Back to school is right around the corner! 🏫🚓

🚽 Meet "Timmy the Traveling Toilet" - Habitat For Humanity Greater Watertown Region for Humanity's Funniest Fundraiser Yet!

🎙️ Catch a glimpse into the local restaurant industry with the premiere of "Vision to Reality"! In this brand-new segment by StartUp Watertown on Northeast Radio SD, Angie Yahne, owner of Tropical Smoothie Cafe (Watertown), and with Watertown Development Company, sits down with Sean Dempsey, the owner of Dempsey's Brewery Pub & Restaurant.

Catch up on all the exciting community news, upcoming events, and growth updates shared by Tim Sheehan during his interview on Northeast Radio SD!

Limitless Women's Event: A huge shoutout to the Women of Watertown committee and keynote speaker Princess Paula for an incredible, high-energy event!

Mac Landscaping Ribbon Cutting: Mark your calendars for Friday, August 14th at 9:00 AM! Come celebrate Shane Mac and Mac Landscaping while checking out the awesome new patio space featuring built-in grills, seating, and TVs.

Business at the Tee Golf Tournament: Taking off right after the ribbon cutting on August 14th! There are still a few team slots available—grab your crew and sign up before it fills up! ⛳

Only two Thursday Night Live shows left this season!

Thursday, August 6th: Live performance by Matt Yeager!

Thursday, August 13th (Rain Makeup Date): Don't miss Danica Michaels taking the stage with a full sound setup! 🎸

Out with the Old: The Chamber is dismantling the famous 12-foot milk jug igloo (built from ~3,000 milk jugs!) to make room for a new attraction. (Fun note: If anyone needs 3,000 milk jugs for a project, the Chamber has a deal for you! 🥛)

Volunteers & Partners Needed: With big plans to expand hours and interactive fun for Santaland, the Chamber is looking for community volunteers, local businesses, artists, and extra "elves" to help greet families and bring the magic.

Major housing developments are moving full steam ahead across town—including Prairie Haven, The Commons, and projects near the ice arena—pushing Watertown toward its 5-year goal of 30,000 residents!

👉 Want to register a golf team, sponsor an event, or volunteer? Reach out to the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce today!

#WatertownSD #WatertownChamber #CommunityUpdate #ThursdayNightLive #SupportLocal #WatertownGrowth

3rd Place Finish: Watertown Post 17 wrapped up a strong postseason run, securing a third-place finish at the Class A American Legion State Tournament.

Tournament Highlights:

Following an opening loss to Rapid City Post 22, Post 17 fought through the elimination bracket backed by strong pitching from Hunter Halligan and Jackson Clements, alongside clutch hits from Kaden Iverson and Jackson Falak.

Marcus Pitkin hit a three-run homer and Clements tossed seven scoreless innings to push Post 17 into the final four before falling to Sioux Falls West.

Final Record: Watertown finishes its season 23–17.

Board Approval: The South Dakota Board of Technical Education unanimously approved Lake Area Tech’s new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Radiologic Technology.

Addressing Shortages: The program aims to ease critical staffing shortages in rural hospitals, where relying on travel technologists currently costs health systems hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Program Rollout: The program will launch with a small student cohort in the 2027–2028 academic year and expand as clinical capacity grows, operating under a statewide coordination plan between LATC, MTC, and WTC.

PUC Filing: Otter Tail Power is seeking South Dakota Public Utilities Commission approval for new electric rate schedules designed for large, data center-scale loads.

Tier 3 Rate Class: Creates a Tier 3 High-Power Compute class requiring at least 75 MW and long-term contracts.

Protection for Ratepayers: Requires data centers to fully cover the costs of new generation and transmission, protecting existing utility customers while aligning with South Dakota's new Data Center Bill of Rights.

High-Speed Motorcycle Crash: A 22-year-old Watertown man suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized after his motorcycle tipped when he braked hard to avoid a turning vehicle near 7th Ave SE and 5th Ave SE. He was cited for careless driving.

Child Abuse Sentencing: Love Yang, 33, was sentenced to 40 days in jail, a suspended 10-year penitentiary sentence, and two years of probation after admitting to striking his 7-year-old child with a belt. Yang must complete treatment programs, maintain sobriety, and comply with Child Protection requirements.

Motion to Suppress in Federal Case: Defense attorneys for Jeffrey Koistinen filed a motion to suppress statements made during his 2022 arrest, arguing officers questioned him without Miranda warnings after he invoked his right to counsel. The dispute relates to a seized blue iPhone in his federal child pornography case, which is scheduled for trial on September 22.

Northeast Radio SD News Broadcast (Friday, July 31, 2026), hosted by Steve Jurrens and sponsored by Arrow Products.

Watertown Victory: Watertown shut out Rapid City Post 320 with a 7–0 victory to stay alive in the tournament.

Marcus Pitkin led the offense with 4 RBIs, including a 3-run home run in the first inning and an RBI double in the second.

Ashton Rabine delivered a 2-run double.

Jackson Clements pitched a complete game 6-hit shutout with 4 strikeouts.

Next Game: Watertown plays Sioux Falls West today at 5:00 PM for a spot in Saturday’s State Championship.

Other Thursday Scores:

Yankton def. Brookings: 10–1

Rapid City Post 22 def. Sioux Falls West: 12–2

Resident Zach Thompson voiced concerns over county expenses—particularly court-appointed attorney fees outpacing inflation—and building budget increases related to the jail project.

Thompson presented a 4-part efficiency plan covering a DOGE-highlighted program, county sovereignty resolution, USPS delivery tracking, and blockchain-based form submissions.

Commissioners officially certified the countywide election results presented by Auditor Brenda Hanton:

Larry Rhoden: 2,374 votes

Toby Doeden: 1,100 votes

Register of Deeds Anne Rasmussen shared key operational updates:

Marriage License Law: Effective July 1st, 16-year-olds must provide a court order alongside signatures from both parents to obtain a marriage license.

E-Recording: Continued adoption of digital recording is helping reduce paper storage and postage expenses.

June Statistics: Sheriff Brad Howell reported 565 calls, 50 warrants served, and an average daily jail population of 62.4 (up from 48 last year due to state prison capacity constraints).

Technology & Grants: ALPR cameras logged over 58,000 license plate reads (assisting in the recovery of $2,500 in stolen tools). The department applied for a $450,000 grant for encrypted radios.

Staffing & Budget: Added two new D.A.R.E. instructors; 2027 budget requests include a 4% COLA and increased utility/equipment funding ahead of the new jail opening in 2027.

Melody Harless (Aggravated Assault): Sentenced to 4 years in prison (15-year sentence with 11 years suspended) for a January stabbing incident that left her fiancé with a collapsed lung. Attempted murder charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

Frederick Grimes (Drug Conviction): Sentenced to 4 years in prison (10-year sentence with 6 years suspended) following a guilty plea for manufacturing, distributing, or possessing Schedule I/II controlled substances.

Dr. Allan Christensen faces burglary and theft charges after allegedly breaking into Prairie Lakes Hospital following his termination to retrieve a laptop and shred bin.

Christensen posted a $2,000 bond. He and two healthcare systems are also currently defending against an ongoing 2023 gallbladder surgery malpractice lawsuit.

🌲👻 Dive into the Dark Legends of South Dakota! 👻🌲

Have you ever explored the eerie—and reportedly haunted—Sica Hollow? On this segment of Northeast Radio SD, we're unpacking the chilling history and supernatural facts behind one of the Midwest's most supernaturally charged locations!

According to ancient Dakota Sioux legend, the valley was cursed by a stranger named "Hand," who brought creeping madness and bloodshed, turning the ravines red until a spirit known as "Thunderer" dragged him into eternal darkness.

Today, Sica Hollow State Park is beautifully rugged, but remains deeply unsettling. Here are just a few facts and legends surrounding the park:

🩸 Bubbling Red Bogs: Modern science points to heavy iron and mineral deposits, but local legend claims it's the blood of slaughtered ancestors seeping from the earth.

✨ Glowing Swamps: After sunset, decaying tree stumps and swamp gas emit a strange, otherworldly phosphorescent light.

🗣️ Echoing Moans: Listen closely near the waterfalls and you'll hear distinct moaning. Geologists say it's trapped air escaping underground caverns, but legends say it's the suffocating gasps of Hand.

👣 1970s Disappearances: When people mysteriously vanished in the 1970s, search parties combing the treacherous quicksand-filled gullies were so terrified they carried rifles—fearing a massive, Bigfoot-like beast was on the prowl!

Campers to this day report hearing phantom drums, chanting, and echoing war whoops in the night. Are you brave enough to walk the Trail of Spirits at twilight?

Let us know your favorite local legends in the comments! 👇

#SicaHollow #SouthDakota #HauntedHistory #NortheastRadioSD #UrbanLegends #SpookySouthDakota #TrailOfSpirits #MythOrFact

🏎️ Get Ready to Be the Ferrari! 🏎️

We had an absolute blast in the Northeast Radio SD studio today with special guest Princess Paula Skoviera, alongside Mackenzie Ries and Ashley Johnson! 🎙️✨

Princess Paula is bringing her exclusive keynote, "Be the Ferrari," to tomorrow's Limitless event. She’ll be dropping some major truth bombs on how to understand your brand, embrace your authentic self, and stop trying to be everything to everyone!

🗓️ Event Details:

Where: Lake Area Tech

When: Tomorrow! Doors open at 12:00 PM (Noon), and the show kicks off at 1:00 PM. We will wrap up around 5:00 PM.

Tickets: Get your tickets TODAY at watertownsd.com so we can print your custom name tag! (Walk-ins are welcome tomorrow, but you might end up wearing a totally random name tag! 😂)

Come for the personal and professional development, and stay for the epic networking. Every woman will leave feeling inspired, because your potential is LIMITLESS! 💫

#Limitless #WomenRisingTogether #WatertownSD #NortheastRadioSD #PrincessPaula #BeTheFerrari #ProfessionalDevelopment

Lake Norden Vandalism: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) is seeking public assistance regarding the destruction of a vault toilet at the Lake Norden boat launch. An explosive device, likely a firework, was used overnight on July 14th, causing an estimated $20,000 in structural and underground tank damages. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Logan Hammer.

Bryant Swimming Pool Break-in: The Hamlin County Sheriff's Office is investigating a break-in at the Bryant swimming pool. Vandals bent a section of the fence, pushed a lifeguard stand into the pool, and stole four cans of Sprite, resulting in roughly $100 in damages.

Service Industry Mental Health: A recent local broadcast highlighted mental health struggles within the service industry. Advocate Jeff Amdahl and filmmaker Carly Stewart discussed the importance of recognizing warning signs and utilizing coping mechanisms. They also promoted local resources, including the 988 lifeline and the HSA drop-in center.

Centenarian of the Year: 108-year-old Watertown resident Adelia "Dea" Thorn has been named the 2026 South Dakota Centenarian of the Year. Born in 1918, Thorn spent 39 years working at Woolworths and is celebrated for her humor and independence.

APWA Roadshow: The national American Public Works Association (APWA) engineering roadshow will stop at Watertown's Prairie Lakes Ice Arena on August 12th at 11:00 a.m. The public event will celebrate local infrastructure and the teamwork required for its design and construction.

Municipal Utilities Board: The Watertown Municipal Utilities Board recently reorganized. Mark Dunn was seated as a new appointee, replacing Rich Thomas, who was recognized for his five years of service. Mike Lucan was elected board president, and Charlie Larkin was elected vice president.

Statewide Voter Turnout: South Dakota recorded an official voter turnout of 35.91% across all 650 precincts, with a total of 118,123 ballots cast statewide.

Northeast County Breakdowns: Turnout across northeastern South Dakota counties ranged between 31% and 39%:

Clark County: 39.34%

Deuel County: 38.54%

Grant County: 37.62%

Hamlin County: 36.49%

Codington County: 32.20%

Roberts County: 31.80%

Official Status: All primary election results remain unofficial until officially canvassed.

Target Measure: Opponents are organizing a petition to refer Ordinance 83—which introduces a 0.5% gross receipts and use tax in Codington County—to a public vote.

Petition Timeline & Threshold: Circulation starts July 30, 2026, with a kickoff meeting from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Gather (122 East Kemp Ave). Organizers must collect 943 valid signatures by August 18, 2026.

Opponents' Position: Organizers characterize the tax as an unfair shift that burdens renters, working families, and farmers, particularly following the 0.3% statewide sales tax increase in 2024.

Event Details: The Watertown Chamber's "Limitless: Women Rising Together" conference takes place August 4, 2026, at Lake Area Technical College.

Schedule & Speakers: Networking and headshot sessions open at 12:00 PM, with the core program running from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Keynote speakers include Lisa Brower and Princess Paula Scolviera, alongside a local leadership panel moderated by Dr. Melissa Meidinger.

Pricing: Tickets are $50, with an optional $45 headshot package.

Road Work Schedule: Traffic modifications began July 29, 2026, as part of the 5th Avenue North reconstruction project.

Intersection Changes: The North Broadway intersection is now closed for an extended period, while the North Maple intersection has reopened. Motorists are advised to pay close attention to flaggers and detour signage.

Game Result: Rapid City Post defeated Watertown Post 17 by a score of 10–2 in their Class A Legion opening match.

Key Highlights:

Watertown scored twice in the 5th inning following a Carter Biske RBI and a fielding error. Sam Olson and Cole Hansen led Watertown with two hits each.

Rapid City's Caden McLeod went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Pitcher Braden Stamper earned the win, supported by scoreless relief from Katen Giddings.

Next Match: Watertown faces Brandon Valley at 2:00 PM Wednesday, broadcast on Hardhats TV.