The City of Watertown Street Division will close 14th Avenue North to through traffic beginning at 6:00 AM on Monday, September 22, 2025, to perform roadway repairs at the rail crossing. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the day Tuesday, September 23, weather permitting.

The Watertown Shamrocks will open their 2025–26 season this weekend with a new layer of competition: the Buffalo Wild Wings Dakota Buffalo Cup. The Cup is a three-year partnership between the Shamrocks, Aberdeen Wings, Bismarck Bobcats, Minot Minotauros, and Buffalo Wild Wings, designed to elevate regional rivalries across the Dakotas.

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has called on Postmaster General David Steiner to take urgent steps to restore reliable mail service in South Dakota, citing persistent delays that have impacted residents across the state.

Homecoming Week kicks off Monday, September 22, and the Watertown Police Department is encouraging students, parents, and the broader community to celebrate safely while showing their Arrow pride. The weeklong celebration includes performances, games, and community events, culminating in Friday’s parade, football game, and dance. In advance of the festivities, police issued a set of safety reminders aimed at promoting responsible behavior and positive engagement.

The Second Century Habitat Fund (SCHF) has received a $543,500 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Northern Great Plains Program to help landowners in western South Dakota restore native grasslands on marginal cropland. The initiative aims to improve habitat for wildlife while supporting sustainable ranching practices.

The Children’s Museum of South Dakota is celebrating their 15th birthday this weekend with a free party on the museum’s front lawn.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced Wednesday that five individuals have been indicted in connection with a scheme to transport contraband into the South Dakota State Penitentiary. The group includes a former correctional officer, two current inmates, and two civilians.

The Watertown Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department hosted a high-energy skateboard, scooter, and bike competition on Saturday, drawing several riders from across the area to showcase their skills at the city’s skate park. Participants competed in two 90-second runs in their chosen event, with judges scoring performances based on difficulty, consistency, creativity, execution of tricks, smoothness, and overall use of the course.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill led by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) aimed at strengthening oversight of international ocean shipping and protecting American economic interests. Introduced in June, the legislation reauthorizes the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) through fiscal year 2029 and expands its authority to investigate unfair trade practices

Governor Larry Rhoden has announced plans to establish the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force, a new advisory group focused on expanding rehabilitation services as South Dakota prepares for a new state prison. The task force will be created by Executive Order, pending the passage of draft legislation scheduled for a vote during the Special Session on Tuesday, September 23.

The South Dakota FFA Foundation has provided grants of up to $500 each to several FFA chapters across the state to support local service projects. The grants are a special project of the foundation, made possible by donations from the Wayne & Gwynn Hansen Fund and Bawek Trucking. In a state with over 10,000 high school Agriculture Education students, service is a core value taught through participation in FFA. According to the SD FFA Foundation, state educational budgets are

The Watertown Development Company (WDC) has been selected to participate in the University of South Dakota's Coyote Business Consulting (CBC) initiative. The program pairs students from the Beacom School of Business with small businesses in South Dakota to provide no-cost consulting services. WDC's project for the initiative will focus on creating and implementing a Business Health Survey. The survey is a tool designed to assess the financial health and operational vitality o

Governor Larry Rhoden today announced the appointment of Annie Hoffman as a circuit judge in the Second Circuit. Hoffman will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Doug Hoffman. In a statement, Governor Rhoden praised the appointment. “Annie is an exceptional lawyer who is concise, thoughtful, and possesses deep intellect. The people of South Dakota will be well-served by her,” said Governor Rhoden. “I am confident she will instill faith in the due process and h

The Henry School is set to host its annual Fall Festival Fundraiser on Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature a vendor fair, car show, and food trucks, with all proceeds going to support the school. A children's carnival will also be part of the festival, offering a variety of activities for a $10 wristband entrance fee. Activities planned for the carnival include a bounce house, apple bobbing, sack races, ring toss, a corn box, and hayrides.

The Codington County Treasurer’s Office is adjusting its hours of operation to manage the transition to new software. Starting today, September 16, the office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. According to a statement from Codington County Treasurer Carol Maloney, the new hours will remain in effect until November 1, at which point they will be reevaluated.

Mount Marty University’s Watertown campus has partnered with Northeast Technical High School (NTHS) to launch the Students to Teachers through Educator Pathways (STEP) initiative. The program allows high school students to earn college credits toward an education degree, potentially allowing them to complete a bachelor's degree in elementary education in three years.

A vice president for a Miami-based seafood company pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to fix the prices of stone crab claws and spiny lobster, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. Dennis Dopico admitted to working with competing companies to suppress the prices paid to fishermen in Florida, a scheme that ran from 2023 to 2025.

Watertown, SD - The Yard of the Month Committee has announced the final winners for the 2025 season, recognizing Watertown residents and businesses for their landscaping efforts. The August awards conclude the program for the year.

A new scholarship fund has been established at the Watertown Area Community Foundation to honor the legacy of Ralph and Joanne Wamsher. The Ralph and Joanne Wamsher Scholarship Fund, created by Ralph in memory of his late wife, is designed to support nontraditional students seeking a new start through education.

The Delta Dental Mobile dental office will be in Watertown from October 20 to 24, offering free dental services for local children. Sponsored by the Watertown Area United Way and Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, this initiative aims to support children and young adults who may not have consistent access to dental care.