Watertown Fire Rescue responded to an oven fire on the 3400 block of 16th Avenue Southwest on Wednesday evening.

• Response: Crews arrived at 7:45 PM to find the home filling with smoke and an active fire inside the oven.

• Action: The fire was quickly extinguished using a portable fire extinguisher, and a ventilation fan was used to clear the smoke.

• Safety Discovery: During a routine check, responders found the home had no functioning smoke detectors. Before leaving, the crew installed two new detectors for the family.

• Outcome: No injuries were reported.

A new report from Creighton University analyzed the relationship between state taxation and population migration.

• The Trend: While Americans historically move to lower-tax states, data from 2023–2024 shows South Dakota lost residents despite its low-tax reputation.

• The Analysis: The study found that "net attractor" states often have lower income and property taxes but higher sales taxes.

• Recommendation: Analysts suggest states could improve resident retention and GDP growth by shifting the tax burden away from individual and corporate income toward sales tax.

The Watertown Arrows baseball team earned a road split in a doubleheader against Aberdeen at Fossum Field.

• Game 1: The Arrows won 7–5. Pitcher Bastian Raybine struck out eight batters, and Marcus Pitkin led the offense with three runs.

• Game 2: Aberdeen surged with a six-run third inning, leading to an 8–5 loss for the Arrows.

• Season Standing: The Arrows are now 6–4 and return home this Saturday for Hall of Fame weekend against Brandon Valley.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced a massive $100 million settlement with The Kroger Company over alleged violations of the Clean Air Act.

• The Issue: Kroger allegedly failed to manage and repair leaks of ozone-depleting refrigerants between 2014 and 2023.

• The Penalty: Kroger will pay a $2.5 million civil penalty and spend an estimated $100 million over the next three years to repair, retrofit, or replace 600 large commercial refrigeration systems.

Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment against three individuals—Christopher Dayana and Paige Astroyushko—for the assault of journalist Savanna Hernandez.

• The Incident: The assault occurred during an anti-ICE protest at a federal building in St. Paul on April 11.

• Charges: The defendants are accused of willfully injuring and intimidating Hernandez, a contributor for Turning Point USA.

• Investigation: The case involved the FBI, DHS, and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

🚀 Are you an entrepreneur in South Dakota? You need to know the “4 Cs of Credit!”

We recently sat down with Dr. Melissa Meidinger (SBDC) and Mark Nelson (GrowSD) for an in-depth look at how local businesses can secure funding and thrive in today’s economy. 📈

Whether you’re a startup or looking to expand, understanding these four pillars is the key to turning a “No” into a “YES”:

🔹 CAPACITY: Can your business actually repay the debt? Don’t just look at profit—focus on your cash flow and break-even point!

🔹 CHARACTER: Your credit score tells a story. “Life happens,” but having a plan to correct past hiccups is what lenders really want to see.

🔹 COLLATERAL: What assets can you pledge? Lenders prefer cash flow, but they need to know there’s a safety net.

🔹 CAPITAL: Do you have “skin in the game?” Most lenders look for a 20% injection of your own equity. 💰

Key Takeaway: Don’t spend all your personal cash before visiting the bank! Keep your reserves for the first 6–9 months of operation. 🛡️

Dr. Meidinger and Mark Nelson are here to help you through the SBDC and GrowSD. From cybersecurity training to QuickBooks help, the support doesn’t stop once your doors open!

Need help with your business plan? 📍 Visit the SBDC office on North 81 in Watertown. 📞 Reach out to GrowSD for lending opportunities.

#SmallBusinessSD #WatertownSD #Entrepreneurship #FinancialLiteracy #GrowSD #SBDC #SouthDakotaBusiness #BusinessFunding #The4CsOfCredit

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The heart of Watertown is beating faster as the Downtown Watertown Collective gears up for a series of events designed to bring art, music, and community spirit to the streets. Michael Heuer and Jill Makepeace sat down with Northeast Radio SD to give a preview of what’s in store, starting with the much-anticipated “Art of Downtown” this weekend.

Art of Downtown: A Celebration of Local Talent

Kicking off this Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the “Art of Downtown” artwalk will feature at least 16 participating businesses. Each location will host a local artist, offering residents a chance to meet the creators behind the works and explore a variety of styles, from photography and watercolor to acrylic painting and chalk art.

“We have so much wonderful local talent,” said Michael Heuer during the interview. “Sometimes they just don’t get a spotlight, and this is a wonderful opportunity to get introduced to some of those things.”

Jill Makepeace noted that the event is held in collaboration with the Watertown Community Foundation and marks the unveiling of brand-new sculptures throughout downtown. “If you haven’t driven through downtown lately, there are some really beautiful ones this year,” Makepeace said.

A new highlight this year is “Art Alley,” a previously empty corridor between Maverick’s and Mod’s. The space has been transformed into a rotating art feature to keep the downtown experience fresh and engaging for visitors.

Running for a Cause: Dash Around Kampeska

The momentum continues on May 15th and 16th with the “Dash Around Kampeska” series. Friday night features a 5K sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings, marking a milestone for the “Girls on the Run” program. Approximately 30 fifth-grade girls from the Boys and Girls Club will be completing their first 5K as part of a program designed to boost self-esteem and fitness.

“They love cheerleaders,” Makepeace encouraged community members to come out and support the runners. “Even random strangers that come out and cheer for you, it makes you feel better.”

Saturday morning will see runners tackle the 13.1-mile half-marathon around Lake Kampeska, concluding with a celebration on the boardwalk at City Park.

Summer Concerts and the “Kemp Passport”

Looking ahead to the summer months, the “Concerts on Kemp” series returns on the first Wednesday of June, July, and August. In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, this year’s concerts will feature a patriotic “Red, White, and Blue” theme.

To encourage residents to explore more of what the city has to offer, the collective is launching a “Downtown Passport.” Residents can collect stamps at various downtown locations—including the Heritage Museum and the summer concerts—for a chance to win prizes.

How to Get Involved

The Downtown Watertown Collective emphasizes that most of these events are free and designed for all ages. Beyond art and music, the community can also look forward to “Foundations of Fitness” on Saturday mornings, featuring yoga and kickboxing in Foundation Plaza.

“Downtown’s always changing... you never have the excuse there’s nothing to do in Watertown,” Heuer concluded. “Become a part of the community, not just a bystander.”

For a full list of participating businesses and event updates, residents are encouraged to follow the Downtown Watertown Collective on Facebook or visit the Watertown community calendar.