Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Here’s your weekly rundown of some of the most interesting headlines from newspapers across North Dakota.
Human remains found; unidentified
According to Divide County Sheriff Zach Schroeder, after authorities sifted through what was left after a Noonan house fire, human remains were discovered among the “items” they removed from the scene.
Schroeder added, however, that it could be quite a while before those remains could be identified.
The fire is believed to have occurred early Thursday, Oct. 27, when it destroyed the home of Chad and Connie Allen.
Authorities came across the burned home after 38-year-old Chad Allen’s body was found roughly half a mile from his home in a farm yard. His body was taken to the State Crime Lab for an autopsy.
Assisting in the investigation are the N.D. Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the State Fire Marshal’s office and the Divide County Sheriff’s Department.
Schroeder said the investigation is “going to be very methodical.”
On Saturday, Oct. 29, the search for Connie Allen consisted of volunteers on horseback, ATVs and on foot, all searching thoroughly throughout the area. They were also joined by Cadaver dogs from another law enforcement agency.
However, despite their best efforts, there was no sign of Connie Allen.
The Allens owned five dogs, and Schroeder said investigators had discovered the remains of more than one dog.
Look for updates to this story at http://www.JournalTrib.com.
(Story by Brad Nygaard, The Journal)
Three-class system for basketball on verge of passing
The much discussed and debated three-class system for basketball has taken yet another step towards becoming reality.
As the three-class system’s supporters set out on their endeavor to enact the new system, they always knew that a minimum of 60 percent of member schools would need to support it.
In North Dakota, that meant at least 75 votes in favor were needed, and it was recently announced that as many as 77 districts have officially voted to support the reclassification.
Jeff Hagler, the North Star Athletic Director and who represented Region 4 on the advisory board, said it’s the right move at the right time.
“You look at state tournaments the past 10 years and there are not many of the small schools making it anymore,” he said. “I’m nostalgic as well and the Class B tournament has been great but it’s not like it used to be anymore.
“Attendance isn’t quite as good as it just doesn’t have a ‘wow’ factor like it used to.”
After a focus group makes their presentation to the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA), the earliest the NDHSAA could move on the proposal would be December.
If approved, it could go into effect in time for next season.
(Story by John Rosinski, Turtle Mountain Star)
P-B to vote on proposed elementary addition Nov. 21
When patrons of the Pingree-Buchanan School District go to the polls on Monday, Nov. 21, they’ll be voting on a proposed $4.5 million addition to the elementary school in Buchanan.
The district stated in a press release that they’re asking for the community’s support so they can pass a bond referendum that would release the funding necessary for the project.
The referendum needs a 50 percent super majority to pass.
The press release states that the need for upgrades has been a consistent problem for multiple years.
If the referendum passes, the elementary school in Buchanan would receive three new classrooms, a media center, music room, administration offices, student and Title I support spaces, secure entry points and new pick-up and drop-off zones.
“These features will allow students and staff to exist in a positive and claiming learning environment, and will fix many shared space issues that staff are having to work around,” stated the press release.
Another major goal of the project would be to ensure every student and class is under one roof. Currently, the Buchanan elementary complex consists of two buildings, which is a struggle whenever there’s inclement weather.
(Story by Erik Gjovik, The Foster County Independent)
Wells County 4-H program given $5,000
Aileen Clough, a Fessenden area farmer, donated $5,000 to the Wells County 4-H program on behalf of the Bayer Corporation’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities program.
Wells County Extension agent, Hannah Peterson, said of the $5,000 check, “I was very surprised by the donation.”
The donation was presented at the annual awards banquet at the Harvey Eagles Club on Nov. 3.
“On behalf of the Wells County 4-H, I would like to say that we are very grateful that we were considered for this award and chosen,” said Peterson.
“We want to thank the America’s Farmers Grow Communities Program for offering this amazing program and we want to thank Aieen Clough for think of us in receiving this grant.”
(Story by Carrie Opdahl, The Herald-Press)
County takes first step in building jail
Walsh County’s old and ailing correctional center has left county officials with few options.
“The building is deteriorating and is in need of many repairs,” siad Chief Correction Officer Adam Trahan.
Currently, the building is only allowed to be open under the condition that the county is actively looking into building a new correctional facility.
In a first step towards that eventuality, the Walsh County Commission has put together a committee to explore the possibilities of a new correctional center.
As of Tuesday, Nov. 1, the jail was housing 16 inmates, while three others stayed elsewhere in the state.
“People ask me why don’t you just drive the prisoners to Fargo or Grand Forks. What they don’t realize is those facilities are full,” said Walsh County Sheriff Ron Jurgens. “Grand Forks and Fargo struggle with space for their own prisoners.”
(Story by Todd Morgan, The Walsh County Record)
