North Dakota
The Bakken oil boom, a dam and a man named ‘Skeeter’ – Why Joe Lee’s disappearance still stumps investigators
The summer time of 2013 in Williston was characterised by the Bakken oil increase, lending to a drastic uptick within the city’s inhabitants — and mysterious crimes, together with the disappearance of Jose “Joe” Christopher Lee.
Lee was amongst those that stumbled upon misfortune within the midst of the profitable — and sometimes harmful — oil rush. On June 3, 2013, he was legally declared a lacking individual after a automobile he was driving was discovered deserted, together with his cellular phone on the passenger’s seat, close to town’s Epping-Springbrook Dam.
The case has been open with the Williams County Sheriff’s Workplace since Lee was declared a lacking individual, but the case’s lead investigator, Caleb Fry, hopes that developments in DNA expertise, paired with social media publicity, will result in new info associated to Lee’s disappearance.
“I’ve adopted up on all of the leads as they’ve are available in over time. However I’ve simply re-released it, if you’ll, with advances in expertise and the quantity of social media sharing there may be,” Fry stated in a latest interview with Discussion board Information Service, “I assumed perhaps that may shake out some cobwebs in individuals’s brains.
A automobile, boots and a creek
Lee borrowed the automobile from an acquaintance on June 1, 2013, with an association to return it the following day.
The day after it was scheduled to be returned, it was found deserted alongside the facet of a county highway.
Investigators have been in a position to observe down the person who loaned Lee the automobile. It was an everyday settlement between the 2 — and Lee had by no means earlier than didn’t return the automobile, based on Fry.
Picture courtesy of the Williams County Sheriff’s Workplace.
The investigation into Lee’s disappearance initially led search crews to the sting of Stony Creek, positioned on the south facet of County Street 6, the place the automobile was parked. There, they found boots and socks, believed to belong to Lee.
Authorities weren’t in a position to affirm that the boots and socks belonged to Lee, Fry stated.
The creek is positioned on the alternative facet of the highway, the place the dam is located.
A big-scale search was carried out to find Lee, together with using cadaver canine, sonar expertise, rescue divers, airplanes and on-the-ground search groups. Ultimately, the efforts got here up quick.
The search primarily centered on the realm in and across the creek, citing the boots and socks found on the scene, based on Fry. The creek itself was small in measurement, but Fry stated the waters have been excessive in June of 2013, which meant water was transferring at a speedy tempo.
Interviews carried out within the days following Lee’s disappearance revealed he had been driving the automobile with a person often called Skeeter. Investigators weren’t in a position to decide Skeeter’s id, which implies they weren’t in a position to observe down the person, who was solely described by a latest Williams County Sheriff’s Workplace press launch as “carrying a cowboy hat.”
“I’m nonetheless wanting into that,” Fry stated concerning the person identified solely as Skeeter. “I don’t suppose individuals perceive that hardly anyone who was once right here continues to be right here.”
The Williston space noticed speedy development within the prime years of the oil increase, rising 67% from 2010 to 2014, based on the U.S. Census. But these numbers usually are not thought-about to mirror the magnitude of the expansion, as many didn’t have a everlasting residence within the space.
The expansion was pushed primarily by males who traveled to the realm to both work within the oil fields, or the industries that boomed on account of the inhabitants development.
In lots of situations, those that traveled to the realm for work had no everlasting handle. Data concerning employers — and residents — have been usually nonexistent.
That was the case for Lee, too. He had made acquaintances via work and crashed on couches within the space, but not many really knew a lot about him, based on investigators.
His transient way of life additionally created boundaries for investigators aiming to navigate the fluid social circles of the rising neighborhood.
Lee was initially from Arizona, but additionally had household ties to the Tennessee space. Fry stated these connections have additionally failed to provide leads.
Lee is described as having black hair and hazel eyes. He stands 5 toes, 10 inches tall and weighed roughly 210 kilos on the time he went lacking.
Nameless suggestions might be despatched to Investigator Fry by texting NDWILLIAMS to 847411.
NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — The hundred-day span between Memorial Day and Labor Day is marked as the most deadly period on the road here in North Dakota.
According to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s 2022 crash summary report, fatal crashes are twice as likely during this time.
That’s why North Dakota leaders are urging drivers to not fall into a “false sense of security” during the bright and cheery days of summer.
According to Travel and Leisure, North Dakota has been marked as the state with the most reckless drivers.
There’s a range of reasons for this from drunk driving to speeding. But another reason is that when the snow clears, North Dakota drivers are eager to get out more and drive faster than they would in the snow, according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division director.
And because North Dakota has some of the lowest citation fees in the nation, ranging from $5 to $100, the Highway Patrol’s safety and education officer says that drivers aren’t given enough deterrents to drive safely.
However, with growing concerns about safety, there could be talk of increasing citation amounts in coming legislative sessions.
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Aquatic nuisance species are nonnative plants, animals and pathogens that can threaten our aquatic resources. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is taking proactive measures to stop the spread of ANS into our waterbodies by conducting watercraft inspections at popular boat ramps statewide.
“We got watercraft inspectors that are working throughout this summer around the state of North Dakota to check boats, to educate boat owners to do the right things at ramps, make sure boats are all clean, drain, dry before recreating here,” said Ben Holen, NDGF Aquatic Nuisance Species Coordinator.
What can anglers or watercraft recreationists expect when they come to an ANS inspection?
“A watercraft inspector will ask a few questions, only takes a couple minutes, and then they look at the hull of the boat. They’re looking at the engine area, looking at the anchor and also looking at all drain compartments, making sure all water is out of that watercraft. Everything is drained. Everything is cleaned, drained, dry before you get on that water body,” said Holen.
These watercraft inspections are voluntary and most people are cooperative and thankful the Game and Fish Department is spearheading efforts to stop the spread of ANS.
“We see a lot of our fishermen are really educated about aquatic nuisance species. They’re pulling their plugs every time, removing vegetation, doing the right things. Occasionally there are slip-ups, but that’s why our inspectors are out here making sure that those boats are good to go,” said Holen.
It’s not only fishing boats that are inspected, it’s all watercraft.
“So whether you’re a jet skier, a kayak, a canoer, a wakeboarder, you all play a part in curbing the spread of aquatic nuisance species in North Dakota,” said Holen.
The purpose of these inspections is to educate the public so they can help curb the spread of ANS.
“We can’t be at every ramp, every single circumstance, so hopefully some of these recreationists can take the tools that they learn from watercraft inspectors and apply them on their own when they’re out there recreating on their own and do a self-inspection,” said Holen.
The Game and Fish Department is committed to safeguarding our natural resources for future generations to enjoy.
“So we really, really like to keep it that way and keep these resources pristine for a long time,” said Holen.
For more information on Aquatic Nuisance Species, visit gf.nd.gov
Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.
STACKER — The typically busy summer driving season tends to lead to more demand for gasoline and, in turn, higher prices at the pump. But that hasn’t happened this summer, and analysts aren’t sure of the reason.
“[Drivers] appear to be staying off the road, and the recent scorching heat is possibly to blame. Maybe things will pick up soon,” AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross said in a statement Thursday, adding that prices could dip even lower.
Prices are several cents above their levels a month ago, but a gallon of gas is still cheaper than it was this same time last summer. The U.S. has been producing a large amount of gasoline to bolster domestic supply, another factor that can push prices downward. The total amount of gasoline in the U.S. supply is slightly above the five-year average, according to Energy Information Administration data.
Stacker compiled statistics on gas prices in North Dakota. Gas prices are as of July 19.
North Dakota by the numbers
– Gas current price: $3.39
– Week change: $0.00 (0.0%)
– Year change: -$0.08 (-2.3%)
– Historical expensive gas price: $4.80 (6/15/22)
– Diesel current price: $3.65
– Week change: -$0.01 (-0.2%)
– Year change: -$0.13 (-3.3%)
– Historical expensive diesel price: $5.62 (6/25/22)
Metros with most expensive gas in North Dakota
#1. Minot: $3.48
#2. Bismarck: $3.48
#3. Grand Forks (ND only): $3.27
#4. Fargo-Moorhead (ND only): $3.24
States with the most expensive gas
#1. California: $4.72
#2. Hawaii: $4.70
#3. Washington: $4.27
States with the least expensive gas
#1. Mississippi: $3.00
#2. Louisiana: $3.10
#3. Texas: $3.12
This article originally appeared on Stacker, and was produced and distributed through a partnership with Stacker Studio. It has been republished pursuant to a CC by NC 4.0 License.
Sunday Puzzle: Can you guess these stars?
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Suunto’s new headphones finally made me appreciate bone conduction
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