The Daily Press http://www.times-online.com http://www.times-online.com/apfeed.xml--1 Copyright The Daily Press 2012-02-03T16:24:07-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25812012-02-03T16:24:07-05:002012-02-03T16:22:55-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordAccording to father Lucas Aufenkamp, the transplant surgery took six hours and the surgeon reported that everything had gone very well. The surgeon told the family that the extent of the disease in her liver indicated that she was in far worse condition than they had originally believed, which could result in a more drawn out recovery process. Malley was out of surgery and in her intensive care room by 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 7. Malley was born with a rare condition in which the bile ducts exiting the liver are improperly formed, which results in bile being trapped in the liver. The effects on the liver are devastating, ultimately requiring a transplant. "We first found out she was sick at 6 weeks old, and after a year, it looks like she'll be going forward healthy," Lucas said from Minneapolis Thursday."Since her surgery four weeks ago, after getting out of intensive care she has gained two pounds of real weight," Lucas said. "She's doing really, really well. The disease that cost her her first liver is gone now, so unless there's setbacks with this new organ, she'll be just fine." Over the past six months Malley had been fed exclusively through a feeding tube, according to Lucas. On the day she was moved out of the ICU, he asked if they could try to feed her with a bottle. They had been told that she would go home with the feeding tube still in place and that they could expect a lengthy struggle training her to eat by mouth. After the reintroduction of the bottle, Malley never again had to be fed with a feeding tube. She is eating five to seven ounces through a bottle with every feeding. Her mother described Malley’s eating habits, saying, “she wants to eat all the time.”"The doctor told us that after such a difficult road, going forward will be quite easy," Lucas said. "It'll just be medication. After a lot of setbacks, she's just much, much easier to take care of now. We're looking forward to getting back to a normal life."On Jan. 25, Lucas took Malley in for a follow up appointment with the transplant surgeon. At that follow up appointment the transplant surgeon told Lucas that Jan. 28 would be the target for Malley to return to Valley City, just three weeks after her transplant. Her dad questioned the surgeon, reminding him that the family had initially been told to expect a two-to-three-month stay. The surgeon responded that Malley’s condition following the transplant was “very unusual, not following the norm.”Since that appointment with the surgeon, Malley’s blood tests suggested the need for several extra days in the Minneapolis area. Presently, she is expected to return home sometime this weekend."We called the doctor to see if they'd let us come home a day earlier, we're getting kind of antsy here," Lucas said. "Today or tomorrow, we'll be on our way."An email message from the family expressed their gratitude for the support of the community, saying, “Jen and I would like to thank the residents of the Valley City area for joining us in prayer for Malley and for the benefit, which has taken a tremendous burden off our shoulders. We would also like to thank our respective places of employment for the understanding which they have displayed while we have been away. That also has lightened the burden. We are amazed at the change we have seen in our daughter. It seems like we have a new little girl and a new life. We are so thankful that God provided an escape for our little girl and an opportunity for her to grow in health.” Valley City, NDErica DoornekMalley thriving after liver transplantValley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2581Change0Usable2012-02-03T16:22:55-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25772012-02-03T09:54:42-05:002012-02-03T09:54:42-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordHager was recently nominated for an Academy of Western Artists award in the "Western Music - Male" category, and attended the awards show in Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 26. As one of five award hopefuls, he stood a very good chance of receiving national recognition for his music. "I took my family with," Hager said, "So my heart's beating, and my kids are like, 'Dad, when are you up?' It's just that anticipation of 'what if?' you know. I've worked hard for this, everybody on the list is well deserving of it, but it could be me."They read the five names, everybody was recognized, and the envelope was torn open, and the winner was...somebody else," Hager said with a laugh."But just the thrill of having been a finalist; the work, the music I write and the performances I have all culminated in the award show. It's the thought that, 'Oh! I almost made it!'"Hager said the Academy of Western Artists is more of a traditional heritage preservation society. "They try to find who encompasses all the aspects of preserving a western heritage through music," he said.In addition to the vocal aspect, the academy also recognizes saddlemakers, bootmakers, woodcarvers and other visual artists.Hager has been singing and performing for 33 years, but only began recording albums in 2009, when he quit his full-time job to pursue a musical career. Although he does work numerous part-time jobs to pay the bills, including construction, driving school bus, sales, and computer consulting, music remains his top priority."I decided what I really wanted to do, and put more effort and time into it," he said. The free time allows him to concentrate on creating music and the networking that is so essential for entertainers. Hager plays roughly 115 concerts per year, and he sold 600 CDs last year in his travels around the country."I'm building a reputation and building the fact that what I do is different from anything else," he said.He describes his style as western and country, saying he most often gets compared to George Strait and other classic country stars."It's the stories of life living and love; more so than just the 'bar and the pickup, the dog died, the woman left'," he said. "It's to the point, celebrating the fact that we have heritage and history and telling creative stories in a way people can relate to."My roots are in Valley City, growing up here, I've always had this area in my blood," Hager said, adding that his style is different from some artists because he only plays songs he has written. "I am 100 percent original."Hager will play at the Frozen Fingers Festival this weekend in Minot with a 5-piece band. His backing musicians are also locally grown, featuring a steel guitar player from Page, a fiddle and mandolin player from Jamestown, a guitarist from Jamestown, and a bass player and drummer from Valley City.In a nod to his hometown heritage, Hager is slated as the opening act for the Garth Brooks tribute concert "World According to Garth" on Mar. 3 at the Winter Show Event Center, and will perform on the free stage at the North Dakota Winter Show the following weekend. The "Garth" concert will be his first experience as an opener for a larger musical act, and Hager said it is a huge opportunity for his career. "You want everything to be perfect, but the other side of it is just to be relaxed so it's very comfortable for everybody. "This will be my fourth straight year performing at the Winter Show," he said. "It's exciting to be asked to come back; what I do draws enough folks that they keep asking me back."Having grown up in Valley City attending concerts at the Winter Show since he was young, Hager said it is "very rewarding" to be on the other side as a performer.After two back-to-back recording sessions in Nashville last May, Hager released his fourth and fifth albums: a Christmas-themed disc titled "Night of New Beginnings" and "In The Valley Below", a CD of country originals."To be in a studio setting with a producer who's made tens of thousands of albums over the years, it's exciting to have the best acoustics and the best equipment available. And everyone's there to make the album the best they can - you're the superstar." Hager said that he hopes the music will "pick up" in 2012, enough to where he will no longer have to do odd jobs. The goal is to get half of his income to be from the music, and to continue to book concerts to get his name out to the public. The support of his native Valley City, Hager said, is part of the reason he chose to move back and make his home base here."It's that whole Valley City mentality of what a small town can do for you," he said. "If you know where your roots are, wherever you go, that's who you are. Valley City, NDErica DoornekLife, living and love: Hager building a solid country reputationValley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2577Change0Usable2012-02-03T09:54:42-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25762012-02-02T17:12:18-05:002012-02-02T17:12:18-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordAgenda:Call to orderAdditions to the agendaApproval of minutesApproval of billsDirectors report:-Upcoming events-State Board meeting reportCommittee reportsOld business-Building projects-Policies-2012-2013 calendarNew business-Community Olympics/raffle-National Technical Honor Society-Sophomore visits-Business manager evaluation-Director evaluation-other itemsValley City, NDNo author availableSheyenne Valley Area Career and Technology Center Board meeting agenda for Feb. 9 Valley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2576Change0Usable2012-02-02T17:12:18-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25702012-02-01T14:45:45-05:002012-02-01T14:45:45-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordValley City, NDDavid LuessenState Water Commission meeting agenda for Thursday, Feb. 2Valley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2570Change0Usable2012-02-01T14:45:45-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25612012-01-31T10:16:37-05:002012-01-31T10:16:37-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordFORT YATES, N.D. – The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the states of North Dakota and South Dakota signed an historic agreement to work together to improve traffic safety for their citizens. Officials with the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the South Dakota Department of Public Safety affirmed the joint pact agreement with leaders of the Standing Rock Tribe on Monday, Jan. 30, during a ceremony at Fort Yates, N.D. “Today marks a milestone in our efforts to provide safe roads for everyone,” says NDDOT Director Francis Ziegler. “By working together with these and other partners to make safe driving a priority, we can save lives across both North and South Dakota.” According to South Dakota Office of Highway Safety Director Lee Axdahl, the document recognizes the benefits that the members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and all the citizens of North Dakota and South Dakota can realize through enhanced cooperation and partnership among our respective governments to improve traffic safety conditions on public roadways. Chairman of the Tribal Economics Committee Duane Claymore, Pete Red Tomahawk of Tribal Transportation Planning and Development, North Dakota DOT Director Francis Ziegler, South Dakota Office of Highway Safety Director Lee Axdahl and tribal representatives participated in the ceremonial signing. The agreement symbolizes a common commitment to improve traffic safety on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The agreement envisions culturally appropriate traditional media, social media and local outreach events promoting safe traffic practices and behaviors. A focus will be placed on efforts to increase seatbelt use and reduce the incidence of speeding and impaired driving. State officials will work with the tribe to complete and update a Tribal Strategic Highway Safety Plan aimed at reducing fatal and serious injury crashes on the reservation. Valley City, NDNo author availableStanding Rock Tribe, North Dakota and South Dakota officials sign Traffic Safety Agreement Valley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2561Change0Usable2012-01-31T10:16:37-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25562012-01-30T15:23:56-05:002012-01-30T15:06:46-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordOn that day, one of those who have clicked on the “like” button during the drawing will be randomly selected and become the owner of the new iPod.The winner will be announced Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, in the Valley City Times-Record and on our Facebook page.The Times-Record Facebook page provides up-to-the-minute local sports scores, links to interesting articles at www.times-online.com and insights from the Times-Record news staff.The prize is being supplied by Valley City’s Appliance City, 1118 West Main St. The business has also donated an armband for the iPod to make it easier for the winner to use while walking or on the run.Valley City, NDPaul Riemerman New iPod prize in Facebook drawingValley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2556Change0Usable2012-01-30T15:06:46-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25452012-01-27T15:34:39-05:002012-01-27T15:34:39-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordAgenda:Call to orderApproval of minutes from December 14, 2011 meetingOld businessDecisions from Barnes County CommissionPersonal Computers at workTracking of Dispatch – Dispatch/Police Department DutiesJob DescriptionsNew BusinessBob Koepplin – Dispatch GeneratorNorton Lovold – Mapping Maintenance ContractPublic Service Answering Point Contract Renewal OptionsSecretary for ESCS Committee Valley City, NDNo author availableBarnes County Emergency Services Advisory Committee agenda for Feb. 1 meetingValley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2545Change0Usable2012-01-27T15:34:39-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25442012-01-27T12:41:10-05:002012-01-27T12:41:10-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordValley City High School's vocal and instrumental musicians will serve up the 24th Annual Cafe Concert on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Hi-Liner Activity Center, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 and 31."The brainchild I came up with was that the concert songs could be offered as a menu," said junior and senior high choir director Sheila Zinke. "It's hard to find songs about food that teenagers want to sing, so we let them pick the music for their ensembles."Four genres will be represented in the concert: musicals, country, pop ballads, and rock and roll in the form of appetizers, soups and salads, main dish and dessert, respectively.Zinke said this is the first year the concert is adopting an all-out food theme, to coordinate with an help kick off the Barnes County Historical Society's "Key Ingredients: America by Food" Smithsonian exhibit. The music for the show was chosen last fall, and students started practicing in the middle of December, Zinke said. Each musical number is choreographed, and two stages are set up at each end of the Hi-Liner Activity Center."The entertainment just goes from stage to stage," said Zinke. "It's a nice jam-packed evening full of music. The concert is really Valley City's signature event."All of VCHS's choirs and ensembles will be featured, and the VCHS jazz band will perform before the shows and after intermission. Valley City sixth, seventh and eighth graders are also getting involved in the concert. Each grade will provide the opening number on a different day of the concert. Zinke said some of their songs will include "Be Our Guest" from "Beauty and the Beast", and "Food, Glorious Food" from the musical "Oliver".Tickets are available by calling the VCHS office at 845-0483, but "plenty of good seats" are available at the door, according to Zinke. Tickets are $6 per table, $5 for adult bleacher seats and $4 for student bleacher seats.Valley City, NDErica DoornekCafe Concert is served Sunday Valley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2544Change0Usable2012-01-27T12:41:10-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25422012-01-26T16:20:58-05:002012-01-26T16:20:58-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordThe deadline for comments is Jan. 31.The operating plan can be found at:Standing Instructions to the Project Manager for Water Controlhttp://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/docs/tolna/final/Standing_Instructions.pdfComments may be sent to:Steven Clark or Bill CsajkoArmy Corps of Engineers 180 E. Fifth St., Suite 700St. Paul, MN 55101-1678Clark:steven.j.clark@usace.army.mil(651) 2905278Csajko:william.l.csajko@usace.army.milValley City, NDDavid LuessenDeadline for public input on Tolna Coulee control structure operating plan draws nearValley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2542Change0Usable2012-01-26T16:20:58-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:25342012-01-25T08:41:17-05:002012-01-25T00:13:11-05:00Copyright 2011 Valley City Times RecordWerkhoven garnered 56.7% of the vote to Dean Ross's 43.3%, while Magnuson had 51.8% of total votes to Ken Evenson's 48.2%.The polls at City Hall closed at 7 p.m., and just 4 hours later, the unofficial winners were declared by the election canvassing board. Election results will not become official until all ballots are reviewed by the election canvassing board, which is set to meet Jan. 30. Werkhoven and Magnuson will take office after the canvassing board's official approval of the election results.Valley City, NDErica DoornekThe votes are in - Werkhoven, Magnuson unofficial winnersValley City Times Recordurn:publicid:dailypress.com:2534Change0Usable2012-01-25T00:13:11-05:00