701 Rundown: June 12, 2023

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

Farmer injured in tank explosion

David Verlinde, a farmer of rural Noonan, N.D., was in “critical but stable” condition after an anhydrous ammonia tank exploded.

Divide County Sheriff Zach Schroeder said the tank was attached to seeding equipment, and that Verlinde was apparently walking away when the explosion occurred.

A neighbor eventually found Verlinde at the scene, and transported the seriously injured man himself to the Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative’s outpost east of Crosby. From there, emergency responders rushed him to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Crosby.

Verlinde was later transported to Regions Burn Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on Monday, May 29.

Photos taken by Schroeder at the scene of the explosion show that the tank appeared to have come apart at the seams.

(Story by Brad Nygaard, The Journal)

Hornbacher’s Cafe in Harvey is closing

Lisa Hager, the owner-operator of Hornbacher’s Cafe in Harvey, N.D., confirmed to her Facebook friends the worst-kept secret in town:

Hornbacher’s Cafe is closing on June 21, 2023.

In all likelihood, the building at 118 8th St. in downtown Harvey will be sold to Harvey Senior Citizens.

The sale couldn’t be confirmed until the Harvey Senior Citizens Club knows for certain they are the recipients of a sizable state grant.

For all intents and purposes, however, the sale is good to go. That’s according to Cheryl Ryan, Senior Citizens president, and Robin Weisz, District 14 representative from Hurdsfield.

The sale marks the end of a 45-year family legacy, and it was a bittersweet decision for Hager.

“It’s a relief, for sure, but if I could have found a cook, I probably wouldn’t be selling,” she said.

“Leaving a family-run, third generation business wasn’t an easy decision. But it was the best decision for us,” added Hager.

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

Rolla Council fills two of three seats

During a special meeting on Wednesday, May 24, the three remaining members of the Rolla City Council took steps to make the governing board whole again.

In a matter of weeks leading up to the meeting, three members of the city council resigned suddenly.

The council managed to fill two of those three vacancies at the special meeting on Wednesday.

There were five individuals in attendance interested in being appointed, and each was given an opportunity to approach the board and state their case.

After all had been heard from, Councilwoman Hovi Mitchell moved to appoint Dennis Berg to fill the seat left open by Paula Wilkie. Berg was then appointed without a dissenting vote.

The term for that position is up next year.

Councilman Blake Gottbreht then moved on to appoint Clarence Booth to fill the seat formerly held by Eleanor McCloud, who was elected last year before resigning.

Booth was also appointed to the position without a dissenting vote.

Both new councilmen were expected to be present at the council’s next special meeting, where they were expected to appoint a third new member to replace the seat formerly held by Tyler Bergsrud.

(Story by John Rosinski, Turtle Mountain Star)

Hoppes to benefit from Swing Fore Charity

Competition will once again take a backseat to compassion on Tuesday, June 20.

Swing Fore Charity is back after a three-year hiatus, and this year the recipient family is one of Carrington’s own – Chuck and LeaAnn Hoppe.

Swing Fore Charity is a benefit golf event started in 2006 when farm equipment representatives and implement dealers joined forces.

Now in its 15th year, the event has found a home right here in the Central City, at CrossRoads Golf Club.

All proceeds from the 2023 Swing Fore Charity event will go to Chuck and LeaAnn Hoppe.

Chuck has worked at Leading Edge Equipment of Carrington in various roles for 30 years, most recently as Service Manager.

Chuck’s wife, LeaAnn, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a fast-growing cancer in her brain, in May 2022. She underwent brain surgery and then started chemotherapy and radiation in June.

(Story by Amy Wobbema, Foster County Independent)

North Dakota energy officials call for action on natural gas

Lynn Helms, Director of the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources, believes North Dakota could be a major player in increased natural gas exports if the obstacles were removed.

Appearing on KTGO Radio, Helms said there are two main issues affecting potential exports: The lack of export terminals, and the unwillingness of the federal government to allow for the oil drilling that produces natural gas.

“We’ve got over a hundred-year supply of natural gas in this country,” said Helms regarding export terminals. “The federal government and the coastal states just don’t want anything to do with it.

“Every export terminal that has been proposed off the shores of California, Oregon and Washington has been turned down by the state and local authorities. So we don’t have access to the Pacific.”

Ron Ness, President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, in an interview said the potential for revenue is massive if North Dakota producers can get their product to the coasts.

“We are awash with natural gas, and of course, you look to Europe and other places that were getting natural gas from Russia, they are hungry and eager for our natural gas,” said Ness.

(Story by Steve Hallstrom, McKenzie County Farmer)