North Dakota

Dunn County Commission discusses auditor position, snow removal

Published

2 years ago

December 21, 2022

Dunn County Commission discusses auditor position, snow removal

MANNING, N.D. — The Dunn County auditor/treasurer place opened a number of weeks in the past, however Jessica Kirchoffner, who was elected to the position in November, will start working till April.

The time period doesn’t start till April, however the normal election led to some restructuring of that workplace. Tracey Dolezal, very long time auditor/treasurer, was elected as a county commissioner within the November election. As a result of she was not in a position to assume each roles, she resigned previous to being sworn in as a commissioner on Dec. 7.

On the Dunn County Fee assembly on Dec. 7, State’s Legal professional Stephenie Davis mentioned Kirchoffner had the choice of stepping in when the seat was vacated or ready till April 1 when the time period formally begins, in response to state statute. Kirchoffner declined a request for remark by The Dickinson Press. Sally Whittingham, beforehand deputy treasurer, has been appointed interim auditor/treasurer.

“It was simply sort of an odd factor as a result of Tracy was shifting to commissioner,” Whittingham mentioned. “Had she simply been retiring, she would not have really retired till April. However being that she retired, after which moved over to the fee, that was somewhat bit totally different for us, one thing that is not regular. So we had been somewhat bit ready, simply in case, you realize, she determined that she needed to attend till April. So we had been going forwards and backwards and doing somewhat bit of coaching beforehand.”

A deputy auditor may also be retiring, which provides a second open place within the workplace.

“So we’re undoubtedly trying to rent one other deputy auditor,” Whittingham mentioned. “After which so far as the deputy treasurer, or my place, I am going to simply sort of be doing each that and the interim auditor till April when Jessica comes on.”

She is each excited and nervous about her new position.

“There’s loads to be taught, undoubtedly,’ Whittingham mentioned. “However you realize, a problem is all the time good for an individual.”

She added Dolezal is all the time prepared to reply any questions she has.

“She’s all the time prepared to assist and you realize, we’ve got an incredible auditor system round North Dakota,” Whittingham mentioned. “There’s only a actually good group of individuals that you may name on, any of the auditors within the different counties and the (North Dakota) Affiliation of Counties. There’s so many sources, that it makes it very nice to have that sort of a sort of backup for those who want it.”

The Dunn County Fee voted unanimously to approve Director of Human Sources Dessie Calihou’s suggestion for Whittinghams’ wage, throughout a Dec. 21 assembly.

“Miss Willingham has over 21 years of expertise in accounting, the final 5 of which she has labored right here as deputy auditor and deputy treasurer,” Calihou mentioned. “And he or she additionally has 16 years of supervisory expertise. Utilizing that have and making use of it to our pay scale – once more, our follow is to present worth to schooling and expertise as much as 5 years – and with that in thoughts, the beneficial wage for the interim auditor/treasurer could be $40.18 per hour, or $83,574 yearly.”

The wage, which mirrors the wage commissioners beforehand set for Kirchoffner, is efficient Dec. 7 by April 1.

In different enterprise Annette Rohde, a bus driver for Killdeer Public Colleges, addressed the fee about her concern for highway situations within the county. She mentioned it normally takes a number of days after snowfall earlier than her bus route is cleared.

“My concern is having a bus full of youngsters and 40 under out and we’re touring down a one lane highway that is extremely trafficked with semis” Rohde mentioned. “I simply need individuals to be held accountable. I am on the market doing my job driving these children to highschool. I would love the roads to be cleaned appropriately as they need to be. I am not saying every thing’s going to be squeaky clear each time.”

She is pissed off the roads are hazardous for thus lengthy after snowfall.

“It’s only a catastrophe ready to occur,” Rohde mentioned.

David Lym, Dunn County roads superintendent, mentioned he’ll work to enhance the scenario.

“You’ve got acquired each proper to be pissed off,” Lym mentioned. “And yeah, you are proper it’s our job to get the busses out.”

Fee Chair Larry Lundberg mentioned bus routes must be a precedence for snow elimination.

The Dunn County Fee and Interim Auditor/Treasurer Sally Whittingham at a Dec.7 assembly.

Ashley Koffler / The Dickinson Press

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North Dakota

North Dakota State Fair kicks off Friday

Published

3 hours ago

July 19, 2024

Press Room

North Dakota State Fair kicks off Friday

MINOT, N.D. (Valley News Live) – The 2024 North Dakota State Fair opens on Friday, July 19, and runs through July 27 with a lineup packed full of entertainment, rides, and family fun.

Fair organizers say the Grandstand Showpass is your ticket to some hot acts in the country music scene, such as Lainey Wilson, Sawyer Brown, Turnpike Troubadours, and Thomas Rhett, along with a demolition derby and the MHA Indian Horse Relay. You can catch all of the acts with the Showpass for $130.

Single ticket shows are also available, including Mötley Crüe with special guest White Reaper, Machine Gun Kelly with Shaboozey opening the show, and hip-hop icon Lil Wayne.

Tickets are available for $85 for Mötley Crüe, $75 for Machine Gun Kelly, and $65 for Lil Wayne, with both standing room and reserved seating options available.

A season gate pass for all nine days at the fair costs $25. You get tickets online by using the “TICKETS” link at www.ndstatefair.com

It’s the 59th year of the North Dakota State Fair tradition in Minot. Fair officials say they drawing over 300,000 visitors annually.

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North Dakota

North Dakota delegates react to former President Trump’s RNC speech

Published

10 hours ago

July 19, 2024

Press Room

North Dakota delegates react to former President Trump’s RNC speech

MILWAUKEE (KFYR/KMOT) – The Republican National Convention wrapped up on Thursday with former President Donald Trump accepting the Republican nomination for president.

We got the chance Thursday night to speak with members of the North Dakota delegation. When we spoke to the delegates, they talked about the enthusiasm that former President Trump brought onto the stage just a week after that assassination attempt on his life.

“Well, it was exciting. He told his story in a very frank way. And it sounds like a very unique way he’s done. It’s not like he’s going to tell it that way again,” said Ben Koppelman, delegate.

“His message was amazing is we just got to make this country great again and get back to what we’re good at working hard drilling for oil, just making America great again,” said Mary Graner, delegate.

“Well, it was longer than I thought it was going to be for sure. But, you know, he gets portrayed as the guy that sows division, and he did just the opposite,” said Scott Louser, delegate.

“Amazing. I mean, breathtaking. It was so awesome. You just felt full of hope and gratitude and promise for our country,” said Wendi Baggaley, delegate.

We spoke with more of our delegates about a whole range of topics, and we will have more follow-ups in the coming days.

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North Dakota

ND American Indian Summit celebrates its 10th anniversary

Published

17 hours ago

July 19, 2024

Press Room

ND American Indian Summit celebrates its 10th anniversary

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – For the last ten years, the North Dakota American Indian Summit has provided information and resources about Native American culture and history for the classroom.

It has also discussed ways to help Native American students work on healing any trauma or improving their mental health to aid their academic success.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the Native American graduation rate ten years ago was 60 percent. That year, the North Dakota American Indian Summit was organized by the Department of Public Instruction. The event’s purpose was to educate teachers on how to lead their Native American students to success in school.

”It became obvious that it was critical, for the success of our state, and for the ability for us to fully thrive to our fullest potential as a state, we needed to make sure that every single student in our school system was meeting their fullest potential,” said Kirsten Baesler, state superintendent.

This year Derrick Boles, a motivational speaker, was invited to be one of the keynote speakers at the summit. Boles’ message was about mental health and taking charge of your life. He said he sees similarities between challenges in the Black community to the ones the Native American community faces.

”There’s so much growth that can happen if we can connect people together, from multiple backgrounds,” said Boles. “So having different experiences, different perspectives and just having everybody thinking the same thing is the issue.”

Over the last 10 years, the Native American student graduation rates have increased, from 60 percent in 2014 to 77 percent in 2023.

”Right before the pandemic, our Native American students were graduating at the same rate as all of our overall graduation rate, and so they were in the upper eighties, lower nineties graduation rate,” said Baesler.

The rates decreased again during the COVID-19 lockdown, but Baesler said they have been on the rise.

This year’s summit was focused on strengthening Native American education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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