Latest News
City Council looks at revamping comprehensive plan
Less than a year after Watford City received a $13 million grant from the State of North Dakota to improve its water and sewer service into its one-mile Extraterritorial Zone (ETA), the city is already looking at the possibility of growing even more to accommodate new growth.
Quilting for a good reason
The Quilting Guild of McKenzie County is made up of women throughout the community that love to quilt! But even more than quilting, they share a joy of community.
City closes Civic Center showers for public use
It’s a shame when something is made available to the public for a specific purpose and the negligent behavior of a few ruins everyone’s opportunity to take advantage of it.
Bad debt spoils a great year for healthcare system
In spite of seeing a record number of patients in the clinic, the emergency room and in the hospital, the McKenzie County Healthcare Systems is struggling financially.
Opportunities abound to share during Christmas
McKenzie County is full of people who believe ‘it is better to give than to receive.’
A hero among us
Welcome to the McKenzie County Farmer’s new series, Faces of the Patch.
Stocked up for the holidays
People love Christmas for many different reasons, and though it seems full of distractions that seek to take away the holiday spirit, for most people, Christmas wins out in the end.
County residents divided on zoning
When it comes to seeing the need for the McKenzie County Commissioners to enact county-wide land use planning and zoning, county residents appear to be deeply divided.
Answering the call
t is easy to see how quickly the face of McKenzie County is changing, especially when it affects many facets of daily living (traffic, housing, crime, etc.).
Officials celebrate completion of Super 2 of Highway 85
“This is a great occasion,” stated North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple. “It’s an event worthy of celebrating.”
Food Pantry spreads Thanksgiving cheer
With the holiday season just around the corner, McKenzie County residents are busy making plans and preparations.
No end in sight for fuel shortage
Believe it or not, America’s biggest oil-producing oil patch has been experiencing a fuel shortage for the last four months.
Look out or the Masque & Gavel Drama Club will tie you up
What would you do if a train was barreling down the tracks and you were tied down in its path?
Ground broken for $5.4 million Wellness Center
“This is a community that did it,” proudly stated Dan Kelly, CEO of the McKenzie County Healthcare Systems as ground was officially broken for the $5.4 million Connie Wold Wellness Center on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Clean your closet and clothe the kids at The Sharing Clothes Line
If you have a pile of clothes that your kids have out-grown or do not like anymore, then this is the event for you! The Sharing Clothes Line is a non-profit event aimed at making the most of our kids’ closets.
More power coming on line
Providing reliable electric power to their customers has always been Job No. 1 for McKenzie Electric Cooperative.
Zoning talks to resume
After the July 5 meeting on zoning in McKenzie County ended in a stalemate, with a ‘wait and see’ policy, talks of zoning in McKenzie County have again resurfaced.
Navy veteran was a Pearl Harbor survivor
Growing up southwest of Alexander as a young boy, Stanley Robinson had never heard of Pearl Harbor.
Economics of a Boomtown affecting prices
With the cost of living in McKenzie County rising, many find that their dollar doesn’t get them as far as it used to.
After exploring every avenue, McKenzie County commissioners decide that purchasing housing is the best solution
Offering comfort to hurting children
What started as a thought, has grown into a statewide mission of compassion.
Sheriff’s Department to add four new deputies
The approval of McKenzie County’s Budget for 2012 has Sheriff Ron Rankin excited.
Experts say 5,000 new wells needed to secure leases
McKenzie County residents presently find themselves in a unique situation. Unique in the sense that nothing of this current magnitude of oil development has happened here before.
School Board wrestles with finding bus drivers
Finding and keeping school bus drivers has become a big problem for the McKenzie County Public School District No. 1. And it is a problem that, so far, the district hasn’t been able to solve.
Work begins to extend city’s water and sewer service
Early in the year it became evident to Watford City leaders and residents that the oil and gas industry was impacting the area in a major way, and that something needed to be done about it.
Started in 1979 by Jim and Jody Arthaud, Missouri Basin Well Service (MBI) has branched out from a single truck water transportation business in Belfield, N.D., to a huge oil industry business in five states, with offices in Belfield, Ross, and soon, Watford City.
Commissioners shave $7 million from budget
At the county commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 4, the McKenzie County Commissioners approved a $53.4 million budget for 2012, which is more than double the previous year’s budget of $24.4 million.
Police struggling with county’s dispatch, jail service
The Watford City Police Department’s frustration with the level of dispatch and jail service that it is receiving as part of the city’s contract with the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Dept. took center stage during the Watford City City Council’s meeting on Monday, Oct. 3.
City okays $6 million budget
Watford City taxpayers will see a 13 percent increase in their taxes to fund the city’s new 2012 budget. But considering that the city’s budget grew from $3,657,772 in 2011 to $6,028,746 in 2012, an overall tax hike for city taxpayers from $215,470 to $243,817 seems like a pretty good deal.
New home construction picking up as city’s population grows
A late spring gave John Dunlap, owner of Cascade Homes and the main developer of Veeder Estates, a run for his money. But with Phase One complete and seven homes almost ready for sale, Dunlap is feeling pretty good about where he is sitting.