North Dakota
Work on the Theodore Roosevelt National Park loop has stopped for the winter, but the finish line is in sight
MEDORA, N.D. — Theodore Roosevelt National Park visitors will have to wait a few more months to enjoy the south unit’s full loop, as construction on a stretch of roadway that collapsed five years ago has halted for the winter.
Winter has brought a drop in temperature, which has halted the Scenic Loop Drive reconstruction project for the season, said Maureen McGee-Ballinger, deputy superintendent and chief for interpretation and education at the park. Park officials had hoped that the weather would have cooperated and allowed construction crews to finish work on the nearly six-mile stretch of road by November.
“We anticipate, because it is pretty close to being done, that it’s going to be done by this coming summer,” she said Thursday. “We’ll let everyone know. We’ll have a nice, big celebration.”
It’s unclear how much the construction project will cost, though U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, two Republicans from North Dakota, helped secure more than $47 million in federal funding for road repairs on the scenic loop.
A series of landslides, poor road subgrade material and ineffective drainage have plagued the Scenic Loop Drive for years, the park said. A four-mile stretch of the road slid down a hill in 2019.
Though some parts of the road didn’t fully collapse, pictures show deep fissures in the asphalt.
The park closed its south unit loop between mile marker 22 and 28, preventing visitors from driving the full 36-mile loop for five years. The closed portion has several popular attractions in the south-central part of the park, including the Ridgeline Trail, the Badlands Outlook and Scoria Point.
Construction began in 2022.
The project is the first major rehabilitation job done to the drive in 20 years, according to the park. The goal is to stabilize the road to make it more sustainable, according to project documents.
The construction also gave the park an opportunity to expand parking at several outlook and trail locations, McGee-Ballinger said.
That will include Scoria Point, which only had a few parking spots before the collapse. The parking area there will be widened so more people can stop to enjoy the outlook, McGee-Ballinger said.
“It’s actually going to make it more accessible than before it was closed,” she said.
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit is accessible through Medora, which is about 35 miles west of Dickinson. Its north unit is about 70 miles northwest of Dickinson.
The park also has the Elkhorn Ranch Unit between the south and north units. That’s where President Theodore Roosevelt, the park’s namesake, built a ranch for himself after his wife and mother died. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the only one named after a president.
Between 750,000 and 800,000 people visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park each year.
MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Casselton Fire responded to a shop fire in rural Mapleton on Saturday afternoon, according to Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl.
Casselton Fire was dispatched to the scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Windy conditions escalated the fire before crews arrived, Hejl said.
Firefighters used defensive and offensive lines to control the fire upon arrival.
Casselton Fire was assisted by Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Casselton Ambulance, West Fargo Police Department, Davenport Fire and Mapleton Fire.
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A do not use water advisory issued by the City of Finley, North Dakota. April 2026.
FINLEY, N.D. (KFGO) – The city of Finley, North Dakota has been without potable water since Friday due to a suspected water main leak. Steele County Emergency Management says it is unclear how long it will take to restore water services in the city.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says the available water in Finley has been deemed unusable for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing dishes or laundry.
The water system will need to be flushed and samples that say the water is safe will need to be collected for the water advisory to be lifted.
Richard D. “Rick” Langowski, age 78 of Minto, North Dakota passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his home in Minto.
Rick was born March 10, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Julian and Catherine (Wysocki) Langowski. In 1967, he volunteered for the military bringing him to Germany as a Motor Sargent. After an Honorable Discharge he took a job at the International Airport in Grand Forks, ND. His duties included: refueling planes and jets as well as maintaining the grounds. He had the opportunity to meet the famous singer Mr. James Brown.
Rick was united in marriage to Alice Odegard on June 17, 1982 in Minto, North Dakota. The family made their home in Minto where they raised Jason and Angela. Rick was very proud of his children and loved them more than anything. He told everyone and bragged about the children he raised. He cherished his grandchildren and loved to be present in every aspect of their lives.
His career changed to semi driving where he drove for Cenex Transportation for four years and ten years for Valley Transports. His love for the open road directed him into the used car business. He opened Minto Auto Sales and Services in 1987, proudly operating for 39 years. He had the privilege to meet many people and travel to many places. He enjoyed riding his many Harley Davidson Motorcycles. In 2025, he sold the business to his longtime mechanic and friend, Aaron Anderson. In Rick’s opinion, “Minto Auto is one of the best mechanical shops in the area.”
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. He loved hunting with Jason, watching sports, especially the Yankees and Twins. In 2017, Rick was able to enjoy a father/son trip of a lifetime to Alaska. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and thought was the best time of his life.
Rick is survived by his children: Jason Odegard, Reynolds, ND; Angela (Nick) Eppert, Goshen, IN; grandchildren: Ashlyn, Kaia, Annika, Boden and Caelan; sisters: Carol King, Grand Forks, ND; Connie Jones, Argyle, MN; seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very close friend and confidant, Yvette Estep, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Robert and Ronald.
Rick’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Yvette Estep, an employee of Rick’s, affectionately known as “hotrod.” She was there for Rick, along with Aaron for doctor’s appointments, treatments and helped comfort him throughout his battle. Jason and Angela will be forever indebted to her and consider her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. Military Rites will be provided by the Minto American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard D. Langowski, please visit our
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