701 Rundown: Jan. 13, 2025

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

Former MCSO deputy charged with felonies

According to documents filed with the Northwest Judicial District, a warrant for the arrest of former McKenzie County Sheriff’s deputy Daniel B. Christensen was issued on Dec. 17 stemming from an investigation that began in December 2023.

In December 2023, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation received a Cybertip for an account with Synchronoss Technologies from the National Centers of Missing and Exploited Children.

Investigators received data back from Verizon Wireless reporting the Synchronoss account and phone number linked to it belonged to Daniel Christensen.

When law enforcement executed a search warrant of Christensen’s residence in Alexander, N.D., officers located over 40 files within Christensen’s Synchronoss account of Child Sexual Abuse Material.

A bond hearing was held on Dec. 19. Christensen’s bond was set at $50,000 and he posted bond on Dec. 20.

A preliminary hearing and/or arraignment has been scheduled for Jan. 21, 2025.

(Story by Denielle Brothers and Patrice Bumstead, the McKenzie County Farmer)

Beumer resigns from Foster Co. Commission

Scott Beumer has submitted his resignation from the Foster County Commission, effective Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Beumer officially resigned from the commission during their year-end meeting Tuesday morning, after eight years as a Foster County commissioner.

"Being part of the Foster County Board of Commissioners for the last eight years has been rewarding, and I'm proud of the stability that this board of five commissioners and our elected department leaders have provided to Foster County," wrote Beumer in his resignation letter.

His fellow commissioners thanked Beumer for his service and had nothing but kind words to say following their meeting.

"He was a great asset for the commission for the past eight years," said Commission Chairperson Becky Hagel. "He helped a lot with township shared roads, the personnel committee and always kept the meetings moving along."

Looking ahead, the commission will now look to find someone who can complete the remainder of Beumer's 4-year term.

His seat is not up for reelection until 2026, and whoever the commission appoints will only serve those remaining two years of Beumer's term.

As Beumer was the commissioner for District 4 of Foster County, the commission will have to find someone who resides within the same district, which is located south of Main Street and east of 10th Avenue within the City of Carrington.

(Story by Nathan Price, The Foster County Independent)

Cooperstown couple injured after semi crash

On Thursday, Dec. 26, Charles and Shelby Olson of Cooperstown were traveling north on Highway 1 in a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu near Dazey, N.D.

At the intersection of Highway 26 at about 4 p.m., a semi failed to yield, causing Olson's vehicle to strike the drive tires on the passenger side of the semi.

Jack Fehr, 20, of Wimbledon had been traveling eastbound in a 1997 Peterbilt semi towing a hopper trailer on Barnes County Road 4, and crossed Highway 1 to enter Highway 26 at the time of the crash.

Fehr did not sustain any injuries in the crash.

Charles and Shelby Olson, however, were both transported by Barnes County Ambulance to CHI Mercy Hospital in Valley City for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Their family dog was riding with them at the time of the crash, and ran off into a slough after the accident. Thankfully, it was found the next day.

(Story from the Griggs County Courier)

Independent investigator clears Harvey School of harassment, discrimination

An independent investigator hired by the Harvey School Board, after claims of a hostile work environment in the Harvey School system were filed, has submitted his conclusions.

The investigator indicated that he found no evidence of discrimination or harassment in the grievance suit filed by Dr. Teresa Harding, elementary principal, against Dr. Robert Lukens, Harvey superintendent of schools.

Harding alleged in her Oct. 31, 2024 complaint that she was subject to a sustained pattern of discriminatory and retaliatory actions and was held to different expectations and requirements as a woman than male administrators.

“The targeted treatment severely impacted my ability to perform my duties as an elementary school principal. Dr. Lukens’ conduct has created a hostile work environment, marked by persistent unfairness, misapplication of district policies, and a disregard for professional boundaries,” states the complaint.

Dr. Harding’s charges were investigated and unsubstantiated, said Lukens with conviction recently.

However, the board did take issue with their superintendent on other matters, such as failing to comply with district procedures on filling teaching appointments and other positions, as well as failing to comply with state law on a lead administrator’s evaluations of principals.

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