701 Rundown: Oct. 3, 2022

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

Former Griggs County sheriff accepts interim appointment

In a letter dated Sept. 7, 2022, addressed to the Griggs County Commissioners, Sheriff Amberly Michaelis gave her intention to resign with her last day of employment set as Wednesday, Sept. 21.

This was discussed in much detail at the commissioners meeting the following afternoon.

In her letter, Michaelis stated, “Unfortunately, the county is moving in a different direction than what I would have anticipated and hoped for. The high need for services, low staffing, and lack of support from the current commission has created an unsafe and unrealistic work environment. Expectations put on me as sheriff have been impracticable and have sadly pushed me to find a new job.”

Michaelis added, “It is my hope that the Griggs County Commissioners will support the next sheriff and staff with the appropriate resources and expectation to ensure the success and safety of our citizens … I appreciate the opportunities that were given to me during my time as the sheriff of Griggs County.”

She closed her letter with the offer of her assistance as she transitions out of her current role during the next two weeks.

At a special meeting on Sept. 12, commissioner Wakefield said he had been in touch with Bob Hook, who previously held the position of sheriff in Griggs County.

Hook agreed to take the position of interim sheriff until a new sheriff is elected in the upcoming elections.

(Story by Lisa Saxberg, Griggs County Courier)

Expulsion hearing held after weapon carried to school

Divide County school board members met behind closed doors last week to consider expelling a student for violating the school district’s policy on carrying weapons.

Though expulsion is required under the law, the student’s disciplinary record must be shielded if disclosure would reveal the student’s identity, according to school officials.

Superintendent Sherlock Hirning announced during a regular board meeting Tuesday last week that a special meeting would be necessary to hold a hearing on an incident.

Hirning said the incident not only violated district policy but also carries a state-required punishment of expulsion.

“I will be recommending an expulsion, which you will approve,” Hirning told the board. “You have no choice.”

Neither Hirning nor anyone else revealed any specific details about the incident during the public portions of the meetings last week.

After the closed meeting, President Stephanie Reistad announced that a motion had passed 6-0, with one board member absent.

(Story by Jody Michael, The Journal)

Police chief on the job in Harvey

Harvey Mayor Rick Eckart swore Mike Zuber in as the new Harvey Chief of Police Wednesday night (Sept. 14) as the city council and the community welcomed the police chief to town.

After being without a police presence in Harvey for several weeks, Zuber’s arrival is expected to calm the nerves and anxiety of many Havery community residents.

Chief Zuber comes to Harvey after spending over 27 years with the Chicago Police Department, the last 14 of those as a detective.

He was actively recruited by Harvey Mayor Eckart, who accompanied Zuber in his initial visit to Harvey. Eckart has, on numerous occasions, told his council Zuber is right for the Harvey community.

Previous to his work in law enforcement, Zuber served in the Illinois Air Guard for 16 years. Chief Zuber said he chose Harvey because he is “looking for a different lifestyle.”

Plus, he added, he “wanted out of Chicago.”

(Story by Shelley Chin and Neil O. Nelson, The Herald-Press)

Concerned resident demands commission’s response

One Steele County resident is upset with some of the county officials and is demanding that things be rectified.

In a letter dated Aug. 16, Donald Huso wrote to Steele County Commissioner Brandon Krueger detailing several different grievances he had with decisions made by commissioners in the past and for the way he was treated while trying to address them in meetings.

In the letter, which was obtained by Steele County Press, Huso stated that he reached out to Krueger as he felt he was the only one that he trusted to be fair and honest.

He stated that after his appearance before the Steele County Commission on Aug. 2, 2022, he had never been more embarrassed of and disappointed in his elected officials.

Huso writes that he was basically called a liar by Commissioner Johnson and Auditor Wigen at the July 6 and Aug. 2 meetings regarding a newspaper interview in which he was critical of the County Commission and County Auditor over excessive wage increases from 2015 through 2020 that he said were received by Wigen.

Huso’s letter laid out other concerns and demanded a response in September, and commissioners asked that they have until October to respond.

(Story by Lisa Saxberg, Steele County Press)

Auditor has ‘no right to refuse’ wishes of county commission

The Rolette County Commission held a special meeting last Monday aimed at solving some issues surrounding the road department.

The biggest question mark facing the board was who will be handling road department administrative duties. The work has been done by the auditor’s office but Rolette County Auditor Val McCloud informed the board earlier this year her office either wanted more help or additional compensation by August 31 or they would stop doing the work.

The issue was brought up at a regular meeting on September 6 and the board agreed to move on hiring a road administrator, but the timeline for the hire could take several weeks.

The gathering ended without a clear determination of who was doing the duties, including payroll and paying the bills.

Members of the road department attended the special meeting last week citing concerns over getting paid. Commissioner Allen Schlenvogt opened the discussion by citing North Dakota Century Code.

Reading from the law, Schlenvogt said the auditor has no right to refuse the wishes of the county commission.

The board spent some time discussing the responsibilities, but never came to any firm conclusions until Schlenvogt made a motion for the auditor to continue performing the timekeeping duties.

The motion passed without a dissenting vote and Schlenvogt followed with another motion stating the auditor's office needed to keep paying the bills, and that too passed unanimously.

(Story by John Rosinski, Turtle Mountain Star)