North Dakota
North Dakota woman who ran unlicensed day care gets nearly 19 years in prison after baby’s death ruled a homicide
A judge sentenced a North Dakota woman Tuesday to about 19 years in prison in connection with the death of a baby and injury of another boy that authorities tied to her unlicensed home child care center.
Patricia Wick, of Jamestown, was charged last year. She pleaded guilty in January to felony charges of murder and child abuse and a misdemeanor of operating an unlicensed day care center in Carrington.
On the murder charge, state District Judge James Hovey sentenced Wick to 40 years in prison, with 20 years suspended and credit for over a year already served. She must register as an offender against children and serve 10 years’ supervised probation. The judge also imposed lesser, concurrent sentences on the other charges. Wick must also pay $810 in court fees on the child abuse charge.
Wick’s public defender, Samuel Gereszek, and Foster County State’s Attorney Kara Brinster did not immediately return phone messages left Wednesday.
Prosecutors alleged Wick caused head and neck injuries to the 5-month-old boy, according to Carrington Police Chief Christopher Bittmann’s affidavit. On Sept. 26, 2022, police officers and EMTs and responded to the in-home day care, owned by Wick, on a report of an unresponsive five-month-old baby boy, KXNET reported. The baby was airlifted to a Fargo hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
An autopsy found the infant died from “complications of blunt force head and neck trauma,” with his death determined a homicide, according to the affidavit.
Wick told authorities she “may have put (the baby) down too hard,” was not gentle with him and was frustrated with him that day, according to the affidavit.
Wick later said she heard the baby coughing and saw he was vomiting, Valley News Live reported, citing court documents. Wick called the child’s mother and called 911, “and that was it,” Wick told investigators, according to the outlet.
A GoFundMe set up for the baby’s family raised more than $20,000.
Authorities also allege in court documents that the other child broke his arm while in Wick’s care after falling off a swing in her backyard and that she didn’t immediately report the injury to his parents.
North Dakota
Bids awarded for construction of Highway 85
WATFORD CITY, N.D. (KUMV) – The North Dakota Department of Transportation awarded more than 150 million dollars in bids to continue expanding highway 85 south of Watford City.
More than $83.8 million will go to Park Construction out of Minneapolis for one segment. It covers about five and a half miles south of the Long X Bridge, going through another section of the badlands. It’s expected to be a three-year project due to the rough terrain.
The next segment covers 12 and a half miles south from the badlands to the highway 200 intersection. The winning bid went to Strata out of Grand Forks for $61.7 million. It will be a two-year project.
Funding for these projects were provided by both the state and federal government.
Copyright 2025 KFYR. All rights reserved.
North Dakota
Griffin’s 18 lead Western Illinois past North Dakota 69-66 in OT – WTOP News
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on…
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Isaiah Griffin had 18 points in Western Illinois’ 69-66 overtime win against North Dakota on Saturday.
Griffin had three steals for the Leathernecks (4-7). Karyiek Dixon scored 17 points while shooting 6 of 10 from the field and 5 for 6 from the line and added 18 rebounds. Lucas Lorenzen shot 3 for 13 (1 for 9 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points.
Eli King led the way for the Fightin’ Hawks (4-9) with 13 points, two steals and four blocks. Greyson Uelmen added 13 points for North Dakota. Garrett Anderson had 11 points and six rebounds.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Copyright
© 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
North Dakota
Community rescues grieving North Dakota widow — by harvesting their late pal’s 1,400 acres of crops
In North Dakota, farmers aren’t neighbors — they’re family.
When a sudden car crash tragically took the life of a beloved community member, the goodhearted folks of Antler came together to carry out one final act of kindness: they harvested his crops.
Randy Fyllesvold was killed in September, and his grieving widow, Kharra, and their two sons were left reeling, in no condition to deal with the 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans still in the fields surrounding their home.
That’s when the close-knit community stepped in.
Two of Randy’s pals — Wyatt Thompson and Andy Gates — decided to organize a large-scale harvest of their late pal’s crops.
First, they put out a call for help.
And the people answered. In a flash, more than 75 volunteers from surrounding communities were rolling onto the farm on 12 combines, in 40 trucks, all loaded with other equipment — along with willing hands.
They worked together like a well-oiled machine, and the massive effort was locked up in just a couple days.
Kharra said being among so many people harvesting her husband’s final crop was “nothing short of breathtaking” and she feels blessed to be the recipient of so much love and support in such a harrowing time.
But they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“To know Randy was to love Randy,” said buddy Wyatt Thompson told local station KFYR. “..The reach that he had was kind of endless.”
Kharra said she’ll never forget what they did for her.
“As I stood in the shop and looked around before the final Randy Fyllesvold corn harvest started, I was flooded with memories we created with all of you,” she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post.
“The day was full of emotion, but I found so much peace in watching it unfold … but from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I will always remember this and Randy would be so proud.
“God Bless all of you and the boys and I love each and every one of you. 12 combines, 7 grain carts, over 40 trucks all for you Randy.
“I know you are smiling down.”
-
Alaska1 week agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Texas1 week agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Washington5 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa1 week agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Miami, FL1 week agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion
-
Cleveland, OH1 week agoMan shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
-
Iowa1 day agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
World7 days ago
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans
