The Panther varsity baseball team took care of business and qualified for the state tourney during regional play on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. It was a cool evening, but Dakota Valley was on fire to beat Freeman/Canistota/ Marion (FCM) and then pull off the upset versus top ranked Parkston.

A late rally, in the 7th inning, was not enough for Dakota Valley to eclipse Dell Rapids (DR) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Playing at Bowen Field, on the campus of Augustana University, the Panthers came back from 0-5 to tie things near the end of the game. The Quarriers of DR would garner another run during their final at-bat. This resulted in DV loss by a score of 5-6.

After two weeks off due to crazy spring weather, the Panther high school track team was finally able to compete on May 22, 2025. Dakota Valley took to the track and field for the Southeast South Dakota Showcase meet in Vermillion on May 22, 2025. The Panthers brought their strongest competitors for running, throwing, hurdling and jumping.

On April 28, 2025 the Elk Point-Jefferson school district gathered teachers and staff to celebrate multiple earned awards from the 2024/25 school year. It was a fun evening of accolades as many received service recognition. The night highlighted the countless dedication by educators and staff who walk the school halls at EPJ. Per Huskies Superintendent Philip Schonebaum the following awards were distributed: Sydney Bosquet was named “Education support Professional of the Year” and Donna Mau received the honor of “Support Staff of the Year.” Community Circle of Excellence was awarded to: Union Bean Coffee and Structured Learning Center with Karissa Munce, Matt Munce and Cassandra Schmith receiving recognition. The “Helping Hands” award went to Larry Wilcox. Shayla Leichtenberg received the honor of “Middle School/High School Teacher of the Year”.

Track and field for Elk Point-Jefferson had a full day on May 22, 2025 as they competed in the last regular meet of the season. Hosted by Vermillion, the Southeast South Dakota Showcase offered area high schools a final chance to make qualifying times and marks for the upcoming state meet.

Cold spring weather wreaked havoc on the softball schedule for the Huskies as their game versus Madison was delayed 1 day. It also had to be played at a different venue. Originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, as an away game versus the Bulldogs, it was postponed until Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at noon. The game was played on a turf field at the Sanford Diamonds in Sioux Falls.

The North Sioux City Commission met on May 19, 2025, to discuss critical infrastructure projects, ongoing financial matters, and community initiatives. Led by Mayor Bogenrief, the meeting included discussions on flood prevention planning, school and roadway repairs, and civic appointments.

Recent 2025 Panther graduate Abigail Burhoop has been recognized as a semifinalist in the United States Presidential Scholars Program. She was selected out of a pool of 6000 qualified candidates and is full of gratitude.

A slight change of venue was in order for the May 13, 2025 meeting of the Union County Commissioners as the downstairs courtroom was in use for court proceedings. Therefore the meeting was moved upstairs to a suite on the main floor. The following commissioners were present: Peggy Ustad, Michael Dailey, Kevin Joffer, Tom Kimmel and Bob Ballard. Two members of the public were on-hand as well as two members of the press/media plus Chief Deputy Auditor Tracy Norton.

On Thursday, May 15, 2025 households of the Dakota Dunes Homeowners Association (HOA) received an email from their HOA Manager Kim Leif regarding a new residential development. “There is a parcel of land behind the Catholic Church that was originally zoned commercial and has been changed by Union County to residential.