Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A standard municipal boundary request turned into a debate over regulatory jurisdiction, transparency, and truck traffic on Monday evening. The Watertown City Council reviewed the first reading of twin ordinances, No. 26-13 and No. 26-17, aimed at annexing and establishing A-1 Agricultural zoning for approximately 95.71 acres of contiguous land situated directly on the city’s perimeter.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A regulatory debate over residential swimming pool fences resurfaced in the Watertown City Council chambers on Monday night. They reviewed the first reading of Ordinance No. 26-14, a sweeping zoning text amendment to Chapter 21.79 designed to modernize local pool barriers by acknowledging advancements in safety cover technology.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council has given the green light to a proactive expansion plan for the city’s emergency response services, though not without an intense look at long-term fiscal liabilities. On Monday evening, city leaders voted to authorize Watertown Fire Rescue to apply for the federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. If awarded, the grant will fund up to nine new firefighter-paramedic positions o

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A six‑run fifth inning broke the game open as Watertown rolled past Harrisburg Gold in the opener. Cain Everson jump‑started the rally with a two‑run single, and Jaxon Falak followed with a two‑run double to extend the lead.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Emergency crews successfully contained a garage fire late Monday night after a neighbor spotted smoke and flames coming from a nearby property.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A nearly full Watertown City Council chamber became the backdrop for a robust discussion on Monday evening, as local government officials, passionate small business owners, and frustrated citizens conflicted over the ongoing construction delays plaguing the “AirStay” hotel redevelopment project.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Agriculture remains one of the most vital yet inherently high-risk industries in the Midwest. Recognizing the critical importance of rapid emergency response on farms, ranches, and agribusinesses, Lake Area Technical College (LATC) has partnered with Corteva Agriscience to arm the next generation of agricultural professionals with vital, life-saving skills.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Sheriff Howell concluded his report by providing an audit of the newly integrated Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) network, demonstrating an immediate return on investment for local investigators. The camera grid logged 82,910 total vehicle reads during the audit window.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A portion of the sheriff’s report focused on an escalating capacity crisis within the South Dakota Department of Corrections, which is forcing Codington County to house fully sentenced state convicts for extended periods due to a lack of space in state facilities. The jail’s average daily population (ADP) for April hovered at 51.87 inmates, peaking at a high of 60 on April 19.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Codington County Sheriff Brad Howell delivered a detailed monthly report to county commissioners on Tuesday morning, reporting steady law enforcement activity for April 2026 while shedding light on severe, costly gridlock tied to the South Dakota state prison system.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Lake Area Radio Klub will take part in the nationwide ARRL Field Day emergency communications exercise on Saturday, June 27, through Sunday, June 28, at the National Guard Readiness Center, located at 1951 Highway 20 in Watertown.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Watertown Fire Rescue responded Friday evening to a semi‑truck fire that left both the truck and trailer a total loss near the intersection of 9th Avenue and Pheasant Ridge Drive.

By: Meghan O’Brien - May 29, 2026 - 6:20 pm - South Dakota’s new law criminalizing the providing and advertising of abortion pills and other abortion-related items faces a lawsuit alleging the advertising prohibition is unconstitutional.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Baseball Association announced that Cole Hansen has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Bobby Gasper Award. The presentation took place during an on‑field ceremony at Watertown Stadium as Post 17 hosted Huron in a doubleheader.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - With the upcoming primary election just around the corner on June 2nd, South Dakota State Senator Glen Vilhauer (District 5) is hitting the ground running in what he calls the "home stretch" of his re-election campaign.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Downtown Watertown is gearing up for a massive, multi-day summer festival after the Codington County Historical Society and Heritage Museum was named one of only six organizations statewide to secure a prestigious $5,000 America 250 Community Arts Grant.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown Area Community Foundation has named Laura Heathcote as its new Community Engagement Director, a leadership role created to expand the Foundation’s work with local nonprofits, community partners, and philanthropic initiatives.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The integration between Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and Sanford Health is reaching a new milestone. Beginning in late June, Prairie Lakes will officially begin its transition to the name Sanford Health Watertown.

The countdown to the primary election is on, and South Dakota District 4 Senator Steph Sauder is making her final push to connect with voters. In a recent in-depth interview on Northeast Radio SD, the Senator discussed the importance of the upcoming election, her legislative record, and her commitment to the people of South Dakota.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol will conduct sobriety checkpoints in 17 counties throughout the month of June, according to a release from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.