701 Rundown: January 29, 2024

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

A showplace for Carrington

With nearly a half million dollars in donations and pledged funds on the books, Carrington Rainbow Gardens is inching a little closer to reality.

Plans are to build a Japanese garden and visitor center in the heart of downtown Carrington on Main Street. The site was once home to the Miami Grill restaurant, which was owned by Harry and Anne Hayashi after they sold the Rainbow Gardens to the Ihringer family.

Through the work of volunteers aided by CCEDC Director Laurie Dietz, the project is progressing.

New signs were recently installed on the southeast corner of the site to mark the spot where activity is expected to begin as early as this spring.

Carrington Rainbow Gardens president Dennis Swanson said Monday that they will engage structural engineers once the ground thaws, who will conduct ground testing to ensure that the site is adequate.

All the existing trees on the lot will also be removed, to make room for new plantings that match the aesthetic of a Japanese garden.

Meanwhile, fundraising efforts continue. The committee has generated close to 40 percent of their goal in donations and grants.

With the total project estimated at $1.2 million, volunteers are actively pursuing individual donors, private foundation grant programs and federal and state funds wherever possible to bring Carrington Rainbow Gardens to life.

As Swanson and Dietz envision it, Carrington Rainbow Gardens will be a showplace for Carrington on Main Street and serve as a catalyst for more downtown revitalization.

(Story by Amy Wobbema, The Foster County Independent)

National news agency cites Herald-Press

A national news agency has named The Herald-Press as one of the newspapers in the country that incorporates innovative approaches to its news coverage.

The North American Precis Syndicate (NAPS) said The Herald-Press was one of 20 great independently-owned newspapers in the 10 least populated states, supported by local advertising, that has opted for its own unique style and hyperlocal flavor, instead of the cookie-cutter designs that are available from the usual providers.

The strong sense of individualistic identity in the 20 publications listed has helped differentiate them from others and carve out a niche that serves an unmet need, according to Dorothy York, NAPS president and CEO.

Rather than going where everyone else does for news coverage, York tells her organization’s readers that they might want to get off the beaten path and try researching publications in the 10 least populated states.

There, they’ll find some of the most interesting stories, a long history and fun, innovative designs.

“Some of the least populous states have some of the most affluent and influential community newspaper readers,” said York.

The McKenzie County Farmer at Watford City was the only other newspaper in North Dakota included in the list of 20 newspapers.

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

Two formally charged with crime spree spanning three counties

On January 4, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office announced two individuals were formally charged for their part in a crime spree spanning three counties, beginning in December 2020 to January 2021.

Joshua McCleary, 41, and 30-year-old Marcus Creech were allegedly a part of criminal activity that took place in Cass County, Barnes County and LaMoure County.

Formal charges were filed last month by the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

McCleary and Creech are currently in the custody of the N.D. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Among the charges McCleary faces is a felony for fleeing from the Dickinson Police Department and ramming one of their police cars.

McCleary is also one of two inmates that escaped from the Southwest Multi-County Correctional Center back in June of 2020, before being brought back into custody.

Creech, meanwhile, has been charged for an alleged attempted theft of an ATM at BankNorth in Arthur, N.D., as well as several other charges out of McLean County including meth possession with intent to deliver, fleeing and possession of a firearm as a felon.

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)

Beaver appointed as new sheriff

After some concern as to what the future of law enforcement would be in Griggs County, members of the community can now rest easy knowing there is a new sheriff in town.

On Monday, Jan. 8, at 5 p.m., Griggs County Sheriff Robert Hook retired, and his position was filled by the county’s new sheriff, Michael Beaver, who has 10 years of experience as a deputy.

Sheriff Beaver grew up in Binford and attended Midkota Elementary and High School, graduating in 2011.

After high school he served in the North Dakota Army National Guard for eight years as an MP (Military Police). He then attended Lake Region State College and received his associate degree in law enforcement.

He then became a deputy for the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office in 2014, and later went to work as a deputy in Wells County from 2018-2023, before being hired as the Chief Deputy for Griggs County Sheriff’s Office in December 2023.

“I wanted to work in Griggs County because this is where I grew up,” said Beaver. “This community holds a lot of value to me personally, and I hope I can give back to this great community.

“I am incredibly grateful to have received this opportunity to not only better myself but also the Sheriff’s Office and the community.”

(Story by Lisa Saxberg, Griggs County Courier)