary and upper elementary students. Preschool through 3rd grade had a morning of frosted baked goods on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Students in 4th and 5th grade were able to invite their grown-ups to breakfast on Thursday, March 5.