Around the State: February 5, 2024

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.

Garrison Schools shelter-in-place

Thursday afternoon a text came through, "Mom, do you know why we are in a shelter-in-place?"

No parent wants to get that text from their child.

No more than 10 minutes later, at 2:36 p.m., a call and text message came through from the school to all guardians linked to the student's emergency forms and PowerSchool accounts. It was also posted on the school's Facebook account.

"At 1:11 today, the high school office received a phone call from an unknown caller stating they were going to shoot up the school. Students were instructed to go shelter-in-place in both buildings and law enforcement was contacted. Local PD and the sheriff''s department responded. The case is currently under investigation but appears to be no threat currently as other schools have also received this threat in the state."

This was a very scary situation for students and staff alike.

Multiple schools were contacted with the same threat on that day; Devils Lake, Crosby, Wahpeton, Hillsboro, Bismarck High, Century and others.

(Story by Tyson Matthews, the McLean County Independent)

Mayville's library to be closed through February

The death of its longtime library director has slightly altered plans for the temporary closure of the Mayville Public Library, the state's oldest.

Margaret Rice passed away January 12, just days after being granted medical leave by the Mayville City Council.

(Story by James R. Johnson, the Hillsboro Banner)

Change of venue denied in Poitra case

If Nicholas Poitra is to stand trial for murder, there's no longer any question of where it will be.

On December 22, 2023, District Court Judge James Hovey rejected a motion for change of venue, meaning Eddy County could soon host its first murder trial since 1997.

Poitra is facing trial after allegedly shooting and killing Troyal Thumb at a bar in Sheyenne, N.D. last February.

(Story by Nathan Price, the New Rockford Transcript)

Burgum not running for Governor

Doug Burgum has announced he will not seek a third term as North Dakota governor, highlighting the progress made during his two terms in office, which will conclude December 14, 2024.

"Serving as governor and first lady of the great state of North Dakota has been one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences of our lives. Kathryn and I are eternally grateful to the citizens of North Dakota for twice giving us this opportunity to serve the state we love so much," Burgum said.

Burgum was elected to serve as North Dakota's 33rd governor in 2016 and was re-elected to a second term in 2020.

Burgum has been rumored as a potential cabinet member if Donald Trump wins the Republican nomination for president, and eventually takes the White House. Trump has spoken highly of Burgum since he dropped out of the GOP primary and quickly endorsed Trump for the Republican nomination. Political observers feel that Burgum could potentially gain steam as a Vice President option.

(Story by Steve Hallstrom, the McKenzie County Farmer)

Grocery store owner arrested

The owner of Crosby's grocery store has been charged with one felony and two misdemeanors following an incident in New Town on Jan. 12.

Jason Tracy, 42, New Town, is facing charges of kidnapping, disobeying a judicial order and fleeing a peace officer after allegedly disobeying a court order regarding visitation with one of his children.

Tracy has sited his ongoing divorce case as one of the causes of inventory shortages and other issues at his grocery stores.

According to an affidavit, Sarah Tracy contacted Mountrail County Dispatch after Jason Tracy had taken one of their children from school and was not supposed to, allegedly violating a court order regarding visitation.

According to the affidavit, a Mountrail County deputy found Tracy at his residence and informed him of a judicial order issued to return the child to Renville County.

Tracy then got into his pickup and left despite warnings from the deputy to stop, the affidavit alleges.

The deputy reported he followed Tracy around the block and back to Tracy's home, where Tracy then exited the vehicle, running to the rear of his residence.

The deputy found both Tracy and the child at another nearby residence. Tracy was arrested, and the child was returned to Renville County.

(Story by Jordan Rusche, the Journal, Crosby)

Crosby could lose shoppers

The month's long grocery shortage at Jason's Super Foods in Crosby has prompted concern from the Divide County Job Development Authority, whose members say the potential economic damage extends beyond one store.

Other Crosby retailers are affected too whenever regular Jason's customers decide to travel elsewhere for their groceries instead, several JDA members said during a meeting on Jan. 10.

The more it happens, the more it puts local jobs at risk and threatens the local economy.

"You're going to Williston or Minot to buy groceries, you're going to stop and buy your other stuff too," said Rodney Johnson, a JDA member and Divide County Commissioner.

Members said they worry about a long-lasting drop in local economic activity.

(Story taken from the Journal, Crosby)

Referendum fails

According to Griggs County Central School, the second referendum was unofficially voted down on Tuesday, Jan. 16 The referendum would have allowed for an increase in taxes to property owners in the district to support a building project, which included an addition to the school.

(Story by Jill Larson, the Griggs County Courier)

Federal agency reviews expenditures

A federal government agency's "desk review" of the Turtle Mountain Tribe's expenditures of federal COVID relief funds resulted in questionable costs of more than $32 million.

The review concluded in July of 2023 and determined the tribe's "risk of unallowable use of funds" to be high.

(Story by Jason Nordmark. the Turtle Mountain Star)