701 Rundown: March 7, 2022

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

Soholt Bakery set to reopen March 7 with new owner

Long before she signed on the dotted line, Janet Holt knew she wasn’t buying a generic, run-of-the-mill donut shop.

The former nursing supervisor grew up in Mayville and understood the legacy surrounding the cozy Main Street bakery that had been a fixture in her hometown since 1918.

So the new owner of Soholt Bakery wants patrons to know that when the bakery reopens on March 7 after being closed 2.5 months for remodeling, the interior of the pastry shop will look a little different.

But the rolls, buns and donuts that have flown off the shelves of the Soholt Bakery for more than a century?

Those will remain the same.

(Story by Cole Short, Hillsboro Banner)

Blizzard doesn’t stop annual coyote hunt

A little North Dakota blizzard wasn’t enough to deter an annual event centered around friends and fun in Rock Lake.

The 11th Annual Coyote Hunt, organized and put on by the Rock Lake Boosters, didn’t play out with ideal weather any of the three days, but the weekend was still deemed a success.

“The weather was horrible,” said Gerald Stenson, one of the organizers. “But for how horrible the weather was, the turn out was just... wow.”

Hunters from the surrounding area, as well as from across the state, reduced the coyote population in northern Towner County by 58. A total of 75 two-person teams registered for the event.

In addition to the hunting experience, the event was an opportunity for participants to eat good food, win prizes and spend quality time together.

The team of Trevor Gottbreht and Taylor Gottbreht claimed the top spot. The duo collected eight coyotes with a combined weight of 230.1 pounds. Their prize was two .204 Ruger American Rifles.

(Story by John Rosinski and Natasha Reiger, Towner County Record Herald)

Fiscal implications cloud JDA decision

When the Harvey Chamber of Commerce first proposed a shared position with the city’s Job Development Authority (JDA), the idea sounded good, it had promise, it would solve an employment issue both civic groups were facing.

Having little luck in finding a replacement for the retiring Ann Adams, chamber officers proposed that a combined office serving both the Harvey business community and the city’s economic development agency could benefit all concerned.

Dr. Paul Gunderson, 81, the JDA’s economic development contact, has indicated he has to consider retiring, possibly in five years. The work, Gunderson conceded, is too much for one person.

Gunderson welcomed the suggestion that a person, working under him at City Hall, could be shared with the chamber of commerce. The council members agreed and both parties agreed to meet again to discuss the finer details.

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

Foster care crisis hits region

The number of children in foster care in northeast North Dakota continues to increase while the number of homes to place children in continues to decrease.

“It’s getting to be a crisis. The demand is far outpacing the availability of licensed foster care families,” said Jennifer Puppe, a licensed social worker for Northern Valley Human Service Zone (NVHSZ), which comprises Cavalier, Pembina, and Walsh counties.

Prior to 2020, each of these counties managed their own social services department. The State of North Dakota has since created eight human service zones throughout the state and the foster care licensing unit will be moved to the Department of Human Services starting April 1.

According to Puppe, in October of 2021, there were 26 total licensed foster care homes in NHSZ, and that number has dropped to 16.

“Currently we have 34 kids in foster homes,” she said. “We are also utilizing homes from across the state - we are that desperate.”

Puppe added, “Anyone can qualify to be a foster parent. You can be a single parent, parents with or without children, it doesn’t matter.”

(Story by Todd Morgan, The Walsh County Record)

Blizzard conditions result in multi-vehicle crash on I-94

In blizzard conditions and sub zero temperatures, Casselton Fire responded Monday morning to a multi-car pileup on I-94 west of Mapleton.

Fire Chief John Hejl said the call from Red River Regional Dispatch came in at 10:06 a.m.

“Enroute to scene dispatch told us extrication on multiple vehicles would be necessary,” Hejl said, explaining the first moments on scene were spent triaging the situation and determining where extrication was necessary.

After calling for mutual aid from Mapleton Fire and West Fargo Rural Fire to assist with traffic control and accident assessment, Hejl said Casselton Fire began extrications.

“We performed three extrications, two of which I’d call full or complex extrications; we pulled people out and did back-boarding.”

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)

Dakota College at Bottineau opens new dining center

Dakota College at Bottineau’s new dining center is complete and opened its doors this past Wednesday.

The new dining center will grant its students, staff and the general public an up-to-date and state-of-the-art facility to enjoy their meals.

The dining center was constructed because the former dining hall was outdated and needed to be replaced for a variety of reasons.

“The existing dining center was in need of major renovation of the plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems,” said Jerry Migler, Ph. D., Dean of Dakota College at Bottineau.

“Another concern was accessibility,” added Migler. “We would have had to install an elevator in Mead Hall to make the current dining center handicap accessible.”

(Story by Scott Wagnar, Bottineau Courant)