Commissioner John Strand

Commissioners talk about police chief search but stay quiet on potential litigation

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo city leaders gathered before tonight’s city commission meeting in a closed door session with the city attorney to discuss the potential for a lawsuit from Angela Lipps. The 50-year-old Tennessee woman was identified as a suspect in a bank fraud case in Fargo and jailed for nearly six months. Police used facial recognition software and…

Officials cut ribbon on $47 million parking ramp at Hector airport

Officials cut the ribbon on Hector International Airport’s new parking ramp. 8/19/25.FARGO — It was the culmination of years of work at Hector International Airport as city, state, and federal officials cut the ribbon on the new parking ramp. Sen. John Hoeven, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, and representatives of McGough Construction thanked the hard work of everyone involved in building…

Motion To Consider City-Owned Property in Downtown Fargo For Convention Center Fails

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A Fargo city commissioners motion to make city-owned property available for the new convention center, dies due to lack of a second. John Strand wanted to make sure developers are aware that city-owned property downtown including the former Mid America Steel lot and Civic Center are available. But other commissioners say there isn’t enough room for…

Paulsen resigns as executive director of Metro Flood Diversion Authority

Joel PaulsenMOORHEAD (KFGO/KVRR) – The executive director of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority has resigned. Joel Paulsen notified a sub-committee that he would step down on Tuesday. During a meeting Thursday morning, it was clear that over half the Diversion Authority Board was unaware of the circumstances that led to Paulsen’s resignation. Board member and Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn…

Fargo City Commissioner Sounds Alarm About Public Safety Downtown

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn is sounding the alarm about public safety downtown. He wants a larger police presence to crack down on what he calls harassment and aggressive panhandlers. Piepkorn and other commissioners agreed the issue needs a metro-wide look with public input. There are Harm Reduction and Mobile Outreach programs that provide services including crisis…

Fargo City Commission to consider mask mandate

FARGO, N.D.–Fargo leaders will be asked to considered implementing a mask mandate in public settings during a city commission meeting on September 21. The policy is similar to New York’s, but would not include civil or criminal penalties for anyone caught not wearing a mask. The policy was proposed by Commissioner John Strand, and would instruct anyone in public to…

Monarch Butterfly Kill Off Called “Horrible” As Questions Arise About Mosquito Pesticide

Mosquito control experts outside of Cass County are also questioning last month's kill off

FARGO, N.D. — Calling it “horrible”, city and county officials say they are trying to make sure a massive monarch butterfly kill off doesn’t happen again. Thousands died during aerial spraying for mosquitoes last month after a heavy rainfall in the metro and concerns about West Nile virus. Mosquito control experts outside of Cass County are also questioning the kill…