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Ryan Chevrolet helping with cancer initiative

As part of Chevrolet’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative, Ryan Chevrolet in Minot will host a free pancake and sausage breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the dealership located at 1800 South Broadway. Ryan Chevrolet will match the donations made during the free pancake and sausage breakfast to benefit local cancer projects.

Last year, with Chevrolet’s support, the American Cancer Society raised $1,211,463 in contributions through the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiatives. This money helps fund research, wellness, breast cancer awareness education and support for breast cancer patients and their families.

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Crowd attends funeral for slain NDSU student

SARTELL, Minn. (AP) – The North Dakota State University student found slain in Moorhead was laid to rest Monday as authorities search for his killer.

About 1,250 mourners attended a funeral Mass for 18-year-old Thomas Bearson at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in his hometown of Sartell.

Family and friends remembered Bearson’s humor, caring personality and love for athletics, the St. Cloud Times.

“We’ve tried desperately to make sense of this tragedy,” Bearson’s father, Greg Bearson, told mourners. “The only thing we can come up with is the basketball team in heaven needed a point guard.”

Thomas Bearson’s body was found Tuesday outside a recreational vehicle store in Moorhead. The Ramsey County medical examiner’s office says Bearson died as the “result of homicidal violence.”

Police say Bearson had last been seen at a party early on Sept. 20 in Fargo, North Dakota, about six blocks from his dorm. NDSU officials are encouraging students to walk with others on and off campus at night.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help to locate Bearson’s cellphone and a shoe. Police described the missing items as a white Nike Air Jordan left-foot tennis shoe, size 9 1/2, and a silver iPhone 5.

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Wyoming man sentenced for fatal hit-and-run

WILLISTON (AP) – A Wyoming man accused in a fatal hit-and-run in the North Dakota oil patch hub of Williston has been sentenced to time served and two years of probation.

David Krause, of Alpine, Wyoming, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors under which a felony manslaughter charge was reduced to misdemeanor reckless endangerment. He pleaded guilty Friday and his trial scheduled for this week was canceled.

Krause served 12 days in jail.

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Body found in Souris River identified

Minot Police have identified a man who was found in the Souris River Wednesday afternoon at 3:58 p.m. near East Central and 7th Street in Minot.

The State Medical Examiner positively identified the subject as 54-year-old Ronnie L. Rosenthal of Minot. There was nothing suspicious found during the autopsy performed today, and the death was classified as a drowning. At this time there are no other signs of foul play involved in Rosenthal’s death.

Police said Rosenthal had been reported missing on Monday. They are not sure how long he had been in the river.

The body was reported to police by a subject kayaking in the river. The call prompted the response by Minot Police and Fire Departments and Minot Community Ambulance.

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International Peace Garden CEO resigns

Doug Hevenor, CEO of the International Peace Garden near Dunseith, has submitted his resignation to the board of directors, according to a press release.

Within the next few months, the board of directors will be starting a search for a new CEO to fill the vacated position. During the interim period, communications should be directed to Kathy McGhan, Administrative Manager, 1-888-432-6733, at the International Peace Garden.

There was no answer at the Peace Garden office when The Minot Daily News placed a call seeking comment late Thursday afternoon.

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Man injured in car-pedestrian accident

A 63-year-old Minot man was injured in a car-pedestrian accident late Wednesday morning.

According to a press release issued Thursday by the Minot Police Department, Charles Schultz was attempting to cross East Burdick Expressway from the southeast corner of the intersection of South Main and East Burdick Expressway when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Evonne Baluski, 61, of Ruso. Baluski was southbound in the 300 block of South Main and was attempting to make a left turn eastbound onto East Burdick. As she made her turn, her vision was obstructed by the sun. While trying to block the sun from her eyes, she felt the car strike something.

Schultz was taken to Trinity Hospital by ambulance for treatment. Baluski was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian at an intersection.

The accident happened at 11:06 a.m.

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Legislation to protect Native American children

Legislation introduced by Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., in the U.S. House of Representatives would create uniform standards for the placement of Native American children into foster homes.

The legislation recently cleared a vote in the Natural Resources Committee.

The Native American Children’s Safety Act would implement an across-the-board minimum protection for children placed in foster care under the direction of a tribal court. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., introduced the legislation in the Senate.

Under the legislation, a background check must be conducted on all adults living in a potential foster home before a tribal court can place any child there. It must include a National Instant Criminal Background Check and a search of child abuse or neglect registries in any state the individual has lived in the preceding five years. Any adult 18 years or older who moves into the home after placement of the child would also be required to undergo the same thorough check.

ONEOK to build new natural gas processing facility

BISMARCK ONEOK Partners has announced it will invest $265 million to $375 million in North Dakota with the construction of a new natural gas processing facility the Bear Creek plant and related infrastructure in northwest Dunn County.

The 80 million cubic feet per day facility will process natural gas produced from the Bakken shale in the Williston Basin, reducing flaring and contributing to the state’s goal of reaching a 90 percent gas capture rate by October 2020.

“ONEOK is a strong partner in the growth and development of North Dakota’s energy industry and this new plant marks the company’s continued investment in our state and in our efforts to reduce flaring and create new markets for natural gas captured in the Bakken,” said Gov. Jack Dalrymple.

ONEOK Partners’ Williston Basin natural gas processing capacity is expected to increase to about 1.2 billion cubic feet per day in the third quarter of 2016, following the completion of the Bear Creek plant and other previously announced projects in the region, including the Garden Creek III, Lonesome Creek and Demicks Lake plants in McKenzie County. The Bear Creek plant is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2016.

Since 2010, ONEOK has constructed, or is constructing, 11 new natural gas processing plants and related gathering infrastructure, including eight in the Williston Basin. The company’s processing capacity in the region is expected to increase by more than 11 times by the end of 2016, compared with 2010.

Minot see record high temperature for Sept. 25

The high temperature in Minot on Thursday tied or exceeded the record high for Sept. 25, according to data compiled by the National Weather Service.

As of 3:54 p.m. Thursday, the high temperature for the day was 93 degrees. The previous high temperature record for Sept. 25 in Minot was 93 degrees, set in 1963.

The low temperature for the date, however, has remained untouched for 87 years. It was 11 degrees on Sept. 25, 1927.

The hot temperatures should continue today, with a high near 88 and a low near 57. The weather will be breezy. Saturday will also be mostly sunny, though with a chance of showers by Saturday night.

Andrea Johnson

Williston expanding wastewater treatment plant

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – Officials in Williston have started construction on a $105 million expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Ground was broken Wednesday for the project in the rapidly growing oil patch hub.

The plant currently can serve about 30,000 people. The project will double that capacity when it’s completed in three years.

Public Works Director Dave Tuan says more than 100 employees will be added to the Public Works Department over the next seven years – in part to help operate the expanded water treatment facilities.

Hazen police investigate

deaths of 3 dogs

HAZEN (AP) – Police in Hazen are investigating the apparent poisoning deaths of three dogs.

Police Chief Charles Dahl said the animals’ owner reported on Sept. 13 that someone had dumped what appeared to be antifreeze over the fence on his property. A veterinarian confirmed the substance was poisonous.

Dahl says the dogs’ owner had not reported any previous problems with neighbors. Police have no suspects.

Two longtime Dickinson businesses closing

DICKINSON (AP) – A lack of workers in the western North Dakota oil patch city of Dickinson is forcing two longtime businesses to close.

The Bonanza restaurant closed Sept. 14, and Kmart is shutting down in early December. Both businesses have operated in Dickinson for nearly four decades.

Cash Wise Foods plans to move into the Kmart building next spring.

City Attorney Matt Kolling says that the downside to the city’s healthy economy is that unemployment is at 1 percent or less. Bonanza owner Robert Wade said he got tired of trying to find workers.

Man accused of sexually abusing baby changes plea

DICKINSON (AP) – A man accused of sexually abusing a 5-month-old girl is facing life in prison after changing his plea during his trial in Dickinson.

Dan Pruett on Thursday entered Alford pleas to charges of gross sexual imposition and aggravated assault in the alleged November 2013 incident. Pruett is in his mid-40’s.

An Alford plea is one in which a defendant acknowledges there was sufficient evidence for conviction but does not admit guilt.

Prosecutors said the infant suffered marks and bruises all over her body. Jurors saw a videotaped interview in which Pruett told authorities he had tried to perform CPR on the child after waking up and finding her limp.

The child’s father testified she was on life support after the attack but is now doing well.

ND Stockmen’s Association to

meet in Dickinson

DICKINSON (AP) – North Dakota’s largest rancher group is holding its annual meeting this week in Dickinson.

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association’s 85th Annual Convention and Trade Show is Thursday through Saturday at the Grand Dakota Lodge.

Activities include policy development, seminars, speeches, awards presentations and entertainment.

Airmen at N.D. base reprimanded in misconduct probe

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE (AP) – Forty-eight traffic control airmen at the Grand Forks Air Force Base have been reprimanded following an investigation into allegations of misconduct on proficiency testing.

Base officials say the airmen of the 319th Operations Support Squadron have been disciplined in different ways. Some have received “letters of counseling, letters of reprimand and non-judicial punishment, to include demotion actions.”

Officials say the investigation began after it was discovered that an individual had images of test materials and shared them with others.

Col. Paul Bauman is the commander of the 319th Air Base Wing. Bauman has also directed the 48 airmen to undergo re-evaluations and re-certifications before resuming their duties.

The Air Force sent a three-member team of air traffic control experts to Grand Forks to inspect the base’s evaluation and training programs.

Lesser prairie chicken lawsuit to stay in Oklahoma

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – A U.S. district judge has ruled that a lawsuit over the status of a threatened chicken species will stay in Tulsa instead of moving to Washington, D.C.

Oklahoma’s attorney general, along with the attorneys general of North Dakota and Kansas, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, claiming the federal agency improperly reclassified the lesser prairie chicken in March.

In doing so, the states’ lawyers say, it increased the environmental burden on oil and gas producers, agricultural operations and the states. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance are also plaintiffs in the suit.

The bird’s listing as threatened means the federal government has oversight of state preservation efforts. The lesser prairie chicken was previously on a candidate list of plants and animals the Fish and Wildlife Service believe qualifies for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Federal officials had sought to have the lawsuit moved to Washington. Steve Segin, a spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said the organization’s policy is not to comment on pending litigation.

The plaintiffs are also challenging the so-called “sue-and-settle” tactic they claim the federal government uses to advance its environmental and energy goals. The strategy calls for federal agencies to invite lawsuits from friendly opponents and then quickly settle on terms favorable to environmentalists, according to the suit.

The lawsuit said the Fish and Wildlife Service changed its process of labeling the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species as dictated by another lawsuit’s settlement in a D.C. court.

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Magicians notch 3rd straight win

MANDAN – The goals keep rolling in for the Minot High boys soccer team.

Four more on Tuesday – all scored in the first half – lifted the Magicians to a 4-0 win in Mandan, making it three straight victories for Minot.

Matt Oswald and J.J. Johannson opened the scoring for the Magician’s inside the game’s first 10 minutes. Oswald scored an unassisted goal in the sixth minute, followed by Johannson’s tally a minute later.

K.J. Wright made it 3-0 in the 17th minute with a long-distance effort, a goal which Minot coach Creighton Bachmeier described as coming from “35 yards out.”

Nate Weaver scored Minot’s fourth six minutes later.

With the Magicians sending 14 shots on frame, Bachmeier was pleased with his team’s sudden run of good form.

“Offensively, we’re playing a little bit quicker,” he said. “Before, we were holding onto the ball a bit too ling, but now we’re playing the ball faster, which allows us a little more freedom to go at the net.

“When we score early, we’re a dangerous team.”

Minot welcomes third-place Jamestown – which dropped a 1-0 decision to St. Mary’s on Tuesday – for a 3 p.m. contest Saturday at Optimist Soccer Complex.

-Daily News Staff

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Ryan survives 5-set thirller in Burlington

BURLINGTON – Seventeen-kill performances from Bishop Ryan hitters Gabby Bohl and Hannah Stewart lifted the Lions over Des Lacs-Burlington in a District 12 showdown Tuesday.

In a five-set thriller, Ryan took the match 21-25, 25-22, 25-23, 26-28, 15-13.

Ryan sophomore Emma Garber led all competitors with 48 assists. Senior libero Maddie Wald finished as the match leader in digs (35).

DL-B’s DeGree twins – Megan and Brittany – registered 18 and 13 kills, respectively. Megan DeGree also recorded a team-high six blocks.

The Lions return to Burlington next weekend for the Laker Invite, which begins Oct. 3.

-Daily News Staff

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Tripleheader on tap for Luncheon Series

The Minot State Athletic Department has a full slate of guests during the second Noon Luncheon Series Friday at Seven’s Restaurant in the Vegas Motel.

The Noon Luncheon series is each week during home contests in the fall and winter and provides a behind-the-scenes look into Minot State Athletics. Coaches and players are featured guests each week and will answer questions and insight into wins, losses and the weekend’s action. This week will feature volleyball, football and women’s soccer as all three have home dates during Homecoming 2014 at Minot State.

The cost is $11 per person. For more information, contact the Minot State Athletic Department at 858-3041.

-Daily News Staff

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MSU volleyball drops third straight

MOORHEAD, Minn. – After kicking its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schedule off with a win, the Minot State volleyball team dropped its third straight conference match Tuesday, this time to Minnesota State-Moorhead.

In a 3-0 sweep, set scores were 28-26, 25-14 and 25-21.

Mallory Sall led the Beavers (3-9 overall, 1-3 NSIC) with 17 kills, followed by Jen Dixon with 11.

MSU managed a season-best .243 hitting percentage in the loss.

“I’m proud of how we are playing,” MSU coach Travis Ward said in a press release. “We are growing as players and will mature through the year consistently. I am excited to see who we are in two months.”

The Beavers welcome nationally ranked Minnesota State-Mankato on Friday for their home opener, which begins at 7 p.m.

-Daily News Staff

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Majettes take 5th at Williston Invitational

WILLISTON – Windy conditions gave the Minot High girls golf team trouble Monday at the Links of North Dakota.

Boasting the West Region’s fourth lowest team scoring average, the Majettes took fifth place with a team score of 386 during the final regular-season tournament of the year.

Paige Argent led the way for the Majettes after carding a 93, followed by teammate MaKensey Arlien (96) . Minot’s McKinley Bender – currently the region’s third-best individual scorer – finished with her worst round of the season (98).

Entering the tournament as the region’s fifth-ranked team, Mandan sprinted to a third-place finish (366 points) in Williston, one stroke better than Jamestown and 10 points behind first place Bismarck. Century took second (363).

Jamestown’s Sierra Bennion won the individual competition with room to spare, finishing six strokes ahead of Bismarck’s Katie Kasper to win first. Bennion is the region’s second lowest scorer (77), just over two strokes behind Kasper’s pace (74.8).

The West Region tournament begins at 10 a.m. Monday at the Jamestown County Club.

-Daily News Staff

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ORCS stays perfect with sweep

The Our Redeemer’s Christian School volleyball team swept Glenburn 25-18, 25-19, 25-21 at home on Thursday in both teams’ season opener.

Glenburn was led in digs by Sierra Payne with 17 and Parker Bush with 15, something ORCS coach Kara Nunziato thought got the Knights out of their offensive rhythm at times.

“Glenburn came and dug everything,” Nunziato said. “They got a hand on every ball that we put over to their side. They came here and played an incredibly hard match.”

ORCS had only one player with double-digit kills as Makayla Gartner had 15. Karlee Zablotney had 19 assists and Morgan Olson chipped in 14.

-Daily News Staff

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Magi end regular season with win

MANDAN – Ahead of next weekend’s West Region tournament, the Minot High boys tennis team hammered Mandan to the tune of an 8-1 final score to cap its regular season.

Dustin Foster fell victim to what Minot coach Scott DeLorme called the “best match of the day,” losing out to Mandan’s Eric Porter at No. 1 singles 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.

Every other Minot entry was victorious, including Cody Reynolds, who beat Connor Wieland at No. 2 singles 6-4, 6-3.

Foster and Reynolds combined for victory in No. 1 doubles, defeating the team of Porter and Wieland in another three-set match, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.

Minot’s No. 4 singles player Ty Nygaard dropped the fewest games on the day, defeating Tate Russell 6-2, 6-0.

The Magicians (5-4 overall, 4-2 West Region) enter the region tournament as the No. 4 seed and will take on Williston at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 25 at the Cameron Indoor Tennis Center.

-Daily News Staff

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Magi bounce back with six-goal rout

The Minot High boys soccer team has been struggling for form after losses to Century and Bismarck High, but Thursday’s result against Legacy was a step in the right direction.

With three goals in both the first and second halves, the Magicians strolled to a 6-0 victory over Legacy at Optimist Soccer Complex.

Minot freshman forward Nate Weaver enjoyed a productive outing, scoring two goals in the second half along with two assists. Noah Melby also chipped in with Minot’s final first-half goal and an assist in the second.

The Magicians (3-7-2 overall, 1-4-2 West Region) peppered the Sabres with 29 shots, 18 of which were on target.

“This is gonna do a lot for our confidence,” Minot coach Creighton Bachmeier said. “Anytime you can score like we did tonight and execute some of the things we’ve been talking about in practice, it’s always a nice, rewarding feeling.”

Minot travels to Mandan for a 7 p.m. clash Sept. 25.

-Daily News Staff

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St. Mary’s sweeps Majettes

BISMARCK – The Minot High volleyball team dropped its fourth straight West Region contest Thursday, this time to St. Mary’s in a three-set sweep: 25-23, 25-12, 29-27.

Minot’s Brooke Suko led the way with 10 kills, which tied her for the match lead with St. Mary’s senior Alexa Hutzenbiler.

Katelyn Stenberg chipped in with seven kills along with a block and eight digs.

Sydney Gerding was one of four Minot players to register an ace. She also led the Majettes with 12 assists.

Minot has the week to regroup before taking on Oak Grove in Dickinson on Sept. 26.

-Daily News Staff

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Tauros fall twice to start season

BLAINE, Minn. – The Minot Minotauros opened their 2013-14 season with a pair of losses at the NAHL Showcase.

The Tauros lost 4-1 to Janesville late Wednesday night in their season opener, the fell 3-1 Thursday afternoon to Soo.

Minot plays Springfield on this morning .

-Daily News Staff

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Beavers place 4th at Moorhead Invite

MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minot State women’s cross country team began the season with a fourth-place finish at the Minnesota State-Moorhead Randy Smith Invitational on Friday afternoon.

The University of Mary, Minnesota State-Moorhead and the University of Jamestown rounded out the top three. The Beavers finished 23 points behind the Jimmies, ending the race with 113 total points.

Sophomore Catie LeDesma led the charge for the Beavers, finishing the 5K race in sixth place with a time of 18 minutes, 6 seconds.

Senior Allison Windish (15th, 18:53) and sophomore Samantha Huether (22nd, 19:26) also finished in the top 25.

The Beavers race next on Sept. 27 at the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis.

-Daily News Staff

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MSU falls twice to familiar foes

ABERDEEN, S.D. – After beginning the season with their first 2-0 start in the past six seasons, the Minot State volleyball team has hit a small slump.

The Beavers dropped their first two games to start the Northern State Invitational on Friday, losing to Minnesota-Crookston 25-23, 25-19, 25-16 and St. Cloud State 26-24, 25-23, 25-17.

The two losses move Minot State to 2-4 overall for the season. The Beavers look to get back to the .500 mark today when they play host Northern State and Southwest Baptist University.

-Daily News Staff

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Magicians steamroll Fergus Falls

FARGO – After suffering a three-goal loss less than 24 hours beforehand, the Minot High boys soccer team whipped Fergus Falls (Minn.) 6-0, with all scoring coming before halftime.

The Magicians (3-4-2) snapped a four-game winless streak with the win.

“It was nice to finally come out here and see some results,” Minot coach Creighton Bachmeier said. “After tying and losing games, you start to doubt a little bit. It was nice to get a win and carry us into tomorrow.”

Jake Tremble bagged a hat trick and JJ Johannson scored twice for Minot, which plays West Fargo and Shanley today at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.

-Daily News Staff

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Minot wins 1, loses 2 in Fargo

WEST FARGO – The Minot boys tennis team won its opening match of the day Friday againt Fargo North 3-2, but it dropped its next two matches to Fargo South and West Fargo by the same score.

The Magicians compete in the West Fargo tournament today.

-Daily News Staff

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Heitkamp, Hoeven receive awards

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., have received the Golden Triangle Award from the North Dakota Farmers Union.

According to a press release issued on Tuesday, the award is given for their work and leadership on issues affecting family farmers and rural communities in the state. The Golden Triangle Award is based on NFU’s symbol – a triangle with “legislation” and “cooperation” forming the sides and “education” the base. The Golden Triangle Awards have been presented to legislators since 1988.

Heitkamp discussed the farm bill at a meeting of the organization on Tuesday.

“With agriculture making up a quarter of our state’s economy, it’s a top priority to make sure North Dakota’s farmers, ranchers, and their families have the support they need,” said Heitkamp in a press release. “We can’t hinder their ability to do their jobs and I will keep fighting for them every day so they can continue to feed folks throughout our state, country, and world. I’m honored to receive the Golden Triangle award once again this year and I thank the North Dakota Farmers Union for its incredible efforts to advance our state’s agriculture industry every day.”

Hoeven also spoke during the meeting.

“Not only do our farmers, ranchers and agriculture workers provide our nation the highest quality, least expensive food supply in the world, but they are also a cornerstone of North Dakota’s economy,” said Hoeven in a press release. “It has been an honor to work on their behalf, and I continue working to make sure they have access to the support and tools they need to continue their vital work.”

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Watford City kids to perform at DSU

Students from Watford City are among more than two dozen clarinet and saxophone players who will perform today at Dickinson State University.

Called a Single-Reed Day, the all-day master class will include instrumentalists from area high schools participating in recitals, lectures and performances from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Stickney Auditorium, 291 Campus Drive in Dickinson.

“More than anything, we want to bring these students to one place where they can play in a saxophone or clarinet choir,” said Jeremy Wohletz, associate professor of music at Dickinson State, in a press release. “Sometimes there are only two or three of them in their school and they have not done this before.”

In addition to learning better instrument technique, students will also hear Wohletz perform the clarinet in a recital with saxophonist Tommy Doggett of Iowa at 10:30 a.m. After rehearsals, separate saxophone and clarinet choirs will perform starting at 1:30 p.m.

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MSU noon luncheon series begins Friday

The Minot State noon luncheon series returns this year, beginning Friday at Seven’s Restaurant in the Vegas Motel.

MSU football coach Tyler Hughes, women’s soccer coach Jason Spain and men’s golf coach Randy Westby will be this week’s featured guests, along with a host of student-athletes.

The noon luncheon series – held the week of home contests during the fall and winter seasons – provides a behind-the-scenes look into MSU athletics. Guests will answer questions and provide insight into wins, losses and the weekend’s action.

For more information, contact the MSU athletic department at 858-3041.

-Daily News Staff

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Vikings: ‘No more wiggle room’ in stadium schedule

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The latest construction schedule for the Minnesota Vikings $1 billion stadium leaves “no more wiggle room,” a team official said Wednesday.

Minnesota Vikings vice president Lester Bagley told The Associated Press that the new “substantial completion” date of July 29 will be cutting it close. It has slid by a full month since an initial schedule was adopted less than a year ago. The Vikings are set to hold the inaugural preseason in mid-August 2016, but Bagley said the team is banking on having a soft-opening first.

“We want to get an event or events in before the first Vikings game to get the bugs out and run people through there,” Bagley said. “There’s no more wiggle room for sure. But everyone has buckled down to get it done.”

Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen apprised a legislative oversight panel of construction progress Wednesday and the revised date was included in her presentation without reference to it being changed. As if to demonstrate the aggressive timeline, Kelm-Helgen told lawmakers that crews have recently been working around the clock to take advantage of good weather and she said the signature part-glass roof could start taking shape early next year.

“If you drive by you’ll be amazed to see the progress being made,” she said.

Authority spokeswoman Jennifer Hathaway stressed later that the completion date is around the same time as earlier goals.

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First West Nile related death in 2014 reported

BISMARCKThe North Dakota Department of Health announced the state’s first West Nile virus-related death in 2014, according to West Nile Virus Surveillance Coordinator Alicia Lepp. The individual was a woman who was hospitalized and was older than 60 years of age. This recent report brings the total number of cases in North Dakota to 12 this season.

“This unfortunate death is a reminder of the seriousness of West Nile virus, especially to those older than 50,” said Lepp. “North Dakotans should continue to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites to prevent West Nile virus.”

The following is a summary of West Nile virus activity to date: 12 human cases in Barnes, Burleigh, Emmons, Hettinger, Logan, Morton, Mountrail and Richland counties; one human death; five West Nile virus-positive veterinary cases in Burleigh, McHenry, Stark and Wells counties; and six West Nile virus-positive mosquito pools in Grand Forks County.

For more information about West Nile virus, visit (www.nd.gov/wnv) or contact Lepp, North Dakota Department of Health, at 328-2378.

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HHS announces grant to help with health care

The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board and Minot State University’s North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities have received grants to provide assistance to North Dakota consumers using the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace for health insurance.

Open enrollment in the marketplace begins Nov. 15.

The two Navigators programs received $600,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the agency reported.

Navigators provide unbiased information to consumers about the federal marketplace and other public programs in a way that recognizes the cultures of the communities they serve. Navigators were selected to receive awards through a competitive grant process based on their ties with the communities they will be serving and other standards such as effectiveness and program integrity.

In addition to helping eligible individuals and their families enroll in coverage, Navigators help consumers compare their health coverage options including helping them determine whether they are eligible for public programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. They also guide consumers on accessing and using their new coverage.

Navigator grantees are required to be trained on and comply with strict security and privacy standards.

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Judge: History of violence can be used in trial

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A judge says a history of violence against children can be used as evidence against a Sioux Falls man accused of killing the 2-year-old son of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Joseph Patterson is scheduled for trial in October on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and aggravated assault in the October 2013 death of Tyrese Ruffin. Patterson appeared Tuesday at a motion hearing.

A judge ruled that three separate attacks by Patterson on children can be used in the trial. Each of the cases allegedly happened within the last four years against children 3 years old or younger.

Jurors will not hear about an alleged attack on the mother of the victim in June. Patterson faces charges of aggravated assault and kidnapping in that case.

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Frisco mayor coming to Fargo

FARGO (AP) – The mayor of Frisco, Texas, is coming to Fargo to help North Dakota State University celebrate its home opener in football.

Frisco is the site of the annual Football Championship Subdivision title game, which NDSU has won the last three years. An estimated 10,000 Bison fans made the trek to Frisco for the game in January.

NDSU officials say Frisco Mayor Maher Maso will participate in a corporate flag-raising event Friday and conduct the coin toss before kickoff of Saturday’s game against Incarnate Word of San Antonio, Texas.

Maso was elected mayor in 2008 and re-elected in 2011. His term expires in 2017.

The top-ranked Bison have won 26 straight games.

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MSU volleyball wins first two matches

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Minot State volleyball team won its first two games of the Montana State-Billings Invitational.

The Beavers swept Black Hills State in their morning match – 31-29, 25-23, 27-25 – while only recording a .186 hitting percentage. Black Hills State had a slightly better hitting percentage coming in at .195.

Mallory Sall led the Beavers with 20 kills and two service aces. Jen Dixon finished with 10 kills and led the team in digs (18).

Dixon finished second on MSU in kills during both matches while leading the Beavers in digs.

The Beavers carried their momentum into the afternoon when they faced off against Chadron State. After taking the first set 25-10, Chadron State came back and won the second set 25-22. But MSU went on to win the next two sets, 25-20 and 25-22.

“This is a huge confidence boost,” MSU coach Travis Ward said in a press release. “We did a great job to perform in tough situations.”

MSU squares off against Montana State-Billings for its first match today at 12:30 p.m. The Beavers then take on a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe in University of Mary at 5 p.m.

-Daily News Staff

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MSU’s Foster, Barke start strong

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – Minot State University junior Danielle Foster shot a first-round 82 to sit in 13th place overall after one round of play at the Concordia College Cobber Open Friday at Wildflower Golf Course.

Foster and sophomore Kayla Barke both inked cards in the 80s in the first tournament of the year for the Beavers as Barke added an 86.

The Beavers are in ninth overall after the first round with a team score of 361. MSU trails Bemidji State by three strokes and host Concordia College by four. Division I schools North Dakota State and the University of North Dakota are battling for the team title as NDSU shot a 306 and UND a 316.

The Bison’s Hailey Boner has a one-shot lead on teammate Sarah Storandt for the individual lead.

The tournament continues Saturday with the second and final round.

-Daily News Staff

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Minot High soccer salvages draw

in Jamestown

JAMESTOWN – Defensive lapses continue to plague the Minot High boys soccer team, including Friday night’s 2-2 draw against Jamestown.

The Magicians outshot the Blue Jays 22-4, but they needed to comeback from two separate one-goal deficits to salvage a share of the points.

“We continue to make silly mistakes in defensive third,” Minot coach Creighton Bachmeier said. “It’s costing us results. We need to shore up some things in the back and play a cleaner game, or it’s gonna continue to cost us.”

Jamestown senior Jacob Sherfy opened the scoring in the 29th minute with an unassisted goal, sending the Blue Jays into the half sporting a 1-0 lead.

Minot’s Miguel Manriquez equalized in the 55th minute, assisted by Nate Weaver, but the Magicians found themselves trailing again 12 minutes later.

Sophomore Beau Waldock notched Jamestown’s second of the night, unassisted, with 13 minutes to play.

But Minot junior Connor Schuster stole the win from the hosts in the game’s dying moments, scoring an unassisted goal in the 78th minute to steal the win from Jamestown.

Minot travels to Bismarck on Thursday for a 7 p.m. clash.

-Daily News Staff

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Majettes finish 3rd at Dickinson Invite

DICKINSON – The Minot High girls golf team placed third Friday at Dickinson Invite at Heart River Golf Course.

The Majettes finished with a team score of 376. Senior McKinley Bender took with with an 86.

Bismarck’s Katie Kasper took medalist honors wit a 76, while the Demons won the team event with a 349.

-Daily News Staff

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Lions improve to 2-0 with victory in Kindred

KINDRED – Bishop Ryan showed offensive improvement Friday against Kindred, notching its 12th consecutive regular season win with a 41-24 victory over Kindred.

Running backs Cole Dauphinais and Aaron Sandy scored two touchdowns each, including a pair of long range efforts from Sandy. Jared Will caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Tanner Sanders, who also ran for a one-yard score.

Even in victory, Ryan coach Zach Rudolph still sees room for improvement.

“We played hard and ran the ball well, but we’re still committing too many mistakes,” he said. “We’re not quite in full sync yet. We’re getting better, but we’ve still a lot of work to do.”

The Lions host Turtle Mountain on Aug. 12 at Herb Parker Stadium.

-Daily News Staff

Briefly

One dead, one injured in Rugby crash

A man was killed and a Belcourt man was injured Wednesday morning in a crash 11 miles north of Rugby on N.D. Highway 3.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the victim was driving his 2003 Chevrolet Impala north on the highway when he struck a northbound Schwan Food Company truck that was slowing down to turn left to a customer’s home on 77th Street NE, just over a hill. The Impala struck the Schwan truck, driven by Darek Falcon, 34, Belcourt, in the right rear. The Impala rotated counterclockwise, coming to rest on the shoulder of Highway 3 facing southwest. The Schwan truck was pushed up about 3 feet, coming to rest in the middle of Highway 3. Falcon moved the truck off the roadway. The Impala started on fire, which was then extinguished by the Rugby Rural Fire Department.

Falcon, who was wearing a seatbelt, was taken to Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby by ambulance to be treated for his injuries sustained in the accident. The driver of the Impala, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was killed in the crash. His name is being withheld until relatives have been notified.

The accident happened at 10 a.m.

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Police look into stolen vehicle, assault

Minot police are investigating a report of an assault and stolen vehicle at the Days Inn early Wednesday morning.

According to a press release, a clerk at the hotel called police at 4:15 a.m. to report that a 21-year-old man was in the lobby bleeding from the head and claiming that his vehicle had been stolen. When police arrived and interviewed the man, they found that he had minor wounds on his head and back from a knife. The man claimed that his attacker left in his vehicle after the altercation. The victim was taken to Trinity Hospital to be treated for his injuries.

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NorthStar Criticair pilots event today

NorthStar Criticair and its pilots will be on hand for a “Picnic with the Pilots” event today at Ryan Chevrolet, 1800 S. Broadway.

The helicopter will be on display for public viewing from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Ryan parking lot, and the pilots will be available for photos and to answer questions from the public.

Trinity Health established its helicopter service in 1992 to provide critical care transport for seriously ill and injured patients within a 150-mile radius of Trinity Hospital. Since then, it has logged well over 5,000 flight hours and transported close to 6,000 patients.

Free hot dogs, chips and pop will be served during the two-hour picnic.

Briefly

Williston native joins Jets practice squad

NEW YORK – Former Williston High lineman Brent Qvale signed with the New York Jets practice squad Sunday.

An undrafted rookie out of Nebraska, Qvale was initially cut Saturday when the Jets roster was cut from 75 to 53 players. He dealt with a concussion during training camp, which limited his preseason reps.

But Qvale returned in time for New York’s final preseason game, playing in every snap in what was a showcase opportunity for the 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle.

Qvale tweeted this Sunday: “Signed with the New York Jets practice squad today! Excited to make a career out of the sport I love!! #jetup.”

-Daily News Staff

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Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo tickets available online

The annual Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo is offering online ticket sales for the first time this fall.

Tickets are now on sale – $30 for gold seating, $20 for silver seating – and can be purchased at the rodeo website: MinotYsMensRodeo.com. Children’s silver seating is also available for $10.

“Our thought is, we’re attempting to make it easier for our customers, so, right from their computer or smart phone, they can purchase their tickets,” rodeo chairman Rob Buchholz said in a press release. “They won’t need to go to a separate location to buy them.”

This year’s rodeo will be the 60th annual running of the event. It begins at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 9-11, and 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 12.

For more information, visit the rodeo’s website or call (701) 852-5577.

-Daily News Staff

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Magicians tie Bismarck

BISMARCK – The Minot High boys soccer team grabbed its first point in a true road game this season, playing Bismarck to a 3-3 draw on Tuesday.

Junior midfielder Jake Tremble tied the game at 1 in the 15th minute and freshman midfielder JJ Johannsen gave the Magicians (2-3-1 overall, 1-2-1 West Region) the lead 10 minutes later. Johannsen’s second goal of the match gave Minot a 3-2 lead in the 50th minute.

“Offensively, it was a nice step in the right direction,” Minot coach Creighton Bachmeier said. “We gelled together and found some good opportunities.’

Hunter Johnson recorded a hat trick for the Demons. He scored his first in the first five minutes of the match. His second and third goals drew Bismarck even at 2 and 3, respectively.

Minot junior goalkeeper Jesse Roberts finished with 13 saves.

The Magicians travel to Jamestown on Friday.

-Daily News Staff

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Lions sweep Washburn in opener

WASHBURN – The Bishop Ryan volleyball team kicked off its 2014 season with a 25-14, 26-24, 25-120 sweep of Washburn on Tuesday.

Senior outside hitter Hannah Stewart led the Lions with 10 kills and 6.5 blocks and five aces. Sophomore setter Emma Garber posted 22 assists in her first career start. Sophomore Shayla Elm and senior Maddie Wald paced Ryan defensively with 13 digs apiece.

Brandi Holznagel finished with a team-high three kills for Washburn.

Ryan plays in the Hazen Invite on Saturday.

-Daily News Staff

Briefly

ATV accident proves fatal

MERCER A 49-year-old Bismarck man was killed when a side-by-side All Terrain Vehicle in which he was riding struck an approach and flipped onto its top.

The accident occurred in the north ditch of McLean County Road 33, approximately three miles north of Mercer. The man has not yet been identified pending notification of next of kin.

The deceased was one of two passengers in the 2014 Can Am ATV that was driven by a 48-year-old female from Fargo. The driver and a second passenger, a 48-year-old male from Pennsylvania, were both injured in the accident and transported to Sanford in Bismarck. Their conditions have not been released.

According to a North Dakota Highway Patrol report, charges are pending against the female driver. The accident occurred when the ATV encountered an approach, vaulted into the air and landed on its top during a trip from Mercer to Brush Lake.

The Highway Patrol, McLean County Sheriff’s Department and Mercer Fire and Ambulance responded to the scene.

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Robber strikes Loaf-n-Jug

Minot Police say officers responded to a report of a robbery at Loaf-n-Jug located at 810 North Broadway at 4:20 a.m. Monday.

The male suspect claimed to have a weapon in his pocket but did not display it to the employee. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken during the robbery which remains under investigation.

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Company says lawsuit should be dismissed

BISMARCK (AP) – A trucking company in the North Dakota oil patch says a lawsuit by a former employee over overtime pay is without merit.

Devon Seeling, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, has filed a federal complaint against Moorhead, Minn., based AM-PM Trucking LLC, which formerly maintained an office in Underwood, North Dakota. The suit is seeking class action status.

Seeling says the company paid drivers a percentage of the revenue generated by each truckload, rather than overtime pay as required by law. Seeling was employed with the company for one month.

The company denies that Seeling “regularly worked” and says his allegations that other drivers regularly work over 40 hours per week are false. The defendants say the suit should be dismissed.

Starting at $3.75/week.

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