701 Rundown: Feb. 14, 2022

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

County’s crime calls cool off

The Rolette County Sheriff’s Department responded to fewer calls in each of the last four months of 2021, a trend Sheriff Nathan Gustafson said he wants to see continue this year.

The Rolette County Sheriff’s Department answered 5,059 calls in 2021, which equates to an average of 14 calls every day.

However, after peaking in September, the calls for service dipped to 560 in October, 448 in November and then 415 in December. Gustafson said needs for service often decrease in the winter months, but also attributed the declining numbers to hiring two additional deputies this summer.

(Story by John Rosinski, Turtle Mountain Star)

Central Cinema fighting changing trends

Harvey’s Central Cinema is still showing first-run movies, despite inclement weather conditions on weekends and a decrease in numbers compared to pre-pandemic times.

“We’re making do like everyone else,” said Jim English this week.

At the Lincoln Avenue theater in Harvey, attendance is down 30 to 40 percent, according to English, an investment consultant during the day and a man who schedules movies after hours and on weekends.

Despite the decline in attendance, English said the volunteer-based theater isn’t in dire straits.

“We’re staying above water, like all small town theaters are.”

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

The Force is with her

On Monday, Jan. 31, Carrington Public School’s East Gym was abuzz with excitement as elementary students and staff gathered to commemorate the 100th day of school.

However, there was another reason for everyone to be gathered on that day. Carrington sixth grader McKenzie Jost had just finished a whirlwind year as the North Dakota Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion, and some of her “Fargo Friends” had a surprise.

Just before the final relay race began, Elementary Principal Jenna Helseth announced to the crowd that they needed to take a break in the festivities. McKenzie was then called center stage where she was greeted by members of the Sanford Children’s Hospital and the entire Fargo Force hockey team.

The team was wearing a new jersey designed by McKenzie, who loves to draw and sketch. The design started on a piece of paper, with the simple shape of a jersey outlined in black. After McKenzie colored her idea in crayons, the team brought her design to life.

McKenzie’s sixth grade team then continued their relay. Her team competed against not only the second graders and teachers, but also 10 members from the Fargo Force hockey team. The sixth graders beat them all!

(Story by Amy Wobbema, Foster County Independent)

Home of the Wagon Master lives on

In 1958, A&W made its home at 508 West 12 Street in Grafton. However, come 1975, it became more fondly known as Westside Drive-In, home of the Wagon Master.

Heather Barker, originally from Butler, Alabama, is sure a long way from home but has found herself running a local establishment by the name of Westside Drive-in. The well-known restaurant has now been renamed and relocated, but don’t worry, the famous Wagon Master is still available.

The Barkers were all invested in bringing back Westside Drive-In to the community. There had to be new floors put in overnight to be able to open, and they were able to get that done. After starting their season on June 1, 2021, the drive-in was only open three weeks before an electrical fire put them and the building completely out of commission.

Now, the popular restaurant is back up and running and very successful. The diner, now named Eastside Diner, is located in the former Hardee’s building on the corner of highways 17 and 81. The location has proved to be great for traffic coming in and out of town on either road.

(Story by Steph Cronje, The Walsh County Record)

Dunseith emergency center getting closer to completion

It won’t be long and firefighters from Dunseith will have a new place to call home.

Work has picked up at the Dunseith Emergency Response Center recently and could be move-in ready in the next few weeks.

The initial groundbreaking for the center, located just behind Dollar General, was in the summer of 2020. The land the building is located on was previously owned by the Dunseith American Legion.

The nearly $5 million dollar endeavor is the result of a cooperative agreement between the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the City of Dunseith. The Tribal Council received several million dollars from the federal government as part of a CARES Act passed following the COVID-19 pandemic, and when searching for ways to spend the money, the issue regarding the Dunseith Volunteer Fire Department garnered the most attention.

When Councilman Chad Counts brought up the concept to the council, $4 million was agreed upon to be allocated for the project.

According to Fire Chief Gottbreht, the new building will do more than just house fire trucks.

“We’re hoping it generates more interest from people who would like to join our department,” Gottbreht said. “In addition to recruitment we’re hoping it helps with our retention, too.”

(Story by Jason Nordmark, Turtle Mountain Star)