• It’s all here

    Shannon and Jesse Wellen, Omar Mohamed and Dawn Tschetter

    On the edge of the beautiful badlands and just a few short miles from the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea, the people of Watford City have been busy building a community…

  • Land of Opportunity

    Pat Bertagnolli

    Pat Bertagnolli could have moved with his career to Hawaii. Instead, he chose Watford City…and the rest of his family followed.…

  • On a “What if” or a “Maybe”

    Karen George

    When Karen George’s husband lost his job in Georgia, she sent him on a four day bus trip to Watford City to meet with a recruiter, pinning their life plans…

  • Home in Watford City

    Shilo Chavez

    Denver area native Shilo Chavez and her husband moved their three children to the growing town of Watford City, North Dakota in 2017. In their search for a place…

  • Health and Happiness

    McKenzie County Healthcare System Staff

    Watford City’s healthcare system has expanded to fill the needs of our growing community, making a positive impact for residents and employees.…

  • Moved back and Loving It

    Jarrett & Kelcee Wold, Aaron Pelton, and Rachel Meuchel

    Watford City is growing with new residents—some of whom are living here for the first time, and others who have returned to their childhood homes. Hear the stories…

  • Get Reel…Go Fishing!

    Matt Liebel

    Western North Dakota isn’t widely thought of as a hot bed for fisherman…. that is, unless you know where to drop your line. Watford native Matt Liebel leads fishing…

  • Maah Daah Hey in a Day

    Ben Welnak

    It’s been called the Raddest Race in the Baddest Place…and for good reason! It’s 100 miles across some of the toughest terrain a mountain biker will ever encounter…

  • Public Pow Wow

    Charlie Moran

    North Dakota is a state rich in Native American culture and McKenzie County is no exception. Northeast of Watford City, along the Missouri River, the traditions…

  • Building for the Future

    Justin Johnsrud

    Justin Johnsrud’s life has come full circle since returning to Watford City — not as a student, but rather a high school teacher and athletic coach. With…

  • 100 Years of Faith

    Jean Wold

    Church council member, Sunday school teacher, WELCA leader, quilter, …these are just a few of the roles Jean Wold has assumed since becoming a member of First…

  • Fun in the Sun

    Bambi and Allen Shelley

    Basketball, softball, tennis, swimming, fishing….there’s no shortage of things to do in Watford City! Thanks to one of the most extensive parks and…

  • Saddled Up for Success

    Jason Gillen

    Jason Gillen isn’t a North Dakota native, but as co-owner and manager of the recently opened Roughrider Stables & Equestrian Center, this Utah native …

  • National Park…Local Treasure

    Belle and Cory Brown

    A job in the oil business brought Belle and Cory Brown from Michigan to Watford City…but it was the beauty of Theodore Roosevelt National Park that convinced…

  • Putting Patients First

    Larry Larsen, Debbie Larsen, and Jenna Wahlstrom

    A lot has changed at Larsen Service Drug since it first opened its doors in 1952. What hasn’t changed? The family that owns it and the personalized care they’ve…

  • Hometown Pride

    Mary Gumke

    Family, friends, food and fun is the recurring theme of Watford City’s annual Homefest held the last weekend every June. It’s just one of many annual, community…

  • A Family Affair

    Sandy Updegrave & Samantha Utshall

    North Dakota is a long way from Oregon, but that didn’t stop this mother-daughter duo who came to Watford City with a husband and fiancé in tow, in search of new…

  • Watford City Elementary School

    Brad Foss & Alex Veeder

    The staff at Watford City Elementary School has seen their enrollment more than double in size since the beginning of the oil boom. Despite the inherent challenges…

  • Help Wanted!

    Heidi Brenna

    Oil-field workers aren’t the only ones greeted with opportunity in the wake of the oil development. Employers with job openings in hospitality, construction,…

  • Driving Hope Home

    Jim Svihovec

    After spending more than 30 years in healthcare, Jim’s career took a detour shortly after his 23-year old daughter was killed in a car crash just outside of Watford…

  • Letting Business Take Flight

    Luke Taylor

    Born and raised in Watford City, Luke grew up flying crop dusting planes with his dad. After attending college,he moved back home to find a revitalized Watford…

  • Best Friends Forever

    Sam and Nick

    Meet two best friends who were nearly separated when one’s family was unable to find suitable housing after relocating from Oklahoma to Watford City.  A short…

  • The Next Generation

    Calli Thorne

    Calli has fond memories of growing up on her family’s ranch just outside of Watford City, caring for the land and the animals.  Now a third generation rancher,…

  • Taking The Wheel

    Diane Campbell

    After teaching for 27 years on a reservation in a declining economy, Diane decided a career change was in order and left to become a truck driver in the oil industry.…

  • Wolf Pup Daycare

    Tessa Moberg

    It takes a special kind of person to care for other people’s kids – especially when there are a 190 of them!  As director of the recently opened Wolf Pup Daycare,…

  • Boomtown – Music Video

    Jessie Veeder

    Jessie Veeder sings about the people of western North Dakota’s oil boom and takes to the streets of her hometown of Watford City to tell their story. Jessie’s…

  • Rolling out the Welcome Wagon

    Bev Parton, Betsy + Danny Ryan

    The people of Watford city are known for their hospitality.  But it wasn’t just the words; rather it was the actions of a longtime resident who helped make one…

  • Home Sweet Home

    Jeremy + Kristy Fowler

    With experience working in the natural gas industry in Searcy, Arkansas, Jeremy Fowler came to Watford City with a job offer in hand. Living in a trailer with…

  • Don’t Call Them Mancamps

    Greg Hauck

    Private sleeping quarters, a 24-hour dining facility, fitness center and rec room are only some of amenities that make up Target Logistics “temporary workforce…

  • Faith in the Oil Fields

    Sheldon McGorman

    Serving at the Watford City Assembly of God Church for the past 15 years,  Pastor Sheldon McGorman  has seen tremendous change within the community.   …

  • Caring for All Creatures

    Dr. Bruce Pedersen

    With cattle far outnumbering people in Watford City, the need for high quality veterinary care has always been great.   Now, with an increasingly diverse …

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