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Two arrested during trespassing call

Minot Police responded to the 500 block of 11th Ave. NE shortly before 9:30 p.m. Monday for a report of trespassing or a possible burglary. Officers arriving on the scene detained Lindsey Nichole Suttle, 29, Max and Zachariah Alan Tesch, 37, Benedict.

No charges were filed for trespassing or burglary, however both suspects were arrested on other charges.

Tesch was discovered to have a loaded firearm and marijuana on his person. Investigation showed Tesch also had a full extradition warrant through the Washington State Department of Corrections. Tesch was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a class C felony; Loaded Firearm, B misdemeanor and Possession of Marijuana under 1 ounce, B misdemeanor.

Suttle was charged with False Information to Law Enforcement, A misdemeanor and an outstanding warrant through the Ward County Sheriff’s Office. Tesch and Suttle were transported to the Ward County Jail.

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Woman killed by 4-wheeler

A 69-year-old Williston woman, Kathleen Hovde, was killed Monday in an accident involving a John Deere Gator 4×4. The accident occurred on private property 15 miles east of Williston and a half mile south of Highway 1804.

According to a North Dakota Highway Patrol report, it is believed the Gator was parked before rolling downhill when the driver attempted to enter the Gator. The vehicle was found in neutral with the ignition key in the on position.

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Thief strikes Superpumper

Minot police are investigating an armed robbery Monday morning at the Superpumper at 2005 North Broadway.

According to a press release, a man armed with a handgun confronted the gas station employee while she was leaving the store to make a deposit and stole her purse and the bank bag. He then fled on foot.

The suspect was described as a shorter male weighing about 150 pounds and wearing a dark blue sweatshirt, dark jeans and dark shoes. Police searched the area and found the purse and its contents in a yard behind an apartment building on 5th St. NW. They did not locate the bank bag or the suspect.

Anyone with inofrmation is asked to call the Minot Police Department at 852-0111 or Crime Stoppers at 852-7463. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

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Neglectful mom granted deferred sentence

DEVILS LAKE A 49-year-old Devils Lake woman was granted a deferred imposition of sentence for leaving her 13- and 9-year-old daughters alone for days at a time in a filthy trailer with no plumbing earlier this year, according to court records.

Antoinette Claudene Liggett pleaded guilty Friday to one count of Class C felony child neglect.

Judge Lee Christofferson deferred imposition of sentence for three years and placed her on supervised probation for three years. She will serve 120 days at the Re-Entry Center in Devils Lake, according to a listing on the North Dakota Courts site.

Liggett could have been sentenced to up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Liggett was charged with child neglect in early February. According to court documents and photographs submitted to the courts as exhibits, the trailer was filthy, with no running water and no furnace heat, except for portable heaters. The toilet was stopped up and other containers in the bathroom were being used as portable toilets. The surfaces in the kitchen were piled high with food and garbage. Cats and dogs appeared to have been using the whole home for their litter box.

Andrea Johnson

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Police Department nabs wanted man

Minot Police arrested 32-year-old Adrian Hagins, Minot, following a traffic stop on South Broadway Thursday evening. Hagins, known by law enforcement to have a suspended driver’s license, was spotted by police at a drive-thru restaurant. His vehicle was pulled over a short time later.

After the traffic stop it was learned that Hagins was on probation for felony convictions. His probation officer was contacted and gave consent to search Hagin’s vehicle. Inside the vehicle, police found two handguns, more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, methamphetamine paraphernalia and more than $1,000 cash.

Hagins was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class AA felony; felon in possession of a firearm, a Class C felony; possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia, a Class C felony; possession of a concealed firearm, misdemeanor A; carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, misdemeanor B, and driving under suspension, misdemeanor B. Hagins was taken to the Ward County Jail.

Hagins made an initial appearance on the charges on Friday in North Central District Court, where Judge Doug Mattson set bond at $75,000.

Hagins was charged in February with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, a Class AA felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C felony. Both cases are still open.

He is currently on probation for marijuana possession, aggravated assault and terrorizing, according to court records.

If convicted of the most recent charges, he could face up to life in prison without parole.

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Minot, area road projects to start

Construction will begin this week at the intersection of U.S. 83/North Broadway and 36th Avenue NW in Minot. The project consists of constructing turn lanes at the intersection.

During construction the northbound and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane, speeds will be reduced. Flaggers may be present. A width restriction of 16 feet will be in place.

The project is expected to be complete in mid-July.

Construction will begin Tuesday on U.S. Highway 52 near Donnybrook. The project will consist of slope repair work on the south side of the highway.

During construction the eastbound shoulder will be closed. Flaggers may be present. Motorists may experience minimal delays

The project is expected to be complete by mid-July, weather permitting.

City offices closed on Memorial Day

In observance of Memorial Day on Monday, all city offices will be closed.

There will be no garbage pickup. Homes with scheduled pickup on Monday will be serviced on their next scheduled day. Additionally, the landfill, city auditorium and Minot Public Library will be closed and public transit will not run.

If there is a water service emergency, the public is asked to contact the emergency hotline at 852-0111.

Beware caller

ID scams

The North Dakota Association for the Advancement of Retired People warns people to be aware of telephone scams even though a known number shows up on caller ID.

Scammers, AARP says, utilize technology that enables them to use fake caller ID information. That means the name and number seen on caller ID are not always real.

Scammers attempt to trick people into thinking they are a person or agency to be trusted, such as a bank, police department or company with which you do business. The practice is called caller ID spoofing and scammers don’t care whose phone number they use.

AARP advises people to not rely on caller ID. Among their list of tips is:

If you get a strange call from the government, hang up.

Don’t give out or confirm any personal or financial information to anyone who calls.

Don’t wire money or send money using a reloadable card.

If a caller is pressuring, hang up immediately.

Also, says AARP, people should hang up on robocalls and report the call to the attorney general’s office. Robocalls are illegal in North Dakota.

Pretrial conference scheduled for alleged abuser

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Aug. 3 in North Central District Court in Minot for a former Minot Air Force Base man who is accused of sexually abusing his two stepdaughters between 2007 and 2009 while he lived at the base.

Thad Richard was an enlisted member of the Air Force from 1997 to 2013. The FBI became aware of the allegations against him in March 2015. By that time, the two alleged victims were living on a South Dakota Indian reservation. They were 13 and 12 when they were interviewed in 2014 and 2015, according to past reports. The girls told investigators that Richard had approached them on different occasions when their mother was at work. Richard denied doing anything to the girls. Richard was still living at Minot AFB in 2015 but was then a civilian and couldn’t be prosecuted by the military.

Andrea Johnson

Mister 1,237: ND delegate puts

Trump over the top

WASHINGTON (AP) – John Trandem wanted to be the delegate who would put Donald Trump over the top, giving him enough delegates to clinch the Republican presidential nomination.

But when he was contacted by an Associated Press reporter, the AP delegate count stood at 1,235 – two delegates short.

“I’m happy to be No. 1,237,” said Trandem, a small business owner from North Dakota. “But I won’t commit until you’re at 1,236.”

Trandem is an unbound delegate, meaning he is free to support the candidate of his choice. All 28 Republican delegates in North Dakota are unbound because the state party declined to have a primary or caucus.

Trandem, who lives north of Fargo, was reached on his wife’s mobile phone. He was on his way to an event where he and other North Dakota delegates would meet Trump, giving the billionaire businessman enough delegates to clinch the nomination.

Wanting to break the story first, reporters were calling and emailing unbound delegates across the country.

Trandem was for Trump, but he didn’t want to say so unless he was Mister 1,237.

No problem, he had a solution. He handed the phone to another delegate, state Rep. Ben Koppleman, who was riding with him.

After Koppleman confirmed he was committed to Trump, Trandem took the phone back.

“Are you at 1,236?” he asked.

Yes, he was told. “Then I’m the one!”

Minutes later the AP declared that Trump had secured enough delegates to clinch the nomination.

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Alleged fleeing felon charged

A 35-year-old Minot man is accused of fleeing from a police officer and assaulting him while resisting arrest on Wednesday.

Trenton Jacob Kary is charged with simple assault on a peace officer, a Class C felony, and fleeing a police officer, a Class A misdemeanor.

“I didn’t do these things whatsoever,” Kary told North Central District Court Judge Doug Mattson during his initial appearance in court on Thursday. “I did flee, but I came back. I didn’t assault him. I asked him what I was being arrested for in the police car and he didn’t say anything about assault on a police officer.”

Kary went on to say that he sat in the booking room for half an hour before anyone mentioned the felony charge.

Mattson read back the allegations against him in a probable cause affidavit and Kary proclaimed innocence.

“That wasn’t the case at all,” he said.

Mattson set bond at $2,500 cash or corporate surety and set a preliminary hearing date for June 30.

If convicted of the Class C felony, Kary could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Andrea Johnson

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Explicit internet exchange leads to five-year sentence

A 21-year-old Dayton, Ohio, man will serve three years in prison for persuading a girl to send him sexually explicit pictures of herself over the internet and later threatening to end the relationship if she didn’t send more explicit photos.

Jesse Arron Goble was 19 when the crimes were reported in 2014 and the girl was 16. One of the girl’s classmates received a Facebook message from Goble that contained sexually explicit photos of the girl. The boy told his father about the message and the boy’s father reported it to the police. The victim told police she had been in an online relationship with Goble and they exchanged text messages communicated over video and social networking sites.

Goble pleaded guilty to use of a minor in a sexual performance and promoting an obscene performance by a minor, both Class B felonies.

North Central District Court Judge Doug Mattson sentenced Goble to a total of five years in prison, with two years suspended, and three years of supervised probation. Goble will get credit for 407 days already served in prison. Mattson is also requiring him to complete sex offender treatment in prison and to pay $1,175 in court costs and $3,636.31 in restitution. Goble must also complete a sex offender evaluation, according to court records.

Andrea Johnson

Briefly

Donate or hold your newspapers

Minot Daily News subscribers who would like to have their newspapers held or donated during the upcoming three-day Memorial Day weekend need to contact Circulation at 857-1910 by 3 p.m. today.

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Suspect in Grand Forks stabbing death scheduled for trial

GRAND FORKS (AP) – A Grand Forks man accused of fatally stabbing another man during a fight last fall is to stand trial next week.

Thirty-six-year-old Nicolas Peralez Jr. faces a murder charge in the stabbing death last October of 31-year-old Joshua Neumann outside Neumann’s apartment.

Court documents show Peralez is scheduled for a 1 -week trial beginning June 1.

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Man convicted of hate crime wants out of jail before hearing

GRAND FORKS (AP) – A man who pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime for firebombing a Somali restaurant in Grand Forks is asking to be released to his parents or a residential treatment center before his sentencing hearing.

Federal authorities say that Matthew Gust, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, targeted the Juba Coffee House because of the nationality of the employees and customers. Gust has denied that the December incident revolved around race, but pleaded guilty to a pair of charges.

Gust’s plea agreement calls for 15 years in prison.

Defense attorney Ted Sandberg says Gust wants to be placed in a setting that will help him with his sobriety and allow him to work. Sandberg says Gust wants to “prove himself to the court.”

Federal prosecutors were not available for comment.

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Jamestown boy injured in truck-bicycle collision dies

JAMESTOWN (AP) – A Jamestown boy has died at a Fargo hospital from injuries he suffered in a truck-bicycle collision.

Police said 14-year-old Christopher Roach died Sunday, five days after he rode into a city intersection and was struck by a dump truck.

The dump truck driver was not cited.

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Unofficial vote results show

$16M school OK’d in Carrington

CARRINGTON (AP) – Voters in the Carrington school district appear to have approved a $16 million elementary school.

Unofficial results from Tuesday’s election show that the two measures that pave the way for the new school both got slightly more than the 60 percent approval needed.

The proposal was scaled back from a $23.5 million project that failed when it got only 51 percent approval in a February election.

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Woman allegedly drinks, drives into boyfriend

A 45-year-old Sherwood woman is accused of causing an injury while driving drunk on Saturday in Minot.

Donna Ann Hebert is charged with a Class C felony offense. She made her initial appearance Tuesday in North Central District Court.

According to court documents, Hebert was driving a mini van that crashed into a motorcycle early Saturday morning at the intersection of 27th St. NE and Railway Ave. The driver of the motorcycle, Hebert’s boyfriend, Cory Washington, suffered multiple scrapes on his arms and injured ribs. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Hebert told police that they had just left the Rocking Horse Bar and her boyfriend was driving the motorcycle ahead of her. She said he came to an abrupt stop at the stop sign and she wasn’t expecting it and collided with him.

Hebert had a blood alcohol reading of nearly twice the legal limit, according to a probable cause affidavit, and has two previous convictions for driving while intoxicated.

A Class C felony carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Andrea Johnson

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Judge wants assault suspect evaluated

A 37-year-old Max man is accused of punching his girlfriend in the face several times and choking her on Sunday, according to court documents.

Douglas Ray Bell is charged with aggravated assault, a Class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Bell suffers from “bipolar schizophrenia,” according to a probable cause affidavit. He has a history of mental health problems and interactions with the court system, according to court records.

When he made his initial appearance in court in Minot on Monday, North Central District Court Judge Doug Mattson ordered Bell to get an evaluation and to stay away from his girlfriend if he makes bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 30 before Mattson.

Andrea Johnson

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One zoo trespasser has day in court

One of two Minot men charged with trespassing at the Roosevelt Park Zoo on Saturday night made an initial appearance in North Central District Court on Monday.

Cody Nelson Kage, 23, is charged with a Class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. His companion, David Shepard, 21, allegedly climbed over the fence to the bear enclosure, stuck his arm through the cage and was bitten on the hand by a bear. Both men were drunk at the time, according to a police press release.

Judge Doug Mattson set a preliminary hearing date for Kage for June 30.

Andrea Johnson

Briefly

For more

information about water restrictions

Minot residents who seek greater details of the citywide water restrictions can contact the Minot Police Department at 852-0111.

Restrictions apply to anyone accessing water from the Minot Water Treatment Plant. Starting Monday, fines up to $1,500 will be issued to anyone utilizing water for non-essential use. Watering lawns, non-essential irrigation and washing vehicles personally and commercially is considered an infraction of the mandatory restrictions.

Water restrictions are effective until Thursday, May 26.

ND man struck

in head with handgun;

attacker flees

GRAND FORKS (AP) – Authorities say an 18-year-old resident of Grand Forks Air Force Base has been struck in the head with a handgun.

Police say the incident happened in Grand Forks on Friday. Officials say the victim was able to get away, while the attacker and a third person fled in a white Jeep.

Grand Forks police found the Jeep nearby, but the suspects had left. The victim was examined by paramedics, but declined to be transported to a hospital.

Police say there is currently no identified threat to the public.

Grand Forks man gets away after being stabbed

in back, torso

GRAND FORKS (AP) – Authorities say a 45-year-old Grand Forks man is being treated at a hospital after getting stabbed in his back and torso by an unidentified person.

Grand Forks police said the man was able to get away from his attacker in the Friday evening incident. Authorities received the aggravated assault report early Saturday.

Police say there is currently no identified threat to the public.

ND tax collections continue falling below forecast

BISMARCK (AP) – North Dakota continues to see bleaker-than-expected state tax revenue collections from declining oil activity in the state.

Office of Management and Budget Director Pam Sharp says revenues for April were $214.1 million. That’s $33.4 million less than what had been projected.

Tax collections already are down more than $53 million since a new revenue forecast was done in January.

Sharp says most of the decline is due to falling sales tax collections due to a drop in oil drilling, and slumping prices for crude and agriculture commodities.

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Police arrest man for 4 robberies

Vincent Michael Musi III, 25, was arrested by Minot Police Friday in connection with robberies at four Minot businesses Cenex, Vegas Motel, Racers and Holiday Inn.

Minot Police Department detectives served a search warrant at 1:30 p.m. Friday at 4208 E. Burdick Expy., Apt. 2. An investigator from the Ward County Sheriff’s Office and an officer from the Surrey Police Department assisted with the warrant service.

As a result, Musi was taken into custody and later charged with four counts of robbery, Class B felony.

Musi was taken to Ward County Jail where he will be held until his initial court appearance.

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Crews excavating land after spill

BISMARCK (AP) – Crews in North Dakota are excavating pastureland after more than 120,000 gallons of oil and drilling wastewater overflowed from a tank.

State environmental scientist Bill Suess says the spill happened Wednesday near Marmarth, in southwestern North Dakota, at a site operated by Texas-based Denbury Onshore.

The company has not responded to telephone and email messages seeking comment.

Suess says about 17,000 gallons of oil and 105,000 gallons of what’s called produced water – a mixture of saltwater and oil that can contain drilling chemicals – spilled from a tank after a shut-off sensor failed.

Suess says a berm around the oil well site didn’t contain the spill. He says an area about the size of a football field was affected but no waterways or drinking water sources are threatened.

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Williston man accused of stealing oil field explosives

WILLISTON (AP) – A Williston man is accused of stealing about 230 explosives used in the oil fields and stashing them in his home.

Thirty-five-year-old Tyler Porter was arrested after federal agents seized the explosives last week.

He faces felony theft and drug charges in state court that together carry a potential punishment of 10 years in prison. Court documents don’t list an attorney for him, and a home telephone listing couldn’t be found. He could enter pleas at a July 7 hearing.

The FBI declined to comment on whether federal charges are forthcoming.

Williams County Sgt. Detective Caleb Fry said authorities don’t know what Porter allegedly planned to do with the explosives.

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Watford City to test sirens

Watford City is in the process of finishing installation of seven new tornado and civil defense sirens and upgrading an existing siren located at City Hall.

Once installation is complete the sirens will be tested to ensure they are working properly. Tests are expected to begin within the next two weeks.

According to Watford City Police Chief and Emergency Manager Arthur Walgren, the intent is to activate the sirens for severe weather events such as tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

The sirens emit a loud low frequency tone that will last for three minutes per activation. The sirens will be tested as part of the NWS’s monthly testing the first Wednesday of each month between 11 a.m. and noon.

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Group urges replacement of helicopters

Senators John Hoeven, R-ND, and Heidi Heitkamp, D-ND, are working with a bipartisan intercontinental ballistic missile coalition, asking the Department of Defense to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1N helicopters as quickly as possible at Minot Air Force Base and bases in Montana and Wyoming

The UH-1N helicopter fleet is used for security in the missile fields.

The ICBM group’s letter to Carter says the Senate and House of Representatives have both put forth proposals in their Defense Authorization that would give the Air Force authority to procure Black Hawk helicopters. Congressman Kevin Cramer, R-ND, was among senators and representatives who signed the letter.

Hoeven and Heitkamp met with Lt. Gen. Jack Weinstein, the top official overseeing Air Force nuclear forces at the Pentagon, and urged him to accelerate the schedule for replacing the helicopters and updating/ replacing the Minuteman III ICBMs.

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Authorities name 2 men killed in Williston shooting

WILLISTON (AP) – Authorities have released the names of two men killed in a shooting in Williston.

Twenty-four-year-old Diandre Lott and 23-year-old Donzell Washington were found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in an apartment complex Tuesday. Both are from out of state and didn’t live at the complex.

Police detained a man and a woman who lived in the apartment for questioning and then released them. No charges have been filed.

Police say they found three guns at the scene and believe as many as 16 shots were fired. Authorities don’t yet know the relationship between the apartment residents and the victims, and a motive remains unclear.

Sgt. Detective Amy Nickoloff says the investigation could take weeks and will be “a long and difficult process.” Police are not searching for a gunman.

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Nap on wrong couch proves costly

A 47-year-old Minot man pleaded guilty Thursday to going into a stranger’s house and falling asleep on his couch on April 13.

Cory Mark Nylander is charged with Class C felony trespassing, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. North Central District Court Judge Stacy Louser agreed to delay sentencing in the case until today to give the state time to come up with a recommendation.

According to court documents, Nylander left after the other man woke him up and told him to leave. He was reportedly drunk at the time.

Andrea Johnson

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Jail time and treatment ordered for burglar

A 32-year-old Minot man will serve 15 days in jail for burglarizing a trailer at a construction site last November.

Adam Thomas Mudgett was sentenced Thursday to one year in jail, with all but the 15 days suspended, and two years of probation. He will be expected to complete an outpatient treatment program for alcoholism and pay $525 in court costs. He has already paid restitution $3,187.43.

Mudgett pleaded guilty to the Class C felony burglary charge Thursday in North Central District Court.

Mudgett’s girlfriend, Jessica Dianne Bellisle, 25, pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy to commit burglary for the same offense and was sentenced to a year in prison, with one year suspended, two years of supervised probation and $1,100 in court costs.

According to court documents, Mudgett and Bellisle conspired to break into and steal tools from a trailer at a construction site in the 1400 block of North Broadway on Nov. 23, 2015. Police reportedly found a Hitachi stapler and a Stanley crescent wrench in the trunk of Bellisle’s car, which the owner of the trailer identified as his. Mudgett’s footprints were found around the trailer. A bolt cutter was also found near the trailer.

Mudgett said in court Thursday that he let his anger get the better of him and he probably would not have committed the burglary if he hadn’t been drinking.

Mudgett has substance abuse related convictions going back about 14 years and had previously tried treatment for his problems, but has experienced relapses, according to a state prosecutor.

Judge Stacy Louser said she gave him jail time, unlike his girlfriend, because of his past criminal history and because he had admitted responsibility for the crime. Louser did say he will be allowed work release while he is serving his sentence in the jail. Mudgett told the judge he has been renovating flood-damaged homes in Minot.

Andrea Johnson

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Jury finds Minot man guilty of sex crime

TOWNER A jury in Northeast District Court in McHenry County found a Minot man guilty Tuesday night of having sex with a 15-year-old girl in Towner in 2012 when the girl was under the influence of drugs. James Harvey Burch Jr. was 34 at the time.

Burch was also found guilty of failure to register as a sex offender, according to the McHenry County Clerk of Court. She said Wednesday that Judge Donovan Foughty has ordered a pre-sentence investigation. No sentencing date has yet been set.

The North Dakota Sex Offenders Registry shows that Burch was convicted on July 5, 2000, in Williams County District Court of corruption or solicitation of a minor and was required to register as a sex offender until 2025.

Andrea Johnson

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Theft of generator gets thief jail time

A 22-year-old Minot man will be on supervised probation for two years for stealing a generator in June 2015, according to court records.

Travis Cole Black pleaded guilty to the Class C felony charge on Wednesday.

North Central District Court Judge Stacy Louser sentenced him to one year in jail, with all time suspended except for the 23 days he’s already served. Black was also ordered to pay $1,100 in court costs and to obtain a chemical dependency evaluation.

According to court documents, Black pawned a generator at Dakota Pawn on June 6. The generator, which was valued at about $2,000, was stolen out of a Hess Corporation work vehicle that had been parked at the Grand Hotel.

A Class C felony carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Andrea Johnson

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Tool theft earns probation-plus for Minot woman

A 25-year-old Minot woman will be on supervised probation for two years for criminal conspiracy to commit burglary.

Jessica Dianne Bellisle pleaded guilty to the charge in North Central District Court on Wednesday, according to court records.

Judge Stacy Louser sentenced Bellisle to one year in prison, with one year suspended, and ordered her to pay $1,100 in court costs.

According to court documents, Bellisle conspired to break into and steal tools from a trailer at a construction site in the 1400 block of North Broadway on Nov. 23, 2015. Police reportedly found a Hitachi stapler and a Stanley crescent wrench in the trunk of her car, which the owner of the trailer identified as his.

Her co-defendant, Adam Thomas Mudgett, 32, was charged with Class C felony burglary. A change of plea hearing for Mudgett is scheduled for today, according to court records.

Bellisie was ordered to make restitution of $3,187.43 jointly with Mudgett.

Andrea Johnson

Briefly

Two men accused of storage unit burglary

Two Minot men are accused of burglarizing a storage unit at 4825 North Broadway in Minot early Sunday morning, according to court documents.

Jerry Lee Steven Longie, 29, and Eric Andrew Mize, 30, were both charged with Class C felony burglary. Each man could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Mize pleaded guilty on Monday to making a false report to law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor. He gave the police the wrong name and birthdate when he was arrested on Sunday. North Central District Court Judge Stacy Louser ordered him to pay $575 in court costs.

Both men were ordered to stay away from the AAA Storage Units if they are released on bond.

A Jerry Lee Longie was previously convicted of burglary in North Central District Court. An Eric Andrew Mize has convictions dating back to 2005 in Ward County for theft of property, burglary and possession of stolen property, according to a listing on the North Dakota Courts site.

Louser set a preliminary hearing date for June 2 for both men.

Andrea Johnson

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Book Buddy volunteers needed

The Minot Public Library Children’s Department is looking for volunteers to read with children throughout the summer.

Volunteers will meet for one hour per week for 8 weeks with their buddy. For more information or to volunteer for the project contact the Children’s Library at 838-0606.

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Defendant says she returned stolen laptop

A 37-year-old Minot woman is accused of stealing a laptop computer from The Computer Store in Minot on Jan. 14.

LaTara Moore is charged with theft of property, a Class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to court documents, Moore reportedly took a display laptop, concealed it underneath her pants and left the store without paying for the computer. She claimed she later felt bad about stealing the laptop and returned to the store and left it in a box by the door. The laptop is valued at $1,099.99.

During her initial appearance in court on Monday, Moore told North Central District Court Judge Stacy Louser that she is needed at home to care for her disabled 6-year-old daughter and begged for time to make arrangements for someone to care for her child. She said she didn’t have money to make bond.

A preliminary hearing is set for June 23 before Louser.

Andrea Johnson

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Scratching mom faces child abuse charge

RUGBY A 24-year-old Rugby woman is accused of scratching and scraping her child’s cheek last December and then lying to police that her male companion had injured both her and the child, according to court documents. The child was younger than 6 at the time.

Sarah-Marie Louise Cassady is charged with child abuse, a Class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and making a false report to law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

Cassady was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Northeast District Court in Rugby.

A listing on the North Dakota Courts site shows that Judge John McClintock Jr. ordered a psychiatric evaluation of Cassady.

Andrea Johnson

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Fleeing a cop earns man probation

A 24-year-old Minot man will be on probation for two years for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in February, according to court records.

Dalton Leroy Savage pleaded guilty to the Class C felony charge in North Central District Court on Tuesday.

Judge Stacy Louser sentenced him to a year in jail, with all but one day suspended, ordered him to obtain a chemical dependency evaluation and to pay $1,100 in court costs. The charge will appear as a misdemeanor on Savage’s record if he successfully completes probation.

Andrea Johnson

Briefly

Man sentenced for theft, bail jumping

A 46-year-old Minot man will serve about 18 months in prison for theft of property, bail jumping and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records.

Leonard Bailey was sentenced Thursday in North Central District Court in Minot to five years in prison, with all but the 18 months suspended, and three years of supervised probation. He received credit for 47 days already served in jail. Bailey was also ordered to pay restitution of $3,323.61 and $525 in court costs.

The sentences will run concurrently.

Andrea Johnson

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Man sentenced for possession of stolen car

A 22-year-old Minot man will serve 18 months in prison for being in possession of a stolen car on April 3, according to court records.

Jacob Todd Stein was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison, with 18 months suspended, and three years of supervised probation. He will receive credit for 38 days already spent in jail. He must also make restitution of $161 and pay $1,200 in court costs. North Central District Court Judge Richard Hagar also ordered Stein to obtain a chemical dependency evaluation.

Based on past media reports, police located the stolen vehicle parked at a gas pump at the Cenex Store on South Broadway early on the morning of April 3. Stein was putting gas in the stolen vehicle.

Andrea Johnson

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Health Dept: Oil spill reported near Parshall

BISMARCK (AP) – The North Dakota Department of Health says it has been notified of an oil spill of about 420 gallons in Mountrail County.

Health officials say the spill was due to a piping connection leak on a well pad about 11 miles northwest of Parshall. The site is operated by EOG Resources Inc.

Initial estimates indicate about 10 barrels of oil were released, and the oil came into contact with a slough about 150 feet east of the well pad.

The release was identified Thursday and was reported by the company the same day. Staff from the North Dakota Oil and Gas Division and the Health Department have been working at the site and will continue to monitor the investigation.

Briefly

Community forum on contamination study set for May 18 in New Town

NEW TOWN – On Wednesday, May 18, Fort Berthold P.O.W.E.R., an affiliate of Dakota Resource Council, will host a community forum with the lead researcher of a recent Duke University study to discuss findings and implications that indicate long-lasting contamination at sites where fracking water spills occurred.

Avner Vengosh, from Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, will present more information about a recent study to community members at 6 p.m. in Teddy’s at 951 Eagle Drive in New Town.

According to the study, published April 27 in the journal “Environmental Science & Technology,” there was “widespread and persistent” contamination in North Dakota water and soils from fracking spills.

During the past decade, more than 9,700 wells have been drilled in North Dakota, and as part of the project, researchers mapped the distribution of more than 3,900 brine spills.

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Children’s art to reflect Minot’s resilience

As the Minot Street Art Movement begins to paint the alleys of the city in coming weeks, Minot Resilience Volunteers in Service to America will be working to help the youth tell the city’s story by means of art.

From May 16-18, Resilience VISTAs Nancy Simpson and Mia Dillard will work with nearly 100 fourth- and fifth-grade students at Perkett Elementary to communicate their memories of the 2011 flood. Upon completion, these 98 works of arts will be displayed in the Children’s Outdoor Art Gallery, to be located on the exterior of the new Renaissance Parking Ramp. The portraits will remain up throughout the summer, until downtown construction is completed.

“This project will help tell the Resilience story of Minot through the eyes of some of the youngest citizens. We want this to not only add to the flare of Minot’s downtown but to be a therapeutic coping method for the children, making something positive from a negative experience that affected so many families,” Simpson said.

The Children’s Outdoor Art Gallery will be unveiled during the ribbon cutting of the Central Parking Structure on May 26.

The Minot Resilience VISTAs are with Cities of Service Resilience AmeriCorp VISTAs, who serve to help create and implement resilience teaming programs and impact volunteering initiatives.

Briefly

Woman prescribed buffer zone around alleged victim

A 54-year-old Minot woman accused of terrorizing and aggravated assault was ordered Wednesday to stay 500 feet away from one of her alleged victims.

Sharon Liane Heath was charged last December, according to court records. On Wednesday, the alleged victim, who is a minor, testified that Heath scared her when she saw her driving around her school on a couple of occasions in April and May. A no contact order is in place, but there hadn’t been any distance provision included in Heath’s bond conditions. North Central District Court Judge Richard Hagar ordered her Wednesday to stay 500 feet away from places that the alleged victim lives and frequents.

A jury trial in the case is scheduled for July 7.

Most documents in the case have been sealed by the court.

If convicted of the two Class C felonies, Heath could face up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Andrea Johnson

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Minot holds household hazardous waste collection

The annual household hazardous waste collection for Minot residents will take place this weekend at the Public Works Building.

The City of Minot will be accepting the waste Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its facility at 1025 31st St. SE. Residents should bring a form of identification and a water bill. At this event, the city will be accepting the household chemicals, paints, fluorescent bulbs and other items that should not be going into regular garbage picked up by the city.

The city is working with Clean Harbors, which will be packaging, placing placards and transporting the waste to the proper disposal facilities.

Last year, the city collected about 40,000 pounds of waste, including 13,000 pounds of latex paint and 2,200 pounds of fluorescent bulbs.

Residents who are unable to participate in this weekend’s collection may take their household hazardous waste to the landfill from now through October, where the city has a building set up to accept it at no charge with a water bill to show residency.

Trade conference scheduled in Estevan

The Central North American Trade Corridor Association and City of Estevan are sponsoring a Trade, Transportation and Technology Conference May 18 in Estevan.

There will be panel discussions on transportation, trade and technology. Experts from North Dakota and neighboring provinces will talk about the impact of existing transportation logistics centers and their impact on the region’s growth, the importance of trade to small rural communities and metropolitan centers and future technology innovations. Paul Godsmark, chief technology office and co-founder of the Canadian Automated Vehicles Centre of Excellence, will present on autonomous vehicles.

For further information, visit tradetranstechconference.wordpress.com.

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Plea deal in works for alleged thief

A plea deal is in the works for a 20-year-old Minot man who is facing felony theft charges.

Trevin Dean Herfindahl is charged with two Class C felony burglary charges and two Class C felony criminal conspiracy charges as well as a Class B misdemeanor criminal mischief charge. If convicted of all the charges against him, he could face more than 20 years in prison.

His attorney, Kyle Craig, asked North Central District Court Judge Richard Hagar on Wednesday to lower Herfindahl’s bond so he can get out of jail and seek chemical dependency treatment. Herfindahl told the judge that he has scheduled an evaluation at a treatment center in Cando this week and his girlfriend will drive him there. Craig said he anticipates that he will schedule a change of plea hearing for Herfindahl as soon as Herfindahl is able to be accepted into a treatment program. Craig said Herfindahl has not been able to come up with the bond, which had been set at 10 percent of $15,000. Hagar agreed to lower Herfindahl’s bond so he can post 10 percent of $5,000. Hagar warned Herfindahl that he is facing serious charges and must go to the treatment center as planned.

KMOT reported last January that Herfindahl is accused of breaking into two Minot homes last fall. He allegedly stole oxycodone pills from one of the residences.

Andrea Johnson

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NWND Community Foundation Announces Grant Awards

WILLISTON The Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation has awarded six grants totaling $15,000 to organizations seeking to improve the quality of life in Williams, Divide, and McKenzie counties. Grants were awarded after a competitive application process in which 17 area organizations requested more than $46,000.

Awards presented Wednesday were:

James Memorial Preservation Society, $1,700 to purchase LED light fixtures.

Old Armory, $3,000 to repair a roof.

Family Crisis Shelter, $2,500 for education and group activities.

Salvation Army, $2,500 for upcoming Christmas gift support.

Bakken Oil Rush Ministry, $2,300 for outreach program support.

McKenzie County Heritage Association, $3,000 to create a summer farmers market.

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Gulity plea in heroin case

A 24-year-old Minot man will serve three years in prison for delivering two grams of heroin to a criminal informant for the Ward County Narcotics Task Force within 1,000 feet of Minot High School-Central Campus on Feb. 2.

Jonathan Odswand Simmons pleaded guilty to the Class AA felony on Wednesday in North Central District Court.

Judge Todd Cresap sentenced him to a total of six years in prison, with three years suspended, and three years of supervised probation. He must make restitution of $700 and pay $1,600 in court costs. Cresap also ordered him to obtain a chemical dependency evaluation.

Simmons could have been sentenced to life in prison for the felony drug offense.

Andrea Johnson

Briefly

Rebel 1 robber pleads guilty

A 20-year-old Tower City man pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbing a Minot convenience store last December and refusing to halt.

The state had offered Christopher Ryan Olson two separate plea deals earlier this spring that he has rejected. The first deal would have called for him to be sentenced to 10 years in prison, but serve six. The second plea deal would have meant a 10 year prison sentence, with a requirement that he serve four years but only if he agreed to give police the name of the other man who robbed the Rebel 1 convenience store at 2625 North Broadway with him on Dec. 21.

Olson has maintained that he doesn’t know who that other man is and rejected both offers, said his lawyer, Pablo Sartorio.

According to a criminal affidavit filed with the court, a police officer patrolling the area spotted two men wearing dark clothing with ski masks covering their faces running from the gas station. Olson’s hands were filled with $364 in paper bills. The officer tackled Olson, but wasn’t able to stop the other man.

Olson told the officer, “You got me! I’m not going anywhere!”and added, “I’m on felony probation and now I am going back to the pen!”

The convenience store clerk told police that two men came into her store and ordered her to open the register. She said Olson told her he would “blow her f– head off” if she didn’t hurry up and open the register. Olson didn’t have a gun, but he acted like he did.

In court on Wednesday, Olson protested that some of the details in the affidavit are wrong.

“I did not tell her I would blow her f– head off,” Olson told North Central District Court Judge Richard Hagar.

Hagar asked if he was saying the clerk did not hear what she said she did.

“I’m saying that I did not say that,” Olson repeated.

Hagar ordered a pre-sentence investigation for Olson and will decide on a sentence after the report comes back.

Olson could be sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for Class B felony robbery and refusal to halt, a Class B misdemeanor.

Andrea Johnson

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Parking ramp ribbon-cutting set

The final touches of the Central Parking Ramp are taking place, leading to its ribbon-cutting on May 26.

The Central Ramp, located between First Street Southwest and Main Street, was originally scheduled to be open for public parking on May 15. According to City Engineer Lance Meyer, inclement weather was the cause of the delays.

Members of the city’s chamber of commerce will be on hand for the 1 p.m. ribbon-cutting.

Briefly

Kenmare man denies car break-in charges

A 35-year-old Kenmare man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in North Central District Court to two Class C felony counts of breaking into a motor vehicle in northwest Minot on Feb. 27.

James Nolan Ercanbrack could face up to 10 years in prison if he is convicted of both charges.

According to court documents, Ercanbrack was arrested after police received a report that a man was looking into vehicles and checking to see if they were locked.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for July 20 before Judge Richard Hagar.

Andrea Johnson

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Two vie for Nedrose school board

Two candidates have filed for two open seats on the Nedrose school board.

Incumbents Jaycin Sundheim and Mark Maercklein both filed. The terms are for three years.

The election will be on June 7 at the high school, located at 5701 15th Ave. SE. Polls will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Absentee ballots are available from the business manager between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week.

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Minot DMV closed Thursday and Friday

People in need of vehicle registration tags, changes to titles and license plates in May, will want to take note: The Minot Motor Vehicle Department office, located at Arrowhead Shopping Mall, will be closed Thursday and Friday so workers can attend training in Bismarck.

The training will be on the new motor vehicle registration software, which will go into use on June 13. The process will make MVD more efficient.

“Our six-member team has been working with motorists on license plates, title changes and tags for many years, and looks forward to serving them better with new and improved software,” said Motor Vehicle Department Manager Carla Vannett.

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Pill peddler gets probation

A 23-year-old Minot man will serve two years of supervised probation for dealing 30 Xanax tablets to a criminal informant working for the Ward County Narcotics Task Force in July 2015, according to court records.

Zachary Thomas Smith pleaded guilty Tuesday in North Central District Court to delivery of a controlled substance, a Class C felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Judge Richard Hagar gave Smith a deferred imposition of sentence. He also ordered Smith to undergo a chemical dependency evaluation, pay $200 in restitution and $1,525 in court costs.

Andrea Johnson

Briefly

Burn ban in

Ward County

The Ward County Commission has declared a fire emergency and burn ban for Ward County.

There is a ban on garbage/pit burning, campfires and burning of farm or crop land. The burn ban will remain in effect from May 3 to Oct. 1, when the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Danger Rating is in high, very high, extreme or a red flag warning has been issued. The fire index for May 3 was “very high,” according to a press release.

Violation of the burn ban is a Class B misdemeanor.

Hearing set

on terrorizing charge

ROLLA A 45-year-old Fort Totten man is accused of threatening to shoot two people at Dale’s Lounge in Dunseith on Jan. 4, according to court documents.

Alfred L. Longie Jr. allegedly claimed to have a gun and terrorized them. He is charged with terrorizing, a Class C felony, and also with possession of methamphetamine paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 18 in Northeast District Court in Rolla. The hearing had originally been scheduled for Tuesday.

Andrea Johnson

Scandinavian Park needs volunteers

Volunteers are needed between May 17 and Oct. 1, 2016, in the Scandinavian Heritage Park in Minot. The volunteers will meet and greet people traveling from many places including throughout the world. For more information call the Scandinavian Heritage Association at 852-9161.

ND Cowboy Hall of Fame 2016 inductees announced

MEDORA (AP) – Longtime rodeo and ranching leader Dale Greenwood is among this year’s inductees to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Greenwood is being inducted in the “Leader of Ranching and Rodeo” category. The Cartwright man was a lifetime member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, organized the Association of National Grasslands and served as president of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association. He died in 2001, at age 72.

Other 2016 inductees are ranchers Arthur Jefferies in the pre-1940s rancher category, Joseph Schaff in modern-era rancher, the Kennedy Ranch, the War Paint rodeo bucking horse, Joe Berger in the rodeo arena category, Audrey Hall-Davy in western arts and entertainment, Kenneth Krueger in pre-1940s rodeo and Monty Carson and Ed Sundby in modern-era rodeo.

The induction ceremony is June 18 in Medora.

Freight train derailment

tears up track

in West Fargo

WEST FARGO (AP) – An early morning freight train derailment tore up track in West Fargo.

Police say two locomotives and five railcars full of rock jumped the tracks about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. The cars and engines stayed upright and didn’t block any crossings or disrupt traffic.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the derailment was not immediately determined.

Interstate semitrailer

crash in ND

kills 7 cattle

PEMBINA (AP) – A semitrailer crash near the North Dakota-Canada border killed seven cattle.

The Highway Patrol says the semitrailer went off the side of an Interstate 29 exit ramp at Pembina shortly before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and tipped on its side.

The trailer had to be cut open to free the 38 cattle inside, and seven of the animals died or had to be euthanized. Area residents helped corral the surviving cattle.

The driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries and cited for care required. The exit ramp was shut down for about four hours but traffic on the interstate wasn’t affected.

Grahams Island State Park getting $1.2M visitor center

DEVILS LAKE (AP) – Officials are set to start construction on a new visitor center at Grahams Island State Park near Devils Lake.

A ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon for the $1.2 million facility.

The 3,500-square-foot building was funded by state lawmakers during the 2015 Legislature. It will include offices and a bait shop/convenience store, will comply with federal standards for people with disabilities and will have energy conservation measures including a geothermal system for lighting, heating and cooling.

Panel endorses

3 finalists for state higher education board

BISMARCK (AP) – A nominating committee has named three finalists for one spot on the North Dakota Board of Higher Education, including current board member Don Morton of Fargo.

The group also selected Thomas Atkinson, a Bismarck environmental engineer, and Wayne Trottier Jr., who works part-time as the school superintendent in Sawyer.

Morton, the board’s vice chairman, is an executive with Microsoft Corp. He is seeking a second four-year term on the board.

Gov. Jack Dalrymple will decide on the appointment.

The higher education board oversees the North Dakota University System, which includes 11 public institutions.

Man arrested after pipe

bomb is found

in his vehicle

FARGO (AP) – A Fargo man has been arrested for allegedly having a pipe bomb in his vehicle.

The Highway Patrol says a trooper stopped a speeding vehicle on Interstate 29 in Fargo about 9 a.m. Wednesday, and discovered a homemade pipe bomb in the glove box.

The Red River Valley Bomb Squad responded to the scene and took the explosive to a secure site.

The 26-year-old driver was arrested on several charges, including felony possession of an explosive.

Proposed $11M school project narrowly fails in Thompson

THOMPSON, N.D. (AP) – A proposed school expansion and renovation project in Thompson appears to have failed for the third time in four years.

Unofficial results show that an $11 million proposal received the support of 59 percent of voters in Tuesday’s election, but 60 percent approval was needed.

Proposals in 2012 and 2013 also received majority support, but not the required 60 percent supermajority.

The most recent proposal was for new classrooms, a new technical education wing and other improvements. It would have cost the owner of a $200,000 home an additional $600 in property taxes annually for the next two decades

Briefly

Grocery thief

will serve two years in prison

A 37-year-old Belcourt man will serve two years in prison for stealing from Marketplace Foods in Minot on Dec. 4, 2014, according to court records.

Wayne Joseph Delorme changed his plea to guilty on Tuesday in North Central District Court.

Judge Gary Lee sentenced Delorme to five years in prison, with three years suspended, and three years of supervised probation. He will be required to make restitution of $1,348.37 and pay $525 in court costs.

According to court documents, Delorme was one of three people who were spotted on surveillance video loading items into shopping carts and leaving the store without paying for them. The value of the items taken was $1,348.37.

Sara Marie Brunelle, 34, Belcourt, is also charged with Class C felony theft of property in the case. Brunelle is scheduled to make an initial appearance in the case on May 9 in North Central District Court.

Andrea Johnson

High speed chase leads to probation

ROLLA A 48-year-old Belcourt woman will serve two years of supervised probation for leading Rolla police, Rolette County Sheriff’s deputies, and tribal police on a high speed car chase last August in Rolette County, according to court records. At one point, Tina Marie Peltier tried to ram into a BIA police car with her vehicle. Law enforcement officers had to deploy spike strips to stop her. The chase took place in Rolette County, at the corner of Highway 30 and County Road 66, on Aug. 11.

Peltier pleaeded guilty to Class C felony reckless endangerment in Northeast District Court in Rolla on Monday. Judge Anthony Benson sentenced on Peltier to one year in jail, with all that time suspended, ordered her to complete treatment and to pay $500 in court costs.

Andrea Johnson

Man alleged

to have shot

kids’ dog

A 50-year-old Dunseith man is accused of animal abuse for allegedly shooting and injuring a dog that ran past his yard last week. David Wegner allegedly had no good reason for shooting the dog, according to a criminal complaint. Wegner is also charged with reckless endangerment for allegedly discharging a firearm in a residential area in the presence of children who were trying to catch their dog and bring it home. The incident took place on April 27.

Both charges are Class A misdemeanors. If convicted, Wegner could be sentenced to up to two years in prison.

A hearing for Wegner is scheduled for May 16 in North East District Court in Rolla before Judge Anthony Benson.

Andrea Johnson

Briefly

More cleanup scheduled for Minot

A second Souris River cleanup has been scheduled in conjunction with the citywide cleanup on May 14.

A cleanup sponsored by Friends of the Souris and conducted by volunteers on April 23 resulted in 14,660 pounds of garbage being removed from the river and banks in the Roosevelt Park area. The group’s upcoming cleanup will take place in the area of the Oak and Nubbin parks.

The citywide cleanup will take place May 13 and 14.

A city ad hoc committee also will hold an open house May 9 to provide information and take input regarding a proposed curbside recycling program in Minot. The open house will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Minot Municipal Auditorium, Room 201.

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Dismissal ends lawsuit over firing range

A landowner’s lawsuit against Ward County and the City of Minot over a weapons firing range has been settled after more than five years of litigation.

In March, the court dismissed the lawsuit brought by David Gowan against the county and city over a shooting range used for training by law enforcement. In filing the lawsuit in 2010, Gowan had sought to shut down the range as a danger to his property after the Ward County Commission denied him the ability to develop his property due to the nearby presence of the range. He also argued the the range is a public nuisance that devalues his property.

Gowan’s separate lawsuits against the county and city were combined, and the entities sought dismissal of the case.

Judge Joshua Rustad, Williston, awarded court costs of $9,914 to Ward County and the City of Minot. Under an agreement signed April 29, Minot and Ward County will consider the matter settled once Gowan pays $4,957 to the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund, which represented the county and city. Gowan agrees not to appeal.

Jill Schramm

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City to redrill wells

The condition of some of Minot’s aquifer wells prompted the Minot City Council to approve an emergency measure Monday to replace three of them.

Public Works Director Dan Jonasson said it appears silt and sand is being pulled in around the well casings. That is interfering with production heading into summer, when Minot’s water usage increases from about 6.5 million gallons a day to 12 million to 14 million gallons a day.

The emergency measure will allow crews to rework one of the wells in the Minot aquifer immediately. Two more in the Minot Aquifer will be redrilled later to the existing well depth of 130 feet. Funding would come from the Northwest Area Water Supply project. Minot is providing treated aquifer water to the project communities as an interim measure since water from the Missouri River isn’t available at this time.

Jill Schramm

Briefly

Highway accident victim identified

GARSKE The North Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the victim of a one-vehicle rollover near Garske Sunday.

Cale Goodwill, 29, was the driver of a 2000 Toyota 4Runner that went off N.D. Highway 20 and rolled several times.

Goodwill was going north on N.D. Highway 20 when he left the road and went into the east ditch. He apparently overcorrected his actions and the vehicle then slid across the road and into the west ditch where it rolled several times. Goodwill was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The accident happened one and a half miles south of Garske.

The actual time of the crash is still being investigated. A 9-1-1 call about the accident was received at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, the Highway Patrol said.

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Williston woman faces aggravated assault charge

WILLISTON – A jury trial is scheduled for July 18 in Northwest District Court in Williston for a 32-year-old Williston woman who is accused of choking her husband during an argument on March 22.

According to court records, Eliana Gilbertson is charged with Class C felony aggravated assault, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. She pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to court documents, Gilbertson allegedly hit her husband multiple times and threw a vanity mirror at him which struck him in the chest. Her husband went into the bathroom and Gilbertson allegedly followed him and put her hands and/or arms around his neck and applied pressure. She allegedly tried to continue the fight though he told her to calm down. The couple’s children were reportedly present during the fight.

Andrea Johnson

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Judge’s take on defendant prompts laughter

A 33-year-old Minot woman appeared in North Central District Court Monday on a simple assault-domestic violence charge.

Danielle Renee Reinhardt is charged with a Class A misdemeanor in district court because she was previously convicted of domestic violence, according to statements made in court on Monday.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and Ward County Assistant State’s Attorney Caitlyn Pierson said the state would be seeking jail time.

Judge Gary Lee told Reinhardt that a domestic violence class would be required upon conviction.

“I’m currently taking the class,” Reinhardt, who was appearing via closed circuit television from the Ward County Jail, told the judge.

“Apparently it isn’t doing any good,” Lee replied. Lee’s comment made other people waiting to make their initial appearances crack up.

Reinhardt told the judge that she was not involved in a physical fight and should not have been charged with simple assault. She also said the reported victim in the previous domestic violence case was a different person. She said she was pleading not guilty.

A pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for July 13 before Lee.

Andrea Johnson

Briefly

Construction to impact downtown streets

Portions of some downtown streets will close next week for construction.

Strata Corp., which is completing the first phase of the Downtown Infrastructure Improvements project, plans on closing small portions of roads on the east side of downtown for finishing work related to sealing the joints of the road.

Impacted roads and proposed days of impact are as follows:

– First Avenue Southeast, to include one block from Second Street Southeast to Third Street Southeast, Tuesday and Wednesday.

– Third Street Southeast, south of the railroad tracks, Wednesday to Friday. The road will remain open but limited to one-lane each way.

– Second Avenue Southeast, a quarter block near Third Street Southeast, Friday.

Work is weather dependent and will be done as much as possible early in the morning and later in the day.

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Fargo looking for volunteers to help during Cleanup Week

FARGO (AP) – Fargo is looking for volunteers to help spruce up the community by picking up litter in residential neighborhoods and public spaces.

People interested in volunteering during Cleanup Week, which kicks off Monday, can contact the Fargo Fire Department to coordinate efforts.

Individuals and groups of any age are encouraged to participate in the annual cleanup event.

Volunteers can choose an area to clean, collect litter in bags and place them at an intersection or boulevard and then alert the city about the location of the trash so it can be picked up.

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Land Board awards grant for human trafficking treatment

BISMARCK (AP) – North Dakota’s Land Board has awarded $94,500 for human trafficking treatment and support services.

Officials say the grants are part of a program aimed at helping communities deal with the effects of energy development.

The money will go to the Council on Abused Women’s Services.

The Land Board is headed by Gov. Jack Dalrymple.

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Wahpeton looking for ideas for celebrating 150th birthday

WAHPETON (AP) – The city of Wahpeton wants to hear ideas from local residents about how to celebrate the city’s 150th birthday, which is set to be celebrated in 2019.

Economic Development Assistant Cheryl O’Meara is eager hear from Wahpeton citizens about the city’s sesquicentennial.

She says good ideas are going to “really help this come to life.” Wahpeton Mayor Meryl Hansey says there’s been discussion about getting a manager for the celebration.

Hansey also says he believes having funding is important to making sure the celebration is successful. This early, cost or budget estimates haven’t been seriously explored.

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