Williams County (Williston) High School Graduates Go To College For Free -- October 9, 2016

First things first: Crosby prepares for busy pheasant season:

Northwest North Dakota could attract a lot of attention from out-of-state hunters this year. "The Northwest has the largest increase in bird population of all our districts," says Aaron Robinson, Upland Game Supervisor with the state Game and Fish Department. And after years of being locked out of lodging due to an oil boom, regulars who haven't hunted in the area lately may be attracted once again.

Active rigs:

	10/9/2016	10/09/2015	10/09/2014	10/09/2013	10/09/2012
Active Rigs	33	68	192	185	191

Williams County Graduate Scholarship extended for several years. Data points:

• Alva J Field Trust
• funds the Williams County Graduate Scholarshipo
• graduates of a Williams County high school, regardless of the year, are eligible for free tuition and fees 
• partnership between the Alva J Field Trust, the WSC Foundation, and the ND Higher Education Challenge Fund created in 2015
• Alva J Field recent committed an additional $800,000 
• donation matched by ND Challenge Fund: $400,000
• in the first year: 344 students were awarded 
• those 344 students composed 33% of WSC's total record breaking enrollment
• in the second year: 428 student
• $800,659
• second consecutive record-breaking enrollment 

The Brooks hotel in Williston is now known as the Four Points by Sheraton Williston.
Williams County budget

• trimmed down budget
• $22.7 million 
• no money in the budget for roads
• no increased taxes
• $686,800 less than last year
• the Williams County Jail is the only department getting an increase; just slightly more than a half million dollars

Update on Western Area Water Supply Authority -- a huge "spin-off" from the oil boom
Rural customers between Ray and Tioga are still on track to get water service from the R&T Water Supply Association before the end of the year. The buildout will connect hundreds of rural residents to the Western Area Water Supply Authority. The project is divided into several sections, some of which won't begin construction until further funding is in place. The R&T North Tioga Rural Distribution will come online in another four to five weeks, and that will bring water to residents between Ray and Tioga