2023: The year in review - Part 1 of 2

The pages of the Independent from January to June, 2023, held some unsettling news in the first quarter, between three being charged with murder, and workforce shortages, but the second quarter was a saving grace in the area as residents had a lot to smile about, especially on the court and on the field.

Here are a few of the stories that donned the pages of the Independent last year:

January

• Carrington day care provider Patricia Wick was ordered to cease operations after a 5-month-old in her care was found unresponsive and not breathing at her home.

• The City of Carrington proposed a one-percent city restaurant tax which would be used for tourism or the construction, operations and maintenance of visitor attractions.

• The trial for Shannon Brandt, who was accused of murdering 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson in September of 2022, was set for December 29, 2023.

• Workforce shortages in the area and the state continued despite the U.S. Census showing a population increase. CCEDC director Laurie Dietz said the 20 businesses in the area advertising for help is the highest she has ever seen.

• Carrington’s Arlie Brandvold was named Roughrider Poker Tour (RPT) 2022 Player of the Year as he earned just under $39,000 playing the game.

• The Carrington Cardinaires took a triple-crown once again in the High Kick, Jazz and Pom at the North Dakota Association of Dance and Drill State Dance Team Championship.

• Foster County Public Health Nurse Lisa Hilbert tendered her resignation without citing any reason.

February

• Former Carrington day care provider Patrica Wick was charged with murder following the tragic death of five-month old Reed Nelson who was in her care when he stopped breathing.

• An updated draft proposal for a three-class basketball system in the state was released by the North Dakota High School Activities Association for school administration and athletic directors’ consumption and review.

That would put Carrington Cardinals in Region 2 with Devils Lake, Four Winds/Minnewaukan, Grafton, Hillsboro/Central Valley and Thompson.

• Leading Edge Equipment earned two national awards for 2022 consisting of the John Deere Leaders Club Award and the Aftermarket Performance Leaders Award, ranking in the top 35 dealers in the country.

•Trace Hoggarth took the East-West 120 pound wrestling title.

Hoggarth was one of three placers for the Cardinals who placed 12th as a team with 64 team points.

• Trisa Schroeder took the 145-pound championship in the Belle of the Brawl wrestling tournament in Casselton with the girl Cardinals finishing in 7th place.

• Foster County Public Health Nurse Lisa Hilbert agreed to stay in her position after the commission agreed to offer an incoming nurse the wages they require.

The Commission approved a request to create a Public Health District and nix the Public Health Department of Foster County.

• Eight Cardinals qualified to advance to State B Wrestling in Fargo; Skye Kramlich, Trace Hoggarth, Corbin Clifton and Kael Kovar.

All four were crowned region champion in the Hillsboro tournament.

• Trace Hoggarth finished off a stellar wrestling career with the 2023 Class B Boys State Individual Wrestling Championship.

• Troyal Thumb was shot and killed at Rindy’s Bar in Sheyenne. Nicholas Poitra was the man accused of the incident.

• Cardinal girls wrestlers placed 6th at the North Dakota State Dual Tournament with four girls placing in the top 10 including Kennedy Wendel, Trisa Schroeder, Mercedes Lura and Khendra Garcia.

March

• A new indoor play area was added to the Carrington Youth Center and it is paying off in big ways.

All of the expenses were covered by grants, donations and fundraising.

• Al Trader decided to call it quits after 42 years with the sales department at Leading Edge Equipment.

• The Foster County 4-H Senior Livestock Judging Team was named state champion at the 2023 North Dakota State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest.

• Jozey Retzlaff was named Junior Miss North Dakota Winter Show Rodeo Queen.

• Three Carrington High School archers moved on to the state tournament; Brekka Kuss, Braden Kruse and Gavyn Anderson.

April

• The community fundraising committee received enough money to install a new playground including a zip-line and a bathroom.

• Logan Weninger took the boys’ 200 and 400 dashes and also ran on the winning 4x400 relay team at the State Class B Indoor Track Meet.

Also, Madison Johnson was a double winner in the girls 800 and 1,600.

• Carrington resident Mike Seaburg had his store in Devils Lake burglarized. A rifle, shotgun, various handguns and Glock handgun cases were stolen.

Shoe prints in the snow led officers to the suspect.

• Twenty-three students from CHS Advance to FBLA National Leadership Conference.

• The annual Easter Egg Hunt in Carrington took place at the Armory due to inclement weather with just short of 9,000 eggs being hunted.

May

• Plans continue for the proposed Carrington Rainbow Gardens and Visitors Center with a projected start date of 2024.

• Shannon Brandt, had his murder charge reduced to manslaughter and later pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Caylor Ellingson.

• Tim Ranum, English teacher and coach at CHS, decided to step down from coaching and accepted a position as an English teacher at Jamestown High School.

• The new weight room at CHS opened for use. The school board agreed to allocate $30,840 available in the 2022-23 budget for additional upgrades to the weight room.

• A motion for the restaurant tax proposed by the City of Carrington failed for lack of a second.

• The new fastpitch softball field made its debut at City Park.

• The Carrington FFA Chapter placed first at the 2023 North Dakota State FFA Horse Judging Career Development Event.

June

• The Hefty Seed warehouse in Hurdsfield burned to the ground.

• CHS technology teacher Wayne Shipman decided to retire after 22 years. He also taught in Fessenden and Sykeston.

• Dr. Ben Garr, local dentist and business owner, earned a seat on the Carrington School Board via 78 percent of the total votes as a write-in candidate.

• The new Foster County Health District became effective on July 1.

• Post 25 left-hander Lucas Hendrickson pitched a no-hitter in the first game of the American Legion Baseball season, allowing just two baserunners and striking out nine New Rockford batters.

Look for Part II of 2023: Year in Review in the January 29 edition of the Foster County Independent.