Around the Region 11-29
Compiled By Dan FeldnerArticle Photos
Leeds gets two grants topping $80,000
The North Dakota Department of Commerce, in conjunction with the North Central Planning Council, has provided two grants totaling $81,003 to the city of Leeds.
A $52,640 grant will be used for rehabilitation of Park View Apartments. The four-plex apartment building, built in 1970, will be upgraded with new doors, windows and flooring. Handicapped accessibility will be improved where needed.
"Rehabilitating these apartments helps maintain availability of affordable senior housing options for the community," said Rick Anderson, executive director of the North Central Planning Council. "Without state funding, which is covering the entire cost, this project would not be happening."
Construction will begin next spring.
A $28,363 grant will be used for the city's water tower repair and water plant roof repair project. Insulation panels and plumbing in the water tower failed last winter, causing it to freeze. Repairs will prevent the problem from reoccurring this winter.
"The city looses its fire protection when the water tower freezes," Anderson said. "The health and safety of the community will be improved when the repairs are made. Along with this, the water plant roof is in dire need of replacement."
Because of the state funding, residents will not experience any increases in their water costs.
Funds for these projects came from the Community Development Block Grant program managed by the State Dept. of Commerce. The program provided financial assistance to eligible cities and counties in North Dakota. The eight regional planning councils receive an allocation from the state to fund projects in their region.
Funds are awarded in the form of grants and loans in four categories: economic development projects, public facilities, planning and housing. Primary beneficiaries of the funds are low- and moderate-income individuals. To apply, applicants must contact the regional council in their area.
-Benson County Farmers Press, Minnewaukan
Bottineau coffee house under new management
Roba's Coffee House is experiencing a lot of changes at present, which include new management and moving the business back to its original building on the south side of the downtown business district in Bottineau.
Bottineau native Alanna Buelow has taken over the management of Roba's Coffee House for the owners, Ron and Barb Hett, who have made the decision to take an extended trip out west.
"Right now, it's a lease for six months, and then it's an option to renew or purchase," Buelow said. "For now, I am going to see how things go for a bit, but we will see."
Buelow said that when the Hetts made their decision to travel, they contacted her mother, Zelda Buelow, who is the director of Food Services for Dakota College at Bottineau, and asked her if she would be interested in managing their business. Zelda made the recommendation that Alanna take over the business and the two parties came to an agreement.
"I've always enjoyed this place - I came here a lot when I was in high school," Buelow said. "So, I am excited to be here managing the business now."
The traditions of Roba's Coffee House for the most part are going to stay the same as it has in the past. The same varieties of coffee and teas will be offered, along with a menu of muffins, bagels, croissants, scones and a number of different baked goods.
When it comes to music, which was a big part of the coffee house under the Hetts, Buelow has offered Roba's to a number of local musicians who have played in the past, but the musicians have made no confirmation yet whether they will be playing or not.
And, Roba's Coffee House is still going to be a wireless cafe for those who want to come in and use the Internet.
Buelow, who is an artist, will also be selling jewelry from Roba's which she has created, and she has asked other artists and crafters if they would be interested in selling their merchandise from the business.
One major change is that the upstairs coffee and music rooms will no longer be open to the general public because they have become the living quarters for Alanna, her fiance, DJ Boppre, and their new son, Jaxson.
The hours for Roba's Coffee are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
-Courant, Bottineau
Fires keep firefighters on their toes
Firefighters responded to a combine and grass fire about eight miles south-southeast of Cando the evening of Nov. 17.
Shortly before 7 p.m., the fire siren rang throughout Cando at the Cando Fire Department. Heading south of town, firefighters were greeted with the minute sight of two orange blazes - a small patch of brush on fire and, about a half-mile away, if not less, a combine on fire.
The following day, a field fire, apparently out of control, was called in and the sirens range at 3:15 p.m. Firefighters responded to the scene southwest of Maza.
-Towner County Record Herald, Cando
Group aims to reopen New Town pool
A group of people in New Town wants to see the local swimming pool open and operating, and that group has already received a $20,000 shot in the arm from the City of New Town.
The mission of the New Town Swimming Pool Community Board is to ensure the youth of the New Town School District are provided with a safe environment for youth summertime activities.
The New Town Swimming Pool Community Board has concerns for the health of the youth, with obesity and diabetes rates high, as well as other risk factors within the New Town community and Fort Berthold Reservation.
"We are taking action to help provide our youth with a healthy social interaction alternative such as swimming," said Carroll Howling Wolf, one of the individuals in New Town spearheading the resurrection of the pool.
The New Town swimming pool has been shut down for more than a year, primarily because of the lack of funding and new equipment that is needed for the pool to be operational. Thus, a group of concerned residents, along with the city and tribal officials of the New Town School District and surrounding area have taken it upon themselves to help volunteer their time to help with the fundraising efforts and to provide other ideas that will help in getting the New Town pool operational for the summer of 2010.
The New Town Swimming Pool Community Board is also working on a long-range goal, which is to find funding for developing an aquatic swimming center for future generations. This center would provide an Olympic-size pool and water park and other swimming related equipment.
In addition, Chuck Gilstad, who is also working on bringing the pool back, said the group is in need of lifeguards and is looking for funding to make repairs. Anyone interesting in helping out should contact Gilstad, Howling Wolf, Jim Miller or Scott Eagle.
-New Town News, New Town
