701 Rundown: June 13, 2022

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

Weber hired as new CHS principal

Mr. Connor Weber is the new High School Principal at Carrington High School.

He was hired at a special meeting conducted by the Carrington School District #49 Board of Education Tuesday, May 31, where his contract was given final approval.

Weber previously worked in Edmore, where he taught high school math, and he couldn’t be more excited to get to work.

Mr. Weber received his Bachelor of Science in Education at Mayville State University, and his Master’s degree in Education Leadership from the University of North Dakota.

Weber will begin his official duties on August 1, 2022.

A full profile of Weber will be published when he takes his new position at CHS.

(Story from the Foster County Independent)

Traffic stop near Leeds results in high-speed chase, drug bust

On Tuesday, May 24 at approximately 1:55 a.m., a deputy with the Benson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Highway 2 near Leeds for a traffic violation.

During the traffic stop, the driver, Shane Smeltzer, 52, of Leeds attempted to reach for a concealed loaded firearm. Once the deputy ordered Smeltzer to show his hands, he fled in the vehicle.

During the pursuit, the vehicle fled eastbound on Highway 2, reaching speeds over 100 mph. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist and was able to successfully deploy a tire deflation device, causing the vehicle to stop.

Smeltzer then attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended by deputies. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 104.5 grams of methamphetamine individually packaged for sale, a loaded firearm, drug paraphernalia and a large amount of cash.

The Benson County Sheriff’s Office was assisted with this incident by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.

(Story from the Benson County Farmers Press)

Bottineau County’s ag producers get late start planting crops

It has taken some time for planting to start in Bottineau County this year, but with the weather turning and soil temperatures rising, ag producers are in the field putting their crops in for the season.

“Most people, if not everybody, is out planting right now,” Sara Clemens, county agent, told the “Bottineau Courant” at the end of May. “Normally they are finishing up about now, but we are probably two weeks if not three weeks behind.

“We are behind because of the cold weather delays and the ground temps didn’t happen; so, we are still below average,” Clemens added. “A lot of farmers held off and then we had a lot of moisture here, which delayed it a little bit more, but I don’t think anybody would wish away the moisture.

“Some of them started very small-scale two weeks ago, but last week anywhere you go you would see a planter out in the field.”

Crops being planted for the season should be like last year, but with just one change this season.

“Flax is kind of the bigger one this year just because the prices are so far up,” Clemens said. “So, I think we will see a little bit of that one this year.”

(Story by Scott Wagar, Bottineau Courant)

Sanchez found guilty of Class A felony

It took a jury of nine women and three men in Northeast District Court to find Jorge Alberto Sanchez, 42, of Grafton guilty on Friday, May 27, of a Class A felony on the charge of gross sexual imposition (GSI), sexual contact, victim unaware.

The trial began Wednesday, May 25, in Northeast District Court with Honorable Judge Barbara Whelan presiding, and concluded Friday at noon.

The trial was wrapped up in three days. One of the longest days for jurors was Wednesday, the day of jury selection.

Due to the nature of the case involving sexual assault of a minor who was 15 at the time, the jury had to endure a lengthy voir dire process that began at 9 a.m. and continued until approximately 6 p.m.

The trial was basically a day-long affair with both the prosecution and defense making opening statements Thursday morning and resting their respective cases by the end of the day. Friday, the day began with closing arguments, jury instructions and jury deliberation.

Sanchez was arrested, accused and convicted of crawling into bed with a 15-year-old babysitter that his sister, Roxanne Sanchez, had arranged to watch her four children, while her boyfriend and her worked the overnight beet shift.

(Story by Todd Morgan, The Walsh County Record)

Citizen exercises right to request public records

Two Casselton residents have made requests for Open Records following the city’s decision to approve rezoning and Conditional Use permits that will allow construction of a $400 million soybean processing plant west of the city.

Broc Lietz and Greg Kempel made the original Open Records requests during the first week in May. However, according to the Casselton City Auditor, Lietz later withdrew his request.

Currently, Kempel is the only individual making a request for public records. He is seeking records from the community’s Job Development Authority and the City of Casselton.

The request includes all email, social media communication, text message and written correspondence between the public entities and the general public that is in regard to the soybean plant.

Although a request for public records may seem straightforward, City of Casselton Auditor Sheila Klevgard explained complying with a request of this size will take time.

“It involves a process,” she said.

A process that starts with collecting all emails, social media contacts, text messages and written communication from each council member, every city employee and every committee member.

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)

Active shooter drill held at GCC

On Wednesday, May 25, several sheriff’s offices, including the Griggs County Sheriff's Office, county officials and other emergency responders, met at the Griggs County Central school in Cooperstown to participate in training for an active shooter scenario.

The drill was intentionally designed to be realistic to provide the best training opportunity.

It included an actor representing an active shooter, including the firing of blank ammunition; student actors portraying victims with varying injuries; sheriff’s office personnel clearing the building and apprehending the shooter; and emergency responders entering the cleared scene to give medical attention to victims.

The school shooting in Texas the day before was on the minds of many of the participants. The drill had been in the planning stages for many months, dating back to the fall, and it was decided to continue with the training.

(Story by Jill Larson, Griggs County Courier)