2017: The Year in Review Part IV of IV

We close out the 2017 Year in Review with the last three months of local news in the October, November and December issues of the New Rockford Transcript.

 October 

 The Tri-County Social Service Board acted on the employee grievance filed by former Interim Director Kimberly Larson against the Eddy County Social Service Board.

 The former Dakota Roadhouse restaurant took a short trip to its new home across from the Bird Dawg Café. The building is slated to become home to an expanded NAPA Auto Parts store next spring.

The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) said that the Lake Region Correction Center had made significant progress in corrections that needed to be made by its October 1 deadline, allowing the jail to remain open but not to federal prisoners. The DOCR had issued a temporary closure order after finding over 40 violations in its latest inspection.

 The Community Ambulance Service of New Rockford introduced Tim Schmeets as its new manager.

 Two years of planning, fundraising and implementation culminated with a special dedication ceremony for the new school playground at New Rockford-Sheyenne School.

 Halvorson Auto of Binford opened an office in the former Pioneer Auto Service building along U.S. Hwy. 281 in New Rockford, bringing 20 years of car buying experience to the community.

 When N.D. Governor Doug Burgum came to New Rockford to lead a discussion about revitalizing rural communities, residents from the age of 9 to (almost) 99 gave him a legendary welcome, including Vinnie Ruppell, a fourth grader at New Rockford-Sheyenne School

November

 New Rockford-Sheyenne competed in the Region 5 One-Act Play competition. Their stellar performance of “Orphan Train,” which chronicles the experiences of several abandoned and orphaned children during the late 1800s and early 1900s, earned them top honors and a trip to the state contest. The entire cast received a Superior Acting award, and their performance earned them 29 out of 30 points from the three judges.

 New Rockford achieved Cardiac Ready Community designation and became the fifth Cardiac Ready Community in the state of North Dakota. Cardiac Ready Community designation is a community-led initiative that seeks to prepare the entire community to be ready to help anyone who needs assistance during a heart-related emergency.

 Joan Shroyer and Pharmacist Kody Lura received the Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Month awards for November.

December

 Theodore (Ted) Allmaras of New Rockford was among 11 veterans of World War II who flew to Washington D.C. on the ninth WDAY Honor Flight. A total of 162 passengers were aboard the chartered plane when it departed from Fargo. Other than the 11 World War II veterans aboard, there were 80 veterans from other conflicts, mostly Korean War vets.

 Dennis and Annie Weber and Darin and Sis Weber of Eddy County were among the area couples that were honored during the 44th annual Harvest Bowl program at NDSU.

 The New Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce issued a challenge to members, businesses, organizations and families to help them decorate Centennial Park for Christmas. A total of 11 trees were decorated, turning the park into a must-see holiday showcase downtown. The winning entries were decorated by the New Rockford-Sheyenne School, the Lies family in memory of Ray Lies, and Community Credit Union.

 A total of 25 CenDak Farmers Union Cooperative members filed a lawsuit in Benson County to stop the company’s merger with BTR Farmers Co-op. The two sides later agreed to a revote, which was set for Jan. 5.

 Issues kept piling up for the water and sewer infrastructure in the City of New Rockford at the of the year. The lagoon needed chemical intervention to remove sludge, and Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert reported that the water tower requires costly repairs. The interior of the tower should be repaired and painted every 15 years, and it was last repaired in 1997. 

 The artist back in the kitchen at the Latté Lobby, Crystal Wood, was named Employee of the Month in December by the New Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce.