🎙️ The Final Stretch: Senator Steph Sauder Talks Elections, Economic Growth, and Protecting Our Future! 🎙️

Northeast Radio News Recap for Wednesday, June 17, 2026

📻 Northeast Radio SD News Update: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Good morning! Here is your daily local and state news recap from Northeast Radio SD News, anchored by Steve Jurrens. 🏊‍♂️ Summer Fun at the Pool * The second annual community swim night is taking place this Friday, June 19th. * The event runs from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Watertown Family Aquatic Center. * Sponsored by Midco and the Watertown Parks and Recreation Department, guests can expect completely free access to all pool amenities, including the lazy river, water slides, and a ninja cross. 🚓 Regional Law Enforcement Operations * A new joint initiative called "Operation Ballistic Backlog" has been launched by the FBI and ATF on the Pine Ridge Reservation. * In partnership with the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the operation aims to test over 500 firearms currently held in evidence using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to accelerate violent crime investigations. 🗳️ Codington County Voting Reminders * Absentee voting is officially open in Codington County for the 2026 South Dakota Republican Governor runoff election. * The runoff is scheduled for July 28th and will determine the nominee between incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden and businessman Toby Doeden. ⚾ Local Sports Recap * Watertown Post 17 baseball delivered a dominant performance on Monday night, securing a double-header sweep over Groton Post 39 at Watertown Stadium. * Watertown ended both games early due to the run rule, winning with final scores of 11-1 and 13-3. 📊 State Education & Child Well-being * The latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation highlights early childhood education challenges, noting that 64% of three- and four-year-olds in South Dakota are not enrolled in school. * While South Dakota ranked 38th nationally in education, the state climbed three spots to rank 22nd in overall child well-being. 🚜 SDSU Extension Agriculture Training * South Dakota State University Extension is hosting an environmental training session for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). * The session will take place next Tuesday, June 23rd, at the Crossroads Convention Center in Huron. Today's broadcast was brought to you by the Watertown Development Corporation, creator of Pheasant Ridge, the Calvin Trade Center, and Mallard Point.

🎙️ Community Spotlight: Head Start & Codington Connects!

🎙️ Community Spotlight: Head Start & Codington Connects! We recently had a fantastic time on Northeast Radio SD discussing the vital early childhood resources available right here in our community. Sara Foust, President of the Codington Connects Board, was joined in the studio by Head Start Family Service Specialists Alana Huck and T’ana Novy to break down everything families need to know. Parenting is hard work, and you don’t know what you don’t know—but you don't have to navigate it alone. Here are the major takeaways from our chat: How Head Start Supports Families: Comprehensive Help: Family Service Specialists assist with much more than enrollment; they help connect families to food resources, housing assistance, energy assistance, and SNAP applications. Early Head Start (Pregnancy to Age 3): This is a home-based program where specialists support parents in their homes, helping children reach milestones like walking, crawling, and recognizing patterns. Preschool (Ages 3 to 5): The center-based preschool operates Monday through Thursday, from approximately 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Completely Free: Head Start is an income-qualifying program based on federal poverty guidelines, and there is absolutely no cost to families who qualify. Everything is Provided: The program provides breakfast, lunch, and a snack, along with all necessary school supplies like paper, crayons, and markers. Classroom Support: The program also assists children dealing with trauma or those who need extra referrals to the school district for speech or occupational therapy. Get Involved & Get Connected: Waitlists Move Fast: If a spot opens up, the program only has 30 days to fill it, so getting on the waitlist is highly encouraged. Summer of Fun: Keep the kids engaged this summer with the "Summer of Fun" Parks Challenge and Bingo Card! All activities are free and can be found on the Codington Connects Facebook page or website. How to Apply: You can apply online by visiting the ICAP website or by checking out the resources at codingtonconnects.com. If you need help navigating the application, the team is happy to assist you in person at the ICAP office (7th Ave SE). @🎙️ Community Spotlight: Head Start & Codington Connects! We recently had a fantastic time on Northeast Radio SD discussing the vital early childhood resources available right here in our community. Sara Foust, President of the Codington Connects Board, was joined in the studio by Head Start Family Service Specialists Alana Huck and T'ana Novy to break down everything families need to know. Parenting is hard work, and you don't know what you don't know—but you don't have to navigate it alone. Here are the major takeaways from our chat: How Head Start Supports Families: Comprehensive Help: Family Service Specialists assist with much more than enrollment; they help connect families to food resources, housing assistance, energy assistance, and SNAP applications. Early Head Start (Pregnancy to Age 3): This is a home-based program where specialists support parents in their homes, helping children reach milestones like walking, crawling, and recognizing patterns. Preschool (Ages 3 to 5): The center-based preschool operates Monday through Thursday, from approximately 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Completely Free: Head Start is an income-qualifying program based on federal poverty guidelines, and there is absolutely no cost to families who qualify. Everything is Provided: The program provides breakfast, lunch, and a snack, along with all necessary school supplies like paper, crayons, and markers. Classroom Support: The program also assists children dealing with trauma or those who need extra referrals to the school district for speech or occupational therapy. Get Involved & Get Connected: Waitlists Move Fast: If a spot opens up, the program only has 30 days to fill it, so getting on the waitlist is highly encouraged. Summer of Fun: Keep the kids engaged this summer with the "Summer of Fun" Parks Challenge and Bingo Card! All activities are free and can be found on the Codington Connects Facebook page or website. How to Apply: You can apply online by visiting the ICAP website or by checking out the resources at codingtonconnects.com. If you need help navigating the application, the team is happy to assist you in person at the ICAP office (7th Ave SE). Let’s ensure every child in our community gets a "head start" on a bright future! 💙 Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership #WatertownSD #HeadStart #CodingtonConnects #CommunitySupport #EarlyChildhoodEducation #familyresources Let’s ensure every child in our community gets a "head start" on a bright future! 💙 #WatertownSD #HeadStart #CodingtonConnects #CommunitySupport #EarlyChildhoodEducation #FamilyResources

🐞 Join Us for a Special "Little Bug Earns Her Spots" Event! 🐞

🐞 Join Us for a Special "Little Bug Earns Her Spots" Event! 🐞 We recently had a wonderful conversation on Northeast Radio SD with Julianne Endres, Rebecca Hall, and Julie Ranum about an incredible book and an even more amazing cause! The Story Behind the Spots Little Bug Earns Her Spots is a children's book that grew from a touching friendship with a little girl named Emily Holt. Emily loved ladybugs and sadly passed away in 2002. Emily was a Make-A-Wish child. In her honor, all book royalties for the year 2026 will go directly to Make-A-Wish South Dakota and Montana! Rebecca Hall, the digital and watercolor illustrator, helped bring this beautiful vision to life alongside Julianne Endres. Celebrate with Us at the Redlin Art Center To celebrate the book's success and support this incredible kindness campaign, the Redlin Art Center is hosting a special family-friendly event! * Date: The event will take place on Saturday, June 20th. * Time: The fun will run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. * Location: The event is being hosted at the Redlin Art Center in Watertown. * Book Reading: Julianne and Rebecca will be doing a special joint book reading for attendees. * Fun Activities: Kids can enjoy four different hands-on activity stations. These stations will feature postcard coloring, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and washable ladybug tattoos. * Gallery Bingo: The art center is offering a free picture bingo game. Kids can use their game cards to match pictures to Terry Redlin's original artwork in the gallery. Where to Find the Book Can't make it to the event? You can still support the cause! You can pick up your copy locally in Watertown at DDR Books, Blessings Big and Small, and Timber Bloom. The book is also available online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Help us spread kindness and support Make-A-Wish!

Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce - 6/16/26 - 💇‍♀️ Big Milestones & Celebrations for Prestige Salon! 💇‍♀️

💇‍♀️ Big Milestones & Celebrations for Prestige Salon! 💇‍♀️ We just caught an amazing interview with news broadcaster Steve Jurrens, Tim Sheean (CEO of the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce) on Northeast Radio SD, along with salon manager Nikki Schuesler and cosmetologist Ashley Veen. They shared some incredible history and a sneak peek into a massive celebration you won't want to miss! 🎉 Prestige Salon's 20-Year Ribbon Cutting Celebration Prestige Salon is marking 20 years of style and service in Watertown, and they are throwing a party to celebrate! * Date: Thursday, June 18th * Time: Ribbon cutting starts at 4:00 PM * Location: Prestige Salon on Willow Creek Drive 🎁 Epic Giveaways & Swag Bags Make sure to arrive early! The first 15 people through the door will receive an exclusive swag bag packed with full retail-sized products. The prizes don't stop there: * Hourly Giveaways: Large prize drawings will happen on the hour at 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. * Grand Prizes: Two massive ultimate giveaways will close out the night! 🍔 Food & Fun on Site Come hungry and thirsty! The celebration will feature local favorites parked outside: * Dempsey's Hot Dog Cart * The Soda Corral ✨ Pamper Yourself: Services Old & New Prestige Salon is a blended salon offering both commission and booth rental setups for their talented team. While they specialize in custom hair color, cuts, and styles, they offer a full suite of luxury pampering services: * Trending Head Spas: Indulge in a full hour of pure bliss featuring a scalp reset, massage, spa music, heated blankets, and red-light therapy. * Specialty Enhancements: They are your go-to destination for hand-tied sew-in extensions, fusions, tape-ins, lash extensions, microblading, and lash lifts/tints. * Coming in July: Get ready to relax with their brand-new addition—manicures and pedicures! 🚀 What's Next? A Sneak Peek at 1906 Nutrition The salon recently welcomed its passionate new owner, Riley Zastro. Not only is she keeping the salon's legacy alive, but she's also expanding downtown! Coming Soon (Targeting July): Keep an eye out for 1906 Nutrition Downtown. This new spot will be an Herbalife-based shake shop serving up energy teas, custom shakes, healthy bowls, and protein balls. Support a business that has been making Watertown beautiful for two decades. See you on Thursday at 4:00 PM!

Northeast Radio SD News Recap for Tuesday, 6/16/26

🗞️ Your Live Northeast Radio SD News Recap for Tuesday, June 16th, 2026! 🗞️ Here is what you missed this morning with Steve Jurrens: 🦺 14th Avenue NW Bridge Set to Reopen After months of anticipation, the 14th Avenue NW bridge over the Big Sioux River is finally reopening to traffic tomorrow! * The Project: Led by Grand Guard Construction of Watertown, the $2 million bridge replacement project began last November. * The Reopening: Traffic will resume on Wednesday, June 17th, at noon. This will restore a crucial east-west route for northwest Watertown. * Safety First: Drivers are reminded to stay alert as crews will still be in the area completing final cleanup tasks. 🦟 First West Nile Virus Case Detected in Brown County State health officials have confirmed the first West Nile Virus-positive mosquito pool of the season in Brown County. * The Threat: The Culex tarsalis mosquito, the primary carrier of the virus, is most active between dusk and midnight. The elderly, pregnant women, transplant patients, and individuals with chronic health conditions are at the highest risk. * Prevention: The Department of Health strongly advises residents to use EPA-approved bug spray, eliminate standing water, and avoid outdoor activities from dusk to dawn. 💰 Major Bankruptcy Milestone: The Ruins Apartments The U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved the $11.265 million sale of "The Ruins" apartment complex to Build LLC. * The Background: The property, owned by original developer Jesse Craig, was sold during bankruptcy proceedings. Craig was outbid by more than $5 million. * The Next Steps: The sale concludes an 18-month legal process. A court-approved "waterfall" will distribute proceeds to cover taxes, property liens, closing costs, broker fees, and payouts to Red River State Bank and the Watertown Development Company. Remaining funds will go to lower-priority creditors. 🚧 Annexation Dispute Arises Over Gravel Mining A nearly 100-acre annexation request has sparked a jurisdictional conflict between J&J Land Sales and Codington County. * The Conflict: J&J Land Sales is seeking annexation into Watertown to continue its gravel mining operations, which require a conditional use permit under city zoning. * The History: County officials report that the operator has a history of violations, including mining without a valid permit and encroaching on rights-of-way. * The Current Status: The county has halted operations until July 18th, but the annexation could bypass this delay. Township officials are pressing for immediate legal action ahead of a city hearing scheduled for tonight (June 15th). 🛣️ City Council Approves Land Purchase for North Bypass The Watertown City Council has unanimously approved the purchase of a 2.91-acre parcel from the South Dakota DOT for $12,200. * The Location: The land is located near 26th Avenue NW. * The Purpose: The purchase utilized the city's land-restricted fund to secure the property for the future North Bypass planning and right-of-way management. 🏘️ TIF Consideration for Prairie Haven Phase Two The City Council will consider approving TIF #24 tonight, a proposal for the second phase of the Prairie Haven development. * The Project: High Five Developments is proposing a 75-home affordable housing project. * The Financials: Home prices are capped at $410,000, with an expected average value of $310,000. * The TIF: The TIF would help bridge a $39,000 per-lot infrastructure gap via a "pay-as-you-go" reimbursement capped at $3.44 million. Construction is projected to begin in 2027 and reach full build-out by 2031. 🚓 Arrest Made After High-Speed Chase A 25-year-old Watertown man was arrested early Sunday following a dangerous high-speed pursuit. * The Incident: The chase occurred around 1:02 AM on 8th Street NW. The driver failed to negotiate a left turn, crashing his BMW into a mobile home and three parked vehicles. * The Arrest: The driver was evaluated and found to be under the influence. He was arrested for careless driving and DUI. 🔥 Hay Field Fire Near Waverly The Watertown Fire Rescue responded to a hay field fire near Waverly on Monday afternoon. * The Fire: The 3-4 acre fire was contained by the property owner using a load tractor before crews arrived. * The Extinguishment: Firefighters spent two hours putting out burning hay bales and soaking the area to prevent reignition. No structures were threatened. 🇺🇸 City Facilities Closing for Juneteenth As a reminder, several municipal offices and public facilities in Watertown will be closed on Friday, June 19th, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. * Closures: City Hall, the Watertown Regional Library, the Watertown Regional Landfill, and the Park and Rec Fieldhouse will all be closed. Normal operations will resume on Monday, June 22nd. Stay Informed! Read full stories, check out our daily news recap podcast, and sign up for our morning newsletter at northeastradiosd.com.