On Thursday, November 20, 2025 starting at 6pm, the Valley City Fire Department will be conducting training exercises at 1010 2^nd St SE and 567 Viking Drive. There will be a presence of fire trucks and law enforcement officers. Once the training is complete, these properties will be allowed to burn down. Throughout the night police and fire officials will continue to check for hot spots. Please contact Scott Magnuson with any questions at 701-845-3351.

City Hall and Public Works offices will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27. Thursday’s garbage will be picked up on Friday, November 28. Please have garbage out by 7 a.m. to ensure pick up.

The Valley City Planning and Zoning Commission has an immediate opening for a commissioner to fulfill the remainder of a five-year term ending in 2029.

Those interested are asked to submit name, address, phone number to the City Assessor (tdrabus@valleycity.us) by December 19, 2025. You may be contacted for additional information depending on the number of individuals that express interest in serving.

• Seven member board
• Must reside in City limits
• Meetings held on second Tuesday of every month, plus special meetings as required
• Regular attendance is expected
• $40 stipend per meeting
• Planning and Zoning Commission has authority to hear applications for conditional use permits, zoning ordinance amendments, rezoning of property, and land subdivision/platting, and to make recommendations to the Board of City Commissioners regarding the approval or denial of applications. P&Z has final decision making authority on variances from zoning requirements, and imposition of fines for violations of the zoning code.

Greetings All, 

• Last week Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak visited Valley City for an “Energy Roundtable” discussion. That she serves on the Energy and Commerce committee she is interested in our municipal power challenges and all of today’s energy needs. With her expertise from serving as North Dakota Public Service Commissioner, hearing her overview of issues was invaluable. One noted need is to generate enough energy to supply large load industries as there is no excess energy on the market at this point. Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) representatives from Sioux Falls, Hillsboro, and a good contingent of Valley City Department Heads attended. All were invited to share concerns and ask questions. Thank you to all who facilitated the event.
• Recently someone appears to have gutted a deer on a large piece of cardboard, left the guts along with a chunk of meat on the cardboard and placed it in one of the bins at the Recycling Center. Really folks, that is wrong! The good news is, a name is on the cardboard.  
• Congratulations to all the folks in our Valley City Finance Department as the department received a positive independent  audit from the Grand Forks office of Brady Martz & Associates. Thank you to all for your work, “doing the next right thing.”
• The 2025 Salvation Army Kettle Campaign is right around the corner. Bell ringing will begin Monday, November 24th and continue through Christmas Eve.
• For your convenience, the Valley City Transfer Station is now accepting payments with credit cards. The garbage pickup times may vary some days, but pickup begins at 7:00 a.m.  If your containers aren’t out by 7:00 a.m. you are at risk of being missed.
• For your safety, the turn signals on your vehicle are to warn people you will turn. Give them a chance to miss you, turn your signal “on” before you touch your brake. Be safe.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused.” ~ Tommy Lee Jones

Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,
Dave Carlsrud

Hello Everybody, 

• Our North Dakota weather always amazes as wind is forecast and it is calm, it is forecast for cloudy and it is sunny and…… aw, you know. Mother Nature has a mind of her own….. a La Niña Winter is forecast so we must wait and see. “Oh boy!”
• North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) fall tournaments are well under way with Fargo South winning the Boys’ Soccer Tournament Saturday. To research where, when and how to watch other high school tournaments, please see: https://ndhsaanow.com/  HAVE FUN. 
• The week of 10/20/2025 is “Careers in Energy Week.” Career jobs in energy for WOMEN and MEN are numerous. With all the generation and transmission needs, linemen, engineers, electricians, technicians, welders and more are needed. With Valley City being a Municipal Power Community, we have people in the field who are great resources so research jobs in energy, they could be for you. See “Hire PowHER”, https://getintoenergy.org/hire-powher/.  
• When I was a youngster, Sunday afternoon entertainment was attending “Town Team Baseball” games. With sunny, bright blue skies and a soft breeze Sunday,  the sounds of baseball reverberated from beautiful Charlie Brown Field where VCSU was hosting a game. It was serene.
• Major League Baseball Playoffs are winding down. The National League Dodgers have “rolled” through their competition in the NLCS and have qualified for the World Series.  In the American League, the Blue Jays are battling with the Mariners (M’s are up 3 games to 2) for the remaining slot in the world series. At the time of this writing, game 6 is in progress, so following said game, the Mariners will be the ALCS Champions or a game 7 will be played.  
• The Halloween “Season” is around the corner with a plethora of activities for the Trick-or-Treaters beginning this weekend. There will be much traffic on and around streets during the Halloween, be careful folks.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.” ~ John Wooden

Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,
Dave Carlsrud

Greetings All, 

• Saturday VCPR held its annual “Parktober Festival” in Chautauqua Park celebrating the beginning of fall. There were numerous activities with something to interest most everyone in the large crowd. Thank you to the VCPR folks for facilitating another great event in Valley City. 
• Fall is a beautiful, busy time in our area. Schools are in session, buses are on the road, construction zones are buzzing and harvest in progress to name few. All involved are trying to go “somewhere” and often under time constraints. Be careful, take a breath, take your time and get there safely.  
• It was a good weekend for Valley City High School Football, Valley City State Football, University of North Dakota Football and North Dakota State Football as they all scored more points than the opponents.
• Even though the sunshine doesn’t make it feel like October just yet, Officer McWaddles would like to remind everyone of the seasonal parking rules now in effect.
  • From October through March, certain streets—including downtown and many others—become no parking zones or restricted no parking overnight areas.  
  • Why? These restrictions allow city crews to safely and efficiently clear snow and ice, keeping our roads open and safe during winter weather events. It will help prevent snow build-up making travel easier and safer for everyone.
• A big thank you to our city employees who, during these busy times, are working long hours at desks, providing customer service and to the folks who are regularly working in the freezing cold and 100-degree heat. Due to their dedication the lights come on when we flip the switch and when we turn the water on, we are blessed with the best tasting water in the state. Perhaps as important as anything, when we flush the toilet, it works!
• The Seattle Mariners team is the only Major League Baseball team that has not played in a World Series. There seems to be a number of “good guys” on the team so I am a new Mariner enthusiast. It would be a nice story.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. ~ Helen Keller

Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,
Dave Carlsrud

Hello Folks, 

• The warmer than average stretch of weather has provided great opportunities to get some fall “chores” completed. While chores are important, insert a little recreation time for you and your family, you deserve it. 
• This week, October 6-10 is designated “School Safety Week” in the VCPS System. The VCPS Staff, Barnes County Emergency Manager, Ambulance Service, Valley City Police and Fire Departments will be partnering to share safety and security skills with all. Thank you.
• A number of deaths and injuries to bikers and pedestrians have occurred in our area recently. Please, drivers, be free of distractions, walkers FACE traffic and bikers obey “rules of the road.” Important, bikers and walkers, wear “Hi-Viz” CLOTHING when riding or walking on streets! Everyone, please be a little extra cautious.
• In Valley City, we are very fortune to be a Public Power Community so we’re inviting you to join us in celebrating Public Power Week, October 6-12. It’s a time to be grateful for our community-owned, clean, adequate and affordable power which lead to positive impacts on our daily lives. Thanks to our Electrical Department as our power has been “on” 99.9921% of the time this year! Great job everybody.
• Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) has maintained Moody’s Aa2 Bond Rating along with Fitch’s AA- Bond Rating. Both agencies also assigned a Stable Outlook to the anticipated 2025 Series A Power Supply Revenue Refunding Bonds. The good ratings help ensure we users can enjoy favorable bond interest rates. 
• From the Sports Illustrated list of North Dakota’s 50 most noted athletes is Sheri Kleinsasser of Carrington. Sheri ended her career (1992-1995) at the University of North Dakota as its all time leading scorer with 1,941 points. Her brother Jim is also on the list…a pretty talented family.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” ~ C. S. Lewis

Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave Carlsrud