McKenzie County Farmer

10/08/2025

‼️ Timber has been located and is safe. Thanks to everyone that has been sharing and looking for her. ‼️

We need your help locating Timber Hanson, a 15-year-old girl from Fort Pierre, South Dakota. Timber was last seen on October 7, 2025, at the Coffee Cup in Vivian, SD, and was possibly heading east on I-90. She may have been seen later in Winner, SD, in the area around 3:30 PM.

• Name: Timber Hanson
• Age: 15
• S*x: Female
• Eyes: Blue
• Hair: Black (dyed)
• Height: 5'5"
• Weight: 105 lbs
• Distinguishing features: Pierced ears, wears glasses

Timber might be traveling in an orange 2001 FORD F-250 crew cab pickup with SD license plate 58L-632. The truck has a black grille guard and a black toolbox on the back.

If you have any information or know the location of Timber or the vehicle, please contact your local law enforcement agency immediately.

09/30/2025

Queremos ser más cosas para más personas, incluidos nuestros amigos y vecinos de habla Hispana!

I’m writing to let you know of an exciting new development for The McKenzie County Farmer.

The Farmer has long been the heartbeat of the Bakken, delivering the news, stories, and insights that matter to the people of McKenzie County and beyond. For generations, we’ve been there to tell the stories of triumphs, challenges, and everyday moments that define the toughness and can-do spirit of our vibrant region.

Today, we are thrilled to announce a big step forward in our mission to serve you better: our news website now features an instant translation tool, allowing readers to seamlessly convert our weekly newspaper from English to Spanish!

For more information, or to read the full article, visit www.watfordcitynd.com and subscribe today!

09/17/2025

We have been notified of some technical issues with this week's online edition.

We are working on issues and will notify you when it's fixed.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

09/14/2025

🎉 Congratulations to the 2025 Homecoming Court! 👑

Back Row (L-R): Jayden Waggoner, Thaydan Arnold, William Langford, Wyatt Boekelman, Corban Sorenson
Front Row (L-R): Amelia Wisness, Kyra Delgado, Lauren Melland, Bailey Mattson, Katie Olson

📢 Coronation will be held on Friday, September 19, at 2:30 PM in the High School Theater. 🩶🐺

09/14/2025

Thank you community for joining us today!

Special thanks to 49th Parallel for putting on a fantastic show!

Many people raved about the hamburgers this year, asking where they came from... Jack & Jill right here in Watford City!

Thank you to our sponsors and volunteers and vendors for all your support of the 2nd Annual Community Picnic.

See you next year!!!!

09/12/2025

We hope to see you at the Tourist Park tomorrow!

All are welcome to attend the 2nd annual Community Picnic in the Park!

08/26/2025

All are welcome to attend the 2nd annual Community Picnic in the Park!

08/02/2025

Watford City man pleads guilty to negligent homicide of Brianne Anderson

Patrice Bumstead
Farmer Editor

Hugo Hernandez Jr., pleaded guilty to the Class C Felony charge of negligent homicide for the 2023 shooting death of Brianne Anderson on Thursday, July 31.
He also pleaded guilty to the Class B Misdemeanor charge for discharge of a firearm within city limits.
The Farmer has covered this case since 32 year-old Brianne Anderson suffered a gunshot wound to her abdomen the evening of March 22, 2023. Anderson was life-flighted to a Minot hospital where surgeons attempted to save her life, however, their efforts were unsuccessful and she ultimately succumbed to her injuries the morning of March 23.
Facts of the Case
At approximately 11:42 p.m. March 22, 2023, dispatch received a call that Hernandez Jr., and Anderson sustained gunshot wounds at his residence in Watford City.
Upon entering the residence, law enforcement and first responders found Anderson lying on the kitchen floor. The bullet that hit her went through her abdomen/thoracic cavity and she was going into shock. Responders began life-saving measures immediately and found a 40-caliber bullet casing inside the hood of her shirt.
It was noted that Hernandez Jr. had sustained a superficial wound to the hand.
Eye-witness to the incident, Zachary King informed law enforcement that all three individuals were consuming alcohol at the time of the shooting. King told officers that Hernandez Jr. instructed him to go outside and wait for the ambulance while he began performing life-saving efforts to Anderson until medical personnel and law enforcement arrived.
Investigation & Apprehension
On April 16, 2024, the Northwest Judicial District issued a Warrant for the arrest of Hernandez Jr., following a 13-month investigation.
Hernandez Jr. was taken into custody on April 18, 2024, in Gillette, Wyo. On April 19, he appeared in the Sixth Circuit Court of Campbell County, State of Wyo., for a matter of extradition. During that hearing the judge explained that Hernandez Jr. was apprehended for a Fugitive Warrant from North Dakota. He waived his right to extradition and was transferred back to North Dakota on April 23, 2024.

For the full article, and the Victim Impact Statement story, download the Bakken Buzz App Today!

07/31/2025

BREAKING NEWS...
Earlier today, Hugo Hernandez Jr., pleaded guilty to the Class C Felony Charge of Negligent Homicide related to the March 2023 shooting death of Brianne Anderson.

Hernandez Jr., was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment at the North Dakota Department of corrections. He was ordered to serve two years of his sentence without the ability for early release.

The full story will be released once all the information is provided.

07/23/2025

CONVICTED MCKENZIE COUNTY S*X OFFENDER FACING NEW CHARGES

Editor’s Note: This story contains graphic content that may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.

20 year-old Kenneth Warren of Watford City, was charged with 20 new counts of Possession of certain materials prohibited on July 18, 2025.

Undercover Operation

According to documents filed with the Northwest Judicial District, the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) arrested Warren on Feb. 5, 2025, for attempting to lure a 12 year-old girl following an undercover operation.

Through that operation, Warren engaged in multiple conversations via social media with whom he believed to be a 12 year-old female. Warren informed the female that he wanted to engage in sexual acts.

During conversations, Warren described in detail certain sexual acts that he wanted to perform on what he believed to be the 12 year-old, and agreed to meet at a Watford City gas station where he was apprehended.

Upon interviewing Warren he admitted to law enforcement that he had the following social media accounts that he did not disclose to the sexual offender registry: Snapchat, Facebook and Telegram. He also admitted to using a “burner” phone that he believed to have over 400 CSAM (Child S*xual Abuse Material) files on. Warren told law enforcement that he used a service called “chatiw” to obtain the CSAM.

For the Full Story, Download the Bakken Buzz App today!

07/23/2025

Perfect Day to stop by this Lemonade stand on Main Street!

07/18/2025

Come get some Lemonade and Cookies from A&A Lemonade Stand. They are on Main Street outside of the McKenzie County Farmer!!