The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
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It must be spring, because cleaning and renewal are on the brain. I’m looking at all the work that needs to be done in and around our home before we host a graduation party in six weeks. I also need to take down the snowflake decor in the New Rockford store window and replace it with something more “seasonally-appropriate.” I wish I had gotten that knack from my mother. She changes her décor every month, and the tables, archways and other areas of her home are always in season. We renewe...
“Help, I need advice! Tell me what to do with this weird corner below the stairs in my house!” “Show my husband that our brick home’s exterior would look better painted.” “I can’t stand these ‘orange’ wood cabinets that were custom built by the previous owner. Would they look better stained black or painted white?” Such are common questions a typical homeowner might ask his friends and neighbors. Every home has its quirks; some more than others. I remember watching “This Old House” and “Home Imp...
It's no small task. Contractors have been hard at it for months, preserving the Foster County Courthouse from the ground up. The Foster County Commission accepted a $2,175,000 bid from General Roofing & Construction, a local firm owned by Leo Straley. In January, the firm went to work on Phase One, which covers the majority of the basement square footage. On Monday, Project Manager Ted Keller gave the Independent an exclusive look behind the scenes at the major overhaul underway. As shown in the...
Shoo-be-doo-wop! You'll flip your lid for this one! DPRCA presents "The Marvelous Wonderettes," a must-take musical trip down memory lane featuring over 30 classic '50s and '60s hits. The show opens during the 1958 Springfield High School prom. Meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy: four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts. They go on about their lives and loves, all the while belting out classic '50s hits including "Lollipop," "Dream Lover," "Stupid Cupid,"...
I’m not a big fan of April Fools’ Day, or any kind of pranks for that matter. Perhaps that’s because I am more likely to be the one pranked than I am the mastermind behind the hoax. My husband, on the other hand, can pull a prank with the best of them. Our oldest was born the day after April Fools’ Day, and I happened to go into labor on the dreaded day. My husband and his dad were out of town for work the four days prior, and I was anxious to say the least. I had been staying with his dad’s f...
There has been a growing concern in the Central City recently, namely unlicensed vehicles, building materials and tires littering the yards of residents. In response to this issue, the city council has directed Carrington Chief of Police Chris Bittmann to educate residents about Chapter 34 of the city ordinances, known as the "junk ordinance." According to Bittmann, the primary goal of this ordinance is to promote a clean and aesthetically pleasing community, while also seeking to deter crime...
Three Carrington archers earned a trip to the NASP Western National Tournament in Sandy, Utah on April 26 and 27. Thirty local archers earned the opportunity to compete at the North Dakota State NASP Tournament in Minot on March 15 and 16, with their flights in both bullseye and 3D taking place on Friday night. The Cardinals' pride and joy was fifth grader Emma Mertz. She excelled in both bullseye and 3D competition, finishing in second place among elementary girls in bullseye and fifth place in...
The Carrington School Board meeting on Tuesday, March 12 was a lot about staffing. Administrators are working to fill open positions for the 2024-25 school year and put contracts in place for returning staff. At Tuesday's meeting, the board offered new contracts to three elementary teachers. Hayleigh LaBelle, who comes with six years of teaching experience, will teach Pre-K. Kadyn Mehring will teach in the upper elementary grades and coach volleyball. McKenzie Johnson will teach fourth grade....
During National Ag Week, all eyes are on the farmers and ranchers who are responsible for keeping the world fed. According to the American Farm Bureau, one U.S. farmer feeds 166 people annually in America and abroad. In the 1800s when North Dakota was first established, a farmer fed 3-5 people, most likely his family members. In 1960, one farmer could feed about 26 people. Even though we have the world’s third largest population to feed, the United States is still the world’s largest food exp...
It's Sunshine Week, a national observance of the importance of public records and open government. Sunshine Week occurs each year in mid-March, coinciding with James Madison's birthday, March 16 (1751). Madison, one of our country's founding fathers and an advocate of open government, presented the first version of the Bill of Rights to Congress. He was later elected the fourth president of the United States. Sunshine Week, observed this year from March 10-16, highlights the importance of open g...
I photographed the Forever Dance Spring Show at Carrington School last Sunday. It wasn't the first spring show I've attended (or photographed), but for some reason this performance had me enthralled. It was an absolute joy to see dozens of young girls leave it all on the floor. The energy level was off the charts, and the costumes and props were spectacular. Even coaches Brianne Partlow and Jane Sauby got in on the jazz, wearing outfits adorned with sequins and sparkles. I thought the action...
Forever Dance and the Carrington Cardinaires showed off their artistry at the annual Spring Show, held at the East Gym Sunday, February 25. Dancers from all age groups, ranging from the 'Tinys' to Levels 1, 2 and 3 and up to the Cardinaires junior high/high school dance team, performed their routines to the appreciation of the capacity crowd....
To improve safety and provide additional layers of security for students and staff in Carrington's high school building, the Carrington Public School District unveiled plans for a 5,000 square foot addition. The plans, prepared by YHR Partners, call for the construction of a secure front entrance and new administrative offices on the school's west side, which will extend from the current high school entry to the west edge of the property along 3rd Avenue. The new entrance was designed to match...
Residents of Carrington Public School District 49 will get two opportunities to have their voices heard at the ballot box this summer. First, the annual school board election has been set for Tuesday, June 4, with polls open from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. in the High School Commons. The seats currently held by Tonia Erickson and Kevin Wolsky are up for re-election, both 3-year terms. Individuals interested in serving on the school board should file a Statement of Intent and Statement of Interest with...
On a gravel road in rural Foster County is a family-owned agribusiness that never stops. It quietly and continuously operates, cold pressing and refining a variety of crops to produce oil and protein. Now this business has big news to share. Healthy Oilseeds of rural Carrington recently announced that their hemp and flax products are Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC), marking a significant stride in their commitment to sustainability. "We are excited to achieve regenerative...
Several staffing updates were highlighted at the Tuesday, Feb. 13 Carrington school board meeting. Superintendent Janelle Helm reported that John Erickson was recently hired as the assistant golf coach and Joanna Lee will take on full-time custodial duties for the district. Karla Michaelson will leave her current position as athletic director and high school history teacher at the end of 2023-24 school year to begin a new role as Dean of Students for the 2024-25 year. Her letter of resignation...
Congratulations to Amanda Koepplin, third grade teacher at NR-S, on her selection as the Eddy County Teacher of the Year for 2023-24. I have the utmost respect and admiration for those who pursue teaching as a career, and even more so for those who dedicate their lives to teaching young minds. It’s a noble profession. When I was in elementary school, I often said that I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I had three younger siblings and four younger cousins to look after, and teaching seemed...
It’s another year of “lasts” at the Wobbema house. Yes, I realize we are smack dab in the middle of our daughter’s senior year, but reality didn’t set in until just a few days ago. It all started when a fellow mom of a senior posted a picture of her son on social media last week. That night was the last time he’d play high school basketball on his home court, and she was wrestling with all the emotions that come with it. I replied that I was fortunate that NR-S was hosting the district girls’ to...
“Things are not always as they appear to be … Curiosity creates possibilities and opportunities.” Roy T. Bennett I’m a curious person. It’s a trait that characterizes many journalists, and for good reason. The drive to know more or to ask just one more question to get to the heart of the issue is often the catalyst for good news articles. According to Dictionary.com, curiosity is “a strong desire to know or learn something.” I usually refer to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary for official defi...
Ice fishing – where Midwestern men go to shoot the freeze. DPRCA kicks off its blockbuster 2024 season with a reprise of "Guys on Ice," a musical comedy that will have you laughing (and freezing) your face off! Life on the lake is easy, especially when the fish are biting, the jokes are funny, there's a 'couple two three' beers in the bucket and the Green Bay Packers are on the field. From the warmth of their shanty 'up north,' old pals Marvin and Lloyd spin wit, wisdom and hilarious songs a...
CHS hosted its home tournament for the 2024 archery season on Saturday, Jan. 27. With action in both gyms and over 300 archers competing, it was a busy day. After nine flights of both 3D and bullseye shooting, Connor Cose of Rolla emerged as the top male archer overall in both divisions. He scored a 288 in 3D with 23 tens and also took the top spot among high school boys. NR-S archer Koy Zieman had the same score but three fewer tens, and finished first in middle school boys and second overall....
Economic activity in the Central City has reached a milestone. Sales tax collections for the year 2023 exceeded $1 million for the first time ever. According to data released Tuesday, the City of Carrington collected $1,080,534.43 last year. That's a 14 percent increase over last year, or more than $100,000. See the chart below for the 5-year trend. "City sales tax collection reached a record high for 2023," said auditor Jennifer Gast. "This is fantastic not only for the three quarters of 1%...
With nearly a half million dollars in donations and pledged funds on the books, Carrington Rainbow Gardens is inching a little closer to reality. Plans are to build a Japanese garden and visitor center in the heart of downtown Carrington on Main Street. The site was once home to the Miami Grill restaurant, which was owned by Harry and Anne Hayashi after they sold the Rainbow Gardens to the Ihringer family. Through the work of volunteers aided by CCEDC Director Laurie Dietz, the project is...
Staffing changes at Carrington Public Schools were the big news at the school board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 11. First, the board officially voted to open a new Dean of Students position. Superintendent Janelle Helm went through the job description with board members at the meeting, which is an additional administrative position. The Dean of Students will perform a variety of administrative tasks, many of them that are typically assigned to the athletic director (AD). The current AD, Karla Mich...
Valentine’s Day and Giving Hearts Day are coming soon, but did you know that there’s one more very important heart-related observance we are in the midst of right now? Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. This could be a little girl in the ICU or a grandfather with Stage 3 leukemia. January is National Blood Donation Month, and the need is greater than you might realize. The American Red Cross recently announced that they are experiencing an emergency blood shortage. Blood don...
