2022: The Year in Review

A new year is officially underway, which means it’s time to make our new year’s resolutions and look forward to the year ahead. However, it’s also important to look back at the eventful year we’re leaving behind.

Full of history-making firsts, exciting developments and even tragedy, 2022 was undoubtedly a memorable year, and the “New Rockford Transcript” captured much of it in the weekly paper.

For the next few weeks, the Transcript will be re-sharing some of the most memorable stories of the past year, beginning with stories from January through April.

With no liquor license, Karen’s Place forced to close

The City of Oberon temporarily shuttered its only bar by not approving its liquor license. Elvis Thumb, owner of Karen’s Place, closed the doors at midnight on January 1, 2022, at which time his 2021 license effectively expired.

After denying the bar’s permit in December, Oberon City Council members postponed their regular monthly meeting from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10, forcing Karen’s Place to close for a minimum of 10 days.

Karen’s Place was finally able to reopen its doors following the Jan. 10 meeting.

Bowling Alley to open Lick-ity Split

After being closed for nearly two years, the sounds of laughter, rumbling bowling balls and toppling pins finally returned to the Wonder Lanes bowling alley in February 2022.

When the first bowlers arrived, they enjoyed the expansive renovations that had taken place over the previous year. The New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation announced the renovation project shortly after purchasing the bowling alley in September 2020.

Over $300,000 later, Wonder Lanes is now among the most modern bowling alleys in North Dakota.

Firefighters respond to engine fire

Early Monday morning, Jan. 31, the New Rockford Fire Department was dispatched to the 8th Street South railroad crossing to intercept a BNSF train loco- motive that had caught fire.

According to a press release from New Rockford Fire Chief Todd Allmaras, the train was approximately 15 miles southeast of New Rockford when the report first arrived. With no hazardous or flammable freight on board, and due to “challenging rural travel conditions,” the train engineer decided to meet the fire department in New Rockford.

Firefighters battled the blaze, which was caused by mechanical failure, in freezing conditions. No injuries were reported.

Stanton acquires Schuster RV Park

The Schuster RV Park, long owned by John and Jean Schuster, was officially acquired by Justin Stanton in February of 2022. Stanton, a Florida native who settled in New Rockford the previous year, purchased the park along with his brother David Stanton, and partner, Alice Wiedrich.

NR-S board hears proposed new dress code

Student representative Amzi Meier worked with the NR-S school board and administration to change the district’s dress code to allow students to wear hats.

Meier gathered feedback from students, faculty, principals and the board to write an entirely new dress code. After months of effort and hard work, he was able to convince the school board to agree to his changes and pass the new policy, which still stands today.

New Rockford couple accused of child neglect

One of the unfortunate stories from last year came in late March after charges of child neglect were filed against a couple living in New Rockford.

What local law enforcement and social services discovered at the home led them to place the resident’s two children into protective custody.

“The residence was in complete disarray, counter tops were full of dishes, empty cans, food and other junk,” wrote Sheriff Lies in the case report. “The floors were almost completely full of clothes, food, toys, junk and garbage. ... There were cats running around the house hiding in piles of clothing.”

The residents of the house later reached a plea deal. Both avoided jail time but were assessed fines and placed under supervised probation.

Historic April blizzard grinds spring to a halt

Last April, less than 48 hours after spring baseball was being played at the local diamond, 13 inches of snow had fallen in New Rockford, and an April blizzard put a stop to spring activities.

Area schools and businesses were closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and there was no travel advised throughout most of the state from Tuesday night through Thursday. Local ranchers also faced losses to their herds.