The Oracle - August 9, 2023

Divide County Principals Look Forward to the Upcoming School Year

By Michelle Svangstu

The school buses have been cleaned and shined outside of Divide County High School, a sure sign that the 2023-2024 school year is right around the corner – and Elementary Principal Tanja Brown and High School Principal Shana Haugenoe both say they are excited and ready to see students come through the doors once again. 235 students are currently registered K-6 and almost 160

students are registered 7-12.

“Our numbers have continued to grow,” notes Haugenoe, “and we anticipate there may be some additional new faces that haven’t registered yet.” New families are encouraged to stop by anytime from 8am-4pm starting August 7th to register their students. “Early registration helps us ensure the classes are split evenly so each student has the best opportunity for success,” shares Brown. “We are also trying

something new this year, not assigning kindergarteners to a specific teacher until after

the first five days of school. This gives us an opportunity to get to know each student

(Continues on Page 6)

Some counties now eligible for emergency haying and grazing on CRP acres

PRESS RELEASE. BISMARCK, N.D. – Some North Dakota counties are now eligible for emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres.

Eligible counties must have either been in a D2 drought for at least one week, but less than 8 consecutive weeks, or have been granted county committee or state committee

approval.

The counties currently eligible are: Benson, Bottineau, Burke, Burleigh, Cavalier, Divide, Kidder, Logan, McHenry, McIntosh, McLean, Mountrail, Nelson, Pierce, Ramsey, Renville, Richland, Rolette, Sargent, Sheridan, Towner, Walsh, Ward, Wells and Williams.

“Unfortunately, certain areas of North Dakota have moved back into severe

drought status or have lost significant forage production,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “There is now another option available for our livestock producers who need more haying and grazing acres.”

Producers should check with their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to ensure their acres are eligible.

DEFYING LIMITS AND IGNITING DREAMS

By

Kevin Litten,

Tioga City Commission President Tioga City Commission President, Kevin Litten, shares about an exciting opportunity for students to get hands on experience with drones.

Page 3

HOME COMFORTS HAS EXPANDED

By Rachel Venture

Small businesses are thriving, including Home Comforts of Williston, who have recently made a move to a new location.

Page 5

ND JOINS MOVEMENTS TO BAN FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF FAMLAND

By Mike Moen, Prairie News Service

There have been growing calls within the agricultural sector to protect smaller farmers from bigger market forces that ultimately hurt competition. This includes the larger presence of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, and two new North Dakota laws aim to address that. Comments from Matt Perdue, government relations director, North Dakota Farmers Union. Page 9

WE WANT A COUNTRY THAT IS LESS DIVISIVE, WE NEED TO BE LESS DIVISIVE OURSELVES.” — SHARON MCMAHON

Mrs.Brown enjoys spending time with students during an outdoor activity. Photo Courtesy DC Schools, divcoschooldistrict.com

LOCAL EVENTS SPONSORED BY

To

FORTUNA

Every Tuesday- Range Night at Northwest Sportsman Club

RAY

Saturday August 12th - 2023 Williams

County Parks Summer Concert Series

presents “Gettin’ Outta Dodge” 7-9p at Kota Ray Dam

Monday August 14th - City Commission

Meeting at Ray City Hall

Monday August 14th - Cross Country Starts at Ray Public School

Monday August 14th - JH Football Starts at Ray Public School

Monday August 14th - Volleyball Starts at Ray Public School

Monday August 14th - New Teacher

Orientation at Ray Public School

Tuesday August 15th - School Board

Meeting 6:00-7:00pm at Ray Public School

August 15th & August 16th - Teacher

Inservice at Ray Public School

Thursday August 17th - First Day of School for Ray Public School District

Friday August 18th - Football (H-Ray) vs.

Shiloh Christian

Friday August 18th - Municipal Court at Ray City Hall

Wednesdays:

Ladies Night at the Ray Golf Course

2:00pm

Thursdays: Mens Stag Night at the Ray Golf Course

2:00pm

CROSBY

Monday August 14th - Mac-A-Bee’s Book

Club 5:15-6:15pm at Crosby Self Serve

Tuesday August 15th - Upper Missouri

District Health Unit-Monthly Vaccination

Clinic 9:00AM - 5:00PM at Divide County

Courthouse, 200 N Main St. Rm 2201

Tuesday August 15th - Divide County

Food Pantry at Concordia Lutheran Church 10:00AM - 1:00PM at Concordia

Lutheran Church, 301 Main St NW, Crosby

Wednesdays:

Storytime at the Divide County Library 10:00am - 10:45am

Fridays:

Cards & Games at Divide County Senior Citizens Center 1:30-2:30pm

Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

Saturdays: Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

Sundays:

Movie at Dakota Theater 7:30pm

WILLISTON

Thursday August 10th - Week 7 Summer

Nights On Main 2023 featuring Raynes

5-9p downtown Williston

Friday August 11th - Williston Basin

Speedway Dirt Track Racing WBRA

Summer Series 8/11 Grandstand gates open at 6p Races start at 7p at Upper Missouri Valley Fairgrounds

August 11th & August 12th - 2023

North Dakota Chokecherry Festival at Davidson Park

Saturday August 12th - Cattle Trails & Cowboys

Sunday August 13th - Sweetcorn & Quilt

Festival 2023 Noon-3p at Upper Missouri

Ministries

Monday August 14th - August Draggin

Main Mondays 6pm in the parking lot

behind Bill’s Back 40 on the corner of 2nd St E & 2nd Ave E.

Thursday August 17th - Week 8 Summer

Nights On Main 2023 featuring Slamabama 5-9p downtown Williston

TIOGA

Thursday August 11th - (Rescheduled)

Visitor Promotion Meeting 5:30 PM - 6:30

PM City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND

58852

August 12th & August 13th - Community

Center CLOSED for 7th Annual Tioga

EDC Drone Camp for Kids

August 11th - August 13th - Movie at Tioga Theater: Oppenheimer 7:00-8:00pm

Monday August 14th - Planning & Zoning

Meeting 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM at City Hall16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

Tuesday August 15th - Tioga Fund Meeting (Rescheduled) 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM at City Hall - 16 1st St NE, Tioga, ND 58852

Thursday August 17th - School Starts for Tioga School District

Thursday August 17th - Tioga Historical Society Meeting 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the Tioga Museum

Thursday August 17th - Airport Authority Meeting 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM at 2237 Aviator Way Tioga, ND 58852

Tioga Community Center Schedule

Mondays: Yoga Flow 9:30am-10:30am

Learn English Class 10:00am-11:00am

Tuesdays: Pickleball 5:00pm-8:00pm

Wednesdays: Storytime 10:30am11:00am

Thursdays: Slow Flow 6:00pm-7:00pm

Raw milk sales now legal, limited to fluid milk

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring wants to remind the public that though raw milk sales are now legal, they are limited to fluid milk.

“A farm may now sell raw milk directly to the end consumer for personal consumption,” Goehring said. “However, this does not include other milk products such as cream, yogurt or cheese.”

Raw milk may not be sold to a wholesaler or retail store for mass consumption

and may only be sold within the state. Raw milk cannot be donated.

North Dakota Century Code 4.1-25-40.1 allows for raw milk sales and is available at https://ndlegis. gov/cencode/t04-1c25.pd -

f#nameddest=4p1-25-40p1

Visit https://www. ndda.nd.gov/divisions/livestock-industries/dairy-program and check under Related Resources for a raw milk guide for consumers and producers.

Defying Limits and Igniting Dreams at the 7th Annual Tioga Drone Camp

professional drone—an exciting prospect for any aspiring drone enthusiast!

By Kevin Litten City of Tioga Commission President

Good day, Tioga community. This is Kevin Litten, your city commission president, and I am thrilled to bring you the latest news about an event that I believe is significant for our community's young minds.

The community of Tioga is gearing up for the 7th Annual Tioga Drone Camp, an exciting initiative sponsored by the Tioga Area Economic Development Corporation. Slated for August 12th and 13th, the camp will take place at the Tioga Community Center, located at 410 6th St NE.

The Tioga Drone Camp offers an incredible opportunity for students in grades

5-12 to delve into the fascinating world of drones. Over two days, participants will learn fundamental principles of aerodynamics and flight, tapping into an industry that is not just burgeoning but booming on both state and national levels. This camp is about far more than gaining knowledge; it's about transcending the expected and expanding one's capabilities. Young emerging pilots will be immersed in an intense drone obstacle course ingeniously designed by FENWORKS

Esports. This electrifying venture will not only put their newly-acquired skills to the test but also embolden them to venture beyond their comfort zones as they maneuver drones through various challenging landscapes.

What's more, Tioga believes in rewarding effort and achievement. Each student completing the program will receive their own personal practice drone. It's a unique opportunity to ignite the dreams of our young participants while

fostering their skills beyond the camp.

Moreover, to foster innovation in education, Tioga Public Schools will be the beneficiary of a cutting-edge 3D printer generously provided by EGP-NA. This is a real-life example of the powerful synergy that can be achieved when education and technological innovation unite, leading the way to a more prosperous future for our young minds.

Every student will also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a FREE

Registration for the camp is now live on eventbrite.com. I strongly encourage students from various backgrounds within and surrounding Tioga to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Come and be a part of two remarkable days filled with discovery, education, and enjoyment.

I want to extend my gratitude to the Tioga Area Economic Development Corporation for their unwavering commitment to this event. Our relations might have seen ups and downs in recent years, but their dedication to such initiatives shows their ongoing commitment to the Tioga community and its future. I am hopeful that this shared vision will pave the way for increased cooperation and understanding.

As we push the boundaries of learning with this exceptional event, we are fostering our kids’ curiosity and helping shape a future where our city thrives on innovation and mutual collaboration. Join us as we defy limits, ignite dreams, and cultivate a brighter future for the City of Tioga.

Warmly, Kevin Litten Commission President, City of Tioga

Did You Know?

Did you know that drones help farming? Farmers use drones to map out their crops – to check irrigation systems, and also determine which areas of crops are sick/healthy and make adjustments accordingly.

Adobe Stock Photo

By Heidi Whitney

SCHOOL BELLS TO RING AUGUST 15

According to Superintendent Dylan MacLean, the following teachers and staff will be reporting for duty on Thursday August 12. The students will return on Tuesday August 15.

• Jennifer Pulvermacher - Math / Assistant Administrator

• Amy Griffin - Business Education

• Jonathan Griffin - English

• Kayla Hagan - Science

• Ken Whitney - Music

• Shari Olson - History / Junior High English / Library

• Emily Whitlow - Junior High History / Math / P.E.

• Sue Meyer - High School P.E.

• Breann Carlson - Kindergarten & 1st

Grade

• Lynette Ekness - 2nd & 3rd Grade

• Haley MacLean - 4th & 5th Grade

• Cindy Lagerquist - Preschool / Teacher's Aide

• Teena Holecek - Guidance Counselor

• Lexi Olson - Secretary

• Heather Nielsen - Business Clerk

• Tom Christian - Head Maintenance

• Meg Griffin - Assistant Custodian

• Ruth Wagler - Co-Head Cook

• Hallie Wiseman - Co-Head Cook

• Paula Joyes - Assistant Cook / Bus Driver

• Bruce Westgard - Bus Driver

• Dylan MacLean - Superintendent

Creative Elements Provides Creative Styles

By Alex McCann Johnson

Located in the heart of Williston, North Dakota, Creative Elements Salon and Day Spa is the place to go for all your beauty needs. Established in 2005, the salon has been a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike for over 16 years. The salon is now owned and operated by Shandi Jeannotte, who has brought her own unique style to the establishment.

One of the standout features of Creative Elements Salon and Day Spa is the wide variety of haircare and skincare products that they carry. From Kenra Professionals hair care to Bioelements skin care, Nuskin, Fur, and Hempz, the salon has everything you need to keep your hair and skin looking and feeling the best. The salon also offers a range of services, including haircuts, colors, and perms, as well as spa services like massages, facials (including microdermabrasion and dermaplaning), full-body waxing, and manicures and pedicures.

The building that hous-

es Creative Elements Salon and Day Spa has an interesting history. It was originally built as the Christian Science Reading Room, before being turned into La Silhouette Dress Shop. In 2006, it was transformed into the salon and spa that we know today.

Shandi Jeannotte, the current owner of Creative Elements Salon and Day Spa since August of 2022, started her career under the guidance of Karla Salveson in 2012. In North Dakota, aspiring beauty professionals must work under someone else for 1000 hours before they can rent a booth and go out on their own. After completing her mentorship, Shandi took over the salon and has been running it ever since.

For Shandi, the best part of her job is making people feel beautiful. She loves seeing the joy and confidence that her clients feel after leaving the salon. She says, "I love making people feel beautiful. You know, it's always so exciting to see how good they feel after they leave and how excited they are to come back."

Creative Elements Salon and Day Spa can be found at 703 Main Street in Williston, North Dakota. The salon also has a presence on Facebook, where they regularly post updates and promotions. Whether you're looking for a quick trim or a full day of pampering, Creative Elements Salon and Day Spa is the perfect destination for all your beauty needs.

Home Comforts Has Expanded into a New Location

By Rachel Venture

Williston small businesses seem to be thriving this summer. One of them, Home Comforts, recently opened the doors of their new location at 1404 2nd Ave. West which was formerly the Kum and Go. Beverly and Dale Salman and their children who also happen to work professional construction, have worked hard to bring Wil-

liston a beautiful new home furnishing store to make our houses home. Beverly is particularly dedicated to clean country style with quality brands that last. She recently did some local information gathering around town to assess what Williston really wants in their homes then set out to carry those particular brands and some locally sourced products as well. She wants the products you buy from her store to last you the rest of your life and Beverly insists that she “refuses to sell you what you don’t want or need”.

The Salmens also have a full time interior designer on call, Jean Carmichael of Designing Comfort LLC designs the store displays as well as advises in product selection and presentation. They appeared at the 1 Million Cups Williston seminar at Young Bucks Coffee House earlier this spring and graciously thanked the Williston Star Fund for the opportunity to help expand their business.

Divide County Principals Look Forward to the Upcoming School Year

and assess their learning needs, before determining how classes will be split.”

To kick off the year, an open house will be held August 21st from 5:00-6:30 pm at the elementary,” notes Tanja. “It’s a great opportunity for students and parents to come meet their teacher, see their classroom, bring their supplies and get their desk situated.” The high school open house will be held from 5-7pm, also on the 21st. “Students and parents are encouraged to come meet the teachers, walk through the school and bring their school supplies as we will be giving out their locker assignments. Chromebooks will be handed out, and junior high students are encouraged to register for classes.” Students that are unable to pick up Chromebooks during the open house can instead stop by the school on August 22nd. Both the elementary and high school will be handing out registration packets at the open

house, which contain important information such as the student handbook, application for free and reduced meals and how to download and access the school mobile app. “Not only do we look forward to meeting students and parents, we want to be sure they have all the information they need prior to the first day of school to ensure students start the year on a

successful note,” says Shana. Prior to the open house, students in grades 9-12 will be able to register for classes August 15-18th from 9:00 am-3:30 pm. Parents can also stop by to ask questions, fill out medication forms and pay any fees for sports or lunch accounts. Notes Brown, “We really encourage families to fill out the form for free and reduced meals – not only does it help them financially, it helps the school – our Title 1 funding is directly impacted by the number of students we have qualified for this program, so we want everyone who is eligible to apply. It’s confidential, and there is no difference in how the students receive their meal.”

In addition to all the preparation for pre-first day of school activities for students and parents, the principals shared that administration and teachers are preparing themselves, starting with a review of the school’s “core values,” developed last year

as a way for the school to evaluate how well it is serving its students. “We look at each one of these, and ask ourselves ‘Are we leading by example? Are our kids growing in their character? Are we on track?’ Everyone on staff answers the question

‘What’s Our Why?’ – it’s a chance for us to refocus ourselves on why we show up for our kids every day,” notes Shana. Brown agrees. “Demands and expectations for teachers seem to grow every year, and it can feel overwhelming at times. It’s good to remind ourselves that we aren’t expected to do it all – we can do a few things really well, or a lot of things poorly. We want to focus on doing the best we can with the resources and abilities we have to see our students succeed.”

The school district has also been working hard to provide additional resources for students and families, particularly in the areas of mental health and special education. “The need for a social worker and resource room has been growing exponentially in the last 5-10 years,” shares Shana. “Having a social worker in-house offers new opportunities to get students and families connected with community resources, whether it be financial, mental health, housing, medical needs, etc. – and of course, they can be a great liaison between the school and parents when needed.”

The resource room will focus on coordinating education services for students with IEP’s (Individualized Education Plans) – plans that

often include occupational therapies, behavior therapy and specialized methods of instruction. Notes Brown, “20% of students at DC schools are currently enrolled in special ed., and our numbers have continued to grow each year - and while teachers and administration were doing our best to fill the gap, it just came to a point where we needed someone to specialize in this area, someone who has experience with difficult situations, and someone who can sort through all of the laws and rules so we can ensure that every student, as well as other important needs within the school, can each receive adequate attention.”

And while they have been busy preparing to provide opportunities for academic success, both principals agreed that some of the other events they have planned for the year, many of which focus on kindness, work ethic and character, are just as important as the daily classwork. Notes Shana, “August 10th and 11th, Dr. Kelli Gast and Teresa Patten will be coming in to talk to athletes about nutrition and taking care of your body, both mentally and physically. Later this fall, Stacy Schaffer, founder and executive director of 31:8 Project, will be speaking to students about human trafficking. We want to bring in speakers and activities that motivate our students and help prepare them for life beyond Divide County High School.” The school will also be laying the groundwork for an anti-bullying program, #BigBadBully, which will be fully implemented in the fall of 2024. Both Haugenoe and Brown say their primary goal is to “do what’s best for our kids.”

“To see them grow, academically and as a person, become kind humans, feel safe here and in their community – that’s why we do what we

Mrs. Haugenoe, 4th from left, meets with a team of delegates from DC Schools and Minot State University. Photo courtesy MSU Facebook Page, Sept. 22, 2022.

do,” shares Shana. “Seeing students engaged in their learning, feeling safe and valued by their teachers and peers – it truly is why we are

here.” notes Tanja.

The official school year kicks off August 23rd, with a 1pm dismissal. Parents with questions or concerns are

welcome

stop by the district office or call 701-9656324.

Seventh annual Recovery Reinvented hosted by governor and first lady scheduled for Oct. 5 in Minot

PRESS RELEASE. BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum and First Lady

Kathryn Burgum are inviting the general public to join them for Recovery Reinvented, an event dedicated to eliminating the shame and stigma of the disease of addiction, on Oct. 5 at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on the campus of Minot State University in Minot, N.D. The event will be free and open to the public.

This will be the first time the event is held in Minot, having previously been hosted in Bismarck three times, once in Fargo, once in Grand Forks and virtually in 2020. The daylong event will feature state and national addiction and recovery experts who will focus on reinventing recovery through the sharing of stories, creating recovery-friendly cultures in the

workplace and community, and eliminating the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction.

“We continue to build on the message that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to end the stigma surrounding

addiction,” First Lady Burgum said. “Bringing this experience to the community of Minot will allow us to lift up more faces and voices of recovery and inspire people to know that recovery from addiction is possible.”

On Recovery Reinvent-

ed’s social media, there will be opportunities to submit nominations for the Recovery Champion awards, which honor local individuals and groups that are making an impact in the field of addiction and recovery. Addiction- and recovery-re-

lated nonprofit organizations and service providers are encouraged to join the Recovery Resources Expo, which will connect people to extensive addiction, recovery and mental health organizations and resources from across the state. Anyone who is interested in these opportunities to get involved can visit recoveryreinvented.com to learn more and sign up.

Registration for Recovery Reinvented will open at a later date. Event information is available at recoveryreinvented.com with additional updates being shared by the governor, first lady and Recovery Reinvented’s social media on Facebook @GovernorDougBurgum, @FirstLadyND and @RecoveryND and Twitter @ GovDougBurgum, @FirstLadyND, @Recovery_ND.

HIP Registration Required for Migratory Bird Hunters

PRESS RELEASE.

NORTH DAKOTA GAME

& FISH. Migratory bird hunters of all ages need to

register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting ducks, geese, swans, mergansers, coots,

cranes, snipe, doves and woodcock. Hunters must register in each state they are licensed to hunt.

Hunters can HIP certify when purchasing a license by visiting the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, gf.nd.gov.

Those who registered to hunt during the spring light

goose conservation order in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year.

HIP registration is a cooperative program designed to determine a sample of hunters to measure harvest of migratory birds for management purposes.

ND Joins Movement to Ban Foreign Ownership of Farmland

By Mike Moen, Prairie News Service

A pair of new North Dakota laws go into effect today that ban foreign entities from buying up land in the state. Advocates for smaller farmers see it as a worthwhile effort in protecting their interests. One law prohibits land ownership by nations or businesses in those countries deemed foreign adversaries under certain federal rules. The other law deals specifically with farmland, blocking foreign governments from acquiring it. Policy researchers say there's more scrutiny due to ownership trends in agriculture.

Matt Perdue, government relations director of the North Dakota Farmers Union, said his organization would rather see farmland stay in the hands of family farmers and ranchers based

in the state.

"I wouldn't say that it has become a major issue in North Dakota, but when you look nationwide, you are seeing a growing interest by foreign companies and foreign governments owning agricultural land,"

he contended.

For example, the USDA says China's agricultural investment outside its borders has grown more than tenfold in less than a decade.

For the law dealing with agriculture, there are exceptions, including Canadians

who want to buy North Dakota farmland. The state's agriculture commissioner cited some concerns about these restrictions, including the potential impact on agribusiness opportunities.

There are much bigger issues at play, Perdue and

other supporters said. They note that foreign ownership of farmland could open the door to national security issues. He said it is better to get ahead of any situation like that.

"We are committed to providing an affordable, abundant food supply, for our nation and for a growing world. And so, I think there's a lot of thoughtful conversations that need to be had on how to best address this issue," he explained.

More broadly, some federal lawmakers have cited how the war between Russia and Ukraine has affected sources like natural gas. Meanwhile, North Dakota's recent policy action stemmed from a proposed corn-milling plant in Grand Forks by a Chinese firm. That project was eventually canceled by city leaders.

Severe Montana Drought Prompts Unprecedented Fishing Restrictions

By Mark Moran, Big Sky Connections

Drought and soaring temperatures have prompted state wildlife officials to restrict fishing on some of the state's most popular lakes and streams. And, for the first time, they are considering adding them in the Flathead River basin in northwest Montana.

The state has imposed so-called hoot-owl restrictions, which prohibit fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight. They are already in place on the Beaverhead, Bitterroot, Jefferson, Lower Madison and Sun rivers.

Below average rainfall, higher temperatures and reduced snowpack runoff

have combined to leave the Flathead River levels in northwest Montana at about a third of normal.

The Region One Communication and Education Program Manager for the Montana Department of

Fish, Wildlife and ParksDillon Tabish - said the state is considering hoot-owl restrictions for the Flathead too, because water temperatures are too high for the lake's cold-water trout.

"For cutthroat trout that

criteria is about 66 degrees, and then for bull trout it's about 60 degrees," said Tabish. "Once the temperatures in the water get to be that warm, these trout can be more susceptible to disease, predation, and other moratalities that can occur."

The National Weather Service predicts above average high temperatures nearing 100 degrees in parts of Montana.

Wildlife officials encourage anglers to land fish quickly and keep them in the water as long as possible to reduce stress, and they are asking anglers to report sick or struggling fish to the state.

Tabish said no northwest

Montana river has ever been completely closed to fishing and he said he's hopeful that can remain the case.

"There are ways the fishermen can voluntarily help reduce the stress on our native trout and that's self regulating a little," said Tabish. "Not fishing during the hottest parts of the day. If there was ever a time to really be vigilant and try to reduce your impacts on our fish, now's the time."

The western United States has been sweltering amid an extended and dangerous heat wave that has tied or broken records in several Montana towns and cities.

According to the National Agricultural Law Center, more than a dozen states have taken to steps to restrict or prohibit foreign entities from buying U.S. farmland. (Adobe Stock)

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is considering imposing "hoot-owl" restrictions on anglers along the iconic Flathead River, where water temperature are becoming potentially deadly for several species of cold water trout. (Justin Franz / Montana Free Press)

After ND Permit Rejection, Carbon Pipeline Opponents Won't Rest

By Mike Moen, Prairie News Service

Groups tracking energy policy in the Midwest are sizing up the impact of North Dakota's decision to decline a permit for a controversial pipeline project. Regional opponents cheer the move, but they know the debate isn't over.

On Friday, the state's Public Service Commission dealt a major blow to Summit Carbon Solutions' plans for a multistate pipeline to move carbon dioxide from ethanol plants and store it underground in North Dakota.

In a unanimous vote, the commission denied Summit's application for a siting permit.

Scott Skokos - executive director of the Dakota Resource Council, one of the project's opponentssaid he hopes allies will be

ready to stand tall again in the likelihood of a new permit request.

"It's time for all of the stakeholders that could be fighting for justice in North Dakota to step up and fight against this pipeline as it proceeds," said Skokos.

Given the magnitude of the project, Skokos anticipates Summit will make another heavy push for a North Dakota permit. Company officials have indicated they will reapply.

Project opponents worry about public safety, landowner rights and damage to farmland. Summit maintains the pipeline would provide environmental and economic benefits while maximizing safety.

In reflecting on the movement leading up to last week's decision, Skokos said it has amazed him to see how many stakeholders

from different backgrounds have tried to make their voices heard.

"Throughout this whole thing, we've worked with people from all different kinds of political spectrums that we'd never, ever thought we'd be working with," said Skokos. "And the fact that this is the outcome just shows that a broad, diverse coalition of landownersliberals and conservativescan actually affect change."

In declining the North Dakota permit, the Commission found that Summit failed to adequately address a range of concerns or requests for certain information during the process.

The Summit plan is considered to be one of the largest carbon sequestration efforts in the world. Its critics say it is starting out as too big, and with too many unknowns.

NATIONAL & WORLD HEADLINES ASSASSINATION PLOT

Word

Daisy

A woman was arrested by Ukrainian authorities on Monday, August 7, for being connected to a purported assassination plot against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by Russian officials. The unidentified woman was caught gathering information about Zelensky’s planned trip to the Mykolaiv region. The information was to be used to provide a full itinerary to Russian officials so that they could plan a targeted attack while Zelensky was in the area. The woman was also meant to gather information on locations of electronic warfares systems and ammunition depots.

DEFORESTATION OF THE AMAZON

Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been making good on his pledge to stop deforestation of the Amazon by 2030. But to reach that goal, da Silva will need help from the country’s neighbors

THOUGHT

“Being

who share the rainforest. However, these countries alone can’t do it, da Silva says they will also need money from rich countries. On August 8 and 9 in Northern Brazil, da Silva is hosting what’s been billed as the Amazon summit to rally support. The eight countries that have territory in the Amazon are expected to attend and senior officials from the U.S, France, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, and Indonesia have been invited. President Biden has already pledged $500 million to the Amazon fund, a pool of money for preservation projects, but Congress has yet to approve it.

US WOMEN’S NATIONAL SOCCER

The US women’s soccer team has won the World Cup title two years in 2015 and 2019. However the team lost their bid for a third World Cup title when they lost to Sweden. It was the first loss for the US squad since 2011 in the World

Cup. 90 minutes of regulation time and a half-hour extra time, neither team had scored a point. It came down to a penalty kick shootout and final shot, by Sweden. The ball was believed to have been stopped by U.S. keeper Alyssa Naeher, but a replay showed that the ball had just barely crossed the line. The US team entered the tournament as the world’s No. 1-ranked team and Sweden was ranked No. 3. Sweden moves on to face Japan, who is on a four-game winning streak.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

The FDA approved a pill that will be marketed as Zurzuvae, the world’s first pill designed to treat postpartum depression. The pill is expected to ease treatment for roughly half a million women in the US, yearly. The Drug Enforcement Administration in the US still needs to approve the pill and is expected to do so within 90 days.

Journalist: Heidi Whitney

Reporters: Michelle Svangstu, Alyssa Stromberg & Rachel Venture

Sharn

Sports Contributors: Nick Ator & Kristen Ator

Sales Team Sales Manager: Jill Vassen jill@vocella.com

Copy Editing & Production Team Falon Justice sales@vocella.com

Lead Design: Kary Moltzan

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