Around the State: April 15, 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.

Hard to be positive when on the defensive

A sense of negativism that seemingly hovered over the crowd of 180 recently in Harvey’s B.M. Hanson Elementary School wasn’t necessarily welcomed or encouraged by school district patrons, certainly not the school board or building committee members present, but it was nevertheless present, infiltrating the three long rows of folding chairs and the equally uncomfortable bleacher seating.

Keep in mind: It’s hard to be positive when pointed questions are asked.

And most of the questions were pointed and directed at the individuals on the firing line: ICON architect Kyle Qvamme, school board members Spencer Marchand and James Mertz, Supt. Dr. Robert Lukens and board president Wade Anderson.

The five had their game faces on, answering 90 minutes of inquiries concerning why a new addition is advisable, costs involved in building new as opposed to renovating the old and why the aging elementary school can’t be saved in Harvey, when – in major metropolitan cities –200-year-old structures are preserved, renovated, even celebrated. Most importantly, they’re used.

The purpose of the informational meeting was to explain in detail reasons for the $23.5 million bond referendum, with a yes vote authorizing a new addition to the high school and the baggage that accompanies a large building project.

This was just one of three informational meetings held in hopes that school district patrons will be in a position to make an informed vote on the immediate and future of Harvey’s educational system when they vote on April 18.

(Story by Neil O. Nelson, the Herald-Press, Harvey)

School referendum meeting

On April 3, about 150 residents from in and around the Harvey Public School District attended the second of three public forums to discuss bond referendum that would invest up to $23.5 million to build an addition to Harvey High School to house grades K-6. The current elementary school facility would be closed.

Residents will vote on April 18. A “yes” vote by 60 percent or more of voters will give the district funding by increasing taxes paid by residents. A “no” vote would send the board back to square one, said board member Spencer Marchand. But the need to make improvements won’t go away.

(Story by Anne Ehni, the Herald-Press, Harvey)

Jason’s Super Foods closes indefinitely

Both the Crosby and Lignite locations of Jason’s Super Foods have closed indefinitely, following several months of low inventory and meager supply deliveries.

The Crosby location announced its closure via its Facebook page. Store manager Devin Lindsey said in a message to The Journal that the low sales numbers “made it difficult to remain open.”

“I am hopeful a solution will be made in the near future, but am uncertain to an exact timeline,” he said.

KayCee Lindsey, Divide County’s community development director, said there are some parties interested in buying the grocery store in Crosby. However, due to owner Jason Tracy’s legal proceedings, it would still take some time before the store could potentially be sold.

Several other businesses around Crosby, including those that have been supplying produce in the wake of the inventory shortage, are expecting to feel the impact of the closures.

(Story by Jordan Rusche, the Journal, Crosby)

Rural America resisting electric cars

With absolutely no electric vehicles in some counties of North Dakota right now, the federal government’s goals for future elimination of gas-powered vehicles appears to be a far-fetched dream.

The focus on electric vehicles (EVs) was amplified recently with the announcement of revised emissions standards from the Environmental Protection Agency.

In 2022, President Biden had set a goal of 50 percent EVs by 2030, 67 percent by 2032 and 100 percent by 2035.

The target for electric vehicle adoption was revised to 35 percent by 2032, after auto industry backlash.

For their part, auto manufacturers have made huge advances in electric car technology. They now offer a wide selection of EVs, but sales have only reached a bit less than 8 percent of total vehicles sold in the U.S.

Without major changes to the reliability, range and convenience of EVs, rural America will likely continue to resist giving up their gasoline engine vehicles.

(Story by Terry Froseth, the Kenmare News)

One-minute Hazen City Council meeting

A scheduled meeting for April 1 was largely canceled (no April Fools’ joke) due to lack of a quorum.

Commissioner Dan Pillar called the meeting to order, with only himself and Commissioner Casey Stern present of the five-person board.

The meeting was still held so that bills could be paid. Stern moved to approve the bills, with Pillar seconding. The motion passed 2-0.

All other scheduled business for the April 1 meeting was canceled.

(Story by Daniel Arens, the Hazen Star)

Congressional age limit amendment approved

Retire Congress North Dakota (RCND) has been gathering signatures for a proposed amendment that would prohibit anyone over the age of 80 from serving in Congress. The Secretary of State’s office has now confirmed that they have exceeded the signatures needed to get the amendment on the ballot. They were required to have at least 31,164 signatures and they submitted 42,107.

A March 19 press release from RCND stated, “Without congressional term limits in our federal constitution preventing members from serving indefinitely, many in Congress hold their positions for life. Many Americans favor age limits for Congress if congressional term limits are not implemented, especially with many in Congress aged 80 or older.”

The proposed amendment sets a maximum age of 80 years for all U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives serving from North Dakota. It stipulates that no one can be elected if they will attain 81 years of age by Dec. 31, of the year immediately preceding the end of their term.

“Congress has refused to act. Now in North Dakota, we are prepared to do something about it and set age limits for Congress,” said Jared Hendrix, chair of RCND.

(Story by Kristen Jones, thhe McKenzie County Farmer)