Author: Jim Monk

Police identify body found in Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) – Police in Grand Forks say a body found in an alley near a night club Thursday afternoon has been identified as 26-year-old Anthony Valdez. Valdez was last seen on Sunday in the downtown area by Level 10 Night Club at 10 3rd St. N. Police say there are no obvious signs of trauma, but say…

BIA officer dismissed from wrongful death lawsuit

BISMARCK, N.D. – One of two Bureau of Indian Affairs officers has been dismissed from a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man who was fatally shot on the Standing Rock Reservation in 2017. A federal judge has signed an order dismissing Gary Sandland Jr. from the lawsuit filed by the family of George “Ryan” Gipp…

Man pleads guilty after residents fed marijuana brownies

TYNDALL, S.D. (AP) – A South Dakota man has pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge after his mother unknowingly served his marijuana-laced brownies to a group of residents at the Tabor Community Center. Forty-six-year-old Michael Koranda appeared at the Bon Homme County Courthouse Tuesday where he waived his preliminary hearing and entered the plea. As part of a plea…

Sale of largest coal plant in North Dakota reapproved

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – Great River Energy’s cooperatives have once again approved the sale of the company’s Coal Creek power plant in North Dakota and an accompanying power line, despite opposition from its largest member. The sale of Coal Creek, near Underwood, North Dakota, was initially approved last June with 27 member co-ops voting in favor and Connexus Energy, of…

Fargo judge will not run for Attorney General

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – A district judge in Fargo has decided not to seek the Republican nomination for attorney general. East-Central District Judge Wade Webb had considered the race, but he says after careful family and other considerations, he decided against it. Webb was an Assistant Cass County State’s Attorney for seven years until he was appointed to the bench by then-Gov….

Update: Emerson blockade continues, RCMP wants meeting with organizers

EMERSON, Manitoba (KVRR) – The Royal Canadian Mounted Police says at least 50 vehicles are being used in a blockade that began early Thursday at the Emerson Manitoba Port of Entry, just north of Pembina, North Dakota. RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigre says the vehicles include semis, pickups, farm equipment, Bobcat skid steers and snowmobiles. Manaigre says the RCMP is planning…

Judge restores protections for gray wolves across much of U.S.

BILLINGS, Mont. – A judge has restored federal protections for gray wolves across much of the U.S. after they were removed in the waning days of the Trump administration. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said in Thursday’s ruling that the Fish and Wildlife Service failed to show wolf populations could be sustained in the Midwest and portions of the West…

City council okays conditional use permit, Casselton grocery store to close

CASSELTON, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – The only grocery store in Casselton will close.  The city council, following the recommendation of the planning and zoning board, has approved a conditional use permit for the Wangler Foods building. Owner Fred Wangler decided to sell the building, which opened in 2005.  He cited a loss in customers to Dollar General as one factor, despite…

Blockade shuts down Emerson Port of Entry, just north of Pembina, North Dakota

(Winnipeg Alternative Media)EMERSON, Manitoba (KVRR) – Truck drivers have set up a blockade just north of Pembina, North Dakota, at the Emerson, Manitoba Port of Entry. A Canada Border Services employee at the Emerson Port of Entry tells KVRR news that travelers heading into Canada are still able to cross the border, but will not be able to get beyond…