Latest News
Rains keep farmers from their fields
Recent rains have area farmers sidelined from their fields, but most are still optimistic for a good harvest. Most farmers throughout McKenzie County report being half finished with this year’s harvest before rain put a stop to things.
Schools open to more students
It may come as no surprise, but area schools have all reported an increase in enrollment.
Alexander to host 65th Annual Old Settlers’ Day celebration this weekend
As fall approaches, the time has come for the 65th Annual Old Settlers’ Day celebration in Alexander, a weekend of food, fun, family, reunions and of course, new memories.
From building permits to crime, City sees activity skyrocketing
It’s no secret that the oil and construction industries are extremely busy in McKenzie County. But workers in those industries aren’t the only ones who are busy.
County, Grazing Assoc. oppose plan to close roads on grasslands
As a result of a national mandate, the U.S. Forest Service Dakota Prairie Grasslands has developed a Travel Management Plan for the Little Missouri National Grasslands that will greatly decrease public access opportunities.
Watford sees jump in school enrollment
Watford City High School is looking at 285 students for the 2010-2011 school year compared to 265 at the end of the 2009-2010 school year, and the elementary school is expecting to have 293 students this year compared to ending last year with 273.
Looking for a good harvest
If you get up early enough, you can feel the chill of fall in the air. And if you haven’t noticed that, the combines in the fields are another indication that fall is just around the corner.
Several businesses and private investors have chosen Watford City for their housing projects, with several housing projects underway in Watford City and its surrounding area.
County scrambling to keep up with road repairs
The tremendous increase in oil field activity has been good for McKenzie County as it has created many jobs and brought new people to the community. But at the same time, the increase has also brought in a large amount of heavy truck traffic which has caused problems with many of county’s roads.
Watford City looks at banning heavy trucks from city streets
Watford City’s City Council, at its Aug. 2 meeting, passed the first reading of a new ordinance that could prohibit truck traffic, other than delivery trucks, on all streets within the city limits.
Healthcare System unveils plans for new Wellness Center
As the community of Watford City grows, residents of the community have found the need for more space, especially when it comes to the space available within the Healthy Hearts Wellness Center. With a monthly average of more than 1,950 visits per month and a monthly high of 2,400 visits, space has become a problem for Wellness Center members.
If you’re accustomed to using U.S. Forest Service Roads for recreation purposes, you’ll want to make sure that you check in with your local Forest Service office for a new map before you travel on any of your favorite Forest Service roads. The Forest Service plans to close some 800 miles of existing roads in the Little Missouri National Grasslands in western North Dakota. Road closures may not be permanent, but once the roads are closed, the Forest Service plans to enforce the law.
Surrounded by road construction
For residents of McKenzie County, there never seems to be a good time to travel. The year started out with the struggles of driving on winter roads. Then, drivers were faced with large increases in traffic on almost all of the county’s roads. Now, you can’t go any direction in the county without encountering some form of road construction. And the end doesn’t seem to be near.
Dorgan secures federal funding for county water project
U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water Appropriations, secured more than $35 million Tuesday for Fargo-Moorhead flood control work. He also obtained additional investments in other important North Dakota water projects, and a number of major energy research and development projects in North Dakota, and in the Research Corridors he created in the state.
Ribfest: It’s all about barbecued ribs
Where can you get great bargains, a Show Down at Noon, a Diaper Derby and great food all in one place? The Best Of The West Ribfest, of course!
Study looks at improvements needed on U.S. 85
Phase I of the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Corridor Study has been completed. The study was aimed at identifying transportation needs on area highways, including United States Highway 85 which runs between Williston and Grassy Butte.
School district ends year in the black
McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 ended the 2009-2010 school year with a little money left over.
Thanks to continued growth in the energy sector, taxable sales in McKenzie County and Watford City continued to grow at a double digit clip in the first quarter of 2010 according to the figures released by the office of the North Dakota Tax Commissioner.
Narcotics stolen during break-in
A late night burglary resulted in extensive building damage to Larsen Service Drug as burglars, who failed to break into the rear door, used stronger force to gain admission to the Watford City Main Street business.
City leases minerals under former landfill
s there oil or natural gas reserves under the old city landfill that, if developed, could bring some extra money to the Watford City city coffers? No one knows for sure, but during Watford City City Council’s July 6 meeting, council members approved a three-year lease of the 40 mineral acres that the city owns to Empire Oil Company.
Rettig honored as Emergency Responder
For more than 30 years, Ed Rettig has been working to keep Alexander and McKenzie County safe from fire. It’s a job that he started as a way to give back to the community. A job that has taken many hours of dedication is now giving back to him with the 2010 McKenzie County Emergency Responder of the Year award.
County Fair offers family fun
Its here - the McKenzie County Fair kicks off this week with fun, food and tons of entertainment for everyone.
State, local leaders discuss infrastructure concerns
Across western North Dakota, cities and counties are scrambling to come up with a way to meet growing housing needs as well as struggling to meet needed infrastructure improvements to handle growing traffic demand on state and county highway systems. In most cases, local government doesn’t have the resources to handle the problems associated with the increased growth as a result of the growing oil and gas industry. And to make matters worse, they have no idea of what the future holds in store for them in the way of continued growth.
A huge gap in the public’s notification process of when a sexual offender moves into a community has both the residents of Watford City and the city’s law enforcement officials upset.
Larson named American Legion Firefighter of the Year
After nearly 30 years as a firefighter, Harold Larson of Arnegard still enjoys serving his community and helping those in need. When Larson joined the fire department 30 years ago, he didn’t do it looking for recognition. He did it because he saw a need.
New oil pipeline to be built in county
Oil is big business in western North Dakota, and the biggest challenge continues to be moving the oil out of North Dakota. Quintana, a Houston, Texas-based company has a proposal that could ultimately help to move some of North Dakota’s oil out of the state.
McKenzie County Fair kicks off July 14
With a new date, on a slightly less busy weekend, the McKenzie County Fair is the place to be July 14 through July 17.
City, county move forward with infrastructure study
There is no doubt that with the continued development of the region’s oil and gas resources, Watford City and the surrounding area is going to grow. But where is that growth going to occur and does the city have the infrastructure to handle the new growth?
Arnegard is the place to be this Fourth of July
The Fourth of July is just around the corner and Arnegard will be the place to be. From the Breakfast In The Park to the fireworks at dusk, there is something for everyone and the fun lasts all day.
A park is a wonderful asset to a community, and Watford City is fortunate to have two large community parks and several neighborhood parks for area children to visit. Kathy Klang, a resident of Watford City, has made it her mission to make one of the city’s neighborhood parks just as wonderful as the Tourist Park and the Children’s Park.