Local Watertown Area News

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - After five years of dedicated service to the Watertown community, Captains Dennis and Kelly Jolly have announced they will be transitioning to a new appointment within The Salvation Army. Their final day in Watertown is set for June 30th, after which they will begin a new chapter of ministry in St. Louis.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In celebration of National Volunteer Week, the latest episode of Codington Connects highlighted the critical resources available to Watertown’s aging population and the dedicated volunteers who make those services possible.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - An 18‑year‑old Brookings man was seriously injured Tuesday afternoon after losing control of his motorcycle on Highway 20 in northwest Watertown.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Mount Marty University has identified its primary lead for the Class of 2026 commencement: Dr. Melissa Meidinger. As the Watertown Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Meidinger is slated to deliver a high-bandwidth keynote address that serves as the final system check for undergraduate students entering the professional ecosystem.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD The Codington County Board of Commissioners is considering a request to restore annual funding for the Codington County Conservation District, an entity born of the lessons of the “Dirty Thirties” that now struggles against modern economic pressures.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Glen Vilhauer for South Dakota Senate campaign has announced that longtime community leaders LuAnn Strait and Don Roby will serve as Co‑Chairs for his 2026 re‑election effort. The announcement comes as the District 5 Republican primary is set to feature a competitive matchup between incumbent Senator Glen Vilhauer and State Representative Josephine Garcia, according to recent local filings.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council held the first readings of two ordinances designed to realign land use with the city’s long-term growth objectives.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council moved forward with two neighborhood street projects during its April 20 meeting, taking advantage of a competitive bidding environment to secure contracts for significantly less than initially estimated. The approved projects target both routine pavement maintenance and critical drainage issues in specific residential sectors of the city.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council moved to secure long-term infrastructure at the Watertown Regional Airport on Monday night, unanimously approving a $3,181,502.70 bid award for the reconstruction of Taxiway Alpha. By accelerating the project now, city officials expect to lock in higher federal funding rates before a scheduled decrease in 2027.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - During the April 20, 2026, City Council meeting, Finance Officer Kristen Bobzien presented the city’s preliminary 2025 financial statements, revealing a picture of healthy liquidity paired with historically high debt levels. While the city ended the year with more than $110 million in cash, officials warned that major infrastructure investments have pushed the city’s borrowing capacity to its prudent limit.

Watertown, SD - The Northeast Radio SD newscast for Monday, April 20, 2026, hosted by Steve Jurrens, covered several local developments in Watertown and the surrounding counties. Community & Youth Initiatives Sixth Annual "Snack Attack": The non-profit For the Kids SD delivered over 10,300 individually wrapped snacks to approximately 4,450 students across 12 schools in the Watertown School District. Volunteers from Lake Area Tech's Business School assisted with di

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council faced a reality check during its April 20 meeting as City Engineer Justin Petersen detailed a gap between the city’s current road budget and its actual infrastructure needs. While the city is currently managing roughly $4 million in annual street projects, Petersen identified more than $38 million in critical, unbudgeted street requirements that currently lack a funding source.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council moved one step closer to long-term flood mitigation on Monday night, approving a resolution to accept an additional $170,000 grant from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). The funding, provided through the State Water Resources Management System (SWRMS) program, is earmarked for the ongoing Big Sioux Flood Control Study.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - At the April 20, 2026, Watertown City Council meeting, the Watertown Masons of Concord Lodge 13 officially presented a state-of-the-art fire suppression unit to the Watertown Police Department (WPD), marking the latest chapter in a community safety initiative that has already proven its life-saving potential.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Zach Thompson, representing Liberty Forge AI Consulting, took to the podium to invite the community to a forum dedicated to the moral implications of rapidly advancing technology.

Northeast Radio SD News – Lake Poinsett, SD/Watertown, SD - Communities across northeast South Dakota are coming together to support the family of Renner Dean Uecker, a 23‑year‑old Watertown native who passed away on April 11 after suffering a sudden and severe brain bleed caused by a rare viral complication.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown School District will recognize its 2026 retirees next month with a community open house celebrating years of service to local students and families.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Lake Area Technical College is preparing to celebrate its 2026 graduating class with a full evening of community festivities, capped by a free outdoor musical performance on campus.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council convenes tonight, Monday, April 20, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall. The agenda includes infrastructure contracts, zoning changes, and fiscal approvals, shaping the city’s next development cycle.

Northeast Radio SD News – Goodwin, SD - Voters in District 4 will have an opportunity to hear directly from this year’s legislative candidates during an open public forum scheduled for Saturday, May 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Goodwin Area Hall. The event is free and open to all residents.