judge

Governor Burgum Names New District Judge for Fargo

She's replacing Judge Norman Anderson

FARGO, ND — We’re getting a new district judge in Fargo next month. Governor Doug Burgum names Stephannie Stiel to the East Central Judicial District judgeship effective January 22nd. She’s replacing Judge Norman Anderson, who is retiring on January 18th. Stiel has worked at Conmy Feste Limited in Fargo since 2004, working in areas of civil litigation and employment law….

Moorhead Murder Trial Delayed Due to Judge Appointment

Critt's trial was supposed to begin this morning in Clay County District Court

CLAY COUNTY, Minn. — The murder trial of Justin Critt has been delayed after his attorney was appointed to become a judge by Governor Dayton. Critt’s trial was supposed to begin this morning in Clay County District Court. He is charged with the death of Melissa Willcoxon and for setting her house on fire in June 2016. Police say she…

Gov. Dayton Names First Judge of Hmong Descent to the Bench

Vuelo will take over a position due to a judge retiring from the bench

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Mark Dayton has named the state’s first judge with Hmong descent to the bench. Judge Sophia Vuelo will preside over Ramsey County District Court. Vuelo will take over a position due to a judge retiring from the bench. Vuelo was raised in Wisconsin and has degrees from the U of M and Hamline. At her…

Standing Rock, Cheyenne River Sioux on DAPL; Keystone Pipeline Shutdown Due to Leak

The leak was discovered after a drop in pressure in the operating system

  MORTON COUNTY, ND — The Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux want a federal judge to reject the recent arguments made against their proposals for the Dakota Access pipeline. The Army Corps of Engineers is conducting an additional court-ordered review of the pipeline’s impact on tribal interests. While that’s done, the tribes want emergency equipment staging at the pipeline’s…

F-M Diversion Authority Appealing Judge’s Ruling on Construction

The group has a December 15 deadline

  FARGO, ND — The F-M Diversion Authority is appealing a judge’s ruling halting construction of the diversion. Lawyers say the notice filed with the 8th U.S. Circuit of Appeals is a protective appeal because the two sides have agreed to suspend legal proceedings while a task force works on settling disputes over the diversion. The group has a December…

Two Sent to Jail Over DAPL Protests

The Water Protector Legal Collective calls the judge biased because similar cases tried by other judges have resulted in suspended jail sentences

  MORTON COUNTY, ND — A man and a woman are the first people to be sent to jail for protesting the Dakota Access pipeline in North Dakota. Alexander Simon, 27, a teacher in New Mexico who is originally from Fort Yates, was convicted of disorderly conduct and given 18 days in jail. Mary Redway, 64, of Providence, Rhode Island…

Two DAPL Protesters Could See Charges Dismissed

a judge in the case says the charges will be dismissed if the men finish their probation on lesser charges

Michael Fasig (L) and Israel Hernandez (R) could see their charges dismissed.  MORTON COUNTY, ND — Two men accused of felony reckless endangerment and criminal mischief during the Dakota Access pipeline protests could see their charges dismissed. Michael Fasig and Israel Hernandez are accused of ramming a private security officer’s truck, but a judge in the case says the charges…

Lisbon Honored for Having North Dakota’s “Best Drinking Water”

Water samples from 10 different North Dakota cities were put to the taste test

FARGO, ND — A North Dakota town was recognized for having the state’s most delicious tap water. Lisbon beat out nine other competing cities at the Holiday Inn for the 89th annual Water and Pollution Control Conference. Representatives from each city brought in water samples to a panel of judges for a blind taste test. Public Works employees from Lisbon…

Susan Bala Requesting a Certificate of Innocence from Federal Judge

She spent a year and a half in prison before her conviction was overturned and she was set free

  FARGO, ND — A woman who was convicted and later cleared of running an illegal gambling business based in Fargo wants to clear her name. Susan Bala’s attorney, Bob Hoy, is asking a federal judge to grant Bala a “certificate of innocence.” Bala was the founder of Racing Services Incorporated. She spent a year and a half in prison…

Federal Judge Approves Bypass Construction Near Horace

The bypass work will start next week and will be done as soon as possible

  HORACE, ND — Good news for those dealing with a long detour southwest of Fargo for the past couple of months. A federal judge has approved an agreement between those involved in the FM Diversion Project lawsuit that will allow construction of a bypass to reconnect traffic on Cass County 17 south of Horace. The road was torn-up for…