Recovery is a Community Effort! 🤝🏠

Northeast Radio SD is a family-owned, locally operated, all-online radio station based in Watertown, SD! Streaming LIVE 24/7 online at www.northeastradiosd.com OR download the Apple or Android app, search Northeast Radio SD, & stream all day, every day! 

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THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! 🐂🎰🎓

Northeast Radio SD is a family-owned, locally operated, all-online radio station based in Watertown, SD! Streaming LIVE 24/7 online at www.northeastradiosd.com OR download the Apple or Android app, search Northeast Radio SD, & stream all day, every day! 

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Goss Opera House Summer Camps: Area children can attend free creative day camps this summer. The "Passport to the Arts" camp for grades K-6 starts June 24, featuring global crafts and dance.

Children’s Theater: Two weeks of Missoula Children’s Theater begin in August for grades 1-12. Auditions for Beauty Lou and the Country Beast start August 3, followed by Cinderella on August 8.

Youth Philanthropy: The Watertown Area Community Foundation’s Youth Council awarded $15,000 in grants to nine local organizations. Top recipients include the Watertown Area Foster Closet, Joy Ranch, and the Goss Opera House.

Emergency Simulation: Lake Area Technical College (LATC) will hold its first large-scale emergency drill since 2018 on the morning of Thursday, April 23. The four-hour exercise simulates a narcotics investigation and will include simulated gunfire and the closure of Arrow Avenue between 11th and 9th Streets NE.

Hazmat Incident: On Tuesday, Watertown Fire Rescue responded to reports of smoke in a classroom at LATC. The source was traced to a rooftop air handling unit; the building was cleared for re-entry after an hour and a half.

Hazardous Waste Disposal: A free household hazardous waste collection event will be held Saturday, April 25, from 8:00 AM to noon at the Watertown Wastewater Treatment Facility. Accepted items include oil-based paints, gasoline, and lithium-ion batteries.

State House Race: Revillo minister Emelia Enquist has entered the race for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 4. Running as the sole Democrat, her platform focuses on economic development and rural family support.

Federal Sentencing: 34-year-old Nicholas Ketches of Vermillion was sentenced to over 20 years in federal prison for the attempted production and transportation of child pornography. The case involved the grooming of a 14-year-old girl via Omegle and Snapchat.

🎙️ Catching Up with the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce! 🎙️

Northeast Radio SD is a family-owned, locally operated, all-online radio station based in Watertown, SD! Streaming LIVE 24/7 online at www.northeastradiosd.com OR download the Apple or Android app, search Northeast Radio SD, & stream all day, every day! 

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Tourism in Watertown is hitting a high note as city officials report consistent growth in sales tax revenue and a fresh chapter for the city’s tourism hub. Anjelica Uthe, Executive Director of Visit Watertown, joined Northeast Radio SD this week to discuss the city’s upward trajectory and several major milestones on the horizon for 2026.

According to Uthe, the latest sales tax reports show that visitor spending in Watertown has increased month over month. Despite the lingering possibility of spring snow, the "Sunshine State" is living up to its name, drawing in visitors who are fueling the local economy.

"Good things are happening," Uthe noted during the interview. "The reports show the BBB (Business, Betterment, and Beauty) tax is up every month, which is a great indicator that people are staying, eating, and enjoying everything Watertown has to offer."

To honor those on the front lines of this growth, Visit Watertown is officially accepting nominations for the annual Visitor Industry Awards. These awards focus on exceptional customer service across four primary categories:

Retail

Hotel

Attractions

Restaurants

Community members can also nominate individuals for the prestigious Gordon "Gordy" Ostas Customer Service Award or recognize local organizers through the Event Award category.

How to Nominate: Visit visitwatertownsd.com/awards to submit your favorites. The deadline for nominations is Friday, April 24, 2026.

This year, the awards will feature a new format. Instead of a formal banquet, Visit Watertown plans to surprise winners on-location with a Facebook Live ceremony during National Travel and Tourism Week in May.

In a move that places tourism right in the heart of downtown, Visit Watertown moved into its new office space at the Goss Opera House (the former Mod’s Mercantile location) on April 1st. Located at 100 East Kemp, the new headquarters will serve as a resource for both locals and travelers.

The community is invited to an Open House and Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Attendees can tour the new space, pick up the updated 2026 visitor guides, and even snag some new Watertown-themed merchandise and stickers.

Uthe also highlighted several "must-see" spots for the upcoming season:

Redlin Art Center: Now featuring the new Studio Gallery on the second floor, showcasing Terry Redlin’s unfinished works.

Mellette House: The historic home is preparing for its seasonal opening.

The Wolf Exhibit: A highly anticipated addition set to open this summer.

As Watertown prepares for the summer rush, the message is clear: whether you're here for the art, the history, or the hospitality, there has never been a better time to visit.

LITTLE BUG, BIG IMPACT: Granting Wishes Through Kindness

Northeast Radio SD is a family-owned, locally operated, all-online radio station based in Watertown, SD! Streaming LIVE 24/7 online at www.northeastradiosd.com OR download the Apple or Android app, search Northeast Radio SD, & stream all day, every day! 

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Vehicle Rollover: First responders attended a single-vehicle rollover on Monday afternoon near the intersection of 168th Street and 447th Avenue. A gray Ford Ranger was found on its side; while both occupants managed to exit the vehicle themselves, one was transported to Prairie Lakes Hospital for evaluation.

Emergency Alert Testing: As part of Severe Weather Week, Watertown will test its emergency systems on Friday, April 17th. A CodeRED notification will be sent at 9:45 AM, followed by an outdoor warning siren test at 10:00 AM. Weekly siren tests are scheduled to begin on April 24th at noon.

The Watertown School Board approved several updates for the college during their Monday meeting:

Fee Adjustments: For the 2026-2027 school year, full-time students will see a median fee increase of 2.9%. State-level tuition is rising by $4 to $134 per credit, though the board opted to freeze general campus support and maintenance fees to keep costs manageable.

New Programs: The board greenlit a new Radiologic Technology program to train X-ray technicians, aiming to address high demand in local clinics. The program will eventually host 28 students and is targeted to launch for the 2027-2028 school year. Additionally, fees for a new Dental Hygiene program were set at $1,732 per semester.

Ag Commodities Risk Management Lab: A new high-tech lab is being developed, funded largely by a $229,000 grant from the CHS Foundation. The lab will feature live market data and a scrolling ticker to give Agribusiness students real-time trading experience starting in the Fall 2026 semester.

Standardized Testing Shift: Juniors will transition from the Smarter Balanced Assessment to the Enhanced ACT. This new format is more streamlined to reduce testing fatigue and will be provided during the school day at no cost to families, saving them approximately $90 per student.

Early Summer Break: Due to a mild winter with zero used snow days, the final day of school has been moved up to Wednesday, May 20th, with a 12:30 PM dismissal. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Danielson noted that any surprise snow days occurring before May would be added back to the calendar.

Northeast Radio SD is a family-owned, locally operated, all-online radio station based in Watertown, SD! Streaming LIVE 24/7 online at www.northeastradiosd.com OR download the Apple or Android app, search Northeast Radio SD, & stream all day, every day! 

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Grass Fire Successfully Contained: Watertown Fire Rescue and the Castlewood Fire Department successfully contained a 4.2-acre wind-driven grass fire south of Watertown. The fire was reported around 12:20 PM at 457th Avenue and Meadow Lake Road. Efforts focused on protecting a nearby residence and farm buildings until the blaze was stopped by a gravel road. No structures were lost.

79 Fire Update: Ground crews have achieved 60% containment on the 5,408-acre 79 Fire near Buffalo Gap. While air support was crucial on Saturday, Sunday’s operations focused on ground crews extinguishing hidden hotspots. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 9:00 PM due to low humidity and gusty winds.

Watertown Arrows Baseball: The Arrows opened their 2026 season with a double-header split in Sioux Falls.

Win: Defeated North Dakota’s Shanley Deacons 12-5, led by Jackson Felici and winning pitcher Cooper Heiser.

Loss: Fell 12-11 to Sioux Falls Lincoln despite a standout performance by Marcus Pitkin.

Upcoming: The home opener is scheduled for this Friday at 5:00 PM at Watertown Stadium against Tea Area.

Child Abuse Prevention Month: The Watertown Police Department reported handling 41 child abuse cases and making 29 arrests last year. Captain Steve Rehorst emphasized collaborative protection efforts and warned parents that deleted Snapchat data can often be recovered by law enforcement months later.

Teen Police Academy: Registration is open for the program running June 8-10, featuring VR driving simulators and a hands-on look at law enforcement. Capacity is limited to 20 participants.

Optimist Club 50th Anniversary: The Watertown Optimist Club celebrated its Golden Anniversary, marking 50 years since its founding on April 15, 1976. Original member Randy Rakness participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Sinatra Tribute: The South Dakota Jazz Orchestra will perform a tribute to Frank Sinatra this Saturday night at the Goss Opera House. The show features Tony DeBlois, a blind and autistic musical savant who plays 23 instruments and can perform over 10,000 songs by ear.

Real Estate Tax Deadline: Codington County Treasurer Carol Maloney reminded property owners that the first half of real estate taxes are due Thursday, April 30.

USPS Warning: Taxpayers are advised to mail payments early or request a hand-cancel postmark, as new USPS regulations mean postmarks now reflect the date an envelope is machine-processed rather than when it was dropped in the mail. Failure to meet the deadline results in a 10% interest penalty.

Northeast Radio SD is a family-owned, locally operated, all-online radio station based in Watertown, SD! Streaming LIVE 24/7 online at www.northeastradiosd.com OR download the Apple or Android app, search Northeast Radio SD, & stream all day, every day! 

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In this exclusive interview with Northeast Radio SD, Nathan Sanderson (Executive Director of the SDRA) is joined by Chris Verhoek and Travis Hellvig to discuss the association’s commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship through education, mentorship, and professional networking.

Nathan Sanderson highlights the impressive 30-year legacy of the SDRA Scholarship Program. To date, the program has awarded nearly 300 students with over $270,000 in financial aid.

Who is it for? Unlike traditional high school scholarships, the SDRA focuses on "niche" applicants—typically college sophomores or juniors who have already committed to a career path in retail, hospitality, or trades (like construction and landscaping).

The Funding: The program is sustained by an endowment funded by SDRA member businesses who believe in reinvesting in the state's future "mom and pop" owners.

The Awards: Scholarship amounts typically range from $2,000 to $3,000+.

Chris Verhoek, owner of Country Corner in Estelline and Chair of the Scholarship Committee, shares the "Golden Rule" for applicants: Read the instructions. > "The first thing is making sure they turn in every requirement on that application. Review it two or three times... if you can follow instructions, you're already ahead of the game."

Travis Hellvig, owner of Hartford Building Center, provides a "full-circle" perspective. Travis was an SDRA scholarship recipient who used those funds to pursue his degree before returning to manage his family's business. He is currently utilizing the SDRA Next Gen Program to navigate the complex transition from employee to owner.

The interview emphasizes that the SDRA is more than just a scholarship fund—it’s a robust support system for the 4,000+ member businesses across the state.

Next Gen Program: Specifically designed to help young professionals transition into business ownership.

Networking: The association fosters connections even between competitors, allowing owners to share insights on tax laws, legislation, and operational challenges.

Advocacy: The diverse 24-member Board of Directors ensures that every industry, from grocery stores to hardware shops, has a voice in Pierre.

Scholarship Application Deadline: April 15th, 2026

Apply Online: sdra.org/scholarships

Become a Member: Visit sdra.org or call 224-5050.

Support Local: As Nathan Sanderson reminds us, when you shop at an SDRA member business, you aren't funding a millionaire CEO—you're supporting a neighbor who is reinvesting right back into your community.

Northeast Radio SD is a family-owned, locally operated, all-online radio station based in Watertown, SD! Streaming LIVE 24/7 online at www.northeastradiosd.com OR download the Apple or Android app, search Northeast Radio SD, & stream all day, every day! 

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In this feature interview with Northeast Radio SD, host Steve Jurens sits down with Alex Massa, Artistic Director of the South Dakota Jazz Orchestra, and world-renowned musical savant Tony DeBlois. They discuss their unique partnership and the highly anticipated "Come Fly With Me" Frank Sinatra Tribute coming to the Goss Opera House.

Alex Massa, originally from Rapid City, shares his journey from performing in New Orleans and Chicago to returning to South Dakota to lead the SD Jazz Orchestra.

Representing the State: The orchestra is a "supergroup" of South Dakota’s finest musicians, with performers traveling from Rapid City, Spearfish, Pierre, Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Brandon, and Brookings.

Original Arrangements: The band will be playing the original Quincy Jones and Billy May charts written specifically for Frank Sinatra in the 1950s and 60s.

The star of the show, Tony DeBlois, is one of only about 20 musical savants in the world. Despite being blind and autistic, Tony possesses an almost supernatural ability to learn and perform music.

The Numbers: Tony plays 23 instruments, sings in 11 languages, and has a repertoire of over 10,000 songs.

Learning by Ear: Alex recounts a mind-blowing moment when he played a Tchaikovsky overture for Tony; after just 30 seconds of listening, Tony was able to play the entire orchestral arrangement on the piano.

Impressions: Beyond Sinatra, Tony is known for his uncanny vocal impressions of Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, and Bobby McFerrin.

This performance isn't just a local cover show—it is a world-class production.

Authenticity: Tony doesn't just sing the songs; he embodies the energy and tone of Sinatra, right down to the signature "Ol' Blue Eyes" stage presence.

Musical Synergy: The 17-piece big band and Tony will have only one two-hour rehearsal before the show—a testament to the high caliber of talent involved.

Toward the end of the interview, Tony shares a powerful message for the community:

"It’s okay to be different. Believe in yourself, don’t give up on your dreams, and remember the three P's: Practice, Practice, Practice... and Patience."

Event: "Come Fly With Me" – A Tribute to Frank Sinatra

Date: Saturday, April 18th, 2026

Location: Goss Opera House, Watertown, SD

Tickets: Available now at thegossoperahouse.com/events

Northeast Radio SD is a family-owned, locally operated, all-online radio station based in Watertown, SD! Streaming LIVE 24/7 online at www.northeastradiosd.com OR download the Apple or Android app, search Northeast Radio SD, & stream all day, every day! 

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