Around the State: December 5, 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.

Mountain lion tagged near Hamberg

“It was definitely a surprise,” explained John Bollingberg about a recent mountain lion experience he had near his home southeast of Hamberg.

“I’ve lived here most of my life and spent a lot of time outdoors, but I’ve never actually seen a mountain lion around here. I’ve only heard stories of sightings, so to have one this close was a bit of a shock,” he said.

Bollingberg received word that there was a lion spotted only about 100 yards from his mailbox. The next afternoon he found a set of fresh tracks in the snow and determined they were the size and shape of a large cat. He grabbed his rifle, and set off following the tracks for a half mile into an old farmstead.

The tracks led to an old grainary where she lay underneath.

“I was able to get a good shot on her, but she was tough and got up and ran,” said Bollingberg.

The lion ran about 200 yards through the snow and in some bushes before it finally came to its resting place under an old grain truck.

He guessed the lion to be about 70-80 pounds, and close to seven feet long from its nose to the tip of the tail.

(Story by Carrie Opdahl, the Herald-Press, Harvey)

Tioga Dollar General under OSHA investigation

Tioga’s Dollar General store, the cause of frequent complaints on social media from former employees and customers, is the subject of an OSHA safety investigation.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration staff from Bismarck conducted an inspection on November 1 as part of an investigation into an unspecified safety hazard. The investigation remains open and OSHA is unable to comment on investigations that have not been closed.

Skylar Brashear, who said she was an assistant manager at the store from July to September in an interview last week, believes it was likely precipitated by lack of storage capacity for the store’s regular freight deliveries.

“We did not have the space in the back to put it so we ended up having to put it on the floor, and obviously that’s dangerous because if there’s a fire or something like that, you have to have a clear walking space,” said Brashear. “It got to the point where we weren’t able to fit down aisles anymore and there was boxes everywhere. There was stuff hanging off the top of shelves.”

Tioga’s store is not the only one under investigation in North Dakota. Dollar General stores in Casselton and Garrison are also under investigation.

(Story by Jacob Orledge, the Tioga Tribune)

Census Bureau already gearing up for 2030

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a prerecorded presentation explaining how it is preparing for the 2030 Census, including research that is underway, the planning time-line and details on how the public can provide input on the design and planning of the next census.

The Census Bureau has dozens of research projects to address five areas that will enhance the science of census taking. It will consider the research findings and public input as it develops the initial operational design for the 2030 Census - the “big picture” plan for conducting the census.

In August, the Census Bureau posted a Federal Register Notice inviting the public to share its ideas for improving the census. In the presentation, Census Bureau officials note the agency particularly wants to hear recommendations.

(Story taken from the Turtle Mountain Star)

Grady sentenced in tribal bribery scheme

Frank Grady, a former Tribal Business Council member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (MHA Nation) was sentenced November 21 to six years and three months in prison for a bribery scheme involving soliciting and accepting bribes and kickbacks from a contractor providing construction services on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, which is the home of the MHA Nation.

According to court documents, from November 2014 through November 2018, Grady, 54, of Billings, Montana, was an elected representative on the Tribal Business Council, the governing body of the MHA Nation. Beginning around 2016 and continuing through 2017, Grady solicited and accepted bribes and kickbacks totaling more than $260,000 from a contractor operating on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

(Story taken from the New Town News)

Rites for Private Alexander conducted

U.S. Army Private First Class Robert L. Alexander, of Tolley, was finally laid to rest with honor, dignity, respect, and remembrance during a service held recently at Arlington National Cemetery.

Pfc. Alexander was killed 78 years ago, July 7, 1944, at Saipan in the Mariana Islands while battling the Japanese during the Second World War.

It was just five months ago, however, on June 21, 2022, that Pfc. Alexander’s remains were identified and his family was notified. He had previously been designated as nonrecoverable since 1949.

Fifteen members of the Robert Alexander’s family were in attendance on November 14, 2022, for the military rites at Arlington, Virginia.

(Story by Terry Froseth, the Kenmare News)

Watford City woman facing felony charges

Natalie Lynette Garcia has been charged with a Class C Felony for misapplication of entrusted property between $1,000 - $10,000.

The Watford City Police Department received a report in August from the Dakota West Credit Union of possible fraudulent activity, where a nonprofit organization account appeared to be used for personal gain.

The auditor of the credit union advised law enforcement that Garcia, who is the president of the Watford City School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), had been pulling from the PTO account and placing the funds into bank accounts that belong to Garcia and bank accounts where Garcia and her children are co-owners of the account.

Account information from the bank shows the PTO had $19,000 in its account in January 2022, but in August 2022, the account was arrears of $443.95.

(Story taken from the McKenzie County Farmer)