Jones’ Food Center in Elk Point is celebrating 30 years of service this September, marking three decades of local ownership, evolving technology, and deep community connection. The store’s roots trace back to Tom Jones, who operated multiple grocery stores across southeastern South Dakota.

Fleurish Flower Farm will celebrate the close of its u-pick flower season with a two-day autumn festival, “Fall Into Fleurish,” on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20–21. The event will be held at the farm’s location at 47663 SD Hwy 50, just west of Elk Point, and will feature seasonal foods, live music, pumpkins, and one final stroll through the flower fields.

A tough match was played by Dakota Valley girls soccer on Tuesday, September 9, as they hosted the Trojans of West Central (WC). The Panthers had bested WC earlier in the season, but both programs are playing excellent soccer for 2025 and a close contest was on the horizon.

In what will be a familiar setting for the fall golf season, the Panthers were in Vermillion on September 8, 2025 to play The Bluffs Golf Course. Dakota Valley was playing in the Tanager Invite, and they will re-visit this site again for the DAK XII conference meet plus regionals and state.

A trip to Yankton was in order for the Panther dance team on Thursday, September 11, 2025. It would be fierce competition as Dakota Valley looked to be the only Class A team in attendance. All others were from Class AA in South Dakota.

Aiden Keenan, a recent graduate of Dakota Valley, received the honor of Eagle Scout on May 18, 2025. In order to earn this high achievement, a scout must advance through the ranks via the order of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life.

The hills were alive as the Panther cross country squad ran hard through elevated terrain at the team’s meet, in Canton, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Warm weather was present, but strong times still prevailed across the board for varsity, junior varsity and middle school.

The Dakota Valley School District Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, Sept. 8, addressing a full agenda that included staffing transitions, policy revisions, surplus declarations, and union negotiations. The meeting was held at 6 p.m. in the district board room and was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Matt Thompson. Board members Jessica Hanson, Andrew Nilges, and Emily Norby were present; member Steve Kistner was absent. Superintendent Garrett Schmidt and Business Manager Jill Sponder were also in attendance.

On Monday, the Huskies traveled to Vermillion to compete at The Bluffs for the first of many events scheduled at the course this season. Conditions were warmer than Friday’s round in Mitchell, but the wind played a major role throughout the day.

The heat and the hills did not stop the Huskies from pushing themselves hard on September 9, 2025 at Canton’s cross country meet. Navigating a tough run on the Hiawatha Golf Course, Elk Point-Jefferson looked strong. Multiple medalists came home as EPJ ran hard at the meet to set many personal records (PR).