North Dakota
3 months later, family of Spirit Lake hit-and-run victim still searching for answers
ST. MICHAEL, N.D. — A family searching for answers offered an emotional plea for justice in the death of 46-year-old William “Billy” Foote.
His body was found in some brush May 29, the apparent victim of a hit-and-run crash. The last place he was seen alive was at St. Michael Catholic Church on the Spirit Lake Reservation when he walked away after a prayer service.
“A lot of hurt, anger, questions,” said his sister, Colleen Anderson.
Those are the emotions she deals with every day. She described her brother as a loving and genuine person who was all about family. He was a father to three teenage boys and an uncle to many.
“Always there for you if you needed him, no question, he gave anything if he had to help,” Anderson said.
On May 27, Foote attended a prayer service at the church for his aunt and cousin who had died. After the service, he wanted some alone time and went for a walk. The next day, he never showed up for the funeral.
“We all looked at each other and asked our family. … We just started questioning things,” Anderson said.
Someone on a walk found Foote’s body two days later, about a mile from the church. It was covered in brush.
The family said police told them it appeared he had been hit by a car.
The FBI, which has jurisdiction over crimes committed on reservations, declined to comment for this story.
The family shared pictures of a car being impounded. Its windshield was smashed. The family said they were told it was seized as part of the investigation.
“I hope they see him every day, I hope they feel the pain,” Anderson said.
Foote’s family said people know what happened. By sharing their grief, they hope police will get the big break they need so the healing process can begin.
“It’s our everyday lives that we have to wonder who and why. Those questions being answered could put our family at a little bit of ease,” Anderson said.
Anyone with information about the deadly hit-and-run accident is asked to call police.
Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.
North Dakota
North Dakota lawmakers from West Fargo announce bid for reelection
WEST FARGO — Three incumbents from West Fargo will run for reelection to their state legislative seats.
North Dakota Sen. Judy Lee and Reps. Jim Jonas and Austen Schauer, all Republicans, announced Sunday, Dec. 14, that they would campaign to represent District 13 in the state Legislature. The district covers much of north West Fargo.
Special to The Forum
Lee was first elected to the North Dakota Senate in 1994. Jonas and Schauer have served in the state House since 2023 and 2019, respectively.
The three ran unopposed in the 2022 election. The next election for their seats is in 2026.
Forum file photo
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
North Dakota
Bids awarded for construction of Highway 85
WATFORD CITY, N.D. (KUMV) – The North Dakota Department of Transportation awarded more than 150 million dollars in bids to continue expanding highway 85 south of Watford City.
More than $83.8 million will go to Park Construction out of Minneapolis for one segment. It covers about five and a half miles south of the Long X Bridge, going through another section of the badlands. It’s expected to be a three-year project due to the rough terrain.
The next segment covers 12 and a half miles south from the badlands to the highway 200 intersection. The winning bid went to Strata out of Grand Forks for $61.7 million. It will be a two-year project.
Funding for these projects were provided by both the state and federal government.
Copyright 2025 KFYR. All rights reserved.
North Dakota
Griffin’s 18 lead Western Illinois past North Dakota 69-66 in OT – WTOP News
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on…
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on Saturday.
Griffin had three steals for the Leathernecks (4-7). Karyiek Dixon scored 17 points while shooting 6 of 10 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line and added 18 rebounds. Lucas Lorenzen shot 3 for 13 (1 for 9 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points.
Eli King led the way for the Fightin’ Hawks (4-9) with 13 points, two steals and four blocks. Greyson Uelmen added 13 points for North Dakota. Garrett Anderson had 11 points and six rebounds.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
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