EDITOR
Wendy Reuer wreuer@forumcomm.com
701-241-5530
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Eric Groves egroves@forumcomm.com
701-241-5429
MULTIMEDIA
Jessie Andren jandren@forumcomm.com 701-241-5451
Tim Couchman tcouchman@forumcomm.com 701-241-5490
Jamie Dettling jdettling@forumcomm.com 701-241-5493
Keith Harriger kharriger@forumcomm.com 701-241-5435
David Jones djones@forumcomm.com 701-388-1930
DESIGNER
Jen Phillips
By Wendy Reuer
WEST FARGO — The West Fargo Exchange Club named Sgt. Shane Orn, the Police Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year, Matt Brieland and awarded its Civic Excellence Award to Jake Gust at its annual awards ceremony, on Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Gust has farmed near West Fargo and served a 24-year political career on the West Fargo City Commission. He also served as the superintendent of the Sheyenne Diversion and is on the Cass County Water Resource Board. Gust is also a licensed pilot who has been involved with the West Fargo Airport Authority.
Breiland is from Fargo and joined the West Fargo Fire Department in 2018 as a paid on-call firefighter, transitioning to a full-time firefighter role in July 2022. Breiland assists with the Joint Fire Academy held in partnership with the Fargo Fire Department and is instrumental in training a new generation of firefighters. He routinely fills the role of acting Captain when needed and provides leadership to ensure positive outcomes on various calls for service.
Breiland was recently recognized by his peers and elected the President of Firefighters Local 3507, organizing and working with department leadership on issues directly relating to firefighter health and safety. He graduated from North Dakota State University and had a 12-year career with North Dakota State University in the Plant Pathology Department before his firefighting career.
Orn is from Stirum, N.D., and was hired by the West Fargo Police Department in 2008. Orn has served as a patrol officer, bike patrol officer, field training officer and a member of the Red River Valley SWAT Team. He retired from the Red River Valley SWAT Team as team leader in 2022. Orn is a seasoned instructor in
firearms, less lethal, room clearing, vehicle suppression and active shooter response.
From 2013 to 2018, Orn served on the Cass County Drug Task Force as a Detective. Orn achieved the rank of Sergeant in 2018 assigned to the Patrol Division, in 2019 he was reassigned to the Narcotics and Intelligence Unit. Orn served as the assistant coordinator for the Cass County Drug Task Force and oversaw the Special Investigations Unit.
Orn has received the Highway Traffic Safety Honor Roll Award, Active Shooter Response Ribbon, two
The West Fargo Echange Club presented their annual awards to 2024 honorees recognized for their service to the city at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Award winners included Police Department Employee of the Year, Sgt. Shane Orn, Civic Excellence Award, Jake Gust, and Firefighter of the Year, Matt Brieland.
David Samson/The Focus
Commendable Service Awards and a Meritorious Service Award. Orn graduated from Alexandria Technical College and began his career at the Dickey County Sheriff’s Office in
2002 before moving to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for four years.
Airport Authority
Last Thursday of every month, 5:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Municipal Airport Terminal Building
Baby Boost Story Time (ages 0-2 + their adults)
Every Friday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
City Commission
Monday, Oct. 7, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 21 , 5:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo City
Commission Chambers
Library Board
Second Thursday of every month, 5:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo City Commission Chambers
Liquor Control Board
Second Tuesday of every month, 1 p.m.
@ West Fargo City Commission Chambers
Park Board
Second Wednesday of every month, 5:30 p.m.
@ Rustad Recreation Center
Planning and
Zoning Commission
Second Tuesday of every month and the fourth Tuesday if needed, 5:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo City
Commission Chambers
Ready to Read Story Time (ages 3-5 + their adults)
Every Wednesday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
School Board
Second and fourth Monday of every month, 6 p.m.
@ Leidal Education Center
Teeter Tots Storytime
Every Thursday, 10:15-11 a.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
WFACP Card Games & Whist
Every Wednesday, 12:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo High Rise
Monday Matinee
Every Monday, 1:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Visit westfargolibrary.org for movie listings
West Fargo Cribbage Club
Every Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Book Club
Every third Thursday, 1:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Novel Afternoons
Book Club
Every third Wednesday, 1-2 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Senior Chicken Foot
October 1, 12:15 p.m.
@ West Fargo High Rise
English
Conversation Circle
October 1, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Teen Craft Event:
Halloween Theme
October 3, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Saturday Senior Breakfast
October 5, 9 -10:00 a.m.
@ West Fargo High Rise
Saturday STEM
October 5, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Monday Night Readers Book Club
October 7, 7-8 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Senior Birthdays and Prize Bingo
October 8, 12:00 p.m
@ West Fargo High Rise
The WWI Letters Home of Maurice and Kenneth Masterson Presentation
October 8, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Monthly Community Resource Hours
October 10, 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Teen Craft Event: Halloween Origami
October 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Senior Soup and More October 10, 5:00 p.m.
@ Blessed Sacrament Church
Writing Circle
October 10, 7-8 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Friends of the Library
Used Book Sale
October 12-13, Library Hours
@ West Fargo Public Library
Teen Dungeons & Dragons Game
October 12, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Home Fire and Life Safety Class
October 15, 6 - 8:00 p.m.
@ West Fargo Fire Department Headquarters
How to Vote: Hosted by the League of Women Voters
October 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Coffee with a Cop
October 16, 10 -11:00 a.m.
@ Rustad Recreation Center
Monster Crafts
October 17, 1-2 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Teen Craft Event: Clay Monsters
October 17, 3-4 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Family Movie: Inside Out 2 (PG)
October 18, 1:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Cribbage Tournament
October 19, 12:45 - 3 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Showcasing your Family History - Adult Craft Class
October 21, 6:30-8 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Senior Special Bingo
October 22, 12:15 p.m.
@ West Fargo High Rise
Speed Friending Event hosted by West Fargo Public Library
October 23, 7-8 p.m.
@ West Fargo Fire Department HQ
Senior Soup and More
October 24, 5:00 p.m.
@ Blessed Sacrament Church
Books & Brews
Community Book Club
October 24, 6-7 p.m.
@ Junkyard Brewing West Fargo
West Fargo Events
Halloween Treat Street
October 26, 1-3 p.m.
@ POW/MIA Plaza
Movie After Dark: Hocus Pocus
October 26, 8 p.m.
@ POW/MIA Plaza
One Book, One Community Author Talk with Kent Krueger
October 29, 7-8 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Free Vaccine Clinic
October 30, 10:30 a.m.4:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Teen Movie Party: Nightmare Before Christmas
October 31, 6:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Teen Craft: Candy Mosaic Creations
October 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
Trick or Sweet
October 26, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
@ West Fargo Public Library
*West Fargo Area Community Program
Is it time for West Fargo to create its own legal department?
By Wendy Reuer
Since 2016, the city of West Fargo has been adding city departments and staff for additional “in-house” work to keep costs down and limit outside consultants, but attorney work is one area the city continues to outsource.
So, will the city consider hiring an in-house attorney over hiring an outside law firm anytime soon?
“It’s a fair question because we continue to grow and we’re evolving,” said West Fargo City Administrator Dustin Scott. “We’ve evolved into a city of 40,000 with a great business community. So it certainly is always a good thing to discuss — what are our needs now and what do we need to plan for as we continue to grow.”
Longtime West Fargo law firm Ohnstad Twichell is the city’s primary legal firm, which has appointed attorney John Shockley as the city attorney. Shockley has represented the city for nearly 20 years, serving as assistant city attorney from 2005 to 2014, then becoming the top city attorney after the retirement of longtime city attorney Brian Neugebauer, who was also a part of the Ohnstad Twichell firm.
Ohnstad Twichell provides support staff to Shockley and the city, as well as other attorneys who specialize in municipal law.
The city of West Fargo does not have a written contract with Ohnstad Twichell. However, every two years, or after each election cycle, the City Commission reappoints its city attorney, engineer, assessor, police chief, fire chief and building inspector. The city attorney is the only post not filled by a city employee. The City Commission made its most recent two-year appointments at its July 1 meeting.
Like its motto states, West Fargo is a “city on the grow” with the population and city departments growing exponentially in the past 20 years.
“We have experienced this in the past five years where there were similar types of questions through the 2000s and 2000-teens asking us to hire our own engineer and quit using consultants,” Scott said.
West Fargo contracted with Moore Engineering for its engineering work from the days the city first incorporated to 2018, when Scott was named the first West Fargo engineer after working with the city as a Moore Engineering employee for more than a decade. The West Fargo Engineering Department now has a staff of 12 and is led by Engineer Dan Hanson. In 2024, the city budgeted about $1.04 million for full-time and part-time engineering salaries.
Shockley said West Fargo is charged a municipal rate that is “significantly less” than his regular hourly rate. Along with the reduced rate for Shockley’s services, Ohnstad Twichell provides many support staff. Shockley said the number of support hours needed can vary from year to year depending on the needs of the city.
“For example, during the high growth years of the city there were more attorneys and staff working on city matters,” Shockley said. “Now that the city has steady growth, there are approximately 3.3 FTE attorneys and 2.0 FTE paralegal/support staff assisting on a regular basis.”
An analysis by The Forum found that between 2013 and 2023, West Fargo spent about $7.56 million on attorney costs doled out to about 20 law firms and municipal prosecutors. Of the total $7.5 million, about $6.5 million was paid to Ohnstad Twichell.
In 2013, the city paid Ohnstad Twichell $229,970 for legal services, an annual cost that nearly doubled in 2017 when the city paid the firm $428,300 for legal services. In 2018, the cost jumped to $1.1 million, which Shockley said was due to a large number of easement and eminent domain issues. In the years following, costs decreased and hovered around the same amount at
$754,000 in 2019, $883,000 in 2020, $759,000 in 2021 and $751,000 in 2022. There was a steep decrease to $587,000 in 2023.
In the current 2024 budget, a line item expense for the city attorney is $160,000 and $340,000 for a court attorney. However, some departments also include line item expenses for attorney services. Human resources estimated it would need $20,000 for attorney services, the engineering department included $2,000, the library budgeted $4,000 and the Airport Authority budgeted $500.
The city also sets aside $5,000 of capital improvement funds for attorney services and $20,000 from the economic development sales tax funds.
While Shockley is the city’s appointed attorney, the city also contracts with other firms for some legal work and receives litigation support from attorneys with the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund.
The city budgets about $340,000 per year for municipal court attorneys, who act as prosecutors on municipal cases heard in West Fargo’s municipal court. The court attorney costs are a separate expense incorporated into the municipal court’s budget.
What other cities have done Shockley also serves as Moorhead’s city attorney through Ohnstad Twichell. The two have had a longstanding relationship that was also started by Brian Neugebauer decades ago. In late 2011, the Moorhead City Council considered hiring a different firm but found it would likely cost more to hire a new firm over one with longtime institutional knowledge.
However, at the time, some Moorhead City Council members said choosing to contract with a new city attorney would have been worth the higher cost. After three failed motions, the council agreed
continued from page 5
to a one-year contract with Ohnstad Twichell but specified that Shockley act as the primary city attorney rather than Neugebauer. The city has not openly reconsidered the matter since then.
While Fargo has elected to continue to appoint an outside attorney rather than create a department, it did so after opening a bidding process for law firms to apply to serve as the primary city attorney in 2021 following the retirement of longtime City Attorney Erik Johnson. The city of Fargo signed a contract in late 2021 with the Serkland Law Firm to provide prosecutorial and civil legal services and appointed Nancy Morris as the primary city attorney. Morris had served for about 10 years as Fargo’s assistant city attorney.
Fargo approved the five-year contract with Serkland that included an annual fee of $325,000 for fixed costs and a retainer of another $337,500 for an estimated 50 hours a week for prosecution services.
According to the League of North Dakota Cities, only Bismarck and Minot have created city attorney offices in the state.
Bismarck City Attorney Janelle Combs said the city of Bismarck employs one and one-third full-time equivalent criminal attorneys, or prosecutors, and employs one and two-thirds full-time civil attorneys, plus three legal assistants. The salaries for the city legal department are about $700,000 per year. Combs said the Bismarck attorneys office’s 2024 budget was about $724,226, of which $686,833 is salaries and benefits, leaving that office with $37,393 in other expenses.
In Mandan, the city has a civil contract with Combs’ firm for about $72,000. Litigation is usually opened as a separate file and then covered by an attorney paid for by the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund. Mandan has a roughly $114,000 criminal contract, of which $48,000 is for indigent defense with Steve Balaban/Thomas Glass and $66,000 for prosecution with the Kelsch Law Firm.
“My 2025 budget is similar to 2024, except our increases for personnel costs is whatever the city as a whole provided,” Combs said.
West Fargo City Administrator Dustin Scott said considering a move to in-house legal services is worth a look from a costsavings perspective. However, the potential savings in dollars is not necessarily all that needs to be considered, he said.
“It’s also considering what liability or risk would be there and what other time and resources would this take,” Scott said. “It’s certainly something to consider moving forward.”
Scott pointed out that Shockley and Onstad Twichell’s history in West Fargo is irreplaceable, and their work is of high quality.
“We get very reasonable rates, they do very good work and they have a lot of institutional knowledge,” Scott said. “John Shockley is a world-renowned attorney. ... I feel very proud and happy to have Ohnstad Twichell working with us. But I get it, it’s an expenditure that comes with questions.”
Shockley said a firm that specializes in municipal clients is another benefit.
“A private law firm that specializes in working with municipal clients provides a lot of expertise and staff that are available when needed, but the city does not have any carrying costs, such as wages, healthcare, benefits, office space, technology,” he said. “This is a benefit to a city when it is growing fast and also when its growth stabilizes. Most cities need to get to a significant size before creating an in-house city attorney position, as it is a costly position and needs support staff.”
Scott said it would be up to the West Fargo City Commission to decide if the city should consider an in-house system for legal services.
“That’s where there are five decisionmakers that need to have this information in front of them and understand what options there are and how best to move forward,” Scott said. “When hiring an attorney, you’re not just hiring one person, you’ll be hiring a team of people. My only reservation would be in the long run are we going to spend more money. It leaves the question of how much work would still need to be consulted out versus what could they do internally.”
Staff turnover is also a concern for Scott when examining the limitations of hiring
an in-house city attorney. He said there is the potential risk and cost to the city of having to undergo the hiring of a new city attorney anytime staff would leave city employment.
“Speaking of experience with the finance department, that has not gone well over the last several years with the significant turnover. So, I worry if you add another department into this whole mix, is that really in the best interest of the city today?” Scott said. “Today, I don’t see that. But in the future, absolutely. You’ve got to keep asking these things.”
Scott said considering publishing a request for proposals — allowing outside firms to compete for pricing as the city attorney — similar to what Fargo did could be worthwhile for the city.
“That invites a transparent approach to ascertaining those services,” he said. “You’d have an RFP for prosecution and then general city services.”
However, he cautioned that the lowest bid may not be the best bid for the city.
“It’s not always just about the money. I would certainly recommend that it be written so that it’s about qualifications as well,” Scott said. “We have to be fiscally responsible, but there’s always the point of bringing someone in with zero historical knowledge (of the city). You’ll have to spend money to catch them up.”
The West Fargo City Commission has not in recent years publicly discussed creating an in-house attorney position or publishing a request for proposals from law firms.
According to a letter to the City Commission in 2018, former finance director Aaron Mitchell noted he attempted on many occasions to request that then-city administrator Tina Fisk propose a bidding process for legal services or consider in-house counsel as a method of cost savings and to increase government transparency within the city of West Fargo.
As seen in the fluctuation of annual costs of attorney services, expenses can climb if the city is tackling legal challenges. However, costs of attorney services can also increase due to internal city policies. Since 2017, the West Fargo Communications Department has followed a policy of sending all public records requests to Shockley for review and
potential redaction of private information before providing the information to the requester.
Not all government entities require that step in providing open records. In Fargo, the majority of records requests are reviewed in-house by one of the city’s 12 communications staff. West Fargo has two communications staff with funding for a third staffer in place.
In West Fargo Public Schools, where personnel records are often requested by media, Human Resources Director Brittnee Nikle said her office performs the majority of necessary redaction.
“We usually do our own redacting whenever possible,” she said. “It is time-consuming, so there has been one situation that I can think of in which we asked the attorney that we consulted with to do the redaction for us. I can’t guarantee that is the only time it has happened, but we usually do it in-house.”
Jack McDonald, attorney for the North Dakota Newspaper Association, said he sees no reason records redaction duties could not be allocated to staff.
“It’s really a waste of taxpayers’ money to pay an attorney to review all open records requests,” McDonald said. “I’m not aware of any public entity in the state that does that. First, a lot of the requested records don’t contain any redactable information, such as copies of minutes, meeting agendas, etc. Secondly, the redactable list is relatively short and can be made available to staffers who can easily do it when needed. Thirdly, having an attorney review all requests just slows down the process and does a disservice to the public that needs the information.”
Scott said the city’s policy for attorney review of records requests may be something the city could reconsider.
“I’d certainly welcome the discussion with our commissioners on what our redaction policy should be and whether or not we should be engaging our legal team, but I would certainly caution having untrained staff do the redactions,” Scott said.
Readers can reach Focus editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm.com or 701-241-5530.
West Fargo Police Department’s next Coffee with a Cop to take place Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Rustad Recreation Center
By City of West fargo
The West Fargo Police Department’s Coffee with a Cop will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Rustad Recreation Center in West Fargo (601 26th Ave. E.). The Coffee with a Cop program is designed to increase understanding between residents and the police. At these events, residents learn more about law enforcement and can interact with officers.
This event is sponsored by the Community Outreach Programs and Services (COPS) Unit. The COPS Unit organizes the department’s continued efforts to recognize West Fargo’s changing demographics and strengthen relationships with all members of the community. These efforts include community events, officers dedicated to the COPS Unit, and the completion of cultural awareness and diversity training for staff.
By City of West Fargo
closures and garbage schedule changes
The City of West Fargo is closed Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Garbage and recycling collection will be delayed by one day all week.
On Monday, Nov. 11, all municipal government buildings are closed to the public, including City Hall, Public Library, Sanitation, Public Works and the Transfer Station. Public safety agencies are in full operation, but the West Fargo Police and Fire
Department buildings are closed to the public on this day.
The City of West Fargo has three sites for residents who would like to honor veterans on Veterans Day. The POW/MIA Plaza, located at 400 Sheyenne Street, is a public park recognizing prisoners of war and those missing in action next to the West Fargo VFW Post #7564. Maplewood Park, located at 1504 17th Avenue E., is home to the Veterans Memorial in memory of those who served. The 4th Street E. tree dedication, north of 31st Avenue E. near Maple Ridge Park, contains
trees planted in dedication to local fallen heroes.
The City of West Fargo is closed Thursday, Nov. 28, – Friday, Nov. 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. No garbage or recycling will be collected Thursday, Nov. 28. Thursday garbage recycling collection will take place Friday, Nov. 29.
Thursday, Nov. 28, – Friday, Nov. 29, all municipal government buildings are closed to the public, including City Hall, Public Library, Sanitation, Public Works and the Transfer Station. Public safety agencies are in full operation but the West Fargo Police and Fire Department buildings are closed to the public on this day.
For email or text message alerts regarding holiday closures and sanitation schedule changes, visit westfargond.gov/List.aspx.
By Wendy Reuer
WEST FARGO — The Red River Valley Fair will be returning to a 10-day format in 2025 after an extended weekend schedule in 2024 didn’t fare as well financially as officials had hoped.
Red River Valley Fair officials announced Friday, Aug. 30, that the fair will return to its traditional 10-day schedule in 2025 when the fair will be held July 4 -13. The fair also plans to lower admission and entertainment prices in 2025 after hearing from fairgoers this year that the expense of the
fair for a family to attend was difficult to bear.
Prices are still being discussed and will be released after the assessment of the fair experience survey is complete, Red River Valley Fair CEO Cody Cashman said in a release.
The Red River Valley Fair recently sent an electronic survey to the public and its social media followers asking what can be done to improve the fair.
“Our goal is to be the place where families invest in lifelong memories, and these
Patrons walk the grounds at the Red River Valley Fair on Friday, July 5, 2024. David Samson / The Focus
changes are designed to make that experience even more accessible,” Cashman said.
Along with a return to the 10-day format, the fair plans to reduce gate admission prices from $15 to $10 in 2025.
The Mega Pass, a popular carnival ride discount that allows for rides over multiple days of the fair, will return.
Fair: continued on page 16
October 1
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C
@Horace High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@West Fargo High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV
@Horace High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V
@Horace High School
October 3
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C
@Horace High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@Horace - Heritage Middle School (WFPS)
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Horace High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@Horace - Heritage Middle School (WFPS)
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Horace High School
October 4
Orchestra - Varsity @Horace Auditorium
Orchestra State Festival
5 p.m.
Swimming: G/V @TBA
This support group is held on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30-6:30pm Zoom participation is also available.
Please contact Boulger Funeral Home by phone to register or through the “Contact Us” button on our website.
5 p.m.
Swimming: G/V
@UND Hyslop Pool
6 p.m.
Football: V @Horace High School
October 5
Orchestra - Varsity
@Horace Auditorium
Orchestra State Festival
October 7
5 p.m.
Football: 9th
@Fargo North High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@Fargo North High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Fargo North High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV
@Fargo North High School
October 8
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Horace High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Horace High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Horace High School
October 10
6 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Wahpeton High School
7:30 p.m.
Choir - Varsity @Horace Auditorium
October 11
TBD
Volleyball: V @TBA
6 p.m.
Football: V @Horace High School
6 p.m.
Swimming: G/V @Jamestown High School
October 12
TBD
Volleyball: V @TBA
10:30 a.m.
Swimming: G/V @Jamestown High School
1 p.m.
Cross Country: V @Lincoln Drive Park
October 14
5 p.m.
Football: 9th @Horace High School
7 p.m.
Band - Varsity
@Horace Auditorium
7 p.m.
Football: JV @Horace High School
October 15
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Sheyenne High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B @Sheyenne High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Sheyenne High School
6 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Sheyenne High School
7 p.m.
Orchestra - Varsity @Horace Auditorium
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Sheyenne High School
October 16
Choir - Varsity @West Fargo High School
3 p.m.
Cross Country: V @Johnson Park - Moorhead
October 17
6 p.m.
Football: V @Cushman Field
October 21
5 p.m.
Football: 9th @Horace High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV @Horace High School
October 22
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Shanley High School
5:30 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Horace High School
•
•
•
• Workforce needs
•
•
•
• Against what ’s best for educating our children, earning an “F ” from North Dakota United E
• For funding private schools with public money
• Against women’s reproductive rights
• For book bans with penalties for librarians
• Against school lunches for all kids
• Against childcare assistance
• Against LGBTQ+ kids
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV
@Shanley High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Shanley High School
October 24
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Horace High School
5:30 p.m.
Swimming: G/V
@Hulbert Aquatics Center
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Horace High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Central Cass High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Horace High School
7:30 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B @Central Cass High School
October 25
5:30 p.m.
Swimming: G/V
@Hulbert Aquatics Center
6 p.m.
Football: V @Horace High School
October 26
2 p.m.
Cross Country: V @Parkhurst Recreation Area
October 29
TBD
Volleyball: 9A
@Valley City Jr. Sr. High School
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Valley City Jr. Sr. High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Valley City Jr. Sr. High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Valley City Jr. Sr. High School
October 31
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Horace High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Horace High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Horace High School
October 1
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Wahpeton High School
5 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV @Sheyenne High School
5:30 p.m.
Swimming: G/V @Sheyenne High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Wahpeton High School
6 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Wahpeton Elementary School
7 p.m.
Soccer: B/V @Sheyenne High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Wahpeton High School
October 3
10 a.m.
Tennis: B/V @Courts Plus Community Fitness
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Sheyenne High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B @Sheyenne High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Sheyenne High School
6 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Sheyenne High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Sheyenne High School
October 4
9 a.m.
Tennis: B/V @Courts Plus Community Fitness
4 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV @Fargo South High School
5 p.m.
Swimming: G/V @Sheyenne High School
October 5
9 a.m.
Soccer: B/JV
@Fargo South High School
9 a.m.
Tennis: B/V
@Courts Plus
Community Fitness
10 a.m.
Swimming: G/V @Sheyenne High School
10:30 a.m.
Swimming: G/V
@Hulbert Aquatics Center
October 7
5 p.m.
Football: 9th
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV
@West Fargo High School
October 8
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C
@Valley City Jr. Sr. High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV
@Valley City Jr. Sr. High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V
@Valley City Jr. Sr. High School
October 11
TBD
Swimming: G/V
@Jamestown High School
4 p.m.
Volleyball: V @TBA
7 p.m.
Football: V
@Fargo North High School
October 12
TBD
Swimming: G/V
@Jamestown High School
9 a.m.
Volleyball: V @TBA
1 p.m.
Cross Country: 7/8
@Lincoln Drive Park
1 p.m.
Cross Country: JV
@Lincoln Drive Park
1 p.m.
Cross Country: V @Lincoln Drive Park
October 14
5 p.m.
Football: 9th
@Sheyenne High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV
@Sheyenne High School
October 15
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Sheyenne High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@Sheyenne High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Sheyenne High School
6 p.m.
Swimming: G/V @Hulbert Aquatics Center
6 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Sheyenne High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Sheyenne High School
October 16
4 p.m.
Wrestling: G/All
@Sheyenne High School
October 17
7 p.m.
Football: V
@Sheyenne High School
October 18
TBD
Cross Country: V
@Sheyenne High School
October 21
5 p.m.
Football: 9th
@Shanley High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV
@Shanley High School
October 22
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C
@Fargo South High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@Fargo South High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV
@Fargo South High School
6 p.m.
Swimming: G/V
@Hulbert Aquatics Center
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Fargo South High School
October 24
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Sheyenne High School
5:00.p.m.
Volleyball: 9B @Sheyenne High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Sheyenne High School
6 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Sheyenne High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Sheyenne High School
October 25
5:30 p.m.
Swimming: G/V
@Hulbert Aquatics Center
7 p.m.
Football: V @West Fargo High School
October 26
2 p.m.
Cross Country: V @Parkhurst Recreation Area
October 28
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Sheyenne High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B @Sheyenne High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Sheyenne High School
6 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@Sheyenne High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Sheyenne High School
October 29 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Sheyenne High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B @Sheyenne High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Sheyenne High School
6 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Sheyenne High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Sheyenne High School
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Shanley High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Shanley High School
6 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Shanley High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Shanley High School
October 3
9 a.m.
Golf: G/JV
@Lincoln Golf Course
9 a.m.
Golf: G/V
@Kings Walk Golf Course
2 p.m.
Cross Country: V @Leonard Golf Course
5 p.m.
Football: 9th
@West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV @Sheyenne High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Soccer: B/V @Sheyenne High School
October 5
4 p.m.
Tennis: B/JV
@West Fargo High School
4 p.m.
Tennis: B/V
@West Fargo High School
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV @West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A @Horace High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @West Fargo High School
6 p.m.
Swimming: G/V @Hulbert Aquatics Center
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@Horace High School
7 p.m.
Soccer: B/V
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @West Fargo High School
October 6
Noon
Tennis: B/V @TBA
3:30 p.m.
Tennis: B/V @Legacy High School
7 p.m.
Football: V @Williston High School
October 7
10 a.m.
Soccer: B/JV @Fargo South High School
10 a.m.
Swimming: G/V @Fargo South High School
Noon Soccer: B/V @Fargo South High School
October 9
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Moorhead High School
5 p.m.
Football: 9th
@West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@West Fargo High School
6 p.m.
Volleyball: JV
@Moorhead High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV
@West Fargo High School
7:30 p.m.
Volleyball: V
@Moorhead High School
October 10
9 a.m.
Golf: G/JV
@Prairiewood Golf Course
9 a.m.
Golf: G/V
@Rose Creek Golf Course
4 p.m.
Tennis: B/JV
@Kennedy Elementary School
4 p.m.
Tennis: B/V
@Island Park
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C
@West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV
@West Fargo High School
5:30 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@West Fargo High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Soccer: B/V
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @West Fargo High School
October 11
9 a.m.
Golf: G/JV
@Bois de Sioux Golf Course
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
ND Building Trades Union @West Fargo High School
October 12
TBD
Tennis: B/JV
4 p.m.
Tennis: B/V
@Valley City Jr. Sr. High School
4 :30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Fargo Davies High School
5 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV
@West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@Fargo Davies High School
5 :30 p.m.
Swimming: G/V @Hulbert Aquatics Center
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Fargo Davies High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@Fargo Davies High School
7 p.m.
Soccer: B/V
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V
@Fargo Davies High School
October 13
12 p.m.
Tennis: B/V
@West Fargo High School
3 :30 p.m.
Tennis: B/V
@West Fargo High School
4 p.m.
Cross Country: V
@Minnesota State
University Moorhead
5 :30 p.m.
Swimming: G/V
@Fargo Davies High School
7 p.m.
Football: V
@West Fargo High School
October 14
TBD
Tennis: B/V
@Sheyenne High School
TBD
Volleyball: C
@Dilworth Glyndon Felton
High School
8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Packatahna
@Clayton Lodoen
Community High
8 a.m.
Volleyball: V
@Dilworth Glyndon Felton High School
1 p.m.
Cross Country: V
@McDowell Dam Recreation Area
October 15
8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Packatahna
@Clayton Lodoen
Community High
October 16
9 a.m.
Golf: G/JV
@Village Green Golf Course
9 a.m.
Golf: G/V
@Fargo Country Club
4 p.m.
Cross Country: V
@BlueStem Park, Moorhead
5 p.m.
Football: 9th
@West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@Fargo North High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@Fargo North High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV
@West Fargo High School
October 17
TBD
Tennis: B/JV
@West Fargo High School
4 p.m.
Tennis: B/V
@West Fargo High School
4 :30 p.m.
Volleyball: C
@West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV
@Fargo North High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@West Fargo High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV
@West Fargo High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Soccer: B/V
@Fargo North High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @West Fargo High School
9 a.m.
Golf: G/JV
@Cottonwood Golf Club
9 a.m.
Golf: G/V
@Maple River Golf Club
October 19
3:30 p.m.
Tennis: B/JV
@University Courts
3:30 p.m.
Tennis: B/V @Riverside Courts
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C @Fargo North High School
5 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV @West Fargo High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @Fargo North High School
7 p.m.
Soccer: B/V @West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @Fargo North High School
October 20
10:30 a.m.
Cross Country: V @Les Bolstad Golf Course
6 p.m.
Football: V @West Fargo High School
October 21
10:30 a.m.
Swimming: G/V @Hulbert Aquatics Center
1- 7 p.m.
Packatahna @Clayton Lodoen
Community High
October 22
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Packatahna
@Clayton Lodoen
Community High
October 23
9 a.m.
Golf: G/V
@Bois de Sioux Golf Course
4:30 p.m.
Football: 9th
@Red River High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV
@Cushman Field
October 24
4 p.m.
Tennis: B/JV
@West Fargo High School
4 p.m.
Tennis: B/V
@West Fargo High School
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C
@West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV
@West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@West Fargo High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV
@West Fargo High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Soccer: B/V
@West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @West Fargo High School
October 26
3:30 p.m.
Tennis: B/JV @Sheyenne High School
3:30 p.m.
Tennis: B/V @Sheyenne High School
4:30 p.m.
Volleyball: C
@West Fargo High School
5 p.m.
Soccer: B/JV @Cushman Field
5 p.m.
Volleyball: 9B
@West Fargo High School
5:45 p.m.
Volleyball: JV @West Fargo High School
6:15 p.m.
Volleyball: 9A
@West Fargo High School
Blake Shelton performs at the Red River Valley Fair on Friday, July 12, 2024, in West Fargo.
Alyssa Goelzer/The Focus
7 p.m.
Soccer: B/V @Cushman Field
7 p.m.
Volleyball: V @West Fargo High School
October 27
5 p.m.
Swimming: G/V @UND Hyslop Pool
7 p.m.
Football: V @West Fargo High School
October 28
8 a.m.
Volleyball: JV @Sheyenne High School
10:30 a.m.
Cross Country: V @lincoln park
October 30
TBD
Tennis: B/V @High Seed
6 - 8 p.m.
6th Grade Orchestra
Showcase Night @Cheney Middle School
6 p.m.
Football: 9th @West Fargo High School
7 p.m.
Football: JV @Moorhead High School
continued from page 9
Additions of “affordable entertainment” will also be made in 2025, fair officials said.
“We’re implementing a tiered concert pricing strategy, including the allnew Super Concert Pass, making it easier for everyone to enjoy top-tier entertainment at the fair,” Cashman said in the release.
Additional free acts and “strolling entertainment” will return to the midway, as well, to “create a more engaging and vibrant atmosphere.”
Cashman and the Red River Valley Fairgrounds are looking for ways to make up for a disappointing 2024 as attendance stayed flat and concerts did not profit as expected. Cashman estimated the fair had about 137,000 in attendance, down about 10,000 from 2023 and far from the expected 200,000 this year.
The Blake Shelton concert — the fair’s biggest headline act — cost about $1.1
million to hold but only sold about 5,500 tickets.
A plea to the Cass County Commission for about $1.2 million in emergency funding to address the fair’s immediate financial issues was denied earlier this month.
“Our revitalization plan aims to address the challenges we faced this year and create an event that truly reflects the spirit of our community,” Red River Valley Fair COO Brett Snyder said in a release. “We are focused on value, accessibility, and creating an unforgettable experience for all who attend.”
The fair experience survey is open until Oct. 1 and can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/ r/RRVF2024.
Readers can reach Focus editor Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm.com or 701-241-5530.
By City of West Fargo
The General Election includes county, legislative, state, and federal races. No West Fargo city-wide races are held during the General Election. Residents can find detailed information on all races, and a sample ballot at vote.nd.gov.
To be a qualified voter in North Dakota you must be:
• A U.S. Citizen
• At least eighteen (18) years old
• A North Dakota resident
• Resident in the precinct at least thirty (30) days preceding any election.
If a resident who otherwise meets the qualifications for voting in North Dakota moves from one precinct to another within thirty (30) days preceding any election, they are still a qualified elector of the precinct they moved from.
North Dakota does not have voter registration, however, when you show up at the polls, state law requires that you show identification which includes your name, residential address and date of birth.
Early Voting Oct. 29 - Nov. 2 at the following locations:
• Cass County Courthouse, 211 9th St S, Fargo
• FargoDome (Tuesday - Friday only), 1800 University Dr N, Fargo
• Fargo North High School (Saturday only), 801 17th Ave N, Fargo
• Northview Church, 3401 25th St S, Fargo
• Ramada, 3333 13th Ave S, Fargo
• Hartl Ag Building RRVF, 1805 Main Ave W, West Fargo
• Casselton Days Inn, 2050 Governor’s Dr, Casselton
Election Day Voting Open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the following locations:
• Atonement Lutheran Church, 4601 S University Dr, Fargo
• Calvary United Methodist, 4575 45th St S, Fargo
• Cass County Courthouse, 211 9th St S, Fargo
• Double Tree, 825 E Beaton Dr, West Fargo
• El Zagal Shrine, 1429 3rd St N, Fargo
• Fargo Civic Center, 207 4th St N #4817, Fargo
• Fargodome, 1800 N University Dr N, Fargo
• Hartl Ag Building RRVF, 1805 Main Ave W, West Fargo
• Hulbert Aquatic Center, 620 7th Ave E, West Fargo
• Northview Church, 3401 25th St S, Fargo
• Olivet Church, 1330 S University Dr, Fargo
• Ramada, 3333 13th Ave S, Fargo
• Scheels Arena, 5225 31st Ave S, Fargo
• Triumph West Church, 3745 Sheyenne St S, West Fargo
• Arthur Community Hall, 550 Main St, Arthur
• Casselton Days Inn, 2050 Governor’s Dr, Casselton
• Harwood Community Hall, 210 Freedland Dr, Harwood
• Horace Senior Center, 214 Thue Ct, Horace
• Kindred City Hall, 31 5th Ave N, Kindred
• Tower City Community Center, 507 Broadway St, Tower City
Residents can request an absentee ballot by visiting casscounty.nd.gov.
More Election Information and Election Results can be found at vote.nd.gov.
By City of West Fargo
The Homestead Property Tax Credit and Renter’s Refund are property tax credits available to eligible North Dakotans. Individuals may qualify for a property tax credit or partial refund of the rent they pay,
Eligibility Requirements:
• 65 years of age or older in the year for which the application is made
• Annual income cannot exceed $70,000
• Live at and be invested in the property OR
• Permanently disabled
• Proof of total disability must be established
• There is no age requirement for those permanently disabled
• A homeowner with a disability must meet the same qualifications, except for age, as a senior citizen homeowner.
Benefit:
• The credit reduces the homeowner’s taxable value depending on the homeowner’s income. The maximum reduction of taxable value may vary from $4,500 to $9,000.
Application Process:
• Homeowners must apply for a property tax credit with their local assessor by March 31, 2025
To apply or to get more information contact the West Fargo Assessor’s Office at (701)515-5300 or stop in to West Fargo City Hall at 2515 6th Street E.
