Around the State: September 12, 2022

The counties and cities within the state of North Dakota hold many interesting news stories.

Here are just a few of the feature stories that others are reading in communities around the state.

Jim Wink donated his organs to 85 people

When James “Jim” Dean Wink of Tolley passed away from a heart attack, his grieving family would never have imagined just how many people he would help in the ten years since his death.

Wink had agreed to be an organ donor, a designation North Dakotans can make on their driver’s license.

All these years later, Wink’s mother, Rae Zeltinger of Kenmare, learned just this month that her son’s organ donations have helped renew the health of 85 people in 26 states.

Life Source, a company based in Minneapolis, facilitates the organ donations for the State of North Dakota.

In a letter Zeltinger received from Life Source, she learned the extent of all the good that comes from one person’s organ donations.

“Concerning James’ donation, we have learned that 85 people have been able to receive renewed health from your son.

“These individuals are men and women ranging in age from 16 to 84 and have undergone surgery in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.” James’ gifts were also able to help provide healing to individuals in Quebec and Puerto Rico.

(Story by Terry Froseth, the Kenmare News)

Pipeline leaked 34,000 barrels

One of the largest oil field spills in North Dakota’s recent history occurred northwest of Ray this summer.

An estimated 34,000 barrels of produced water, equivalent to 1.4 million gallons, leaked from a Hess-owned pipeline before it was discovered on August 12 by a farmer flying overhead.

“The spill impacted surrounding farmland,” read a press release from the North Dakota Department of Environmental quality. “No surface water impacts have been observed, but there is evidence of localized groundwater contamination.”

The spill stretched roughly 3,500 feet from the site of the leak, according to the incident report, and affected several acres of land farmed by Troy Kupper, Donald Knox and Jeff Knox and is currently being remediated.

It was actually Jeff Knox who discovered the pipeline leak. He was actually out in his airplane, checking out his own crop, and he discovered it. It was a discoloration in the crop.

Hess believes the leak began on July 21 and continued until it was discovered on August 12. The cause of the leak from the six-inch pipeline, and the reason for the delay in detection have not yet been determined.

(Story by Jacob Orledge, the Tioga Tribune)

Former State’s Attorney charged with murder

For three months in 2021, Anders Odegaard served as Mercer County State’s Attorney. On August 23, according to a criminal complaint, he was arrested in the beating death of his ex-wife, Carissa Odegaard in Marshall County, Minnesota, as she allegedly clung to the youngest of their five children and two of their other children watched in terror. He faces second degree murder charges.

If convicted, Odegaard faces a maximum of 40 years in prison.

The criminal complaint filed by the Marshall County Sheriff’s office states a fight broke out between the Odegaards on August 23 after Carissa arrived to pick up the children at Ander’s residence. He allegedly refused to let his ex-wife take the children to church. Two of the children ran outside and alerted a stranger “because their mom was bleeding really bad and needed help,” according to the complaint.

The complaint states three of the couple’s children, boys aged 9, 8 & 2 were inside the house during the alleged attack.

The oldest son said he witnessed Odegaard striking Carissa with either a spatula or a knife. The eight-year-old said he witnessed his father tackle his mother, them straddle her back on the floor, and choke her.

According to the complaint, when the deputy arrived, he noted that Carissa Odegaard was not breathing and attempted CPR after putting her ex-husband in handcuffs. She was flown to a hospital in Fargo where she was pronounced brain dead.

(Story by Bill Schmalfeldt, taken from the McLean County Independent)

Tolley soldier identified after 78 years

After 78 years, the remains of a Tolley, N.D. soldier killed during WWII have been identified.

Army Pfc. Robert Alexander, 27, of Tolley, was killed July 7, 1944, during a Japanese suicide attack against the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, on Saipan in the Mariana Islands.

The Battle of Saipan lasted 24 days, from June 15 to July 9, 1944 The Japanese surged over suicide “banzai” attack, engaging both the Army and Marine units.

The 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 105th Infantry Regiment, to which Alexander was attacked, were almost destroyed, losing well over 650 killed and wounded.

Scientists used dental and anthropological analysis, circumstantial and material evidence and DNA analysis. The remains were identified as Alexander on June 21 of this year.

Alexander will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a date yet to be determined.

(Story by Terry Froseth, the Kenmare News)

Construction worker arrested for burglaries

The man accused of breaking into Hansen’s Bar and the Eagles Club in downtown New Rockford has been arrested.

According to Eddy County Sheriff Paul Lies, 34-year-old Matthew Braun was served a search warrant at his home in Kindred, N.D. on Sunday, August 14, where he was arrested and taken to the Stutsman County Correctional Center.

“Braun was in town working at a construction site, said Lies, and was caught after multiple cameras placed him and his vehicle at the scene of the burglaries.”

(Story by Nathan Price, the New Rockford Transcript)