12/17/25: The City of Casselton was named the 2025 City of the Year, recognized for its strong
community spirit, forward-looking initiatives, and commitment to youth engagement. Casselton
has embraced inclusive leadership by involving students in council meetings and community
projects, including painting city snowplows. 

Michael Faught has served as Mayor of Casselton, ND, since 2022. Casselton is a vibrant and growing city located in Cass County, about 20 miles west of Fargo. Known for its small-town charm and friendly atmosphere, Casselton offers a unique blend of walkability, community spirit, and economic growth that makes it an inviting place to visit or call home. As mayor, Faught has been highly involved in local development and planning efforts.  Faught currently works at Arthur Companies where he holds the position of Seasonal Operations Manager and also drives semi-trucks as part of his duties. 

Adrienne Olson is the Community and Economic Development Director of Casselton, ND. She is responsible for supporting existing businesses, recruiting new businesses and services into Casselton, and creating opportunities for residents to engage in and love their city. Casselton's Economic Development office creates and sustains prosperity and quality of life for Casselton's people, businesses and organizations. Her prior experience includes executive communication roles in John Deere and Fargo real estate redevelopment firm Kilbourne Group. 

(Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)