WATFORD CITY, N.D. (AP) _ The Watford City Council has decided
to allow unlimited off-sale liquor licenses in the booming
community in the western North Dakota oil patch.
``Off-sale'' refers to liquor that is sold to be consumed off
the premises. Watford City has had only one off-sale license for
nearly 60 years, because city ordinance allows only one per 3,000
residents.
The city is growing quickly because of the oil boom. The
official 2010 census is 1,740 people, but the city estimates the
actual number is more than 5,000.
The Watford City Community Benefit Association had held the lone
off-sale license and used the proceeds from its liquor store for
community projects. Spokesman Steve Stenehjem says that he's disappointed
with the council's decision.
