Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The United States started 2017 with the Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump as it's 45th President. A large protest followed the next day with many denouncing him as President.
The nation experienced the first total eclipse of the sun in nearly 100 years that stretched from one coast to the other. NFL players knelt during the national anthem, the largest shooting in American history occurred in Las Vegas and #Me Too became an eye-opener to the country and brought feminism issues and sexual harassment into the light.
We said good-bye to some remarkable people, including Fats Domino, Tom Petty, Mary Tyler Moore, David Cassidy and Jerry Lewis. Millenials are now said to outnumber Baby Boomers.
We also remember these stories from the New Rockford Transcript in April, May and June.
April
Deb Belquist, founder and Managing Director of the Dakota Prairie Regional Center for the Arts in New Rockford, was honored on Tuesday, March 28 at the Governor's Awards for the Arts Ceremony. Belquist was a recipient of the 2017 Governor's Awards for the Arts in Individual Achievement. The Ceremony was held in the Russell Reid Auditorium at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck.
Members of the New Rockford-Sheyenne School District's Board of Education met for nearly two hours Tuesday, March 28, to determine a financing plan for the $3.6 million building renovation proposed in past months. Voters will decide the fate of the NR-S school building improvements.
After a week of warm temperatures and nighttime lows above freezing, flooding became a concern for both the Sheyenne and James River valleys.
Disney magic permeated the New Rockford-Sheyenne High School gym on April 1, for Prom 2017.
The safety of children and families traveling to the new pool was a topic of discussion at the New Rockford City Commission meeting as they reviewed a plan to install three sets of temporary speed bumps on Third Avenue North to slow traffic during the summer when the pool is open.
As Holy Week began, New Rockford's two largest congregations experienced milestones. First Lutheran Church observed Holy Week for the first time with their new pastor, Pastor Doug Nemitz. At the same time, Father Bernard Pfau officiated his last Holy Week at St. John's Catholic Church.
In observance of National Child Abuse Awareness Month, Eddy, Foster and Wells County Social Services sponsored a presentation called "A Community Centered Approach to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect," at the Carrington Armory.
As the initial major fundraiser for a late May 2018 band and choir trip to Colorado, the first annual Talent Show was staged on Thursday, April 6. Comprised of nine acts, the show was a pleasing mixture of vocal and instrumental music, comedy, a poetry reading, and dancing.
After each county board held meetings to discuss the future of the Tri-County Social Services agreement, the Tri-County Board met Monday, April 10 in Fessenden to make a decision and determined that the agreement would remain in place.
A Lake Washington Township road caused problems with water erosion, the township spent $24,000 last year alone to keep it open.
Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread praised the signing of Senate Bill 2231 on Tuesday, April 18, regarding the regulation of how insurance companies pay for air ambulance services in North Dakota. The bill also requires hospitals to notify patients in non-emergency situations which air ambulance providers have a contractual agreement with the patient's health insurance company.
May
New Rockford Transcript owner and publisher Amy Wobbema returned from speaking to the Colorado Press Association in Denver. In January she also spoke at the Wyoming Press Association in Cheyenne, and the story she shared was about this community.
Her presentation came from the perspective of someone who was relatively new to the newspaper business. Wobbema had begun her career at the newspaper just six months prior to the fire. It is also told as someone who, just weeks before, had declared her intent to purchase the New Rockford Transcript from Craig and Bonnie Voigt, only to stand there that Saturday and watch the business burn to the ground right in front of her.
Local and neighboring law enforcement agencies stepped in to assist a nearly vacant Wells County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Johnny Lawson resigned, and the county terminated the employment of his two deputies.
Multi-jurisdictional agencies arrested Alex Lail in New Rockford, and Deanna Neurohr in Harvey, on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, a class A felony, and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, a class B felony.
The Transcript is still following this story as it makes it's way through the judicial system.
Roads once again dominated the conversation at the Eddy County Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 2. The road reports started with Eddy County Road Superintendent Irvin Loe informing the commissioners that there had been a road washout on Eddy County #5 that has since been repaired.
He also told the commissioners that there were road erosion problems on Eddy County #8 from high winds and waves from Lake Washington beating on the sides of the road. He said the lake was rising and they will add rock and riprap for now. If the lake continues to rise, more will need to be done to save the road.
CenDak Farmers Union in New Rockford started a remodel project that Manager Ron Keller said he hoped to have completed by July 1.
Easing traffic congestion around the school's main entrance was discussed several times throughout the past few years, and changes were approved on a trial basis to address the issues. The building committee presented a plan to improve safety and ease traffic around the school.
Surety Title Company recently moved into their new building. They broke ground on the newly-constructed office last July, and completed the move 10 months later.
Owner Annette Duda and Abstractor Jean Schuster both said they're excited about the new building and the extra room that they now enjoy.
The 2017 award recipient of the sixth annual DAISY award was Terah Weisenburger of New Rockford, who was nominated for her exemplary care given to patients.
Nurses at Carrington Medical Center were honored at the sixth annual DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses during National Nurses Week. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform everyday.
Route 281, operated by Mark and Pam Rue, in Sheyenne completed an interior remodel, and opened a new kitchen in the former CenDak Farmers Union location.
Representatives from ND Cares declared New Rockford a ND Cares community. The Mission of ND Cares is "Strengthening an accessible, seamless network of support for Service Members. Veterans. Families and Survivors."
The New Rockford Community Foundation recognized and congratulated the recipients of the local grant awards. Seven organizations were awarded grants this year, totaling $3,200 in local funding. All are local non-profit organizations who submitted applications for projects that benefit the New Rockford community.
June
With help from dedicated volunteers and a big financial boost from grants, the Eddy County Rod & Gun Club made significant progress on the new shooting range east of New Rockford.
Club President Jean Schuster said that after five years of fundraising and preparation, support from the North Dakota Game & Fish Department, National Rifle Association Foundation and New Rockford Community Foundation gave them the funds needed to get the range ready for use by the public.
New Rockford Transcript publisher and owner Amy Wobbema announced that Ashley Schuster joined the Transcript staff as its Graphic Designer.
Groundbreaking on the new Casey's General Store should begin within two weeks, according to a report by Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert to the New Rockford City Commission.
Crews installed a new waterline from the Black Hawk lots south of the city park across Second Street. The line will serve the new Casey's convenience store.
NR-S graduate of the Class of 1985 Corey Seymour began writing opinion columns for the New Rockford Transcript readers.
Elementary students of New Rockford-Sheyenne School experienced some changes in their daily routine when they returned to school this fall. Administrators and staff began implementing new programming that puts each learner in control of his or her learning. Several staff had attended two seminars this spring to see this innovative new "personalized," or "mass customized" learning approach in action.
A full slate of entertainment and recreation in New Rockford and Sheyenne was lined up for the Independence Day celebration.
In order to raise funds to maintain the buildings and operate the museum, the Eddy County Historical Society is now selling Historically Great Coffee. This coffee is certified organic and ground fresh. The 12 oz. bags are available with four Eddy County-themed blends: Rockford Roast, Sheyenne Smooth, Brantford Breakfast Blend and Depot Decaf. Cost is $12 per bag, and all proceeds will benefit the historical society.
Prescription: drink daily! And, on that note, it's time to go have a cup!
