Williston Care Flight Returns Air Ambulance Services to Region
CITY OF WILLISTON
Thanks to a local collaboration, the sky is no longer a limit to the City of Williston's first responders.
For the last 18 months, Williston has been without locally stationed air medical transportation services after the region's most recent provider discontinued operations in July of 2023. In the coming months, Williston’s air medical transportation services will return thanks to a collaboration between
Flight Vice President Kyle Black. Already operating Care Flight services from Grand Forks, N.D. and Sidney, M.T., Black is excited to return these vital services back to Williston.
Williston Care Flight will operate out of Overland Aviation, of which Black is also co-owner and vice president, with assistance from the Williston Fire Department.
Overland Aviation will provide the hangar, office space and fuel for the operation with Williston Care Flight providing the pilots and mechanics to work alongside
is completed,
schedule you right away!
Contact Us
701.572.4851
Web
Become a member! Visit us online at www.willistongraphic.com
Find us on Facebook and Instagram: @willistongraphic & @ willistonconnections
Email Contacts
info@vocella.com news@vocella.com advertising@vocella.com billing@vocella.com
Office Hours
Office hours are by appt. only. Reach us by phone or email:
WILLISTON CARE FLIGHTS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
ton Fire Department) Chief Clark who already employs paramedics, it made the most operational sense to have our flight paramedics and flight nurses working directly for the fire department who is already providing local Emergency Medical Services to the community."
The WFD staff will be newhire positions, with Chief Matt Clark adding that the long-term intent is to have those become promotable positions that members from the department can seek, train and apply for.
Black said that he anticipates operations for Williston Care Flight to begin May 31, providing emergency flights to larger regional healthcare centers for patients who require specialized treatment.
"An incredible team effort has taken place over the last 18 months to find a solution for ensuring that air medical transportation operations will be available for the community," Black said. "The Williston Care Flight solution isn’t something that came together in a week, this has been an evolving idea since July of 2023 when the previous provider announced that they were removing their helicopter from Williston."
After that announcement, Black explained, the reality of the local community losing its air medical transportation service began to sink in and set the project in motion.
"It was at this point that we started the process of identifying who was going to restore the services to the community,” Black said. “And ultimately if nobody was going to come into this community and provide services how could we create a business model that would provide for the longterm sustainability of operations for at least the next ten years?”
Williston Care Flight President Jacob Keller explained further.
"Over the course of the last 15 years, there have been four different air ambulance companies that have come and gone in Williston," added Keller. "The historical structure involved with these previous organizations clearly identified that the conventional approach to providing these services wasn’t working and ultimately resulted in the community losing its locally stationed air medical transportation option.”
Keller explained that this critical factor highlighted the necessity for the collaboration that has occurred between the city, the hospital and their team, leading to the unique approach Keller and Black are taking to restore these air med-
Most competitive prices anywhere
SUBMITTED PHOTO
ical transportation services to the community.
“The Williston Care Flight program will be a part of this community for years to come and community members should take comfort in knowing that the historical events related to overnight loss of air medical transportation services are a thing of the past." Keller said. Black and Keller both credit support from City of Williston
leadership and CHI St. Alexius President Garrick Hyde for their roles in making the Williston Care Flight operation a reality. Williston Care Flight also received support from the Williston Economic Development STAR Fund to assist with staffing costs.
"A really big kudos is due to the Williston City Commission, the Fire Department and the hospital leadership team," Black said.
"This truly has been a collaborative effort for the betterment of the community and the surrounding region."
Chief Clark added that he is beyond grateful to the leadership team that made this happen. “We now have a fixed-wing asset and EMS career progression pathway that is here to stay,” said Chief Clark.
Free Learning Series ‘Confluence Learning Lab’ begins at Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center
STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NORTH DAKOTA
Students ages 8-18 are invited to the “Confluence Learning Lab,” a new monthly program exploring the rich history and natural wonders of the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center and Fort Buford State Historic Site near Williston. The first program, “Identifying Animal Tracks,” is Saturday, Feb. 22, from 2-3 p.m. central time, in the Learning Lab. All sessions are free and open to the public.
This STEAM adventure explores the art of identifying and interpreting animal tracks in the snow. Learn how to observe and analyze animal behavior, apply scientific principles to track patterns and engage in creative problem-solving by venturing outside to decode the stories left in the snow. Dress warmly.
In every session, we will address a different topic that integrates North Dakota school standards to ensure an educational experience that blends history, nature, science and creativity. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, contact Education Outreach Coordinator Cheyenne Teal at shsbuford@nd.gov or 701-572-9034. The Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center is part of Fort Buford State Historic Site managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. CT; and closed Sunday-Monday. Fort Buford is currently closed. Find information about upcoming programs of the State Historical Society at history.nd.gov/events.
North Dakota
House votes to defund North Dakota public broadcasting, sends bill to Senate
JEFF BEACH NORTH DAKOTA MONITOR
North Dakota members of the House on Monday voted to defund Prairie Public Broadcasting, with one lawmaker citing it as in line with federal cost-cutting.
The House Appropriations Committee had recommended continuing to fund Prairie Public with $1.2 million for the biennium. But House Bill 1255, sponsored by Rep. Jorin Johnson, R-Fargo, passed the House on Monday with a 48-41 vote, cutting the funding.
The bill prevents state officials from providing state or federal funding to Prairie Public. It will move on to the state Senate, which also will take up the bill.
Rep. SuAnn Olson, R-Baldwin, noted the House minutes earlier had passed a bill creating the North Dakota version of Department of Government Efficiency that has been generating headlines for the Trump administration.
“This may be our first opportunity to start looking for ef-
ficiencies,” Olson said. “Our hope would be that we’re not continually finding something that has the ability to fly on its own.”
Supporters of the bill noted that Prairie Public has significant backing from members and from charitable gambling.
Rep. Brandy Pyle, R-Casselton, said the bill wasn’t necessary and expressed reservations about the Legislature cutting off federal funding. She said the Legislature has the ability to address Prairie Public’s funding level in the budget for the Office of Management and Budget.
In written testimony, Linda Mork, education services manager for Prairie Public in Fargo, said cutting the funding would impact the organization’s educational mission.
“The loss of funding would not only affect educators but also students across the state, especially those in underserved communities,” she said.
Johnson said that the explosion of digital media sources means that Prairie Public is now just one of many sources of news and programming for North Dakotans.
Prairie Public CEO and Pres-
ident John Harris testified in committee that Prairie Public would continue to operate with the fund-
ing, but likely with less local programming. This article is republished from
the North Dakota Monitor. Read the full version at northdakotamonitor. com
Leonard Peltier Released After Presidential Clemency, Returning to North Dakota
Leonard Peltier, an 80-year-old Native American activist and member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, has been released from a Florida prison following the commutation of his life sentence by President Joe Biden. Peltier, who has consistently maintained his innocence, is returning to North Dakota to reside on his tribal land.
In 1977, Peltier was convicted for the 1975 murders of two FBI agents during a confrontation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Despite his conviction, Peltier has long asserted that he did not commit the crimes. Over the years, his case has attracted widespread attention, with numerous supporters—including tribal leaders, human rights organizations and notable public figures—advocating for his release. They argue that Peltier was wrongfully convicted and highlight concerns about prosecutorial misconduct, such as the withholding
of critical evidence.
President Biden's decision to commute Peltier's sentence came in the final days of his administration. The commutation allows Peltier to serve the remainder of his sentence under home confinement but does not pardon the underlying conviction. This move has been met with both praise and criticism.
Supporters view it as a long-overdue act of justice, while opponents, including current and former FBI officials, see it as a betrayal to the families of the slain agents.
Upon his release, Peltier was greeted by a group of supporters outside the prison in Coleman, Fla. He was then transported to his home state of North Dakota, where a homecoming celebration is planned on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. Family members, including his sister Sheila Peltier, expressed joy and relief at his release, noting the significance of the day for their family and supporters worldwide.
Peltier's case has been a focal
point for discussions on Native American rights and the U.S. justice system. His incarceration has been cited by many as a symbol of the systemic injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in the United States. Over the decades, various appeals for clemency were made on his behalf, including from figures such as the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela. Despite previous denials of parole and clemency, advocates persisted in their efforts, culminating in the recent commutation of his sentence.
As Peltier transitions to life outside prison walls, he is expected to spend his remaining years surrounded by family and community members. While his release marks the end of a nearly 50-year-long incarceration, discussions about his case and its broader implications for justice and Indigenous rights are likely to continue.
This article was written with information collected from NBC, AP, Reuters and The Guardian.
Billions of Dollars at Stake for Farmers Hit by Trump Funding Freeze, Pause on Foreign Aid
ALLISON WINTER NORTH DAKOTA MONITOR
Farmers across the U.S. face economic turmoil as President Donald Trump’s executive orders halt federal funding for key farm programs. Despite assurances that individual payments wouldn’t stop and a court order to resume them, many farmers remain in limbo, awaiting billions in promised aid.
Missouri cattle producer Skylar Holden invested $50,000 into a USDA-approved project, only to be told that payments were frozen. “I just started running numbers in my head … trying to figure out how I could make this work,” Holden shared during a TikTok live, expressing little confidence he’d see the funds.
Farm advocacy groups report similar concerns nationwide, with farmers hesitant to speak out publicly. Rob Larew of the National Farmers Union noted the funding freeze is leaving farmers uncertain about business decisions and critical USDA program obligations.
Trump’s freeze on Inflation Reduction Act programs halted $20 billion in conservation funding, while other orders paused foreign aid and dismantled USAID, which purchases grains for global food programs and funds agricultural research.
Colorado farmer Roy Pfaltzgraff said lenders now refuse to count his federal contracts as income, fearing payments won’t come through. USAID’s shutdown also threatens grain prices, as its purchases previously absorbed surplus crops.
The freeze abruptly ended research at 19 land-grant univer-
sity labs, including the University of Illinois’ Soybean Innovation Lab, which announced its closure mid-project due to loss of funding.
Farmers also face broader economic challenges, from falling crop prices to delayed farm bill reauthorization. Texas rancher Alisha Schwertner testified before Congress that inflation and supply chain issues are tightening credit options for family farms.
Despite a federal order to unfreeze Inflation Reduction Act programs, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the termination of 78 contracts and is reviewing 1,000 more for potential cuts, prolonging uncertainty for farmers nationwide.
Originally published by North Dakota Monitor and edited for length. Read the full article at northdakotamonitor.com.
Republicans Worry GOP-led States Will Suffer from Trump’s Firings of Federal Workers
JENNIFER SHUTT NORTH DAKOTA MONITOR
Some Republicans are raising concerns about how reducing the federal workforce and canceling spending approved by Congress will affect GOP-leaning regions.
Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski warned that more than 100 federal workers in her state could be impacted, harming energy projects, wildfire management, and tourism. She supported reducing government but criticized the abrupt cuts for causing confusion and harming civil servants.
Kevin R. Kosar of the American Enterprise Institute noted that cuts to government employees could hit many Republican districts. While cost-cutting can improve efficiency, he cautioned against sloppy reductions that harm productivity.
Most federal workers—2.3 million—are located outside Washington, D.C., and are key to rural economies. Pew Research Center data shows that less than a fifth work in the capital region. The federal government is the nation’s largest employer, surpassing Walmart, Amazon, and McDon-
ald’s.
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen urged the Navy to exempt workers at Maine’s Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from cuts, citing economic impact and national security.
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy opposed cuts to FBI agents, highlighting their importance to state law enforcement. University leaders in states like Oklahoma are warning Congress that proposed NIH funding caps would harm medical research and patient care.
Kansas Republicans U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran introduced legislation to protect the Food for Peace program, which supports U.S. farmers and provides global food aid. In toss-up House districts, federal job cuts could influence upcoming elections. Arizona’s 6th District (Rep. Juan Ciscomani), Iowa’s 1st District (Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks), and Pennsylvania’s 10th District (Rep. Scott Perry) are among areas with large numbers of federal workers.
Originally published by North Dakota Monitor and edited for length. Read the full article at northdakotamonitor.com.
Job Listings & Classifieds
The Housing Authority Of the City of Williston
7. Outburst
8. Man-eating giants
9. New Hampshire
10. Type of sword
11. Counting
13. Pants style
15. Political action committee
17. U.S. government legislative branch
18. Civil Rights Act component
21. Contractors take one
23. Spanish soldier
24. A person's brother or sister
27. Expressed pleasure
29. Song of praise
32. Shock treatment
34. Patti Hearst's captors
35. Counteract
36. Goes over again
39. Popular Dodge truck
40. Male adult
43. A part of a river where the current is very fast
44. Rope used to lasso
46. Become less intense
47. Subway rodent
49. Lead alloy
51. Japanese honorific title
54. Advise someone
59. Famous NYC museum
60. Ocean
61. Cathode-ray tube
62. Cologne
64. It starts with these two
The Housing Authority of the City of Williston is now accepting applications for 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom, and 4 bedroom units. *Income, eligibility, and admission preferences apply. Applications are available at The Housing Authority of the City of Williston located at 1801 8th Ave West Williston, ND 58801 Monday-Friday 9am - 4pm (701) 572-2006
Through a Lutheran Lens
COLD AS ICE: HEAVEN’S POLAR OPPOSITE
PASTOR ZACH HARRIS FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
“Minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit,” is what my weather app read as the low potential temperature for three days in a row. “Cold as Hell!” was the interpretation I heard for more than a few individuals. And though I think they were using the term in a less than theological sense, I immediately had to concur—at least in part—recognizing two points: our Biblical understandings, but more relevantly the imaging derived from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, specifically: The Inferno. Confused yet? We’ll get there in a second.
When one considers what the opposite of Heaven might be like, the usual image is of fire and brimstone (you know that sulfur that gives off that “wonderful” odor), which was actually derived from a garbage heap outside of Jerusalem that was constantly
burning. But Dante’s journey follows Virgil all the way down the various circles of hell to its very center. It is a long journey filled with biblical, historical, political and literary allusions before one reaches the heart of the matter. At the very center of his description is a giant lake of ice in which is frozen by the terrible Lucifer who is described with three mouths, each of which is continuously chewing the worst sinners in Dante’s journey: the betrayers. To the left and right are Brutus and Cassius who historically are the ones who betrayed the earthly government represented by their assassination of Julius Caesar (likely just see your high school English class’s one remembered Shakespearean Latin quote: “Et tu, Brute?”). But in the center is the worst of the worst, Judas, who betrayed Jesus—who betrayed God himself! And to emphasize even more, Judas is the only one in the mouth head first!
So, here’s the double twist, whereas one might expect the negative afterlife to be filled with
murders and thieves doing the backstroke in the “Lake of Fire” (my personal favorite among possible names for a non-grace-based, judgmental, holier-than-thou institutions), it is suggested rather that it is an overwhelming cold that will suffice, indeed the literal polar opposite of heaven’s warming Sonshine. And it is those who betray first and foremost the goodness of the Lord, Jesus, and secondly those who betray the care of their fellow citizens on earth. As Jesus himself summarizes: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)
But, two questions still remain for this week. The first is, why might we believe that cold is the opposite of heaven? “Science!” is quite simply the answer. Heaven is Life. Hell is Death. And in
absolute terms, Absolute Zero equals death. Absolute Zero is really COLD! It’s so cold even molecules themselves lose all motion. It’s so absolutely cold, it’s really a hypothetical that can only be approached but not reached. Oh yeah, and that’s 0 degrees on the Kelvin scale, which you probably remember is -273.15 on the Celsius scale, but actually -459.67 on the Fahrenheit scale. That’s pretty much when Death wins, and the betrayal is complete—but the final scene isn’t good for anyone.
The second question might be, is it really “As cold as hell?” By my calculation, we were heading in that direction, but we still had over 425 degrees to go. So, we were actually relatively balmy! And yeah, we’ve got forces at work working hard at betraying Jesus’ commandment to simply LOVE! They may think they can keep the first part about loving God while betraying the other passengers on this spaceship “Earth” (which fortunately has got that Sun-heater keeping us warm and toasty above the universal average out there in
space). But you know that’s just Lucifer chomping at the bit (or at the Judases) to trick ‘em on down to that final circle. Because just like any parent, God doesn’t take kindly to how you mis-treat his kids. And as far as I know God created every-thing and every-one. So, watch out picking on that weakling kid—you might not want to deal with their Dad! So, before you get too dismissive of either the weather, or your neighbor, of being “as cold as hell,” consider the theological implications. Maybe pray for each. And maybe thank God that there is the warmth of the Sun to warm the earth, and the Son to warm maybe even the coldest heart. Besides, summer’s coming. And isn’t that a heavenly thought?
Pastor Zach Harris has been an ordained minister for 33 years and currently serves First Lutheran Church in Williston. His column, “Through a Lutheran Lens: A Pastor’s Perspective,” will appear regularly in the Williston Graphic.
