Latest News
McKenzie County property tax bills take sharp decline
Promoting leadership
School is a place for kids to learn, not only about reading and math, but also about life in general and what it takes to become an upstanding citizen, and that’s exactly what area students learned from a very influential visitor they had last week.
Mentoring program benefits area youth
Christmas is a time for giving, so why not give the gift of a lifetime, by becoming a mentor with the McKenzie County Mentoring Program.
Helping to brighten the holidays
Christmas is meant to be a bright time of year. But for the less fortunate or those down on their luck financially, it can be a difficult time filled with stress and despair, especially if you have children.
Watford kicks off Christmas season with activities for all
Christmas is a time of joy, filled with many fun festivities for all ages. But it’s no secret that Christmas really focuses around the kids, from holiday advertisements filled with toys to candy canes and Santa Claus.
For many people, a vacation is a time of relaxation and pampering. But for six McKenzie County residents, relaxation and pampering were the last things on their agenda during a recent trip to Africa.
Marins open three new restaurants in Arnegard
When you live in a small town, your options for many things, like dining out can be rather limited. Fortunately, for the residents of Arnegard, John and Kalli Marin saw this limitation as an opportunity to provide what was missing.
County Infrastructure Fund intended to minimize impact from oil activity
Changes to state laws regarding oil and gas production tax have the potential to do great things for McKenzie County. House Bill 1304 changed the tax distribution formula allowing more income for McKenzie County and adding a new Infrastructure Fund which will benefit townships and schools.
Watford to kick off start of the holiday season on Friday
Christmas is just around the corner and Watford City is gearing up for the holidays like never before with tons of family fun as Christmas is a Family Tradition!
Oil activity is on the rise with good things expected for 2010
The past year has been a long and bumpy one for the oil industry in North Dakota with McKenzie County being no exception. However, looking at activity in recent months compared to one year ago, things appear to be heading in the right direction.
School to request grant funds for new school bus
Taking advantage of a new funding provision enacted by the last North Dakota Legislature, the McKenzie County Public School District No. 1, at its Nov. 9 meeting, decided to request a $75,000 grant from the McKenzie County Commissioners to help fund the purchase of a new school bus.
Drama Club production sure to bring laughs with kids comedy
When you’re a child, imagination is everything. But once you hit adulthood and the real world, your imagination tends to disappear, leaving life a bit duller than it was during childhood.
County continues to see strong mineral lease sales
An auction of state land mineral leases brought in a record $71.6 million with McKenzie County collecting more than $18 million, coming in second out of 12 counties.
Council okays $12,500 in Roughrider grants
he Watford City City Council gave its stamp of approval to two Roughrider Fund grants totalling $12,500 to Watford City businesses during its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 2.
Healthcare system turns the corner financially
While the McKenzie County Healthcare Systems only turned a $31,485 operating profit in fiscal year 2009, for Dan Kelly, CEO of the healthcare system, turning a profit of any kind was good news in light of the financial troubles facing most North Dakota healthcare systems.
Food Bank helps feed the area’s hungry
One 40-pound box of food may not seem like a lot, but for people on a limited income and struggling families it is something worth waiting in line for.
Little Missouri Grille prepares to open
After being closed for remodeling, the Little Missouri Grille, formerly Ginny’s Family Restaurant, will have new owners, new menu items and a whole new look.
Frustration grows with lack of flu vaccine
For most people, the flu season is something that they give little thought to, but with the H1N1 or Swine Flu, this year’s flu season has taken on a completely different tone. Especially, since getting vaccinated against it is an ongoing challenge.
“Trail of Treats” starts off Halloween
Halloween is just around the corner, which means parents and kids have trick-or-treating on their minds and “Trail of Treats” is the perfect place to get started.
Ginny’s Family Restaurant changes hands as Elliot retires
After 25 years in the restaurant business, Virginia Elliot has decided it’s time to retire, which means Ginny’s Family Restaurant will be changing hands.
First cases of H1N1 virus confirmed in county
We’ve been hearing about it all across the nation and it’s finally here – the H1N1 virus has been confirmed in Watford City and its surrounding area.
School accepts Erickson’s resignation
With an elementary school buzzing with students, the McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 acted quickly during its Oct. 12 meeting to fill a first grade teaching position which had become open following the resignation of a teacher as well as to add additional teaching support.
Roughrider Fund gives grant to MCHS for expansion study
According to a master facility plan, in order to properly serve McKenzie County, the McKenzie County Healthcare Systems (MCHS) needs to build a 24-bed hospital and new rural health clinic which would both be attached to the current Good Shepherd Home.
School, healthcare system prepare for flu season
It’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when McKenzie County will be hit by the flu.
City Council okays $2,104,621 budget
Watford City property owners will be asked to only fund $237,016 of the city’s $2.1 million budget for 2010 following action by the city council during its Oct. 5 meeting.
Women’s Day to offer a day of fun and entertainment
For most women, the thought of doing something just for themselves is like a far away dream that comes after doing the laundry, fixing supper and taking care of the kids. But, McKenzie County Healthcare Systems wants to change that with its annual Women’s Day Gallery of Events.
Taxable sales slow down
While statewide, North Dakota’s taxable sales and purchases slowed down in the second quarter of 2009, Watford City still continued to show good growth compared to the same three month period in 2008.
Arndt earns award for city’s Summer Recreation Program
After watching his grandson playing flag football, Robin Arndt, Watford City Parks and Recreation supervisor decided there was more to parks and recreation than baseball and swimming.
With only eight active drilling rigs in McKenzie County as of Oct. 5, 2009 compared to 20 active rigs one year ago, it doesn’t seem like oil activity in the county is on the rise. But according to area officials, things are pickin
Cascade Homes begins a second housing project in Watford City
With a struggling economy, people are willing to do a lot for a job. Even if that means braving a North Dakota winter in a camper.