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Rock stars: Bottineau geology students propose new North Dakota symbol • North Dakota Monitor

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Rock stars: Bottineau geology students propose new North Dakota symbol • North Dakota Monitor


North Dakota could be getting its first-ever state rock: a cola-colored stone called Knife River Flint.

The idea came from a group of young geology enthusiasts from Bottineau Public Schools, who discovered last year that North Dakota is one of two states lacking an official rock.

Members of the so-called Bottineau Rockhounds club traveled to the Capitol last week to tell lawmakers why they should approve House Bill 1186 and give Knife River Flint that title.

The rock is only found in North Dakota, for one. Because it’s easy to shape, it has been mined by Native cultures for thousands of years.

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“Knife River Flint is a smooth, durable rock that is made of very small crystals which makes it easy to chip in various forms and turn into useful tools,” fifth grader Grace Motl told members of the House Political Subdivisions Committee on Thursday.

Silas Fredriksen of the Bottineau Public Schools Rockhounds club testifies in favor of a bill to make Knife River Flint the official state rock of North Dakota during a meeting of the House Political Subdivisions Committee on Jan. 16, 2025. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

It was traded widely and has been found in archaeological sites across the continent, according to the Rockhounds.

“It has been an important stone for trading by many different cultures throughout North Dakota’s history,” Avery Kitzman, a sixth grader, said.

Knife River Flint prevailed among four other suggestions proposed by the Rockhounds, said fifth grade teacher and club adviser David Cauley. Those included chalcedony, aventurine, moss agate and prairie agate.

They held an election to determine the winner.

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“Since this last year was a big election year, we decided that it would be a really fun idea to have our own election that could teach students how elections work,” Cauley told lawmakers.

Cauley’s wife, Michelle — an instructor at Dakota College and another adviser to the Bottineau Rockhounds — said the college, three local high schools and Rockhounds clubs in Bismarck and Grand Forks participated in the contest, too.

Rep. Dan Vollmer, R-Willow City, holds a sample of Knife River Flint. Vollmer is sponsoring a bill suggested by a young geologists club from Bottineau Public Schools to make Knife River Flint the official rock of North Dakota. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

The Bottineau Rockhounds even made campaign posters to hang up in the hallway.

“The school was just abuzz for the two or three weeks before the election,” Cauley said.

In all, 541 votes were cast. Knife River Flint emerged the victor with 56% approval.

Rep. Dan Vollmer, whose district includes Bottineau, is sponsoring the bill. Vollmer and Rep. Macy Bolinske, who carried the bill on behalf of the House Political Subdivisions Committee, brought samples of Knife River Flint to the House floor on Friday to show their peers.

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The House voted unanimously to forward the bill. It’ll also need approval from the Senate.

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North Dakota

PHOTOS: Long Beach State vs. North Dakota State, Softball

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PHOTOS: Long Beach State vs. North Dakota State, Softball


The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.

Long Beach State hosted North Dakota State on March 10 where they suffered a 5-2 loss. Freshman Nina Sepulveda had two hits in the loss. Long Beach State will resume Big West play this weekend when they travel to UC Riverside for a three-game series starting Friday, March 13.





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Four area players land on North Dakota Division A all-state team

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Four area players land on North Dakota Division A all-state team


GRAND FORKS — Four area athletes were selected to the North Dakota Division A all-state girls basketball team, which was released by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association on Tuesday.

The North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association will release all-state teams later this month.

Thompson’s Addison Sage led the way as a first team all-state pick, as well as receiving the division’s Outstanding Senior Athlete honor. Her coach, Jason Brend, was the Coach of the Year.

All-state second team choices from the area are Devils Lake junior Tylie Brodina, Four Winds-Minnewaukan sophomore Suri Gourd and Thompson senior Kya Hurst.

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Sage, a 5-foot-6 guard, averaged 22.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.2 steals per game. Sage has more than 1,900 career points and holds the Tommies’ all-time scoring record.

Brodina, a 5-8 guard, averaged 18.8 points and 2.6 steals per game. She shot 82 percent from the foul line and 32 percent from 3-point range.

Hurst, a 5-6 forward, averaged 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She added 3.7 steals and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Hurst has scored more than 1,600 points and grabbed more than 840 rebounds in her career.

Gourd, a 5-8 guard, averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 4.4 steals per game. Gourd has more than 1,600 career points in her career with two more seasons to play.

Gourd led Four Winds-Minnewaukan from a 5-17 record last season to a 16-8 mark this year.

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Miller has covered sports at the Grand Forks Herald since 2004 and was the state sportswriter of the year in 2019 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2022 (NSMA, NDAPSSA), 2024 (NDAPSSA) and 2025 (NDAPSSA).

His primary beat is UND football but also reports on a variety of UND sports and local preps.

He can be reached at (701) 780-1121, tmiller@gfherald.com or on Twitter at @tommillergf.





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Annabelle Weber

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Annabelle Weber


Funeral Mass for Annabelle Weber, 95, of Dickinson will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, March 12, 2026 at Queen of Peace Church with Msgr. Thomas Richter celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, with Rosary and Vigil service taking place at 6:00 PM. Annabelle passed away Friday, March 6, 2026 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Annabelle S. Weber was born on December 8, 1930, in Killdeer, North Dakota, to Frank and Eva (Kowis) Schmalz. She grew up in Killdeer and graduated from Killdeer High School in 1947. At the age of 17, Annabelle began working at Zimbrich’s Department Store in Killdeer. She later moved to Dickinson, where she worked at S&L in retail sales and spent many years at Kessel’s Bridal Shop. While working at the Esquire Steak House, she met Gerald Weber, the love of her life. The couple was united in marriage on November 1, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, where they made their home and built their life together. Annabelle was a woman who loved staying busy and caring for her family and home. She enjoyed hunting and fishing, along with hobbies such as crafts, sewing, and gardening. She was well known for keeping an immaculate home and took great pride in caring for those around her. Faith was an important part of her life. She joined the Catholic Daughters in 1957 and was active in church circles, often helping with funeral dinners and parish gatherings. Annabelle’s greatest joy was her family. Annabelle is survived by her sons, Greg (Barbara) Weber of Grand Forks, Russ (Rhonda) Weber of Dickinson; daughter, Sharon (Tony) Allen of Andover, MN; nine grandchildren, Christi (Ryan), Tiffani (Tim), Shane (Kayla), Tonya (Adam), Samantha (Scott), Kevin, Tracey (Analisa), Stacie, Tyler; 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Eva Schmalz; husband, Gerald Weber; siblings, William (Evelyn) Schmalz, Elaine (John) Buresh, and Vernon (Dolores) Schmalz; and daughter-in-law, Coleen Weber (Krance). Remembrances and condolences can be shared at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.





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