701 Rundown: June 24, 2024

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

Emmons County Sheriff Department won’t renew contract with Linton

Emmons County Sheriff Gary Sanders told the Linton City Council at its June regular meeting that his department will not renew its law enforcement contract with the city.

“I will not be seeking to renew the city of Linton contract,” he said.

Sanders said the current contract between his department and the city was originally approved in 2013 and renewed Jan. 1, 2020, which means it will expire on Dec. 31 of this year.

He said after discussing it with his entire staff, it was determined to end the contract.

“They are not interested in doing it. I will not allow them to do it,” said Sanders, adding that even if the city were to hire a deputy for after-hours work, if there is an incident, it would still “come back to” the sheriff’s office since the deputy is a county employee.

The sheriff said the main reason for not renewing the contract is the fact that his staff has been charged with enforcing city ordinances (overgrown weeds, junk in yards, etc.) for which there is a process in place for violations.

“Ordinance enforcement is the biggest sticking issue,” he said.

He told the council that he would recommend hiring a civilian enforcement officer, adding that, as officers of the city, the mayor and council members have the authority to enforce ordinances as well.

“We’ll still do the law enforcement,” Sanders said. “We will still investigate crimes of people and property. That won’t stop. We just feel it is best for both parties to separate.”

Sanders also noted that there will be a noticeably lesser presence within the city.

City councilman Randy Meidinger added that they are “parting on good terms.”

(Story by LeAnda Staebner, Emmons County Record)

New details emerge in negligent homicide case

On Tuesday, May 28, an amended affidavit of probable cause was filed with the Northwest Judicial District, releasing new details of events that led to the negligent homicide charges Hugo Hernandez Jr. faces, after the shooting death of Brianne Anderson in March 2023 at a Watford City residence.

According to the affidavit, on the evening of March 22, 2023, while Hernandez was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher he stated “There was a gunshot, an accidental gunshot, ya an accidental gunshot.”

When asked if the shooter was still on the scene, Hernandez stated, “It’s me, I set it down and it went off in my hand, my hand is bleeding too.”

While Watford City Task Force Officer Shaun Schatz was investigating the incident, he was informed by first responders on the scene that Hernandez stated to them, “I set the gun down on the (expletive) table hard and it (expletive) discharged in my hand.”

A Toxicology Alcohol/Volatiles Analytical Report was completed and released on April 6, 2024, which states that Hernandez had a blood alcohol level of 0.031 at the time a blood sample was taken approximately four hours after the event.

The State of North Dakota considers 0.08 the level at which a person is impaired.

The FBI Ballistic Laboratory in Quantico, Va., confirmed that a XD-9 Glock was the weapon that shot Anderson, and that there were no issues with the gun, which has three safety mechanisms: a trigger safety, a grip safety and a striker block safety.

(Story by Patrice Bernard, McKenzie County Farmer)

Voters approve property tax increase to benefit Mayville Public Library

Voters in Mayville approved a 5-mill property tax increase to benefit the Mayville Public Library during Tuesday’s primary election.

The proposed tax hike passed 240 to 82 (74.5 percent), according to unofficial election results released by county officials late Tuesday night.

Dennis Peterson, the library board’s president, said board members were confident that Tuesday’s 5-mill request would be approved at the polls.

“We were confident it would be passed but we’re very excited that it did,” said Peterson. “We’re excited about what it means for the library moving forward.”

The library received a wave of community support after being closed for two months in January and February following the passing of its longtime director, Margaret Rice.

Prior to the election, Peterson said library supporters had proposed the ballot measure in hopes of raising enough money to allow the library to hire a new full-time director.

Revenue from the ballot measure won’t start trickling in until 2025, so board members will need to discuss when they begin advertising the job.

(Story by Cole Short, Hillsboro Banner)

Grafton man assaults police sergeant Thorson

Dayton Todd Gehrtz, 39, of Grafton, made his initial appearance in Northeast District Court on Tuesday, May 28, where he is facing two felony counts and a Class B misdemeanor.

Gehrtz has been charged with two Class C felonies for simple assault on a peace officer and preventing arrest.

The Class C felonies carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a fine of $5,000.

The Class B misdemeanor is for disorderly conduct and carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and/or a $500 fine.

According to the arrest affidavit, officers were called to a disturbance and report of a man waving a knife around at the Midtown Apartments.

When police arrived, Gehrtz was in the upstairs kitchen area holding a knife and bleeding. He appeared to be suffering from lacerations and a possible mental health emergency.

While medical providers were attempting to evaluate Gehrtz he became uncooperative and attempted to leave, prompting officers to place him in handcuffs.

Gehrtz resisted and during the fight he struck Grafton Police Sergeant Thorson several times including in the face. A taser was used to ultimately get Gehrtz under control and into handcuffs, authorities say.

(Story by Todd Morgan, The Walsh County Record)