701 Rundown: June 3, 2024

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

Long-standing Cooperstown business devastated by fire

On Saturday, May 18, a fire started in the kitchen area of the Coachman Inn Restaurant that appears to have caused a complete loss of the building.

The motel behind the restaurant was mostly spared thanks to the actions taken by the Cooperstown Fire Department.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, the interim appointed sheriff, Rick Cushman, received a call that the burglar alarm at the Coachman Inn's kitchen door was going off.

Cushman reported that the kitchen door was locked when he got there, but he could hear the fire inside. When he stepped back, he saw smoke coming out of the vent. He said he called 911 and reported the fire.

Cushman estimates that 18-20 firemen arrived on the scene, with two hydrants and five lines (hoses) fighting the fire.

The motel guests were notified and evacuated immediately, and no one was injured at the scene as a result of the fire.

At approximately 6 a.m. the firemen were able to leave the scene, before returning at 7 a.m. to deal with a flare-up.

The State Fire Marshal has stated that the fire originated in the kitchen area, but the fire remains under investigation at this time. According to Cushman, the kitchen did have a fire suppression system and had passed inspection.

(Story by Jill Larson, Griggs County Courier)

Carrington PD hires new officer

When applying for a new job, sometimes it helps to have friends vouch for their local community.

In a way, that's one of the factors that brought new police officer Hunter Lentz to Carrington.

While going to school at NDSU, Lentz had two Carrington natives, Trey Rosenau and Drew Page, as roommates, along with Teddy Allmaras of New Rockford.

"I've been hunting in the area before," said Lentz of the region. "Being from the country, I just like the small community atmosphere here."

The 2019 Richland High School graduate was an active athlete in his school days, playing football, basketball and track for the Colts.

In college, he received his degree in physical and health education with a minor in psychology in 2023. He then attended the Law Enforcement Training Academy in Bismarck, finishing his certification in May.

Lentz's desire to not be tied down in an "office job," in his words, led him into the law enforcement field.

"I just kind of want to help people, and work with the community to make it better from within," he says. "Being an officer is a job where I'm always moving, and learning something new every day."

(Story by Erik Gjovik, The Foster County Independent)

Portland city council OKs more bow hunting permits in city

City leaders in Portland plan to continue working with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to allow bow hunters to harvest deer in the city this fall.

Portland joined Bismarck, Mandan, Fargo, Minot and Watford City last year on a small list of municipalities statewide where hunters could apply for bow hunting permits to harvest deer inside city limits.

Members of the Portland City Council voted Monday night to request another special bow hunting season from the state this year and expand the number of deer permits available in the city from 20 to 25.

Growing deer herds along the Goose River continue to be a problem in Portland, city officials said.

“We want these deer gone so let’s invite (deer hunters) back in the fall,” said city council member Jarod Basol.

City officials briefly debated whether to introduce a $30 permit fee to prospective deer hunters before agreeing that the charge could lead to fewer permits being issued by the city.

City Auditor Nadine Rygg estimated 11 of the 20 bow hunting permits issued to hunters last year resulted in deer being harvested in Portland.

Based off that percentage, City Council member JoAnna Nielson suggested increasing the number of deer permits offered by the city to 30 before city leaders settled on 25.

(Story by Cole Short, Hillsboro Banner)

Crosby City Council approves buydown for grocery store

The Crosby City Council has unanimously cast votes in favor of an interest buydown grant to Devin and KayCee Lindsey toward the purchase of Crosby’s former grocery store.

The Lindseys requested just over $33,300 in funding from the Spirit Fund, the maximum amount possible for a project of more than $75,000.

The vote follows the Spirit Fund Board’s recommendation of approval at a meeting on April 30.

Crosby’s grocery store, Jason’s Super Foods, closed at the end of March following an extended period of inventory shortages that forced residents to seek their goods elsewhere.

Devin Lindsey was the store’s manager.

Jason Tracy, the store’s owner, is in the midst of a divorce proceeding that influenced closures of several stores in addition to the one in Crosby.

The Crosby store and others are now under the control of a court-appointed receiver who has authority to liquidate assets.

Devin Lindsey earlier told The Journal that if the couple’s financing and offer to the receiver are approved, he hoped to have the store reopened in July.

(Story by Brad Nygaard, The Journal)