Crime

Authorities Searching for Woman who Escaped State Hospital in Jamestown

A white, Chevy Tahoe with chrome rims, was stolen from the area around the same time

JAMESTOWN, ND — A woman has escaped from the North Dakota State Hospital in Jamestown. Desiree McKay, 33, left through a fenced outdoor enclosure at an addiction treatment unit around 3:30. A white, Chevy Tahoe with chrome rims, was stolen from the area around the same time. It has North Dakota license plates 917 BCE. If you spot her, call…

Local Farmer Calls Authorities on FM Diversion Worker

He says he has a court order preventing any diversion-related work on his land

  CASS COUNTY, ND — The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was called this morning about F-M Diversion workers. Richard Cossette says the contractor came onto his property south of Horace. He says he has a court order preventing any diversion-related work on his land. Cossette says the contractor left voluntarily. He has maintained that his appraisal is far below what was…

High Risk Sex Offender Moves to Horace

Travis Lauckner, 37, is living at 407 Nelson Drive

HORACE, ND — A high risk sex offender is now living in Horace. Travis Lauckner, 37, is living at 407 Nelson Drive. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says Lauckner was convicted in 2011 in Cass County of the sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl and spent about four years in prison. When he was 17, Lauckner had a sexual relationship…

Archambault Acquitted for Early Protests of DAPL

Archambault is running for re-election

  MORTON COUNTY, ND — Dave Archambault has been acquitted of charges filed during early protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. The Standing Rock Sioux tribal chairman and Tribal Councilman Dana Yellow Fat were both found not guilty during their trial on disorderly conduct charges. The men were arrested last August for allegedly pushing back against a line of…

Flight Attendant Pleads Guilty to Interfering with Aircraft, Avoids Prison

He said he wanted to be recognized as a hero

  BISMARCK, ND — A flight attendant from Arizona accused of making bogus bomb threats on two flights will not be going to prison. Justin Cox-Sever, 23, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Bismarck to interfering with an aircraft. He said he wanted to be recognized as a hero. The judge gave him up to five months in a…

Supporters of Legalized Recreational Marijuana Working to Get Issue to North Dakota Voters

Supporters of legalizing marijuana fell short on petition signatures in 2016

  GRAND FORKS, ND — Proponents of legalizing recreational marijuana in North Dakota are planning another attempt to get the issue to voters. Dave Owens, of Grand Forks, said they’re finalizing a draft of a proposal to be filed with the Secretary of State’s office this fall. Once the petition is approved, signatures for a ballot measure can be gathered…

The Ashley Hunter Trial: Prosecution, Defense Rest on Same Day, Closing Arguments Friday

The defense only took minutes to present their case before resting

  FARGO, ND — The prosecution and defense have both rested in the double murder trial of Fargo man, Ashley Hunter. The prosecution took eight days to argue their case in front of a jury but the defense rested only minutes after the prosecution did. Hunter is accused of killing Clarence Flowers and Samuel Traut, both of Fargo, as well…

Sex Offender Residing In Horace, ND

36 year old Travis Lauckner is living at 407 Nelson Drive.

Horace, ND – The Cass County Sheriff’s office informed the public that a high risk sex offender is residing in Horace, ND. 36 year old Travis Lauckner is living at 407 Nelson Drive. In 1997, when he was 17, he was convicted of having a sexual relationship with a 14 year old female. In 2011, Lauckner was convicted of sexual…

The Ashley Hunter Trial: DNA Analyst Links Victim’s Neighbor to Evidence

The analyst said trace DNA of one of Traut's neighbors was found on Ashley Hunter's socks

FARGO, ND — DNA takes center stage at the double murder trial of Ashley Hunter at the Cass County Courthouse. Some DNA samples hint at a former neighbor of one of the victims. After the victims’ bodies were found, blood samples from their clothes and nearby items were taken in for DNA tests. Kyle Splichil, a DNA analyst for the…

Cause of Minot Recycling Plant Fire Still Unknown

It produced heavy smoke that could be seen for miles

  MINOT, ND — Authorities say they will never know what started a large fire at a Minot recycling business, though they have some theories. The blaze at Earth Recycling broke out around noon on May 18. It produced heavy smoke that could be seen for miles. Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Ken Sisk says he couldn’t pinpoint the exact…