North Dakota
David Allen Godfread
David Allen Godfread, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away peacefully, leaving a legacy defined by integrity, service, and quiet leadership. He was born in Minot to Frank and Ruth Godfread and raised in Stanley, North Dakota. Dave graduated from Stanley High School and attended the University of North Dakota from 1965–1969 on a basketball scholarship, majoring in physical education and mathematics.
While at UND, Dave met the love of his life, Judy. They were married on July 3, 1970, and together built a family that was always his greatest pride. He was the devoted father of three sons—Marc, Jeff, and Jon—and a proud grandfather to Madison, Brenna, Ava, Braedon, Jamison, Dylan, Harrison, Reagan, and Thatcher, and great-grandfather to Colter and Wells.
Dave lived a life grounded in hard work and service. After his playing career, he coached and taught at Garrison and Bottineau High Schools before joining the University of Mary as an associate basketball coach, where he was part of one of the most successful eras in program history. He was later inducted into the University of Mary Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service.
In 1983, after earning a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in administration, Dave transitioned into school leadership. He served as principal at Saint Mary’s Central High School in Bismarck and later in Grand Forks as associate principal at South Middle School, principal at Community High School, and director of Adult Learning. He retired in 2009 after 20 years of service.
Of all his roles, being a high school principal meant the most to him. He believed students were more than their mistakes, once saying, “The neat thing about alternative high schools is that the students always can come back and fix their mistakes.” He dedicated his career to students who needed second chances, offering structure, accountability, and belief in their potential.
Dave was a man of few words who led by example. Outside of work, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching sports, tinkering in the garage, and time with family, especially Sunday omelets after church. His familiar advice “Make it last,” and “You’re burning daylight” reflected how he lived.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ruth Godfread; his brother, Charles; and several in-laws and extended family members.
Dave is survived by his wife Judy; his sons and their families; and generations of students, athletes, and friends who were shaped by his steady guidance. His legacy lives on in every life he influenced through integrity, effort, and doing what is right.
A Memorial Service: Celebrating Dave’s life will be held in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in late April or early May, when family and friends can gather to remember a life well lived.
The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com
(The Historic Norman Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND)
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Roads in northwest North Dakota are reporting extremely low visibility due to blowing dust and dirt.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol shared photos of an intense dust storm that led to a crash in Williams County on Highway 85 at 1:30 p.m.
-
Photo courtesy of the North Dakota Highway Patrol -
Photo courtesy of the North Dakota Highway Patrol
The NDHP is advising the public to stay home if possible, and if you must travel, slow down, turn on your headlights, increase following distance, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
KELOLAND News also received photos from our viewers of dust storms in South Dakota.
WILLIAMS COUNTY, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol is urging drivers in northwest North Dakota to stay off the roads Thursday afternoon as blowing dirt creates near-zero visibility in some areas.
As of 1:30 p.m. Thursday, troopers were reporting low to no visibility in parts of the region, including along Highway 85 in Williams County near mile marker 212, where a crash occurred. The Highway Patrol shared a photo from the crash scene showing extremely reduced visibility.
Officials are asking people to stay home if possible. Those who must travel are urged to slow down, turn on their headlights, leave extra space between vehicles and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON — The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services has been recognized for its wildfire prevention efforts with a national Bronze Smokey Bear Award.
“These awardees demonstrate what fire prevention looks like in action,” said U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher. “Their efforts protect lives, support firefighters and make a real difference in communities across the country.”
May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and with North Dakota experiencing another active spring wildfire season, each fire prevented is one that local responders don’t have to put out, underscoring the importance of each individual’s responsibility to work and recreate safely outdoors. The award to the N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) recognizes its efforts in communicating just that.
The communications team is led by Strategic Communications Chief Alison Vetter and is supported by Autonomous Systems and Communications Specialist Clint Fleckenstein.
According to information from the Forest Service, the team’s creative products are visually appealing, engaging and effective. The “Learn Before You Burn” tagline urges North Dakotans to visit the interactive N.D. Fire Declarations and Burn Restrictions map to learn their local restrictions, fire danger and red flag warnings before burning or recreating outdoors. Vetter and Fleckenstein consistently take initiative to address fire prevention issues proactively and go above and beyond to become the best possible storytellers of wildfire prevention messaging.
Alison Vetter
Their statewide efforts identify unique and effective avenues to communicate these important public safety topics, addressing top human-caused fire causes like open burning and equipment use through reels, interviews, Gas Station TV, visits with local students, and GoodHealthTV kiosks found in local health units, schools and other public buildings.
During the historic October 2024 wildfires, NDDES mobilized the Joint Information Center, responding to the elevated need for education, prevention and response to determine messaging needs in real time. This included topics like publicizing daily fire danger, sharing resources for affected landowners, advocating for defensible space and safety tips, and messaging ways to minimize fire risk when harvesting, hunting, or enjoying the outdoors. Alison and her team worked over the winter of 2024-2025 to identify prevention efforts and causes, and crafted effective communications strategies to reduce wildfire occurrence, which proved necessary into an active spring 2025 fire season as well. After the devastation of the October 2024 wildfires, they created a documentary to highlight the value and appreciation for those who responded to the call and showcase the unique way North Dakota communities show up for one another in crisis.
The 2026 Smokey Bear Awards will be presented at the National Association of State Foresters’ annual meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, in September.
-
Milwaukee, WI2 minutes agoFive teenagers arrested following police pursuit in Milwaukee
-
Atlanta, GA8 minutes ago2 Giant Pandas Are Headed to This US Zoo. Meet Ping Ping and Fu Shuang
-
Minneapolis, MN14 minutes agoBauhaus Brew Labs in northeast Minneapolis set to close next month
-
Indianapolis, IN20 minutes agoIndy 500 qualifying format, schedule, entries, how to watch this weekend
-
Pittsburg, PA26 minutes agoHere are all the free movies you can watch outside this summer in Pittsburgh
-
Augusta, GA32 minutes ago25-year-old woman killed in shooting on Cameron Drive
-
Cleveland, OH44 minutes ago
U.S. Navy warship to be commissioned in Ohio
-
Austin, TX50 minutes agoTexas Metro Areas Are Coming for Chicago
