Author: TJ Nelson

Head of Job Service North Dakota To Lead Commerce Department

Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Michelle Kommer to the position

BISMARCK, ND — The North Dakota Commerce Department has a new leader. Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Michelle Kommer to the position, effective January 1. She succeeds Jay Schuler, who resigned in October over a controversial email about then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Kommer currently serves as labor commissioner and head of Job Service. Burgum cited her leadership qualities, extensive private-sector…

Woman Hurt After Losing Control Of Vehicle On Ice And Getting Hit By Semi

The highway patrol says the crash happened around 3:15 Tuesday afternoon just south of Thompson

THOMPSON, ND — A Reynolds, North Dakota woman was hurt after losing control of her vehicle on I-29 and getting hit by a semi. The highway patrol says the crash happened around 3:15 Tuesday afternoon just south of Thompson. 30-year-old Jody Schall was taken to Altru with injuries. The semi driver from Lake Park was not hurt. The patrol says they…

“Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama” Stopping In St. Paul

The book is the best-seller of 2018 with 3 million copies sold

ST. PAUL, MN — Michelle Obama will make a stop in the Twin Cities next year while on tour for her best-selling memoir. “Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama” is coming to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on March 13. In her book, the former First Lady describes her journey from the South Side of Chicago to the…

Senate Passes Massive $867 Billion Farm Bill, Now Headed To The House

The mammoth package will fund key farm safety net programs for the next five years

WASHINGTON — The Senate has passed a massive new farm bill and it’s now headed to the House. The measure bears a price tag of $867 billion over 10 years. The bill passed in the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 87-13. The mammoth package will fund key farm safety net programs for the next five years without making significant changes…

Bodies of Ice-Fishing Neighbors Pulled From Fish Trap Lake

The men were reported missing Sunday evening after heading out on the lake north of Cushing

CUSHING, MN — Crews have recovered the bodies of two neighbors who died while ice-fishing on a lake in central Minnesota. The men were reported missing Sunday evening after heading out on Fish Trap Lake north of Cushing. Responders first found the body of 69-year-old Wayne Vaverek of Cushing. Despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Divers…

Six People Hurt In Crash By Rothsay, Driver Arrested

Kerry Gee of Gary, Indiana was arrested for impaired driving

ROTHSAY, MN — Six people, including four young children, were hurt in a crash Monday afternoon near Rothsay. The driver, 52-year-old Kerry Gee of Gary, Indiana, was arrested for impaired driving, pending the results of a blood test. Minnesota State Patrol says just before 2 p.m. near Rothsay, a car was eastbound on I-94 when it went off the road, struck…

Department of Transportation Letter Is Not A Scam

The purpose of the letter is to inform the driver that there was a request for their driving record

BISMARCK, ND — A letter that some people on social media think is a scam is actually not. The North Dakota Department of Transportation says this letter is in fact legitimate. The purpose of the letter is to inform the driver that there was a request for their driving record by an insurance company, current employer or prospective employer. State law…

Police Use Spike Strips To Stop Fleeing Driver In West Fargo

Spike strips were used to stop the vehicle at the intersection of Sheyenne and 32nd Avenue West

WEST FARGO, ND — A man who refused to stop for police in West Fargo is behind bars. Officers tried to stop 40-year-old Adam Montour for speeding around 1:30 this afternoon but he fled. Spike strips were used to stop his vehicle at the intersection of Sheyenne and 32nd Avenue West. Montour, who has no permanent address, was arrested for fleeing,…

Man Charged With Manslaughter In Hunting Death Appears In Court

Morris Dodd Jr. appeared for a hearing and will be back in court on January 7

BECKER COUNTY, MN — An Ogema, Minnesota man arrested in the shooting death of former Lake Park Police Chief Jay Nelson appears in court. 54-year-old Morris Dodd Jr. appeared for a hearing and will be back in court on January 7. He remains in custody in Becker County. Dodd faces 2nd degree manslaughter and felon in possession of a firearm charges….

Sex Offender Arrested After Admitting To Touching Girls In A Fergus Falls Store

Police identified the man as 39-year-old Joshua Solmon of Fergus Falls

FERGUS FALLS, MN — A Level 2 sex offender was arrested after admitting to intentionally touching two girls while at a store in Fergus Falls. The victims reported to police Friday night that a man had touched them while they were in the makeup aisle. Surveillance video in the store shows a man approaching the two girls. Police identified the man…