Latest News
A good problem to have
For a school system the size of McKenzie County Public School District No. 1, having too many students is a good problem to have.
Campers bracing for a cold N.D. winter
Camping is a fun pastime in North Dakota and something that many families do on weekends during the summer. But it’s not something most North Dakotans would think of as a fun thing to do in the winter.
Farm Rescue to the rescue
llness and injury are things that we all know can happen to us. But with no way of planning for them, it’s always an unwelcome surprise, especially when a family member is forced out of work for an extended period of time.
School Board approves $6.7 million budget
The McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 gave its final approval to a $6.7 million budget for the 2009-2010 school year during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 14.
Meeting city’s housing needs
It’s been almost a year in the making, but the Lutheran Social Services Housing project in Watford City has finally arrived, literally. Three units arrived and were set up in Watford City on Thursday, Sept, 17.
New drilling concept starts in McKenzie County
Oil exploration is an ever-changing industry and one company has decided to break out its newest technology right here in McKenzie County.
Council asks city attorney to work on new water agreement
Watford City’s City Council took a very tentative first step forward on the concept of bringing treated municipal water from the Williston Water Treatment Plant to Watford City during its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 7.
Road work causing traffic delays
If you traveled east out of Watford City this spring or summer, it was probably easy to see that the long winter coupled with added traffic was very hard on U.S. Highway 23 east of Watford City.
A harvest to remember
Things at the local elevator may not show it, but one of the greatest harvests in McKenzie County is in full swing.
Commissioners eye $16.7 million budget
McKenzie County Commissioners will be considering a 34.8 percent increase in the county’s 2010 budget during a preliminary budget hearing on Sept. 18.
NDRA Championship Rodeo rides into town this weekend
It’s coming. Polish your boots and grab your hats, the rodeo is coming to Watford City!
Old Settlers’ Day celebration offers four days of fun
As fall approaches, the time has come for the 64th Annual Old Settlers’ Day Celebration in Alexander, a weekend of food, fun, family, reunions and of course, new memories.
Good news for schools
Watford City and Alexander School officials are excited to see enrollment numbers on the rise.
Watford City Police add K-9 officer to their department
he main goal of the Watford City Police Department is to keep the community safe. In an effort to do that, the department has added a new member to its team, a member that is capable of doing things most police officers can’t.
Harvest on hold
After a rough harvest last year, area farmers are just happy they have something to harvest. Now they just need the weather to cooperate and let them get into their fields.
County’s oil production tops 821,705 barrels in May
With a resurgence in drilling for oil in North Dakota on the heels of the discovery of the Bakken and Three Forks formations in western North Dakota, since 2004, North Dakota’s crude oil production has grown an average of 16.9 percent per year.
Elementary school to see more students
Like most kids, Watford City Elementary students probably aren’t ready for summer to end and school to start. But ready or not, the first day of school is just around the corner and students can expect to see some new faces and a few changes around the school.
McKenzie County schools start classes next week
Although unseasonably cool weather has most kids feeling like summer hasn’t even started, the time has come for summer vacation to end with McKenzie County students heading back to school over the next week.
County minerals bring $613 million at lease sale
McKenzie County state land mineral leases netted an average of $712 per acre during the Aug. 4 sale held by the North Dakota State Land Department.
Construction begins on two Watford housing projects
It may not happen before the snow flies, but Watford City residents looking for housing should be able to get into the Lutheran Social Services Housing units before Christmas.
Water is a basic necessity of life, something that every individual is entitled to. However, quality and availability of water varies from one area to the next, something that many residents of McKenzie County are all too familiar with.
Patten named SBDC Lender of the Year
Starting a new business, especially a small business, is a process that not only takes a lot of time, it also takes a lot of resources. Fortunately for residents of McKenzie County, those resources exist and some of them are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty to help make small businesses a reality.
Council toughens city’s pet ordinances
The Watford City City Council put some teeth into its newly revamped ordinances governing pets in Watford City during its regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 3, as the council significantly increased the penalty for pets being off leash, as well as increasing impound fees for animals picked up by the city.
School uses stimulus funds to complete projects
August is here, and that means it’s almost time for students to head back to school. Recent improvements should have students at both schools excited for the first day of school.
Love those ribs
From one extreme to another, the Best Of The West Ribfest has proved to be successful in all types of weather, from last year’s 100-degree heat to this year’s odd July weather which consisted of a cool 65-degree day with rain and 30 mph winds.
Watford native uses hobby to create commemorative guitar
A hobby is a great way to relax and take a little time to enjoy life, but for Watford City native Dan Wagner, his hobby led to much more.
United States Air Force gets tough on mosquitoes
According to trap counts, mosquito control efforts by the United States Air Force killed about half of Watford City’s mosquito population. But if you head outside for an evening stroll, the result feels much different.
Budget work begins
Thanks to a one-time receipt of $380,000 from flood control money the district received for Corps of Engineers land within the school district, the McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 ended its 2008-2009 fiscal year with a budget surplus of $218,754.
Ribfest is expected to be the best yet
With 12 teams signed up and the addition of a Street Fair, the 2009 Best Of The West Ribfest is expected to be the best yet.
Because of its success, the Bakken continues to be a hot topic among the oil industry. But recently, conversations have changed from the success of the Bakken to the potential of the Three Forks Sanish (TFS) Formation.