Northeast Radio SD: On-Demand Local Listen

🍷 3rd Annual Laker Pour
Great food, great drinks, and a great cause! 🍽️ Join Josh Finstad and the Watertown Laker Foundation on September 3rd at Second Street Station for the 3rd Annual Laker Pour. Enjoy a fantastic five-course meal paired with amazing beer and wine tastings, all while raising funds to support local families and youth activities. Get your tickets before they are gone! 🎟️

Don't throw out that damaged wood furniture! ✨ Christopher with Touch Perfect Furniture Repair and Touch-Up specializes in convenient, on-site restoration. Whether you are dealing with water damage, a dog-chewed table leg, or just want to breathe new life into a family antique, Christopher can make it look brand new without the hassle of hauling it to a shop.

🎓 Lake Area Tech: Student Wellness & Leadership
Supporting our students inside and outside the classroom! 🌟 Jillian Viesman and Matt Steiner from Lake Area Tech joined us to talk about the incredible success of their first-year Diversion program and their ongoing commitment to student mental health. Plus, don't miss out on their community open event on September 10th featuring motivational speaker Timmy "The Dreamer" Bishop!

🎙️ "What the Helle" Live on Northeast Radio SD with Braden Rauscher from Muse Tattoo!On this episode of What the Helle, host Ally Helle sits down in the studio with special guest Braden Rauscher, co-owner of Watertown’s own Muse Tattoo, for a wide-ranging, candid conversation covering business, body art, true crime, and local banter.Episode Highlights & TakeawaysBehind the Scenes at Muse Tattoo: Braden shares the unique story of co-founding Muse Tattoo with his partner and lead artist, Daniella. While Daniella handles the ink, Braden manages marketing, scheduling, and customer experience. He discusses how they opened the shop in just two days and built a top-rated studio centered around their motto: "The difference is in the details."Tattoos, Therapy, and Meaning: The team dives into the emotional and therapeutic side of getting inked, personal stories behind meaningful tattoos (and a few youthful regrets), and why the shop maintains strict policies against hateful or impulsive designs to protect clients long-term.Custom Art & The 16-Stencil Record: Learn why Muse Tattoo refuses to copy-paste designs from the internet. Braden shares a legendary studio moment where a single client spent 3 hours going through 16 stencil adjustments to ensure the placement was 100% perfect.True Crime, Pop Culture & Random Tangents: The conversation takes fun detours into why people are obsessed with true crime thrillers (Monster, Terrifier, Ed Gein), Ally’s new puppy Willy, Bob Barker’s unexpected prison clothing empire, local Flock cameras, and Ally's upcoming Abraham Lincoln tattoo.📍 Check Out Muse TattooLocated at 17 South Broadway, Watertown, SD (across from Tobacco Hops). Book early—their consultation waitlist fills up quickly!🎧 Tune in to Northeast Radio SD for the full studio recording!What’s the story behind your most meaningful tattoo—or what design are you getting next? Drop a comment below! 👇#WhatTheHelly #NortheastRadioSD #WatertownSD #MuseTattoo #SouthDakota #TattooStudio #LocalRadio #CustomTattoos #RadioInterview

Shining a light on support in our community! 🌟
Shauna Marshall from The Beacon Center stopped by Northeast Radio SD to share updates on how they are supporting local individuals and families in Watertown, SD.
Here are a few highlights from the interview:
Community Support: A huge shoutout to the Militia Men VMC Redleg Riders Chapter for their incredible donation of $1,500 and 70 lbs of hamburger! 🥩
Facility Upgrades: Thanks to a grant from the Prairie Lakes Healthcare Foundation, The Beacon Center has fresh new carpet, windows, siding, and landscaping—with an Open House coming soon!
How You Can Help: Their current wishlist includes peanut butter, jelly, shelf-stable milk, cleaning supplies, and ramen noodles. Check out their Amazon Wishlist or drop off items at 801 Jensen Ave.
Remember: The Beacon Center is here for men, women, and children, providing confidential, non-judgmental support 24/7.
📞 24/7 Helpline: 605-886-4300
🌐 Learn more & view wishlist: beaconcentersd.com
#WatertownSD #TheBeaconCenter #CommunitySupport #NortheastRadioSD #EndDomesticViolence

Welcoming Eira to Watertown! ⚽The Hauck family recently sat down with Steve Jurrens at Northeast Radio SD alongside their host daughter, Eira, a 16-year-old exchange student from Norway, to share what it’s like adjusting to high school life in South Dakota!Here are some of the fun culture shocks and insights Eira shared during her interview:Open Conversations & Store Choice: American grocery store options and flavor varieties were an immediate standout, along with how friendly and open people are to chatting with strangers.Driving Rules: In Norway, teens must wait until age 18 to get a driver’s license and drive independently.School Spirit & Traditions: European high schools focus strictly on academics, making American high school spirit, Friday night football games, homecoming, and prom huge highlights of her exchange year!Soccer Life: Eira is already out on the field playing for the Watertown Arrows high school soccer team.Food Myths Busted: Traditional lefse (with butter, sugar, and cinnamon) is a favorite, while lutefisk is mostly left to the older generations!The Hauck family has previously hosted exchange students from Spain, Finland, and Italy. If you see Eira around school or at an Arrow soccer game, be sure to give her a warm Watertown welcome!Shoutout to Eira’s sister Liva and dad Eirik watching from Norway! ✨#WatertownSD #NortheastRadioSD #foreignexchange #WatertownArrows #norwaytosouthdakota #CommunityClassroom

🗳️ Codington County Residents: Have Your Say on Ordinance 83!
Shelly Alvine recently sat down with Northeast Radio SD to discuss the petition drive for Referendum County Ordinance 83, which seeks to place Codington County’s proposed 0.5% local sales tax on the ballot for a public vote.
Here are the key takeaways from the interview:
The Issue: The county commissioners passed a 0.5% sales tax ordinance under state legislative authority (SB 96). Organizers are rallying to let local voters decide on the tax through a referendum.
The Goal: Organizers need roughly 1,000 signatures (5% of registered voters in Codington County) to qualify for the ballot.
The Deadline: State rules allow only a 20-day window to gather signatures, making next Tuesday the final deadline to submit.
Who Can Sign: You must be a registered voter residing in Codington County.
📍 Where to Sign or Get Involved:
Saturday, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Meet organizers downtown at Foundation Plaza.
Classroom Connections: Stop by in person during regular business hours.
Direct Contact: Call or text Shelly Alvine at (605) 881-1694 to arrange a signature pickup or join volunteer efforts.
#CodingtonCounty #WatertownSD #LocalGovernment #ReferendumOrdinance83 #SouthDakota

📋 Summary of Main News Stories
📰 New Official Newspaper & City Council Updates
The Watertown City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 26-28, officially designating the Watertown Current as the city's new newspaper of record, effective September 1, 2026.
Watertown Current publisher Troy McQuillen addressed the council to note that the publication now employs a staff of six full-time local workers.
The resolution also adopted Governance Policy GP-03 to modernize the city's payment processes.
This policy change authorizes City Manager Alan Steger to review and approve routine claims, bills, and payroll, allowing the city to pay vendors more efficiently without waiting 30 days for a formal council meeting.
⛳ Kim Kaufman to Host Mother-Daughter Event
Clark native and professional golfer Kim Kaufman will host a "Mother-Daughter Huddle" on Monday, August 10, from 1:00 PM to 2:45 PM at Great Shots in Sioux Falls.
The event will feature an interactive Q&A session, live demonstrations, and hands-on golf instruction.
Registration costs $20 total for both mother and daughter, and all proceeds will benefit the Sanford Sports Scholarship Fund.
Kaufman recently returned to the Epson Tour following a battle with breast cancer and is using the event to promote women's health awareness and inspire the next generation of athletes.
🤝 Local Community Events & Announcements
Women's Leadership Conference: The "Limitless" Watertown Women's Leadership Conference takes place today at Lake Area Technical College, with doors opening at noon.
Political Campaigns: Former State Senator Neal Tapio officially announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives, seeking to represent Watertown in the upcoming 2026 election cycle.

📋 Summary of Main News Stories
🏛️ Watertown City Council Updates
Gifts & Donations Policy (Resolution 26-32): Passed unanimously, approving Governance Policy GP-02. This allows City Manager Alan Steager to accept routine city-directed donations (such as playground equipment or benches) valued at $100,000 or less without a council vote. Larger or more complex gifts, such as naming rights or real estate, still require council approval.
Airport Lease (Resolution 26-31): Advanced a proposed 25-year lease for Dino Air LLC to construct a $75 \times 75\text{ ft}$ ($5,625\text{ sq ft}$) private hangar at Watertown Regional Airport for $\$1,125$ annually ($20\text{ cents/sq ft}$) with a $2\%$ annual escalator. A public hearing and final vote are scheduled for August 17th.
Mid-Year Budget Cleanup (Ordinance 26-23): Approved $\$795,710$ in supplemental appropriations for city projects, including airport transfers, public works equipment, industrial park improvements, tennis/pickleball courts, a solid waste hoop barn, and dive rescue equipment.
Annexation Request (Ordinance 26-29): Reviewed an annexation request for roughly $13,558\text{ sq ft}$ of land south of the Prairie View Addition for homeowner Eric Martins to build an accessory structure. Second reading is set for August 17th.
🦟 Mosquito Spraying Tonight
Location: East side of Lake Kampeska (from Kampeska Lodge to Prairie Winds Golf Club, Derby Downs, and Prairie Haven neighborhoods).
Schedule: Begins tonight at 9:00 PM following high adult mosquito counts.
Precautions: Residents are encouraged to stay indoors during spraying, keep children and pets inside for about an hour afterward, and rinse homegrown produce before eating.
🏆 SD Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
Four Watertown-area figures are among the 21 members named to the 2026 South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame Class:
Jason Sutherland: Watertown basketball and track star.
Frank Cutler: Longtime coach who spent six seasons in Watertown.
Jim Dorman: Castlewood native and athletic contributor.
Tim Miles: Doland native and successful collegiate basketball coach.
The induction ceremony will take place on September 13th at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

Calling all art and nature lovers! 📸🦅 Join Northern Prairie Arts for the next Arts Night at the Pub featuring local nature photographer Nicolas Waite! Nicolas captures stunning wildlife and the unique spaces where nature meets human progress. 🌾🦌Event Details:🗓️ When: Thursday, August 13th📍 Where: Dempsey's at the Airport🕔 Time: Meet & Greet @ 5:30 PM | Interview @ 6:30 PMCan't make it in person? You can catch the live interview right here on Facebook Live! 🎥 We can't wait to see you there!#NorthernPrairieArts #ArtsNightAtThePub #WatertownSD #NaturePhotography #localartistsLIVE w/ Ralph Wamsher - Northern Prairie Arts - Arts Night at the Pub - Nicolas Waite