Kristen Jones

Friday, Aug. 9, is the Best of the West Ribfest in Watford City. This annual rib competition has steadily grown in popularity over the years and now it boasts being one of the most popular events of the summer in McKenzie County. “This year we have 20 really good teams participating,” said event organizer and Watford City Chamber of Commerce Chairperson, Mary Gumke. “It really should be a great year.” Many look forward to the competition between local teams, with some saying that the competition makes the ribs taste even better.

North Dakota has been the highest honey producing state for 19 years in a row, and is set to make that an even 20 this year. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2023 North Dakota hives produced 38.3 million pounds of honey, which was valued at over $67.8 million. This is nearly triple the amount produced by the next highest producing state, California.

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The State of North Dakota Office of Attorney General has released a Criminal Justice Statistics Special Report to address the homicide statistics within the state. In McKenzie County there have been more homicides in the last year than any other year in the last decade, with three separate instances.

The Office of North Dakota Governor, Doug Burgam, is preparing to host the annual Main Street Summit (MSS) in Watford City Aug. 27-29. This is the first time the summit has been held in western North Dakota, as well as the first time the Summit is being held at a city the size of Watford City.

On Monday, July 29, Aidan Pelton, a junior from Watford City High School was named to the North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, Superintendent’s Student Cabinet. The 25 student cabinet is comprised of students who will offer Baesler their advice and suggestions for improving K-12 education.

McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 (MCPSD1) has announced that there will be free breakfast for all students every Monday throughout the school year. The district states, “This free breakfast meal (does not include Grab & Go items, nor seconds) has been made possible through a generous donation to the Food Services program.”

McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 (MCPSD1) has announced that they are now offering a “comprehensive virtual education for all of McKenzie County Public School District No. 1 students, including new students, returning students, and homeschooled students.” This is all part of the Watford City Virtual Academy (WCVA).

On Saturday, Oct. 5, 19 year-old Tel Sorenson, was seriously injured during his family’s efforts to assist first responders in fighting a raging fire near the Sorenson Family’s property. Kadie Sorenson, Tel’s mother, explained, “Well, when the winds picked up, my husband and our hired guy, Weston, were trying to get our blades out to make a fire line. So they were taking the tractors out and so they could help stop the fire.”

Watford City recently conducted an online survey regarding the future trajectory that citizens want to see for the development of key areas of the city. There were over 800 responses to the online survey, representing approximately 10 percent of the city’s population.