Vocella Graphic - November 16, 2023 by Vocella, Inc.

Vol. 1 Issue 2

Thursday, November 16, 2023

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In this issue About Us Vocella, Inc. (pronounced vō-chel-lä) is a multimedia company that aims to engage, excite, and empower people through compelling and entertaining products and services with a hyperlocal focus on community, business, arts, culture, and entertainment. We are delighted to introduce the latest chapter in our journey: the Vocella Graphic. This newly designed newspaper boasts a sleek and modern aesthetic, featuring stunning artwork and informative articles. Crafting this visually captivating paper has been a labor of love, with our dedicated team painstakingly perfecting every aspect, from its appearance and tone to its expanded coverage area. Furthermore, nestled inside, you will still find the trusted Community Shopper, complete with all the familiar content you’ve come to rely on. This includes classified ads featuring help wanted listings, rummage sales, and more, as well as business news, events, and community updates. So, thank you for joining us as we continue to grow and do our very best to serve our communities.

From the Editor As the new editor at Vocella, Inc., I’m excited to lead the Vocella team into a new era, focusing on change, innovation, and delivering quality journalism while providing a platform for advertisers. We’re dedicated to upholding the tradition of community storytelling while embracing digital frontiers. I invite you to explore our newly revamped website, subscribe to our digital edition, and engage with our online community. If you’re a local business, consider advertising with us to reach a wide audience as we expand our reach. Your participation is crucial as we embark on this transformative journey together. Join us today and be part of the future of community storytelling and engagement. — Chelsy

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Thursday, November 16, 2023

Profiles

Best Friends Forever PART 1 OF 4: MISSING PERSON BARBARA COTTON

BY KRISTIN MILLER

magine waking up one day and your best friend is gone. Not “gone” as in you got into a petty fight and aren’t speaking. Gone as in never to be seen or heard from again. No note, no phone call, no body, nothing. For the last 42 years that has been the reality for Sandee and Diane when their best friend Barb Cotton just disappeared. We will eventually look at the questions surrounding her disappearance, possible suspects and where the case stands today. But first, I want you to meet Barb. On Nov. 10, 1965, Barbara Louise Cotton was the seventh child born to Louise and John Cotton in Tioga, N.D. She was of Native American and Caucasian descent. Two years later, Louise and John welcomed their eighth child, Kathy. The younger three siblings, Kent, Barb and Kathy, were inseparable. Most likely due to their closeness in age, and the other five children were much older at this point. When Barb was seven her parents divorced. Her older siblings were already out on their own at this time living their life. Louise took Kent, Barb and Kathy and moved to Williston, N.D. Louise went out and got a job, leaving in the mornings around 5 or 6 a.m. to make sure she could provide for the family and keep a roof over the kids’ heads. She found a small house to rent in a neighborhood only a half block from the elementary school so the kids could walk. There were neighbor kids for her children to play with to have a fresh start for all of them. Louise knew being a single mom wasn’t going to be easy, but she was doing everything she could to give them a better life. Sandee Evanson lived across the street from the new neighbors. She was so excited when her mom told her that a family with kids had just moved in. Sandee describes Barb as just such a kind person. On the outside she had beautiful brown wavy hair and hazel eyes. She walked with a unique sway due to an “s” shaped curvature in her spine. Barb had a beautiful smile and always radiated happiness. She was a little on the quiet side until you got to know her. On the in-

side, Barb had a heart of gold. She was kind to everyone and even when upset she was soft spoken. Barb and Sandee became best friends quickly, and life seemed to be looking up for Barb. The Cotton siblings played with Sandee and all the neighborhood kids often. The four of them, especially, were always together. As they got older, Barb and Sandee would have sleepovers in the camper outside Barb’s home. They would play games all night, talk about their boy crushes, laugh and enjoy life together. Those memories will always be some of Sandee’s favorites. With Sandee being a year ahead of Barb in school, she was heading off to high school soon. It’s only natural for relationships to shift and change, but the girls remained friends. However, they did drift apart somewhat and started to hang out with new friends. Diane Laducer met Barb through a mutual friend. They were about 13 or 14 years old and had similar interests. Both seemed to be old souls, loved going to coffee shops, watching scary movies, reading, listening to music, talking and smoking their cigarettes. (Back then it wasn’t unusual for kids to be smoking or drinking. We have to remember this was over 40 years ago. Times have changed for sure.) Barb became close to Diane’s family as well, spending most of her time there as she was beginning her teen years. We can all probably relate to the hardships between mothers and daughters in those years. Barb had to grow

up quicker than others due to the family dynamic. She argued a lot with her mom, typical teen times. Barb wanted to be independent and do her own thing. As Barb’s mother, Louise, clearly wanted there to be rules still. Louise knew Diane’s house was a good place for her to be so she did still allow Barb to sleep over there. As Barb was finding her own independence, her friends still described her as kind and generous to a fault. She liked to see the good in all people. She felt that bad people were just misunderstood. One story was that Barb let a stranger sleep on the couch because he had nowhere to go. It would seem that Barb possibly came across as naïve, not seeing the repercussions for things when just trying to be a good person. Barb never seemed scared or feared others and would walk home alone at night on many occasions. She put others before herself and would give anyone anything if it would help them. She seemed to be that friend that we all hope to have in our lives. During these times, Barb’s dad passed away, and her oldest brother Frank started coming around, staying for periods of time then leaving again depending on whether or not he had a girlfriend. Frank was labeled a womanizer. Barb did not trust nor like Frank. He tried to rule the house when he was there, something that clearly would upset any child or teen who was used to living with just their mom as their parent. Diane and Barb had big

dreams of moving out and getting their own apartments when they were 16. Diane was actually getting married in July of 1981. Barb had her dress ordered, and we can assume she was so excited to be her maid of honor. They both worked hard getting jobs at local diners. Barb was very good at saving her money and opened up a savings account. She had goals of going to college and being an accountant. For the time, it was quite a bit of money. She was able to save about $4,000 by the time she was 15. This girl was strong willed and driven. It might be noteworthy to mention that when her dad died, each of the kids were given a portion of his Social Security money that was put into savings each month. This was a different account than Barb’s savings account from her jobs and Barb would have needed Louise to gain access to this money as a minor. Diane felt she and Barb confided in each other for everything. One night, things got heated when Barb snuck Kathy to a party with her. Kathy was two years younger than Barb, so she was probably around 12 or so. Kathy feared her mom and ended up telling her where she was when she came home without Barb. The fighting continued to escalate, but at least Barb knew she could stay at Diane’s. The week of April 6, 1981, Diane and Barb didn’t see much of each other, if at all. Looking back, Diane realizes it was the first week they weren’t together all the time. Their schedules were busy, but they still talked, and nothing made Diane think anything was wrong. On April 10, the girls talked on the phone about what they were each doing the next day. Barb told Diane she was going with her friend to take her friend’s dog to the vet, and they agreed they would catch up later. After midnight in the early hours of Sunday, April 12, Sandee was woken up by her phone ringing. She was home alone and just felt that something wasn’t right. It was Louise, she asked if Sandee knew where Barb was. Join us next week for Part 2 of Missing person: Barbra Cotton

Barbara

Imagine waking up one day and your best friend is GONE

Thursday, November 16, 2023

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News & Updates

Fairview to light up historic Burgum petitions FMCSA lift bridge, host annual to reconsider rule craft show restricting hours of service waivers from 30 days down to 14 days BY ERICA KINGSTON

FAIRVIEW, M.T. — Communities are preparing to don their streets with twinkling lights and decorate the town Christmas tree. But one town is going bigger by lighting up their iconic historic site. The Friends of the Fairview Lift Bridge are going to light up the bridge with fireworks and the park with giant lighted ornaments as young and old come to kick off the holiday season at Sundheim Park on Nov. 18. From 4-8 p.m., hot chocolate, coffee and hot dogs, provided by Fairview’s Chamber of Commerce and Friends of the Fairview Bridge, will be available for a free will donation as patrons congregate at Sundheim Park to see the area’s 110-year -old lift bridge be lit up with fireworks that will start at 6 p.m. Sundheim Park will be lit up with ornaments, Santa will be available and waiting to hear children’s wish lists and train rides will be given throughout the park. The Fairview Lift Bridge was built in 1913 by the Montana Eastern Railway to cross the Yellowstone River. It was designed as a lift bridge to allow river traffic to pass underneath. Owned by Burlington North-

PRESS RELEASE ern Santa Fe Railway Company, the bridge has not been in use since the 1980s. The board of Friends of the Fairview Bridge have hosted the holiday fireworks display since 2009. Earlier in the day, Fairview’s Silver Bells Craft show will go from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school. The community can come ready to shop as over 25 vendors will be in attendance. FFA will be selling Christmas wreaths and concessions will be provided by Explore America with a coffee cart by FCCLA. Jeremy Krieger, vice president of Friends of the Fairview Bridge, will be at the craft show selling copies of his new book “Fairview Lift Bridge: 110 years of History.” The book holds stories and photos of the construction, history and life of the bridge as well as newspaper articles that detail the evolution of the bridge from railway to walkway. An ornament featuring the lift bridge on its 110th birthday, done by Jeremy Dean, will also be for sale at the craft show.

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BISMARCK, N.D. — Gov. Doug Burgum is petitioning the federal government to reconsider a rule restricting governors’ ability to waive hours of service regulations for commercial truck drivers, repeating his concerns that the change will hurt farmers, ranchers and fuel distributors and make it harder to meet the needs of citizens during weather-related emergencies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration finalized the rule on Oct. 15 regarding governors’ authority to waive hours of service regulations during a declared state of emergency. As originally proposed, the rule would have shortened the maximum duration of the waiver from 30 days to just five days, while also limiting the scope of which FMCSA regulations can be waived under a state-issued waiver. The final rule maintains the 30-day waiver for presidentially declared emergencies, but it narrows state-issued waivers to 14 days and further limits the FMCSA regulations that are automatically exempted under a state-issued waiver. Burgum opposed the proposed rule change in a Feb. 6 letter to FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson, saying it “would severely impact operations in North Dakota during emergencies and have a direct impact on all citizens of our great state.” He reiterated those concerns in a letter to Hutcheson today. “This isn’t about letting truck drivers work longer hours in December so they can deliver enough toys to stores to make sure all the kids get Christmas presents,” Burgum

said today, referring to one example cited by FMCSA to suggest that governors are abusing the waiver process. “In North Dakota, the ability to waive hours of service quickly during an emergency without having to slog through a sea of bureaucratic red tape can literally mean the difference between life and death or the loss of someone’s livelihood. While we appreciate that FMCSA abandoned its five-day proposal, the 14-day waiver period is still too short, and we urge FMCSA to restore the 30-day waiver authority.” Since taking office in December 2016, Burgum has issued hours of service waivers, or waiver extensions, a total of 28 times, with 19 of those waivers being for 30 days or more. The governor noted that in just the last two years, he issued three executive orders to waive hours of service for haulers of propane, gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil, and six additional orders for haulers of agricultural inputs, fertilizer, milk for students, rural electric workers and haulers of hay, water and livestock. “As an agricultural state, these executive orders are carefully considered and determined necessary to combat significant winter storms, drought and staff shortages in the CDL industry that last longer than the 14-day anticipated change,” Burgum stated in today’s letter. “North Dakota heavily depends on CDL drivers, and as a rural state, it is critical that we be able to move products and get resources to where they are needed most.”

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Thursday, November 16, 2023

Oil & Ag

Bakken GROW Program: Beacon of opportunity amid workforce challenges BY CHELSY WEISZ, EDITOR WATFORD CITY, N.D. — In the heart of North Dakota, a state known for its booming oil industry and a steadfast community, the Bakken GROW program stands as a testament to innovation in workforce development. Spearheaded by the North Dakota Petroleum Council, this initiative has recently come into the spotlight for its role in integrating Ukrainian workers into McKenzie County’s labor force. The Bakken Growing Resources and Opportunities for the Workforce program, as detailed on the Council’s website, is a strategic response to the critical shortage of workers in the oil and natural gas industry in North Dakota. With the state’s unemployment rate hovering around a low 2%, the industry has faced significant hurdles in maintaining its operational capacity and, by extension, supporting the local and national economy. The program’s recent move to welcome Ukrainian workers has been met with mixed reactions in the community. A Facebook post from McKenzie County employers

highlights the arrival of seven Ukrainian employees, emphasizing the mutual enthusiasm shared by the newcomers and the community. However, this announcement was not without its detractors, sparking a debate on social media about the implications of hiring foreign workers. Comments under the post revealed a spectrum of opinions, ranging from concerns about the demographic of the Ukrainian workers (predominantly men in their 20s to 45s) to questions about the impact on American jobs and the broader social and economic dynamics. Some comments expressed unease about the absence of women and children among the Ukrainian workers and raised doubts about their military status. In response to these concerns, the North Dakota Petroleum Council, through a com-

ment by its president, Ron Ness, clarified the situation. Emphasizing the industry’s preference for hiring Americans first, Ness pointed out the necessity of the program due to the acute worker shortage. He reassured that the Ukrainian participants are legal immigrants who have either completed their military service or are ineligible for it. Far from being a burden, these workers are taxpayers contributing positively to the local economy. The GROW program’s approach reflects a broader trend in workforce management, where global solutions are sought for local challenges. The integration of Ukrainian workers, legally entering the U.S. and immediately employed, adds a new dimension to the workforce in McKenzie County, potentially enriching the community with cultural diversity and new perspectives.

Despite the initial skepticism, there are signs of acceptance and a willingness to embrace these new members of the community. The program has been careful in ensuring that these workers are legally compliant and contributing members of society, a fact that could gradually ease local apprehensions. As McKenzie County and the Bakken GROW program navigate these complexities, the situation underscores the broader challenges faced by industries and communities in adapting to a rapidly changing economic landscape. The story of the Ukrainian workers in North Dakota is more than a narrative about workforce development; it’s a microcosm of the global interplay between labor markets, immigration policies and local communities grappling with change. The Bakken GROW program, in its essence, is a bold step towards addressing workforce shortages in a pragmatic and humane way, highlighting the potential for communities to grow and adapt through inclusive and innovative approaches.

Farm to School meetings scheduled NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRESS RELEASE BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) is holding Farm to School meetings across the state over the next two months as part of an effort to improve access to local foods in schools by developing a stronger and more sustainable Farm to School program in the state. “The enhanced Farm to School program will increase the amount of locally produced foods served through child nutrition programs,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Serving North Dakota food products grown by our farmers and ranchers and processed by local businesses will also help children learn how their food is raised and produced. We invite both producers and school personnel to attend a meeting.” NDDA and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction will be on hand during the meetings to answer any questions. Travel reimbursement is available for attendees traveling 60 miles or more round trip. The meeting schedule and registration links are as follows:

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Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Williston Research Extension Center, 14120 U.S. Rte. 2 in Williston. Register at www.ndsu.ag/ f2s2.

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Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, 1041 State Ave. in Dickinson. Register at www.ndsu.ag/ f2s3.

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Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Gateway to Science Innovation Space, 1600 Canary Ave. in Bismarck. Register at www.ndsu.ag/ f2s4.

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Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort, 7889 ND-57 in St. Michael. Register at www.ndsu.ag/f2s5.

A virtual option will be available in Williston and Dickinson. For further questions and travel reimbursements, contact Katrina Hanenberg at 701-328-2659 or kmhanenberg@nd.gov.

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From your neighbors at Agri Industries and Valley Irrigation in Williston and Sidney.

Thursday, November 16, 2023

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Culture

Holiday spirit and

The Nutcracker

Local dancers bring a Christmas fantasy to stage

BY ERICA KINGSTON

“It's a great way to kick off the holiday season.” -Haley Bennet

PRIZM COMPANY’S 2022 PERFORMANCE. SUBMITTED PHOTO.

oliday traditions have begun now that it is mid November — goodies baked, lights strung, trees bought and plans made. The essence of the holidays is abounding. Performers of all kinds are preparing for their concerts and shows and, without fail, dance companies are working tirelessly to learn the steps and to hem the costumes of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Mouse King for their own renditions of the Christmas-come-to-life ballet of The Nutcracker. Prizm Company of Williston and Black Gold Dance of Tioga are meticulously learning the steps to the music of a magical Christmas ballet that will bring their communities a treasured holiday experience. The Nutcracker ballet has become the embodiment of Christmas spirit on stage over the 130 years it has been being performed. Isabel McMeekan, former soloist BLACK GOLD DANCE ON STATE WITH NUTCRACKER. SUBMITTED PHOTO. for the Royal Ballet said that the Nutcracker is “the eternal fantasy of Christmas come to life on stage.” And it is. A story of a girl, a boy, a magic Christmas tree, snowflakes Both of these dance groups add in their own flare to the perforand battle put together with dynamic choreography and bolstering music, all in a magical holiday mance. Black Gold Dance has been producing The Nutcracker for three dreamland. The Nutcracker is as Christmas as popcorn garland and fruitcake. years and has their hip hop, jazz and contemporary classes joining their bal“The Nutcracker is such a fun, timeless tale,” said Haley Bennet, co-director of Willislet. The group includes 47 dancers, aged 3-18 from Powers Lake, Ray, Stanton’s Prizm Company. “Unlike a lot of classical ballets, it is geared more toward a broader audience ley and Tioga. … A lot of classical ballets are hard to relate to for the average person. The Nutcracker has a bit of Prizm Company is in its fifth year of bringing The Nutcracker to the everything.” state and has over 100 of their students in their rendition. This year they Premiering for the first time the week before Christmas in 1892, The Nutcracker was have included their All Star cheer team as part of the battle scene. commissioned by Imperial Theaters in Moscow and is a German romantic short story adapted by “It is really fun and different,” Bennet said of the cheer team joining. a French author set to music by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with choreography by “There’s a lot of acrobatics and it’s impressive. That is a ‘don’t miss’ part of Frenchman Marius Pepita. the show.” The ballet opens to a family’s celebration of Christmas Eve. Late that night, Clara, a young Prizm Company is bringing special guest dancer Buse Babadag to play girl, sneaks down to play with her gift, a nutcracker, only to be met with a life-sized version who the role of the Sugar Plum. Babadag is originally from Istanbul, Turkey, and battles the Mouse King and then whisks her off into a magical snowy fairy land of dancing snowhas danced in Munich and Indianapolis and is currently a soloist with the flakes to meet a Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavelier. San Antonia Ballet. She also has her own brand of Turkish coffee which will Ballets around the globe are gearing up for their annual performance of the magical tale. be sold at the show. Prizm Company and Black Gold Dance are two local troupes that are preparing their own versions “It’s such a fun story with so many iconic symbols of Christmas that we of this classical ballet for their communities. still use,” Bennet said. “It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season.” “I grew up doing the Nutcracker in my home town and it always brought Christmas spirit Prizm Company will perform The Nutcracker at the Bakken Elementato our city, and we wanted to do that for not only our town but the surrounding cities as well,” said ry School auditorium on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. and Nov. 18 at noon and 5 p.m. Shavaun Tonini, coach of Black Gold Dance. “Everyone knows the nutcracker story but it’s fun to Black Gold Dance is set to perform on Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. and Dec. 10 at see the different ways people do it.” 2 p.m. at the Tioga Theater.

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Thursday, November 16, 2023

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Government

Governor Burgum’s continued presidential pursuit VOCELLA STAFF

n a recent letter published in the Jamestown Sun, Governor Doug Burgum has reaffirmed his commitment to continue his presidential campaign, presenting a narrative of resilience and determination. Burgum, portraying himself as an underdog, parallels his political journey with his past business ventures. He recounts overcoming significant odds in his race and references his role in overcoming a $1.7 billion budget shortfall in North Dakota. His story is one of facing challenges head-on, a theme he carries into his presidential bid. Central to his campaign are issues of national significance – the economy, energy and national security. Burgum is critical of the current administration’s policies, particularly in the realm of energy. He contends that President Joe Biden’s energy strategies have inadvertently strengthened adver-

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sarial international relationships, citing the Ukraine crisis and the U.S.-China dynamic as key examples. Burgum’s letter is not just a mere campaign update; it’s a critique of the political establishment. He expresses his displeasure with the way political insiders and pundits attempt to influence the election process, advocating instead for a voter-driven approach. His aim is to let the actual voters in early states like New Hampshire and Iowa have a decisive say in the nominating process. This stance raises several questions for discussion. Do you agree with Burgum’s perspective on national issues? Does his determination to stay in the race resonate with you? How do you view his underdog narrative in the context of the current political climate? We invite our readers to engage in this discussion. Your opinions

are invaluable in understanding the public perception of Burgum’s campaign and the broader political discourse. As we navigate through these politically charged times, voices from different spectrums enrich our understanding of the democratic process. Governor Burgum’s unwavering commitment to his campaign,

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despite the odds, is a reminder of the dynamic nature of American politics. Let’s delve into this conversation and explore the diverse viewpoints that make up our political landscape. Send in your thoughts on Governor Burgum’s campaign to news@vocella.com with the subject line: Burgum Campaign.

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