FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – NDSU and the North Dakota Air National Guard signed a Memorandum of Agreement Thursday, to better serve NDSU’s Military Students.

The partnership promises more direct communication and meetings between NDSU and the 119th Wing to discuss potential academic opportunities for recruits, and gather data about opportunities they’d like to see at NDSU.

NDSU President David Cook said that this partnership is important to ensuring a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences on NDSU’s campus.

“It’s a different kind of student bringing a different perspective into the classroom, which is absolutely critical for us. And it’s an opportunity for them to come here and get an associates degree through the Air Force, and then go across the street and get a four year degree at NDSU.”

NDSU will also streamline degree pathways for North Dakota Air National Guard members, and provide them with professional academic advising support to help them find the best path towards degree completion.

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – In 2016, retired teacher Sandra Sherlock lost someone very important to her. That’s why she wrote “With a Song in His Heart: A Service Dog’s Tale.” She said Eddie was outgoing, quirky, kind and playful.

Eddie wasn’t even two years old when Sandra took him home, but she said his trainer was so confident they’d make a good pair that they sent him with her. He’d been trained to provide mobility assistance, and Sandra’s multiple sclerosis and foot drop made it difficult for her to walk.

“He was there with me for every minute of my time with him,” Sandra said.

Sandra said they were a good match. She loved socializing and worked as a music teacher. Eddie loved going out and being petted by anyone who was willing to do so. Sandra said in a way, Eddie was a service dog for others, too.

Students would visit the golden retriever and labrador mix to decompress in the mornings. Eddie became such a staple at the school that he got his own class photo each year. Sandra said she’d use Eddie’s love for singing to motivate her students.

Sandra said her book started out as a writing exercise. She wrote the first five chapters in 2011, but it wasn’t until August of 2023 that she picked up her draft again. Sandra would send her completed chapters to a class of sixth-grade students for proofreading, and they’d send her their notes and edits.

Sandra said Eddie died from cancer in 2016, but even though it felt like losing a family member, she didn’t write the book out of grief; she wrote the book because so many people loved Eddie.

“I needed to make sure Eddie’s stories stayed with us. Eddie had friends all over the state. He had friends everywhere, and he meant so much to so many people. It was bigger than just me,” Sandra said.

Sandra said the self-published book has been well-received. She travels throughout the state for book signings and readings.

If you’re interested in reading Sandra’s book, you can purchase a copy through her website or at one of her book readings. Sandra said the books will be available at The Owl Bookstore in Bismarck as well. Her next reading will be in Minot on June 29.

Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.

Did you know North Dakota has a natural lake so deep you could almost fit a hockey rink in it vertically?  I had no idea, to be honest.

Most of North Dakota’s natural bodies of water are shallow prairie lakes.

Of course, there are exceptions.  Devils Lake in Ramsey County for example is a pretty deep lake.  Especially during these high water times.  The deepest spot on that lake is nearly 60 feet deep according to Wikipedia.  I know I’ve seen some 50-plus foot readings before on East Devils Lake while fishing and hunting.

Even deeper than Devils Lake is Stump Lake in nearby Nelson County.  I’ve seen 70 feet plus water on my depth finder before while fishing on this salty lake.  Officially Stump Lake is 73 feet according to Wikipedia.

How about deep man-made lakes or reservoirs?

If we’re talking water created by man, Lake Sakakawea gets down there.  According to T & H Sakakawea maxes out at 180 feet deep  Lake Oahe is crazy deep as well as it has depths of over 200 feet, although most of those spots are in South Dakota.  Again, those are reservoirs.

I was more curious about the deepest NATURAL lake in North Dakota.

I have an answer for you.  According to an article in the Jamestown Sun, the deepest natural lake in North Dakota is none other than Lake George located southeast of Tappen, North Dakota.

How deep is Lake George?  Try 150 feet deep.

This is crazy deep for a prairie pothole lake, where most of them max out at around 20 feet deep.  Lake George is known as “Salt Lake” by locals.  The lake has very high concentrations of sodium and sulfate, which makes it unique.

One farmer friend of mine told me a story that somebody released a shark in the lake a long time ago and it survived.  You know local legends.  If it were true, what was the shark eating?  Supposedly the lake is too salty for any freshwater fish to survive.

The lake does offer some recreation opportunities.  It has a state park on the west side of the lake and a National Wildlife Refuge on the east side of the lake.  Supposedly some people even swim in the lake.

Worth a look next time you’re in the Dawson, Streeter, and Tappen areas.