Fall is inching closer and with the changing of the season, it brings colder temperatures. Changing seasons and colder temperatures inherently mean it’s cold and flu season. We have had relatively mild flu seasons the last couple years. Scientists have several reasons to attribute this to mask wearing, social distancing and heightened awareness for hygiene practices. However, it does appear that our mild flu seasons may be ending. The 2022-23 flu season is predicted to be severe. It’s important to know these predictions are based on the flu season that has just ended in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia just had the worst flu season in the last five years. These are predictions, but they are a warning of potential problems we may face this coming flu season.

The Dakota Valley Panthers will be celebrating Homecoming Sept. 26-Oct.

As the pandemic’s unseen costs begin to unfold on the mental health front, some wonder how school children will be impacted. Despite the massive challenge everyone faces, there are growing resources to help families who are struggling.

The Dakota Valley School Board held two meetings last week – their regular meeting on Sept. 12 and a special meeting Sept.

Everywhere one looks in North Sioux City, there’s construction, a sure sign of a growing community. Currently on the south western edge of the city, Stockwell Engineering is monitoring the construction of the Sioux Point Road realignment project.

The Dakota Valley Emergency Services District approved Oban Construction to do dirtwork for the North Sioux City Fire Department training facility. The bid was awarded at $83,400 at their last meeting, Aug. 17. Oban Construction has been moving quickly and has slated the next week or two for completion. A second bid was received from Two Rivers Contracting for $126,405.

North Sioux City’s recent acquisition of land northeast of the current city limits now has a master development plan in place. The plan was unveiled at the city’s meeting Sept. 6 and shows the development of land owned by both the city and Graham Aviation. As noted, multiple times, the plans are conceptual illustrations and are subject to change depending on the city’s economic needs and the needs of Graham Aviation. The plan was presented by Jon Brown of Stockwell Engineers. For now, the plan includes residential, highway commercial, planned development and industrial zonings and street and utility configurations.

An Elk Point boy with special needs is busy gathering his gear for a big game hunt all courtesy of the PDR Disabled Youth organization. Thomas Kosinski has enjoyed South Dakota’s long-honored hunting tradition before. On a prior deer hunt with the PDR Hunt group his sharp shooting skill was spot-on, and he proficiently harvested a Whitetail deer.

The Union County Fairboard and Extension Staff would like to congratulate the 4-H members, leaders and parents on all the static and livestock exhibits and Youth-In-Action events that 4-H members participated in at the recent South Dakota State Fair. South Dakota 4-H follows the Danish ribbon system. 4-H awards are based on a standard, instead of a comparison of other exhibits in the class. By using the Danish system, each exhibit gets judged on its own merit. Each 4-H members are allowed to take up four display exhibits, four exhibits per each animal species and four exhibits per each Youth-In-Action event to the South Dakota State Fair. The State Fair in Huron was Sept. 1-5.

The “Jefferson Bridge” between Union County Highway #7 and Iowa State #12 will be closing on Monday, Sept. 19.