701 Rundown: Jan. 1, 2024

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

Anderson does hometown proud

Steer wrestler Bridger Anderson of Carrington always dreamed of bringing home a big shiny check from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

And, for 10 days worth of rounds, Anderson cashed in for a big payday of $120,939 at this year's NFR, held at the Thomas & Mack Center on December 7-16.

In the year-end standings, the 25-year-old local bulldogger and son of Glenn and Robin Anderson finished seventh worldwide, with season earnings of $206,540. That's seven spots up from where he was sitting going into the NFR.

"It was a great week, and we had a lot of fun," Anderson said in an interview with TwisTed Media. "It's awesome to have family here the whole time, and I'm very thankful for the time we got to spend together and live the dream."

After two no-times in his opening two rounds, he posted a 4.7 second run to finish fourth place in the third go round on December 10, and earn $12,877.

That taste of success was nothing compared to what Anderson had in store for the Vegas crowd for the following round.

A collegiate national champion in 2019 at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Okla., Anderson returned to the top with a winning time of 3.5 seconds in the fourth round, earning $30,706, a special go-round buckle from Montana Silversmiths, and a bottle of Pendleton whiskey at the South Point Casino and Resort later that evening.

It was a special moment for Anderson, as he bested fellow NOSU alumnus and mentor J.D. Struxness for the round victory.

"When I first got down there to Alva, I lived with J.D., practiced and rodeoed with him," he said. "It's cool to be able to compete against a lot of the Northwestern bulldoggers that went down there, too; they were the ones I used to get beat by."

(Story by Erik Gjovik, The Foster County Independent)

Crosby mayor steps down

Crosby mayor Troy Vassen resigned at the end of the city council meeting Dec, 4, citing plans to move to a residence outside of city limits.

“Just moving out of town, I guess; otherwise I’d stay,” Vassen said. “I don’t really want to leave.”

Vassen has served on the council for just shy of a decade, including as mayor since the summer of 2022.

In that election, Vassen had not planned to run for mayor but agreed to serve after a successful write-in campaign was organized by friends and acquaintances.

North Dakota law spells out two options for filling the vacancy; a special election or the appointment of a current or new council member.

The city is soliciting statements of interest from residents who would like to be considered for appointment to the open council seat.

(Story by Jody Michael, The Journal)

Investigation continues in March shooting death

Local law enforcement officials continue to wait on evidence processing to determine charging decisions against a suspect believed to be involved in the shooting death of 32-year-old Brianne Anderson.

Curiosity has been piqued after Anderson’s death certificate was released to the family stating that the cause of death was ruled “homicide by another person.”

McKenzie County State’s Attorney Ty Skarda, when asked if the ruling indicates anything of consequence in the investigation, said it did not.

“I think that points to that her cause of death was obviously unnatural as far as different crimes that can be charged. But there's an intent element that we need to find out.

“... I don’t think that can be made at this time. I don't know how a death certificate would determine that, but we are looking into every charging option.”

Anderson was shot at an apartment in Watford City just before midnight on Wednesday, March 22, and died the next morning at a Minot hospital.

The investigation, prosecutors say, hinges on findings that are expected to come back from two external facilities, the North Dakota State Crime Lab in Bismarck and the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia.

(Story by Steve Hallstrom, McKenzie County Farmer)

Buxa back as chairman; Wells elected position on the line

Stan Buxa will return as chairman of the Wells County Board of County Commissioners.

Buxa, District 3 commissioner representing the City of Harvey along with District 4 commissioner Dennis Dockter, will be starting his third consecutive year as chairman of the board.

Leon Klocke was returned as vice chairman.

Klocke, who represents District 2 on the commission, is in the process of moving out of the district and into Fessenden.

According to auditor Dan Stutlien, Klocke will remain on the board unless he must vacate the position because of his residency. Klocke’s term expires in 2026.

At the end of the morning session, and in what might prove to be debatable or even contentious action by the commission, board members Danny “Boone” Maxwell, Bryan Lautt, Dockter and Buxa discussed the real possibility of transitioning the office of the State's Attorney to an appointed position.

The State's Attorney in Wells County is currently an elected position.

Kathleen Murray is the Wells County State's Attorney and the commission’s legal counsel.

A petition, signed by 10 percent of the county’s population – or no less than 350 residents – would be necessary for the question to appear on the June 2024 ballot at the earliest.

The commission also intends to pursue making the Wells County Recorder an appointed position as well, according to Stutlien.

Carrie Krause is the Wells County Recorder.

(Story by Neil O. Nelson, The Herald-Press)