701 Rundown: August 28, 2023

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

Jager prosecution suspended pending mental treatment

Andrew Jager was first arrested on Friday, April 21 in Carrington after multiple calls were received about a man carrying a gun case and yelling at passersby, just two blocks from the Carrington Public School.

After Carrington Police Chief Christopher Bittmann struggled to place him under arrest, Jager was charged with disorderly conduct, preventing arrest, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon and three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

After posting bond, a status conference was held on July 11 at the Foster County Courthouse, but Jager did not show up, leading to a bench warrant being issued for his arrest.

And now, his prosecution has been suspended while he receives treatment at the North Dakota State Hospital.

According to court documents, Jager underwent an evaluation at the state hospital to determine his fitness to continue with criminal prosecution, and a report from Dr. Shannon Alexander details her findings.

“That report concluded that the Defendant was not mentally fit to proceed, but that Dr. Alexander believed the Defendant could be restored to competency,” say court documents.During a restoration status conference on August 9, court documents say Jager did not contest the finding that he was unfit to proceed.

Therefore, District Court Judge James Hovey has ordered that the prosecution of Jager’s case “is hereby suspended pending efforts at the North Dakota State Hospital to restore competency to the Defendant …”

Jager is considered innocent unless proven guilty.

(Story by Nathan Price, The Foster County Independent)

Local vandalism damages property and breaks records

Watford City had an unprecedented number of vandalism cases in the first weekend of August, as business owners returned to work the following Monday to find their businesses “tagged” by spray paint.

Watford City Police Chief Jesse Wellen said, “We have had approximately 21 cases of vandalism reported; 18 of these reports are similar in nature.”

That weekend, between Aug. 4-8, there were nearly as many police reports filed as happened annually the last two years. In 2022 there were a total of 29 police reports of vandalism filed, and in 2021 there were only 23.

Much of the vandalism looked similar in both content and color, and it is therefore assumed that most of the vandalism was done by the set of individuals.

“Currently we are investigating the cases as thoroughly as possible, we are following up with any leads received, and we have been collecting any potential evidentiary items,” said Wellen.

If the perpetrators are juveniles, Wellen said their case would be handled in the juvenile court, and could result in consequences with school, sports, etc.

He added, “Currently criminal charges that could be proceeded with for an adult would be: Burglary; Criminal Trespassing; and Criminal Mischief – there are multiple counts for each offense as high as a C Felony level at this point.”

(Story by Kristen Jones, McKenzie County Farmer)

Crosby family shocked by Maui tragedy

The devastation wrought by wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui is being felt in Divide County, with a Hawaiian family that still has family back in Hawaii.

“We have a lot of friends and family there,” said Jonathan Kauhako, owner of Crosby’s Hindsite creations.

“My heart hurts,” said Marie Kauhako, wiping away a tear. “Like the song says, it’s not something you get over, it’s something you get through.”

“It’s so hard because we’re so far away,” she continued. “Bear with me. It’s like talking about an obituary.”

By Aug. 11, fires on Maui’s northwest side had already destroyed more than 1,000 structures and left hundreds of residents without a home.

Damage is especially bad in the historic town of Lahaina. Hawaiian Governor Josh Green told the Associated Press, “Lahaina, with a few rare exceptions, has been burned down.”

“My cousin Crystal, she works in the Lahaina, but now she doesn’t have a job because her employment is gone,” said Jonathan.

As of Monday, Aug. 14, other family members were still unaccounted for, who Marie said were trying to reach another island by boat on Thursday, Aug. 10.

“We’re praying that they’re on another island,” she said.

(Story by Brad Nygaard, the Journal)

Local man’s son survives fall from

cliff at Grand Canyon

A dream vacation between mother and son turned into a nightmare when 14-year-old Wyatt Kaufman slipped off a cliff at the Grand Canyon and fell an estimated 70 to 100 feet.

Wyatt is a student at Horace Middle School, and the son of Casselton businessman Brian Kaufman of Kaufman Construction. His mom is Carol Kennedy of West Fargo.

Wyatt fell from Bright Angel Point Trail on Tuesday, August 8. The incident left him with a collapsed lung, nine fractured vertebrae, a ruptured spleen, a concussion and fractures in his hand and finger.

Wyatt was squatting down and hanging onto a rock when he moved out of the way to allow other tourists a better view of the canyon, when he lost his grip and fell backwards.

A significant rescue effort began immediately, and Wyatt was life-flighted to a hospital in Las Vegas. Miraculously, he survived and is expected to make a full recovery.

“When I got to Vegas and saw him for the first time in the hospital, he was laying in bed, smiling. That was a relief to see,” said Wyatt’s father, Brian Kaufman.

Kaufman added that Wyatt was doing just fine as of Monday, Aug. 14.

“By fine I mean he is able to walk and is in a car driving home with his mom,” he said.

Wyatt was on his way back to North Dakota six days after the incident, and his future will no doubt include plenty of follow-up appointments to keep track of his recovery process.

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)