Author: Jim Monk

Fire damages home near Chaffee, North Dakota, three people escape

(Casselton Fire Dept.)CASS COUNTY N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – A home near Chaffee, North Dakota was heavily damaged by fire early Thursday. Chaffee is about 15 miles southwest of Casselton. Casselton Assistant Fire Chief Adrian Kieffer says firefighters responded to a report of a house fire about 4:30 a.m. west of Chaffee but the firefighters cancelled the call as it turned out…

Mapleton, North Dakota mayor arrested, charged in crash that seriously injured passenger

Andrew DraegerDETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR) – The mayor of Mapleton, North Dakota has been arrested following a crash that severely injured a passenger in a truck he was driving on Sunday near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Thirty-five-year-old Andrew Draeger is charged with two counts of felony criminal vehicular operation. Court documents say Becker County deputies responded to a crash Sunday afternoon…

Layoffs hit NDSU’s Northern Crops Institute

FARGO (KVRR) – A number of employees were laid off this week from NDSU’s Northern Crops Institute. Interim Co-Director David Boehm says the layoffs affected five full-time employees and seven hourly employees. Boehm says for several years, the Institute grew rapidly, but over time, that growth didn’t generate the revenue necessary to cover expenses. He also says post-pandemic inflation affected…

Lt. Governor Tammy Miller joins race for North Dakota governor

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – North Dakota Lt. Governor Tammy Miller is running for governor. In a campaign email, Miller said she is “vowing to build on the successes of the Burgum administration and keep North Dakota’s growth and success going.” “As Lt. Governor, I worked with Governor Burgum to grow the economy, cut taxes, balance budgets, reduce regulation and fight…

Dakota Prairie School District teacher accused of sexually assaulting students

Brendon ParsleyPETERSBURG, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – A long-time teacher, coach and school counselor in the Dakota Prairie School District in northeastern North Dakota has been charged with sexual assault, solicitation of a minor and luring by computer. Brendon Parsley of McVille, North Dakota was placed on administrative leave in December. The complaint, filed in Nelson County District Court, alleges that Parsley…

Moorhead receives $375,000 to fight emerald ash borer

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – The city of Moorhead has received a $375,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to help fight the spread of emerald ash borer. City officials say the grant will be used to purchase approximately 1,575 trees that will be planted by City Forestry crews and private contractors. EAB was discovered in early 2023 in…

Fire destroys historic Lutsen Lodge on North Shore

Courtesy, Lutsen ResortLUTSEN, Minn. (KQDS) – A devastating fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the Historic Lutsen Lodge. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a fire alarm at the resort around at 12:24 a.m. Staff from Lutsen Resort reported smoke coming from the floor in the lobby. The flames quickly grew to engulf the lodge. No guests…

North Dakota State Patrol using road flares to slow traffic

FARGO (KVRR-KFGO) – The North Dakota State Patrol has begun to use road flares at certain crash scenes to encourage approaching traffic to move over.  Capt. Bryan Niewind, who commands the patrol’s southeast region, said the flares emit a red flame and sparks and they’re effective.”They are, we’ve deployed them, they do have a time limit on them so when…