YEARINREVIEW Year of the coronavirus #1 SATURDAY • JANUARY 2, 2021
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t started slow. Very slow. Then the number of people with coronavirus began to climb. So did the concern.
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By KIM FUNDINGSLAND • Staff Writer • kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com
Eventually, the North Dakota Department of Health updated coronavirus information on their website and on Facebook, a sort of macabre scoreboard of COVID-19 versus state residents. As 2020 drew to a close, the total active cases of COVID-19 in the state were on the decline but the number of deaths attributed to the pandemic had soared past 1,000. On March 19, State Health reported 19 positive cases of coronavirus in North Dakota. One person was hospitalized with COVID-19 complications and another 45 were being monitored. Also in March the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. But by the end of the year, more than 215 countries around the world would be affected by the virus. While some areas of the country were experiencing severe outbreaks in early 2020, the results of which remained unknown, North Dakota stepped up the testing of people for COVID-19. Total tests by the end of April reached nearly 30,000, positive cases topped 1,000, more than 30 were hospitalized across the state and the death toll attributed to coronavirus reached 19. A month later total deaths were more than 60 as the seriousness of the virus became more and more apparent. Coronavirus continued to spread in the state during the summer with 103 deaths reported at the end of July and another 50 people hospitalized. While the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions were identified as the most vulnerable to the virus, there were a number of unexpected deaths too. By mid-August the death count reached 122. The number of active coronavirus cases in Ward County was 218 at the end of Sep-
worst had passed. One week into December Minot’s active case count slipped under 400. Statewide, more than 1 million coronavirus tests had been given. Indicators from every county showed that COVID-19 was on the decline as people practiced social distancing and other preventive measures against an unseen enemy. By mid-December the number of people hospitalized had dropped by nearly 150 in a single week. All indications were the virus was being managed, but certainly had not disappeared. Business restrictions and other measures, such as limiting the size of gatherings, continued even as the first doses of vaccine to combat COVID-19 were being distributed throughout the state. As 2020 was drawing to a close no one was under the illusion that the COVID-19 pandemic was over, but there was at least some cause for hope that the pandemic would subside enough sometime in 2021 that certain precautions would no longer be considered necessary.
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Schools grapple with pandemic
By ANDREA JOHNSON Staff Writer ajohnson@minotdailynews.com
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Susan Ogurek, director of the Job Service North Dakota Office in Minot, spoke during a briefing on COVID-19 in May 2020.
Unemployment increases during pandemic
By ANDREA JOHNSON Staff Writer ajohnson@minotdailynews.com
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he coronavirus pandemic had a serious impact on livelihoods in the Minot area in 2020.
In the spring Gov. Doug Burgum had issued executive orders that closed or placed restrictions on certain high-contact businesses such as restaurants, bars, coffee shops, gymnasiums, hair stylists and movie theaters to slow the spread of the virus. As a result, the unemployment rate in Minot soared to a record 10.7 percent in April and May when it had been at 2.9 percent for the month of February. By October, with many of the restrictions lifted, more people were employed and unemployment rate in Minot was at 4.9 percent, still higher than it was a year before in October 2019 when unemployment had been at 1.6 percent. An aid package from the federal government enabled many employers to continue paying
their employees during the pandemic and, for a time, provided extra unemployment assistance for those who were laid off due to the pandemic. Federal direct payment stimulus checks to individuals also helped some stay afloat. But local charities and food banks reported that more people were lining up for assistance than in previous years, some of them in need of help for the first time. In turn, charities pleaded for donations to help meet the increased need. With virus numbers and deaths in the state soaring in November, the governor again issued an executive order placing limitations on certain businesses, such as limits on capacity. Every aspect of the economy has been impacted, with hotels and motels struggling to keep their doors open with few guests staying. Most major events in the area were also called off this year due to the coronavirus. Among them were events that usually draw large numbers of people to Minot, including the North Dakota State Fair in July and the Norsk Hostfest in the fall. Some of the state’s restrictions on business were lifted in late December, and the federal government announced that more assistance, including checks for individuals, is on the way.
tember, considered a very manageable number. At the same time Burleigh County, where the state capitol of Bismarck is located, had surged to over 700 active cases. It was an indicator that a statewide spike in COVID-19 cases was imminent. And it was. Ward County’s active coronavirus virus count pushed well over 900 by late October, Burleigh County over 1,200 and Cass County was only a few cases behind Burleigh. Active case numbers were on the rise in many other counties as well as concern over COVID-19 continued to grow. However, a month later the numbers began to show some improvement all across the state, fueling optimism that perhaps the
he coronavirus pandemic meant challenges for parents, teachers and students across the state in 2020.
School buildings were closed in March by order of the governor and classes were delivered via distance learning, an entirely new method of education delivery for many. When classes resumed in the fall, school districts and universities prepared plans of action for educating students in a pandemic. Some schools opted to continue distance learning for all students and others considered a hybrid model of face-to-face classes and distance learning. Minot Public Schools opted to resume face-to-face classes with a requirement for all to wear face masks in most situations and to practice other precautions against the coronavirus such as social distancing and hand washing. Quarantine and isolation and disruptions in school and work were necessary at
different points throughout the semester for individuals or entire cohorts of students who had virus symptoms or had been exposed to someone who did. Some of those requirements were eased somewhat later in the fall when Gov. Doug Burgum amended his quarantine order to exempt close contacts from the need to quarantine if both parties had been wearing face masks at all times. In November a surge in virus cases meant that school activities were also called off until Dec. 14, though practices were allowed with athletes wearing masks. Mitch Lunde, Minot Public Schools activities director, said many school extracurriculars would be held virtually and athletic events would be held with very limited audience attendance allowed. Some events have had to be called off or postponed when someone was required to be quarantined or isolated due to COVID-19. “We want our kids to continue to work and have opportunities,” said Lunde, even though it must be done with COVID-19 precautions in mind. Minot Public Schools Superintendent Mark Vollmer said on Dec. 17 that a comSee SCHOOLS — Page 3
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Students at Erik Ramstad Middle School wear masks throughout the school.
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2020 saw an increase in the number of people getting outdoors in North Dakota in their quest to find alternative and safe activities in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The result included a record number of visits to State Parks.
Outdoors offered pandemic relief in 2020
By KIM FUNDINGSLAND
Outdoors/Staff Writer kfundingsland@minotdailynews.com
hile the coronavirus pandemic had a negative impact on almost every aspect of daily living in 2020, it created a remarkable surge in outdoor activity. It is there, outdoors in North Dakota, where social distancing was easily achievable and provided numerous avenues of relief from COVID caused restrictions. People quickly grew weary of staying at home to avoid catching coronavirus. Schools were closed early in 2020, meaning thousands of children were virtually home-bound and parents were seeking to bring some normalcy into their lives. Many found an answer in the outdoors. In March, during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, State Parks announced that the would be closing all parks and recreation buildings to the public. It was a time when there were multiple opinions about how to best defend against COVID19. In reality, though, the closures at State Parks didn’t have much impact at the time because it came long before the start of the traditional camping season and warm spring temperatures were still weeks away. State Parks normally open in mid-May. Somewhat cautiously, State Parks made the decision to open campgrounds on May 21 with some coronavirus restrictions in place, such as closing Visitor Centers and changing cleaning procedures at com-
fort stations. The move proved to be overwhelmingly popular. All of North Dakota’s State Parks experienced an avalanche of early visitors and the demand only increased as the season progressed. And it continued well beyond what is considered the peak months for camping and other park activities. “North Dakota State Parks provided a safe, social distance setting during an uncertain time this camping season,� said Director Andrea Travnicek. “We saw a lot of first-time campers in our parks this summer and look forward to their return visits this winter and in the upcoming year.� Campers usually descend on State Parks in the peak season of mid-May through August. In 2020, however, they did so in record numbers well beyond the usual camping season. In fact, according to State Parks, “the largest increase in camping numbers was seen during September and October. September had a 173% increase and October a 339% increase in camping numbers from the 2019 season.� Final statistics tabulated by all State Parks showed a 35% overall increase of campers for the season. The weather was nice in early fall, contributing to the rise in numbers, but even more so was a need for families to get outside and get away from monotonous and restrictive routines due to coronavirus concerns responsible for the cancellation of numerous activities and events. See OUTDOORS — Page 6
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Minot ends year with new city manager, plans for new city hall
By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com
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he past year brought a new city manager and progress toward a new city hall for the City of Minot. Harold Stewart II, former city manager in Warrensburg, Missouri, assumed the city manager position Dec. 28 following a candidate search that drew 50 qualified applicants and resulted in interviews with three in November. Stewart had been with Warrensburg since 2015. He previously served as city manager in Knoxville, Iowa, and Ogallala, Nebraska, and was assistant to the administrator/neighborhood services director in Yuma, Arizona, where he also had worked as interim human resources director. He has 15 years of experience in city and county government and holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas, Lawrence. He spent part of his childhood in Minot when his father was stationed at Minot Air Force Base and was a finalist in the city manager search in 2016. Stewart replaced former city manager Tom Barry, who was fired at a hastily called council meeting April 20 to discuss the results of an investigation into a hostile work environment in the city. At a special meeting in March, the council had debated for nearly an hour regarding the hiring of an independent investigator. Through investigator findings and council member admissions, it was determined most council members had some knowledge that employees had concerns. However, the issue didn’t come to a head until Minot blogger Rob Port wrote about city employee concerns with Barry’s management style. “The findings of the independent outside counsel are
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Minot’s new police chief, John Klug, receives new insignia from his wife, Maggie, in a pinning ceremony during Minot’s City Council meeting Feb. 3.
damning in my view,� council member Stephan Podrygula said after receiving the final investigation report. “There clearly was a hostile work environment with harassment of several employees. Finding number two: there were efforts to conceal this.� The report from the special counsel, Fargo attorney Patricia Monson, recommended removal of the city manager as the only solution to resolve workplace tension. Barry had joined the city in December 2016 and his contract was amended in 2018 and again in December 2019. The latest amendment provided for a five-year conSee CITY — Page 6
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The Minot City Council voted in 2020 to purchase the former Wells Fargo building for a new city hall.
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rogress was made on Souris River flood control in 2020 with the completion of two phases of a protection project in Minot and the advancement of additional work in Minot and Burlington. In October, project sponsors signed off on the final completion of the M o u s e River Enhanced Flood Protection Proj e c t ’ s Phases MI2 and MI-3 Ryan in west Ackerman Minot, which had begun in the spring of 2018. Public facilities in this phase included the Dakota Bark Park, new walking path and underpass and the recreational parking area where the old Forest Road west was located. Wee Links Golf Course will open in the spring of 2021. The path on the surface of the levee that has been completed will remain graveled until the Maple Diversion Project is finished. At that point, contractors will construct a shared-use path of asphalt on top of the levee. The MI-1 phase, from Broadway to Third Street Northeast, made significant progress in 2020, including the finishing of Fourth Avenue floodwalls. Paving of Fourth Avenue has been completed and a new signaled intersection opened at Fourth Avenue and Third Street Northeast in November. Interior finishing work will continue over winter on the Broadway pump station, with the expectation of a June completion. Other finishing work, such as temporary road closure structures, also are needed to complete MI-1 in 2021. Meanwhile, work has been ongoing on MI-4, or the Maple Diversion Project. The work involves relocation of utilities between Minot Public Library and the Moose Lodge in preparation for construction on the roughly $2 million project. In Burlington, cleanup associated with the completed construction of the new Colton Bridge was accomplished and work started on levees. Wagner Construction has about 50% of the current levee construction phase completed and should finish next year, said Ryan Ackerman, administrator for the Souris River Joint Board. The next phase of the levee is to be bid this winter and is expected to take two construction seasons, he said. Full enhanced flood protection could be in place for Burlington by the end of 2022. Another project phase that will be coming up for construction is located on the west side of the U.S. Highway 83 Bypass near Tierrecita Vallejo. The project is fully designed, permitted and funded and is awaiting completion of property acquisitions, Ackerman said. The completion of the Tierrecita Vallejo area project is one of three additional phases necessary to reach the milestone of having 60% of the flood zone protected to the level of the 2011 flood. Project sponsors also will need to complete the Maple Diversion Project and the M1-5 phase, extending
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Schools
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mittee that has been guiding how the school responds to the pandemic has decided that it is best to continue in person classes for Minot Public Schools students going forward. The number of coronavirus cases in the school district has continued to decline and it is no longer quite so hard to find substitute teachers as it had been earlier in the semester. Vollmer said everyone has been good about following the guidelines and parents
Submitted Photos
TOP: Light fixtures illuminate the newly completed Fourth Avenue flood wall and the improved Fifth Avenue roadway near Third Street Northeast. BOTTOM: The new maintenance trail/walkway connecting the Napa phase of the flood protection project with the Forest Road phase passes under the 16th Street bridge. from Third Street Northeast to east of 13th Street Northeast. Design of the Maple Diversion is about 50% complete, Ackerman said. It still awaits Congressional authorization for funding. Ackerman said the hope to to obtain a $60 million appropriation. The re-design of the M1-5 phase is about 60% complete and could be at 90% by spring, Ackerman said. Acquisitions still are ongoing as well. Because construction pricing typically is more favorable over the winter, that phase likely will be bid in early 2022, he said. Design work is occurring on three bridge replacements – at Sawyer, Velva and Mouse River Park. Overall, the design is 75% complete, Ackerman said. The Sawyer and Mouse River Park bridges are on schedule for construction in 2022 and the Velva bridge in 2023. A piece of the flood protection project that is wrapping up is the Structure Acquisition, Relocation and Ringdike (StARR) program. The rural program has worked with 35 participants in Ward, Renville and McHenry counties. There have been 166 structures acquired, three relocated and one ring dike built, according to the Souris River Joint Board. Total spent as of late December was $10.4 million. Looking ahead to the 2021 legislative session, the State Water Commission’s request for $76 million for the MREFPP is included in the governor’s budget. Of that amount, $33 million is a re-allocation of 2019-20 funds being held back due to a state revenue shortfall.
New dollars in the budget amount to $43 million. The revenue shortfall reduced the $13 million appropriated to the Tierrecita Vallejo to $6 million through the biennium ending June 30, 2021. It also resulted in SRJB reducing the amount set aside for the MI-5 project by $26 million. Ackerman said other legislative funding bills are likely to offer alternate proposals. For instance, a bonding bill proposed by Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner would appropriate $102 million to the MREFPP over four years, or about $51 million in each of the next two bienniums. With the MREFPP phases already completed, Minot is in a better position even if not yet protected from another flood like the one in 2011, Ackerman said. In 2011, a significant amount of manpower and resources went to protect the Minot Water Treatment Plant and the area along Fourth Avenue. Should another record flood threaten the city, those flood-fighting resources could be deployed to protect other parts of the city because higher levees and flood walls now exist in those critical areas. “We are managing risk. By themselves, the systems don’t protect up to the flood of record,” Ackerman said. “But they are levees that don’t need to be raised. We are reducing risk because we can re-allocate those emergency resources during a flood.” An appeal that would remove many Minot homes from the proposed flood plain is in the hands of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency. The Minot City Council voted in October to submit completed documents presented by Ackerman-Estvold to FEMA through the agency’s appeal process. The council had voted in February to proceed with an appeal of proposed flood plain maps. FEMA has identified 10,000 cubic feet per second as the 100-year flood level. That is twice the flow that has been considered a 100-year flood event. The appeal argues that historical Souris River management, particularly the drawdown of Canadian dams, results in a 100-year event that would not be greater than about 8,000 cfs. A successful appeal would reduce the number of Minot land parcels in the flood plain from about 3,900 to about 3,400, reducing the cost of flood insurance for those residents. According to engineers, the appeal will affect not just Minot because changing the hydrology data has implications throughout the Souris River Basin. Additionally, Minot’s process to remove blighted properties, which started with 34 structures, had nine remaining near the end of 2020, according to the City of Minot. Blighted structures have been demolished or repaired. The city reported having acquired 169 properties for the flood protection project as of the end of November, using funds through the National Disaster Resilience program and State Water Commission.
often notified the district even before the health department did if a child tested positive for the coronavirus. That enabled the district to do contact tracing to determine which people had been in contact with that person and to get them into quarantine faster to slow the spread of the virus. School district officials had said that there seemed to be little spread of the virus attributed to being in school and most teachers, students and staff had caught COVID-19 elsewhere. The district has also been participating in a pilot project at Magic City Campus,
Jim Hill Middle School, and Perkett Elementary that enables teachers to use rapid testing for the coronavirus. They test themselves and, if a test comes back positive, are encouraged to follow up with another test and are required to go into quarantine. Vollmer said the district also has practiced what teachers and students will do in the event that everyone is required to go back to a distance learning model and made sure questions were asked and answered about use of technology tools. Vollmer said face-to-face
learning is ideal but excellent teaching and learning can take place no matter which model is used. Teachers, students and staff have all gone above and beyond this year and flexibility has been required. Teachers at Ramstad said in an email that there has been a lot of extra cleaning but they have seen a lot of resilience and people have risen to meet the challenges and people have been kind and flexible when a student or staff member had to be in quarantine. Friendships have helped them get through the tough times.
Submitted Photo
The first intermodal train is shown coming into Minot in October.
Minot hosts ND’s only intermodal rail service
Some businesses open, some close By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor eogden@minotdailynews.com
Unified marketing campaign launches, Chamber & MADC merge By ELOISE OGDEN
Regional Editor • eogden@minotdailynews.com
Minot launched a new unified marketing campaign and the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and Minot Area Development Corporation made plans for and completed a merger during 2020 In July, Minot’s One Brand organization comprised of Visit Minot, Chamber, MADC along with partners from the City of Minot, Minot Park District and Downtown Minot unveiled a citywide brand effort called “It’s Magic in Minot.” The One Brand includes featuring a unified logo and messaging. Minot residents were also urged to take part in the “Share the Magic” photo and video contest. The unified marketing strategy was recommended by economic development stakeholders during meeting conducted through the National Disaster Resilience Program. In December, members of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and Minot Area Development Corp. overwhelmingly voted to merge the two organizations on Jan. 1. Ballots mailed out in December came back with 94% of Chamber member votes and 95% of MADC investor votes in favor of the merger. “I am excited for what the merger means to our region,” said L. John MacMartin, Chamber president and MADC interim president/CEO. “I have spent over a year working for both organizations and see a lot of synergies and opportunities for the two organizations to become one. We can combine resources and focus our efforts on a fresh start to serving the business community as one focused organization.” Through an economic resilience program, the need for the organizations to collaborate and develop a single brand was identified. A change of leadership at MADC in the fall of 2019 served as impetus for studying a merger. “We are in an environment where we all are looking for ways to work as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Randy Hauck, MADC board chairman. “The organizations are already housed in one building and being able to look for further efficiencies will serve the members/investors well.” The new Minot Area Chamber EDC would be governed by a 14-member board. west Minot and Mattress By Appointment in southeast Minot also were among new openings this year. Souris Valley Animal Shelter broke ground in August for a $3.2 million
remodeling and rebuilding project. The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassadors Committee helped many of the businesses celebrate their openings and other events.
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closed during the year. A number of new businesses opened during the year although many new and previously existing businesses had to revamp their way of service due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Culver’s restaurant is among new restaurants opening in Minot in 2020. When it opened in February, it became the sixth Culver’s location in North Dakota. Dollar General opened its second location in Minot. The new location is near Oak Park in northwest Minot. T-Mobile and Mi Mexico Express were among the new businesses in Dakota Square Mall. The High Third restaurant featuring AmericanCanadian food began operating in downtown Minot. Prairie Sky Breads also opened in downtown Minot. The business got its start selling breads at Minot’s farmers’ markets. Kim Thompson, owner of Good Vibrations Modern Quilt Shop, moved her business from her home to a new store along East Burdick Expressway 28 Tastes & Taps moved into the former Fudruckers building in southeast Minot and opened for business this year. Bremer Bank broke ground on a new, full-service branch in Minot. The new branch in southwest Minot is expected to be open in late summer 2021. A merger between Minot-based First Western Bank & Trust and Fargobased BlackRidge BANK became official on Nov. 16. The merger didn’t make changes for First Western customers except give them more ATM locations and office locations including in Fargo and a second location in Bismarck. BlackRidge customers received new debit cards and credit cards with First Western’s name. Spartan Firearms, a gun and training facility, opened just west of Minot. Verendrye Electric Cooperative and Enerbase partnered to open this past summer one of the first level 3 electric car charging stations in North Dakota. The charging station is located at the North Enerbase Travel Plaza. New Dawn Chiropractic & Acupuncture in south-
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Becky Dewitz, center, then director of Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, just cut the ribbon to mark the official grand opening in June of the Amur Tiger River Valley, the zoo’s new Amur tiger habitat. Ron Merritt, director of Minot Parks, is at Dewitz’s left.
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inot hosting the state’s only intermodal operation was major news in 2020 Within hours of a news conference announcing Rail Modal Group Minot as the new operator for the intermodal rail service, the first shipping containers were on their way to the nearby AGT Foods. In October, Minot Area Development Corp. introduced Rail Modal Group as the operator for the facility in the industrial park in east Minot. The facility, to reduce shipping costs for agricultural producers and other industries in the Great Plains, provides service to the ports of Seattle and Tacoma in Washington. It will give producers and processors the opportunity to ship their products worldwide instead of just going to local and regional markets, according to Greg Oberting, president of RMG Minot. Amy McBeth, regional director of public affairs for BNSF, said the site is ready to go for companies looking for rail service, noting BNSF previously certifying the intermodal site makes it unique in North Dakota. “It’s another example of Minot understanding the importance of rail transportation, and MADC in particular. It’s a big deal for the region, and we’re pleased to be able to provide that service. The process to bring intermodal to Minot was a collaborative effort of a number of groups from across the state including state government, private and financial institutions, BNSF and the Northwest Seaport Alliance. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in June to officially open the new Amur Tiger River Valley habitat in Minot’s Roosevelt Park Zoo. The new habitat gives plenty of room to the zoo’s tigers to roam around and climb in a spectacular site where visitors can see them in good view. The tiger habitat is part of a $6.2 million project for the zoo’s African lions and Amur tigers. The African lions’ new habitat opened in 2019. The next project is the renovation of the former cat habitat for leopards. The projects are being done in conjunction with the zoo’s centennial celebration in 2021. 2020 was a year of closures for some business and the opening of some new businesses. A major store closure in the city occurred this past summer when the Kmart store in southeast Minot shut its doors in southeast Minot. This brought to an end a business operating in Minot since the early 1970s. The Minot store was the last Kmart store in North Dakota to close. Ruby Tuesday restaurant, Gordman’s department store and a number of other businesses also
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Low oil prices a concern in 2020
North Dakota’s oil industry saw low oil prices this year although the active wells in the state continued to pump more than a million barrels of oil a day for most of 2020, with the exception of May and June when numbers dropped below a million, according to the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources. Other energy producers – coal, wind and ethanol – had some changes in store for them in 2020. The oil and natural gas production numbers normally are about two months behind. The following 2020 numbers are available to date: January Oil – 1,430,511 barrels a day Natural gas – 3,019,938 MCF a day Rigs actively drilling in North Dakota – 55 February Oil – 1,451,681 barrels a day Natural gas – 3,109,750 MCF a day Rigs – 54 March Oil – 1,430,107 barrels a day Natural gas – 3,128,393 MCF a day Rigs – 52 April Oil – 1,221,019 barrels a day Natural gas – 2,711,851 MCF a day Rigs – 35 May Oil – 859,362 barrels a day Natural gas – 1,928,122 MCF a day Rigs – 17 June Oil – 893,591 barrels a day Natural gas – 1,971,816 MCF a day Rigs – 12 July Oil – 1,042,081 barrels a day
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Great River Energy announced plans in May it will shut down its Coal Creek Generating Station, shown with its Fly Ash Dome, in the latter half of 2022.
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Sen. John Hoeven speaks at an energy roundtable as Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette looks on at right. The roundtable was held this past fall. Rigs – 12 Natural gas 2,629,237 September MCF a day Oil – 1,221,667 barrels a Rigs 11 day August Natural gas – 2,813,666 Oil – 1,165,371 barrels a MCF a day day Rigs – 11 Natural gas – 2,635,250 October MCF a day
Oil – 1,222,871 barrels a day Natural gas – 2,873,654 MCF a day Rigs – 14 November and December numbers are not available. Great River Energy announced this past spring its plans to close its Coal Creek coal-fired generation station near Washburn in 2020, bringing a blow to the local communities where many employees live and count on the coal taxes. Coal Creek employs about 260 workers. The closure will also impact the nearby Falkirk Mine, owned by North American Coal, which supplies the plant with coal and employs about 500 workers. Jon Brekke, Great River Energy vice president and chief power supply officer, said they are “mindful of the impacts” the plant’s closure will have on employees and local communities and were doing what they could to mitigate those impacts. Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford said, during an interview with Scott Hennen, host of See ENERGY — Page 6
Elections top Ward County highlights
Voters decide measures, choose candidates in unusual circumstances By JILL SCHRAMM
Senior Staff Writer jschramm@minotdailynews.com
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#8
Year In Review
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An out-of-the-ordinary election process and some significant ballot items spurred record voter turnouts in Ward County in 2020. Ward County voters decided overwhelming to discontinue participation in a weather modification program that had existed for around 50 years. They voted to extend a 0.5% sales tax, and they also chose three county commissioners, replacing one incumbent with a newcomer. Conducting elections that saw record turnouts and large numbers of absentee ballots put county election workers to the test. The June primary consisted entirely of mail/absentee ballots. Although her office was hectic as staff sought to manage the election with new election equipment, Ward County Auditor Devra Smestad was satisfied with the way things went and said the casting of 12,919 ballots indicated that voting by mail was effective. For the general election, the county opened five vote centers, allowing any county resident to vote at any center, while offering early voting and continuing the option for absentee voting. Ward County saw 28,389 ballots cast in the general election, or 54% of eligible voters. The numbers in-
File Photo
Commission Chairman John Fjeldahl and commissioners John Pietsch and newly elected Howard “Bucky” Anderson participate in a reorganizational meeting of the Ward County Commission Dec. 1. cluded 13,406 absentee ballots and 8,318 early voters. Ward County also saw a change in its county auditor and chief election official when Devra Smestad retired Aug. 31 after 16 years. Deputy auditor Marisa Haman began training in June to take over the position after selected by the commission to replace Smestad. Haman came to work in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office as a property tax clerk in September 2012. She became deputy auditor in October 2013. Howard “Bucky” Anderson joined the county commission in December after
voters selected him to replace Alan Walter, who had served since 2012. Walter and Anderson were among five candidates seeking three commission seats. Commissioners Jim Rostad and Shelly Weppler also were reelected. Anderson was an educator for 39 years, the last 24 years at Minot’s Central Campus. He also has farmed and ranched in Ward and Burke counties since 1980 and has served on various local boards. The decision by voters to direct the commission to discontinue county participation in weather modification
came about in June on a vote of 1,891 in support of the program to 10,908 against. The county’s contract with the Atmospheric Resource Board expired in March. The intensity and diversity of public opinion surrounding cloud seeding led the county commission to put the matter on the ballot rather than authorize another five-year contract. Proponents and opponents had disagreed on the program’s effectiveness and cost. Friends of Weather Modification sought to get voter support while North See WARD — Page 6
#10 Drug overdose deaths quintuple on Minot
6 Minot (N.D.) Daily News, Saturday, January 2, 2021
Year In Review
By ANDREA JOHNSON
fentanyl,” one defendant told a judge in district court in Minot in October. The defendant said he had been dealing to support his own drug habit at the time. He was sentenced to three years in prison for delivery of fentanyl.
Those who have lost loved ones to overdoses have described the devastation in court or in painful phone calls to The Minot Daily News: one accused dealer described in a letter to the court how her spouse overdosed and
died in her arms not long after they were married; a mother whose daughter was another overdose victim is begging for more local treatment options for people who are battling a drug addiction.
Over the past year or so, several alleged dealers have been arrested with large amounts of fentanyl in their possession. In a number of cases, the dealers are from Michigan and have teamed up with people living in North Dakota to distribute the drug in the Minot area and on North Dakota reservations, according to court documents. Federal court documents describe the scourge of fentanyl on reservations, where it has also been implicated in overdoses. A typical scenario in many of the cases this year was for a dealer to arrive in Minot on the Amtrak train, then be picked up at the station by a North Dakotan and be arrested after law enforcement officers followed the vehicle, stopped it and found the suspects in possession of large amounts of narcotics. Amtrak police routinely tip off state drug task forces about the apparent trafficking of narcotics. Detroit is a major hub for narcotics and Minot, though smaller, is also considered a hub. Some of the defendants have been charged in state court and other cases have been transferred to federal court. Most of the cases charged in 2020 are still pending.
ments was minimal, the action and subsequent advancement of coronavirus led to the cancellation of several popular fishing tournaments including the two largest and longest running tourneys in the state – the Governor’s Walleye Cup on Lake Sakakawea and the Chamber Tournament on Devils Lake. Even though many angling events
were called off by their sponsoring organizations, some found ways to get on the water while still complying with recommended COVID-19 prevention measures. Like the increased camping activity at State Parks, there was similar increase reported at boat ramps throughout the state. Although no actual numbers are available, it was
apparent to many that boaters, fishermen and other on-the-water enthusiasts had turned to state lakes to safely fill the void created by the shutdown of countless events and activities due to the threat of coronavirus. Although some ice fishing events are still scheduled on this winter’s winter calendar, many or-
ganizers likely won’t make a final decision until close to the date of their event, hoping that the spread of COVID-19 is significantly diminished. Likewise, not knowing what course the virus may take in the months ahead in 2021, many summer tournament organizers have adopted the same wait and see approach.
Staff Writer ajohnson@minotdailynews.com
Drug overdose deaths in the Minot area increased more than five times in 2020 over last year and police said many of the overdoses could be attributed to the lethal drug fentanyl. “Often, opiate users purchase the drugs under the false pretense that they are receiving heroin or Oxycodone,” Minot Police Department Capt. Dale Plessas, investigations and records commander, told The Minot Daily News in September. “The only way for drug users to protect themselves is to stop using.” As of Dec. 17, there had been 90 overdoses in Minot and 16 overdose deaths, Plessas said. In 2019 there were 31 drug overdoses and three overdose deaths. Again, Plessas said “the emergence of fentanyl in our area has been the major contributing factor in this alarming increase.” Fentanyl is reportedly up to 50 times more potent than heroin. In some cases, even the dealer doesn’t know that he is dealing a lethal drug. “I thought it was heroin but the lab said it came back positive for
Outdoors
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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department responded to early concerns of the pandemic by revoking all fishing tournament permits for April and May 2020. While the number of early fishing tourna-
City
Photo from Metro
the council wasn’t looking at expansion of the existing City Hall. Council member Carrie Evans also asked for an assessment to determine whether the purchase makes financial sense during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the outlook regarding financial impact from COVID-19 improved over the course of the year, the council voted to reject bids on the proposed Northwest Fire Station and cancel the contract still to be signed for the City Hall retaining wall reconstruction out of concern of shrinking funding. Partial funding for both was added back into the 2021 budget. No tax increase was proposed in the $143.5 million city budget adopted by the council.. Ross and Evans were elected in June, replacing council members Shannon
Straight and Josh Wolsky, who did not seek re-election. Minot psychologist Stephan Podrygula, who already was serving by appointment, also was elected. As a member of Minot’s LGBTQ+ community, Evans was targeted for criticism in September from some in the community who pushed back after Mayor Shaun Sipma approved the flying of the Rainbow flag in front of City Hall. Area residents with strong feelings about flags and the LGBTQ+ community aired their displeasure with the flag. Supporters of the LGBTQ+ community followed up to offer their side as the debate lingered and gained Minot statewide as well as national attention. The council voted for a moratorium until a policy could be developed regarding flags being flown beneath the U.S. and North Dakota flags in front of City Hall. Also in September, the MAGIC Fund Screening Committee and city council approved using $800,000 in MAGIC Fund dollars to buy a Trinity Health building for a Center for Technical Education in Minot. Combined with $3.45 million recently authorized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment from Minot’s National Disaster Resilience program, the MAGIC Fund money will help launch programs to provide specialized career-oriented training programs for Minot residents. A CTE had been included in Minot’s National Disaster Resilience program for $1.5 million, but about $2 million was shifted from the abandoned plan for a downtown gathering space. Construction started this summer on Blu on Broadway, a commercial and low-income residential development of EPIC Companies, that is receiving $4 million through the affordable housing portion of the city’s resilience program. It also is part of Minot’s first Tax Increment Financing District, which will provide a five-year tax abatement on site improvements in exchange for EPIC Companies’ street development on the back side of the project. There will be 42 units in the affordable housing market for the next 20 years once the project is completed next summer. The five-story building at 1629 S. Broadway will include retail, dining and office space on the ground level. The property will include amenities such as underground parking and outdoor recreation space. Meanwhile, planning has been underway on a family homeless shelter called The Broadway Circle at 1901 S. Broadway. It will include 17 affordable housing units, a six-unit emergency shelter for families, the Lord’s Cupboard Food Pantry, the Welcome Table Cafe, a community garden and commercial space for project operator Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota and other businesses. The city has earmarked $3 million in resilience funds for the project. The vacant hotel structure on the property was demolished in November. Volunteers assisted with site cleanup in May and architectural plans are being developed.
Brouillette, guest of Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, Gov. Doug Burgum and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford, visited the state this fall to hear from the state’s coal and oil representatives. The group expressed concern about environmentalists, regulators and subsidies for renewables but were op-
timistic about the potential in an “all of the above” energy strategy, The Minot Daily News reported in a Sept. 2 edition. Brouillette said President Trump’s directive has been to produce all the energy the nation can. In 2020, the Public Service Commission designated
or approved a site for one wind energy conversion facility, the Northern Divide Wind Energy Center owned by Northern Divide Wind, LLC, according to PSC information. The site is in Burke County. The size of the wind farm approved is for up to 200 MW consisting of up to 76 wind turbine
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tract extension and stated Barry would be paid a full year’s salary in event of early termination. His 2020 salary was $181,627. To settle pending litigation, city council members voted 4-3 in October to approve an agreement to pay Barry $140,510.55, plus up to $5,000 in attorney fees. Barry was hired in Minnesota in October as Beltrami County administrator. The city also hired a new police chief in John Klug, formerly a captain in the department. He had been employed with the Minot Police Department for nearly 25 years before assuming the new role Feb. 1. In November, the council voted 5-2 to proceed with the $2.6 million purchase of the former Wells Fargo building for a new city hall. The next step was phase two of an environmental study. Once the city takes possession of the building early in the new year, the council will seek consultants to design the renovation. That design process is estimated to take eight months. A contractor would come on board potentially at the end of 2021 or early 2022. The city has $7.75 million in National Disaster Resilience dollars to spend on renovating a downtown building for a new city hall. The funds available for a city hall were increased by a shift of some of the dollars originally allocated to a downtown gathering space. The council voted to scrap the gathering space project in April. The council determined much of the support for a gathering space was lost when efforts to acquire the top two of the three possible sites both fell through. Opposition to purchasing the Wells Fargo building came from the council’s two newest council members. Council member Tom Ross voiced frustration that
Energy
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the radio show, “What’s On Your Mind,” the Governor’s office is working on finding a buyer for the plant and prospective buyers have stepped forward. U.S. Energy Secretary Dan
File Photo
Harold Stewart speaks to the Minot City Council during an interview for the city manager position Nov. 5. The council selected Stewart from three finalists to become city manager, effective Dec. 28.
Tom Barry
Jill Schramm/MDN
Devra Smestad, right, who retired as Ward County Auditor Aug. 31, picks up a ballot for examination at the election canvassing board meeting June 15 while looking on is Marisa Haman, left, Ward County’s new county auditor.
Ward
Dakotans Against Weather Modification encouraged voters to reject it. The county commission had been restricting funding for cloud seeding in recent years, appropriating $112,360 in 2019. The Ward County Weather Modification Board had requested $225,000 for 2020. County residents also agreed to extend the sales tax another 20 years, with 68% of voters supporting the June election measure. Ward County commissioners placed the proposed extension on the ballot because the existing sales tax would have fallen short in paying off bonds on the buildings for which the tax was originally imposed in 2012. The tax was to sunset at the end of 2022. The county budgeted property tax revenue to augment sales taxes to pay the building bonds in 2020. Without a sales tax extension, Ward County would have needed to leverage more than $17 million from property taxes to pay off bonds, according to county figures. The pre-existing sales tax also has provided only $3 million of the $10 million promised for county
road improvements and maintenance, and it would not have been able to provide the additional $7 million without an extension. Once pre-existing obligations are paid, the county plans to use continued tax collections for roads and bridges to ensure the capacity to handle larger and heavier equipment used in agriculture and other industries. A bargain on former oil company property also led the Ward County Highway Department to relocate to new headquarters in 2020. The Ward County Commission gave final approval in July to the $1.75 million purchase of former Halliburton property in east Minot. Highway staff began the move-in process in November. In keeping with legislative action in 2019 to have the state absorb county social services, Ward County officially established a human service zone in 2020 to replace the former social service office. A number of counties combined their former social service offices to form zones, while the state’s four largest counties established single-county zones. Ward County appointed a new human service board that consists of the five commissioners, a legislator and an at-large member.
generators. In late April, North Dakota Agriculture Commission Doug Goehring announced the approval of the Ethanol Recovery Program. Approved by the North Dakota Industrial Commission and administered by the Bank of North Dakota, the low-interest loan pro-
gram provides ethanol producers in the state up to $15 million to get them through the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact on them. Biofuel plants have closed across the country, the lowinterest loan program is to help support North Dakota’s five ethanol plants.
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