Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
The spring and summer of 2021 brought both triumph and tribulation. Amidst fire and drought, local people were recognized for their accomplishments. This week’s installment features headlines from May to August.
Sheyenne Fire and 911 review procedures to improve response
Several agency representatives gathered on Thursday, May 13, at Ostby Hall to review and discuss the events of March 14, when an early Sunday blaze destroyed the Sheyenne home of Ryan and Kristie Genre.
Rob Johnson and Starr Klemetsrud of Lake Region Law Enforcement Center (LRLEC) led the conversation, which was moderated by Eddy County Emergency Manager Lisa Thompson. When everyone left, new procedures were in place to help improve emergency response time in the future.
Transcript takes home General Excellence title in newspaper contest
The New Rockford Transcript staff came up big winners in the North Dakota Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest for 2020. The newspaper competed in a new category, small weeklies, in which 47 community newspapers competed for awards. The paper received 35 awards, including first place in General Excellence among small weeklies.
Freshman Phenom
NR-S freshman Kelsie Belquist made her mark on N.D. Class B track and field. One of the three New Rockford-Sheyenne track athletes to compete in the NDHSAA State B Track and Field Meet in Bismarck on May 28-29, Belquist came home with championships in the 400-meter dash and 300-meter hurdles.
Bank Forward bandit sentenced to five years in prison
Jacob T. Stein of Minot was sentenced to five years in federal prison for a string of bank robberies in 2019, including the ATM at Bank Forward in New Rockford. He was also ordered to serve three years supervised release, and pay $101,420 in restitution for his crimes. Stein’s alleged accomplice, Collin M. Grosz, entered a plea and was expected to be sentenced later in the year.
Firefighters, farmers fight Sunday bale blaze
Thick, white smoke and the stench of scorched hay filled the air on Sunday, June 27. Shortly before 3 p.m., firefighters were called to a field near the intersection of 67th Avenue Northeast and 20th Street Northeast, one mile north of New Rockford. The Levi and Casey Weber families had recently stacked about a thousand bales between two stacks there.
A dozen firefighters responded to the call, and they used an estimated 25,000 gallons of water and foam to put out the blaze. Area farmers also came to assist, bringing water tanks and farm equipment to help separate the bales and minimize the loss.
County issues drought emergency declaration
The Eddy County Commission issued a Drought Emergency Declaration on Aug. 3. Eddy County Emergency Manager Lisa Thompson drafted the document to allow the county to access emergency funds for drought relief and make the county eligible for federal aid, should a federal disaster be declared.
With no measurable rainfall in New Rockford since July 3, water holes that used to provide refreshment for livestock had nearly dried up. The N.D. Agricultural Weather Network reported that just 0.13 inches of rain had been recorded north of Carrington since July 1.
