In this new recap, we cover a significant legislative push in D.C. to lower healthcare costs and a major federal investment in South Dakota’s defense infrastructure. Locally, we look at a multi-month narcotics bust by the Watertown Police Department and a trial date set for a high-profile felony case. Finally, we provide updates on county road safety, bridge construction, and a statewide settlement involving deceptive retail marketing.

[00:00] Healthcare Reform: The Lower Health Care Premiums Act Representative Dusty Johnson joined the House in passing the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.

The Goal: Combat insurance costs projected to rise 26% next year.

Key Impacts: A projected 11% reduction in premiums and increased transparency for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to expose hidden drug charges.

Support for Workers: New options for small businesses and independent workers to band together for better group rates.

[04:20] Defense Spending: The 2026 NDAA The U.S. Senate has passed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, a $901 billion package with major wins for South Dakota:

Watertown: $28 million authorized for a new Army National Guard vehicle maintenance shop.

Ellsworth AFB: $378 million for construction to support the B-21 Raider program.

Service Members: A 3.8% pay raise for all military personnel.

Policy Shifts: Senator Mike Rounds helped author provisions requiring merit-based promotions and repealing DEI offices within the Pentagon.

[09:15] Local Crime: Narcotics Investigation & Arrests A multi-month investigation by the Watertown Police Department into illegal narcotics distribution has led to the arrest of four men: Terance Block, James Chase, Jacob Martinez, and Steven Jackson.

The Focus: Sales of controlled substances to high school-aged juveniles.

Charges: Distribution of controlled drugs and possession with intent to distribute to minors. All four remain at the Coddington County Detention Center on cash bonds.

[12:45] Legal Update: Dolney Trial Set A February 12, 2026, trial date has been set for Dustin John Dolney, 43, following a September 2025 investigation. Dolney faces felony charges including third-degree rape and manufacture/possession of child pornography. He has pleaded not guilty and remains free on a $20,000 bond with strict no-contact conditions.

[16:30] Infrastructure: Coddington County Road & Bridge Report Highway Superintendent Randy Falvey provided a Tuesday update on seasonal safety and local projects:

14th Ave. Bridge: Work is progressing on water diversion, though Falvey noted a recent hit-and-run that destroyed a barricade.

2026 Planning: Rehabilitation work is being planned for County Roads 7 and 10.

Snow Removal Reminder: Falvey issued a warning against plowing snow across roadways, noting that violations can result in fines up to $100 plus clearing fees.

[20:10] Consumer Protection: Menards Settlement Attorney General Marty Jackley announced that South Dakota will receive over $102,000 as part of a settlement with Menards.

The Issue: Allegations of deceptive marketing regarding their "11% rebate" program.

The Findings: The 11% was not a point-of-purchase discount but rather store credit for future use.

The Outcome: Menards must now clearly disclose terms, improve online tracking, and allow consumers at least one year to submit claims.

Financial Relief: Legislation aims to lower premiums by 11% and settle deceptive marketing claims for SD consumers.

Local Investment: $28 million is headed to Watertown for National Guard infrastructure.

Safety & Law: Local police continue to target distribution to minors, while the county highway department prepares for winter maintenance and bridge repairs.

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We cover a powerful story of community support in Watertown, a razor-thin school district vote, serious legal developments in Codington County, and a new report raising alarms about South Dakota’s road safety.

The Power of Being Seen: We share the story of Kryssa Bacon, a local mother rebuilding her life in Watertown. Through the collaboration of Watertown Fire Rescue and the Salvation Army Angel Tree program, Bacon describes how community support provided more than just gifts—it offered a vital reminder that her family isn’t alone during a season of transition.

A District Divided: The Oldham-Ramona-Rutland (ORR) School District narrowly avoided dissolution this week. Following a deadlocked 363-363 tie on Tuesday, the counting of provisional ballots has kept the district intact for now. We break down the stark contrast in voter sentiment between Ramona, Oldham, and Rutland.

Court Watch: A 39-year-old man, Bernardo Antonio Funes Chavez, is facing multiple felony indictments in Codington County. The charges range from first-degree rape involving a young child in 2023 to a separate attempted burglary charge from earlier this year. A jury trial is now set for February 2026.

Road Safety Warning: South Dakota has been placed in “danger mode” by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. With over 1,300 fatal crashes in the last decade, the report calls for stricter legislation. However, Randolph, chair of the House Transportation Committee, suggests that South Dakota’s culture of personal responsibility may stand in the way of new mandates.

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The weekly check-in with Loren Schoenbeck at Hahler Auto took on a cautious tone this Thursday as severe weather and high wind warnings triggered “no travel” advisories across the Webster area.

Schoenbeck reported that while his sales team is still on-site and ready to help, the safest way for customers to browse is through their newly redesigned website. With Highway 12 seeing hazardous conditions and several vehicles already in ditches, the dealership is leaning on its digital showroom to keep up with a busy year-end rush, ensuring customers can lock in deals from the safety of their homes.

Beyond the weather, Schoenbeck highlighted the dealership’s focus on maintaining high inventory standards as the year winds down. He specifically discussed the challenges of sourcing reliable vehicles for college-bound students, noting that Hahler Auto prefers to wholesale lower-quality units rather than risk their reputation on a subpar sale.

As the holiday season approaches, Schoenbeck reminded listeners that the dealership will close at noon on Wednesday, December 24, remaining closed through Christmas Day and New Year’s Day to allow his team time with their families.

www.hahlerauto.com 

https://www.facebook.com/hahlerauto 

- 12/18/25

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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Steve Jurrens and Dorene Foster sit down with Trisha Rieffenberger to discuss the vital work being done by My Happy Place in Watertown, South Dakota. Trisha explains how her team of volunteers transforms ordinary rooms into personalized, therapeutic havens for people facing life-altering health diagnoses. We dive into the emotional "reveal" moments and the long-term impact these spaces have on a patient’s well-being.

Key Takeaways:

Defining a Healing Environment: Why colors, scents, and textures matter in the recovery process.

The "First Good News" Effect: The psychological boost of having a project to look forward to during treatment.

A Community Effort: How local tradespeople and volunteers make these high-budget makeovers possible at no cost to the recipient.

How to Nominate: How the selection process works for those in need in the Watertown area.

Resources Mentioned:

https://myhappyplaces.org/ 

https://www.facebook.com/myhappyplacewtn

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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Angel’s Attic Named Watertown’s Best Thrift Store Community support has reached a new milestone as Angel’s Attic Thrift Store was officially recognized as the best in Watertown for 2025. The honor was awarded by Business Rate, an organization that identifies local leaders using verified consumer data. Unlike traditional awards that require an application, this ranking was determined solely by the public’s "authentic feedback" through Google reviews, highlighting the store’s high reputation and service excellence.

Christmas Tree Fundraiser Hits $4,400 Mark The Watertown Area Community Foundation’s annual fundraiser at the Watertown Regional Library has entered its third week. So far, residents have contributed $4,417 to local nonprofits.

Current Leaders: Watertown Regional Library, Rachel’s Hope, and Watertown Cares have each raised over $500.

Gaining Momentum: Northern Prairie Arts and the Lake Area Zoological Society are nearing $400. The event uses a "$1, one vote" system, with the Foundation matching donations up to $300 per group. The top-earning organization at the end of December will receive an additional $500 grant.

Jeremy Stephenson Appointed Grant County Sheriff On Tuesday, the Grant County Board of Commissioners appointed Jeremy Stephenson to serve as the next County Sheriff. Stephenson, a veteran deputy with the department since 2013, will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Sheriff Kevin Owen. His term officially begins on January 1, 2026, ensuring a smooth transition for local law enforcement.

Lake Poinsett Home Destroyed by Fire A lake house on the west end of Lake Poinsett was declared a total loss following an early morning fire on December 16. Emergency responders from Lake Norden and Hayti battled the intense blaze in freezing conditions after a neighbor reported smoke. Fortunately, the residence was unoccupied at the time, and no injuries were reported.

Police Conduct Alcohol Compliance Checks Watertown Police issued citations to three local businesses last week following routine alcohol compliance checks. Of the 18 establishments visited, 15 passed the inspection. Three clerks were cited for selling alcohol to a minor. The checks are part of the "Keep Watertown Streets Safe" initiative, launched to combat a 35% increase in DUI arrests seen over the past year.

Northeast Radio SD: On-Demand Local Listen Host: Steve Jurrens & Dorene Foster with Northeast Radio SD Guests: Jo Vitek (Divine Providence of South Dakota) & Jesse Hurkes (Youth Pastor, Cornerstone Church)

In this episode, we dive into a crucial conversation about protecting our youth and strengthening families in Northeast South Dakota. Vitek, a retired Watertown Police Chief and founder of Divine Providence of SD, joins Hurkes from Cornerstone Church to discuss the upcoming Pure Desire Conference in Watertown.

The discussion centers on the reality of today’s digital landscape and the “buttered popcorn” effect of social media—where children can be lured into harmful “rabbit holes” without even realizing it. Our guests share vital statistics about the average age of exposure to explicit content and offer a roadmap for parents to move from a one-time “talk” to an ongoing, healthy conversation.

The Digital Reality: Understand the statistics behind early exposure and how social media algorithms can impact a child’s development.

Building Strong Foundations: Hurkes explains how teaching youth healthy boundaries today leads to trust and integrity in future marriages.

A Community Effort: Discover how local organizations and churches are partnering to offer resources for healing and prevention.

Event Details: Get the full schedule for the Pure Desire Conference (January 16-17, 2025) and learn how you can register.

This podcast is a part of our commitment to Media Content that matters. At Northeast Radio SD, we leverage our digital platform to build Brand Awareness for local initiatives and foster Marketing Partnerships that connect the city with the country. We believe in providing an objective, jargon-free, and optimistic look at the future of Watertown.

Register for the Conference: Facebook.com/puredesirewatertown

Learn More about Divine Providence of SD: Supporting survivors and strengthening local churches.

Connect with Cornerstone Church: Exploring the “Up, In, and Out” rhythms of community faith.

Listen on the Northeast Radio SD App, iHeartRadio, or at NortheastRadioSD.com.

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 episode, we break down a massive night for the Watertown City Council. From a favorite local eatery snagging a prime new location downtown to a major win for city employees with a 3.5% raise, there is a lot to cover. We also dive into the "credit card fee" controversy that had council members demanding new standard operating procedures after costs skyrocketed by over a quarter-million dollars.

[00:00] – Downtown Sushi’s Big Move: Downtown Sushi is moving! We discuss Jack and Jojo Lin’s plan to move from North Broadway into the 3,500-square-foot former Maxwell Food Equipment building on East Kemp.

[04:15] – The 2026 Labor Win: While many in the state are seeing 0% raises, Watertown is bucking the trend. We look at the unanimous approval of a 3.5% raise for AFSCME and IAFF members and the new "emergency closure" pay rules.

[08:30] – Infrastructure & Excavation: A breakdown of the 10th Avenue NW Water Main Project. Why this $86,600 bid awarded to Austreim Excavating is the "key" to unlocking new business near Highway 20.

[12:45] – The $269,000 "Glitch": The 2025 budget supplement debate. We look at why banking and credit card fees have doubled since 2023 and what the city is doing to stop the bleeding.

[17:10] – Video Lottery Loopholes: How 4 Amigos LLC is using "adjacent addresses" to legally double their machine count at 5th Street SE.

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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Credit Card Fees, Budget Supplements, and Holiday Cheer with Mayor Ried Holien Release Date: December 16, 2025

In this week’s episode, Mayor Ried Holien joins us to break down the latest City Council meeting. We dive into the surprising $250,000 budget shortfall caused by rising credit card processing fees and what the city is doing to protect the bottom line. We also discuss the “continuing education” of operating the new Ice Arena, successful union negotiations for city employees, and the ongoing challenge of enforcing smoking bans in video lottery establishments. Finally, the Mayor shares some holiday favorites you won’t want to miss before the season ends.

The Hidden Cost of Plastic: How a 3% fee turned into a $250,000 headache for the city.

Ice Arena Success: Why being “too busy” is a good problem to have for Watertown’s newest facility.

Valuing Employees: A look at the 3.5% wage increase for city firefighters and staff without rising insurance premiums.

Shop Local: The Mayor’s personal 6-hour shopping marathon and why your holiday spending matters for Watertown’s future.

"If you charge companies a tax, they just charge it back to the consumer. And that is exactly what's happening with credit card companies now. It really is going to take a federal solution." — Mayor Ried Holien

 *Brought to you in partnership with Arrow Paper Products, locally owned and operated in Watertown, SD. 

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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Maas Arena Renovation Funds Earmarked; Operation Prairie Thunder Results

Local Turf Project Moves Forward; Federal Sentencing and Yankton Rape Conviction

Monday’s broadcast covers key developments in Watertown’s infrastructure planning and the latest law enforcement statistics from across South Dakota.

In this episode:

Watertown City Council’s Maas Arena Initiative: Hear about the measure being considered tonight to officially restrict $30,000 generated from the sale of the former Maas Ice Arena’s bleachers. These funds are specifically dedicated to the proposed project of developing the facility into a large, multi-use indoor turf area.

Operation Prairie Thunder Phase 7 & 8 Totals: We review the latest numbers from the focused saturation patrols in Belle Fourche, Huron, and Yankton. The latest phases resulted in 75 individuals taken into custody, with 42 arrests involving drug charges.

Federal Sentencing: A McLaughlin man, Brady James Claymore, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury, stemming from an incident on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation.

Yankton County Conviction: We cover the conviction of Quinn Scott Borman in Yankton County on charges of third-degree rape and taking pictures without consent. Sentencing is scheduled for March 2026.

Stay informed on the issues shaping Northeast South Dakota.

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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Watertown is preparing for its next wave of growth! We welcome City Manager Alan Stager and City Engineer Justin Petersen to the studio to discuss the latest advancements in local economic development. The big news is the recent approval of a $500,000 local infrastructure grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, significantly reducing the local share of the Calvin Trade area sewer project.

This $3.7 million infrastructure investment is critical to supporting the Watertown Development Company’s efforts, as it will service over 300 acres ready for new business development.

Stager shares how this project represents a successful, unified approach involving the City, Municipal Utilities, the WDC, and Codington County. Petersen provides the construction timeline, noting that leveling bid prices are a positive sign for the project slated to begin next summer. Stager also shares his philosophy of embracing “next-generation” ideas to ensure Watertown’s continued expansion.

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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