McKenzie County School District #1 has seen another boost in its enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year. Last year’s academic year saw the school district surpass 2,000 students, with a count of 2,003. As of September 7, 2023, the enrollment was at 2,129 students, continuing its record growth.
Read more here.
Thanks to a successful grant application to the NDCA’s Arts in Education Collaboration (AIEC), Watford City High School will showcase stunning mural designs throughout the school. In collaboration with the Long X Arts Foundation, six distinctive murals will help establish a sense of pride and beauty into the school’s hallways, each representing various departments: Science, Math, English, and Social Studies, alongside a vibrant representation of the school’s wolf mascot. Led by the talented artist Morgan Wagner, 250 students and community members lent an artistic hand to help paint the murals.
Read more on the Watford City High School’s mural project here.
The September Economy at a Glance is now available. Some data of note include:
Watford City has gained a new steakhouse named HM’s Steakhouse, which opened in late August 2023. The menu includes everything from delicious hand cut steaks and chicken to pastas and a kid’s menu. The restaurant is located at the former Dakotan restaurant at 604 2nd Ave SW. Call 701-444-2001 to make a reservation and visit their website to check out the menu!
Dr. Gillian Lavik, General Surgeon, has joined McKenzie Health and will be starting on October 2, 2023. Dr. Lavik, a native of Rugby, ND, graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences in 2010, completing pre-medical education at Macalester College in Minnesota. Her internship and residency were completed at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY, where she served as Chief Resident in her graduate year. Her advanced skill include experience in surgical oncology, breast surgery, abdominal surgeries, and minimally invasive options for a wide range of procedures. Dr. Lavik is married with three children and enjoys all that the outdoors has to offer.
Appointments in the Specialty Clinic can be made by calling 701-444-8730.
McKenzie Health has gained a new Family Medicine Physician, Dr. Lee Kiedrowski, who started seeing patients at the Rural Health Clinic on September 5, 2023. Dr. Kiedrowski obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in May 2008 from NDSU in Biotechnology and Microbiology. In May 2014, he earned his Masters of Science Degree in International Infectious Disease Management and Biosecurity, also from NDSU. He obtained his Medical Degree in May 2018 from UND, then became board certified in Family Medicine in April 2021. Prior to joining McKenzie Health, Dr. Kiedrowski served as a Family Medicine Physician at CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson, ND.
To make an appointment with Dr. Kiedrowski, call 701-842-3771.
Since 1998, Marty and Crystal Mulder have poured love and hard work into the Roosevelt Inn & Suites hotel in Watford City, and their passion has been inherited by their two daughters, Bethany Devlin and Lindsey Ybarra. On July 27, 2023, Devlin and Ybarra officially took over the Roosevelt Inn & Suites from their parents, continuing their family’s legacy in the hotel and hospitality business.
Click here to watch KFYR’s story on this family’s longstanding heritage in the hotel industry and their dedication to the Watford City community.
Job Service North Dakota’s Labor Market Information (NDLMI) Department has released the top 25 list of the largest employers in North Dakota and North Dakota counties in 2022. McKenzie County’s top 5 largest employers in 2022 include:
Read more on McKenzie County and North Dakota’s top employers at the NDLMI website.
A portion of HWY 73, between Johnsons Corner and HWY 22, is temporary closed due to road work. The closure is from about five miles east of Johnsons Corner to the intersection of HWY 22, and a detour is in place for east and westbound traffic. The road work and closure are due to a roundabout project that began earlier this spring, which will be located at the intersection of HWY 73 and 22. The portion will be reopened in mid-September.
For more information on this road project and other projects around the state, click here.
Northern Lights Pulse, a podcast that helps teens and young adults better understand themselves, others, and the world in which they live, talked with their first ever youth guest, Aidan, a teenager from Watford City.
You can listen to this episode, titled “Talking with Teens Series 1: Aidan (Ep. 36), on Spotify or other podcast streaming services.
