North Dakota

Today in History, 1957: North Dakota woman one of 173 to die on U.S. roads on Christmas night

Published

3 months ago

December 26, 2025

Today in History, 1957: North Dakota woman one of 173 to die on U.S. roads on Christmas night

On this day in 1957, U.S. traffic deaths during the Christmas holiday reached 173 nationwide, including a North Dakota woman killed in a Minnesota crash.

Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:

N.D. Woman Yule Crash Victim

Death Toll Across U.S Reaches 173

Traffic deaths on Christmas night were only seven from the National Safety Council’s fatality estimate for the holiday period amid warnings the final toll would exceed it.

Among those killed on the nation’s highways during the brief holiday was a North Dakota woman.

She was Mrs. Martin E. Sitz, 54, of Park River, N.D., who died in a car-truck collision on Highway 2 about seven miles east of Fosston, Minn., late on Christmas Eve.

See more history at Newspapers.com

Her death raised the Minnesota traffic toll for 1957 to 666. That is 38 more than at this time a year ago.

No motor vehicle fatalities had been reported in North Dakota up to 11:30 last night.

Before the holiday got under way, the Safety Council estimated 180 persons would die in traffic mishaps between 6 p.m. (local time) Tuesday and midnight Wednesday.

Nearing the close of the 30-hour period, traffic deaths across the country had reached 173, according to the Associated Press.

At least 26 other persons died in fires and 14 were killed in miscellaneous accidents, bringing the total to 213.

Unseasonably mild weather in most parts of the country brought auto travel above normal.

Mrs. Sitz’ 51-year-old husband was seriously injured in the Minnesota crash and Archie Piotrias, 64, of Argyle, Minn., the truck driver, suffered chest injuries. They were hospitalized at Fosston.

Mr. and Mrs. Sitz, who had resided in Park River for several years, were on their way to the Twin Cities to spend the holidays with members of their family.

Mrs. Sitz’ death was the first fatality reported from a Christmas holiday in Minnesota, which is in the midst of its worst traffic year in history.

Park River is in Walsh County about 120 miles north and 17 miles west of Fargo-Moorhead. Fosston, in Polk County, is in northwestern Minnesota about 50 miles east and 60 miles north of Fargo-Moorhead.

In South Dakota, Alan Gates, 21, of Pierre died Wednesday of injuries suffered early Saturday when his car rolled over on U.S. 14, a mile east of Fort Pierre, S.D.

Gates, who had been attending Huron (S.D.) College, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Gates.

James Matthews, 21, of Pierre, and Connie Bartels of Fort Pierre, who were riding with Gates, have been released from the hospital.

The death was the 176th on South Dakota highways so far this year and 10 fewer than on this date a year ago.

Kate Almquist is the social media manager for InForum. After working as an intern, she joined The Forum full time starting in January 2022. Readers can reach her at kalmquist@forumcomm.com.

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North Dakota

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

Published

5 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

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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North Dakota

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

Published

17 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

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.

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.

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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North Dakota

Annabelle Weber

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

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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