701 Rundown: Oct. 24, 2022

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

Klubben sentenced to 18 months in state pen

On Thursday, Oct. 6, Keyshawn James Klubben, 20, of Grafton was sentenced to five years in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to serve 18 months, which will be immediately followed by three years supervised probation.

Northeast District Judge Barb Whelan accepted a plea agreement that was reached between Walsh County State's Attorney Kelley Cole and Klubben’s attorney Stuart Askew.

Klubben pleaded guilty to simple assault on a peace officer and correctional officer, a Class C felony; possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a Class C felony; possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Class B felony and preventing arrest, a Class C felony.

Klubben was accused of kicking in the door of his girlfriend’s house in Grafton, N.D. in the morning hours of March 23. A search warrant at Klubben’s residence revealed multiple kinds of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

During the subsequent booking process he began fighting with officers, and successfully hit one officer in the face with the top of a chair.

(Story by Todd Morgan, The Walsh County Record)

State’s attorney answers complaints

Wells County State’s Attorney Kathleen Murray responded to allegations that her office is failing to handle matters in a timely manner, is not returning phone calls and is showing favoritism.

District 5 commissioner Bryan Lautt brought to the county commissions attention multiple complaints from taxpayers who are alleging that some cases aren’t being handled properly or are being passed over.

Murray responded saying she looks at each case on a “case-by-case” basis, and that she doesn’t investigate cases, which can cause problems with people who bring matters to the State’s Attorney’s office with an expectation for immediate results.

Murray added that she tries to answer any questions via email, but if they’re not received, that can’t always be her responsibility.

Board Chairman Stan Buxa accepted her explanations, but also suggested she could still do a better job with communication.

“Keep the lines of communication open,” he said.

Harvey commissioner Dennis Dockter sided, in part, with Murray, saying, “There’s always two sides to the story.”

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

Protecting the vulnerable in our schools

Teddy Simons, a spunky 6-year-old kid who brings a smile to anyone fortunate enough to meet him, happens to have downs syndrome.

That means he’s forced to face the many challenges that come with such a syndrome, including being immunocompromised, which means his body is unable to fight back against dangerous germs and illness.

“Teddy can’t fight off germs and colds like other kids. His body has to work so much harder,” his mom, Brooke Simons said.

Simons, who works at the Fox Hills Elementary School, added, “I always worry when I see the sick kids at the school. There are parents who often send their kids to school sick, and it not only affects their learning, but the learning and health of the other kids as well. … I always have the lingering worry that their germs will get to Teddy or one of the other kids like him and it will mean a hospital trip,” Brooke said.

This fear is shared by those with elderly or chronically ill family members, and it’s a fear many are frustrated having to deal with, particularly as so many diseases can be prevented by vaccines.

“There are vaccines that are required by the state and the schools that have been tested for years, are proven to be safe and work,” Ashley Saylor of the Upper Missouri Health District said. “The vaccines for things like polio, measles, mumps and the chicken pox work amazingly. They literally prevent life-threatening diseases.”

She added, “Some parents trust that herd immunity is enough to protect their child from these diseases. The problem with that is with every individual who is not vaccinated, the herd immunity is weakened,” explained Saylor.

(Story by Kristen Jones, The McKenzie County Farmer)

Lending a helping hand

Five miles south of Sykeston, David Young farms with his wife, Gina. Unfortunately, on July 27, Young was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic adenocarcinoma in his liver and bone.

According to Emily, Young’s daughter, the primary source of the cancer has yet to be determined. Tests showed lesions on his liver and cancer on his sternum, a few on his rubs, his lymph nodes in his chest and T11 vertebrae.

Another CT scan, following three rounds of chemotherapy, later revealed the cancer had grown within his liver and spine.

But despite all the health issues that Young is fighting, there’s still a field full of grains needing to be harvested. And the Sykeston community and surrounding area is stepping up to help out.

On Monday, Oct. 3, 10 combines, four grain carts and 12 semi-trucks came to Young’s fields, and harvested 625 acres of crop for him.

“The support everyone has given our family is unreal,” said Emily. “... You truly do not fight cancer alone; it takes a village.”

(Story by Erik Gjovik, The Foster County Independent)

State’s Attorney Stock presents finding to Steele County Commission

On Oct. 10, Steele County State’s Attorney Charlie Stock presented information to the board pertaining to complaints by Steele County resident Don Huso at a previous meeting.

Huso had said the county auditor’s proposed salary for 2015 was $24,000 and was signed by Chairman Randy Richards on Oct. 7, 2014. Huso also said that the salary was in effect prior to the Nov. election in which Emily Wigen chose to run for county auditor.

The salary amount continued to be in effect through the months of Jan., Feb., and march of 2015.

In his report, Stock confirmed that what Huso said was correct.

Huso had also complained that, on April 7, 2015, the Steele County Commission raised the auditor’s pay to $40,000 without discussion or notes in the minutes.

Stock reported that this complaint was partially correct.

Another complaint Huso made, that the Auditor’s pay was increased by $150 per month in 2016, again without discussion or notes in the minutes, was also proven to be correct in Stock’s report.

(Story by Lisa Saxberg, Steele County Press)