North Sioux City News: November 2025

From the Mayor’s Office

As we head into the Thanksgiving season, I’m reminded of the many people who support and serve North Sioux City every day - from our dedicated city staff to the volunteers who give their time on boards, committees, and community efforts. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but it makes a tremendous impact. This month’s Mayor’s Message in the Dakota Dunes / North Sioux City Times focuses on recognizing and thanking those individuals. READ THE MAYOR’S MESSAGE →

Wishing you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Mayor Chris Bogenrief

Trivia & Tidbits

What Residents Appreciate Most About North Sioux City. As we move through November, it’s a fitting time to highlight a few of the things residents said they value most about living in North Sioux City, gathered from this year’s community survey:

• A friendly, welcoming community where neighbors look out for one another.

• The small-town feel; quiet, safe neighborhoods with a strong sense of belonging.

• A high-quality school district that families value and take pride in.

• Close access to larger-city amenities while still enjoying the comfort of a smaller community.

• Low taxes, strong infrastructure, and a community that genuinely cares about the people who live here.

These responses offer a glimpse into what many residents enjoy about daily life in North Sioux City. Stay tuned - the full Comprehensive Plan for North Sioux City, built from the feedback residents shared in this year’s survey, is expected to be made public in the coming months.

Holiday Happenings

Celebrate the Season in North Sioux City! This month’s issue highlights the festive traditions and local events that make North Sioux City such a special place to call home. From parades to lights to community gatherings, here’s what’s coming up this holiday season:

✨ Holiday Parade of Lights: December 4
The North Sioux City Parks & Recreation Board invites everyone to join the 2025 Holiday Parade of Lights on Thursday, December 4 at 6:15 p.m. The parade will travel along Campbell Street and end at the North Sioux City Police Department on Victor Ave, where families can enjoy refreshments, drop off letters to Santa, and visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Businesses, organizations, and community groups are encouraged to participate. Registration to participate is open through November 28. SIGN UP HERE →

🏠 Holiday Lighting Contest: December 8 -12
The North Sioux City Police Department will host this year’s Holiday Lighting Contest, with officers nominating standout homes during evening judging from December 8- 12. The City Commission will select and announce the winners at the December 15 meeting, with results also posted on social media on December 16. Prizes include gift cards from local businesses for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus the festive Clark Griswold Award for the most elaborately decorated home.

🍪 Cookies & Cocoa Day: December 11
The North Sioux City Library (601 River Dr.) will host its annual Cookies & Cocoa Day on December 11, featuring two Santa visits - 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. - plus decorate your own sweet treats - available throughout the day. It’s a fun, family-friendly way to enjoy the season together. If you’re looking for more holiday fun at the library, be sure to check out this month’s Library Corner later in this email.

🎄 Homestead Holidays: December 5- 21
Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve (272 Westshore Dr.) will once again transform its historic homestead into a glowing winter walk. Homestead Holidays runs December 5 - 21, with lights on Friday - Sunday from 5 - 9 p.m. Visitors can explore the decorated grounds and there may even be appearances by Santa and hot chocolate on select evenings!

We hope you’ll join in the fun and enjoy all the holiday moments our community has to offer.

Flood Recovery Updates

🏠 Homeowner Recovery Program – The City Commission recently took formal action to approve the purchase of eligible flood-affected properties as part of the Homeowner Recovery Program. With signed purchase agreements now on file, the City is moving toward closing on these properties by the end of the year. These acquisitions will support long-term flood mitigation, neighborhood stabilization, and future public infrastructure improvements, using City reserve funds with the potential for future reimbursement through grants or non-City funding. 

🌊 McCook Lake Update - from the McCook Lake Association (MLA): Recent fish testing conducted by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks (SDGFP) showed mercury levels similar to pre-flood testing in 2021, with all samples well below the FDA threshold. Additional contaminant testing is expected to be completed by the Department of Health by the end of the year. SDGFP has also indicated that the no-wake designation is expected to be lifted this spring, allowing lake activities to resume at that time. The MLA will continue sharing updates as more information becomes available.

🚧 Northshore Drive Reconstruction – The City continues working with property owners to obtain the necessary right-of-way and easements to move forward with reconstructing Northshore Drive and replacing the sidewalk lost in the flood. If all easements are secured, construction is expected to begin next spring; if not, the project could face delays due to the legal process and the need to schedule construction outside the school year.

Library Corner

This fall, the North Sioux City Library is grateful for the support of MadCat Pumpkins, who donated pumpkins for preschool Storytime crafts and created the festive outdoor display many families have enjoyed. They also provided small squash for a special Thanksgiving-themed Storytime craft. Looking ahead, the library will host its annual Cookies & Cocoa Day on December 11, with Santa visiting at 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and cookie decorating and cocoa available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In January, readers of all ages can take part in the new “Flurry of Fun” Winter Reading Challenge, sponsored by McDonald’s. Participants will complete activities on a tic-tac-toe card for prizes, with categories for kids, teens, and adults. More details will be shared soon. The library also extends its appreciation to Lilly Family Dentistry for sponsoring the grand prize for the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, which encourages young readers to reach 100-book milestones and celebrates their accomplishments along the way.

Stay connected with everything happening at the library by visiting nsclibrary.org or following the North Sioux City Library on Facebook.

Community Reminders & Updates

🏘️ Housing & Redevelopment Commission - Now Recruiting: North Sioux City is seeking at least three new members for the Housing & Redevelopment Commission, which supports affordable housing initiatives and community improvement projects. Interested in serving? Contact Andrew Nilges at 712-444-0826 or [email protected]. Learn more HERE. 

📐 Planning & Zoning Commission - Call for Members: The City is accepting applications for five members and two alternates to join the Planning & Zoning Commission, beginning February 2026. This board plays a key role in guiding land use, development, and long-term planning. Apply by Friday, December 5. Contact Andrew Nilges at 712-444-0826 or [email protected]. Learn more HERE.

👮‍♂️ Now Hiring - Police Officer: The North Sioux City Police Department is hiring a part-time police officer, with the possibility of transitioning to full-time in the future. This position offers competitive pay, a supportive environment, and opportunities for training and advancement. To learn more or apply, click HERE. Questions? Contact Rich Headid at [email protected] or call 605-232-3302.

❄ Winter Readiness - Snow Rules & Alerts: As winter approaches, please remember that sidewalks must be cleared within 48 hours after snowfall, a 3-foot space must be kept clear around fire hydrants, and snow may not be pushed into streets, parks, or sidewalks. Avoid piling snow within 50 feet of intersections. A snow emergency may be declared when snowfall exceeds two inches or plowing begins—during this time, no parking is allowed on public streets until they are plowed curb-to-curb, and violations may result in fines up to $500. In more severe conditions, an emergency travel ban may be issued for up to 48 hours. Stay informed by signing up for CodeRED alerts HERE or by calling City Hall at 605-232-4276.

Inside Economic Development

Progress is underway at 760 River Drive, where work has begun on a new commercial building designed to bring more dining and coffee options to North Sioux City - a frequent request from residents. Approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission at a special meeting on November 3, the project has already moved into site preparation and dirt work.

This spec building will be constructed with key features that make it ideal for a restaurant, café, or similar business, including a drive-thru, grease trap, strong visibility, and the ability for the future tenant to customize the final buildout to fit their needs. Business owners or entrepreneurs interested in learning more about this opportunity are encouraged to contact Joe LaFleur at [email protected] or 605-242-5188.

The North Sioux City Economic Development Corporation (NSCEDC) supports projects that drive long-term growth and opportunity in our community. LEARN MORE AND VIEW AVAILABLE PROPERTIES →

What’s Ahead: Upcoming Events & Meetings 

• Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th: NSC Government Offices will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Garbage/ Recycle collection will be 1 day delayed due to the holiday.

• Monday, December 1st: City Commission Meeting -  6 p.m., City Hall

• Thursday, December 4th: Holiday Parade of Lights with refreshments and Santa visit afterwards - 6:15 p.m., Parade starts on Campbell St and ends at the NSC Police Station (Victor Ave).

• Friday - Sunday, December 5th–21st: Homestead Holidays – A winter walk at Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve (272 Westshore Dr.), with holiday lights on display every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5–9 p.m.

• Monday, December 8th through Friday, December 12th: Holiday Lighting Contest for North Sioux City residents

• Thursday, December 11th: Cookies & Cocoa Day with Santa visiting at 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and cookie decorating and cocoa available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., NSC Library (601 River Dr.)

• Monday, December 15th: City Commission Meeting -  6 p.m., City Hall

• Wednesday - Friday, December 24th - 26th: NSC Government Offices will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday. Garbage/ Recycle collection will be 1 day delayed due to the holiday.

📸 Captured in NSC 📸

Want your photo to be featured in a future issue? Email your photo, name, and a short description to [email protected] with the subject line: “Community Photo.”

Thanks for Reading!

We hope you enjoyed this issue of North Sioux City News! This newsletter is just one way to keep you informed, connected, and proud to call North Sioux City home. We’d love to hear what you think: what you liked, what we could improve, or what you'd like to see in future issues. Just hit reply to this email to share your thoughts.

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