CASSELTON, N.D. — Freezing temperatures and frigid winds have become familiar challenges for Casselton firefighters this winter as they respond to emergencies in some of the harshest conditions.

“We have to monitor ourselves and look for any signs of frostbite,” Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl said.

Despite the weather, firefighters wear the same uniforms year round, which can be both a blessing and a curse.

“So, in the summertime, we’re quite warm, and in the winter, it helps keep you warm to a point, but it’s pretty important for us to be wearing layers underneath just like everybody else,” Hejl said.

The priority during winter calls is ensuring everyone’s safety — those impacted by the fires and the firefighters.

“If we have people who live in a home and now they’re displaced, or people that were in a vehicle and now they’re outside of it or it’s no longer running so it’s cooled off, we need to keep those folks warm, so we carry a lot of extra blankets,” Hejl said.

Another critical factor is maintaining a steady water flow to put out fires, as stagnant water can freeze in the hoses.

“We have to keep water flowing, otherwise our hoses will freeze, so finding a ditch or somebody’s front yard or some place to put that water so we’re not icing up a roadway is important so we can keep those lines open and flowing,” Hejl said.

Hejl also noted an uptick in fire calls during colder weather, emphasizing the importance of fire prevention measures.

“Keep your furnace tuned up and working properly, keep your vents open,” he said.

He also urged people to unplug rechargeable batteries once they are fully charged, especially if they’re stored in a garage.

The combination of cold weather and fire hazards requires constant vigilance, but Hejl remains confident in his team’s ability to adapt and protect the community.

Isak Dinesen joined WDAY-TV as a reporter in September 2024. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist at WAOW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin for three years. He graduated from NDSU in 2020, majoring in Journalism and minoring in Sports Communication at MSUM.

Stay tuned for all live updates and analysis as North Dakota State takes on Montana State in the FCS National Championship game.

As always, there will be live game notes, analysis, and breakdown of the game as it happens. Keep the refresh button going as updates will be coming in quickly and consistently.

– Teams are warming up as we get ready to go for kickoff. Kickoff is at 6pm CT.

– It appears to be a sellout here at Toyota Stadium as we near kickoff. It looks to be a slight advantage for Bobcat fans with both fanbases represented well. Great atmosphere here in Frisco.

– NDSU will receive and we will get started here in Frisco. Cam Miller’s chance first.

– Kickoff goes out of the back of the endzone. NDSU will start on their own 25.

– Cam Miller is on target early and moves the chains with an 8-yard completion

– Bryce Lance gets his first catch with a 14-yard reception and NDSU is in Bobcat territory

– 22 yard catch by Raja Nelson along the sideline and NDSU is in the redzone. Bison are winning at the LOS early

– Touchdown Bison! MSU defense gets a couple stops inside the 5 but can’t keep Cam Miller out on third and goal. The NDSU quarterback dives and gets in the endzone. 7-0 NDSU.

– Cam Miller showing out early. He went 3-3 for 44 yards and added 16 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground as well. Now its Tommy Mellott’s turn to answer.

– Scottre Humphrey held to short gains on first and second down. Huge third down play upcoming

– And there goes Tommy Mellott. Mellott gains 19 yards and a first down on a scramble

– Tommy Mellott goes to TE Rohan Jones on 3rd and five and the big TE drops it. NDSU thought they might have a fumble but after a quick conference it was called incomplete. The Bobcats punt and NDSU will take over on their own 8 yard line. Big stop for NDSU after Montana State had encroached on Bison territory.

– On a big third down play Cam Miller goes deep to Bryce Lance. The pass was broken up, but NDSU was bailed out with a pass interference call. 1st and 10 Bison on their own 30 yard line.

– Touchdown NDSU!!! On a huge 3rd and 4 the Bison go empty and Montana State completely left the middle of the field open. Cam Miller saunters 65 yards down the middle of the field and the Bison now lead 14-0.

– Montana State hasn’t faced this kind of adversity since week 1 against FBS New Mexico. The Bobcats did come back and win that game but they likely need a response on this drive to keep themselves in it.

– Cam Miller already has 136 total yards. Statement from the Walter Payton runner-up.

– On the final play of the first quarter, Montana State hands the ball to Adam Jones and barely converts on 3rd and 2. The Bobcats will have the ball 1st and 10 on their own 35-yard line when the 2nd quarter starts. NDSU 14 MSU 0

– Explosive plays are the name of the game right now. NDSU has two plays over 20 yards, while MSU has none. Bobcats need to find a way to open up the offense in the 2nd quarter

– After 2 runs we have another massive 3rd and 2 coming. The Bobcats still haven’t completed a pass.

– Mellott stretches and just gets the first down on a power play. Montana State on the move and in NDSU territory

– Montana State is being held to 4 yards per play. The Bobcats average nearly 7 on the season.

– Third straight third and short conversion as Tommy Mellott evades Bison defenders and gets a first down.

– Montana State is started to find some running lanes after 2 6-yard runs by Adam Jones. 1st and 10 from the 22 yard line

– This time the Bison defense bows up and stops the Bobcats on third and short. An arduous 17-play 11 minute drive only ends in 3 points for Montana State. NDSU 14 MSU 3

– NDSU will take over on their own 24. Massive drive for this game

(North Dakota Housing Finance Agency image)

(KNOX) – The North Dakota Continuum of Care (ND CoC) will conduct a Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of the people in the state who are experiencing homelessness on Jan. 22, 2025.

“The data collected during the Point-in-Time Count is used to measure homelessness at a local, state and national level,” said Dave Flohr, North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) executive director. “The information helps to identify strengths and service gaps, increase public awareness, measure progress, and assist local entities with system planning and responses.”

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires CoCs to conduct an annual count of sheltered people experiencing homelessness. While a count of people who are unsheltered are only required in odd numbered years, the ND CoC conducts one annually as well. Each count is planned, coordinated, and carried out locally.

“To complete the count requires strong regional engagement that is coordinated by an area lead who works with volunteers to collect clean and current data from homeless service providers while law enforcement, healthcare and other providers work to identify persons who are unsheltered,” said Flohr.

To learn more about the PIT Count or to provide assistance, contact your region’s area lead.

The goal of HUD’s CoC Program is to promote a communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness.

The program provides funding to support efforts to end homelessness, promotes access to and effective utilization of programs, and optimizes the self-sufficiency of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

NDHFA acts as the Collaborative Applicant for the state’s CoC whose geographic area encompasses all 53 of North Dakota’s counties, its cities, towns, and unincorporated areas, as well as the state’s five federally recognized tribes. More information about the ND CoC is available online at https://ndcontinuumofcare.org.

NDHFA is a self-supporting and mission-driven state agency dedicated to making housing affordable for all North Dakotans. The North Dakota Industrial Commission, consisting of Governor Kelly Armstrong as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Drew Wrigley, oversees the agency