Around the State: April 10, 2023

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.

Swine carcasses create coyote issue

Saying “they want to make it right,” Harold “Bill” Kean, one of the owners of the swine breeding facility in Mendor Township, spent a portion of the past week dealing with a pit of dead pigs disposed of improperly.

The carcasses were laid in an open pit rather than being deposited in a building for composting.

“The crew didn’t do the job right,” Kean told The Journal.

As a result, the carcasses attracted a large number of coyotes. Enough so nearby residents alerted township officers, a county commissioner and Land Use Officer Jody Gunlock.

“Basically, it’s a public nuisance,” Gunlock said.

Gunlock made a call to the State Veterinarian, Dr. Ethan Andress, who Gunlock said, alerted the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Those calls resulted in the state taking over.

Kean was told to bury the carcasses.

(Story by Brad Nygaard, the Journal, Crosby)

Shark Tank investor lauds N.D. opportunities

Kevin O’Leary, entrepreneur and media personality, known widely for his role on the TV series “Shark Tank,” predicts that North Dakota will soon lead the country in a key category of economic growth.

O’Leary has announced that his company, O’Leary Ventures, will be investing in multiple initiatives within the state, and sees opportunity in digital currency, agriculture, and tech startups. The state of North Dakota is, in turn, investing in O’Leary, entrusting $45 million in public money for him to lure businesses to the state.

Since 1954 when they started keeping stats on venture capital, 95 percent of it went to two states, Massachusetts and California,” said O’Leary. “I wouldn’t put a dime into either one of those states today for two reasons; taxes are uncompetitive, and the regulatory environment is unstable."

O’Leary invested in a North Dakota based company eight years ago and calls it one of the most successful ventures in Shark Tank history.

(Story by Steve Hallstrom, the McKenzie County Farmer)

Woman fatally shot in Watford City residence

The Watford City Police Department has confirmed that one person is dead and another injured following a shooting in Watford City.

According to an official statement recently provided by the Watford City Police Department (WCPD) the Watford City Police Department was dispatched at approximately 11:42 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, to an apartment located in the 700 block of Main Street North for the report of two individuals who had sustained gunshot wounds.

Law enforcement arrived on scene and rendered medical aid. The patients were transported to the McKenzie County Hospital. One male patient had minor injuries while a female patient was transported to another facility where she died from her injuries.

A source told the McKenzie County Farmer that the female victim is identified as Briane Anderson of Dickinson, N.D.

The WCPD stated that this matter is under investigation and is believed to be an isolated incident related directly to those involved.

(Story by Patrice Bumstead, the McKenzie County Farmer)

Deep snow drives coyotes into town, farms

Police Chief Tim Jordan was not surprised to hear that a coyote was spotted within the city limits of Lisbon.

“We are a town straddling a river,” said Chief Jordan. “Wildlife wanders in and out of town all the time. Deer, skunks, raccoon, coyote, we have seen them all.”

“There are getting to be too many coyotes,” said Gary Bernhardt, rancher south of Milnor. “With calving and foaling season upon us, if you lose one colt with a top pedigree, there is a loss of $10,000. Even farm cats are disappearing.”

Bernhardt stated that he feeds his herd of horses at 4 a.m. wearing a head lamp.

“You see eyes in the distance watching you,” said Bernhardt. “I have started carrying a gun for my own protection.”

Coyotes can drag off farm animals, but they could also drag off an unsuspecting child, according to Bernhardt. He feels the coyote population is getting more dangerous, especially thinking of children and grandchildren.

(Story by Jeanne Sexton-Brown, the Ransom County Gazette)

New legislation would allow tribe to tax alcohol

The Turtle Mountain Tribal Government is considering an effort that could possibly bring an alcohol tax to tribal lands.

Chairman Jamie Azure said Turtle Mountain did not advocate for the state legislation, but did back the concept, which was originally proposed by the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation.

Senate Bill 2377 will provide an opportunity for tribal nations in the state to enter into a revenue share agreement with the state tied to alcohol tax collections for each respective reservation. The bill passed by unanimous votes in both the Senate and House and Gov. Doug Burgum’s signature made it official.

Reservations that implement the tax will share revenue through an 80/20 ratio, allowing the tribes to keep 80 percent of the collected tax with the remaining 20 percent going to the state’s general fund.

The bill provides uniform taxation on the sales of alcoholic beverages at the wholesale and retail level within the exterior boundaries of the reservations in the state.

(Story by Jason Nordmark, the Turtle Mountain Star)

Tribal employee chosen for honor

For the last decade, Kenneth Davis pursued several different opportunities with one primary goal in mind.

“Every position I’ve held always aligned with the betterment of tribal communities,” Davis said. I’ve worked with North Dakota tribes my entire career. It’s my goal to take the skills I’ve learned in previous positions and help provide the resources and knowledge to all tribal members.”

Across the years, Davis’s good-will toward others was noticed by Rep. Jayme Davis, who nominated him for the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s “40 under 40” honor.

The award was created to acknowledge Native American citizens who demonstrate leadership, initiative and dedication to achieve significant contributions to Native American Communities.

(Story by Jason Nordmark, the Turtle Mountain Star)