701 Rundown: July 25, 2022

Here’s your weekly rundown of some of the most interesting headlines from newspapers across North Dakota.

Donkey declared a public nuisance

A family in Fessenden has a pet donkey as an emotional support animal for one of their children.

At the June city council meeting, several residents complained to the council about the noise of the animal's problematic braying and concerns about the adequate care given to the donkey.

Fessenden Mayor Cheryl Overbeck referenced a 45-minute executive session whereby Chris Nyhus, city attorney, discussed the matter with the council.

Overbeck said that the family had filed a complaint of discrimination against the city with the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights.

Overbeck said Nyhus clarified that if the city declares the donkey a nuisance it will have no bearing on the investigation by the Department of Labor.

To address the concerns brought to the council, Overbeck said, “At this point, we have the option of declaring the donkey a public nuisance. The sheriff’s department would then inform the family of that determination, and the family would have 30 days to remove the donkey from the city limits.”

In a separate interview, Sheriff Kluth clarified that his office had received exactly six complaints about the donkey.

(Story by Anne Ehni, The Herald-Press)

Hillsboro leaders, sheriff to ramp up dialogue

Members of the Hillsboro City Commission and Traill County Sheriff Steve Hunt agreed Monday to hold more face-to-face chats to improve the lines of communication between the two parties.

Hunt stepped to the podium Monday night asking for clarification on recent comments made by newly elected City Commission President Levi Reese, who indicated in the June 3 issue of the Banner that he thought the city should reconsider funding its own police department.

The city has been contracting for police services with the Traill County Sheriff’s Office since Jan. 1, 2018 after dissolving its two-man force in late December 2017.

Hunt said Monday he wasn’t aware city officials had been considering a change and expressed disappointment that he had to hear about Reese’s suggestion in the Banner.

Sheriff’s officials have been attempting to hire more deputies in recent months and Hunt requested that if the city attempts to hire its own officers that it avoids poaching his employees.

(Story by Cole Short, Hillsboro Banner)

Grafton City Council poised to ban golf carts on city streets

It was a changing of the guard at Monday’s Grafton City Council meeting. With two recently elected members, Loree Osowski and Donovan McMillian, and the resignation of Shane Mohn, it appears there will be no middle ground for Grafton’s governing board, it will all be one way or the other.

Grafton Police Chief Tony Dumas informed the council that golf carts are becoming more and more problematic, especially with teenagers and younger children.

Dumas said Century Code allows for municipalities to legalize golf carts in those cities that have their golf course attached to their city, for operation on streets to and from the golf courts.

“We can address it but we have not. We have taken no action in ordinance. So I am asking the city council to draft an ordinance either allowing golf carts to travel back and forth to the golf course or a complete ban,” said Dumas.

City councilperson Chris Lipsh said he brought this up to the police chief.

“I witnessed a near miss when a driver ended up in a person’s yard almost taking out a tree to avoid hitting kids on a golf cart,” he said. “On another occasion, I witnessed a pickup having to drive up onto school property on Edgewood and 15th street almost taking out the green power boxes.

“These two instances happened within 36 hours of each other, one was a kid and one was an old lady, both were driving golf carts. ... If we’re not going to be the city that allows people to park trucks in their yards, we shouldn't be the village that allows golf carts to drive all over town.”

(Story by Todd Morgan, The Walsh County Record)

Emmons County Sheriff’s Department investigating thefts

The Emmons County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating several burglaries and thefts occurring in the county within the past two months.

On May 7, the sheriff’s department was notified about two five-gallon gas cans taken from the back of a pickup parked in front of the owner’s residence on Sycamore Avenue in Linton. The owner said both cans were filled with gas at the time of the theft.

Later the day, the manager of the Sunrise Trailer Park, located on the southwest side of Linton, reported two five-gallon gas cans were taken from a garage located inside the park.

The garage was unlocked, and there was about seven and a half gallons of gasoline in the containers combined.

Both incidents occurred during the same time frame, but it was not determined if they are related.

On May 12, the sheriff’s office received a report about several pieces of outdoor furniture stolen from the yard at a residence on West Hickory Avenue in Linton.

Missing was a seven-foot wooden table with folding legs, two teak folding chairs and two metal swivel chairs.

The owner indicated the theft may have occurred anywhere between November 2021 and when the furniture was discovered missing. The value of the missing items is about $475.

(Story by Mark Weber, Emmons County Record)

Rolette County jail administrator resigns

Add another important hire for officials in Rolette County.

The board of county commissioners learned at last week’s regular meeting that Jail Administrator Dan Kraft is resigning, effective July 14.

Kraft was hired for the position in April of 2021 and was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the law enforcement center.

Kraft’s resignation comes on the heels of Rolette County Road Supervisor, Kelly Parisien, also resigning from his post.

Rolette County Sheriff Nathan Gustafson informed the board Kraft was given an opportunity to benefit himself and be closer to home.

(Story by John Rosinski, Turtle Mountain Star)