701 Rundown: Dec. 11, 2023

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

Jager pleads guilty

Andrew Jager of Carrington, accused of carrying a weapon just blocks from the nearby school, has pleaded guilty to several felony and misdemeanor counts.

Jager was first arrested on Friday, April 21 in Carrington after multiple calls were received about a man carrying a gun case and yelling at passersby, just two blocks from the Carrington Public School.

After Carrington Police Chief Christopher Bittmann struggled to place him under arrest, Jager was charged with disorderly conduct, preventing arrest, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon and three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

The disorderly conduct charge was later dismissed on Oct. 25.

For a time, Jager’s case was paused as he received treatment at the North Dakota State Hospital after undergoing an evaluation that determined he was unfit to continue with criminal prosecution.

Eventually, however, he reached an agreement with the prosecution that resolved the case without jail time having to be served.

Jager pleaded guilty to each of the charges filed against him, and the judge made his sentence on Nov. 22.

Jager was sentenced to 360 days at the Stutsman County Correctional Center, with 277 of those days suspended, and credit for time served for the remaining 133 days. In other words, no jail time.

He was also sentenced to two years supervised probation and must pay $560 in various fees and fines.

(Story by Nathan Price, The Foster County Independent)

Fatal crash in Alice

A 71-year-old Lisbon man was the victim of a fatal crash that occured Saturday, Nov. 25 in Alice, N.D.

Duane Krivarchka was southbound on Cass County Road 38 entering Alice at 12:15 p.m. when he crossed the center line and hit an oncoming semi head-on.

Krivarchka was declared deceased on-scene after receiving treatment from first responders. The driver of the semi, 25-year-old Christian Mueller of Hodgeville, Saskatchawan, was uninjured.

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)

State opts to appeal redistricting decision

Less than three days after a judge ruled in favor of the voting rights of Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and Spirit Lake tribes, North Dakota's top election official appealed the decision.

U.S. District Chief Judge Peter Welte ruled that the tribes’ voting rights were unlawfully diluted by a 2021 legislative redistricting map which added portions of Towner and Cavalier counties into District 9, which for decades was made up solely of Rolette County, which is home to the Turtle Mountain Band.

It was an unrelated decision in another court, however, that put in motion the state’s appeal. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that private individuals and groups such as the NAACP do not have the ability to sue under a key section of the Voting Rights Act.

In announcing his intention to appeal Welte’s ruling, Republican Secretary of State Michael Howe specifically cited Monday’s 2-1 ruling by the appeals court panel, which is based in St. Louis and has jurisdiction over seven states, including North Dakota.

It is unclear whether the same panel of three judges would hear the North Dakota case.

North Dakota Rep. Jayme Davis, a democrat representing District 9B, maintained that the tribes have a “strong case.”

She explained how the tribes’ appeal revolved around similar case in North Carolina dating back to 1986.

(Story by Jason Nordmark, Turtle Mountain Star)

Carnival will return to Wells County Fair

A full carnival will return to the Wells County Fair next summer. The Wells County Fair board convened on Nov. 21 and booked Midway West Amusement carnival out of Arizona. The fair will run from June 20 through 23.

Frank Hockridge, a long-time fair board member and fair vendor, was key in finding potential carnival entertainment for 2024.

Having explored various options, Hockridge shared his findings with the board, saying a carnival from Arizona would like to add Wells County to its North Dakota fair circuit.

During the meeting, board president Jolene Swang called the firm, Midway West Amusement, to discuss dates, rates, rides, advertising and ticket sales.

After checking references and confirming dates and rates, the contract was signed.

Midway West promises a variety of entertainment, featuring at least 12 rides, including a ferris wheel and an assortment of other rides to cater to children, teenagers and adults.

Last year, with no carnival available, the Wells County Fair Board hired a company from Montana to bring in a variety of bouncy toys and games that were a hit with the younger kids.

The fair board will request a smaller scale of bouncy rides and games from the same company to complement the carnival.

(Story by Anne Ehni, The Herald-Press)

Linton school superintendent intends to resign at end of 2023-24 term

Linton School District Superintendent Rick Diegel has informed the Linton School Board of his intention to resign his position at the end of the 2023-24 school term.

Diegel has been splitting his time as superintendent at Linton and Kidder County School District in Steele, in addition to serving on the North Dakota High School Activities Association Board of Directors.

He told the Linton board during their regular meeting on Nov. 20, that it’s becoming more difficult to fulfill his obligation to both school districts, as well as the NDHSAA.

“I have enjoyed my time here, and love working with the board and staff here,” Diegel said. “I want to thank (the board) for giving me the opportunity to make this work, and I am glad that I had the opportunity, but it is just getting to be too much.”

Diegel said he will submit a formal resignation to the board during its December meeting, effective at the end of the 2023-24 school term.

He wanted to give the board a “heads up” before then so they could begin searching for someone to fill the position, because superintendents are usually expressing interest during the months of December and January.

(Story by Mark Weber, Emmons County Record)