Jan. 5, 2026

The Morton Mandan Public Library (MMPL) has been awarded a $500,000 North Dakota Destination Development Grant to create the state’s first Tourism Makerspace Hub, blending creativity, culture, and community pride.

Unlike traditional tourism stops, the Makerspace Hub

will invite visitors to make a piece of North Dakota before

they leave. Guests will be able to try pottery, beadwork,

woodworking, cooking experiences, screen-printing,

3D-printed souvenirs, and AR/VR (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality) “postcards,” all inspired by the region’s natural beauty, history, and cultural heritage. The space will also support local artisans, host pop-up markets, and provide opportunities for small tourism-focused entrepreneurs.

As shown in the photo above, the project will be housed in the former Rice Bowl space in the library’s upstairs wing, home to The Loft overlooking downtown Mandan and Dykshoorn Park. Construction and setup will take place this biennium (2025-2027), with phased experiences opening along the way.

The Tourism Makerspace Hub will deepen visitor engagement, boost local spending,

extend stays, and strengthen Mandan’s identity as a welcoming and innovative place

to explore.

The deadline for filing petitions for the 2026 local elections is Monday, April 6 at 4 p.m. Candidates are now able to circulate and file petitions for election.

Morton County. Two, four-year terms are available for County Commission. The seats are currently held by Jackie Buckley and Andy Zachmeier. The auditor, treasurer, recorder, state’s attorney and sheriff positions are also up for election. Candidates must submit petitions to the auditor’s office in the Morton County Courthouse. Top candidates from the June 9 primary will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

City of Mandan. Two, four-year terms are available for City Commission. The seats up for election are currently held by Ryan Heinsohn and Dennis Rohr.

Mandan Park Board. Three, four-year terms are available for the Park Board. The seats

are currently held by Miles Mehlhoff, Stan Scott, and Layn Mudder.

Mandan School Board. Three, three-year terms are available for the School Board. The

seats up for election are currently held by Kama Hoovestol, Darren Haugen, and

Marnie Piehl.

Candidates for City Commission and Park Board must file a signed statement of interest and petitions (minimum 125 valid signatures from residents) with the city administrator office, 205 Second Ave NW. School Board candidates must submit a statement of interest to the school district. The primary election is June 9. For more information, visit cityofmandan.com/elections.

As winter settles in, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and Reede Construction Inc. have transitioned the Memorial Highway project into its seasonal pause. While major construction activities are on hold for the winter, the roadway remains open, and businesses along the corridor continue to welcome customers.

43rd Ave SE Temporary Surface. Temporary concrete was placed in the 43rd Ave SE area to provide a hard, drivable surface for traffic and business access during the winter months. It is not the final roadway surface, and it will be removed and replaced as part of permanent construction when work resumes in 2026. Any cracking that occurs over the winter is expected and does not reflect the final condition of the roadway.

Winter traffic control is now set for the season and will remain in place until construction resumes in the spring. Measures include:

• Permanent and temporary signs were installed throughout the corridor.

• Reapplied pavement markings from 43rd Ave SE to 32nd Ave SE to improve

visibility and safety.

Drivers should follow posted signage and adjust speeds for winter conditions.

Winter maintenance on business approaches will continue as needed. For concerns

related to snow removal, ice, or approach conditions, the Reede Construction Inc. team will remain the primary point of contact, with staff available to address issues throughout the winter. Please reach out to Jason Bruns at 605-971-0960 with any questions or concerns.

Planning for the 2026 construction season is underway. This month NDDOT, Reede Construction Inc., and project subcontractors will meet to finalize the construction schedule, including sequencing, staffing, and resources. Construction will resume in the spring.

Find the latest information at dot.nd.gov/memorialhwy, cityofmandan.com/mhp, and

through the City’s social media. Major updates, including when construction resumes in the spring, will also be shared in the Mandan e-Messenger. Sign up for the e-Messenger at cityofmandan.com/messenger.

2026 Public Works Brochure Mailed

Residents should have received a public works brochure, which included the household garbage and recycling collection schedule and map, in the mail in late December or early January. This brochure was created in 2025 with the announcement that the printed community calendar would not continue.

Nominate a Business for the Golden Shovel Award

Nominate a business keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice by Feb. 1. Sidewalks

must be cleared within 24 hours or City removal may occur. Nominations are

welcomed through an online form at cityofmandan.com/winterawards.

Apply for the Primary Residence Credit

The Primary Residence Credit provides homeowners the option to apply for a $1,600 state property tax credit through the Office of State Tax Commissioner. The application is open through March 31. Learn more and apply at tax.nd.gov/prc.

Property Tax Exemptions & Credit Forms Due Soon

Nonprofit property tax exemptions, paraplegic disabled exemptions, and blind exemptions are due Feb.1. Homestead and Veterans credit forms are due March 31. The Assessing Department recently mailed forms to property owners enrolled in these programs last year.

Qualifications and forms are available for new applicants in the Assessing office or online at cityofmandan.com/assessing. For more information or to make an appointment, call 701-667-3232 or email assessing@cityofmandan.com.

Sign Up for Hyper-Reach Emergency Alerts

Morton County has launched Hyper-Reach, a new emergency notification system designed to keep residents informed about severe weather, road closures, and other local emergencies.

Residents are encouraged to register to receive timely alerts and choose how they are notified, including text message, phone call, or email.

Sign up for Hyper-Reach online at hyper-reach.com/ndmortonsignup.html or text "Alert" to 701-498-1770.

If you previously signed up for CodeRED, you will need to register again for Hyper-Reach.

For more information, visit mortonnd.gov/hyperreach.

In late May, the Mandan Progress Organization launched a Memorial Highway Gift Card Program, where individuals can purchase digital gift cards from local participating businesses directly at VisitMandan.com. Each card is delivered as a digital wallet file that appears on your phone just like a regular credit card. You can use the card to shop online or pay in person. As part of the program, the City of Mandan is contributing a 25% match that is automatically issued as a separate bonus card at no additional cost.

Never miss a local event, city update, or important alert again.

The new Mandan app brings our community closer—whether you’re

checking the calendar, reporting a concern, or supporting a local fundraiser.

Download it today and explore what’s happening around you! Search

“City of Mandan” in the App Store or Google Play.

Snow Removal Reminders

City crews clean emergency routes first, followed by school zones, downtown areas, and residential streets. Please help by not parking on streets, keeping bins off roadways, and clearing sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfalls. Avoid pushing snow into streets.

Learn more at cityofmandan.com/snowremoval.

Residents can sign up to receive news and announcements via text message from the City of Mandan!

Messages may include information on garbage and recycling collection schedule changes, volunteer opportunities, office closures, etc.

Users may receive up to three messages per month and have the ability to opt-out at any time.