North Dakota
Armstrong spotlights jobs, education and youth health in visit
DICKINSON — Governor Kelly Armstrong returned to his hometown this week, spotlighting key initiatives in workforce development, industrial innovation and community engagement. His visit included stops at the Southwest Area Career and Technical Education (CTE) Academy, Robertson Metal Recycling, the Kind Hearts Project and Dickinson Ready Mix Co.
At the Southwest Area CTE Academy, Governor Armstrong toured the facility and engaged with students enrolled in programs aimed at preparing them for careers in trades, technology and applied sciences.
Courtesy: Gov. Kelly Armstrong/Facebook
According to information shared by the academy, it serves over 1,100 students from seven area high schools and offers 73 different classes across 14 specialized programs including automotive technology, culinary arts, welding and cybersecurity.
The CTE initiative is designed to bridge the gap between secondary education and the workforce, addressing North Dakota’s growing demand for skilled labor. Students also benefit from concurrent enrollment opportunities with Dickinson State University through its Dual Mission Program which enhances access to post-secondary credentials.
Armstrong’s visit to Robertson Metal Recycling marked the commissioning of North Dakota’s first car shredder, a step forward in strengthening the state’s recycling infrastructure. The facility processes materials including scrap steel, tin, car bodies and batteries and has been recognized with the 2024 Stark Development Project of the Year award for its contributions to innovation, workforce growth and environmental responsibility.
In a community-focused gesture, Armstrong participated in the Kind Hearts Project’s annual bike giveaway, helping prepare some of the more than 100 bicycles scheduled to go to area children. The event, held at Dickinson’s Legacy Square, is intended to promote physical activity and mental wellness among local youth.

Courtesy: Gov. Kelly Armstrong/Facebook

Courtesy: Gov. Kelly Armstrong/Facebook
Driven by the motto “Be Kind,” the organization initially focused on spreading positivity. Today, their mission has grown to confront one of society’s most pressing crises: mental health.
Drawing from personal experience as an emergency room nurse, Kind Hearts Project leader Marriah Marsh has witnessed firsthand the alarming rise of mental health struggles among young people.
“We see kids getting younger and younger who can’t cope — turning to self-harm, sometimes worse,” Marsh said. “We have to be proactive, not just reactive. Teaching coping skills early is key.”
The Kind Hearts Project, a Dickinson-based nonprofit, has gained attention for its grassroots efforts to support well-being and community unity through charitable initiatives.
The day concluded with Armstrong attending the 75th anniversary celebration of Dickinson Ready Mix Co., a longstanding contributor to the region’s construction industry. The company supplies ready-mix concrete across southwestern North Dakota and has supported infrastructure projects including the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
According to the company, it has implemented low-carbon concrete mixes designed to reduce global warming potential by nearly 50 percent compared to conventional materials, aligning with broader goals around sustainability and emissions reduction.

Photo by Josiah C. Cuellar / Buffalo Eye Photography
Governor Armstrong’s visit to Dickinson emphasized his administration’s approach to governance at the intersection of economic development, environmental stewardship and community health. By highlighting initiatives in education, industry and civic life, the trip underscored a broader commitment to building a resilient and inclusive future for North Dakota.
James B. Miller, Jr. is the Editor of The Dickinson Press in Dickinson, North Dakota. He strives to bring community-driven, professional and hyper-local focused news coverage of southwest North Dakota.
North Dakota
North Dakota voters to decide single-subject requirement for future constitutional amendments on June 9
North Dakota
And he’s off
BRECKENRIDGE — Coaches, teammates, friends and family gathered in the south parking lot of Breckenridge High School for another state tournament sendoff.
Corbin Abner Lee / Wahpeton Daily News
This year, it was Troy Berndt taking the ceremonial convertible ride. He is headed to St. Michael-Albertville High School for the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet on June 4-6.
Corbin Abner Lee / Wahpeton Daily News
He will be running in the third heat of the 400-meter prelims, scheduled for 4:52 p.m. June 4. There are seven athletes in each heat, 21 total, and nine will advance to the finals at 6:20 p.m. June 5.
The top two finishers in each heat advance, along with the next three best times. Berndt’s personal best time of 50.67 has him seeded 13th, but the 10th-, 11th- and 12th-seeded runners are less than five hundredths of a second ahead of him. The eighth- and ninth-seeded runners are also close, at 50.33 and 50.39, respectively.
Berndt dropped nearly seven-tenths of a second from his previous personal best at the Section 6A West Subsection Meet on May 21, running 51.35, and shaved another 0.68 seconds off at the Section 6A Championships on May 28 with a time of 50.67. If he keeps lowering his time, he will have a shot at reaching the podium against the best runners in Class A.
Corbin Abner Lee / Wahpeton Daily News
Results and photos will be available online immediately following the race June 4 and in the June 10 print edition of the Wahpeton Daily News.
Corbin Lee is a sports reporter for the Wahpeton Daily News and Richland County News-Monitor. Corbin can be reached by calling (701) 291-3551 or emailing corbin.lee@wahpetondailynews.com.
North Dakota
Today in History, 1971: Rugby repeats as North Dakota sand greens golf champion
On this day in 1971, Rugby repeated as North Dakota’s high school sand greens golf champion behind medalist Dwight Stempson’s winning performance.
Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:
Rugby Repeats As Sand Greens Golf Champion
RUGBY, N. D. — Rugby repeated as North Dakota high school sand greens golf champion here Wednesday, posting a four-man total of 293 strokes for 18 holes.
Led by medalist Dwight Stempson’s medalist 36-35 — 71, the Panthers were eight strokes ahead of runnerup Stanley, which had a 301. Following were Garrison 311, Beulah 315, Leeds 322, Ashley 323, Bottineau 328, Pembina 329, Tioga 332, Parshall 341 and Hettinger 342.
Stempson and teammate Bruce Carlson each had one-under par 71s, but Carlson was unable to be at the regional and wasn’t qualified for individual honors.
Rounding out the Rugby totals were Delwin Wilson 40-37 — 77 and Dennett Hutchinson 35-39 — 74. Gary Kirchoffner, 41-39 — 80, was Rugby’s fifth entrant with the best four-of-five scores counted.
Runnerup Stanley was led by Steve Springan’s 34-38 — 72 and Joe Springan’s 36-38 — 74. Their two-man total of 146 strokes was good enough for the doubles title. Two strokes back with a 148 was the duo of Stempson and Wilson. Stan Saathoff and Mike Stepina of Garrison each had 76s for a 152 total and the Ashley combo of Steve Maier (76) and Dave Kretschmar (78) was fourth with a 154.
Stempson was the driving contest winner with a distance of 280 yards. Chris Knutson of Garrison headed the pitch and putt competition.
Kate Almquist is the social media manager for InForum. After working as an intern, she joined The Forum full time starting in January 2022. Readers can reach her at kalmquist@forumcomm.com.
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