Chuck and Mary Beth Anderson returned last weekend from a quick trip out West with their motorhome accompanied by their daughter, Jennifer, and her husband and their two children. They spent three days camping in Bismarck and touring the Heritage Museum before heading further west to Medora for more camping. While in the area they visited Custer House and On-a-Slant Indian village at Fort Abraham Lincoln and were able to see the 2020 Medora musical. The trip also included a drive down the Enchanted Highway ending at Regent. The Anderson’s do not plan to go far this summer but are taking in different areas of the great State of North Dakota.

The U.S. Census Bureau mailed postcards this week to an estimated 1.3 million post office boxes in communities like Rutland where P.O. boxes are the only mailing address available. The postcards alert households that a census taker may drop off census invitations soon or will visit later to interview them. The postcards also provide information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online or by phone. If you have not completed your Census data, be sure to do it soon. The City of Rutland is in a competition with Forman, Gwinner and Milnor to get the best response rate. The race is getting tighter and the competition continues until July 30. Rutland is lagging and our new Mayor, Michael Mahrer, would appreciate a response as soon as possible so that he does not have to promote the other cities. It is important to be counted. For each person in North Dakota who is not counted, the State will lose $19,100 and the City will also lose State Aid and other funding opportunities. The City Auditor is working on a date for residents to be able to complete the Census online at City Hall within the next few weeks. Watch for details.

The Rutland City Council will meet on Monday, July 6, at 5 p.m. to begin discussion of the 2021 City budget. Other items of business will include selecting a resident to fill the vacant two-year City Council term and to discuss the public works position and how to proceed filling that vacancy. The preliminary budget will be discussed and approved in August with a public hearing on the budget in September.

On Sunday, July 12, Rutland will have a Farmers Market from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park by City Hall. The Market is open to anyone to come sell and everyone is welcome to come purchase some locally grown produce and/or homemade products. Individuals interested in selling produce or products are asked to contact Katie McLaen at 701-680-9354.

The Rutland Roosters will be wrapping up the 2020 softball season soon so be sure to get out to their next games. On July 21, the Roosters will be playing Milnor at a home game at Sanderson Field and will wrap up the season on July 28 playing in Havana. Games start at 6:45 p.m. so be sure to get your lawn chairs and head out to the old ball game!

That is it for the news from Rutland for this week. Take time and log in to complete your census survey at  https://my2020census.gov/.  If you need help, please do not hesitate to contact the City Auditor at 701-724-3081 to get it done!