The Ward County Planning Commission made a good decision last week when members voted to direct staff to develop a proposed ordinance change addressing requirements for right-of-way dedication along township and section line roads. The issue had risen to public attention two years ago and ...
It might not look like it, as the forecast called for cooler temps today and possible showers tomorrow, but we are indeed in the fire season. In North Dakota, that is just about anytime there is little or no snow on the ground or it’s pouring rain outside. That is because our prairies, ...
North Dakota’s government on all levels does a good job at taking care of veterans. The same is true of seniors, in general. There are states that do worse. In particular, not all states appreciate and honor military veterans the ways we do. This is something about which we should be ...
A successful fundraiser held last fall will be repeated later this year. The second annual Over the Edge will take place once again at the Parker Center in downtown Minot, on Aug. 17. The event provides an opportunity for members of the public to rappel down the eight story Parker Center to ...
With North Dakota’s new law decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana set to take effect on Aug. 1, an already complex issue that other states have also struggled with becomes even more murky in principle in our state. It isn’t that the issue has been simple prior to the state ...
In most of the country, one of the primary objectives of child welfare services is to try whenever possible to keep families together and to reunite families after some life events temporarily separate children from their parents. It’s certainly a noble practice in a philosophical sense. ...
There appear to be two sides to the controversy over an escalating trade/tariff conflict with China. Some believe it is pointless and will only hurt U.S. consumers and, in particular, farmers and ranchers who do business with China. After all, the argument goes, tariffs on Chinese goods are ...
According to the Chicago Tribune, 710 people have been victims of shootings in Chicago as of May 6. That’s 97 fewer shooting victims than in all of 2018, but the year isn’t even half over. It isn’t just Chicago. Other major metropolitan areas have their share of shootings to be sure. ...
If you grew up in Minot in the heyday of fastpitch softball, you at least recognized the name Ollie Fiddler. He was in the news that much, or mentioned in conversations at barbershops, cafes and businesses – any place people discuss the news of the day and what impressed them about it. And ...
Just a few days ago, Minot State University celebrated its commencement ceremony – always a wonderful moment for students and their families. Soon, high school students will have similar experiences which are usually one of those things that create a lifetime of memories. ...
On Wednesday, Dr. Dawn Mattern, after offering a few words of encouragement and some sound fitness advice, began the 11th annual Doc Walk, in Minot’s Oak Park. Mattern, a Sports Medicine physician with Trinity Health, led about 35 people on a walk around the popular park – at whatever ...
his week, the Greater North Dakota Chamber opined that the Legislature made good strides in addressing the workforce shortage that is problematic for many businesses, isn’t good for potential state growth, and which is a challenge to address through statewide policy. One bill provided $3 ...
News this week that the City of Minot is considering creating timeline for property acquisition for the proposed downtown gathering space is a dilemma, one with contrasting points of view. The gathering space, funded by Resilience money as part of the city’s overall plan approved by HUD, ...
According to city officials, the City of Minot faces a serious quandary ahead of them in terms of budgeting and planning. Exactly, how much money does the city allocate to flood control at the expense of other city needs is the dilemma. That’s what the Minot City Council was struggling ...
There are many, much worse legislative bodies than the N.D. Legislature when it come to transparency. However, the comparison to entities in other states, with different guidelines, is unfair to our Legislature. We are our own entity, with our own rules and state constitutional mandates. ...
Plans continue to be made for the Magic City Discovery Center to be built on Minot’s North Hill. The idea behind the center sounded good to begin with but seems to get more and more exciting with each new development announced. The latest news came late last week when design concepts for ...
Taken as a group, sometimes the North Dakota Legislature historically can look pretty silly. They often spend valuable time in our biennium structure discussing proposed legislation which is either never going to happen or that should never happen. Sure, there might have been a few proposals ...
Who doesn’t love a good circus? Clowns, acrobats, trained animals, cotton candy and did we say – clowns. Yes, it is that time of year. The snow has melted, the robins are nesting and kids are thinking of getting out of school for summer vacation. That means it’s time for the Shrine ...
News that taxable sales and purchases went up 3.82% in Minot in 2018 (compared to 2017) and that city sales tax collections were up 5.7% are, hopefully, signs that the economy might be improving. There is plenty of doom and gloom about the local economy. Empty retail spaces, vacancy rates, ...
Whether it’s improving downtown, improving communication between government bodies and the electorate, or legislators sponsoring bills in Bismarck, meeting the needs of the public and making improvements starts with listening to the public. That’s why the survey being conducted and ...