701 Rundown: August 15, 2022

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

Blaze destroys iconic building

A quiet Sunday afternoon in Rolla changed in an instant last week when flames were seen coming from the roof of the American Legion cabin.

The first call to the fire department came in at 2:15 p.m. and within three minutes fire fighters were on the scene. When they arrived, the building was already engulfed in flames.

According to Rolla Fire Chief Brad Ebensteiner, initial crews made their way through the back door only to discover the main floor full of smoke.

Ebensteiner said the initial goal was to put out the blaze, but volunteers were also keenly aware of the historical contents found within the cabin walls.

“As guys were taking things in they would grab whatever they could on their way out,” Ebensteiner said. “They were able to save some uniforms and a few other things but some of them do have smoke damage.”

Surrounding crews from Belcourt and St. John quickly responded, and they were eventually joined by volunteers from Dunseith, Rolette and Rock Lake. A total of 18 fire trucks and 50 fire fighters were on the scene.

Although nobody was seriously hurt or injured, the stress of the blaze did have a direct impact on two volunteers. Ebensteiner noted one was treated at the scene and able to return to fight the fire while another was taken to the hospital overnight before being released on Monday.

How the blaze actually started is still under investigation but Ebensteiner said the initial indication is that it was electrical in nature.

“It looks to have started up in the roof and when it hit the insulation and the oxygen it really took off.”

(Story by John Rosinski, Turtle Mountain Star)

Garzas bound over for trial

The Garza brothers, Christoball, 27, Jacob, 26 and Jason, 23, all of Grafton, were in Northeast District Court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing regarding their alleged role in the beating of Kurtis Graver.

All three brothers were arraigned on the amended felony charge of accomplice to aggravated assault - adult victim. Initially, the three faced aggravated assault charges.

Both charges were and are Class C felonies which carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine with each defendant facing $525 in court fees.

It is alleged that in the early morning hours of April 3, Graver was in a vehicle outside of Last Chance Bar and Grill in Grafton when he was pulled out of the vehicle and, once removed, immediately was beaten, kicked and stomped on by Christobal, Jacob and Jason Garza.

Northeast District Judge Barb Whelan found there was, in fact, probable cause to arraign the suspects on the charge of accomplice to aggravated assault and bond them over for trial.

All three Garzas are out on bond. The trial has been set for Nov. 15-18. Sept. 2 is the final day for motions with a pre-trial conference to be held Nov. 2, at 11 a.m.

Although all three Garzas will be tried at once, Whelan said the jury will be able to decide innocence or guilt on an individual basis.

(Story by Todd Morgan, The Walsh County Record)

Benson County Sheriff’s Office report

The Benson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a few notable calls for the week of July 25.

On Monday, July 25, at approximately 10:30 p.m. Benson County Sheriff’s deputies, along with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Fort Totten) Police Department, responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting the location of a vehicle stolen earlier in the day.

The vehicle was traveling south in the area of Crow Hill. The vehicle ran out of gas on 35th Street and the occupants fled on foot into a tree line near a residence.

Officers set up a perimeter and Benson County Sheriff’s K-9 responded. K9 Ares was deployed and was able to locate the female passenger who gave up without incident.

A short search of the area also led to the discovery of the male driver, who was in a tree. Both occupants were taken into custody without incident and transported to BIA Corrections where they are facing multiple charges.

On Saturday, July 30, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Benson County Sheriff’s Office was notified of suspicious activity at the Cenex Gas Station in Leeds. Located was a 14-year-old female who was traveling with an unknown 43-year-old male. The female was picked up from Minot.

After a preliminary investigation the male was placed under arrest by Benson County deputies and was transported to the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center in Devils Lake where he was booked on several charges.

The juvenile female was reunited with her mother. This investigation is ongoing.

(Story from Benson County Farmers Press)

Man pours lighter fluid

on victim’s feet and claims the spirits were going to get him

Christopher Allman, 34, is facing a Class C felony charge for terrorizing-adult victim following his arrest.

According to court documents the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office received a report that on June 16, 2022 Allman had knocked on the door of the victim, identified as John Doe, asking for help with an HVAC system.

Doe stated that he gave Allman his advice, but he became hostile stating “the spirits were going to get him.” Allman then poured lighter fluid over Doe’s feet while holding a knife advising him that he was going to blow him up.

Doe also informed law enforcement that Allman said “I will put your body in a tank in the oilfield where no one will find you,” causing Doe to fear for his life.

Allman’s bond was set at $5,000 and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2022.

(Story from Farmer Staff Reports, McKenzie County Farmer)

Two seriously injured after rear ending semi

A Harwood man, 45-year-old Brant Jacobson, was uninjured in an accident July 29 that seriously injured two others.

Jacobson, driving a 2014 Kenworth truck tractor and trailer, was eastbound on I-94 near University drive, in the middle lane, when according to the NDHP, traffic ahead began to slow due to road construction on the Minnesota side of the river.

Jacobson slowed but was rear ended by a 71-year-old Reed Satrom, driving a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The Silverado immediately started on fire.

Both the driver and his passenger, Everett Northup, 53, both of Detroit Lakes, were transported to a Fargo hospital with serious injuries.

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)