Around the State: September 23, 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.

Minot's state-of-the-art store

It's hard to believe that convenience store shopping could be any more convenient, but state-of-the-art technology at the Enerbase C-Store on South Broadway in Minot has redefined the concept of "grab and go."

The first of its kind in the state of North Dakota, the new store uses an automated self-serve system that requires a single swipe of a payment card after you walk through the door.

From there, 233 cameras arrayed above the shelves and coolers actively track shoppers and their purchases who are then charged after they head out the door with their items.

"Once I got here and started learning about the software, I realized how user-friendly it actually is," co-manager Montanna Raynne said. "It's a lot less complicated than I was thinking."

(Story taken from the Journal, Crosby)

McKenzie County wins national award

When the snow starts to fall and the temperatures plummet, McKenzie County has a secret weapon up its sleeve: the "Fifth-Wheel Quick Attach Sander."

The McKenzie County Road and Bridge Department was recognized at a recent commission board meeting after winning a prestigious national award. The team won the "Smart Transformation Award" for its innovative sander. The award is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Build a Better Mousetrap contest, celebrating "innovative solutions for challenges that local and tribal transportation workers encounter." The "Quick Attach Sander" is a creative solution that saves time, money and improves safety on local roads during winter.

Matt Johnson, of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, gave a glowing review of the team's efforts, mentioning that the team had previously been recognized at the state level for the innovation, but had surpassed that accomplishment by achieving "national champion" status.

According to the contest website at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov, the team "utilized an attachment to modify semi-tractors to assist with salting and sanding hazardous, icy roads during the winter months."

(Story by M.K. French, the McKenzie County Farmer)

Family of Spirit Lake hit-and-run victim seeks answers

A family searching for answers offered an emotional plea for justice in the death of 46-year-old William "Billy" Foote.

His body was found in some brush May 29, the apparent victim of a hit-and-run crash. The last place he was seen alive was at St. Michael Catholic Church on the Spirit Lake Reservation when he walked away after a prayer service.

"A lot of hurt, anger, questions," said his sister, Colleen Anderson.

On May 27, Foote attended a prayer service at the church for his aunt and cousin who had died. After the service, he wanted some alone time and went for a walk. The next day, he never showed up for the funeral.

"We all looked at each other and asked our family ... We just started questioning things," Anderson said.

Someone on a walk found Foote's body two days later, about a mile from the church. It was covered in brush.

The family said police told them it appeared he had been hit by a car.

(Story taken from the Benson County Farmers Press)

Full commission officially rescinds resolution

After much comment and controversy, the preliminary resolution to change the auditor, treasurer and recorder positions from elected by the voters to appointed by the commission is officially rescinded, following a unanimous vote of the commission at their Sept. 4 meeting.

Initially put on the table by Commission Chairman Gene Wolf early in July, and approved by the commission to get the ball rolling on a series of public hearings in different Mercer County communities, the resolution, had it been finally approved and adopted, would have resulted in these three positions being directly appointed by the commission following an interview process, leaving just the Sheriff, State's Attorney and the County Commissioners themselves as positions voted on by the electorate.

After hearing strong opposition to this resolution at a hearing in Golden Valley, a spur-of-the-moment vote at the start of the next hearing resulted in a 3-0 vote to rescind that resolution.

(Story by Daniel Arens, the Hazen Star)

Air quality is a concern

With Canada and some western states constantly on fire, there seems to be a haze overhead on almost a daily basis in McLean County.

Bob Callies Elementary School has taken steps to keep students out of harm's way as much as possible during the school day.

"In rural North Dakota, we hadn't had to worry about air quality as much as many urban areas until more recently, but we want to assure our families that we strive to keep our students safe in our ever-changing world," Bob Callies Elementary Principal Shelly Fuller said.

The school has started tracking air quality through the AirNow.gov website as needed. This will determine indoor versus outdoor recess, as well as before school time.

AirNow.gov has posted a guidance for schools to follow, which recommends moving recess indoors if the Air Quality Index is in the Unhealthy (red) Range.

(Story by Tyson Matthews, the McLean County Independent)

Youth explore local careers using virtual reality

This school year students in our area have a new opportunity to learn about career paths right here in rural North Dakota.

The Mobile Career Exploration Classroom (MCEC) is visiting several schools this month to connect local students with local career opportunities, part of an effort to reduce out-migration and tackle unemployment rates among those below the poverty level.

As the name suggests, the MCEC is a mobile classroom that allows students to experience various careers through virtual reality.

The van is equipped with CareerViewXR, a Fargo-based immersive career exploration platform that created eight experiences showcasing real careers and workplaces in the area.

Local experiences created for the project include, secondary education teacher, rural ambulance services, sheriff's deputy, 911 operator and municipal worker.

The mobile classroom will also have exclusive video tours.

(Story by Nathan Price, the New Rockford Transcript)