Around the State: July 22, 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.

Cramer hearing, trial moved to September

After a trial was set to begin this month in a homicide case, a request was granted to move the upcoming hearing and trial to September.

Ian Cramer, 43, of Bismarck, is now set to have his final disposition hearing at 9 a.m., September 12, via Zoom.com, with his trial tentatively set to begin at 9 a.m., September 24.

On April 17, Cramer, son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), pled “not guilty” to homicide while fleeing a peace officer, which resulted in the death of a local sheriff deputy. In addition, he also pled “not guilty” to: Fleeing a peace officer - vehicle - fleeing from felony; Preventing arrest - felony; Reckless endangerment - extreme indifference; Possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine; Possession of a controlled substance - cocaine; Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia; Driving under suspension; Possession of a controlled substance - marijuana - less than 1 ounce.

(Story by Kelli Ameling, the McLean County Independent)

Esmond man killed in accident at bowling alley

A freak accident at the bowling alley located in the Esmond Bar has claimed the life of a man who had been working to restore the alley.

According to a report by Valley News Live, the Benson County Sheriff said that Scott Willoughby, owner of the bar, was found deceased the morning of July 7, having been crushed by a pinsetter in the alley.

Family members had gone to the bar to investigate after Willoughby failed to return home. Willoughby was 59.

The Nelson Funeral Home of Maddock is in charge of the arrangements.

The Esmond Bar’s Facebook page indicated that the bar would remain closed until further notice. A subsequent post, however, said the bar and beer gardens would be open during the upcoming Summer in the City Party and Alumni Weekend.

(Story taken from the Benson County Farmers Press)

Kid Scoop News awarded $50,000 challenge grant

A popular literacy program that got its start in Crosby may expand across the state thanks to a challenge grant from the John and Elaine Andrist Charitable Trust.

Kid Scoop News, a children’s newspaper distributed in western North Dakota since 2022, has been awarded $50,000 toward its third year of service, along with a second $50,000 award as a challenge to the eastern part of the state.

“I proposed the challenge aspect because we needed a jump start to spur giving to take this program statewide,” said Cecile Wehrman, project leader.

Kid Scoop News must raise $50,000 from eastern North Dakota donors or that funding will be lost.

Wehrman launched the program as publisher of The Journal, and since that time, more than 500,000 copies of Kid Scoop News have been delivered to K-6 students from Crosby to Bismarck, with more than 120 schools served every month.

The program now operates under the auspices of the North Dakota newspaper Association and the NDNA Education Foundation, which is a 501(C)(3) charitable organization.

In addition to the Andrist trust and the NDNA foundation, the project has been supported in the west by donations from co-ops like NCC and AgCountry Farm Credit Services and insurance and financial services companies such as Farmers Union Insurance and Legacy Financial Partners, along with individuals and awards from several veterans groups and charitable gaming operations.

“We hope to replicate that same base of support in the east,” Wehrman said.

The aim is to help improve reading proficiency.

Each 24-page issue of Kid Scoop News is filled with stories, games, puzzles and activities to engage children and make reading fun.

(Story taken from the Journal, Crosby)

Woodland creature at local park damaged

Forestry Park in Bottineau is known for many fun activities for those who go to the park. One of the activities is a group of woodland creatures that are hidden in the park for people to search and find. Unfortunately, this past week the newest creature, a woodland caterpillar, which was just placed in the park, was intentionally damaged with some parts of the art pieces missing.

For a number of years at the Forestry Park, local artists have been making woodland creatures that are placed in the park. There are about a half dozen animals hidden throughout the park which include two bears, three owls, a hedgehog, skunk, fox, mouse and a rabbit.

This past week, the woodland caterpillar, which was created by Kathy McGhan, was placed in the park, but less than 24 hours later it was discovered to have been damaged with some of the pieces having been stolen.

The woodland caterpillar was made up of seven bowling balls painted green with numerous wine corks painted different colors representing the hairs of the caterpillar.

During a search of Forestry Park, two bowling balls were discovered where a person(s) just dropped the balls in different locations. The remaining five bowling balls are missing.

(Story by Scott Wagar, the Bottineau Courant)

Interim Harvey police chief resigns

Harvey lost its interim police chief two weeks ago, but has a replacement coming on board in another month.

Outgoing interim police chief Travis Carlson’s resignation was effective June 30, 2024. He was on the city council’s agenda during their last meeting, but was denied the opportunity to address the city’s governing board on the advice of its legal counsel.

The departed police chief, however, did speak with KFYR TV, Bismarck, outside city chambers.

“There’s been a lot of turnover. And not only in leadership and chief positions here within the city of Harvey, but also in police officer positions here. And the questions that have been raised are why can’t we keep police officers with the city of Harvey, and what can we do to retain the officers that we do have?” Carlson told KFYR.

Carlson said Mayor Dean Klier was the principal reason for his leaving Harvey.

Klier, in his defense, officially took office on July 1, a day after Carlson submitted his resignation.

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