The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Sorted by date Results 176 - 200 of 282
The pages of the Independent from July to December, 2022, had its positives with a new football/track stadium, a planned Rainbow Gardens tourist attraction and community garden, but there were some tragedies as well, including a murder investigation, quadruple murder/suicide with ties to Carrington, and a blizzard that shut down the entire state. Here is what was in the news from July through December: JULY • The community learned that Carrington Police Chief Brandon Sola was killed while r...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. Washburn couple hosted stranded travelers Steve and Peggy Wollmuth don’t operate a bed and breakfast. Until the recent snowstorm, that is. In an uplifting story of “North Dakota nice,” the Wollmuth’s took in weary travelers from Montana after they found themselves stuck on County Highway 17. “They l...
The pages of the Independent from January to June, 2022, showed the area getting back to normal with events running on schedule, but COVID-19 still hung around taking a few more with it as it started to reside. With mostly happy stories gracing the pages of the Independent in the first six months of 2022, we are left to see what the last half of the year brought to the area. Here are a few of the stories that graced the pages of the Independent last year: January • Chet Pollert, long time D...
New Year business consumed the Foster County Commission at their last meeting. During the meeting held on Tuesday, January 3, Commissioner Becky Hagel reported that they held interviews for two candidates for the emergency management position. She said that neither candidate has grant-writing experience and both candidates live out of county and would be working mostly offsite. She said they need to discuss a contract with Nexus for the grant writing part of the EM position. • The board discusse...
By looking at the building permits tallied during 2022, it seems the Central City showed a decrease in building. Shingles were the top repair on homes and businesses during the year with 20 permits. The top project in 2022, was a building at Dakota Growers Pasta Plant for a cost of $2,100,000. Building permits for two new homes were issued for a cost of $326,000 and $375,000. The school jumped in the building game with a new Stadium for a cost of $450,000. Other large projects in the city...
A special meeting was called by the Foster County Commission to handle year-end business and discuss declaring an emergency. During the meeting held on Thursday, December 29, year-end bills were approved for payment along with a lost check affidavit, a joint powers agreement for South Central Dakota Regional Council and the liquor license for Cork and Barrel HiWay Off Sale. In other business: • The board discussed issuing an emergency declaration due to the amount of snow the county has seen o...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. Family heirloom found in Salvation Army kettle The Salvation Army Northern Division reported recently they received a rare gift in one of their North Dakota red kettles - a wedding ring from the family of a woman who passed away over 50 years ago. The ring was accompanied by a note which read: “My m...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. Washburn teacher charged with four felonies A Washburn High School educator, formerly named North Dakota’s teacher of the year in 2016, has been arrested for reportedly having a sexual relationship with one of his students. Joshua Eddy, 32, was arrested December 7, after Washburn school administrators r...
Pat Copenhaver governed his last meeting as president of the Foster County Commission during the final regular meeting of the year. During the meeting held on Tuesday, December 20, the board discussed the county fee schedule again, but this time, they agreed to charge a fee for assessing the small cities and townships. The reason for the fee is because Foster County Tax Equalization Director Karen Evans has to oversee the assessors of the small cities and townships. Commissioner Becky Hagel said...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. North Dakota settles Google tracking lawsuit Along with 39 other Attorneys General, North Dakota has reached a $391.5 million multistate settlement with Google over its location tracking practices related to Google Account settings. North Dakota Attorney Drew Wrigley noted that this is the largest multista...
Commissioner Alan Scanson was voted in as president of the commission at the Foster County Commission meeting last week, with David Utke as vice-president, following the same schedule as they have over the past few years. During the meeting held on Thursday, December 8, end-of-year items were discussed and decided upon, including boards and committees as well as the meeting schedule for 2023. On the agenda again was the emergency manager duties. Commissioner Becky Hagel suggested they split the...
The Carrington City Council did some housekeeping and year-end business at their meeting last week. During the meeting, the board approved licenses including house moving, gas fitters, plumbing, beer and liquor, trailer coach park and tree contractor licenses. They also approved the contract for grant writing from Daniel Schwartz of Nexus with a few changes. In other business: • Motions were approved for a progressive estimate for Bohlman Trenching as well as the city fee schedule, an update t...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. Garcia pleads guilty in crude oil theft A change of plea and sentencing hearing was held on Thursday, December 1, for Michael Jason Garcia. As part of a plea deal, Garcia pled guilty to count one of conspiracy to commit theft-take exceeds $50,000 and count two of leading a criminal association-organization...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. Saddle craftsman from Keene Dave Dahl, born and raised in Keene, N.D., has been inducted into the Casey Tibbs Foundation/South Dakota Rodeo Center Wall of Fame. This adds to his long list of achievements, which include induction into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Dahl is a world-famous saddle...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. Mountain lion tagged near Hamberg “It was definitely a surprise,” explained John Bollingberg about a recent mountain lion experience he had near his home southeast of Hamberg. “I’ve lived here most of my life and spent a lot of time outdoors, but I’ve never actually seen a mountain lion around here. I’v...
Blading costs will increase for townships. That was one decision the Foster County Commission made at their meeting last week. During the meeting held on Tuesday, November 15, commissioner Alan Scanson said it is his belief that they cannot continue to offer blading to townships for only $75 per hour. Commissioner Becky Hagel said it has been set at $75 for many, many years. Commission Chairman Pat Copenhaver suggested they increase the cost of blading to $100 per hour. Commissioner David Utke...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. McKenzie school district test scores increasing New nationwide test results show the students of McKenzie County School District No. 1 (MCSD) have contradicted the national trend of declining literacy levels and instead have been gaining ground toward literacy proficiency. This remarkable achievement is...
There are grants from FEMA that are available if a city meets the right criteria. This is one of the things the Carrington City Council learned at their meeting last week. During the meeting held on Monday, November 14, Daniel Schwartz of Nexus attended the meeting via telephone to discuss how he can help the city obtain some of these grants. Schwartz is based out of Bismarck. His company contracts with cities to help them get grants for emergency management projects. He updated the Foster...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. Attempted murder suspect found dead After a recent rough road with law enforcement, the body of attempted murder suspect, Leonard Higdon was found in Williams County on Friday, October 28. That day at approximately 2:40 p.m., Williams County Deputies responded to an area north of Williston in reference to...
Residents living along a three-quarter mile stretch of 66th Avenue N.E. in Foster County let their feelings be known to the Foster County Commission at their meeting held on Tuesday, November 1, about the extreme amount of dust they are encountering that is encroaching on their property as well as their daily routines. That's not all they did, as several more signed a letter to the commission stating their feelings, asking for a reduction in speed along that stretch, from 55 miles per hour down...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. Death of man at motel remains a mystery Despite having nearly a week, local officials still aren’t releasing additional information regarding the discovery of a 36-year-old man at the Bilmar Motel. News of the discovered body was first released on October 30 by the Rolette County Sheriff’s office. The off...
Concerns from residents dealing with dust issues occupied a large part of the Foster County Commission meeting last week. During the meeting held on Tuesday, November 1, Shaunette Koenig, Jim Sherman and Clinton Sherman attended the meeting to discuss their concerns about the large amount of dust floating around on 66th Avenue between Barlow and Highway 52/200 due to semi trucks on the road. Clinton Sherman said due to the dry conditions, he has never seen so much dust. He said his children...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. North Dakota is 133 years young North Dakota’s 133rd anniversary of statehood is Wednesday, November 2, 2022. At 3:40 p.m., ET on November 2, 1889, President Harrison signed the Proclamation of Admission for North Dakota and South Dakota. The President shuffled the paperwork and signed the documents b...
The midterm general election is just days away. Since it is not a presidential election year, the focus will be on other offices both state-wide and local. Foster County interim auditor Ellen Roundy reported that as of press time, her office has had 590 ballots requested and has seen 369 returned so far. The only contested local race this year is the Judge of District Court No. 2. Foster County native son Paul Murphy is running against Nick Thornton for the judgeship. County offices up for...
The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories. Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state. Man charged with terrorizing children Robert John Guderjahn, 51, of Hoople has been charged with a Class C felony for allegedly terrorizing children. It is alleged that on October 12 in Hoople, a juvenile observed Guderjahn standing in his garage with the overhead door open. He had a shotgun pointed at...
