One might not think of Crosby as a cultural hub, but one local family is bringing the taste of their homeland to the region with a new restaurant.
Ernesto and Jen Maximo have recently taken over the former Red Rooster café and turned it into “The Karinderya by
By Alex McCann Johnson
The Stray Sanctuary is an animal rescue non-profit organization that provides emergency rescue, food, water, shelter, vet care, and adoption opportunities to stray dogs and cats. Their mission is to prevent the spread of diseases, bites and injuries, animal suffering, and death of the animal by offering a safe haven for strays. President Ali Parizek
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Missouri
$2.00
The sixty-eighth Leg islative Assembly of North Dakota will be hearing tes timony on House Bill 1489, currently in the secondary engrossment phase, starting Monday March 27th at the
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OLSON WINS UNIQUE SCHOLARSHIP
By Heidi Whitney Westby, MT high school student, Faith Olson, earned a scholarship by using her art skills to design a sticker.
Page 4
A NORTH DAKOTA SPRING
By By Madison Pulvermacher
A story of calving season in the rugged ND winter, as seen through the eyes of the farmer’s daughter.
Page 8
By Rachel Venture
The wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park will remain where they are, at least for now.
Page 8
RUGBY ND’S FUTURE
By Karlene Tura Clark Rugby superintendent, Mike McNeff, shares his insight on the Teacher Leadership Academy.
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Red Light and Tanning Package
Proven Benefits: Wrinkles & Fine Lines, Blood Circulation, Skin Tightening , Age Spots, and More!
To Have Your Community Event Added Email: info@vocella.com
FORTUNA
Every Tuesday- Range Night at Northwest Sportsman Club
RAY
Thursday March 30th - Science Olympiad Bottineau
Friday March 31st - BSB vs. Enderlin 4:30-7:30pm at Ray Baseball Field
April 2nd - 4th - FBLA State Conference All Day at Bismarck ND
CROSBY
Friday March 31st - Cards & Games at Crosby Senior Citizen Center 1:30-2:30PM
Saturday April 1st - Crosby
Spring Vaccination Clinic (Cats & Dogs) 9:00am10:00am at Crosby Community Center
Wednesday April 5th - Story
Time at the Divide County Library 10:00-10:45am
LIGNITE
Friday March 31st - Speech at Alexander
Wednesday April 5th - Early School Release 3 PM
Friday April 7th - No School
WILLISTON
Tuesday March 28th - Coffee + Conversation with Exhale Yoga 8:30am at Exhale Yoga
& Wellness
Wednesday March 29thChips and Chapters 4:00 PM
5:00 PM at Williston Community Library
Thursday March 30th - NW ND Job Fair, 3:00pm to 7:00pm at Williston State College
Saturday April 1st - 4th
Annual Leather & Lace Gala
5:30pm at The Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center
Saturday April 1st - Williston
Ducks Unlimited Banquet
5:00pm at Upper Missouri Valley FairGrounds
Saturday April 1st - Hippity
leads a team of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to provide the care and attention these animals need to recover from their difficult lives on the streets.
The Stray Sanctuary's focus is on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, which spans across five counties in western North Dakota. The organization works with several law enforcement agencies to provide animal rescue services and ensure that no animal is left behind. The organization also works to educate the local community about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering pets to prevent animal overpopulation.
One of the biggest challenges that The Stray Sanctuary faces is funding. The organization is entirely reliant on donations from the community, and the cost of caring for the animals can be significant. Despite
these challenges, The Stray Sanctuary has been very successful in their efforts of rescuing and rehabilitating countless stray animals over the years. The organization has made a significant impact on the lives of many animals in need.
The Stray Sanctuary provides strays with temporary shelter until they can be placed in loving, forever homes. The organization works tirelessly to promote adoption events and spread awareness about the importance of animal rescue and adoption. The Stray Sanctuary's efforts serve as a reminder of the power of
compassion and the importance of giving animals a second chance.
The Stray Sanctuary is a shining example of a community coming together to make a positive difference in the lives of animals. Not only is the organization’s focus on preventing animal suffering and overpopulation commendable, The Stray Sanctuary’s efforts have made a significant impact on the local community as they continue to make a difference for animals in need. The organization is entirely reliant on the support of the community and every donation they receive helps to give these animals a second chance at life.
Paw-pity Event Noon-2:00pm at Mondak Animal Rescue
Saturday April 1st - Easter
Eggstravaganza Craft & Vendor Show 11:00am to 5:00pm at Raymond Family Community Center
Wednesday April 5th - 2023
Community Egg Hunt 11:00am to 1:00pm and 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Davidson Park
TIOGA
March 30th & 31st - North Dakota Science and Engineering Fair all day at Grand Forks ND
Saturday, April 8th: Easter
Egg Hunt @ 10am (Hosted by the Assembly of God Church)
Saturday, April 15th: “Meet the Tioga Chamber!” Event 10-4pm
Saturday, April 28th + Sunday, April 29th: CLOSED FOR PRIVATE EVENT
Tioga Community Center
Schedule
Mondays: Yoga Flow 9:30am10:30am
Tuesdays: Pickleball 5pm8pm
Wednesdays: Storytime @ 10:30am in Library; Youth Group 6pm-9pm
Thursdays: Slow Flow 6pm-7pm
Credit card debt in the U.S. is now at record levels. While those struggling to keep up might feel paralyzed, counselors say it's important to seek out solutions right away.
The New York Federal Reserve Bank's recent quarterly report on household debt noted credit card balances jumped to $986 billion, surpassing the pre-pandemic high of $927 billion, even after pandemic relief and higher wages helped some people build a cushion.
Bruce McClary, senior vice president of membership and communications for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, said with factors such as inflation, people are having to lean on their credit cards more, and it comes at the worst possible time.
"These balance increases are happening at a time when credit card interest rates are at an all-time high," McClary pointed out. "The average interest rate right now is somewhere around 20%, which is mind-blowing."
McClary advised if your
budget is starting to unravel because of credit card bills, do not wait to seek help, because it can only complicate things if the debt is passed along to collection agencies. Nonprofits like his provide access to counselors who are geared to assist low- to moderate-income individuals. Initial consultations are often free, and fees can be waived for those eligible.
McClary emphasized in seeking out help, the standard red flag of "if it appears too good to be true" still applies.
"Companies that say they know secrets that help them achieve those results that nobody else knows," McClary explained. "The truth of the matter is it isn't that easy, and it's not always something these companies can deliver on."
He added you should never agree to pay an upfront fee before any steps are taken to address your debt situation. Meanwhile, groups such as AARP have financial tools on their website to help people manage their budgets, plan for retirement and avoid money traps.
Archery is the oldest form of hunting still practiced on every inhabited continent in the world. The earliest remains of bows and arrows trace back to over 10,000 years ago in and around the fertile crescent. The recurve bow was later invented by the Assyrians around 800 B.C.E. and these were some of the very first examples of composite materials with wood on one side and animal sinew or tarred fibers on the other.
The Mongolian horsemen of the Manchurian steppe later mastered a mounted technique for archery and by the 12th century, the Mongolian horse bow helped Genghis Khan dominate and control his vast empire. In a way, archery is one thing we
have in common with every other civilization in human history.
These ancient and modern archery skills were put to the test last weekend at the annual Missouri Basin Bowmen Spring Shoot. This 3 day shootout has both competitive and noncompetitive events and welcomes archers ages 11 and up and beginner skill levels are welcome with proper supervision and safety procedures. The results of the tournament can be found at www.missouribasinbowmen.com/usrfiles/ news/2023SpringShoot.pdf
The Missouri Basin Bowmen founded their non-profit organization in 1958 and since then they have dedicated themselves to keeping archery alive and
well in the Bakken. Their year round indoor range is located at the Upper Missouri Valley fairgrounds and the only word for it is impressive. With over 200 active members, this group puts on some of the best tournaments and archery events in the state including 3-D events. The Missouri Basin Bowmen also have an outdoor range located east of Williston in Cedar Coulee. This features a practice range and a 28-target walking course through the coulee.
If the outdoors are calling your name now that the first day of spring has come and gone, the outdoor course will be opening soon. This leaves plenty of practice time before the first outdoor shoot tournament, June 2nd
through the 4th at the Cedar Coulee and anyone interested in participating or spectating is encouraged to attend. If you are just curious about archery or want a family building activity, membership is very affordable and gains you keycard access to the indoor range 7 days a week. Membership
applications are available at www.missouribasinbowmen.com/usrfiles/cp/MembershipApplication-2022. pdf and anyone with questions should contact secretary Wendy Lind or any of the board members listed on the Missouri Basin Bowmen website.
state capitol in Bismarck beginning at 2:30 PM. The bill would define a collegiate institution's ability to determine which sports teams students are allowed to play on based on gender at birth. This bill has been met with heavy scrutiny and political drama as some North Dakota citizens feel personally attacked by this bill. With the rise in open discussion about gender definitions, the state of North Dakota has been forced to consider topics that it normally wouldn’t and now bills and legislation are making their way into the state building. The current reengrossed proposal being discussed on Monday defines sports gender categories as stated: “An intercollegiate or intramural athletic team or sport sponsored by an institution must be expressly designated as one of the following based on the sex of the intended participants: a. "Males", "men", or "boys"; b. "Females", "women", or "girls";
or c. "Coed" or "mixed". 2. An athletic team or sport designated for "females", "women", or "girls" may not be open to students of the male sex.”
The men’s and women’s categories have been traditional in North Dakota but the category of “Coed” opens up a new category of sports teams for those who wish to play on a team with anyone wishing to participate regardless of gender.
The piece of House Bill 1489 drawing the most controversy seems to be 15 - 10.6 - 04. Cause of action stipulating in part, “A student who is deprived of an athletic opportunity or who suffers direct or indirect harm as a result of an insti-
tution knowingly violating this chapter has a private cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, and any other relief available under law against the institution.” This would mean that all athletes in line for college scholarships would be putting a school at risk of suit if a student’s birth gender was not verified by birth certificate. Most colleges require a birth certificate and many other forms of identification before admission anyway, so the controversy seems to be in the eye of the beholder.
A similar bill, House Bill 1249 is the same idea applied to North Dakota public high schools. Again, high schools retain the records of their students go-
ing back to kindergarten in most cases and kindergarten entry also requires a birth certificate, deeming the bill a bit superfluous with the exception of perhaps adding an additional all-inclusive sports category.
Coed is actually a very old concept, referring to when women were first allowed to go to college and take classes alongside men. Oberlin College in Ohio was the first college to go coed as well as integrate people of color in 1835 and with the exception of religious schools that separate based on gender, American schools followed suit shortly after. Today, American colleges are integrated and coed with very few exceptions. One is forced to ask the question, if both ends of the media spectrum weren’t taking up so much airtime and conversation about gender, would these bills be put forth at all? And if they end up passing, would a new category of sports team that seems to be
all-inclusive be the ultimate outcome? Many citizens of North Dakota seem to have no problem being coed or having coed sports teams. The University of North Dakota was founded in 1883, six years before North Dakota became a state and was made coed the next year in 1884. The legislation being discussed and voted on seems to be keeping in line with wherever the national conversation is going but, in true North Dakota no-fuss fashion, the voters of North Dakota seem to want to get on with what seems like a non-topic and politely get back to working hard for their families and their home with a simple coed solution. It seems whenever these hot button issues hit our beautiful state, our level heads and kind hearts are ready to cool the conversation down and discuss it like rational adults, something we should take great pride in given the current political climate.
Westby high school senior Faith Olson earned a Judge’s Choice Award from among 20 finalists in the Reach Higher Montana’s sticker design contest, announced on March 16.
By Heidi Whitney
We regret to announce the passing of Clifford Allan Johnson, 78, of Westby, Montana. Clifford passed on March 16, 2023 with his family by his side. Clifford had been fighting a battle with cancer and was ready to be at peace. He will be forever loved and forever remembered by all that knew him.
Clifford is predeceased by his mother Elna, his father Raymond, brother Richard, sister-in-law Faye. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Johnson, son Sheldon Johnson, and daughter Shannon Gebhardt. He is also survived by his four grandchildren Trent and Evan Johnson, Cole and Rylie Rose Gebhardt.
A celebration of life service will take place at a later time to honor Clifford. The family appreciates all the love and support during this difficult time.
The contest was open to all high school seniors, from classes AA, A, B, and C throughout the entire state of Montana. Over 700 entries were received. First through sixth places were decided through an online voting system and 3 Judge’s Choice Awards were presented.
was to be designated to the winning contestant’s school art program.
Olson explained, “Since Westby does not have an art department I chose to send it to Mrs. Griffin for her dig-
Please contact Heidi Whitney at 406-672-5696 to add an event!
ALL TIMES ARE MOUNTAIN
Sun. April 2: Services at Assembly of God, 10:30 am. Coffee hour at Immanuel, 10:30 am. Services, 11:30 am.
Thur. April 6: Maundy Thursday Joint Parish Service at St. Olaf Lutheran in Grenora, 6:00 MST/7:00 CST pm.
Fri. April 7: Good Friday Joint Parish Service at Immanuel in Westby, 6:00 MST/7:00 CST
Olson gave credit for her success to her business teacher Mrs. Amy Griffin in more than one way–with ac colades and $250 dollars to go towards school supplies.
According to Olson, she was first encouraged to apply for the scholarship by Griffin.
“She was the reason I mainly did it. At first I wasn't going to but she’s been an amazing support for me this year, and I wouldn’t have done it without her encouragement.”
For being awarded a Judge’s Choice Award, Olson will receive a $500 scholarship and $250 that
ital media and digital arts classes.”
Olson also received 100 stickers with her design to pass out to family and friends. She plans to use the scholarship to attend Sheridan College in Wyoming this fall to study to become a vet tech.
As most of the membership at Sheridan Electric Co-op knows, I plan most Fridays in the field with the membership. Taking a direction, I go the opposite way that Josh Johnson goes as he performs his duties.
It has proven itself many times over that you learn more about a member’s thought processes when you visit face to face.
Yes, once a year, we have that opportunity with the annual meeting, but this is only a snapshot in time to garner what you need, to make a difference in a member’s lives.
The annual meeting topic reminds me of a conversation I was in several weeks ago with several managers in the same capacity as I am in now. They absolutely hate the annual meetings. In fact, I was the only one who stated that I really like this event.
What a great opportunity to chat with your membership and give them a heartfelt status of their cooperative than an annual meeting.
Anyway, I digress.
Meeting members where they are is the best opportunity to learn what is working and what isn’t. The comfort that a member has when in their own space opens the door to many types of conversations. Coop health, rates, programs,
school involvement, community involvement and the list goes on.
You will also learn what is not working for them, and this is where the rubber meets the road.
It is this rubber meeting the road, where I am most interested in.
On this particular Friday I did meet with a few members in the field. Two couples at their home and another at the Farm Show.
In two of the settings, totally separate, I got my butt chewed by both members and on the same topic.
Okay…. These folks had something to say, and I was listening.
Both settings of folks mentioned the employee group at the coop and how strong it is. They know the safety record level the group is now performing at, and how well they are doing with cross training, and community involvement.
What they want to see change, is my performance.
In all instances where I am in conversation, annual meetings, town halls, or face to face, never will I ever take credit for a job well done.
I have always stated, and always will state, that the employee group are the ones making it all happen. They are the machinery that keeps this coop running, and viable.
It is the employee group
By Heidi Whitney Grenora
A North Dakota Senate committee hears a bill this week which would enshrine protections for Native American children who have to be placed in foster or adoptive homes.
codify anything again," Davis emphasized.
who are the mechanics of the coop, lending to its success.
The people I visited are tired of me giving all the credit to the employee group, over and over, and want me to say thank you when they pay me a compliment for the strength of the cooperative.
Of all the things that I do day to day for the membership, this will be one of the toughest things to change.
Okay, to the folks that gave me the feedback, I will try to change that behavior.
The things you learn on Friday membership visits!
The proposal comes ahead of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling expected later this year involving the long-standing Indian Child Welfare Act. It sets standards for giving preference to extended family or tribal members.
Rep. Jayme Davis, D-Rolette, an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and the bill's sponsor, said North Dakota needs to act in case the court overturns the federal law, creating dilemmas for Native families and the state agencies handling their cases.
"My worry is that the agencies will be asking, 'Well, what do we do now?' And I don't want to have to wait two years to be able to
She is referring to North Dakota's legislative timeline, with regular sessions held every other year. There is no stated opposition to Davis' bill, but a lot of language was removed before it cleared the House. She hopes the Senate advances the full plan, including a study of the issue. Several other states have taken similar action.
Sharnell Seaboy, field organizer for the group North Dakota Native Vote, said removing a Native child from their home and placing them with a non-Native family can be a traumatic experience with lasting impacts, because they are no longer surrounded by their cultural and spiritual traditions.
"You are lost, and you're trying to figure out where you belong, or you know, trying to figure out where you come from," Seaboy explained.
Seaboy noted on a personal level, federal law benefited her family because she was asked to become a caregiver for a newborn last fall.
"I feel because of ICWA, they went deeper down the family tree and came across me," Seaboy noted. "Now I have my little guy, and he's just a little blessing."
Seb and Nik,” a restaurant dedicated to serving quality, authentic, made from scratch Filipino dishes. Says Jen “Karienderya means ‘café’ in the Filipino language. And we honored our boys, Sebastian [Seb], age 5 and Nikolas [Nik], age 3, by naming the restaurant after them.”
Jen grew up in Laguna, Philippines and arrived in Crosby to work at Divide County Schools as a speech therapist in 2014. She and Ernesto, who grew up in Bulacan, Philippines, married in 2015, but it wasn’t until the paper-work cleared one year later that he was able to join Jen in Crosby and start working as a medical lab scientist, first at St. Luke’s Hospital and most recently at the North Dakota Department of Health.
The idea for a restaurant was borne out of Ernesto’s love for cooking and their longing for authentic Filipino cuisine. “We were just craving Filipino food and would drive a long way to get it,” laughs Jen. “The closest Filipino restaurants were in Minnesota, so we’d drive all the way down to the cities just to enjoy the food. It just got us to thinking, there are a lot of Filipino people in Crosby and really, in the region. Why couldn’t we bring it here?”
Opening a restaurant takes planning, however, and Jen says they were fortunate to have local business owners and experts to guide their way. “Kristi Haugenoe helped guide us and recommended we check out the Red Rooster since it was already set-up to be a restaurant, and we were able to meet with Kaycee Lindsey [Divide County Jobs Authority Director], who went through the pro-
cess with us. And of course our accountant, Rosemary [Tanberg] walked with us through each step.” Jen also credits the North Dakota Department of Health for their wealth of knowledge and assistance in getting the restaurant ready for opening. “They were very patient and helpful,” she says.
The Karinderya boasts an authentic Filipino menu. Jen notes, “We wanted to share dishes that would appeal to Americans but also pay tribute to our Filipino heritage. Chicken Adobo, the national dish of the Philippines, is a favorite of mine. Another specialty dish is the Beef Caldereta, a spicy-tomato based beef stew that is commonly served [in the Philippines] on special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.
On top of that, all of our dishes are home-cooked, from scratch. It takes a lot of prep work – just the bone broth for the soups take 4-5 hours to cook on the stovetop, and we only use fresh vegetables, like garlic, onions, bok choy, cabbage, broccoli – so it takes a while to hand-chop everything.”
The end result, however, is worth all the work. “We wanted to focus on having a quality, delicious and nutritious meal. Fresh foods are an important part of the experience here.”
The Maximo’s and their team held their Grand Opening on Tuesday, March 21st and were both “overwhelmed and honored by the warm welcome” from the community and surrounding areas. “We sold out of everything, our entire supply,” shares Jen. “It was a very busy, crazy day. We had practiced some ‘dry runs’ and had a soft opening the week before, but
we couldn’t have imagined the wonderful welcome from the many who came. We’re still getting used to the kitchen, figuring out how things will flow, but we’ll get better each day, each time customers come in.” Selling out meant the Karinderya had to close for a couple of days after the Grand Opening, but fortunately they were back up and running by Friday, March 23rd. “We were really surprised,” notes Jen, “about which foods people really enjoyed and wanted more of. It really was the most authentic dishes that sold out first – I think it just shows how many people are open to enjoying a new cultural experience – and what better way to have that than food?”
Word about the Karinderya by Seb and Nik has been spreading around the region, and the Maximo’s have been told that there are many regional residents, originally from the Philippines, who are planning a trip to Crosby simply to enjoy a taste of home. “Someone joked that they were going to bring a bus full of Filipino people,” laughs Jen. “I don’t think they are really going to do that, but the Filipino people enjoy being together, visiting and eating. I do think a lot of them will come, just to enjoy the atmosphere and experience some of the foods they grew up with.”
Once the restaurant is up and running, it’s Ernesto who will be manning the kitchen. “I’ll be helping in the evenings and on weekends, when I’m not busy with school,” shares Jen, “but he [Ernesto] is truly the most amazing chef. It was really his passion and love for cooking that
sparked this idea.”
In addition to the delicious meals, the Maximo’s hope to have an atmosphere of fun, with the hope that many Saturday nights will be dedicated to family and music - Karaoke and vocal performances by Jen and her students, The Songbirds, are just a couple of the possibilities being considered for the festivities. “Filipinos love being together, visiting, eating and music, and we want to share that” notes Jen. “We’re just so grateful for this great opportunity -
the warm welcome has been such a blessing and we’re looking forward to being able to share more of our culture with the community.”
The Maximo’s are still building their team, and invite anyone interested in working at the Karinderya to call them at 701-9655555 or send an email/ resume to karinderyabysebandnik@gmail.com.
The little girl woke up from her sleep that she had been anxiously trying to return to throughout various points of the night and immediately remembered what had been left behind to warm in the entryway of the house. Could it still be there, nestled with towels and blankets that had been long forgotten in the closet? She jumped down from the top level of the bunk bed and ran through the small house as her feet padded against the tile in the kitchen.
Dad was awake with his chore pants on, sipping a cup of black coffee. He had his thermal layer on top, so it was obvious he had already been outside for the day. Not a surprise to the girl, as she knew her dad went every couple hours to check on the cows outside who had been popping out calves for a couple weeks now. Dad was mid-sip when she plodded by, he knew
what she was looking for, but she had already made it to the doorway of the entrance before he could warn her of the empty room.
Her face instantly fell in disappointment, but then rose again as she was hopeful, “Did the calf go back to his mom?”
“He died during the middle of the night. He got too cold.”
The little girl frowned, “Oh. That’s sad.”
“When I bring them into the house they never live.”
A simple rule to remember for the rancher’s daughter, the calves in the house never last beyond the time when she goes to bed. Many little girls may have cried over the loss of the calf she got to snuggle with until
bedtime, but girls who grow up around cattle know that it is just what happens. Some animals die, and some animals live.
As the little girl got older and more experienced with the animals she realized that the invitation into the house for the calves was often a last resort. Therefore, the amount that lived the adventure into the house were usually too far gone to recover from the chilly outdoors.
However, no matter how far gone one of those babies were, what she watched happen time and time again was her father trying the most absurd remedies to try and revive or save a baby calf. Bring them in the house, put them in the bathtub, give them mouth to mouth, use straw to poke their nostrils open, put a chain on their foot and pull them out of the mom…these were just some of the various ways she watched her dad save calves.
Some people may say, “Well, of course. Those calves are dollar signs to ranchers.” To me, the rancher’s daughter, it is apparent that those calves were much, much more than a check. They were living, breathing, gentle animals that were birthed, saved, and cared for by the kindness and compassion of my father. I watched more than once as he tried those various techniques, and when it didn’t work I saw his demeanor turn deflated and defeated when he lost the calf or heaven-forbid, the mother.
It is that time yet again. The time for the ranchers of the area to work tirelessly, day and night, to ensure that the mothers of their herd deliver calves successfully and keep those mothers and calves healthy. So, keep those ranchers in your mind as we endure this North Dakota weather. Calving season is again among us.
By Rachel Venture
The wild horses of Teddy Roosevelt National Park are safe in their home for the time being. The current livestock management plan in the park would eventually auction the breeding horses from the land to Native American groups and locals until eventually only a non-breeding population would be left to live out their natural lives. Service Comment Review or SCR 4014 is “concurrent resolution urging the Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the National Park Service to modify its proposed livestock management plan, to recognize the benefits of grazing, and to continue to allow for interpretative, cultural, and historical purposes a herd of longhorn steers in the North Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the presence of a wild horse herd in the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.” The resolution relies heavily on the life experience President Teddy Roosavelt gained with the wild animals in the area. It quotes the President's immortal words, "I never would have been President if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota" and with this platform stipulates that wild horses were an integral part of that experience. Teddy Roosavelt went on to build the Panama Canal and created many of the National Parks we know today during his tenure and is credited as one of America’s greatest presidents, having earned a place on Mount Rushmore.
SCR 4014 also states “longhorns and wild horse herds, present in the era of Theodore Roosevelt, have
been an integral part of the recent history of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and should therefore be preserved in some form for the benefit of the public narrative… grazing is beneficial to Theodore Roosevelt National Park as an effective tool to manage a variety of forage, spur growth of perennial grasses, decrease invasive species, increase organic matter, suppress wildfires, and support biodiversity and more resilient landscapes”. These arguments ultimately led to a passing of the temporary resolution while Teddy Roosevelt National Park completes its official environmental assessment, to be completed in spring of 2023.
Chasing Horses: Wild Horse Advocates have been the frontrunners in the battle to save the horses of Teddy Roosevelt and their organization has led this resolution to the State Capitol. “Our hope is that the park takes into consideration the voice of the people of North Dakota and allows a genetically viable herd to remain in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.” All additional testimonies, comments and information on the resolution is available at www.ndlegis.gov/ assembly/68-2023/regular/ bill-index/bi4014.html and we will be watching closely to find out the fate of these historic creatures when the environmental assessment results at the National Park are in.
WILLISTON, N.D. – In preparation for the upcoming fall semester, WSC will release its Fall 2023 course schedules on Friday, March 17, 2023. Registration for Fall 2023 classes will be available on Monday, March 20, 2023.
“Enrolling in courses at Williston State College is a great way to start or continue your postsecondary education. The faculty and staff
will guide you and set up a pathway that will allow you to successfully reach your educational or training goals. We are looking forward to meeting you and helping you select courses meant just for you,” explained Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Wanda Meyer.
This Fall, three new courses are being offered. These courses are Internet of Things
(IoT), Electronics & Industrial Controls, and Cybersecurity.
“I’m pleased to see that WSC is expanding its academic program offerings to include relevant programs tied to the training needs of the region, state, and country. By adding Cybersecurity, Electronic and Industrial Controls, and Internet of Things (IoT), we are addressing the need for a trained workforce in new and growing segments of the job market. These degree offerings not
only fit the demands of the oil and gas industry, but also the rapidly changing technology sector of our economy,” said WSC President Bernell Hirning.
You can see the Fall 2023 class schedule here:
https://willistonstate.edu/academics/Academic-Resources/Catalog-and-Class-Schedules/.
If interested in any of these courses, students are asked to please visit with your advisor.
If you are new to WSC
and interested in taking classes, please contact Enrollment Services at wsc. admission@willistonstate. edu, texting 701.595.7389, calling 701.774.4200, or visiting WSC, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information on the class schedules, please contact Interim VP for Academic Affairs Wanda Meyer at wanda.meyer@willistonstate.edu or 701.774.4500
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler on Friday celebrated the governor’s signing of HB1398, which requires the teaching of computer science and cybersecurity and the integration of these content standards into school coursework from kindergarten through 12th grade. The superintendent said North Dakota is the first state in the nation to approve legislation requiring cybersecurity education.
“Today is the culmination of years of work by stakeholders from all sectors to recognize and promote the importance of cybersecurity and computer science education in our elementary, middle and high schools,” Baesler said at Friday’s bill signing ceremony.
“Our vision is to integrate and underscore the importance of computer science and cybersecurity instruction into the classes our students take as they move through our K-12 system,” Baesler said. “Under this bill, the information and knowledge our students need will be part of every grade level, which is appropriate when you consider the role that technology plays in our everyday lives.”
Baesler said EduTech, a division of North Dakota Information Technology that provides information technology support and professional development for K-12 educators, will be developing ex-
amples of cybersecurity and computer science education integration plans that may be used to assist local schools develop their own plans.
Burgum said HB1398 was in keeping with his administration’s emphasis on developing student and citizen knowledge of computer science and cybersecurity, which he described as “one of the most pressing issues that we have in North Dakota.” The administration’s PK-20W initiative, with its vision of “Every Student, Every School, Cyber Educated,” aims to ensure students have the skills and know-how to succeed in a technology-driven economy.
“Our students have more access than ever to computers and technology devices in our schools. It’s crucial that our students also learn cyber safety skills,” Burgum said. “The ability to manage technology is also important in helping our North Dakota students to get good jobs. Employers look for students who have the skills to take on tech challenges and cyberattacks, and complete daily tasks using technology devices.”
Burgum has encouraged North Dakota’s young people to pursue careers in computer science, cybersecurity and technology, including the promotion of Cyber Madness school tournaments and Girls Go Cyberstart competitions in North Dakota’s schools.
Last year, the governor announced that any North Da-
kota resident may take online classes in cybersecurity, networking, programming, and other subjects to bolster their knowledge, improve their job skills, and explore whether they want to pursue a technology career. “North Dakota Citizens Skills for All” is offered by the Cisco Networking Academy through EduTech.
Baesler said HB1398 was the capstone of work that began in 2015, when the Department of Public Instruction formed a working group of legislators and other stakeholders to craft a vision for K-12 education’s computer science and cybersecurity instructional needs.
Since then, in collaboration with other state agencies, business and industry experts, families, teachers and administrators, the NDDPI has led the development of K-12 computer science and cybersecurity academic content standards, and cybersecurity and computer science credentials for educators to add to their teaching licenses.
HB1398 grew directly from the November 2021 special legislative session, when lawmakers directed Baesler to “collaborate with workforce development stakeholders and the K-12 Education Coordination Council to determine how best to integrate computer science and cybersecurity into elementary, middle, and high school.”
Baesler and Burgum thanked the bill’s primary
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Mike
McNeff,Rugby Superintendent, shared how the Teacher Leadership Academy works and how the school has been participating in District Promotion on Facebook for assignments through the University of Jamestown Master’s in Teacher Leadership program. The first Teacher Leader Academy was conducted in North Dakota in West Fargo Public Schools in 2014 through North Dakota State University. Like that program, the University of Jamestown’s Leadership Academy focuses on the human side of executive and management roles. This accelerated online leadership program is geared toward people who are seeking a role shaping and guiding organizational strategy. Rugby has taken part in the Teacher’s Leadership Academy in past years, including 2019. The Pierce County Tribute reported that year that the Teacher Leadership Academies (TLA) in North Dakota are collaborations between local districts or groups of districts, and universities, to offer a master’s degree in leadership for teachers.
As with the first cohort to participate in the Academy, this group continues to focus on action research, according to McNeff. Action research involves topics and changes the instructors have wanted to study yet did not have time to focus on due to regular teaching responsibilities, such as one teacher who is exploring the math workshop model (also known as Guided Math), and another focusing on different strategies on how to collect late or missing work. To accomplish this, the teachers do literature reviews, and then take it into their classrooms. The results are then reported to McNeff and to their academy cohort
on what went well and what did not. A major signature assignment in this cohort is educator morale. Discussions regarding burnout for teachers and support staff are discussed, along with what to implement, in order to find ways to keep educators from leaving the profession. As this comes from the teacher standpoint, the root of the concern is easier to keep at the forefront.
With action research as the first half of the program, the second is that everyone in the cohort is required to do a district promotion. Assigned to work in groups of two to three, they are able to pick from among three initiatives. The three areas are Strategic Initiatives, School Level Reporting, and Professional Educator Promotion (why you should be an educator). Some requirements are in place, but McNeff left it to the teachers in the program to put it together, approving their projects before the promotions were implemented. He stated that instructors “really run with their projects.”
One of the most popular is the Meet the Teacher posts being done on Facebook. “We didn’t anticipate the level of success with,” McNeff said. “It helps put a face to the name” and “the little tidbits of information shared this way help connections form with students and the community.” McNeff is proud of the work
these teachers have put into the cohort and that they are combating any potential negativity by “creating our own footprint and putting out positivity because there’s so many great things that it doesn’t matter if it’s our school or one twenty miles from here.” Along with the teachers, he notes that there are always a few folks in the community that are a boon in regards to assisting in letting the school know about positive things to share. In 2020, with the start of Covid, McNeff began posting video district updates. Based on a referendum passed in 2021, he has continued doing this. “People have found a value in that communication style so leveraging that from time to time when we need to.” While he doesn’t hear a lot of feedback, he knows that the positive district promotion program does recognize the great accomplishments of the students. Aware that it could be somewhat athletic focused, the district does love highlighting things like the recent Spelling Bee, concerts, and the Lego League. The other benefit McNeff has seen is that with only about 600 students in the school district, they don’t see the same level of applications like they used to. Social me-
dia helps give an idea on how student focused and what kind of accomplishments the district has.
Originally from Las Vegas, McNeff came in 1999 to play football at Valley City State University. “I used to joke that my grandparents dropped me off and I didn’t have a vehicle. If I did I probably would have left. I stayed and never left, and I’m super thankful I never did. I’d never go anywhere else.” This is McNeff’s eleventh year as superintendent in Rugby. He was the high school principal in Velva for three years prior to that. Another reason he loves the Rugby area is that his wife is a Rugby high school alum. Due to this strong connection to North Dakota, he is invested in ensuring the teachers participating in this Academy bring success to themselves and the school district.
The last cohort finished three years ago, with Rugby as the hub, working with Harvey. This time they have eight educators from Rugby, and six from Towner. The Masters in Teachers Leadership is not a principal prep program, but instead is designed to keep teachers in the classroom. “Stay where they’re at and lead from there,” McNeff said. “It pro-
motes positive changes in the educators. It opens their world view… sometimes, as an educator, we get locked into our classroom and what directly affects our classroom. We provide opportunities for these teacher leaders to engage in conversations about what it means to be a school leader. If you make this decision, who does it impact... It’s really about enlightening their world view, not so much tunnel vision. If you make a decision, it impacts more than your classroom. Trying to provide opportunities for them to lead things in their own districts. What we most like about the program is it’s connected to district improvement strategies and district initiatives. The assignments are closely linked to what’s going on in the schools. Very connected to the school district; things that matter in the district. Helps get things done.”
The teachers have a certain number of outreach posts to finish this spring, then will have the summer and fall yet. Several staff still need to be promoted and they plan to share the Strategic Plan initiatives yet before the Academy wraps up next December. McNeff is hopeful that all this work “will become a life of its own.”
The sun ejects charged particles from its upper atmosphere, called the corona, creating what is known as solar wind. When that wind collides with the Earth’s ionosphere (upper atmosphere), it creates the phenomenon known as aurora borealis, or The Northern Lights.
This also occurs in the Southern Hemisphere and is appropriately known as The Southern Lights, or aurora australis.
How lucky we are here in the northern states to experience this spectacular light show!
BISMARCK, N.D. –
In a “sweeping” change to state law, Gov. Doug Burgum today signed Senate Bill 2229 designating curling as the official sport of North Dakota.
Among those joining Burgum for the bill signing ceremony were Alaina Schmit, a sixth-grader from Horizon Middle School in Bismarck who brought the idea forward and lobbied lawmakers to pass it, and the bill’s prime sponsor, Sen. Sean Cleary of Bismarck, along with co-sponsors, Sens. Judy Lee of West Fargo and Scott Meyer of Grand Forks and Reps. Jason Dockter of Bismarck and Karen Rohr of Mandan.
“We’re grateful to Alaina for having the courage to bring this idea to her local legislators – she really swept them off their feet –and to Sen. Sean Cleary for introducing SB 2229 and the Legislature for approving it,” Burgum said. “Curling is a lifelong activity and the ultimate team sport, embodying all that we love about sports in North Dakota: honesty and fair play, respect for the rules and one’s opponent, and humility with
good sportsmanship.”
Cleary introduced the bill on behalf of Schmit, who with friend and fellow Horizon sixth-grader Etta Knapp made their case with a long list of facts about curling, including:
North Dakota has 11 curling clubs – more per capita than any other state.
It has a long history
ing Championships have been held in Bismarck and Grand Forks.
Curling continues to gain interest in North Dakota, with at least eight clubs undergoing renovations, expansions or enhancements to meet current and future needs.
here; the state’s first curling club was founded in 1901 in Drayton.
The 2022 U18 Girls’ National Champions are from North Dakota.
The North Dakota State University curling team won the 2019 College Curling Championship.
North Dakota has at least four members in the U.S. Curling Hall of Fame.
Of the 10 individuals representing Team USA recently at the Junior World Championships in Germany, three were from North Dakota.
The World Men’s Curl-
Schmit, who started curling at age 6, stated in her testimony, “Curling is a good sport for hanging out with people and it’s good exercise in the winter. Another great thing about curling is that it is a lifetime sport. Everyone can play young and old, a large number of people, a few people, and a whole family can play! (if they know the rules of course)”
The bill passed the Senate 30-17 and the House 7221.
“Curling has a unique history in North Dakota and will make for a novel state sport. I’m grateful for my colleagues and advocates for their support of this bill,” Cleary said.
Video of the bill signing ceremony can be found on the governor’s Facebook page.
Burgum, Baesler applaud landmark North Dakota computer science, cybersecurity measure
sponsor, House Majority Leader Mike Lefor of Dickinson, and its other sponsors: Rep. Glenn Bosch, R-Bismarck, the House assistant majority leader; Rep. Cynthia Schreiber-Beck, R-Wahpeton, the vice chairwoman of the House Education Committee; Rep. Anna Novak, R-Hazen; and Rep. Emily O’Brien, R-Grand Forks, as well as Republican Senate sponsors Dean Rum-
mel of Dickinson, David Rust of Tioga and Shawn Vedaa of Velva.
“It was the leadership of this group of sponsors that helped HB1398 get the overwhelming support it had in the House and Senate,” Baesler said.
HB1398 was approved 81-11 in the House on Feb. 16, and 44-1 in the Senate March 16.
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Mothers were seen weeping and thanking god as their children lept from transport vans and into their arms after a long time apart. 17 Ukrainian minor citizens ranging in ages have been located in Russia and Russian occupied territories and returned to their families with the direct aid of Save Ukraine, a charity organization dedicated to helping families affected by the Russian invasion. The children were originally from the Kherson and Kharkiv areas but were met in Kiev by their families and relocated deep in Ukrainian territory. This return of Ukrainian minor citizens comes on the heels of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court to Vladimir Putin alleging war crimes and abductions of minor children to Russian controlled territories.
Thousands of people in the Niger Delta region have filed a lawsuit in British Court over 12 Nigerian people killed in an oil spill in the delta. The suit is for damages to property, compensation for the death of loved ones and funds to clean up the spill. Shell’s exploratory drilling in recent
decades has not adhered to local and national drilling standards leading to polluting of the local water supply. This poisoning of ground water has had the worst impact on local women, who culturally end up being tasked with water collection for their families. The daily water collection is usually done on foot as most citizens do not own cars meaning women and girls are spending their days keeping their families alive fetching water instead of being at school or work. Nigerian leaders are seeking compensation in the courts of the United Kingdom where Shell is based and has listed 40,000 individual cases where Shell’s drilling practices and spilling has directly led to the financial ruin or death of a Nigerian National.
Foreign Airlines are asking for more market representation in India’s growing air travel industry. Turkish Air and Emirates have petitioned to open more routes into India’s largest cities during a conference in Delhi. The Indian Government has sanctioned $12 billion to build the aviation industry and Air India stands to gain the most from this investment having purchased an additional 470 aircraft. The 2008 financial crisis hit Air India hard and it saw losses that shaped new laws to prevent such catastrophes from reoccurring. Since then, Air India
has been playing catch up and the Indian government feels that Indian airlines should be capturing the benefits of its own internal investments and foreign companies like Turkish Air and Emirates will have to wait their turn.
A new UN report says pollution and cataclysmic wildfires are creating a global drinking water crisis in the coming years. The UN held a 3 day summit in New York prompted in part by the devastating wildfires in both the US and Australia this last year. Wildfire season in 2022 was the longest and most devastating in recent Australian history and this has led to an international research study into the effects of increasing wildfires on pollution and subsequently drinking water quality. “This is more than a conference on water” said Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General this week at the conference. He continued “it is a conference on today’s world, seen from the perspective of its most important resource. This conference must represent the quantum leap in the capacity of member states and international communities to recognize and act upon the vital importance of water to our world’s sustainability and to foster peace and international cooperation.”
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