Local News

Cass County Electric Co-Op Teaches Workers New Safety Skills

The training is part of Electrical Safety Month

FARGO, N.D. — For several hours, line workers rose up in a bucket truck, scaled an electrical pole in tree–climbing spikes, and tried to save an 180–pound dummy from possible disaster. “They’re learning proper rigging, proper lifting skills, proper, you know, being able to bring them down safely, are just some of the main skills that they’re learning, and then also,…

Staying Safe in a Crash on the Highway

Some say it's best to not get out of your car

FARGO, N.D. — One of the first things people do when they get into an accident on the highway is get out of their car. “They want to get away from the damage, they want to make sure they’re ok, it’s a panic situation,” said Sgt. Tim Coughlin with the North Dakota State Highway Patrol (NDSHP). But even for state troopers,…

NDDOT Reminds People to Stay Cautious in Construction Zones

Last year there were no fatalities in construction work zones

WEST FARGO, N.D. — Last year, there were no work zone fatalities on North Dakota highways. The North Dakota Department of Transportation plans to keep it that way. They’re reminding everyone to slow down and minimize distractions while you’re driving during all the construction going on through summer. North Dakota DOT officials say the projects aren’t meant to inconvenience anyone, which…

Former Catholic Priest Accused of Molesting Brothers Changes Plea To Guilty

Fernando Sayasaya was accused of molesting the boys between 1995 and 1998

FARGO, N.D. — A former Catholic priest in Fargo and West Fargo has reached a plea deal and pleaded guilty to molesting two teenage brothers. 53-year-old Fernando Sayasaya was accused of molesting the boys between 1995 and 1998. He left the U.S. for the Philippines before he was charged. It took about 19 years before he was returned to this…

North Dakota DOT Installs New Tab-Printing Kiosks in Fargo, Grand Forks

People could update their registration cards, tabs in a matter of minutes

FARGO, N.D. — Drivers have a new opportunity to renew their motor vehicle tabs without having to go to the DMV. The North Dakota Department of Transportation opened up two self–service kiosks at Stamart locations in Fargo and Grand Forks. At these terminals, people can receive updated license plate renewal registration cards and motor vehicle tabs on the spot. “It is…

North Dakota Highway Patrol Has A New Superintendent

Maj. Brandon Solberg is succeeding the retiring Col. Michael Gerhart

BISMARCK, N.D. — A veteran of the North Dakota Highway Patrol will be its new superintendent. Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed Maj. Brandon Solberg to succeed the retiring Col. Michael Gerhart. Solberg has 22 years of law enforcement experience, most of them with the patrol. He started as a trooper in the northeastern part of the state before becoming a…

Former North Dakota Governor’s Mansion To Be Demolished On Friday

The former mansion was completed in 1960 and has been home to nine governors

BISMARCK, N.D. — The old North Dakota governor’s mansion will meet the wrecking ball on Friday. The ranch-style home has been replaced by an adjacent $5 million mansion that’s 13,500 square feet. The former mansion was completed in 1960 and has been home to nine governors. The new home is the third official residence built for North Dakota’s governors. The…

GoFundMe Account Started For Murdered Mother of Two

Family needs Money To Bring Nicole Gututala-Hoff's Body Back Home To Hawaii For Burial

JAMESTOWN, N.D. — An online account is raising money to return the body of a Jamestown woman killed by her ex-husband to her home state of Hawaii. Nicole Gututala-Hoff was waiting in her car to pick up her children from her ex-husband on Saturday. Kevin Hoff told police that he shot and killed Nicole before fleeing the scene. He later…

Governor Dayton Keeps His Promise And Vetoes Tax Code Bill

Dayton wants the Legislature to address his request for emergency aid to schools

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Mark Dayton has kept his promise and vetoed a bill that would have aligned Minnesota’s state tax code with federal changes passed last year. The Democratic governor rejected the bill passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature with about 20 grade-school students standing behind him at a St. Paul school. Dayton said the bill tilted toward the…

Cass County Jail Under Modified Lockdown

The jail is currently under full power from the local grid, but does not have the mandatory backup system available in the case of an unexpected power outage.

    FARGO, ND — The Cass County Jail is currently in a modified lockdown due to a failure of the backup power generator.  The jail is currently under full power from the local grid, but does not have the mandatory backup system available in the case of an unexpected power outage.  All inmates and staff are currently safe, and…