Larry Rhoden, the 34th and current Governor of South Dakota, was in Dakota Dunes on Wednesday, July 14, 2026 to speak with Union County residents about his current campaign. Governor Rhoden is looking to win the upcoming runoff election versus Toby Doeden that is set for July 28th. Approximately 30 people were in attendance at the event that took place at the Dakota Dunes Country Club. While addressing the room, Governor Rhoden reflected on his two sessions in office and took questions from the crowd.

The North Sioux City Fire Department is proud to welcome John Hoggard as its new fire chief. Originally from Oxford, Mississippi, Hoggard brings nearly 20 years of experience in fire service, emergency medical services, military service and leadership.

The Dakota Valley Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting Monday, July 13, taking the first official steps toward the 2026-2027 school year by swearing in returning board members, electing leadership, and opening a public hearing on its preliminary budget. The board convened with all members present, including Steve Kistner, Matt Thompson, Andrew Nilges, Jesica Hanson, and Emily Norby, who participated via telephone. Business Manager Jill Sponder administered the oath of office to Hanson and Thompson following their re-election. The board then unanimously re-elected Kistner to serve as board president and Thompson as vice president for the upcoming year.

Last week, June 28th July 2nd, 6 student members of the Dakota Valley chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members attended the National Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The conference was an opportunity for students to participate in motivational general sessions, network with individuals from across the globe, and challenge themselves academically through competitive events. Our students participated in 3 separate competitive events.

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Local emergency personnel and community members will gather next month for North Sioux City’s annual National Night Out celebration. The free, family-friendly event is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug.

Victory was seized by Elk Point-Jefferson’s junior legion team on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 versus Vermillion. An early lead aided the Huskies, as they grabbed 4 runs during their initial at-bat. Elk Point-Jefferson (EPJ) never trailed in their 10-8 victory. The contest got close after 3 innings of play as Vermillion was able to tie the ball game 5-5, but EPJ’s response on offense garnered them the win.

Twelve Elk Point-Jefferson Educators Rising students traveled to Portland, Oregon, June 19–23 to compete at the Educators Rising National Conference, joining more than 3,000 students from all 50 states. Their hard work and dedication paid off as six students earned national recognition for their outstanding performances.

The Elk Point Chamber of Commerce has launched a new summer dining punch card program designed to highlight area restaurants and drive local community engagement. The promotion runs through Aug.