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Living in McKenzie County

Living in McKenzie County

By: The City of Watford City North Dakota
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Welcome to "Living in McKenzie County", an original content series brought to you by the City of Watford City and McKenzie County Economic Development. In this series, join hosts Vawnita Best and Daniel Stenberg as we introduce you to those shaping our community through innovation, decision-making, and events. We’ll explore the stories behind the people who are driving the growth in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States during the 2010s. McKenzie County, North Dakota, has been transformed by a revolutionary energy boom, but its roots run deep in agriculture and conservation. Today, it’s a place where young families, longtime residents, and businesses can thrive, embracing the opportunities that this dynamic region has to offer.2024 Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The McKenzie County Heritage Park
    Sep 2 2025

    Welcome back for Season 2 of The Living in McKenzie County podcast!

    In today's episode, we dive into all things McKenzie County Heritage Park with special guests Heather and Bekah. We discuss their personal connections to the park, its rich history, and the exciting events it hosts, including the highly anticipated Heritage Day. Heather, who followed in her mother's footsteps to work at the park, and Bekah, who has deep roots in the county, share their favorite buildings and activities. Learn about the park's unique features, such as various historical buildings, hands-on activities, and seasonal events. Don't miss out on getting the full scoop on Heritage Day and more! Tune in and get a thorough understanding of this gem in McKenzie County.

    This episode also marks a goodbye to our co-host Daniel Stenberg, as he transitions from his job as McKenzie County Economic Development Director to a new role with the McKenzie County Soil Conservation District. From all of us at The Long X Development Team & Living in McKenzie County podcast, we wish Daniel the best of luck and thank him for his time and dedication towards making not just this podcast but life in McKenzie County better for all!

    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

    00:19 Meet Heather and Bekah

    00:35 Heather's Journey to Heritage Park

    01:08 Bekah's Connection to Heritage Park

    03:16 History and Buildings of Heritage Park

    07:23 Activities and Events at Heritage Park

    08:31 Heritage Day Celebration

    16:59 Daniel's Farewell Announcement

    #history #museum #heritage #mckenziecounty #watfordcitynd #prairielife #homestead #oilandgas #energy #farming #agriculture
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    21 mins
  • The Watford City Booster Club
    Jul 29 2025

    Join us as we discuss the exciting formation of the Watford City High School and Middle School Activities Booster Club.

    Meet the ultimate team members, including PE teacher and Watford City Boy's Basketball head coach Justin Hager, literacy coach and longtime educator Pam Moen, and community member & business leader Angie Pelton. Learn about the club's mission to enhance community engagement and student participation through financial support and organizing events. Discover more about the upcoming golf scramble fundraiser on August 12th and how you can get involved! #McKenzieCounty #BoosterClub #WatfordCity #NorthDakota #CommunityEngagement #StudentParticipation #HighSchoolSports #Sports

    00:00 Welcome to the Living in McKenzie County Podcast

    00:33 Introducing the Watford City Booster Club

    01:08 Meet the Team: Self-Introductions

    03:48 Discussing the Booster Club's Mission and Goals

    04:48 Community Engagement and Student Participation

    07:31 The Importance of Community Support

    21:43 Upcoming Events and Fundraising Initiatives

    28:35 Community Engagement Initiatives

    28:59 Meet the Wolves Event

    29:57 Booster Club Membership Drive

    32:36 Coaching and Participation

    36:30 Building a Culture of Excellence

    41:58 Supporting All Activities

    43:23 Encouraging Community Involvement

    51:05 Upcoming Events and Registration

    54:16 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

    Find the Booster Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watfordcityboosterclub

    Email the Booster Club at: wcboosterclub1915@gmail.com

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    58 mins
  • The Watford City Police Department & National Night Out
    Jul 15 2025

    In this episode of Living in McKenzie County, join host Vawnita Best and representatives from the Watford City Police Department, Officer Jeffrey Jensen and Chief Jesse Wellen, as they discuss their personal experiences, the department's mission, and the various programs they support. The episode covers the importance of community policing, the role of School Resource Officers (SROs), and the impactful initiatives like the Watford City Police Foundation and Blue Santa program. Learn about the upcoming National Night Out event on August 5th, 2025, and how it's designed to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. Tune in to understand the dedication of the Watford City Police Department to serve, protect, and engage with their residents.

    00:00 Welcome to the Living in McKenzie County Podcast

    01:11 Meet Officer Jensen: From Wisconsin to Watford City

    04:35 Chief Wellen's Journey: From Minnesota to Watford City

    07:46 Opportunities in Law Enforcement and Community Growth

    20:39 National Night Out: Building Bridges with the Community

    35:41 Recognizing the Unsung Heroes: Fire and EMS Volunteers

    42:29 Watford City Police Department Foundation and Blue Santa Program

    46:14 Supporting DARE Programs and Youth Initiatives

    48:40 Community Engagement and Fundraising Efforts

    50:48 Blue Santa Program and Holiday Support

    57:34 Community Policing and Building Relationships

    01:07:16 School Resource Officer (SRO) Program

    01:17:19 Social Media and Community Communication

    01:29:50 National Night Out and Community Events

    #police #Lawenforcement #northdakota #smalltown #ruralliving #backtheblue #nationalnightout #watfordcitynd #mckenziecounty

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    1 hr and 32 mins
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