Breaking News

Editorials

Park District’s survey to collect rec ideas a good plan

Minot community members will have the opportunity to share their needs and ideas for future recreational programming in the city. The Minot Park District is conducting a community phone survey to hear directly from residents about recreational programming desires. The survey began Tuesday night and will continue until 375 phone surveys have been completed. Odney Inc. has been hired to conduct the survey. Park District officials want community members to know the phone number on caller ID will be 701-892-7420, a Wahpeton prefix. The Minot Park District manages over 21 parks and ...

ND should take precautions against coronavirus

North Dakota’s state health officials are monitoring the outbreak of the coronavirus, a new virus that broke out in Wuhan, China, and has spread to other parts of the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the federal agency headquartered in Atlanta, has raised its travel precautions to China to its highest level. Currently, there are five confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S., according to federal health officials. They say the current risk to Americans remains low. So far, no cases have been reported in North Dakota, but state health officials are urging ...

Approval of major disaster declaration welcome news

North Dakota local government entities faced with roads and other infrastructure damaged in the early October 2019 storm that dumped heavy rain and snow are getting some critical relief from the federal government. This past week President Trump approved North Dakota’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration. The current declaration allows public assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known by its acronym FEMA, to help cities, counties and townships pay for costs incurred for repairing roads and other infrastructure damaged in the October ...

Chief Olson’s retirement bittersweet

We’ve known for some time now that Police Chief Jason Olson would be retiring soon. That day, however, has come much too soon. Friday will be the last day on the job for Olson, who joined the department while still in college a little more than 30 years ago. And what a run he has had since. Patrol officer, S.W.A.T. Team member, S.W.A.T. Team leader, Chief of Police. Olson has done it all – for the citizens of Minot. He was a leader, especially during his time as chief, when he became a huge mentor to others on the force. Just as he had been encouraged by the chiefs he served ...

Another reminder to give blood

Among the good reasons for getting a flu shot is to keep yourself healthy enough to be there for the folks who need you this time of year. That is true in a larger sense when it comes to those in need of donated blood — and there are many more than we may think. According to blood banks, blood levels are at a critical low after the holidays — partly because the flu season is now at full roar. (Donors must show no flu symptoms for at least one week before giving blood). Many blood banks have only about half the stock they hope to keep on hand to deal with the need at this time ...

Recycling a global mess

Clearly, the developed world needs to do more about how we dispose of our trash. Just as obviously, the United States, often cited as the chief villain in that regard, is far from alone. For years, much of the plastic waste disposed of by prosperous countries — even much of that officials claimed was being recycled — was being shipped to landfills in China. But in 2018, that nation’s officials said they were tired of being the world’s landfill. They banned new imports of plastic waste. That sent disposal companies scrambling for alternative destinations. One of them was ...