Around the State: May 6, 2024

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.

Referendum fails

The controversial bond referendum for an addition to the Harvey School was soundly defeated recently, ending a nine-month campaign by supporters for a new school who were met by an equally steadfast crowd not wanting to spend $23.5 million on classrooms for the school's elementary students.

Needing 60 percent for the referendum vote to pass, the plan for a new school addition that would have put all students, K-12, under one roof was crushed - 703 no to 473 yes, with the "yes" vote receiving just 40 percent of ballots cast at Harvey City Hall.

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

Watford City man in custody after investigation

On Thursday, April 18, Hugo Hernandez, 32, of Watford City, was taken into custody in Gillette, Wyoming. His arrest comes following a warrant filed with the Northwest Judicial District on Monday, April 15, for charges of Negligent Homicide, a Class C Felony, and a Class B Misdemeanor for Discharge of a Firearm within city limits.

Sources tell the Farmer that Hernandez's arrest comes after an investigation of the 2023 shooting death of Brianne Anderson.

Anderson died on March 23, 2023, after sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen on the evening of March 22, 2023, at a Watford City residence.

Anderson was 32 years old at the time of her death. She left behind three small children.

(Story by Patrice Bumstead, the McKenzie County Farmer)

Vintage steam train to pass through Kenmare

The Empress 2816, a steam locomotive hand-built in 1930 will pass through Kenmare on Monday, April 29.

It was recently restored to mark the one-year anniversary of the merger that became the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway.

The Empress 2816 began an 11-stop tour on April 24, in Calgary, Alberta, that will end in Mexico City, Mexico on June 4.

The first stop in the United States will be Minot on Tuesday, April 30. On Monday, April 29, the day before the stop in Minot, the Steam Tour passed through Bowbells, Kenmare, Donnybrook, Carpio, and Foxholm.

The CPKC is the first, and it is the only single-line transnational railway, linking Canada, the United States and Mexico. Its rail lines stretch for approximately 20,000 route miles, employing 20,000 rail workers.

(Story by Terry Froseth, the Kenmare News)

Minot zoo awaits new space

The Minot Park District and the Roosevelt Park Zoo are preparing for their next big project: the African Plains Building.

A large, climate-controlled space for the giraffes and zoo guests to enjoy during winter months has been a dream for more than 20 years, and with support from the community and with construction bids approved, it will soon become a reality, said Jeff Bullock, zoo director.

In preparation for a flood mitigation project and the construction of the African Plains building, Bullock said the zoo is temporarily relocating the zebras, bongo and cranes and removing a handful of trees in the old bongo exhibit to create a path for the construction vehicles.

Viewing areas for giraffes, zebras and lions will also be limited due to the expanse of the construction area.

(Story taken from the Journal, Crosby)

State Park vying for Guinness record

Summer activities are just around the corner. But are you ready for s'more fun this summer?

Fort Stevenson State Park and the North Dakota Park Service have just the answer.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fort Stevenson State Park, one of the many events planned is a s'mores Guinness World Record attempt, planned for Saturday, May 18.

"We are really excited about this," Chad Trautman,

Fort Stevenson State Park manager told Garrison Chamber of Commerce members. "There is a lot of buzz about this."

The goal is to attempt to break the record for people making the treat simultaneously. One thousand or more participants are needed to break the record. The event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. at the state park.

Area residents are urged to be part of the record-breaking attempt, Trautman said.

Guinness officials are passing along stringent guidelines needed to reach the goal. Those guidelines will be laid out the day of the event.

Trautman said the park is securing supplies for 1,200 s'mores.

Park officials are also working on logistics to accommodate the anticipated large crowd.

More information is available on the state park's event page or N.D. Parks and Recreation website.

(Story by Stu Merry, the McLean County Independent)

Wild Things Taxidermy on Main Street, Sheyenne

It's no secret that our small communities are getting smaller. It's also no secret that North Dakota wants to retain their youth once they've completed their education.

There are some small communities working hard to attract new businesses and bring new families in.

Sheyenne, North Dakota is one of them, but stay tuned. In fact, take a look at what's already in place!

One of the gems on Sheyenne's Main Street is Wild Things Taxidermy run by the Kolstad family, who all happen to be Sheyenne High School alums.

Greg Kolstad, owner and operator, began taxidermy work out on the farm in 1992, and it would be a decade before he moved into the former grocery store building to set up shop in 2002 on U.S. 281 in Sheyenne.

It is now a "Dad and Daughter" business with daughter Brittany Donaldson - Sheyenne class of 2006 - joining him in the fall of 2022.

An accomplished hunter and trapper, Greg also hosts hunters from all over the country and provides guide service for them.

Some of the states these folks have come from include Colorado, New Jersey, Minnesota, Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Louisiana.

While competition isn't an attraction anymore these days for Greg, he's won his share and more of first place ribbons in the professional division for birds, deer heads and mammals over the years.

However, those aren't the only animals he has taxidermied. In addition to a large variety of other animals, he has created a realistic natural setting that serves as habitats in the front of his shop for bears, fish, mountain lions, moose, caribou, river otter, porcupine, weasel, wild turkey and more.

(Story taken from the New Rockford Transcript)