ONEwatertown

04/02/2026

Alright… enough of this ❄️😂

Let’s just pretend it’s July for a minute ☀️

Long days, warm nights, no jackets… actual summer in Watertown

What’s your favorite summertime activity? 👇

03/20/2026

A new coffee spot is coming to Watertown 👀

7 Brew is opening a drive-thru location on Highway 212 this summer. They’re known for fast service and a huge drink menu, and they’ve been expanding fast across the country.

But let’s be real…

Watertown already has some solid local coffee spots ☕

So what do you think:
👉 Are you excited to try 7 Brew?
👉 Or are you sticking with your go-to local place?

And I gotta ask…

👇 Where’s the BEST coffee in Watertown right now?

03/20/2026

Watertown-
With warmer temperatures and melting snow, sump pumps may run more frequently.
Residents are reminded that sump pump discharges to the sanitary sewer are prohibited from March 15 to October 15 each year. Instead, sump pump water should be discharged into the yard where the ground can absorb it, curb, or to another approved location.

During freezing conditions, ensure your sump pump hose drains completely by placing it on a slope so it drains empty. For an example of how to do this, visit www.watertownsd.us/freezing.

Keeping sump pump water out of the sanitary sewer protects homes and reduces unnecessary strain on the system. Even a single sump pump can add thousands of gallons of water per day. When multiple homes are improperly connected to the sanitary sewer, the added volume impacts system capacity and increases the risk of sewer backups.

Treating clean groundwater costs the same as wastewater, which potentially increases sewer rates. Residents are encouraged to use gutters and downspouts to direct water away from the foundation, which reduces sump pump activity.

Discharging sump pump water into the sanitary sewer is not allowed and may result in fines if violations occur. Your cooperation helps protect the sewer system and neighboring homes. For questions, contact the Wastewater Facility at (605) 882-6244.

Refer to City of Watertown Ordinances Title 17 Sections 17.0602 and 17.0603. To view ordinance scroll below and click on the green top services button labeled Ordinances.

03/16/2026

🚨 Watertown News Break – Monday, March 16

Several items affecting Watertown residents are happening today.

• The Watertown City Council meets tonight at 5:30 PM at City Hall. The agenda includes discussion on a south-side residential annexation tied to the Harmony Hill development, zoning changes near the Benedictine Sisters property, and a liquor license transfer connected to a restaurant expansion and casino project.

• The city is still operating under a Snow Emergency after the weekend storm. Residents are asked to move vehicles off emergency routes and allow plows to finish clearing streets.

• In regional sports news, the South Dakota Girls State Basketball tournaments wrapped up this weekend, with teams from eastern South Dakota taking all three state titles. Tournament games were hosted here in Watertown at the Civic Arena.

Stay tuned for more updates around the Watertown community.

03/16/2026

🌟 Business Highlight: Hot Mama Mack’s

If you’re looking for home-cooked comfort food without the hassle of cooking, make sure you stop by Hot Mama Mack’s in downtown Watertown.

Located at 206 East Kemp Avenue, Watertown, SD, Hot Mama Mack’s specializes in homemade freezer meals that are fully cooked and ready to heat up at home. Perfect for busy families, long workdays, or anyone who just wants a great meal without the prep.

From classic comfort dishes like casseroles and chicken pot pie to fan favorites like homemade salsa, desserts, and even SDSU Ice Cream, everything is made with the kind of care and flavor that reminds you of a home kitchen.

It’s also a great local stop if you want to stock up on easy meals for the week while supporting a small, family-run Watertown business.

📍 Address: 206 E Kemp Ave, Watertown, SD

If you haven’t checked them out yet, swing downtown and see what they have in the cooler. You might just find your next favorite meal waiting.

03/15/2026

Watertown, SD – A Snow Emergency has been declared by the City of Watertown. Please note
the following plowing and sanding schedule:

Sunday, March 15th, 2026
• Currently re-plowing & sanding, Highways and Emergency Snow Routes.

Monday, March 16th, 2026
• 4 AM: Re-plow Highways & Emergency Snow Routes.

• 4 AM: North Zone, East Zone, South Zone, and Lake Zone – ALL ROADWAYS. Also,
Central Zone Streets ONLY (not Avenues).

Tuesday, March 17th, 2026
• 1 AM: Downtown Zone – Streets, Avenues, and alleys will be cleared.

• Downtown Zone Business Owners: Clear curbside sidewalks by 1 AM.

• 5 AM: Central Zone – Avenues ONLY
No Parking Reminder: Parking is prohibited and subject to ticket and tow in all listed areas until
the snow removal is complete.

If snow accumulation or blowing conditions worsen, the Street Superintendent may adjust the schedule to prioritize highways and emergency routes. Additional Important Information: ➢ Snow Zones: View the color-coded map at www.watertownsd.us/snow to find your zone and determine the plowing schedule.
➢ To receive real-time snow removal alerts, sign up at www.watertownalerts.com. For questions, call the Watertown Street Division at (605) 882-6207.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our roadways safe and accessible

03/15/2026

⚠️ Travel Alert for Northeast South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Transportation has issued high priority road closures tonight due to weather conditions.

Closures include:

• Interstate 29 from Watertown north to the North Dakota border closing at 9 PM
• I-29 between Brookings and Watertown closing at 10:30 PM
• I-29 from Brookings south to Sioux Falls closing at midnight
• Interstate 90 between Wall and Sioux Falls will also be closing

If you have travel plans tonight, plan accordingly and stay safe on the roads.

We will continue sharing important community updates as they come in.

Stay safe, Watertown.

03/13/2026

Watertown Police Arrest 19-Year-Old Following Stolen Firearm Investigation

On March 12, 2026, the Watertown Police Department arrested Hunter Boyle, 19, of Watertown, following an investigation involving a stolen firearm. On March 11, 2026, officers responded to a report of a stolen firearm from a vehicle in Watertown. On March 12, 2026, Watertown Police Department officers executed a search warrant at Boyle's residence
in northeast Watertown. During the search of the residence, officers located the stolen pistol, which was recovered loaded with ammunition. Officers also located evidence consistent with the possession and distribution of controlled
substances, including ma*****na, THC v**e cartridges, and other drug paraphernalia items. Hunter Boyle was transported to the Codington County Detention Center and booked on the following charges:
• Grand Theft of a Firearm
• Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of Ma*****na (Under 2 ounces)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Providing a Firearm to a Known Former Violent Offender
• Intentional Damage to Property
•Resisting Arrest
Boyle's bond was set at $1,000 cash.
This case remains under investigation by the Watertown Police
Department. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

03/12/2026

🧵 Business Highlight: Needleworks Sewing Center

March is National Quilting Month, and it’s the perfect time to highlight one of Watertown’s longtime creative hubs — Needleworks Sewing Center.

Located in the heart of downtown, Needleworks has been serving the quilting and sewing community with quality fabrics, supplies, machines, and expert service. Whether you're working on your next quilt, learning a new craft, or getting your sewing machine serviced, it’s a place where creativity and craftsmanship come together.

If you’re celebrating Quilting Month or looking to start a new project, stop in and see what they have to offer.

📍 Needleworks Sewing Center
216 E Kemp Ave
Watertown, SD 57201

Support local creativity. Support local business.

01/28/2026

🎙️ Community Voices | Emily Sansom

In this conversation, Emily Sansom—owner if Emily Sansom Fitness and trainer at Anytime Fitness Watertown, SD —shares why fitness, community, and accessibility go hand in hand, especially in a small town.

Emily talks about launching Watertown’s new arm wrestling competition series not just as a strength event, but as a way to get people out of their homes during the winter months and into spaces where movement feels approachable, social, and fun. With multiple competitions leading up to a championship in May, the format is designed so anyone can jump in at any time—experienced or not.

But the conversation goes deeper than competitions.

Emily opens up about gym anxiety, the misconceptions people carry about fitness spaces, and why so many people feel like they “don’t belong” before they even walk through the door. Her message is simple but powerful: gyms are not reserved for a certain type of person. Showing up, asking questions, and working toward your own goals is enough—and more often than not, people are cheering you on, not judging you.

She also shares her vision for expanding beyond arm wrestling into lifestyle-based events, including ideas like a community 5K dog run—creating environments where movement feels social, inclusive, and sustainable. The goal isn’t perfection or intimidation. It’s connection.

This interview captures what community wellness actually looks like when it’s done right: meeting people where they are, lowering barriers to entry, and reminding folks that improvement doesn’t require comparison—just participation.

This is the first in a new individual interview format focused on local voices, real conversations, and the systems that shape how we live, move, and connect.

More to come.

01/27/2026

We’re proud to share a $248 contribution to the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown, South Dakota — representing 10% of ONEcard sales from our first six months of programming.

This early stretch has been about learning: what works, what doesn’t, and how we can build smarter systems moving forward. Those lessons matter, because they position us to grow our impact, strengthen partnerships, and ultimately return more value back into the community.

This is just the beginning. Thank you to everyone who supported ONEwatertown and helped turn local participation into real, tangible support for our kids. 💙