MyNDNow.com -  A North Dakota rural electric cooperative has christened a new headquarters building that looms large over the landscape around Williston, and represents the historic growth in that region. When the board chairman of Mountrail-Williams Electric cut the ribbon to officially open the coop's gleaming new headquarters in Williston, it signaled the company's commitment to the future. "This really is built not for me but for the next generation," said General Manager Dale Haugen. Haugen has guided the once-tiny coop through some amazing growth. "About eight years ago we went from this 30 megawatts to almost 500 megawatts, that's like 15 times." Read More

	Representatives from the City of Williston and Cardon Global celebrated the Topping Out ceremony at the XWA terminal Oct. 2. Williston Herald photo

Williston Herald - The Williston Basin International Airport is one step closer to completion. On Oct. 2, the final beam for the terminal building was set into place. "It's a huge milestone for the community and for this construction project," Anthony Dudas, Williston airport director said. "When you come to an airport, you think of the commercial terminal. So really this is the highest, most visible piece of construction that's occurring for our facility." Read More 

	David Wicke has joined the City of Williston staff as City Engineer.

Willliston Herald -  The City of Williston has added a new face to its roster. David Wicke has joined the city staff as City Engineer, taking over for longtime engineer Bob Hanson, who has transitioned to Senior Engineering Adviser for the city. As City Engineer, Wicke will oversee all engineering improvement projects, as well as work with Public Works on design, operations and master planning of infrastructure while supervising the engineering department staff. Read More

Williston Herald - In a recent WalletHub survey, North Dakota was the nation's fourth happiest state. Maybe it's because of what's in North Dakotans' wallets. North Dakota incomes have risen substantially since 2008, according to a report from the North Dakota Census Office. Median household incomes now exceed national levels, putting the state at 18th in the nation on that metric. "Reports like this add validity to the message we have been preaching now for several years," said Williston Economic Development Executive Director Shawn Wenko. "This is a great place to relocate, raise a family and do business. The opportunity is here." Read More

	UND President Mark Kennedy, Williston Mayor Howard Klug, WSC President John Miller and NDSU President Dean Bresciani are pictured in Williston. City of Williston photo

Grand Forks Herald - The presidents of the state's two largest universities are hitting the road this week to talk about the importance of research and to ask for support for their proposal for $100 million in the next biennium that would go toward research. UND President Mark Kennedy and North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani outlined their proposal for the state to invest $100 million in research at the two campuses over a two-year period at meetings in Minot, Bismarck, Williston, Watford City and Dickinson this week.  Read More

	Goran Misic tries on some of the high-tech winter weather apparel from Fortress Clothing at the Bakken Oil Show. Williston Herald photo

Williston Herald - A video caught Goran Misic's eye as he wandered the booths at the Bakken Oil Products and Service Show, a video of something that the Basin Safety controller had never seen before. In the six-minute clip, volunteers outfitted in Fortress Clothing jumped into an icy hole carved into four-foot thick ice at the Hunting Reservoir in Utah. The initial dive was shockingly cold, of course, but as the participants stood there, they did not get colder, as you would expect. Instead, a thin, quarter-inch layer in the middle of the garments designed to wick moisture away helped keep them warm despite being wet. Read More

McKenzie County Farmer - In spite of safety concerns that were raised by county resident Jason Gressman and Jim Talbert, McKenzie County Planning and Zoning Department director and one nearby homeowner, the McKenzie County Planning and Zoning Commission gave its approval for a Firearms Facility Overlay District that would pave the way for a new gun range near Watford City. That recommendation will now be considered at the Oct. 2 county commissioners meeting. For the full story, subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer