Williston City Commission Wraps Up Busy Start to 2025
The Williston City Commission has been active over the past month, tackling infrastructure projects, community grants and zoning updates during its Dec. 23 and Jan. 14 meetings.
At the December meeting, the Commission approved a variety of financial matters, including claims and accounts processed through mid-December. Among the highlights was a focus on upcoming infrastructure needs, setting the stage for further discussions in
which updates zoning regulations for CrossMod homes. These factory-built housing units, compliant with HUD codes, are now exempt from the notice of intent process in certain residential zones, streamlining development while maintaining neighborhood standards.
The STAR Fund Board presented several Flex PACE applications during the January meeting, all of which were approved. These included funding for businesses such as Red River Oilfield Services and
vation Society’s HVAC system replacement.
Infrastructure remained a priority, with discussions centered on the 2025 Seal Coat and Street Striping Projects, as well as the Sidewalk Improvement District 25-01. These initiatives aim to improve city streets and pedestrian access, with bids set to open Feb. 19. Looking ahead, the Commission met again on Jan. 28 after this publication went to press. Outcomes from that meeting will be reported once minutes are available.
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ASB Scholarship Applications
Available Online
AMERICAN STATE BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
American State Bank & Trust Company is pleased to announce the availability of four scholarship opportunities online at asbt.com for high school seniors and current college students. The scholarships are facilitated by ASB’s Trust Department, with criteria outlined as follows:
The Kingsley T. Davidson Memorial Scholarship: Applicants must be graduating or have graduated from a Williams, McKenzie, or Divide County High School.
The John Eberle Scholarship Fund: Applicants must be seniors in
high school or recent graduates; they must have resided in Divide, Williams or Burke counties for at least two years before applying. A minimum grade point average of 2.00 is required, along with demonstrated financial need, and applicants must remain fulltime students. Preference will be given to nursing and agriculture students. Eberle scholarship recipients may apply annually and may receive one scholarship per year for up to four years.
The Frank A. and M. Esther Wenstrom Foundation Scholarship: Applicants must be seniors in high school or graduates of a Williams County High School or Carrington High School, and they must plan to attend or be attending the Universi-
ty of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
The Maude M. Schuetze Foundation Scholarship: Applicants must have graduated from one of the following Montana high schools: Culbertson, Westby, Plentywood, Medicine Lake, Froid or Bainville. They must attend an accredited college, university, or trade school full-time for at least one year.
All applications can be completed and submitted online at asbt.com/for-you/ investing/save-for-college-scholarships/. The deadline for all applications is April 1/
For further information, please contact the Trust Department at 701-774-4120.
Fargo VA Health Care System Announces Williston Clinic Relocation
The Fargo VA Health Care System will open its relocated Williston Community-Based Outpatient Clinic at Harvest Plaza, 3210 27th Street West, Suite 210, in Williston, North Dakota, on January 29, 2025. Veterans in the area will have access to enhanced health care services at the new location.
The upgraded facility is designed to offer a comfortable space for veterans while providing both in-person and virtual primary care appointments. The clinic will be open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays.
This move highlights the Fargo VA Health Care System’s continued commit-
ment to offering accessible, high-quality care to veterans in western North Dakota. The clinic will be staffed by a team of dedicated professionals, some familiar and others new to the area, all focused on meeting the health care needs of local veterans.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony later this year will provide an opportunity for the community to tour the new space and learn more about the services available. Veterans can contact the Fargo VA Public Affairs Office at (701) 2393724 for more information. This article was written with information sourced from Scott Haugen's report on 660 Keyz Radio.
Farm Residence Property Tax Exemption: What It IS and How to Apply Regional
The Farm Residence Exemption offers qualifying North Dakota residents an opportunity to reduce their property tax burden. With six eligibility categories, here are the essentials to understand the rules and application process to ensure the submission is approved.
The exemption is available under one of six categories: active farmer, vacant residence, farm laborer residence, retired farmer, beginning farmer and surviving spouse. Applicants must select only one category when completing the application. Each category has specific eligibility requirements.
Significant changes for those applying as active farmers were introduced during the 2019 legislative session.
To qualify, the applicant and their spouse, if married, must have earned more than 66% of their combined gross income from farming activities during at least one of the last two calendar years. This replaces the prior rule that limited non-farm income to $40,000 annually.
Applicants under this category must now submit a Statement of Farm Gross Income, a fillable form based on IRS 1040, along with their application. Both forms must be resubmitted annually to maintain the exemption.
To apply, download the forms from williamsnd.com under “Williams County Property Tax Exemptions.”
Active farmers must also download the Statement of Farm Gross Income form from the North Dakota Tax
Commissioner’s website. Completed forms should be submitted to your local assessor’s office.
The application deadline is Feb. 1, with the income statement deadline on March 31, if applicable. The Statement of Farm Gross Income may be submitted separately, but the application will be denied if the assessor’s office does not receive it by the March 31 deadline.
The Farm Residence Exemption provides substantial savings for North Dakota farmers and their families. Understanding the categories, gathering the necessary documents and meeting the deadlines will ensure a smooth application process.
For more information or to begin your application, visit Williams County’s website.
Williams County Commission Outlines Legislative Priorities
The Williams County Commission has released a comprehensive list of legislative goals for the current session, marking the first time they’ve compiled such a document. According to County Community Engagement Coordinator Lindsey Harriman, the list aims to streamline the process of preparing testimony for legislative matters.
Among the key priorities is the continued distribution of the Gross Production Tax, a significant source of funding for the county. The commission also emphasized the importance of maintaining or increasing financial support for behavioral health programs, as well as workforce enhancement initiatives.
Officials are advocating for clearer and more efficient application of tax exemptions to reduce confusion for taxpayers. This includes ongoing support for programs like the Homestead tax credit.
Infrastructure needs are another focus, with the commission seeking improved funding for roads, bridges and rural water projects to enhance the quality of life for residents.
These legislative priorities underscore the county’s commitment to addressing critical needs in the community.
This story includes information reported by KUMV.
North Dakota
North Dakota Bill Sparks Debate Over Displaying the Ten Commandments in Schools
ANN ESTVOLD | NORTH DAKOTA NEWSPAPER
ASSOCIATION | NORTH DAKOTA MONITOR
North Dakota lawmakers are debating House Bill 1145, which would require displaying the Ten Commandments in all public K-12 and college classrooms. Existing state law already allows schools to post the commandments if accompanied by other historical documents, but this bill aims to make their display mandatory.
Supporters argue the
commandments promote moral values and are historically significant. Sen. Mark Enget, R-Powers Lake, stated they “build strong families which in turn build a strong society.” Tim Barton of WallBuilders, a group promoting Christian history education, said the commandments were widely taught until a 1971 U.S. Supreme Court ruling restricted their display.
Bill sponsor Rep. Jeff Hoverson, R-Minot, plans to amend the bill to require postings in schools rather than individual classrooms and to fund them through donations. Proponents believe the bill
aligns with the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton, which reinterpreted the establishment clause of the First Amendment based on historical practices.
Opponents, including KrisAnn Norby-Jahner of the North Dakota School Boards Association, contend the bill could violate constitutional protections. They cite a similar Louisiana law ruled unconstitutional in 2022. Critics also argue the proposal shows state preference for a specific religious tradition, which could alienate students of diverse faiths.
“Surely issues like teacher
House votes to increase North Dakota interstate speeds to 80 mph
ANN ESTVOLD | NORTH
DAKOTA NEWSPAPER
ASSOCIATION | NORTH
DAKOTA MONITOR
North Dakota lawmakers are debating House Bill 1145, which would require displaying the Ten Commandments in all public K-12 and college classrooms. Existing state law already allows schools to post the commandments if accompanied by other historical documents, but this bill aims to make their display mandatory.
Supporters argue the commandments promote moral values and are historically significant. Sen. Mark Enget, R-Powers Lake, stated they “build strong families which in turn build a strong society.” Tim Barton of Wall-
Builders, a group promoting Christian history education, said the commandments were widely taught until a 1971 U.S. Supreme Court ruling restricted their display.
Bill sponsor Rep. Jeff Hoverson, R-Minot, plans to amend the bill to require postings in schools rather than individual classrooms and to fund them through donations.
Proponents believe the bill aligns with the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton, which reinterpreted the establishment clause of the First Amendment based on historical practices.
Opponents, including KrisAnn Norby-Jahner of the North Dakota School Boards Association, contend the bill could violate constitutional protections. They cite a similar Louisiana law ruled unconstitutional in 2022. Critics
shortages, equitable funding, or post-COVID academic declines should take priority,” said Olivia Data, of Mandan.
The House Judiciary Committee is reviewing the bill and has not yet made a recommendation.
This article is republished from the North Dakota Monitor on Jan. 21, 2025. Read the full article here.
also argue the proposal shows state preference for a specific religious tradition, which could alienate students of diverse faiths.
“Surely issues like teacher shortages, equitable funding, or post-COVID academic declines should take priority,” said Olivia Data, of Mandan.
The House Judiciary Committee is reviewing the bill and has not yet made a recommendation.
This article is republished from the North Dakota Monitor on Jan. 21, 2025. Read the full article here.
Job Listings & Classifieds
The Housing Authority Of the City of Williston
The Housing Authority of the City of Williston is now accepting applications for 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom, and 4 bedroom units. *Income, eligibility, and admission preferences apply. Applications are available at The Housing Authority of the City of Williston located at 1801 8th Ave West Williston, ND 58801 Monday-Friday 9am - 4pm (701) 572-2006
Through a Lutheran Lens
RUMOR, GOSSIP AND LIES: THE POWER OF A STORY GONE WRONG
PASTOR ZACH HARRIS FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
Ihave spent a good bit of this first month of 2025 ruminating on the nature of story and espousing it as more than just entertainment. In fact, my thesis is that the real power of stories is that they house the Truth in ways that are universal and which go far beyond simple explanations. However, for all my optimism about the positive nature of the stories humanity holds dear, there is an obvious reality that is all too clear that goes as far back in time as the very beginnings of language. Or at least as far back as the 1970s when the “Hee Haw” Gossip Girls would gather around the clothes line to swear that they don’t repeat gossip, “So you better be sure and listen close the first time.” Believe it or not, there are folks who will actually repurpose the power inherent in the good Truth of a story to propagate evil lies. In one’s younger days, a story such as this might begin with: “Now don’t tell anyone else, but . . .” This was the sure way to spread a falsehood as quickly as possible. The instigator would know the rumor had taken hold when someone came up to them and said, “Now don’t tell any one but . . .” No good ever came of such shenanigans, and most times it would take all kinds of effort
to untangle the web of deceit that had been laid—all of which might be written off as a practical jokester’s delight.
But someone figured out that even if you get caught, just stick to it. Keep doubling down. Regular folk thought, “You know, I’ve heard that so many times, it must be true! ‘Cause no one would be that twisted to keep lying that much!” It got so that even the simple Truth’s humanity had just always agreed upon could now be tossed up for grabs if someone had enough tenacity. “Maybe we didn’t land on the moon. After all, how would we even know where it would be by the time we got there what with its chaotic movements from our flat earth’s surface!” In fact, even stories that people saw with their own eyes and lived through themselves might be brought into question as misremembered or misinterpreted. Because where once there was a Truth—with enough power behind a false story— folks could manufacture a much more convenient truth for themselves. As a matter fact, they became so comfortable with this premise, that truth could be multiple choice—no problem!
But then there came a day when one person said to another that they had had enough of lies and confusion. They remembered when there was a truth that people agreed on. In fact, together those two remembered Truth with a capital “T” that actually was a person and
more than a person. They both happened to find two other people who had also discovered others who had the same realization. This gathering of like-mindedness continued until it reached a tipping point! And in amazingly short time, the Truth returned! Those who had made all of their lives and livelihoods from rumor, gossip and lies repented of their ways and the universe righted itself. While up above, an imperceptible divine smile arced in the heavens it's only visible artifact being its endpoint: the Apollo 11 plaque sparkling at the Sea of Tranquility as the moon once again orbited around God’s good Creation we agreed to call our home, Earth.
You may say that this very story I have told is a lie. Ah, but what if it could be so? What if it actually happened! If it did, would you call that story Foreshadowing? If it didn't, would you call it simply Fantasy? Whichever you might choose, as for me and the mysterious capital “T,” I think we’ll just cross our fingers and call it Hope.
Pastor Zach Harris has been an ordained minister for 33 years and currently serves First Lutheran Church in Williston. His column, “Through a Lutheran Lens: A Pastor’s Perspective,” will appear regularly in The Shopper.
