North Dakota
Stutsman County Courthouse revival planned thanks to historic $5.86 million donation
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Nothing quite beats the views from the Stutsman County Courthouse clock tower.
It’s too rundown to climb right now, but thanks to a charitable gift from a local, that will soon change.
The entire courthouse will be renovated to preserve the structure for years to come.
The Stutsman County Courthouse was built in 1883 and is North Dakota’s oldest surviving courthouse.
It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but thanks to a recent large and mysterious donation, the courthouse will survive well into the future.
In a town with just over 15,000 people, secrets are hard to come by. But walking the grounds of the Stutsman County Courthouse, you might never know the dedication and generosity it takes to keep it all going.
“We’re open three days a week all winter long. This is really where North Dakota became a state. We say it’s the birthplace of North Dakota,” said 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse site supervisor Kyle Nelson.
But even more enchanting than its seemingly everlasting charm is a $5.86 million donation that unexpectedly came through this past September, from a man no one would have expected.
“George Spangler was someone I didn’t know personally. Actually, I’ve never met him,” said Nelson.
“I knew him as an acquaintance,” said former Courthouse Site Supervisor Steven Reidburn.
“He was just a local business owner. He owned the antique shop,” said Nelson.
“I bought some things from George,” said Stutsman County resident Art Todd.
“He was always just kind of around, somebody around the fringes,” said Stutsman County resident Barb Lang.
“He took an interest in the building even though he was not known for getting active in the community,” said Nelson.
“He was quite a character, to say the least,” said Todd.
“None of us knew that he had any money at all, and the fact that he would ever give it to us— he could be a grumpy old codger,” said Lang.
“When he passed on, the State Historical Society got a call from his estate saying, ‘Hey, you know, he’s made a donation. It could be pretty sizeable,’” said Nelson.
That donation turned out to be the biggest the State Historical Society has ever received.
“The foundation has been in existence since 1965, and the George Spangle gift is the largest ever received by the foundation, which is considerable considering we went through a capital expansion project,” said North Dakota State Historical Society Foundation executive director Dale Lennon.
You might miss it, but tucked behind the opulence and ornate fixtures waiting around each corner, a slew of projects is waiting to be addressed.
Lennon said they plan to use the money to renovate the press box, clock tower, staircase, basement, install an HVAC system and other little projects to keep the site thriving.
“There was no funding. So, it is these little things that always chipped away to the point where there was a movement to tear the whole thing down because it seemed like such a huge project,” said Nelson.
So, the next time you stop by the old Clerk of Courts to make an old-fashioned phone call, think of George.
“I guess about all I can say is that George was George,” said Todd.
Thanks to George’s generosity, the courthouse will live on and so will his legacy.
Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy who is under investigation by the the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) has resigned from the department.
Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner says he was contacted by the BCI in September saying they were initiating an investigation into Deputy Carson Quam for alleged criminal activity. Jahner says the Sheriff’s Office was unaware of any criminal activity Quam was potentially involved with.
On November 21, the Sheriff’s office announced that Quam is no longer an employee of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.
Jahner says the information was not released in September because it was an active and ongoing investigation from another agency.
“Any time criminal allegations are made against one of my employees, my Office will always collaborate with the investigating and prosecuting agencies to assist throughout the investigation and potential prosecution, working to ensure the integrity of the case. If criminal activity is substantiated, it will not be tolerated. My Office will always strive through rigorous background checks, department training, and accountability to put the best deputies in our communities to protect and serve our citizens,” said Sheriff Jahner.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says it is unable to comment further pending investigation and review by the Grand Forks and Cass County States Attorney’s Offices. Valley News Live will continue to follow this situation as it develops.
Copyright 2024 KVLY. All rights reserved.
North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks (2-2) at Loyola Marymount Lions (1-2) Los Angeles; Friday, 10 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Loyola Marymount…
North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks (2-2) at Loyola Marymount Lions (1-2)
Los Angeles; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Loyola Marymount hosts North Dakota after Will Johnston scored 27 points in Loyola Marymount’s 77-71 loss to the Saint Louis Billikens.
Loyola Marymount finished 12-19 overall with an 8-8 record at home during the 2023-24 season. The Lions averaged 11.9 assists per game on 25.9 made field goals last season.
North Dakota finished 18-14 overall a season ago while going 7-8 on the road. The Fightin’ Hawks averaged 75.3 points per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 32.6% from 3-point range last season.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Copyright
© 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – First responders finally have a chance to catch a breath after an intense couple of months.
Hunter Noor with the North Dakota Forest Service said the snow is bringing some much-needed moisture to dry areas in the state. He said first responders and volunteers who have been working since October to manage the fires hope the snow continues because it could mean the end of a historic wildfire season.
“I’d like to say we are done, but I’m going to knock on wood when I say it, because you never know what Mother Nature’s going to throw at you. So, December— it could warm back up to 40, 50 degrees, you could have another wind event and see more fires— but looking at the forecast, looking at what they’re predicting, it looks like we’re going to slide into the winter season, hopefully pretty quietly,” Noor said.
He said more precipitation should help keep any potential fires at bay.
Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.
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