Living in McKenzie County

In the latest Living in Mckenzie County episode, Doug Bolken hosts Brock White with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation and Gretchen Stenehjem with the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library to preview Medora's major July 4th opening and America 250 celebrations. Alongside a detailed look at the new presidential library, they outline the programming taking place all week from July 2–5, including the July 4 ribbon cutting and a 1,776-drone light show.

Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library: www.trlibrary.com/tickets

Medora's America 250 Celebration: www.medora.com/america250

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

01:07 Library Vision and Design

04:11 Medora Year Round

05:46 Medora Upgrades

07:51 New Trolley Service

08:39 July Fourth Festival Plans

12:28 National Park and Trails

15:07 Library Tickets

16:58 Western North Dakota Experience

18:12 Medora Amenities and Attractions

19:59 America 250

20:50 Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Update

22:28 Theodore Roosevelt National Park

25:35 Inside the TR Library

27:23 Grand Opening

In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County podcast, host Meghan Taunton, McKenzie County Economic Development Director, welcomes Cyrena Weeks (Tri-County Regional Development Council), Keith Olson (Small Business Development Center), and Susan Granrud (Job Service Workforce Center) to preview Small Business Month and explain regional resources for entrepreneurs and employers. They discuss western North Dakota's dynamic business culture, business startup challenges, and how SBDC provides no-cost advising on plans, cash flow, and lender readiness. The group also explores practical uses and cautions around AI in small business, highlights workforce support, and reviews financing options such as revolving loan funds and Bank of North Dakota's Flex PACE interest buydown.

Tri-County Regional Development Council: https://tricountyrdc.com

Small Business Development Center: https://willistonstate.edu/about/Community/Small-Business-Development-Center

Job Service Workforce Center: https://www.jobsnd.com/job-seeker/workforce-centers/williston

00:00 Welcome

00:46 Introductions

02:37 Business Culture Today

04:15 Where to Start

05:24 Small Business Development Center

08:57 AI in Small Business

13:39 Practical uses of AI

18:01 Beyond Oil and Gas

20:12 Outsourcing

22:50 Training and Funding Programs

25:39 Gap Financing Options

26:09 Flex PACE Interest Buydown

27:23 Grant Myths and Reality

28:43 Personal vs Business Credit

29:51 Bank of North Dakota

32:20 What Regional Councils Do

34:28 Grants and Programs

38:55 SBDC Funding and Structure

40:02 Business Needs

43:05 Bowling Alley in McKenzie County

46:51 Workforce Center Services

49:53 Rural Health Transformation Program

51:50 Wrap-Up

Season 2, Episode 17 of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast features Watford City High School students as they share their experiences in leadership, Student Council, and community involvement. They also promote the annual Cultural Fair, which will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 3–6 p.m. in the Rough Rider Center arena. The students discuss how the event showcases the community's growing diversity through 22 food booths, community booths, and live entertainment, along with the extensive planning, grants, food ordering, and volunteer coordination behind the scenes. The conversation also highlights the Christmas lights on Main Street, the Buddy Program, National Honor Society outreach, and homecoming planning. Additionally we get to hear from the seniors about graduation and their post-graduation plans.

00:00 Welcome

01:26 Introductions

09:18 Why the cultural fair matters

11:45 Cultural fair stories and food

18:17 Behind the scenes planning

25:00 Cultural Fair time and place

26:39 Exchange students at the fair

28:03 Light Up Main Street origin

32:47 Seniors future plans

40:54 Graduation

46:03 Ambassadors Program

49:18 Buddy Program impact

53:10 Serving across generations

58:03 Homecoming week

59:36 WCHS mentors

01:08:36 Teachers And school board thanks

01:20:00 Final gratitudes

In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast, host Vawnita Best is joined by City of Watford City staff including Tony Carmichael of Fox Hills Golf Course, Chief Wellen of the Watford City Police Department, and City Planner Jake Walters. Walters shares updates on the long-planned Monument Sign project at three entrances to town, the new Main Street median sign cabinets and checkout process, and key changes to the city's updated sign ordinance, including limits on right-of-way and off-premise signage. Chief Wellen discusses the Keith Braddock memorial highway and roadway dedication, upcoming memorial ride plans, spring safety reminders, and the May 4–8 Pick Up the Patch cleanup. Carmichael outlines golf course opening preparations, youth golf growth, major tournaments and leagues, sponsorship support, and course maintenance improvements ahead of the April 14 opening of the course.

City of Watford City Latest News: https://cityofwatfordcity.gov/news/

Junior Golf Leagues and Events: https://foxhillsgc.com/golf-instructions/junior-golf

00:00 Welcome

01:02 Introductions

04:12 Monument Sign Project

07:57 Braddock Memorial Dedication

11:24 Golf Season and Events

21:47 Summer Safety Tips

24:10 Pick Up the Patch Cleanup

27:22 Main Street Sign Cabinets

33:10 New Sign Ordinances

40:25 Sign Rules Made Simple

41:48 Youth Golf Focus

46:54 Golf Programs Registration

52:18 Course Crew Shoutouts

59:33 Golf Course Opening Day

01:01:37 Foxhole Returns

01:04:42 Police Shoutouts

01:06:41 Police Conference

01:09:28 Planning Team Thanks

In this bonus episode of the Living in McKenzie County the Long X Development team explains how their shared work supports Watford City and all of McKenzie County. Team members include City of Watford City Community & Business Development Director Vawnita Best, Tourism Attractions and Promotions Lead Doug Bolken, Long X Arts Foundation Director Jesse Veeder Scofield, Technology and Communications Specialist Cauy HarteI, Administrative Assistant to Community Development Jess Hunt, McKenzie County Economic Development Director Meghan Taunton, and Marketing and Communications Coordinator Hope Felli, with a shoutout to Regional Director for the Small Business Development Center at Williston State College Keith Olson. They discuss the evolution of economic and community development, tourism's role in workforce attraction, storytelling initiatives like "Faces of the Patch," community orientations, new resident connections, local events resources, and preparing for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening July 4.

00:00 Welcome

00:50 Meet The Team

01:41 Keith

03:15 Doug

04:00 Jessie

06:31 Cauy

08:02 Jess

09:38 Meghan

12:21 Hope

15:00 What Economic Development Does

17:04 Tourism as an Economic Driver

24:40 Outdoor Recreation And Events

30:55 Employee Recruitment

33:31 Arts, Culture, And Belonging

37:46 Community Alignment In Action

42:37 Small Business Development Center

45:12 Community Orientation

46:15 Chess Club Origin Story

47:52 Role of Economic Development

50:10 Moving to Watford

53:59 Rough Rider Fund Opportunity

57:18 Sharing our Boomtown Story

59:03 Faces of the Patch Series

01:03:50 Brand Kit and Tagline

01:06:20 2035 Comprehensive Plan

01:12:34 Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

01:16:21 2025 Year in Review Report

01:18:42 In Closing

Development Team Year in Review: https://econdev.mckenziecounty.net/wp-content/uploads/Development-Loft-2025-Year-in-Review.pdf

Rough Rider Fund: https://cityofwatfordcity.gov/roughrider-fund

McKenzie County 2035 Comprehensive Plan: https://mckenziecounty2035.com

Living in McKenzie County Magazine: https://econdev.mckenziecounty.net/living-in-mckenzie-county

Area Events: https://watfordcityevents.com

This episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast features Watford City Engineer, Justin Smith, and McKenzie County Engineering Director, Grace Demars. They join host, Vawnita Best, to explain how city and county capital improvement plans (CIP) are developed, prioritized, funded, and communicated to the public, including the multi-year planning, design, and right-of-way work required before construction begins. They also take a look ahead at major 2026 construction activity including ND DOT Highway 85 work, county road reconstructions, and projects in Grassy Butte and Keene.

00:00 Welcome

01:07 Meet the Engineers

03:59 Why Capital Improvements Matter

05:38 County CIP Public Input

09:05 Where to Find the CIP

10:00 City CIP Planning Cycle

13:19 Funding and Long Lead Times

19:05 County Roads and Industry Needs

24:21 Preventive Maintenance and Safety

28:23 City Facilities and 2040 Plan

33:04 City County Collaboration

37:30 Shared Water Infrastructure

39:40 Boomtown Growth Pressures

41:24 Replacing Aging Utilities

45:06 Funding Catch Up Projects

46:44 City Work Disruptions 2026

49:01 Highway 85 Construction

50:36 County Roads And Bridges

52:32 Townships Street Upgrades

55:22 Costs And Redevelopment Plans

58:33 County CIP And Public Input

01:07:05 More Projects And Wrap Up

McKenzie County Capital Improvement Plan: https://mckenziecountynd.gov/capital-improvement-plan/

City of Watford City Capital Improvement Plan: https://cityofwatfordcity.gov/2040-infrastructure-master-planning/

In this episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast, host Vawnita Best welcomes Nikki Darrington with Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS), and Daniel Stenberg and Karissa Frick with McKenzie County Soil Conservation District to explain how the two organizations differ in funding and roles while working together on conservation planning and implementation. They also share the services that they provide, as well as the annual meetings and regular events that they help host. The first ever Prairie Roots Homesteading Summit is also highlighted, which will be held on May 15-16 in Watford City.

Prairie Roots Homesteading Summit information and tickets: https://www.mcagexpo.com/homesteading-summit

McKenzie County Soil Conservation District: https://www.mckenziecountyscd.net/

00:00 Welcome and Guests

00:50 Meet the Conservation Team

02:02 Funding and Programs Explained

06:40 Staffing and Hiring Updates

09:19 Cowgirls and Conservation Recap

17:26 Legacy Soil Health Program

26:30 Prairie Roots Summit Preview

32:16 Why Homesteading Matters

36:36 Homesteading Network

39:06 Summit Tickets and Early Bird

40:34 Keynotes and Speaker Lineup

43:54 Homesteading Reality Check

47:31 NRCS and District Programs

48:37 Tree Planting and No Till

52:23 Cost Share and Soil Testing

01:03:03 Education and Community Events

01:05:53 Final Wrap and Thanks

This episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast continues the February series on the Watford City High School Hall of Fame, featuring board members Brad Foss, Beau Wisness, and Marco Pelton. They reveal the Watford City High School Hall of Fame Class of 2026, explaining the public nomination and committee voting process guided by bylaws, as well as challenges in evaluating earlier eras with limited records. The 2026 inductees include two teams, two coaches, and individual inductees.

Nomination Link: https://watfordcityschools.flowforms.app/form/hall-of-fame-nomination-form

View the WCHS Hall of Fame: https://wofproduction.blob.core.windows.net/embed/44016fb606894251881df0c178bc1aef/walloffame.html#/walloffame/category/category_115

00:00 Welcome Back: Part 2 + Big 2026 Hall of Fame Reveal

01:07 Meet the Hall of Fame Board Members

03:06 Homecoming 2026 Date Set

04:58 How Nominations & Voting Work: Bylaws, Shortlists, and Tough Calls

12:09 Team Inductee Announced

14:26 Team Inductee Announced

21:12 Coach Inductees

26:48 Special Recognition

29:35 Introducing the 2026 Individual Inductees

29:47 Inductee Spotlight

32:21 Inductee Spotlight

38:04 Inductee Spotlight

42:22 Inductee Spotlight

46:00 Inductee Spotlight

51:58 Inductee Spotlight

56:06 Homecoming Hall of Fame Day Schedule + How to Find/Submit Inductee Info

Join in in our first episode of a two-part series as we dive into the rich history of Watford City High School's sports and the school's Hall of Fame. Host Vawnita Best joins 3 guests to discuss the mission as the Hall of Fame, whil taking a walk through time at the previous decades and the incredible athletes and students that were involved.

00:00 Welcome to the Living in McKenzie County Podcast 00:36 Introducing the Watford City High School Hall of Fame Series 01:30 Meet the Guests: Phil Moen, Titus Stenberg, and Brad Foss 02:36 Phil Moen's Journey: From Arnegard to Watford City 03:55 Spring Breaks and School Schedules: A Historical Perspective 06:25 Titus Stenberg: The Voice of Watford City Wolves 09:25 Brad Foss: A Lifetime in Education and Coaching 13:25 The Hall of Fame's Mission and Community Impact 18:15 The History of McKenzie County School Districts 19:15 Arnegard Spuds: A Legacy Remembered 32:58 Digitizing Yearbooks: Preserving Watford City's History 34:12 The Evolution of Watford City Athletics: 1950s to 1970s 55:40 The Impact of Legendary Coaches: Frank Fish and Fred Fridley 01:02:11 Fred's Impact on the Community 01:02:41 Fred's Coaching Achievements 01:03:26 Reviving Watford City's Football Tradition 01:04:39 Memorable Games and Community Support 01:06:35 Basketball Highlights and Coaching Legends 01:11:08 Notable Athletes and Their Legacies 01:13:35 Challenges and Changes in the 80s and 90s 01:32:56 Hall of Fame Committee and Induction Process 01:36:33 Community Involvement and Future Plans

Join us in this episode of the 'Living in McKenzie County Podcast' as we dive into the incredible education and career opportunities provided by The Bakken Area Skills Center!

From learning about heavy equipment operations and construction trades to welding and healthcare careers, discover how this amazing facility is shaping the future of our community. We chat with instructors, students, and industry partners who share their experiences and success stories. Whether you're a high school student, parent, or just curious about workforce development in McKenzie County, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration!

00:00 Welcome to the Living in McKenzie County Podcast 00:47 Introduction to the Bakken Area Skills Center 02:12 Meet Marco Pelton: Caterpillar Dealership Insights 04:33 George Adams: Teaching CDL and Heavy Equipment 06:57 Isaac Wolf: Student Experience at BASC 12:52 Heavy Equipment Curriculum Overview 19:11 Industry Partnerships and Future Opportunities 35:20 High School Students Excel in Construction Projects 36:32 Capacity and Future of the Bakken Area Skills Center 41:10 Introduction to the Welding and Building Trades Programs 42:15 Meet the Instructors: Building Trades and Welding 44:16 Student Experiences and Career Aspirations 47:03 Curriculum and Career Pathways in Building Trades 51:43 Welding Program: Safety and Skill Development 57:15 Student Reflections on Welding Education 01:03:01 The Importance of Career Exploration 01:09:54 Advice for Future Students and Families 01:14:02 Opportunities in McKenzie County 01:15:15 Health Careers Pathway Introduction 01:16:17 Meet the Health Careers Team 01:17:40 Student Experiences and Success Stories 01:21:00 Innovative Teaching Methods 01:28:47 Community Impact and Future Growth 01:29:26 Student Advice and Program Insights 01:48:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

#education #nursing #welding #construction #buildingtrades #vocationaltraining #careerteched #northdakota #watfordcity #mckenziecounty

www.basccte.com