Latest News
Health care system has profitable year
While Dan Kelly, CEO of the McKenzie County Healthcare Systems may have been a little disappointed with the number of patients that the facility saw at its clinic, hospital and emergency room this year, you have to excuse him for not being too upset.
A time to remember our veterans
What is a veteran? A veteran is any person who has served in the armed forces. A veteran can be a person who has seen combat or a person who has served only in peacetime. Either way, Veterans Day is a chance for Americans to salute all of our veterans.
Hanson chosen as new McKenzie County auditor
With Frances Olson retiring as the McKenzie County Auditor, area voters elected Jodi Hayden Hanson as the new McKenzie County Auditor, a position that Olson has held for the past 20 years.
Fundraising efforts underway to build new wellness center
For her efforts in bringing awareness to health and wellness to Watford City, a group of Watford City residents have made it their goal to name the new wellness center after the late Connie Wold. The group has started the Community Campaign to Name The Connie Wold Wellness Center, a fund-raising campaign to raise $801,000 in Connie’s name.
The booming oil activity in western North Dakota has brought with it increased employment, increased tax revenue and a strong economy in the midst of a struggling U.S. economy. However, with the increase in oil activity, there has also been a multitude of challenges for local, county and state decision makers.
First snowstorm catches many off guard
Although fall snowstorms are typical for North Dakota, that first good storm always seems to be a tough one. And even though it was the second snow of the season, last week’s storm was no different.
Homeowners in Watford City are leasing mineral acres
Leasing minerals is nothing new for residents of McKenzie County. However, it is a new idea for home- owners in Watford City.
Gas plant construction awaits PSC ruling
Construction of a gas processing facility north of Watford City will have to wait until spring. That is, unless the North Dakota Public Service Commission (NDPSC) approves the company’s application quickly like Bear Paw Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of ONEOK Partners, LP is pushing for.
Watford City is bursting at the seams
As developers and individuals work to end a housing shortage in Watford City and McKenzie County, it has gotten a little difficult to determine where the city ends and the county begins. As of now, some businesses and subdivisions aren’t sure which one they will fall into either.
Voters to elect new McKenzie County Auditor
With Frances Olson not seeking re-election as the McKenzie County Auditor, area voters will be choosing between two candidates to serve as the county’s auditor during the 2010 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Three candidates seek two seats on County Commission
McKenzie County voters will be asked to choose between three candidates to fill two seats on the McKenzie Board of County Commissioners during the 2010 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Incumbents Roger Chinn of Grassy Butte and Richard (Rick) Lawlar are being challenged by Cameron Arnegard of Arnegard.
Making it harder to fail
What can be done by teachers and school administrators to help students who are failing classes? That is a question that is not only plaguing schools across the United States, but schools in McKenzie County as well.
The race is on in District 39
Two long-term Republican members of the North Dakota House of Representatives from District 39, David “Skip” Drovdal of Arnegard and Keith Kempenich of Bowman, will be facing their first political challenge in many years during the 2010 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 2
City approves $1.5 million deficit budget
Caught in the proverbial Catch-22 of how to keep up with the demands associated with energy development and yet keep a balanced budget, the Watford City City Council decided that budgeting to spend more money than it will take in was the best course of action for them to take.
County approves $24 million budget
The McKenzie County Commissioners have approved a budget for 2011 which represents a 52 percent increase from last year and a 9.5 percent increase over what was requested.
Gas processing plant to bring jobs to area
Like most of western North Dakota, the McKenzie County skyline is dotted with gas flares, something that most people associate with an active oil well. However, a gas flare means a lot more than just a well sight.
Watford City’s taxable sales skyrocket
Roundup reduces size of North Unit’s bison herd
With no injuries or incidents to people or bison, the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park has once again held a successful bison roundup.
Man faces multiple charges following incident at Kum & Go
Brock Savelkoul, 28, of Minot is currently being held in the McKenzie County Jail after brandishing firearms at the Kum & Go convenience store in Watford City and leading area law enforcement officers on a high speed chase.
Adding the finishing touches
When a new home is being built, it’s a great accomplishment when it is ready to move in to, but at that point the work is often far from over.
Highway road construction continues on schedule throughout McKenzie County
After some unseasonably cold temperatures and snow in the area, it may seem to some people that road construction season will soon be over. But according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation, that isn’t the case.
Optimism has faded
It’s common knowledge that rain is an important part of growing crops. This spring the rain was nearly perfect, giving area farmers a bumper crop for the second year in a row. Unfortunately, Mother Nature hasn’t let up on the rain, and for some area farmers it’s turned their bumper crop into something that is barely salvageable.
City’s historic ‘Old Courthouse’ slated for demolition
One of Watford City’s oldest buildings, ‘The Old Courthouse’ is slated to be demolished this week. The building, which is currently owned by the McKenzie County School District No. 1, was built in the late 1930s to be used as a hospital.
School Board okays track improvements
Watford City High School’s track will be going fully electronic this spring following the McKenzie County Public School District No. 1’s school board approval of spending $5,000 toward the purchase of an automated timing system as well as making other improvements at the track.
Booming economy provides different twist for JDA director
Economic development is an important aspect for any growing town. But what happens to an economic development coordinator when a town is booming with economic development, like Watford City is right now.
Busted at the Post Office
A trip to the Watford City Post Office on Sept. 1 to pick up a package didn’t turn out quite the way Tim Bourne had planned it.
County sees big budget increase
McKenzie County Commissioners will be considering a 39.3 percent increase in the county’s 2011 budget during a preliminary budget hearing on Sept. 23. The hearing, which is open to the public, will be held at 10 a.m. in the commissioners meeting room.
Medicare changes could hurt small rural hospitals
A new policy from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) could be disastrous for small hospitals and clinics like McKenzie County Healthcare Systems (MCHS) if the ruling can’t be overturned.
NDRA rides into Watford
It’s been named one of the nation’s top 100 events and it’s happening right here in Watford City. McKenzie County residents are in for a special treat when the NDRA Championship Rodeo rides into Watford City on Sept. 10 and 11 with nightly performances at 7 p.m. at the McKenzie County Multi-Purpose Building.
Home schooling proves to be a good option for some parents
All parents of school-aged children know that back-to-school time can be a very busy and stressful time. But for some area students going back to school is a lot easier, especially when they don’t even have to leave home.