West Fargo Focus October 2023

EDITOR

Wendy Reuer wreuer@forumcomm.com

701-241-5530

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701-241-5524

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Families line Sheyenne Street ahead of the West Fest parade on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in West Fargo. Alyssa Goelzer/The Forum

Calendar of Events

MONTHLY

Airport Authority

5:30 p.m. last Thursday of every month

@ 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

5:30 p.m. first and third

Monday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Forestry Committee

5:15 p.m. second Tuesday of February, April, June, August and November

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Library Board

5:30 p.m. second Thursday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Liquor Control Board

1 p.m. second Tuesday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Park Board

5:30 p.m. second Wednesday of every month

@ Rustad Recreation Center

Planning and Zoning Commission

5:30 p.m. second Tuesday of every month and the fourth Tuesday if needed

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Public Art Advisory Committee

5:30 p.m. Wednesday of every month

@ Virtual, visit westfargond.gov for link

Ready to Read Story Time (ages 3-5 + their adults)

Every Wednesday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

School Board

6 p.m. second and fourth

Monday of every month

@ Leidal Education Center

Teeter Tots Storytime 10:15-11 a.m., every Thursday

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Card Games - Whist

Every Wednesday, 12:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

OCTOBER

Monday Matinee: “Wild” (R) Oct. 2, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

English Conversation Circle Oct. 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Adult Craft - DIY Beeswax Wraps and Lip Balm

Oct. 4, 6:30-8 p.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

Teen Pumpkin Painting Park Oct. 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

STEM Saturday Oct. 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

Monday Matinee: “A River Runs Through It” (PG) Oct. 9, 1:30 p.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

Monday Night Readers Book Club Monthly Meeting

Oct. 9, 7-8 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Job Service ND and Community Options, Inc.

Available for Walk-Ins

Oct. 11, 1-3 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Edible Haunted Houses

Teen Craft Events

Oct. 19, 2:30-3:30 p.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

Family Movie - Free Screening: “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” (PG)

Oct. 20, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

AARP Safe Driving Class (55+)

Oct. 21, 12:30-4 p.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

Monday Matinee: “The Great Outdoors” (PG)

Oct. 23, 1:30 p.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

Gardening Club

Oct. 24, 6:30–7:30 p.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Oct. 14-15 All Library Hours @ West Fargo Public Library

Monday Matinee: “Into the Wild” (R)

Oct. 16, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Humanities ND

GameChanger Virtual Author Talk: Douglas Abrams

Oct. 17, 7-8 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Novel Afternoons Book Club

Oct. 18, 1-2 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Halloween Crafts for Kids

Oct. 18, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Third Thursday Book Club

Oct. 19, 1:30-2:30 p.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

Books & Brews

Community Book Club

Oct. 26, 6-7 p.m.

Caribou Coffee (inside Hornbacher’s West Fargo)

Treat Street

Oct. 28, 1-3 p.m. POW/MIA Plaza

Monday Matinee: “Homeward Bound” (PG)

Oct. 30, 1:30 p.m. @ West Fargo Public Library

*West Fargo Area Community Program

NEWS AND FEATURES

West Fargo comes together at annual West Fest

By Wendy Reuer | The Focus

West Fargo’s annual celebration wrapped up over the weekend of Sept. 16 with its annual parade that drew thousands to northern Sheyenne Street to watch the more than 100 floats and entries pass by.

The week-long celebration of West Fargo was commemorated by city and West Fargo Park District events. This included the last 2023 Cruise night held Thursday, Sept. 14. Cruise Nights will continue next year, when the first 2024 Cruise

Night kicks off on the third Thursday of June.

West Fargo has been celebrating West Fest since 1992 when the West Fargo Chamber of Commerce joined with local businesses and organizations and brought the whole surrounding community together.

In 2011, the city of West Fargo took over the responsibility of coordinating West Fest after the 2010 merger of The West Fargo Chamber

of Commerce into a regional organization called The Chamber.

Then, around 2018, the city handed the organization of West Fest, including the parade to West Fargo Events, the nonprofit organization that manages city events and cultural organizations including Stage West, the city’s performing arts group, and events at the Essentia Health Plaza at the The Lights and the POW/MIA Plaza on northern Sheyenne Street.

West Fest 2023

Photos from the West Fest Parade held Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Top left, Candy is tossed to children along Sheyenne Street during the West Fest parade. Right, West Fargo Sheriff Jesse Jahner hands out candy along Sheyenne Street.

Below, left, kids gather candy along Sheyenne Street during the West Fest.

Below, right, Miss West Fargo Sophia Richards waves to families during the West Fest parade.

Photos by Alyssa Goelzer/The Focus

Kids play with bubbles during the West Fest parade on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, along Sheyenne Street in West Fargo.

Goelzer/The Focus

Alyssa

West Fargo Police Department Chief Denis Otterness announces retirement

By City of West Fargo Staff

West Fargo Police Department Chief Denis Otterness has announced his retirement with an effective date of Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the West Fargo Police Department over the past three years,” said West Fargo Police Chief Denis Otterness. “It has been a highlight of my career serving alongside such a dedicated police department who remains committed to protecting and serving the community of West Fargo. It is

truly bittersweet to begin and end my career serving the City of West Fargo.”

Otterness was appointed as Chief of Police in September 2020. His law enforcement experience, leadership skills, and dedication to strengthening relationships throughout the community made him an ideal fit for the position.

During Otterness’ tenure, he has implemented new initiatives that have led the department in a positive direction. These include

the addition of an enhanced cardiac screening program, body worn camera program, comfort dog program with West Fargo Public Schools, an ongoing Peace Officer Training program with Lake Region State College, and West Fargo’s first public transparency dashboard.

Otterness was also influential in the passing of House Bill 1279 to expand workers’ compensation coverage for full-time law enforcement and firefighters across North Dakota, the only state in the country to provide this level of coverage.

Otterness worked to strengthen relationships with the community, including the introduction of the Community Outreach Programs and Services (COPS) Unit and the addition of a Community Engagement Officer.

In addition, the Community Service Officer (CSO) position was changed by Otterness from one full-time position to multiple part-time positions to allow for further recruitment of criminal justice students, and those interested in law enforcement, to start learning the basics of law enforcement. A program that has helped recruit multiple officers to the department over the past two years.

Otterness led the department in developing new proactive community policing strategies, resulting in a consistent decrease in overall crime over the past three years. With over 29,000 calls for service per year, the department saw a consistent decrease in both Crimes Against Persons and Property Crimes as the city, and demand for law enforcement, continues to grow.

Denis Otterness retires with 33 years

of law enforcement experience in a variety of agencies. Otterness was the Montana State University – Billings Police Department Chief of Police and Emergency Management Director. Prior to that role, Chief Otterness served the Bloomington Police Department from 1998 through 2018. He first started with the Bloomington Police Department as a police officer and worked his way up to Deputy Chief. Otterness also served as a Task Force Officer with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, adjunct instructor with Normandale Community College and began his career as an officer with the West Fargo Police Department.

Otterness has a master’s degree in Public Safety and Law Enforcement Leadership from the University of St. Thomas, a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a Criminal Justice Emphasis from North Dakota State University and multiple leadership certificates.

More details regarding the hiring of the next police chief will be made available at a later date.

West Fargo City Commission approves Child Care Facility Improvement Grant

By City of West Fargo Staff

The West Fargo City Commission awarded $282,892.92 in grants to 13 child care providers through the Child Care Facility Improvement Grant at their Monday, Aug. 21, meeting. The 13 recipients include four in-home providers, four early learning centers, five group-licensed providers with spots to care for over 431 children. These grants will create approximately 42 new openings. Of the funds awarded, $37,180 will be used specifically to meet the growing need for infant care in the area with the potential to add 34 infant care spots.

Grant funding is issued explicitly for facility improvements that increase capacity or help providers meet licensing requirements and health, safety and building codes. The program

is administered through the city’s Economic Development division and is funded with economic development sales tax. Over the next three years, up to $1,000,000 has been allocated for this program. A first round of grants earlier this year awarded $331,868 to 27 providers.

“We are happy that this incentive program continues to fill a need for childcare providers in West Fargo,” said Casey Sanders-Berglund, Economic Development Manager. “Our goal is that the improvements made with these funds allow centers to expand care and improve childcare access for working parents and guardians in West Fargo.”

Childcare access is essential in recruiting and

retaining a strong workforce in West Fargo. In a recent survey distributed to all West Fargo residents, 45% of respondents reported that an adult’s career in their household had been impacted due to a lack of childcare. Fourteen percent of respondents noted that an adult family member had left the workforce due to a lack of childcare. Of those impacted, 95% would re-enter the workforce if childcare became more available and affordable. In a survey of business owners, it was commonly reported that employees had been lost due to a lack of childcare availability.

More information on the program and application process is available for childcare providers on the city’s website. A final round of applications is open until Sept. 18.

Children from all eight West Fargo YMCA Childcare locations present city staff and commissioners with a thank you. Submitted photo.

West Fargo Fire Department now accepting firefighter applications

By City of West Fargo Staff

The West Fargo Fire Department is now accepting applications for both full-time and paid on-call firefighters. Interested applicants must pass a written civil service test and a physical test, followed by an interview. There is no prior training or fire service knowledge required to apply for either position. Applications will close Friday, Oct. 13.

“Our community holds a great deal of trust and respect in our department,” said West Fargo Fire Chief Dan Fuller. “We are looking for recruits who will

serve with integrity and are committed to serving the residents of West Fargo at the highest level.”

The West Fargo Fire Department has adopted an all-hazards method of operations to plan, train, and respond to all incident types including routine fire and medical calls, natural disasters, and crisis response.

Interested applicants can learn more and apply at the West Fargo Fire Department’s website at westfargofire. org or by scanning the QR code.

We trulywantedourwishestobeknownwhenwepass,andthatmay soundabitselfish,butit’snot. Itshowsconsiderationofothers.

*All dates and times are subjecttochange.

Black = Multiple Schools

Green = West Fargo High School

Orange = Sheyenne High School

Gold = Horace High School

OCTOBER 1

TBD

Golf: G/V

@Grand Forks

OCTOBER 2

4:30 p.m.

Football: 9th

@Cushman Field

5 p.m.

Football: 9th

@Sheyenne High School

5 p.m.

Soccer: B/C

@West Fargo High School

7 p.m.

Football: JV

@Sheyenne High School

7 p.m.

Football: JV

@Cushman Field

7-9 p.m.

Girls Basketball

@West Fargo High School

OCTOBER 3

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Wahpeton Senior High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Sheyenne High School

5 p.m.

Soccer: B/JV

@Fargo South High School

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY CALENDAR

5 p.m.

Soccer: B/JV

@Fargo North High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Sheyenne High School

5-9 p.m.

Soccer: Boys

@Multiple Location

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Wahpeton High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Sheyenne High School

6 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Wahpeton Elementary School

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Sheyenne High School

7 p.m.

Soccer: B/V

@Fargo South High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Wahpeton High School

7 p.m.

Soccer: B/V

@Fargo North High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Sheyenne High School

OCTOBER 4

3:30-7 p.m.

Back to School

Extravaganza

@West Fargo High

OCTOBER 5

10 a.m.

Tennis: B/V

@Courts Plus Community Fitness

3:45-5:30 p.m.

Cross Country Practice

@West Fargo High School

4 p.m.

Soccer: B/JV

@Fargo South High School

4:30 p.m.

Cross Country: V

@Hawley Golf Club

5 p.m.

Soccer: B/JV

@Fargo North High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Horace High School

6 p.m.

Soccer: B/V

@Sheyenne High School

7-8 p.m.

Girls Basketball

@West Fargo High

7 p.m.

Soccer: B/V

@Fargo North High School

7-8 p.m.

Chamber Orchestra Concert

@Sheyenne High School

7:30-9 p.m.

Choir Concert

@West Fargo High School - Theater (111C)

OCTOBER 6

TBD

Volleyball: V @Sheyenne High School

8 a.m. Volleyball: V

9 a.m.

Tennis: B/V @Courts Plus Community Fitness

5:30 p.m. Swimming: G/V @Fargo North High School

6 p.m.

Football: V @Horace High School

7 p.m. Football: V @West Fargo High School

OCTOBER 7 TBD

Volleyball: V @Sheyenne High School TBD Volleyball: V

6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Cross Country Practice @Hawley

8 a.m.

Volleyball: V @TBA

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 @Jamestown High School

OCTOBER 9

3:45-5:30 p.m.

Cross Country Practice @West Fargo High School

4:30 p.m.

Football: 9th @Horace High School

5 p.m.

Football: 9th @Fargo North High School

7 p.m.

Football: JV @Fargo North High School

7 p.m. Football: JV @Cushman Field

7 p.m.

Football: JV @Horace High School

7:15-9 p.m. Girls Basketball @West Fargo High School

7:30-9 p.m. Band Concert @West Fargo High School

7:30-9 p.m. Choir Concert @Horace High School

OCTOBER 10

3:30-6 p.m. SBLT @West Fargo High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C @West Fargo High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Fargo Davies High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Horace High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Fargo Davies High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@West Fargo High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Fargo Davies High School

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Horace High School

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Fargo Davies High School

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY CALENDAR

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@West Fargo High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Fargo Davies High School

OCTOBER 12 8 a.m.

Tennis: B/V

@Grand Forks

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@West Fargo High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Sheyenne High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Fargo North High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Sheyenne High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Fargo North High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@West Fargo High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Sheyenne High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Fargo North High School

6 p.m.

Swimming: G/V

@Hulbert Aquatics Center

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Sheyenne High School

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Fargo North High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@West Fargo High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Fargo North High School

7-8 p.m.

Orchestra Concert

@Sheyenne High School

7:30-9 p.m.

Orchestra Concert

@West Fargo High School

OCTOBER 13

8 a.m.

Tennis: B/V

@Grand Forks

2-9 p.m.

Drama Club Halloween Night for Kids

@Multiple Location

5 p.m.

Swimming: G/V

@Mandan Aquatic Center

6 p.m.

Swimming: G/V

@Hulbert Aquatics Center

7 p.m.

Football: V

@Fargo North High School

7 p.m.

Football: V

@Sheyenne High School

7 p.m.

Football: V

@Jamestown High School

OCTOBER 14

TBD

Swimming: G/V

@Mandan Aquatic Center

8 a.m.

Tennis: B/V

@Grand Forks

10 a.m.

Volleyball: C

@West Fargo High School

10 a.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@West Fargo High School

11:15 a.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@West Fargo High School

11:15 a.m.

Volleyball: JV

@West Fargo High School

12:30 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@West Fargo High School

1 p.m.

Cross Country: V

@Lincoln Drive Park

1 p.m.

Cross Country: 7/8

@Lincoln Drive Park

1 p.m.

Cross Country: JV @Lincoln Drive Park

OCTOBER 15

Drama Musical

OCTOBER 16

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Band Concert @West Fargo High School

5 p.m.

Football: 9th

@West Fargo High School

5 p.m.

Football: JV @Horace High School

5 p.m.

Football: 9th @Shanley High School

7 p.m.

Football: JV

@Sheyenne High School

Sheyenne Mustang Stadium

7-9 p.m.

Girls Basketball

@West Fargo High School

7:30-9 p.m.

Band Concert

@Sheyenne High School

OCTOBER 17

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@West Fargo High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Red River High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Fargo South High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Red River High School

5:30 p.m.

Swimming: G/V

@Fargo North High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@West Fargo High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Red River High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Fargo South High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Fargo South High School

6 p.m.

Swimming: G/V

@Hulbert Aquatics Center

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@West Fargo High School

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Red River High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@West Fargo High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Red River High School

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY CALENDAR

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Fargo South High School

7:30-9 p.m.

Jazz Concert

@Sheyenne High School

OCTOBER 18

3 p.m.

Cross Country: V

@Iwen Park

OCTOBER 19

3 p.m.

Football: V

@Horace High School

7 p.m.

Football: V

@Minot High School

7 p.m.

Football: V

@Mandan High School

OCTOBER 24

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Fargo North High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Sheyenne High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Horace High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Fargo North High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Heritage Middle School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Fargo North High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Sheyenne High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Horace High School

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Fargo North High School

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Heritage Middle School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Fargo North High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Sheyenne High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Horace High School

7:30-9 p.m.

Choir Concert

@Sheyenne High School

OCTOBER 26

4:15 p.m.

Soccer: B/C

@Sheyenne High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@West Fargo High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Wahpeton High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@DLHS

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@West Fargo High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@West Fargo High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Wahpeton High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@DLHS

6 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Wahpeton Elementary School

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@West Fargo High School

6:15 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Central Cass High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@West Fargo High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V @Wahpeton High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V @DLHS

OCTOBER 27

7 p.m.

Football: V @TBA

OCTOBER 28

9 a.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Shanley High School

9 a.m.

Swimming: G/V

@Fargo Davies High School

9 a.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Shanley High School

10:30 a.m.

Swimming: G/V

@Hulbert Aquatics Center

2 p.m.

Cross Country: V @Jamestown

3:45-5:30 p.m.

Cross Country Practice @West Fargo High School

OCTOBER 31

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Sheyenne High School

4:30 p.m.

Volleyball: C

@Horace High School

5 p.m.

Volleyball: 9B

@Sheyenne High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Sheyenne High School

5:45 p.m.

Volleyball: JV

@Horace High School

6 p.m.

Volleyball: 9A

@Sheyenne High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Sheyenne High School

7 p.m.

Volleyball: V

@Horace High School

Affordable senior housing complex may soon come to West Fargo

By Wendy Reuer | The Focus

An affordable living complex for seniors may soon be built in south West Fargo, however the project would entail selling off units in Casselton, forcing its residents to find a new home.

The West Fargo City Commission approved a PILOT, or Payment in Lieu of Taxes program, application from the Housing Authority of Cass County for the $16.8 million project to span over 17 years, starting in 2026 and ending in 2042.

Developers of the project, Elson Shores LLC, are willing to keep the project under the name Elson Shores and enter into a PILOT program, which allows them to pay a set amount over 17 years in this case, rather than full property tax amounts. Developers would likely pay about $100 per unit built as a tax payment.

Elson Shores would be a senior housing complex of 71 units for lowincome adults age 62 and older and would be built in two phases at 2500 6th St. E., just north of the Rustad Center.

The first phase would construct 35 units and the second phase would build 36 units. Of the 71 homes, 15 would be fully handicapped accessible. The units will range from efficiency apartments to fourbedroom units. Construction would begin in 2024.

Housing Authority Executive Director Derek Johnson said if the new project goes forward, 40 units of public housing in Casselton would be sold to go towards the Elson Shores project. The seniors

currently living there would be given the first shot at moving into the new West Fargo apartments, or receive vouchers that can be used across the country.

Over the past five years, vacancies in Casselton have been filled almost exclusively with people from the Fargo and West Fargo area, Johnson noted.

“Casselton is a wonderful community in our county, but the state has shifted,” Johnson said.

“Most social services provided now are through the Human Service Zones here in Fargo.”

Economic Development Manager

Casey Bergland-Sanders said there are more than 300 seniors on the wait list for affordable housing.

The lots where the Elson Shores

complex would be built sits between a fully residential area and a commercial area the city hopes to retain for business. In the economic development committee’s recommendation for the city commission to approve the PILOT program, it said the complex will work well as a transitional piece between residential and commercial properties.

The complex would fully open in 2027, and would eventually be transferred to the ownership of the Housing Authority of Cass County, a public entity that does not pay property taxes to the city of West Fargo. The agency does pay a small stipend in lieu of property taxes to cities to help support the basic city services it receives.

The payment is based on the number of units in a project. In this

case, the Housing Authority will pay $100 per unit each year after it accepts ownership. The proposal brought jointly with the Housing Authority of Cass County, hopes to receive the PILOT program from the city as a way to gain points for a grant program it will apply for through the state of North Dakota.

The last senior housing proposal in West Fargo came in 2021 when developer James Twomey requested a 15-year PILOT to build the Oliver Overlook Senior Affordable Housing facility at 661 32nd Ave. W. and 3255 6th St. W., just southwest of The Lights and north of multifamily housing.

The City Commission denied the PILOT application due to its encroachment on commercial property, which some commissioners said is limited in supply, while others acknowledged the city is in need of additional affordable senior housing.

“Our commercial properties, we want to be very protective of that,” Mayor Bernie Dardis said at the time.

Cass County approved the Elson Shores project at its Aug. 21 project. However, before the PILOT application can move forward, the West Fargo School Board will also have to approve the project and PILOT application. The board is expected to hear the proposal at a meeting in late September.

Readers can reach Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm.com or 701-241-5530.

An architect’s rendering of a proposed affordable senior housing complex. Special to the Forum. Submitted

West Fargo Horace’s Lucas Holsing dives for the ball against Jamestowns’s Aden Braun during their football game at Horace High School on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.

Alyssa Goelzer/The Focus

NEWS AND FEATURES

Horace High slowly adds new varsity sports

By Andrew Haugland | The Focus

As the newest school district in the West Fargo Public School system, Horace High School has partnered with Sheyenne High School in an athletic co-op since the school’s first year in 2021.

A steady flow of new students has allowed the school to expand its sports programs, allowing students to participate under the Horace Hawks emblem. Horace activities director Aaron La Deaux said the creation of additional varsity sports was long overdue.

“Students came into our activities office once or twice a week and said ‘We really don’t want to wear the orange and blue,’” La Deaux said, “‘We go to Horace and we want to represent Horace.’”

Horace currently offers boys and girls basketball, boys and girls golf, girls swimming, baseball, football, and track and field as varsity sports. Sports still in a co-op with Sheyenne include: boys and girls soccer; boys and girls tennis; boys and girls wrestling; boys hockey; and boys swimming.

Girls golf is the most recent sport to disengage from the co-op. Horace High School announced Elise Tangquist as the program’s first head coach on June 8.

With some students competing under Sheyenne’s colors for multiple seasons, once a new team is formed at Horace, all players within Horace’s school

district will have to play at the school unless they move within Sheyenne’s district.

La Deaux said some of his school’s outdoor athletic venues were delayed for some of the school’s sports with the most participation.

“Football and track we had a time delay on our building projects.” La Deaux said. “This was our first year with our track, so our track team could actually run on a track.”

Prior to the completion of the school’s track, players would run and practice on concrete and other areas on site.

School officials had to switch one of Horace’s home football games to an away game while crews worked on the site’s new running track. The Hawks will play one fewer road game this fall to make up for the previous year’s schedule switch.

Once more athletic facilities are finished and made available for use, Horace will begin offering more varsity sports for its school’s athletes.

Sheyenne activities director James Moe said there’s some

planning and foreshadowing involved before a co-op can be broken. Moe was named to the position on April 24, following the resignation of Cory Herrmann.

“There’s a lot that goes into it and looking at sustainability, as well,”

Moe said. “You might have the numbers presently, but if you are looking at the numbers of kids that will one day be a part of the program and there’s not a high number. It’s hard to push that through if it’s going to die off in the coming years.”

Hockey remains one of the few sports in the metro where co-ops are utilized by larger, more established schools. Fargo South-Shanley won last season’s boys hockey championship over Grand Forks Red River 3-2 in triple-overtime.

In girls hockey, co-ops play an

even greater role, with teams including West Fargo United and Fargo North-South. Fargo Davies is the only area team not in a partnership with other schools.

The athletes competing for the first time in Horace colors still have the same chance as any other student to leave their mark.

“You still have an opportunity to do something,” La Deaux said. “You still have that leadership opportunity to start something brand new here and leave your legacy.”

“You still have that leadership opportunity to start something brand new here and leave your legacy.”

Horace activities director Aaron La Deaux

The Horace High School cross country girls gather for a team picture with their coaches Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, in Horace. Michael Vosburg / Focus

NEWS AND FEATURES

West Fargo pop-up boutique offering help for domestic abuse survivors

By Matt Henson | The Focus

Homestead Property Tax Credit Application Now Open

By City of West Fargo Staff

Qualified Homeowners may receive a reduction in property taxes and qualified renters can receive a partial refund of the rent. On April 27, 2023, Governor Doug Burgum signed HB 1158 into law. This legislation broadens the eligibility requirements and maximum reduction amounts for those applying for the North Dakota Homestead Property Tax Credit Program.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• 65 years of age or older in the year for which the application is made

WEST FARGO — Over the last 18 days, the region has been shaken by the deaths of two women. A 30-year-old mother from West Fargo and a 66-year-old grandmother from Warroad, Minn.

In both cases police arrested their husbands.

A new organization in West Fargo is working to prevent it from happening again saying that we have to do better.

Inside the pop-up boutique next to The Lights in West Fargo, Janaiya Moore is having her first appointment at Styled with Strength. The focus is on finding a job.

“I love it, I feel very comfortable here. It’s very welcoming,” she said.

Moore was referred to Styled with Strength by the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center after leaving an abusive relationship.

“To me, it feels like they’ve been where I’ve been. They’ve been in my shoes, they’ve experienced what I went through, and I know they would be more understanding,” Moore said.

Jodi Jordheim opened Styled with Strength earlier this month to help women heal from abusive relationships and rebuild fresh starts.

It provides care coordination and peer support through North Dakota’s Behavioral Health Program. It is the only female-only program within the state that specializes in domestic violence.

“There’s this need for services that are not quite yet at crisis mode,” Jordheim said. “So maybe a female is suspicious that she is experiencing violence, but calling a 1-800 number, or going to the police station feels like a really big step,” Jordheim said.

Styled with Strength offers services

such as transportation, filling out job applications, housing, and overall health.

Jordheim knows the feeling. She is a domestic abuse survivor.

“Having someone be able to say that they’ve been in your shoes and understand, (...) the misunderstandings about your behavior or your actions, or things that those you love perceive as different or why (you) don’t just leave him,” Jordheim said.

Besides bridging the gap in the metro, Styled with Strength is also a pop-up boutique with all sales benefiting the mission.

For Moore, it’s been a good day as she works on her job applications and is already feeling like a survivor.

“It feels good to know that I am going to be able to get back on my feet,” Moore said.

• 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 February 1.

To apply or to get more information contact the West Fargo Assessor’s Office at (701)515-5300 or stop in at 1405 Prairie Parkway, Suite A, West Fargo, ND 58078

Styled with Strength founder Jodi Jordheim (right) meets with domestic abuse survivor Janaiya Moore (left). Matt Henson / WDAY News

Cub Creek