701 Rundown: Dec. 13, 2021

Here’s your weekly rundown of some of the most interesting headlines from newspapers across North Dakota.

Picket line protests (non-existent) mandate

Picketers outside the SMP-Health medical center staged a protest against the medical center’s recent directive that all personnel be vaccinated by Dec. 6 or face losing their jobs.

However, according to SMP-Health administrator Alfred Sams, no such directive was made. “Absolutely not,” said Sams when asked if the Harvey medical center was telling people they would lose their job if they weren’t vaccinated by Dec. 6.

“We need our employees. The community needs the hospital. Everyone knows this. No, we did not have a vaccination mandate for our employees,” Sams added.

The six picketers, who were on the sidewalk fronting Brewster Avenue on Monday (Nov. 29), and again on Wednesday (Dec. 1), were misinformed according to Sams. Lydia Gessele, who acted as a spokesperson for the picketers, argued that the vaccines are killing people and making them sick, and fears that the hospital will lose staff.

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

Cavalier County Republican publishes final issue

The last edition of the Cavalier County Republican came out on Dec. 6.

“Our inability to find employees to continue producing the newspaper forces us to cease publication of the Cavalier County Republican,” said Steve Hungerford.

Hungerford is president of Country Media, Inc., which has owned the newspaper for some 22 years.

“We’ve had to work hard for more than two decades to keep all of the newspaper’s jobs filled, given that we operate in a community of 2,000 residents,” said Hungerford, “But the staffing problem, particularly finding trained reporters, has gotten worse over the past two or three years. Shouldering that recruiting burden has been our longtime publisher and advertising sales manager, Lori Peterson, who has been with us every step of the way.

“Since joining the Republican in January 2000, Lori has done everything she can to provide her community with the best possible newspaper. But now, Lori has told us she will be resigning.”

With her departure, Hungerford said, the newspaper’s remaining employees have resigned as well. “That leaves, literally, no one to keep the doors open.”

(Story from the Cavalier County Republican)

No injuries in one-vehicle crash

On Friday, a single-vehicle crash occurred in Emmons County near the intersection of N.D. State Highway 1804 and N.D. State Highway 13. A couple from Bismark in their 80s were headed home when their vehicle went through the intersection, into the ditch, and through a fence.

No injuries occurred, but the couple were transported to a medical facility as a precautionary measure. According to Emmons County Sheriff Chris Vargas, who responded to the call at around 10:30 p.m., neither weather nor road conditions were a factor in the crash.

“They were trying to find their way back home, weren’t familiar with the area, unfortunately missed a turn and ended up in a ditch” added Vargas. “No reason to suspect any alcohol or narcotics or anything like that.”

No citations were issued as a result of the crash.

(Story by Andrew Crowley, Emmons County Record)

Nonprofit to provide ‘truth-telling through research’

A new nonprofit organization, North Dakota News Cooperative (NDNC), is aiming to enhance the content in the state’s newspapers through a statewide reporting service.

The nonprofit has already incorporated and has begun its search for a managing editor with the hopes of providing more journalism to North Dakota’s citizens by early 2022. “The main function of the organization is to provide original content of state-wide significance for use – at no cost – by newspapers and other media outlets in the state,” said NDNA Co-Chair Steve Andrist.

NDNC Co-Chair Jill Denning Gackle added that local coverage of schools, cities and counties is the bread and butter of every newspaper, “But we think the state’s newspapers will be enhanced by in-depth, deep dive stories that look at issues our existing staffs don’t have the bandwidth to cover.”

The NDNA board is responsible for fundraising. Start-up funds came from the North Dakota Newspaper Association Education, trusts and foundations. Donations are accepted through NDNA.

The website is http://www.newscoopnd.org.