Latest News
City Council identifies site of potential Highway 85 bypass
While the final decision as to whether or not there will be a bypass built around Watford City to accommodate the increased traffic on U.S. Highway 85 may be years in the future, the Watford City City Council wants the North Dakota Dept. of Transportation to know that the city has identified a possible route.
A land of opportunity
Changes in the economy have led many people to relocate in search of work, and the heavy oil activity in the McKenzie County has made this area a popular place for individuals and families looking for a better opportunity.
First Lutheran Church to perform Easter Cantata
For many, Easter is all about dying eggs, filling Easter baskets and Easter Egg Hunts. For others, it goes beyond the bright-colored eggs and seasonal candy. If you’re looking for some good entertainment and a reminder of why we celebrate Easter, the First Lutheran Church Choir’s Easter Cantata is a great opportunity for you.
Housing continues to be a top priority
Watford City, like other communities in western North Dakota, continues to struggle with housing, especially the lack of housing, a problem that many people, including housing developers, hope that spring weather will soon help them to combat.
Calving season is off to a cold and wet start
Spring is here whether it feels like it or not. And in McKenzie County, with spring comes calving.
Gymnasts to host ‘Night of Stars’
If you’re looking for some great entertainment with a few flips and kicks in it, then you won’t want to miss the 23rd annual Badlands Gymnastics Club’s ‘Night of Stars,’ which will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 in the Watford City High School Gymnasium.
Ranchers, state plead with Forest Service to resolve issues
For most of the past 60 years the U.S. Forest Service, which administers over one million acres of land of the National Grasslands in North Dakota, and the ranchers that graze cattle on these lands, have worked together cooperatively to ensure the health of the public land is maintained while allowing cattlemen to maintain their livelihoods.
A winter that just won’t end
Spring blizzards are not uncommon in North Dakota, something Mother Nature reminded us of during the first week of spring.
$860,000 grant allows hospital to add new services
During a medical emergency, time is of the essence, and being the largest county in the state makes getting anywhere fast a challenge in McKenzie County. Which is why telehealth services are a prefect fit for the McKenzie County Healthcare Systems (MCHS).
2010 census puts Watford’s population at 1,744 people
Driven by western North Dakota’s recent oil boom, the state’s population rose by 4.7 percent during the last 10 years, and McKenzie County’s population rose 10.9 percent during that decade to 6,360 people.
Oil well fire north of Arnegard finally capped
After burning for nearly two weeks, an oil well fire located north of Arnegard was extinguished on Friday.
Olson stepping down as County Auditor
After 20 years in office, the time had come for Frances Olson, McKenzie County Auditor to retire. “I came into the position with the hopes that I would be here for 20 years,” says Olson
Svihovec appointed County Auditor
Following a meeting in regular session on Friday, March 18, the McKenzie County Board of Commissioners has appointed Linda Svihovec to fill the position of McKenzie County Auditor until the General Election of November, 2012. The effective date of the appointment is April 1, 2011.
City to move forward with infrastructure improvements
While the North Dakota Legislature is still debating how much funding will be made available to oil-impacted communities, such as Watford City, for infrastructure improvement assistance, the Watford City City Council decided on Monday evening that the city needed to continue pressing forward with plans to expand city water and sewer service into newly annexed areas.
Spring storm strands motorists
High winds and snow left many McKenzie County travelers stranded either in a town or on the highway on Friday.
Well goes up in flames
Shortly after 9 a.m. Monday, a sky filled with billowing black smoke had Arnegard residents and area emergency personnel on alert.
More improvements coming to U.S. Highway 85
More passing lanes and a widened roadway are all on tap for U.S. Highway 85 this summer as the North Dakota Dept. of Transportation (DOT) finalizes plans for improving the highway between Watford City and Williston.
Many McKenzie County residents are still waiting for rural water to run through their faucets, but if the Legislature passes HB 1206, the water could be flowing a lot sooner.
Giving failing students a helping hand
With a continually growing drop-out rate, school administration at Watford City High School decided it was time to do something to help more of its students to succeed.
City Council terminates city engineer
They were referred to as the little basketball team with a big heart, and they were credited with pulling off the biggest sports upset of the year in 1961, when the Arnegard Spuds beat Crary, 64-59 to become the 1961 North Dakota State Class C Champions.
Winter storms impacting school district’s test exemption policy
With all of the snowstorms that have kept school buses from running so far this winter, McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 school board members were informed on Monday, Feb. 15 that the district is struggling to keep its test exemption policy fair to all students.
Kelly honored by AHA for leadership in promoting healthcare
Dan Kelly, McKenzie County Healthcare Systems (MCHS) CEO has been named the 2010 Grassroots Champion for North Dakota.
Housing continues to be a concern
Recent studies and observations show that McKenzie County is in need of housing. A problem that has been ongoing.
Hanson resigns as county auditor
After less than a month in her position, Jodi L. Hanson tendered her resignation as the McKenzie County Auditor, effective for the term that would begin April 1, 2011.
Police Dept. adds two new officers
With a growing number of residents, the Watford City City Council and the Watford City Chief of Police decided it was time to add another police officer to the department.
Grazing Assoc. has beef with new pasture requirement
A new U.S. Forest Service scoping document that would create a new requirement for high grass structure on three pastures of the Little Missouri National Grasslands has members of the McKenzie County Grazing Association up in arms over potential grazing cuts.
Watford City to host annexation open house
During the Dec. 13 meeting of the Watford City City Council, it was approved to add just over 700 acres to Watford City through annexation. The annexation will include tracts of property to the north, south, east and west of the current Watford City city limits.
City, school fight to receive more oil revenue
Watford City is located smack in the middle of an oil boom, and unless you’ve experienced the good and the bad of it, it’s difficult to understand why city and school district officials are fighting to keep more of the oil tax revenues here in Watford City.
Wildlife struggle through third hard winter in a row
It may sound like a broken record, but North Dakota’s weather in February and March will once again be critical to the health of the state’s wildlife populations, with McKenzie County being no exception.