News

Ward County finalizes 2027 budget

Ward County taxpayers could see a decrease in the county portion of their next property tax bills. Based on no change in assessment, the average home assessed at $225,000 would pay $608 in taxes, down about $15, according to information from the Ward County Auditor’s Office. The Ward County Commission met Wednesday, Sept. 23, to finalize a 2027 budget of $66.13 million, which includes $62.05 million for county operations and $4.08 million for associated organizations – Council on Aging, Garrison Diversion, N.D. State Fair, Soil Conservation, Souris River Joint Board and Water ...

Former Minot AFB leader promoted

Air Force Col. Jesse Lamarand, former commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, has been appointed to the grade of brigadier general. Lamarand was among general officer nominations announced by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Friday, Sept. 18. Lamarand is currently serving as ...

ND Scholarships help keep recipients in state

BISMARCK – Students who receive a North Dakota Scholarship are consistently more likely to remain in North Dakota after high school graduation than their peers who do not receive a scholarship, according to new research conducted through North Dakota's Longitudinal Data System and released by the North Dakota University System. The analysis examined North Dakota high school graduates who enrolled in a North Dakota University System institution and tracked their retention in the state through postsecondary enrollment and employment records. Findings show that scholarship recipients ...

Former EDC director charged with theft

BOTTINEAU – The former director of the Bottineau Economic Development Corp. has been charged with theft in Northeast District Court in connection with more than $600,000 in suspected unauthorized expenditures from the EDC and City of Kramer.. Whitney Lynn Gonitzke, 46, Kramer, is awaiting ...

Surrey considers filling police positions

SURREY – The City of Surrey is moving forward to fill vacancies on its police following the resignations of three officers in August. The city has been accepting applications after deciding to fill two full-time police officer positions. Surrey’s police department is operating with a part-time chief and part-time officer, with backup assistance from the Ward County Sheriff’s Office, but Chief Kevin Howe has indicated his interest in retiring. The Surrey City Council met Tuesday, Sept. 22, with Howe and Capt. Jason Kraft of the Ward County Sheriff’s Department to discuss ...

TR statue gets spiffed up