701 Rundown: March 14, 2022

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

CPD seizes 266 pounds in Feb. 18 coke bust

The Carrington Police Department (CPD) came into contact with a very large quantity of cocaine during a traffic stop at Casey’s General Store Friday morning, February 18.

Approximately 266 pounds of the drug, or 121 kilograms, were confiscated from a 2015 Volvo semi truck registered to Narvir Singh Suri, 38, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The street value of the cocaine seized is valued at $4.8 million dollars.

In a statement released by the CPD and Police Chief Brandon Sola on February 24, “The individual [Suri] that was in possession of it was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to deliver.”

Court documents state that Officer Maurice Schlack of the CPD responded to the call at Casey’s at 8:41 a.m., where he was allowed to look in Suri’s truck and found a total of 121 packages of cocaine, all weighing 2.2 pounds (one kilo) each.

(Story by Erik Gjovik, Foster County Independent)

Bottineau mourns the loss of Councilman Mitch Schmidt

The city of Bottineau is mourning the death of council member Mitch Schmidt who passed away on Feb. 26 after a long battle with cancer. Schmidt was 57.

Schmidt was appointed to the council in 2019 and was elected to his seat in 2020. He sat on the armory, city property, employee, finance and police committees.

“I felt that Mitch was incredible,” said the mayor of Bottineau, Perry Schoenborn. “It was a huge loss to everybody, including the city with his passing.

“He was so attentive to what was going on,” Schoenborn added.

Schmidt, in his years of service to the community of Bottineau, will be remembered fondly for his work in the city and the care he showed local residents and visitors of Bottineau.

(Story by Scott Wagar, Bottineau Courant)

Commissioner resigns, then changes his mind

A Rolette County commissioner announced his resignation at the regular meeting last week, but then reversed his decision and is still on the board.

Commissioner Eldon Moors surprised the board when he abruptly announced he was resigning from his position effective immediately. Moors had been at odds with the majority of the board on several issues recently, most notably the future hiring of a road supervisor.

Moors has also voiced his displeasure with members of the county road department clearing roads and driveways on tribal land.

At the meeting, Rolette County State’s Attorney Brian Grisinger told Moors, “You’ve heard the term majority rules. If you can’t abide by those rules I can’t blame you for resigning but you’re not always voted against.”

After being asked to reconsider since his resignation was not on the agenda, Moors ripped up his letter of resignation at the meeting, and said he wouldn’t be resigning.

(Story by John Rosinski, Turtle Mountain Star)

Hillsboro’s new mascot needs a name

Hillsboro-Central Valley’s new burro mascot has patrolled the sidelines during basketball games and wrestling matches since January.

Now, local school officials are looking to put a name to the mascot, who dances with referees, engages young fans and takes time for plenty of photo ops.

Hillsboro and Central Valley public schools are opening up submissions for the fan-submitted names for the mascot.

Joe Burro? Barney the Burro? Almost anything is on the table, according to Hillsboro Public Schools Superintendent Paula Suda.

“We’re leaning towards something clean and appropriate,” she said. “We want something that we can put on the back of a jersey or a singlet - whatever the mascot is wearing that day.”

(Story by Corey Erickson, Hillsboro Banner)

Highway 10 closed for bridge replacement near Casselton

A section of North Dakota Highway 10, locally known as the I-29 frontage road, is temporarily closed to through traffic at the Maple River Bridge, near Casselton. The closure began Monday, Feb. 28.

According to NDDOT District Engineer Bob Walton, a total of three bridges in that area will be replaced, with two being replaced this year.

The first bridge to be replaced will be on Highway 10, the second on the east bound lane of I-94. The third bridge, located in the west bound lane of I-94, will be replaced in 2023.

During the replacement of the first bridge, motorists should utilize I-94 as the detour until further notice. The project is expected to be completed this fall.

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)

Council to look at Watford’s growing deer population

There are some things that come with the territory and for Watford City, it’s the growing deer population. So the question local residents have posed is at what point do they become too much?

“Deer within the city limits has been an issue for decades,” says Mayor Phil Riely. “We expanded quick and we kind of inherited a certain population of deer.”

When you look at the full realm of problems the world has today, Riley might just tell you it’s one to have.

“Last weekend, I took my motorcycle out and in a 20-minute ride, I probably counted 50 deer,” he says.

Needless to say, Riley says there’s probably 70 deer that see the city as their home.

While the discussion of deer is nothing new, Riley says some local residents still push for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to create a special bow hunting season within the city limits.

(Story by Ashleigh Plemper, McKenzie County Farmer)