🗞️ Your Live Northeast Radio SD News Recap for Monday, June 15th, 2026! 🗞️ Here is what you missed this morning with Steve Jurrens: 🦪 Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Bitter Lake South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (GFP) has confirmed the presence of invasive zebra mussels in Bitter Lake. This marks a critical time for boaters to be extra vigilant, as the mussels are microscopic and highly spreadable during this season. The Discovery: The mussels were found attached to flooded trees on the northwest side of the lake. Affected Waters: Bitter Lake, Goose Lake, and Solomon Slough are now officially classified as zebra mussel positive. Action Required: GFP urges all boaters to follow the "clean, drain, dry" protocol: remove debris, drain all water, and allow boats to dry completely. Suspected invasive species should be reported to GFP immediately. 🎶 Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Hougo Broadcasting A coalition of major music publishers has filed a federal lawsuit against Hougo Broadcasting, accusing the company of broadcasting hit songs without a license for over two years. The Allegations: The June 8th complaint lists 14 counts of willful copyright infringement against owner Christian Hougo and four stations: KIQK-FM, KSQY-FM, KTOQ-AM, and KXMZ-FM. License Revocation: ASCAP reportedly revoked the broadcaster's license in April 2024 due to delinquent payments and failed negotiations. The Repercussions: Publishers are seeking a permanent injunction and up to $150,000 per infringement, which could total over $2.1 million, plus attorney fees. 🚓 High-Speed Chase Ends in Arrest A 25-year-old Watertown man was arrested early Sunday morning following a high-speed chase that caused significant property damage. The Incident: The chase occurred around 1:02 AM on 8th Street NW. The driver failed to negotiate a left turn, sending his BMW off the road. The Damage: The vehicle crashed into a mobile home, private property, and three unoccupied vehicles (a Hyundai Genesis, a Chrysler Pacifica, and a Suzuki motorcycle). The Arrest: Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The driver was arrested for careless driving and DUI. Police are using this incident to remind motorists of the severe risks associated with speed and impairment. 💰 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 is set to vote today on purchasing 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 will utilize 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 also review TIF #24 tonight, a proposal for the second phase of the Prairie Haven development. The Project: High Five Developments is proposing a 75-home project classified as affordable housing. 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. Stay Informed! Read full stories, check out our daily news recap podcast, and sign up for our morning newsletter at northeastradiosd.com.