701 Rundown: September 18, 2023

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

Fire ravages B-52 Roadhouse & Lanes

At 12:23 a.m., Monday, Sept. 4, the Harvey Fire Department was called to respond to heavy smoke coming from the roof of the B-52 Roadhouse and Lanes.

According to commander Daniel Deck, when members of the fire department made entry, they were met with heavy smoke and forced to withdraw and re-asses, ultimately switching to a defensive attack, to focus on protecting surrounding property.

Firefighters battled the blaze day and night, with many not getting home until 7 p.m., well over 16 hours after the Harvey Fire Department was first called.

“We have very dedicated membership,” said Daniel Deck, incident commander. “The commitment our firefighters show to their community is something that Harvey should take pride in.”

News of the fire spread across the community shortly after sunrise Monday and the state house later as TV and radio stations began carrying the late-breaking news.

Newspapers from Waco, Texas, to Livingston, Montana carried the Associated Press (AP) news report.

No community was hit harder than Harvey, however, which has now lost three eating establishments in a matter of months. The Mexican restaurant and Hornbacher’s closed, and now another has been lost to fire.

B-52 Roadhouse and Lanes is owned by Chris Kara of Harvey.

Kara posted on Facebook Sunday that “words cannot express how we feel right now. Eight years of hard work gone in a few hours.”

(Story by Anne Ehni and Neil O. Nelson, the Herald-Press)

Pipeline leak near Alamo spills produced water

State officials are overseeing remediation and cleanup of a produced water leak that saw more than 400,000 gallons (10,000 barrels) impact a field and wetland in northern Williams County.

The leak occurred in the Fat Andy Pipeline in Athens Township,southwest of Alamo, and was first reported on Aug. 28 by Henry Hill Oil Services, LLC of Williston.

The company’s incident report filed with state officials states that produced water from the pipeline first appeared in a right-of-way, and commingled with stormwater in a nearby pond.

The pipeline has been isolated and the cleanup is underway. The cause of the spill is under investigation.

(Story from the Journal)

Traffic stop results in stolen vehicle recovery

A traffic stop on Cass County 20 over the holiday weekend resulted in the recovery of a stolen vehicle.

On August 29 at approximately 4 p.m., a North Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper stopped a Toyota Camry on Cass County 20 for a speed violation.

The displayed license plates did not match the Toyota, driven by 60-year-old Jeffrey Schmitt of Fargo. After running the VIN, the vehicle was identified as stolen.

A 24-year-old passenger, Wyatt Aurents, of Becker, Minn., was identified as having multiple "must appear" warrants out of Clay County.

Misdemeanor charges for unlawful use of a motor vehicle, false information to law enforcement, 2nd degree burglary and others were all issued.

The Toyota was recovered, and the owner that reported the vehicle stolen was notified of the recovery.

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)

Kleinsasser on ballots for College Football

Hall of Fame

When the quip comes out, “He just made a lot of money,” credited to then-NDSU Coach Bob Babich in response to a play made in a rivalry game, you know greatness may just be coming your way.

But Carrington’s own Jim Kleinsasser put together a body of work in the college ranks that was more than just one grainy sprint-and-score that made the rounds in the early Internet days.

Before he put on the pads for the Minnesota Vikings for 13 years, Jimmy, as he is affectionately called around these parts, plied his trade as a member of the UND Fighting Sioux from 1995 to 1998.

It was that time of his football career that has earned the former 6-foot-3-inch, 272-pound tight end/H-back, and son of Carter and Kathy Kleinsasser of rural Carrington, his most recent achievements.

On Monday, September 4, the Senior Bowl selection committee, based out of Mobile, Ala., named Kleinsasser as one of 175 honorees for the 75th Anniversary Team. Membership on the team is limited to players who suited up for NFL teams between the years of 1998 to 2023 inclusive.

This comes on the heels of another big announcement in June, that Jimmy was among the potential inductees on the ballot for the 2024 National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Hall of Fame class.

Fans can vote online for the 75th Anniversary Senior Bowl Team at www. SeniorBowl.com.

(Story by Erik Gjovik, The Foster County Independent)

College board suspends policy related to grievances

The Turtle Mountain Community College’s Board of Directors voted 3-2 last week to suspend a grievance policy in regard to its president.

The suspension of the policy will remain until the board approves amendments to what’s currently in place.

LaFountain said TMCC President Donna Brown was the subject of three grievances in the last two months, none of which found her in violation of any school policies.

He said the current system is costing the college time and money, pointing out the change is needed to best serve the staff, students and board.

On the opposite end, board member Gaillord Peltier disagreed with the decision.

“There’s nothing wrong with this policy, it’s all there in black and white,” Gaillord said.

He admitted the situation with Brown was unique, but it afforded employees a blueprint to follow and that won’t be the case if the policy is suspended.

“The policy gives them due process,” Gaillord said. “Suspending that is absurd.”

(Story by Jason Nordmark, Turtle Mountain Star)