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Meeting set about U.S. 83 NW Bypass project

A public input meeting will be held from July 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 201 at the Minot Municipal Auditorium to discuss proposed improvements to the Minot U.S. 83 Northwest Bypass. The meeting will be done in an open house format.

The project consists of adding two additional lanes to create a four-lane road from U.S. 2 to U.S. 83, intersection improvements at all major intersecting streets including turn lanes, signal modifications at U.S. 2 and U.S. 83, and install signals at 21st Avenue.

Representatives of the North Dakota Department of Transportation will be available to answer questions.

If unable to attend the meeting, written statements or comments must be mailed by July 24 to James Rath, N.D. Dept. of Transportation, 608 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505 or jrath@nd.gov with “Public Input Meeting” in the e-mail subject heading.

Officials dedicate new Williston overpass/underpass

WILLISTON State and local officials celebrated the completion of the U.S. Highway 2 Overpass/18th Street Underpass in Williston and opened the new road to traffic for the first time. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday.

The overpass/underpass project was designed to create a separation between local and regional traffic, providing an overpass for regional traffic and an underpass for local traffic. In addition, pedestrian improvements have been added to the underpass, including sidewalks, landscaping and lighting on either side of 18th Street as part of the new construction. The $15 million project was funded entirely with state funds.

The majority of the work on U.S. Highway 2 was completed in fall 2014. The final phase of the new 18th Street Underpass was completed this year. The new overpass reduces delays for approaching traffic and creates a greater separation for local traffic, while the underpass provides a local travel route for city residents, as well as sidewalks, lighting and landscaping for pedestrians.

Oil tax incentive for completed wells expires June 30

BISMARCK Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger reminds North Dakota oil producers and purchasers that the oil tax incentive that became effective on Feb. 1 will expire June 30. The incentive, also known as the “small trigger,” lowered the oil extraction tax rate from 6.5 percent to 2 percent on the first 75,000 barrels or the first $4.5 million of gross value of oil produced.

Wells completed during the small trigger timeframe will maintain the 2 percent OET rate through December 2015, or up to the gross value or barrel amounts. The new maximum OET rate of 5 percent, passed by the 2015 Legislature, becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2016, for all wells.

As of Tuesday, 586 wells were completed under the incentive,” said Rauschenberger. “This does not include the last few days in June, so that number will likely increase before the end of the month.”

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Bill supports tribal colleges, public safety on reservations

Sen. John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, on Wednesday announced that the full Appropriations Committee has approved the fiscal year 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, which includes important provisions for Native Americans. The bill includes funding to support tribal colleges, as well as support to help boost public safety and justice on reservations.

“We have included funding for law enforcement, which is a huge priority for North Dakota right now, especially in western North Dakota where we’ve seen more population growth and more crime,” Hoeven said. “We’ve also increased funding for education, for example, for the United Tribes Technical College. We not only secured the funding they need but also it will come up front, rather than the end of the year. That’s very important to them as they work to educate Native American youth from across the state.”

The bill includes:

Tribal Colleges Fully funds tribally controlled colleges and universities at $74.7 million and tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions at $6.9 million. The funding will help support growing enrollment at tribal higher learning institutions, which provide local community members with the skillset and knowledge they need to be successful.

Public Safety and Justice Provides more than $377 million in support for the Public Safety and Justice Program, which is comprised of law enforcement, tribal courts and fire protection. This funding is a major priority for North Dakota, especially in the western part of the state. Western North Dakota has recently seen rapid population growth due to energy development, and this has led to an increase in crime both on and off the reservation. This funding will help ensure the continued safety of residents in the affected areas.

Criminal Investigations and Police Services Provides funding to support police and investigative services on reservations.

Canadian Pacific Rail crossing closure

CP Rail has announced that Boy Scout crossing at 54th Street NW, between Minot and Burlington, will be closed on Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. due to repair work being done on the railroad crossing. Signs will be placed for alternative routes.

Idaho man convicted in N.D. slaying appeals

BISMARCK (AP) – The attorney for an Idaho man convicted of killing a man outside of a strip club in the western North Dakota oil patch hub of Williston says the jury in the case unfairly inferred intent on the part of his client.

Attorney Scott Diamond told the North Dakota Supreme Court on Tuesday that Jonathan Horvath never intended to kill 28-year-old Derrick Spiegel of Williston. Horvath had moved to Williston from Sandpoint, Idaho, to find work in the oil patch.

Horvath is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for the March 2013 shooting death. He’s appealing his convictions for murder, terrorizing and reckless endangerment.

Prosecutor Nathan Madden told justices that video evidence shows Horvath’s guilt.

The Supreme Court will rule later.

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Cindy McCain to visit North Dakota

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., is bringing Cindy McCain, a local, national, and global leader in the fight against human trafficking, for a human trafficking tour of western North Dakota.

They will hold a human trafficking roundtable at Great River Energy in Bismarck Friday afternoon. On Saturday they will meet with Three Affiliated Tribes’ community leaders in Parshall, then go to Williston to meet with community leaders and others there. On Sunday afternoon, they are scheduled to meet with community leaders and others in Watford City.

Heitkamp and McCain will hear firsthand about the unique human trafficking challenges North Dakota is facing and the work being done in the state to combat human trafficking. McCain will share her insight on strategies and best practices to combat this crime.

The wife of Sen. John McCain, Cindy McCain has been at the forefront of working to reduce human trafficking in Arizona, throughout the United States, and around the world. She currently serves as co-chair of the Arizona Governor’s task force on human trafficking, works on programming for anti-human trafficking efforts and awareness as the chair of the McCain Institute Human Trafficking Advisory Council, and works in conjunction with the Polaris Project in many states, to provide resources and supplies to help local law enforcement and legislatures combat human trafficking.

In addition, Heitkamp, a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. will bring the Small Business Administration Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet to North Dakota to hold roundtable discussions in Bismarck, Fort Yates and Fargo.

Commission proposes pay plan

The city of Minot’s payroll expenses would increase next year by $1.23 million or 5.5 percent under a proposal being forwarded to the Minot City Council by its Civil Service Commission.

The commission on Wednesday approved a proposed 2016 pay plan based on maintaining competitiveness with comparable public and private sector jobs in the region. The proposed 2016 increase compares with 4.28 percent in this year’s city budget and 6.7 percent in 2014. The total 2015 payroll budget for the city is $21.2 million.

In the 2016 plan, the average employee raise would be just under 3 percent, although changes to salaries of particular positions would depend on a variety of factors in the plan. Positions found to be below competitive pay for comparable jobs would see larger increases. The greatest adjustment would be for dispatcher positions.

The city is reporting an 18.9 percent turnover rate among employees, excluding retirement. Among reasons for turnover include moving due to a spouse’s job situation, no longer desire the type of work and better pay elsewhere.

Jill Schramm

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Man charged with possession of stolen property

Minot police recovered a stolen car on Wednesday.

According to police, officers located a suspicious car parked adjacent to storage units in north Minot at about 12:35 a.m. on Wednesday. A records check of the car’s license plates revealed the plates were reported stolen from Fargo. Further checking of the car’s VIN number revealed that it was reported stolen in Minot.

A short time after finding the car, two people parked nearby in a separate vehicle drove away and were stopped by officers. Samy Benson, 39, Lansford, was one of the occupants in that vehicle and evidence from contact with him led to his arrest for two counts of possession of stolen property, one count for the car and one for the license plates which were stolen and fictitiously affixed to the car. Benson was taken to the Ward County Jail.

N.D. lawmakers assigned to interim committees

BISMARCK (AP) – The North Dakota Legislature’s 141 members have been assigned committees to study topics that could inspire bills for the next legislative session.

The Legislative Management committee assigned the lawmakers to 24 committees on Tuesday. The committees will study 44 subjects ranging from energy to education.

Each committee will compile a report and any suggested legislation for the 2017 session.

The Legislative Management committee is a 17-member panel that oversees the Legislature’s business between sessions. The panel named four Democrats to chair the interim committees. That’s the most since 2009, when there were eight. Last session, there were no Democrats who headed committees.

Republicans have two-thirds majorities in both the North Dakota House and Senate, and they control the study and committee selection process.

Residents of

Lincoln oust mayor in recall election

LINCOLN (AP) – The mayor of Lincoln has been ousted in a recall vote.

Unofficial results from Tuesday’s election show that residents of the community near Bismarck voted 300-78 to have 50-year-old challenger Gerald Wise take over as mayor from 68-year-old Bob Johnston.

A citizen committee forced the recall election after numerous disagreements between Johnston and the City Council.

Wise says he wants to move forward. Johnston says he wishes the community the best. He was in his final year in office and had not planned to seek re-election.

Trial opens for man accused in Grand Forks shooting

GRAND FORKS (AP) – The trial of a 30-year-old man accused in a 2014 fatal shooting has opened in Grand Forks.

Delvin Shaw is representing himself in the trial that began Tuesday. He’s charged with murder and burglary in the June 2014 death of 24-year-old Jose Lopez, who authorities say was shot three times in his Grand Forks apartment.

Police say Lopez wasn’t the intended target, but that Shaw went to the wrong apartment.

Shaw accused prosecutors of making him “seem like a monster.” He says he has done many things he isn’t proud of, but that “murder’s not one.”

The other suspect in Lopez’s death, 19-year-old Dametrian Welch, agreed to plead guilty in March to a reduced charge of facilitating murder.

Murder suspect pleads guilty to related charges

MANDAN (AP) – A man facing a murder charge in a Mandan homicide has pleaded guilty to a pair of related but less-serious charges.

Jonathan McKinney on Tuesday pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy and tampering with evidence after the January 2014 death of Alex Lansdon, who was shot to death in his home. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

McKinney’s trial on the murder charge is scheduled to begin Tuesday. He could face life in prison without parole if convicted.

McKinney’s co-defendant, Warren Pfetzer, pleaded guilty Tuesday to tampering with evidence, criminal conspiracy and a weapons charge. A felony terrorizing count was reduced to a misdemeanor menacing charge.

N.D. gets $1.6 million for substance abuse programs

BISMARCK (AP) – North Dakota is getting a $1.6 million grant to fund mental health programs and substance abuse services for young adults.

The state’s congressional delegation announced the funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Tuesday.

The delegation says the state Department of Human Services will disperse the funding to North Dakota communities most in need.

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Public meeting on opioid clinic set

Community Medical Services of Phoenix, Ariz., will hold a town hall style public meeting Monday to present information about the company’s plans for an opioid treatment facility in Minot.

The proposed opioid treatment facility, or methadone clinic, would be located at 1829 S. Broadway.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Minot Municipal Auditorium, Room 201.

The Minot City Council voted in October 2014 to impose a one-year moratorium on the opening of any such clinic until research could be conducted. City officials have done on-site visits and investigations of similar clinics run by Community Medical Services and will be available to answer questions from the public.

“This is an informal public meeting that gives the members of our community an opportunity to discuss this issue with the company that is proposing the clinic,” said city manager Lee Staab. “They can also speak with local medical professionals and law enforcement. It is important that the city council of Minot make issues like this one open to the public, and allow citizens of Minot to voice concerns and preferences for their community before the city council makes a decision on a proposed opioid treatment facility.”

Information from the company’s website states that Community Medical Services is accredited as an addiction treatment program with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. It provides services in the form of outpatient drug replacement therapy and private one-on-one counseling. The company has three Arizona locations that cater to Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Scottsdale, and Tempe; a clinic in Tucson, Ariz., that caters to the surrounding areas, including Sierra Vista and Casa Grande; and three clinics in Montana located in Missoula, Kalispell, and Billings, which also serve clients in Bozeman and Helena, Mont., and in Williston and Dickinson.

Juveniles arrested for Burglary

Five 15-year-old boys have been arrested in connection with the May 3 burglary at B&D Market in Minot, according to Minot police.

One of the boys was charged with burglary, a Class C felony, and the remaining four boys were charged with criminal conspiracy to commit burglary, which is also a Class C felony, for their part in the burglary of the business.

Police responded to an alarm at the business at 2:22 a.m. on May 3. It was discovered that the suspects threw a large cinderblock through the window on the west side of the business. The charges will be handled in Juvenile Court.

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NARO-ND offers

test for certified mineral managers

NARO-ND is offering testing in its Certified Mineral Manager program during its annual conference June 25 in the Grand Hotel, Minot. Tests will be offered for the first two levels of the program.

The program is an educational self-study course offered exclusively through NARO and designed to increase a person’s knowledge of minerals management. To complete the program, applicants must accumulate a certain number of educational credits and pass the three exams affiliated with their selected level of the program.

The CMM program has two levels:

Associate, for individuals wanting to increase their knowledge on how to better manage personal or family interests.

Professional, for individuals using the certification in a business enterprise. Trust officers, landmen and attorneys can benefit from this level.

The CMM Review Course is an exam preparation course. It is offered multiple times during the year, or people can complete the study of materials independently. The course is elective to taking the certification exams, although most participants choose to attend at some point. The course is eight hours and counts toward seven continuing education credit hours. It is next offered at the Texas State Conference in July.

People must pre-register with the National Office CMM registrar, Rhiannon Harris, to take the exams. For more information, call 1-855-622-7126.

Two elected

to Grenora

school board

GRENORA Carlyle Norby and Lavern Johnson were elected to the Grenora school board on June 9. Both received 23 votes. Norby represents Area 1 and Johnson represents Area 2.

Voters also decided to publish school board meeting minutes in the newspaper of record by a vote of 22 to 1.

Farm Rescue receives

$150,000 grant

HORACE Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that provides planting, haying or harvesting assistance free of charge to farm families who have experienced a major illness, injury or natural disaster, has received a grant totaling $150,000 from the Otto Bremer Foundation.

The funding will be awarded to Farm Rescue over a two-year period for general operating support.

Farm Rescue reached a milestone in the fall season of 2014, helping their 300th farm family near Fergus Falls, Minn. Business sponsors, grantors and individual donors make it possible for the organization to provide timely assistance to farmers and ranchers during times of unexpected crises.

The Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Bank were among the first sponsors of Farm Rescue and continue to be strong supporters of helping farm families and rural communities. They are among the largest sponsors of the one-of-a-kind nonprofit organization. In 2014, Bremer Bank donated $25,000 and the Otto Bremer Foundation donated $75,000, for a cumulative donation of $100,000.

“The Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Bank have consistently shown unwavering support of farm families and rural communities,” said Bill Gross, founder and president of Farm Rescue. “Otto Bremer was really a visionary in his time for developing a wonderful structure between Bremer Bank and the Otto Bremer Foundation that created a unique and sustainable avenue of goodness to help communities throughout our region. It is truly impressive by any measure.”

“The Otto Bremer Foundation is happy to support Farm Rescue,” said Brian Lipschultz, co-CEO and trustee of the Otto Bremer Foundation. “It provides important services to help farm families avoid economic hardship.”

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Powers Lake boy dies in farm accident

NIOBE A 5-year-old Powers Lake boy died Monday in a farm accident near Niobe.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol identified the boy as Collin Mogren.

The Highway Patrol said Dwayne Mogren, 39, Powers Lake, driving a grain truck, was loading canola from a bin on a farmstead six miles northwest of Niobe when the accident happened about 2 p.m. Monday. Mogren moved the truck forward about 5 feet while filling the truck box. The boy was driven over by the truck’s passenger side rear dual tires. He was taken to the Kenmare Hospital.

Patrol identifies Sunday collision victim

DICKINSON The North Dakota Highway Patrol has released the name of a Killdeer man who died in a head-on collision on N.D. Highway 22 near Dickinson Sunday.

Justin Woodbury, 26, was driving a 2013 Toyota Corolla that collided with a Mercedes-Benz driven by Luke Gaugler, 25, Dunn Center. The accident happened two miles north of Dickinson. Woodbury was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passenger in Woodbury’s vehicle was identified as Jennifer Myran, 17, Dickinson. She was injured in the accident. Both Gaugler and passenger Tess Gaugler, 21, Dunn Center, also were injured.

Schools’ website being redesigned

At the end of this month the Minot Public Schools website will look different, according to Craig Nansen.

The website is being redesigned to be more usable with mobile devices such as iPhones, Android Phones, iPads and tablets. It will have a different look and feel on laptops and desktops, not like a traditional website that is hard to navigate with mobile devices. The new site is hosted by SchoolBlocks. The URL will still be www.minot.k12.nd.us

Construction begins from Granville to Minot

Construction will begin today on the westbound roadway of U.S. Highway 2 from Minot to one mile east of Granville. The project consists of paving, rumble strips and pavement markings.

During construction the westbound roadway will be reduced to one lane in the work zone and speeds will be reduced. There will be a width restriction of 15 feet in place.

Milling and paving is expected to be completed at the end of July at which time lane closures will be removed. The remainder of the project will be completed by mid-August.

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Lightning strike causes saltwater release

ALEXANDER About 18,480 gallons of saltwater were released and contained on the well site at the Snowcover 43-19 saltwater disposal well in McKenzie County, Enduro Operating, LLC reported on Friday. The site is about 21 miles south of Alexander.

North Dakota Oil and Gas Division officials said the cause was described as a lightning strike to a tank on location. A state inspector has been to the location and will monitor additional clean-up.

Effertz-Hanson elected to school board

VELVA Maria Effertz-Hanson was elected to the Velva school board on June 9 with 26 votes. She defeated Eric Mack, who received 15 votes.

Voters also decided to publish school board meeting minutes in the newspaper of record by a vote of 45 to 0.

Minot man arrested on multiple charges

Cameron Michael Oster, 19, Minot, was arrested on multiple charges on Sunday after Minot Police responded to a phone call reporting possible drug usage in a car parked in the South Broadway Hardee’s parking lot.

According to a press release, officers found the vehicle with drug paraphernalia in plain view and identified the owner as Oster. A search of the vehicle revealed various items of marijuana paraphernalia and an open bottle of whiskey. A locked safe was also found in the vehicle and a search warrant was obtained for the contents.

The safe was opened, revealing a small amount of marijuana, more items of drug paraphernalia and two loaded handguns. One of the firearms was reported stolen out of Pasco County, Florida. The other weapon’s serial number had been obliterated. Oster was arrested. When he was searched, officers found a concealed butterfly knife on him.

Oster was taken to the Ward County Jail and was booked on possession of a stolen firearm, a Class C felony; prohibited alterations to firearms, a Class A misdemeanor; carrying a concealed dangerous weapon butterfly knife, a Class A misdemeanor; possession of marijuana paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor; possession of marijuana, less than 1/2 oz., a Class B misdemeanor; carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, two counts, a Class B misdemeanor; unlawful possession of alcohol, a Class B misdemeanor.

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Emeritus at Brentmoor changing name

Emeritus at Brentmoor, an assisted living facility in Minot, will be getting a new name to be announced at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 25.

The ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. at Emeritus at Brentmoor, 3515-10th St. SW. Refreshments will be served.

The new name will clearly connect the community to its Brookdale senior living family, according to company officials. Not only is Emeritus at Brentmoor changing its name, so are other Brookdale communities across the United States.

Without prematurely revealing each name, it’s a safe bet that each senior living community will have “Brookdale” in its name. What that means is, when you see a sign that says Brookdale, you know the people who work there have a passion for helping seniors and finding them solutions to the needs in their lives. From independent living to assisted living, the same associates who have always worked at Emeritus at Brentmoor will continue to care for seniors the same way they always have. Only the name will change, the rest will stay the same.

“We’re excited about our new name and we know that it means more solutions for seniors and their families in Minot,” said Kim Mathwich, executive director of what is no longer going to be called Emeritus at Brentmoor. “We’re all very excited that Brentmoor is going to be part of the Brookdale Family.”

The public is invited to see the facility’s new sign and find out their new name at the big reveal.

Committee to receive federal funds

FORT TOTTEN The Mountain Plains Nutrition Advisory Committee on the Spirit Lake Reservation will receive nearly $140,000 in federal funding to help Native American children learn about and develop healthy lifestyles, according to North Dakota’s congressional delegation.

The program was made available to 15 tribes and state agencies across the country that are participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Distribution Program on Indian reservations. The grant assists the committee to educate children on the Spirit Lake Reservation to make better nutritional choices and live a healthy lifestyle.

Construction begins on N.D. Highway 256

Construction begins today on N.D. Highway 256 from the west junction of N.D. Highway 5 and U.S. Highway 83 to the Canadian border, according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

The project consists of asphalt overlay, rumble strips and pavement marking.

During the construction motorists may experience delays while waiting for a pilot car. Flaggers will be present. There will be a width restriction of 14 feet in place.

The project is expected to be completed in early July.

Hazen woman earns Miss North Dakota crown

WILLISTON (AP) – Miss Grand Forks is moving on to represent North Dakota at the 2015 Miss America Pageant later this year.

Delanie Wiedrich, a native of Hazen, was named Miss North Dakota on Saturday night at Williston High School. She’ll compete in the national pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Sept. 13.

Wiedrich is a student at Minnesota State University, Mankato and received a $17,500 scholarship for winning the title.

Miss Fargo Faye Stromberg won first runner up, while Miss State Capitol Reyan Bergstrom of Horace got second runner up.

Last year’s Miss North Dakota, Jacky Arness, was named Miss Congeniality at the national pageant.

N.D. drill rig count drops to 75; lowest since 2009

WILLISTON (AP) – State data show the number of oil drilling rigs in North Dakota is at the lowest level since 2009.

The state Department of Mineral Resources says there were 75 rigs drilling in western North Dakota’s oil patch on Monday. That’s 112 fewer than one year ago. There were 214 rigs drilling on the same day in 2012.

The drop occurs as companies are pumping less crude amid oil prices that have plummeted more than 40 percent since last year.

Department of Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms predicted last month that production would hover around 1 million barrels a day until prices rebound.

Officials say each active oil rig represents about 40 direct jobs and 80 indirect jobs in the state.

Two lanes of truck bypass in N.D. oil boomtown open

WILLISTON (AP) – The state Transportation Department says two lanes of a truck bypass in Williston are open.

Officials say the Northwest Truck Reliever Route is intended to ease traffic congestion in the city and make driving safer.

The lanes were open on Saturday.

Williston Mayor Howard Klug says the route to divert truck traffic away from town will cost the state about $162 million.

Work on the southbound lanes of the route is expected to be completed in August.

N.D. authorities search for missing state prison inmate

BISMARCK (AP) – Authorities are searching for a state prison inmate who went missing from a minimum security facility in Bismarck.

Thirty-nine-year-old Earnesto Difabio walked away from the Missouri River Correctional Center on Sunday afternoon.

Authorities say Difabio is Caucasian and has black hair and brown eyes. He is 5-feet-6-inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds.

State corrections officials say Difabio was incarcerated on theft and burglary charges. Authorities say he is not considered dangerous.

Bridge construction expected to create traffic in eastern N.D.

GRAND FORKS (AP) – Drivers may need a little bit more time to cross the Sorlie Memorial Bridge over the Red River because of a construction project that began Monday.

Traffic is down to one lane and stoplights have been turned off. Temporary stop signals are being used to control traffic.

The project on the bridge that connects Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, Minnesota, is expected to last until mid-October. The bridge is 283 feet long and was built in 1929.

East Grand Forks crews will monitor traffic and may make some adjustments at a later time.

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Multiple inuries after vehicle crash

A two-vehicle accident with multiple injuries caused the closure of U.S. Highway 52 for about five hours Saturday morning.

According to the Highway Patrol, a Dodge pickup towing a camper trailer was going north on Highway 14 and failed to yield at the intersection with Highway 52. The pickup, operated by Frederick Eslinger, 62, of Elgin, was struck on the right side by a semi truck hauling an oversize load westbound on Highway 52. The pickup overturned onto its side in the right ditch of Highway 52 on the north side of the highway. A passenger in the pickup had serious injuries and was airlifted to Trinity Hospital in Minot.

The driver and another passenger of the pickup were transported to the hospital in Harvey with minor injuries.

The driver of the semi, Kerone Nelson, 38, of Etobicokr, Ontario, was checked out by medical personnel but was not injured.

Both lanes of Highway 52 were closed for approximately five hours.

More burglaries reported in Minot

The Minot Police Department responded Saturday to four businesses to investigate reports of burglaries.

The first call came in at 3:44 a.m. when officers were called to investigate an alarm at Budget Music & Video, located at 11 S. Main Street. It was discovered someone made entry into the business causing the alarm to activate.

At 5:30 a.m. the second report came in to dispatch that Our Savior Lutheran Church, located at 3705-11th St. SW was broken into.

The third call was to Lowe’s Garden Center, located at 1620-4th Ave. NE, where the business was found broken into.

The final call was to 3500-4th St. SW, which is the Trinity Evangelical Free Church. That report came in to the police department at 3:28 p.m. when they reported the church was broken into.

All four burglaries are under investigation

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Williston voters reject bond issue

WILLISTON Voters in New Public School District No. 8, rural Williston, rejected a $48.5 million bond issue Tuesday that would have paid for construction of a new K-12 school.

The unofficial vote total was 200 votes against the bond issue and 57 votes in favor.

Sherri Heser, district business manager, said the school board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday to canvass the votes and discuss future planning.

The school district consists of three K-8 elementaries, Round Prairie, Garden Valley and Stony Creek. Heser said the existing school buildings are old and the district has been using portable classrooms. School district enrollment is also on the increase due to the Williston area’s ongoing oil boom. The rural school district covers 1,161 square miles.

Heser said going forward the district might discuss doing nothing, just trying to improve the facilities at the current school locations or another attempt to raise funds for a new school.

A simple majority was required to pass the bond.

Voters also re-elected two school board members. Curtis Sullivan received 169 votes and Heather Kitzman, who had not put her name on the ballot, received 8 write-in votes. Both are for three-year terms.

Andrea Johnson

SUV and tractor crash near Fessenden

FESSENDEN A Fessenden woman and passengers in her vehicle were taken to a Harvey hospital Wednesday following the crash of their SUV with a tractor, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

The accident happened at 4:13 p.m. on U.S. Highway 52, one-half mile west of Fessenden.

Sandra Wachtel, 41, who was driving a 2008 Buick Enclave, and passenger, Karrol Wachtel, 8, Fessenden, were injured. Another passenger, Nicholas Wachtel, 10, Fessenden, was not injured. They were treated and released from the medical facility.

James Hills, 44, Fessenden, who was driving the John Deere tractor, was not injured.

The Highway Patrol said Hills and Wachtel were going east on U.S. Highway 52. Hills activated his turn signal on the farm tractor to negotiate a left-hand turn onto a private driveway. Wachtel attempted to pass Hills while he was negotiating the turn. Wachtel struck Hills in the front driver side tire. Her vehicle spun and struck the rear driver side tire of Hills’ tractor. Wachtel’s vehicle came to rest in the north ditch of Highway 52. Hills’ tractor came to rest on the right hand shoulder of the highway.

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Newburg school board election results announced

NEWBURG Three people were elected to the Newburg school board on Tuesday.

Taylor Erdman, Nathan Lamoureux and Bryan Pease were all elected to three-year terms on the board. All received 14 votes.

Voters also decided not to publish school board meeting minutes in the local newspaper, by a vote of 11 against to 3 in favor.

Andrea Johnson

Legislature to reconvene to consider measure

BISMARCK (AP) – A legislative panel on Wednesday decided to reconvene the entire North Dakota Legislature next week to consider a budget bill left unresolved by lawmakers earlier this year.

The 17-member Legislative Management panel voted Wednesday to call the Legislature back on June 16. It’s the first time the Legislature has done so since lawmakers gave themselves that authority 20 years ago, according to Legislative Council Director Jim Smith.

The session ended in April with the House and Senate still at odds over legislation aimed at ensuring that thousands of public employees, including lawmakers, can keep the same health benefits and medical providers when their insurer changes next month.

Sanford Health Plan will provide coverage for the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System beginning July 1, after underbidding Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, which provided their coverage for nearly four decades.

On Monday, a panel of legislative leaders resolved a dispute that was holding up a more than $14 million appropriations bill for the state’s public employee retirement system, agreeing to add one lawmaker from each party to a board that oversees the benefits.

The full Legislature will now reconvene to consider the bill that sets aside money for the Public Employees Retirement System and state Retirement and Investment Office. Two days are available if needed, since the regular session earlier this year lasted 78 days, just short of the 80-day maximum set by the state constitution.

Charge dropped for woman accused of having meth in jail

NEW ENGLAND (AP) – Authorities have dropped a case against a Minot woman accused of using meth and giving the drug to four other inmates at the Dakota Women’s Correctional Rehabilitation Center.

Prosecutors said in court documents that they did not have enough evidence to pursue the case against 22-year-old Chelsea Nelson.

Nelson had been charged with possession of a controlled substance by an inmate, a Class A felony that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The charge came after corrections officials last fall ordered an investigation into possible drug use by inmates at the New England lockup.

List of potential new nicknames narrowed to 15

GRAND FORKS (AP) – A committee has narrowed to 15 the list of possible nicknames for the University of North Dakota, including simply “North Dakota.”

The group started out with nearly 1,200 potential monikers. It was whittled to about five dozen and then to 15. That list will be narrowed even further before a final list is brought to the public for a vote.

State residents voted overwhelmingly in 2012 to dump UND’s “Fighting Sioux” nickname and accompanying American Indian head logo that had been in place since the 1930s. The NCAA threatened sanctions against the school saying the nickname and logo were hostile and abusive, and that UND was not endorsed by one of the state’s two namesake tribes. The state Legislature put a moratorium on replacing the nickname until this year.

The 15 names still in the running are North Dakota, Blaze, Cavalry, Explorers, Fighting Green, Fighting Hawks, Force, Green Hawks, Nodaks, North Stars, Pride, Roughriders, Spirit, Sundogs and Thunderhawks. One possibility that was dumped Tuesday night was Flickertails, which the school used before adopting the Fighting Sioux nickname.

The 11-member committee, which is being advised by branding consultant Padilla CRT, has not set a date for its next meeting.

“Now it’s really time for conversation – for people to make their case for particular options – and that by definition usually takes more time,” UND spokesman Peter Johnson said.

New tax booklets published reflecting recent tax cuts

BISMARCK (AP) – Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger says updated North Dakota income tax booklets have been released for employers and individuals.

Rauschenberger says the new booklets reflect reduced income tax rates passed this year by the Legislature.

The legislation signed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple provides $108 million in income tax relief through an across-the-board tax rate cut of 10 percent for individuals and 5 percent for corporations.

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Body found in burned vehicle identified

NORWICH The North Dakota Medical Examiner’s Office has positively identified a body found Tuesday in a burned pickup truck in Ward County as Dennis Leith, 73, of Norwich.

No foul play is believed to have occurred in the incident, according to a news release from the Ward County Sheriff’s Department.

The sheriff’s department reponded to a call Tuesday of an abandoned burned vehicle on 167th Street Northeast, about 2 miles north of U.S. Highway 2. Deputies located near the road a Chevrolet pickup truck which had been totally consumed by fire. The fire was out at the time the deputies arrived at the scene. A body was found in the vehicle and the remains were sent to the North Dakota State Medical Examiner’s Office for identification. It is believed the vehicle fire occurred during the night prior to the vehicle’s discovery.

Perth man killed in two-vehicle crash near Devils Lake

DEVILS LAKE The North Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the victim of a two-vehicle crash that occurred near Devils Lake Tuesday.

Larry Lindberg, 85, Perth, driver of a 2014 pickup truck, died at the scene, according to a news release. He was alone in the pickup.

The Highway Patrol said David Folk, 63, Regina, Saskatchewan, was going east on U.S. Highway 2, about 2 miles west of Devils Lake. Lindberg began crossing the highway’s eastbound lane and the two vehicles collided. Folk was not injured.

Max school board election results announced

MAX Two people were elected to the Max school board on Tuesday.

Ron Kramer was elected to the Douglas Rural Area seat with 180 votes, defeating Jolene Groninger, who had 102 votes.

Galen Scheresky was elected to the Benedict Rural Area seat with 152 votes, defeating Dennis Erickson, who had 144 votes.

Voters also failed to approve an increase in the building fund levy. The proposal failed bya vote of 147 in favor to 151 against.

Andrea Johnson

Surrey road set to be closed for a week

Starting Monday, June 15, for approximately one week, Pleasant Ave. South in Surrey, south of the railroad crossing, will be closed for culvert installation. Travelers are asked to use an alternative route during that time.

For more information, call the City of Surrey office at 852-4154.

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Flint Knap-In to be Held at Knife River Indian Villages

STANTON Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site near Stanton kicks off its special events for this season with a Flint Knap-In on Saturday, June 20.

Flint knapping was an important skill practiced for thousands of years at the Knife River Indian Villages. Native artisans favored the durable Knife River flint which was quarried 60 miles west of the villages and traded across North America. Today, flint knappers keep this ancient craft alive by sharing their knowledge at special events across the country.

The Flint Knap-In will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT.

Marv Becher, Dave Cain, Bill Ihm and John Martinson will demonstrate the ancient art by making flint arrowheads, knife blades and spear points. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch the demonstrations, interact with the knappers, try their hand at shaping flint into tools, view knapped tools from the site’s artifact collection and attend special flint-related programming throughout the day.

“Visitors will have a glimpse into an activity commonly seen in historic village life. This is a great chance for people to see how knapping styles, techniques and creativity differ between artisans,” said Craig Hansen, acting superintendent.

All of the events at the park are free. Upcoming events scheduled for the summer include Kid’s Camp, Music for the Villages and Hands on History.

Knife River Indian Villages NHS is located one-half mile north of Stanton on County Road 37. For more information, contact the park at 745-3300 or visit its website at nps.gov/knri.

Woman accused of leaving kids alone in car while shoplifting

BISMARCK (AP) – A 23-year-old Bismarck woman is accused of leaving two small children alone in a car while she shoplifted from a Wal-Mart store.

Authorities allege Dawn Morsette left the 3- and 5-year-old children alone in a car with the front windows rolled halfway down for more than half an hour on Friday while she went into the store. The children were discovered after Morsette was apprehended for shoplifting.

Morsette faces a felony child neglect charge in state court that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Court documents do not list an attorney for her, and a home telephone listing couldn’t be found.

Morsette pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge in municipal court and was sentenced to three days in jail.

City finished on proposed agreement for oil refinery

DEVILS LAKE (AP) – The mayor of Devils Lakes says a city committee has finished work on a proposed development agreement with a company planning an oil refinery on the western edge of the city.

Mayor Dick Johnson said that one of the provisions in the proposed deal would require Eagles Ledge Energy and one of its subsidiaries to make a payment to the city that is equal to 2.5 percent of the refinery’s annual earnings before certain deductions such as taxes.

Johnson says the agreement covers numerous issues such as environmental safeguards and other contingency plans for potential mishaps.

The mayor says the full city commission is expected to review the documents and vote later this month whether to approve it.

Search launched for new Dickinson State University president

DICKINSON (AP) – The North Dakota University System has launched the search for a new president for Dickinson State University.

President D.C. Coston announced in February that he plans to retire once a new leader is found. He’s been the school’s president since 2011, after spending six years as vice president for agriculture and university extension at North Dakota State University in Fargo.

The university system has contracted with a consultant to help with the search for his successor. The deadline for candidates to apply is Aug. 3.

The university system says whoever is eventually chosen by the state Board of Higher Education as the next president would take the reins no later than Jan. 1, 2016.

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Man killed in two-vehicle crash near Devils Lake

DEVILS LAKE An 85-year-old male from Perth was killed instantly when his 2014 Chevrolet pick-up was struck by a semi-trailer approximately two miles west of Devils Lake. The accident occurred shortly after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The pick-up the man was driving attempted to cross U.S. Highway 2 when struck by the semi driven by a 63-year-old male from Regina, Saskatchewan. Both men were alone in their vehicles. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending family notifications.

Man arrested for assault, terrorizing

A Bismarck man is being held in the Ward County Jail on charges of aggravated assault and terrorizing in connection with a domestic incident in Minot Saturday.

A preliminary hearing is set for July 16 on the felony charges against Wyatt Doepke, 27.

According to the Minot Police Department, officers responded at 6:11 p.m. to Cenex at 3630 S. Broadway, where they met with a female who stated she had been hit multiple times by Doepke while she was driving. She was able to pull into the Cenex parking lot and get away from Doepke, who allegedly was holding a knife to her side and threatening her to keep driving to Bismarck.

Officers located Doepke outside of a neighboring hotel and took him into custody. Doepke also has arrest warrants in Mandan and Morton County, police reported.

School board election held for Lewis and Clark

Four people were elected to the Lewis and Clark School District school board on June 2.

Shane Erickson was elected to the Old Plaza School District seat with 61 votes. It is a three-year term. Mike Lautenschlager was elected to the at-large position with 61 votes. It is a three-year term. Brenda Brown was elected to one of the Old North Shore positions with 64 votes. Hers is a three-year term. Troy Pank was elected to the other Old North Shore position with 62 votes. His is a two-year position. Voters also decided to publish school board minutes in the local paper by a vote of 63 in favor and 9 against.

Mandan residents voting on sports complex

MANDAN (AP) – Residents of Mandan are voting on whether to increase taxes to fund a sports complex.

Tuesday’s election is on a proposed three-fourths percent sales tax to fund the $22 million Park District project that would include a two-rink hockey arena, gymnastics facilities, and a football and track field. The existing football and track field would be converted into ball fields.

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Area airports receive grants

BISMARCK Area airports will share $2.7 million in infrastructure grants through the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, the commission announced Thursday.

The grants help fund numerous high-priority projects. Grant revenue largely is derived from taxes on aviation fuel and aircraft sales. A majority of the state grants will match anticipated federal grants.

Among airport recipients are:

– Bottineau, $20,000 for snow removal equipment and $2,500 to replace an airport beacon.

– Fessenden, $5,850 to repair or replace runway and taxiway lights and $12,960 to buy a rotary cutter mower.

– Garrison, $18,018 to replace turf runway edge markers.

– Harvey, $19,970 for runway rehabilitation and taxiway electrical system.

– Kenmare, $7,600 to buy mower.

– Parshall, $3,578 for hangar design.

– Rolla, $540 for obstacle removal.

– Stanley, $4,075 for design of taxiway and apron and $4,987 to augment $107,625 in previous funding for land acquisition.

– Tioga, $4,947 for environmental reports for apron, taxiway and taxilane.

– Towner, $999 to buy a mower unit.

– Westhope, $101,390 for crack seal, seal coat and marking/signage.

Meeting set for highway projects

CROSBY A public input meeting will be held June 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Divide County Courthouse in Crosby to discuss proposed improvements to area highways.

The proposed improvements would be to N.D. Highway 42 from the junction of N.D. Highway 50 north to the junction of N.D. Highway 5 and proposed improvements for N.D. Highway 5 from the junction of N.D. Highway 42 east to Noonan

The meeting will use an open house format with a formal presentation at 5:30 p.m. Representatives from the North Dakota Department of Transporation will be on hand to answer questions and discuss concerns.

If unable to attend the meeting, written statements or comments must be mailed by July 3, to James Rath, Program Manager, Design Division, 608 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505, or email jrath@nd.gov with “Public Input Meeting” in the email subject heading.

School board results released

Brenda Buri was elected to a three-year term on the Des Lacs-Burlington School Board on Tuesday.

Buri received 14 votes. She ran unopposed.

Voters also opted to publish school board meeting minutes in the newspaper of record by a vote of 11 to 4.

Andrea Johnson

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Minot police investigate Taco John’s break in

The Minot Police Department is investigating a break-in at Taco John’s on North Broadway early Wednesday.

At around 5:10 a.m., an employee of the restaurant notified police of the break-in and said that an undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the restaurant.

Florida man charged after pursuit

WASHBURN A Florida man is awaiting a court appearance after a pursuit on U.S. Highway 83 Sunday afternoon starting in McLean County and ending in Ward County.

Units from the McLean County Sheriff’s Department, Ward County Sheriff’s Department and North Dakota Highway Patrol were involved in the pursuit of the man identified as Paul Flaig, 66, of Melbourne, Fla., according to McLean County Sheriff J.R. Kerzmann and Capt. Bob Barnard of the Ward County Sheriff’s Department.

Kerzmann said Flaig was arrested and charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.

Kerzmann said the incident began at 2:40 p.m. when a McLean County deputy was operating radar in the 50 mph speed zone at Max. Flaig, driving a van, went past the officer at a high rate of speed 70 mph. When the officer attempted to stop Flaig, he failed to stop for the officer’s lights and sirens.

Officers from the Ward County Sheriff’s Department and N.D. Highway Patrol assisted McLean County south of Minot, the Highway Patrol deployed spikes and Flaig was stopped and arrested.

City receives $6.4 million in community grants

Four applicants have submitted six applications totaling nearly $6.4 million to the city of Minot for assistance from the Community Facilities Fund.

The Community Facilities Committee will schedule a meeting in mid-June to consider the applications and make recommendations to the Minot City Council for action at the July 6 council meeting. Funds would be available in 2016.

Applications are:

– Minot Park District, $1.6 million for artificial turf for a field at the Jack Hoeven Complex and $1 million toward a sheet of ice.

– City of Minot, $1.52 million to pave the Sertoma softball complex and $1 million for municipal auditorium updates.

– Domestic Violence Crisis Center, $200,000 for the New Beginnings Campus project.

– Minot State University, $1 million for a seasonal air-supported multi-sport dome.

The Community Facilities Fund receives income from 30 percent of a 1 percent sales tax. The fund takes in about $3 million a year.

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Results from Devils Lake school board meeting

Jason Hodous and Lee Ann Johnston were elected to three-year terms on the Devils Lake school board on Tuesday.

Hodous had 99 votes; Johnston had 92 votes. They defeated Paul Goulding, who had 85 votes.

Voters also approved the publication of school board meeting minutes in the local newspaper by a vote of 147 to 12.

Andrea Johnson

Another gunshot reported in Minot

The Minot Police Department received another report Wednesday of a vehicle being struck by a bullet while it was parked in a driveway in the 200 block of St. Peter Ave. in Minot. The damage to the vehicle occurred sometime between May 30 and June 2, according to a police press release. There were no injuries reported.

This is the fourth such incident reported this week by the Minot Police Department.

Three other incidents, all on Monday, have also been reported.

The first was reported Monday at 12:56 p.m. in the 600 block of 15th Street Southeast in Minot. The caller reported the windows being smashed out of his vehicle, but during the investigation the officer noticed a bullet hole in the side of the vehicle.

The second incident was reported Monday at 10:58 p.m. in the 500 block of 17th Avenue Southeast in Minot. The caller reported a bullet entered his residence and hit his television.

The third incident took place in the 1900 block of Sixth Street Southeast at about 2 a.m. on Monday, but wasn’t reported until 3 p.m. Monday afternoon. The bullet entered the residence and struck a TV stand causing glass door to break. The resident thought it was a faulty stand until the cleanup led to the discovery of a bullet hole in the wall.

All of the incidents are still under investigation.

If anyone has any information they are asked to contact the Minot Police Department at 852-0111. Callers can also report information to Crime Stoppers at 852-7463. Information leading to an arrest may result in a reward of up to $1,000.

Hamm penalizes American National Insurance Company

BISMARCK North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm announced Wednesday a $275,000 penalty against American National Insurance Company, also known as ANICO.

The order and administrative penalty were issued after the completion of an investigation into claims settlement practices that revealed the company failed to follow the law regarding guaranteed issue coverage.

Guaranteed issue in credit life insurance or credit disability insurance is the minimum benefit amount an insurer must issue regardless of the policyholder’s health status. Currently, the guaranteed issue amount required by North Dakota law is $5,000 for both credit life insurance and credit disability insurance.

“This investigation found American National Insurance Company systematically failed to follow the law over the course of many years,” Hamm said. “This type of unacceptable behavior is rarely seen in our state and demanded a large penalty.”

American National Insurance Company is requierd to reimburse all affected consumers, and the consent order requires the company to pay an administrative penalty of $275,000 for its violations of state law and the administrative code.

Consumers with questions about any American National Insurance Company claims should call the insurance department at 1-800-247-0560.

Storms bring heavy rain and large hail to the Dakotas

BISMARCK (AP) – Storms that have passed through the Dakotas this week have dumped heavy rain and large hail and spawned funnel clouds.

Storms late Tuesday dropped hail as large as golf balls in the southwestern North Dakota community of Glen Ullin. Resident Amy Heinle said that some of the hail was jagged, and it put dings in her vehicle.

The Bismarck Tribune reported that hail also fell in the Hebron, Taylor and Strasburg areas, raising fears about crop damage. Funnel clouds also were spotted by Hebron, and a weak tornado was reported near Killdeer. There were no immediate reports of damage.

The western South Dakota town of Piedmont is recovering from golf ball-size hail and 6 inches of rain Monday night. Flash flooding damaged homes and roads in the community.

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