Latest News
Oil industry powers up McKenzie Electric
To say that the huge upswing in oil activity in McKenzie County is having an impact on McKenzie Electric Cooperative would be an understatement.
Elementary school gears up for more students
While school has only been out for just over a month, Steven Holen, district superintendent, informed the McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 school board at its meeting on Monday, June 20, that there is plenty of activity going on at the elementary school.
County to spend $24 million to improve roads
County roads in McKenzie County have been taking a severe beating due to increased oilfield traffic over the past several years. And fixing the main roads that serve the oilfield’s needs, as well as county residents, is going to come with a big price tag.
Homefest kicks off summer season
The excitement is in the air as Homefest nears.
Working together to fix county roads
If there is one thing that can fill a room in western North Dakota’s oil patch quicker than a free meal, it’s a discussion on the need to fix county roads.
To zone or not to zone
While McKenzie County has not had zoning laws for 100 years, the McKenzie County Board of County Commissioners is wondering if now is not the time for them to rethink that policy.
Highway Dept. to close Highway 1806
Chalk up another North Dakota highway closed in and around McKenzie County for the summer because of damage caused by heavy oilfield traffic and record moisture.
Man camp next to elementary school to close
One year ago no one attended the public hearing when Kirk Wold proposed creating a man camp on his property south of the Watford City Elementary School. But on Monday, June 6, the Watford City City Council’s chambers was filled with concerned citizens over the extension of a conditional use permit that would allow the man camp to remain in its current location.
Farmers running out of time to finish seeding
"We’re not going to make it!” That statement by Larry Marmon pretty well sums up the feelings of the vast majority of McKenzie County farmers who will not be getting all of their acreage planted this year due to excessive moisture.
Krogen named W.C.H.S.Teacher of the Year
And the award goes to... Eric Krogen! Krogen, who has been a Social Studies teacher at Watford City High School for two years, was recently honored as the school’s 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year.
High water, rough highways may impact lake season
As the weather begins to heat up and summer officially arrives people will start to pack up for the lake in hopes of a relaxing weekend. They may be in for a big surprise.
City requests $17.5 million for new infrastructure
With Watford City busting at the seams with new growth, there is only one way for the community to grow. And that is to add more water and sewer lines into newly identified growth areas surrounding the city.
Twelve hours, One Community, One Goal
“Twelve hours. It can stretch out forever when you are waiting to hear the report on a biopsy. It can literally evaporate when it’s the last hours spent with a dying loved one.
School board settles with teachers on new salaries
Teachers at McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 will be receiving a $1,500 increase in their base salaries this coming school year following the school board’s ratification of a new two-year agreement last Tuesday.
Buidling season begins
After a long and snowy winter, everyone is anxious to get outdoors and get started on their spring projects. And no group is more anxious than Watford City homeowners who have remodeling or building plans on their minds.
Missouri River expected to reach historical levels
After a historically wet winter and equally wet spring, it should come as no surprise that the Missouri River is reaching historically high levels.
Water haulers face long lines
It takes as much as one million gallons of water to frac a single Bakken oil well.
With the Garden Creek natural gas plant scheduled to go on-line by the end of 2011, ONEOK Partners of Tulsa, Okla., was in Watford City last Wednesday to discuss their plans to build a 62-mile liquid natural gas pipeline through McKenzie County.
Oil and gas, water, and of course, money, along with many other issues were discussed during the 62nd session of the North Dakota Legislature, and it turned out to be a good session for western North Dakota.
School board looks at revamping its city bus service
After experiencing one of the hardest winters in recent memory, the McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 School Board at its May 9 meeting gave serious consideration to establishing separate bus routes for just Watford City students.
Mission impossible becomes a reality
Legislation that would provide $110 million of state money to fund the Western Area Water Supply was referred to as Mission Impossible during the North Dakota Legislature.
Council says “no” to zoning changes
At a time when new housing is in big demand in Watford City, one would assume that the city council would welcome any plans that would add new housing to the community. But during the Watford City City Council’s meeting on Wednesday, May 4, the council followed the advice of Curt Moen, city planner, in denying two zoning change requests from developers.
County’s taxable sales up nearly 50% in 2010
Continued energy development fueled Watford City’s and McKenzie County’s economic growth in 2010 as taxable sales and purchases in McKenzie County and Watford City grew by nearly 50 percent during the 2010 calendar year.
Spring storm packs a punch
Spring blizzards are nothing new for North Dakota, but this past weekend’s late April storm was something even for North Dakota.
WAWS funded by lawmakers
Shortly before ending the 2011 legislative session, lawmakers approved financing for a $150 million water pipeline project that will supply McKenzie County residents and western North Dakota’s oil industry with water.
State okays $100 million for oil country improvements
On April 19, Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed into law HB 1013, providing $100 million to help communities in North Dakota’s oil and gas counties offset direct impacts created by the rapidly developing energy industry.
Keene residents struggle with loss of post office
The local post office is a staple in any community, but what happens when the office closes? This is something that Keene residents are just recently learning about.
School District No. 1 gears up for more students
Faced with the prospect of more students next year, the McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 school board gave its approval to hiring nine new teachers during its April 11 meeting.
Repairs to ND 1806 could be years away
While the oil industry continues to give to the state, communities and residents of North Dakota, it is also taking from the state, especially when you look at roads in the western portion of the state.
Two new natural gas processing plants should open soon
Along with its richness in oil, the Bakken Formation is also producing a large amount of natural gas, much of which is being burnt off due to a lack of infrastructure. Two area companies hope to begin collecting some of that natural gas when their new gas plants go on-line in May, 2011.