701 Rundown: January 23, 2023

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

Therapy dog Maura marks one year at Hillsboro High School

Around a year ago, Hillsboro’s vo-ag teacher, Levi Reese, decided that introducing a therapy dog into his classroom would be a great source of emotional support for his students.

What he didn’t realize, however, was how training, owning and bringing a therapy dog to work five days per week, would also have an impact on him personally.

“It changed me. I had another staff member tell me that I seem happier,” said Reese.

“Who wouldn’t love having their dog with them all day, every day, at school?”

Around 14 months ago, Reese successfully convinced school officials that the district and its students could only benefit from having a certified therapy dog.

Now, more than a year later - or seven dog years - Reese is still getting calls from other school districts in North and South Dakota interested in their own therapy dogs.

“There isn’t really a book on how you’re supposed to do this,” said Reese. “We’re still trying to figure out how we can put together some standards so other schools know how to do this.”

(Story by Cole Short, Hillsboro Banner)

Chief deputy resigns; new deputy hired

The Divide County Sheriff’s Department is bringing in the new year with a new lineup.

On Dec. 28, Sgt. Mike Dehn officially assumed the chief deputy position after Shawn Holm, who recently ran for Divide County Sheriff but lost, submitted his resignation.

“That was a terrible day when Shawn quit,” said Divide County Sheriff Zach Schroeder. “That was tough for me, because I did not have any issues with him.”

However, in his resignation letter, Holm tells of a more contentious relationship. Specifically, he mentions being “rushed” by Schroeder to complete investigations.

At the Divide County Commission meeting in January, commissioners didn’t discuss the reason for Holm’s resignation, but did thank him for his service and offered to provide him a reference, if needed.

“I’m sorry to hear that you will be leaving,” Commissioner Rodney Johnson said. “You will be missed. You were a very good asset.”

“I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work here,” said Holm.

(Story by Brad Nygaard, The Journal)

Emmons County considering setbacks for pipeline, seeking public input

County Commissioners in Emmons County are trying to rally the community to attend a meeting about the Summit Carbon Solutions Pipeline.

The meeting is set for 6 p.m. on Jan. 25, and discussion would specifically be centered around amending a setback or ordinance that will drive decisions about the pipeline.

The Summit Carbon Solutions Pipeline would capture carbon dioxide from the great plains area and channel it into North Dakota to be stored underground in a $4.5 billion project slated to begin in 2023.

As part of the project, a 4-to-24-inch pipeline will be buried underground and is currently being planned to run through 37 miles in Emmons County.

The proposed amendment would require the pipeline right-of-way not pass within 2,640 feet of an inhabited residence, within 200 feet of any building or surface water body, or within 100 feet of a highway right-of-way or section line unless perpendicular to said right-of-way or line.

The commissioners unanimously passed a first reading of the proposed amendment on Jan. 3, with the understanding that they’d hear from the public before a second reading is considered.

“We will go off (what the public thinks) is best for the setback,” Margum said, who also stressed the importance of public comment.

“It might be 50 years before something happens - we could be dead and gone - but I want it to be a thought-out process now,” he said.

(Story by Kelli Ameling, Emmons County Record)

Community comes to aid of couple after husband loses everything to fire

“He just kept saying, ‘it’s gone, it’s gone, it’s gone.’ I said, ‘what’s gone?’ He said, ‘the camper - it’s on fire, it’s burned and everything in there is burned.’”

That’s what April Davis recalled from a phone call with her husband from Watford City on Dec. 22.

As he rested and fell asleep in his recliner that evening, Tommy Davis was awoken by a large “KA-BOOM” from underneath the bed he generally sleeps in, according to his wife.

“His voice became so petrified,” she added. “He was trying to move the semi-truck that moves the camper and it wouldn’t start. He was just beside himself.”

Despite his best efforts, Tommy Davis was forced to watch as his camper and all of his belongings went up in flames. Even the fire department could do nothing to stop the sudden inferno.

“When he sent me the picture of his camper, I immediately got on the community’s social media page,” said April.

“I knew that the community was awesome anyway. So I felt like somebody could at least give him a coat, or something to keep him warm,” she added.

But what followed was an outpouring of support the likes of which April and Tommy had never before experienced. The morning after the fire, community members brought Tommy new clothes and food galore, offered places to stay and so much more.

Even the owner of Tobacco Garden Resort & Marina donated a $500 gift card for Tommy to use at the Jack & Jill Grocery Store.

“It makes me want to cry,” April choked. “Because there’s so many wonderful people in the world, you know, that are willing to do what the community did.”

“I’ve never experienced anything like this before, it’s different,” said Tommy. “I’m just so grateful.”

It’s suspected that the fire began with the battery box of the camper, before spreading to the propane tanks - leading to the massive “Ka-Boom” that so quickly got Tommy’s attention.

(Story by Ashleigh Plemper, McKenzie County Farmer)