2021: The Year in Review

This time last year, who would have thought that 2021 would become just as eventful as the year before. With a new administration, more than 800,000 dead from COVID-19, and unprecedented weather events, there’s no doubt that our ancestors will be studying these times for decades to come.

But that’s only the large-scale view. Here in Eddy County, the year was filled with exciting news of a more “firsthand” nature. As we look ahead to 2022, the Transcript will be publishing some of its most memorable stories from 2021.

This week’s edition covers January through April.

Proposal to allow year-end fireworks sales on ice

After city commissioners discussed feedback regarding a proposal to allow fireworks in late December, it became clear that New Year's fireworks celebrations wouldn’t be taking place in New Rockford anytime soon. Commission President Stu Richter reported at the Jan. 4 meeting that he had only heard from one person, and that resident was not in favor.

Restoration of Stavanger Church ceiling complete

The Eddy County Museum and Historical Society announced that the renovations to the Stavanger Church ceiling and walls were complete. This milestone came after more than two years of planning, fundraising and coordination on the part of museum volunteers and board members.

Eagles Club contributes 50k to new gymnasium

The New Rockford Eagles Club made a big donation to the second gymnasium project this month. The two presentations made by Superintendent Jill Louters and fundraising committee members had quite an impression on the board members, and as a result they contributed $50,000 to the project.

After grounding plans for airport, commission reconsiders

The New Rockford City Commission agreed to engage Interstate Engineering for the purpose of building a new airport hangar and repairing the taxiway and runway at Tomlinson Field. The move came at a special meeting Wednesday, Feb. 17, after a brief, but intense discussion among commissioners, as they reconsidered a proposal that was rejected at their Feb. 1 assembly.

No Time to Spare!

Plans in place to reopen Wonder Lanes by fall

New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation unveiled renovation plans for the iconic Wonder Lanes bowling alley in March, a $350,000 project that involves a complete update of both the facility's interior and exterior, as well as bowling equipment upgrades throughout.

Genre family home destroyed by fire

Shortly before 5 a.m., on Sunday, March 14, Kristie Genre woke to the smell of smoke in her family's Sheyenne home. The lightest sleeper among the Genres, she said it was also likely that she was first jostled awake from the sound of shotgun shells going off in the garage, where the fire started. Husband Ryan awoke and called 911.

They grabbed their son Fisher and ran out of the home, he in nothing more than the shorts he had worn to sleep. Disoriented and afraid, Fisher wandered back into the house looking for his brother Hunter, who was staying at a friend's house that night. Kristie brought him back outside and reassured him that his brother was safe. She, too, had been concerned about Hunter, even though she knew he was not at home.

County declares fire emergency

On Monday, March 22, the Eddy County Commission issued a Fire Emergency Declaration and Burn Ban Proclamation for the county. The action gave the commission the authority to automatically put a burn ban into effect when the North Dakota Fire Danger Rating is Very High or Extreme, and/or a Red Flag Warning has been issued for the county.

COVID-19 vaccine rates hit plateau, cases remain low

A total of 1,274 vaccine doses had been administered in Eddy County through public health as of April 20, with only 200 of those doses administered in the past few weeks. Vaccine hesitancy was the biggest issue at the time, according to Eddy County Public Health Nurse Danette Schmid.