701 Rundown

Every week, newspapers across North Dakota produce stories that go largely unread by residents outside their community. The 701 Rundown is a weekly column dedicated to bringing those stories to residents of Eddy County.

Here is a rundown of some of the state’s most interesting headlines from newspapers across North Dakota.

Fatal Shooting in Casselton

Just before 2 a.m., on Monday, Oct. 18, Randall Ray Burton, 58, was fatally shot after breaking into the home of his “on again, off again” girlfriend, whom he’d threatened to kill a week prior.

The man who shot Burton and made the call to 911, Edwin Charles Kester, Jr., 54, was a friend of the female homeowner, and had agreed to spend the night after she expressed fear that Burton may harm her.

Kester fired multiple shots at Burton from his .38 revolver shortly after Burton, who was carrying a foldable pocket knife, broke through two locked doors to enter the home.

A Cass County Sheriff’S Deputy arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting, but too late to save Burton, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Law enforcement are still investigating the incident, and no charges have been filed.

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)

Border reopening can’t come soon enough

November 8. That’s the date fully vaccinated Canadian citizens will be allowed entry into the U.S. “What took them so long?” Joyce Woodward, manager of Crosby Drug wondered.

When the Canadian government reopened its border to fully vaccinated travelers this past August, many thought the U.S. wouldn’t be far behind. Yet the Biden administration kept extending the closure, drawing the ire of business owners, governors and members of Congress. So, last week’s announcement of a November reopening date by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas was met with as much skepticism as enthusiasm.

Prior to the pandemic, bilateral trade of goods totaled nearly $720 billion. At more than 5,500 miles long, the Canadian border is seen by many as a gateway to economic prosperity.

(Story by Brad Nygaard, the Journal, Crosby)

State’s oil and gas production increases in August

After going offline in July, five of North Dakota’s natural gas processing plants are once again operational, leading to a 2.8% increase in oil and natural gas production in August.

According to North Dakota Mineral Resources Director, Lynn Helms, the plants paused their operations to undergo maintenance or expansion.

McKenzie County’s 5,159 operating wells, which produce over 50 percent of North Dakota's natural gas and nearly 40 percent of its oil, produced 49.1 million mcf of natural gas and 13.4 million barrels of oil in August.

(Story by Neal A. Shipman, McKenzie County Farmer)

Mountrail County opens new Plaza Complex

An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the new plaza complex on Oct. 15, and Mountrail County Commissioners accepted the building as complete at their Oct. 19 meeting.

The new building acts as an all-purpose facility for the county’s officials and community members. Included inside are offices for county employees, a meeting room/community hall that can be rented for social events, a full kitchen, and more.

The plaza also doubles as the county road and bridge shop. The back of the building holds road maintenance equipment, a welding bay, wash bay, and garage space for equipment used by Road and Bridge.

Construction of the building began in April of 2020, and replaces a facility which was no longer large enough to meet the county's needs. The total cost of the project was $3,605,155.

(Story from Mountrail County Reporter)