Around the State: November 21, 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.

Attempted murder suspect found dead

After a recent rough road with law enforcement, the body of attempted murder suspect, Leonard Higdon was found in Williams County on Friday, October 28.

That day at approximately 2:40 p.m., Williams County Deputies responded to an area north of Williston in reference to an unattended body in a field. A preliminary investigation yielded the finding of a male subject who appeared to be deceased.

On Monday, November 1, the North Dakota Medical Examiners office contacted the Williams County Sheriff’s office to report that the unidentified body was 51-year-old Higdon.

Dental records were used for the positive identification of Higdon and the manner of death was ruled as a suicide.

A month prior, on September 29, in the early hours of the morning, the Williston Police Department responded to the 2400 block of 37th Place for a report of a domestic violence incident with two female victims who were identified during the investigation.

The suspect, Higdon, had fled the scene and was involved in a multi-agency vehicle pursuit. After fleeing on foot, Higdon’s vehicle was recovered in the 5900 block of Hwy 85 north of Williston.

Higdon had active warrants for charges involving criminal attempted murder, aggravated assault, criminal trespass, fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

(Story by Ashleigh Plemper, the McKenzie County Farmer)

A devoted couple who loved animals, laughs

When Chad and Connie Allen met, it got real serious, real fast.

Chad referred to her as his bride practically since the day they met and it wasn’t long after when the couple married in 2015.

Chad, 38, was found deceased in his pickup in a neighboring farmyard the morning of October 27, while Connie, 45, is presumed to have perished in a blaze when their home burned to the ground.

With Connie still recovering from knee surgery, the Allens surmise Chad left the burning home in search of help to get her out.

Chad’s family is left now with a lot of memories and a great deal of uncertainty. They have been told it could be as long as four months before the investigation is concluded.

Even though they have no doubt Connie perished in the fire, she can’t legally be declared deceased without testing of remains found in the rubble of the house.

There is still no information on how Chad died.

(Story by Cecile Wehrman, Journal, Crosby)

Mayor Riely warns of lethal drug on the rise

Last week, Watford City Mayor Phil Riely issued a public service announcement (PSA) advising parents and community members to be extra vigilant about what comes into their children’s reach. Specifically Rainbow Fentanyl. The mayor’s PSA describes it as a substance that comes in the form of brightly colored loose powder or pills. And in recent weeks, according to Riely, this drug has made its way to western North Dakota.

“It could come in any shape or size and it’s stupid deadly. It’s nothing to fool around with,” says Riely.

We can all look back on our youth and recall a drug that held popularity at some point in time. Traditionally, teens have been drawn to drugs they perceive as low-risk, although every drug holds some level of risk.

But today’s generation is gambling with their lives each time they use, because of drugs like Fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that has become more prevalent in the last decade. However, it is so lethal that it’s dropping people like flies. So what has led to the drug becoming such a common resort if it’s so knowingly dangerous?

The reason may be because some people believe they’re using a different drug/substance and are not aware that Fentanyl is combined with it. Other times, someone may be so desperately in the grips of addiction that they’re willing to roll the dice on their life for a high they may not come back from.

“I’m sure it is in Watford City. Not the Rainbow Fentanyl, but it’s just a matter of time before it chugs its way across the state,” said Riely.

Considering that regular Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than Heroin and 100 times stronger than Morphine, it may be difficult to fathom how and why something so hard core even exists.

Though there are exceptions for Fentanyl use, it’s generally under the close supervision of a medical professional who administers the drug in very conservative doses.

(Story by Ashleigh Plemper, the McKenzie County Farmer)

City leaders, mobile home park owner at odds

The Hillsboro City Commission and the out-of-state owner of Hillsboro’s mobile home park appear to be headed for another showdown over the trailer court’s unpaid utility bills.

Bill Block of Minneapolis sent a two-page letter to city officials October 10, claiming that he had not been treated fairly by the city since purchasing the mobile home park in 2001.

Block alleged he had been overcharged by more than $173,000 by the city for water and electricity used by his renters at the trailer court since July 1, 2001.

As a result of the city’s actions, Block said he hadn’t paid his last three utility bills at the mobile home park and that he planned to deduct $800 per month from the bills he’s sent by the city.

In his letter, Block said he would be willing to settle his billing complaints if city commissioners were willing to pay him $57,600, roughly a third of the amount he alleges he was overbilled.

City commissioners reviewed Block’s letter, but didn’t take any action on his request.

(Story by Cole Short, the Hillsboro Banner)

A local connection to Mayo transplant

Mayo Clinic celebrated the 10,000 blood and bone marrow transplants on Oct. 10 and in doing so brought back the individuals that started it all nearly 60 years ago, which included Dr. Robert Kyle, MD. Kyle was born and raised in Bottineau and performed the first bone marrow transplant for Mayo Clinic in 1963.

(Story by Scott Wagar, the Bottineau Courant)