701 Rundown: Oct. 14, 2024

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

First responders, agencies discuss Foster County derailment report

Representatives from local fire departments, emergency medical services, disaster response leaders and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) met at the Carrington Fire Hall Monday night, September 30, for a debriefing on the Bordulac train derailment incident on July 5.

The meeting lasted around one hour and 20 minutes long, and was attended by over 40 persons. A meal was also provided for attendees prior to the presentation.

Ed Dankbar, Director of Emergency Management and Hazmat Response with CPKC, gave a slideshow presentation on the derailment, which entailed the initial response, hazardous material cleanup, and recovery efforts that have been accomplished over the last few months on site.

Dankbar went over the facts of the incident which began at 3:30 a.m. that morning on July 5, in which 26 cars from a CPKC train went off the tracks on the eastern edge of Bordulac. Of that total, 10 contained anhydrous ammonia, five with methanol and 11 with non-hazardous plastic pellets.

In the initial page to Carrington Fire and Rescue for response, Chief Ken Wangen described the scenarios that were running through his mind.

"We initially thought it was a locomotive fire," Wangen said. "And as we were gathering and mustering here, they were reporting that they could see the glow of the fire, for those of us that live in town."

Assistant Chief Jason Wolsky said that it became quickly apparent, about "two miles out," that it was much more of a dangerous situation than was foreseen.

At the end of the meeting, Dankbar announced that Carrington Fire and Rescue would be receiving a $20,000 donation from CPKC for equipment.

Attendees were also given optional forms to fill out, where they could voice their written opinions on areas of improvement in regards to aspects of future disaster responses.

(Story by Erik Gjovik, The Foster County Independent)

McKenzie County leads state in oil and gas production

The N.D. Dept. of Mineral Resources (DMR) released its latest production numbers for July 2024, during the director’s cut meeting on September 23.

McKenzie County continued its dominance in the state’s energy sector, reporting increases in both oil and gas production during the month of July. According to the State Summary Report, McKenzie County saw a slight uptick in the number of wells actively producing oil and gas.

More importantly, the county’s adjusted oil production reached a substantial 12,063,209 barrels – a notable increase from the previous month. Gas production also experienced a significant rise, reaching 50,206,413 million cubic feet.

The DMR’s report also revealed a slight decline in statewide oil production for July. Assistant Director Mark Bohrer reported that the state averaged nearly 1.68 million barrels per day, which represents a decrease of approximately 1.5% from previous months but remains about 6% above revenue forecasts.

“While the numbers are down, we are encouraged that the July completions have increased, which may help to stabilize production in the coming months,” Bohrer noted.

He emphasized the significance of the Bakken and Three Forks formations, which accounted for 90% of production.

(Story by M.K. French, McKenzie County Farmer)

Hatton eyes crackdown on chickens within city

City leaders in Hatton, N.D. may be on the verge of cracking down on chicken ownership within city limits – even if it means ruffling a few feathers.

Mayor Stu Letcher told the Hatton City Council on Tuesday that city officials should consider a livestock ordinance that forbids residents from owning chickens inside city limits.

“I don’t think we have an ordinance in place, but I think we need one,” Letcher said. “I don’t think we should allow any livestock in the city.”

Letcher’s comments sparked a spirited but good natured debate about whether the city needed an ordinance restricting the ownership of various animals and insects, including bees, in Hatton.

City Auditor Marci Johnson said she had no complaints about residents owning chickens – as long as their flocks didn’t include roosters.

“Let people have the poor chickens. They’re only birds,” Johnson said. “Chickens barely make a noise. It’s the roosters that create problems.”

Letcher said council members may need to take a deep dive into the city ordinance to determine whether Hatton has any existing regulations restricting chickens.

If the research shows no ordinances exist, the council should study adding one, he said.

“If you start allowing chickens and then someone wants a duck or a turkey, where do you draw the line?” asked Letcher.

(Story by Cole Short, Hillsboro Banner)

No way out for Harvey/Wells County

The Harvey-Wells County sports co-op board met Sept. 25 for a regular meeting to discuss the decision handed down by the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) to move H/WC volleyball and basketball up to Class A.

To maintain three classes of basketball and volleyball in the state, the NDHSAA board lowered enrollment figures earlier this year. The magic number to differentiate Class A and Class B schools was set at 162.5 students.

Harvey and Fessenden-Bowdon schools were moved out of Class B by just 16.5 students, with a combined enrollment of about 178 students in grades 9-12.

The only option to maintain a Class B status for Harvey and Fessenden-Bowdon athletes was to break the 14-year sports co-op between the schools.

“As an administrator of the co-op, I believe this would be a tremendous detriment to our students and communities, who have worked so hard over the past 14 years to get this co-op where it is today,” said Fessenden-Bowdon Athletic Director Aaron Loff.

In the end, school board members agreed it was in the best interest of the students to maintain the status of the sports co-op.

With both schools’ enrollment continuing to grow each year, the chances of the NDHSAA’s decision being reversed is unlikely.

(Story by Christalea Wagner, The Herald-Press)