Just before 10:00 PM on Sunday, Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) responded to a reported kitchen fire in the 1500 block of 7th Avenue NE. Crews arrived on scene with Engine 4, Engine 3, Medic 5, and Battalion 1. Upon arrival, responders learned that a resident had already extinguished the flames. However, heavy smoke continued to linger throughout the home. WFR personnel entered the residence and confirmed that the fire had been successfully extinguished and was contained to the

The 2025 South Dakota State Fair in Huron showcased the talents of 4-H youth from across the state from August 27 to September 1, 2025, and Codington County participants made a strong impression in several Youth-in-Action competitions. Local youth earned Purple Ribbon honors in categories such as Fashion Revue, Special Foods, Communications Projects, and Skill-a-Thons. These awards reflect excellence in creativity, public speaking, animal science, and consumer education.

The Watertown Lakers, in partnership with the NHL, NHLPA, and USA Hockey, will launch a revamped Learn to Play 10U Developmental Program this fall aimed at making hockey more accessible for local families. The program welcomes children ages 5–10 (birth years 2015–2020) and is designed for beginners as well as those who already feel comfortable on the ice. Practices emphasize skating fundamentals, basic hockey skills, teamwork, confidence

The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will host a State Bridge Dedication Ceremony to honor U.S.M.C. Sergeant Dirk R. Abbas on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. CT at the Britton Area Event Center, 1203 3rd Street, Britton. The SD HWY-27 bridge over Crow Creek, south of Britton, will be officially designated the SGT Dirk R. Abbas Bridge.

Glacial Lakes Corn Processors’ Board of Directors has declared a cash distribution of $0.06 per share from the Nonqualified Written Notice of Allocation (NQWNA) for fiscal year 2024. The distribution will be paid to shareholders of record as of 5:02 p.m. CST on September 17, 2025, with payment scheduled to be issued by October 31, 2025. This $0.06 per share payment is part of the $0.29 per share NQWNA initially declared in 2024, leaving $0.23 per share still outstanding.

Theresa Hillis, superintendent of the Prairie Lakes Wellness Center, has announced she will retire from her role effective December 5, 2025. Hillis joined the City of Watertown team in 2022 and, over the past three years, led a series of operational and programmatic improvements at the Wellness Center.

Watertown Fire Rescue has announced the promotion of Lieutenant Adam Heinrich to the rank of Battalion Chief. Heinrich, who joined the department in 2007 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2021, will officially begin his new role overseeing C-Shift on October 2.

At this year’s County Convention Safety Awards Luncheon, the Codington County Maintenance Department was recognized with both the Gold and Platinum Safety Awards for its outstanding commitment to workplace safety and employee training. The awards are presented annually to county departments that demonstrate proactive measures to improve safety standards, reduce risk, and provide practical training for both staff and the public they serve.

The Codington County Commissioners met on Tuesday to discuss several community service initiatives and budget matters, including funding for burials, transportation assistance, and the strategic planning of various community programs. Community Services Director Sarah Foust provided a report on August's activities, noting that her department assisted 48 individuals with a total of 88 services. Funeral assistance remains the most requested service, with transportation and doc

At Tuesday’s meeting, the Codington County Commissioners unanimously approved a final amendment to the construction manager-at-risk (CMAR) contract for the new county jail and sheriff’s office facility. The guaranteed maximum price for construction was set at $32,665,397, allowing the county to move forward with all planned alternates—including full completion of the sheriff’s office.

At Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Codington County Commissioners held a public discussion on the county’s five-year highway and transportation plan, led by Highway Superintendent Randy Falvey. While no significant changes were introduced, several projects were rescheduled due to inspection results, weather impacts, and grant funding timelines.

Rachel’s Hope, a Watertown-based nonprofit dedicated to providing hygiene and household essentials to families in need, reported its busiest month to date in August—serving 133 families and distributing nearly 3,900 items. The organization, which launched just over a year ago, provided support to 518 individuals last month, including 269 adults and 249 children.

Watertown High School has announced its 2025 Homecoming royalty candidates, selected by their peers for their involvement and leadership across a wide range of school activities. This year’s candidates are: Jonas Geier, Sarah Li, Silas Masar, Siri Bach, Tysen Canfield, Markus Pitkin, Patrick Bednarczyk, Malia Kranz, Cole Hansen, Whitney Martinsen, and Luka Lessin. These students are known for their participation in various activities, including football, soccer, theater, ban

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.

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 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 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

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.