Archive - Sep 2012 - News Article
September 13th
Last week, Barnes County Highway Superintendent Kerry Johnson responded to a complaint that a campaign sign was posted in the county’s right of way along a county road, obstructing the view of oncoming traffic.
Johnson drove out to the area and noticed the field appeared in the county’s right of way as well. The right-of-way on the road extends 75 feet from the center and the edge of the field was 39 feet from the center.
Residents at The Legacy Place have the opportunity to show off their artistic abilities Friday during an “Art for the Ages” art exhibit open house.
The Legacy Place, an assisted living facility in Valley City, is hosting the event in honor of National Assisted Living Week, which began on Grandparent’s Day, Sept. 9, and continues until Saturday.
There are 1,109 students enrolled in Valley City Public Schools this year, who have several hundred parents or guardians. However, as the principals of the four schools in the district gave a presentation to parents and the general public about the district failing to meet federal academic requirements, only two parents showed up: School board member Rich Ross and St. Catherine’s fifth-grade teacher Dawn Ihry.
September 12th
The North Dakota Department of Transportation recently released the “2011 North Dakota Crash Summary” and the numbers are fairly grim.
“It’s getting worse,” Kasey Skalicki, Safe Communities coordinator with the Valley City-Barnes County Health District, said Tuesday. “In 2011 we had 148 motor vehicle deaths, which is 43 more than in 2010. We have been increasing steadily this year, we’re way ahead of time.”
Skalicki said seat belts and sober driving would have saved many of the lives lost on North Dakota roads in 2011 and 2012.
The old North Valley Bridge is set for demolition on Sept. 17 after serving the residents of Valley City and north central Barnes County, as well as thousands upon thousands of visitors to Lake Ashtabula over the past several decades.
The last vehicles crossed the bridge on the afternoon of Aug. 16, when traffic was then permanently switched over to the new, $2.4 million North Valley Bridge, built along the east side of the existing bridge.
For just $30, Valley City residents can have their vehicles cleaned, inside and out, by residents of the Open Door Center, which is a local organization that provides day, residential and vocational services for individuals with disabilities including children and adults with developmental disabilities, adults with mental illness and people with a traumatic brain injury.
The car wash program is run through a nonprofit company called Nish, which specializes in finding work for people with disabilities.
September 11th
Food that was planned for but never used at the canceled Wing and Wheels AirShow will be used at a memorial service for Robert Odegaard of Kindred, who died during a practice run Friday at the Barnes County Muncipal Airport.
The Fly In: Odegaard Pancakes event will take place at the Fargo Air Museum from 8 to 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Guests will be served the pancakes that were scheduled to be served Sunday during a fundraising breakfast at the airshow, said Toby McPherson, co-director of the airshow along with Barnes County Airport Authority clerk Lori Jury.
Valley City State University Concert Choir will hold its annual end-of-summer rummage sale on Saturday, which is the main fundraiser done by the choir.
Christopher Redfearn, director of choral activities who has a doctorate in music, said the sale is “our primary means to raise money for our fall and spring tours that the choir undertakes across North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.”
Some Barnes County residents who farm north of Sanborn will have to remain patient for a little while longer to resolve a 20-year-old water problem.
Potter Township Supervisor David Lettenmaier addressed the Barnes County Water Resource District Board on Monday to discuss the area about a mile outside of the city limits where water has been backed up since heavy rains and flooding in 1993.
The Natural Resource Conservation Service is currently conducting a survey on the area, which must be completed before any further steps can be taken.
September 10th
The National Weather Service office in Grand Forks has issued a critical fire watch in Barnes County for Monday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The watch was issued due to dry conditions and wind speeds ranging from 25 to 35 mph with the possibility for stronger gusts.
