701 Rundown: August 19, 2024

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

N.D. National Guardsman rescues woman from sinking car

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David Hooge, 231st Quartermaster Platoon, N.D. National Guard, rescued a woman from a sinking car in Devils Lake on July 29, 2024.

While driving south of the city of Devils Lake, Hooge noticed a car behind him swerving back and forth before going off the road into the water of Devils Lake.

Hooge pulled over and went to help the woman, and when he reached the vehicle the water had already risen to her waist.

According to Hooge, the woman seemed to be frozen. She was unable to unlock the car doors and the front door was too damaged to open. So, Hooge grabbed a nearby rock and used it to break out the back window.

He then unlocked one of the back doors, and the woman was able to exit the sinking vehicle.

Hooge estimates that the vehicle was completely submerged roughly five minutes later.

“I’m glad I was able to step up and help,” said Hooge. “I joined the National Guard because I want to make a difference in my community and do what I can to make the world a better place.

“This is concrete evidence that I have made a difference in this world. Being able to respond when a crisis happens and help those in need is incredibly fulfilling,” he added. “It’s an honor to serve and protect my community, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.”

Hooge enlisted in the N.D. National Guard as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in April 2007. He has since risen through the ranks and has served in several roles within the National Guard.

His awards include the Army Achievement Medal, the N.D. State Commendation Ribbon and three N.D. National Guard Emergency Service Ribbons.

(Story from the Benson County Farmers Press)

All cars removed from Bordulac derailment site

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Foster County commissioners were given an update on the Bordulac train derailment clean-up efforts, including that all rail cars have now been removed from the derailment site.

Foster County Emergency Manager Andrew Kirking said the rail cars have been staged nearby where they'll undergo investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), who were on site from August 6-9.

"The incident has transitioned from a 'response' operation to 'remediation,' signaling the removal of all hazardous materials and consideration now being given to crash investigation and recovery efforts to the area," stated Kirking in his report.

Although the rail cars have been removed, Kirking said clean-up efforts will still be underway for some time, noting that "dewatering" operations are ongoing to remove all contaminated liquid from the site.

"Complete cleanup is still expected to take until late fall, and some – albeit smaller – presence will remain in Bordulac," said Kirking.

He also noted that county officials are working hard to ensure all damages and expenses related to the derailment are documented.

"Ongoing expenses, including damage to roads, will be reimbursed later after all heavy equipment has been removed," he stated.

(Story by Nathan Price, The Foster County Independent)

Former Grafton man supplies mold to land world record

Former Grafton native and businessman, Kent DeSautel, recently had a helping hand in landing a Blue Marlin out of the Atlantic Ocean that weighed over 500 pounds, earning the fishing team that caught it a $1.7 million prize and the world record.

“A while back I made a mold for a fishing weight for a customer out in Virginia Beach, Virginia and he called me the other day to let me know that one of his customers used the weight at a fishing tournament and they won with a weight of more than 500 pounds,” he said.

According to Desautel, the mold was for a 12-pound dredge weight.

“The dredge weight has a bunch of metal rods coming out of it that have fishing lures attached and they basically pull this through the ocean water at depths down to 1,500 feet deep,” he explained.

“They tie a squid to the tail of this lead weight and drag it through the water.”

The customer, Desautel said, poured the lead weight into the mold that resembles a small shark and sold it to the team that caught the world-record Blue Marlin.

(Story by Todd Morgan, The Walsh County Record)

One arrested in rural Cass County shooting

A 34-year-old Moorhead man has been arrested in connection to a shooting that took place in rural Cass County July 31 on County Road 81.

Authorities apprehended Starmaine Hoeper in South Fargo August 1, following a shooting that seriously injured a victim whose name is not being released.

Upon law enforcement arrival, the victim was conscious and alert before being life-flighted to Sanford in Fargo with critical injuries.

Hoeper is currently in custody at the Cass County Jail where he is being held on charges of attempted murder, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.

Cass County authorities, in collaboration with regional law enforcement agencies, continue to investigate this incident to determine whether any additional responsible parties are involved.

No further information is being released at this time.

Cass County authorities believe this to be an isolated incident involving individuals familiar with one another.

(Story by Angela Kolden, Cass County Reporter)