Eating the $336 Million Flood Protection Elephant

The discussion on how to fund the local share of flood protection — about $336 million — is finally happening. Personally, I’m frustrated by the fact that we’re six years removed from the high water and just now talking about how to pay for the plan. But frustration alone doesn’t typically deliver better outcomes. So,

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Ward County Commissioners vote to accept Sheriff’s resignation

The saga of Sheriff Steve Kukowski’s tenure as Sheriff is drawing to a close. Ward County Commissioners voted to accept Mr. Kukowski’s resignation following a two-hour executive session on Tuesday. It all stems from the death of Dustin Irwin, an inmate at the Ward County Jail, who died in October of 2014 while in the

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Minot area needs up to $400 million for water projects

Between flood protection and NAWS, water-related infrastructure is what we’re going to be paying for Minot for a while. Minot’s Liasion Committee met yesterday, and among the discussion, pieces was how we’re going to meet our financial obligations on these projects. Jill Schramm with the Minot Daily News has the story.

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We Can No Longer Afford the Hypocrisy

Good Morning Senator Hogue and Senator Larsen, I’m writing to provide a last minute appeal for House Bill 1163 regarding the removal of North Dakota’s Sunday closing laws. And because this debate is just the latest in a series at both the state and local level that has me concerned, I’m publishing this letter publicly

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Sheriff Kukowski Trail Hangs on Technicality

Charges against currently-suspended Ward County Sheriff Kukowski that resulted from the death of inmate Dustin Irwin in October of 2014 are hanging on a technical mistake made by the special prosecuting attorney. It’s a matter of date, and in the case of typing 2014 versus 2015 created a legal argument may halt the prosecution.

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Trinity Makes Financing Moves Towards New Hospital Construction

Representatives from Trinity Hospital were in front of the Ward County Commission on Tuesday morning outlining the financing status and construction plans for Minot’s new hospital. The effort will require the sale of nearly $430 million in bonds, and because it is a nonprofit organization, it must facilitate the sale of those bonds through a government

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Ward County Jail Enclosed, Ready for Winter Construction

Construction on the Ward County Jail expansion is moving along. The contractor has the building enclosed and will be able to continue interior construction through the winter. The addition of more than 100 cells is expected to open in the spring of 2018. Joe Skurzewski with KMOT has more.

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Ward County Green Light’s Spending Flood Protection Dollars in Minot

Six million dollars in unused flood recovery money intended for buyouts and allocated from the State Water Commission to Ward County will likely be spent within the City of Minot. The County Commission voted Tuesday to allow spending of those dollars within the City with the provision that they remain in the loop and provide

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New Ward County Office Building Dedicated

Ward County’s new administration building had it’s formal dedication yesterday. The new building will be called Chumas Plaza, named after long-time Minot merchant George Chumas who ran a small grocery store on the site. Tootsie Rolls were readily available at the dedication.

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Rural Flood Protection Tracking for Spring Start

The stARR program, the rural component of the basin-wide Mouse River Plan is tracking towards summer construction starts provided funding is delivered by the State Water Commission this March. stARR stands for Structure Acquisition, Relocation or Ring Dike.

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Ward County Admin Building, Jail Expansion Moving Along

Construction on the new Ward County administration building is wrapping up. Most departments have already made the move into their new space. Preliminary groundwork on the new jail is also complete.

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Dikes Need Repairs to Assure Corps Help

Existing flood control dikes in and around Minot need repairs, and until we get that done, finding federal help from the Corps of Engineers may prove to be difficult. That was the message delivered to Ward County Commissioners Tuesday. Source: KX News: Dikes Need Repairs to Assure Corps Help

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Burlington Pushes for Expansion of Sports Complex

The City of Burlington was in front of the Ward County Commission on Tuesday requesting use of county land for improving the city with parks and athletic fields. Get the full story and preliminary plans from KMOT News.

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Mattson Construction Wins Bid for Ward County Juvenile Detention Renovation

Renovation of the Ward County Juvenile Detention Center will begin this summer and hopefully be complete next May. The total project cost is estimated at $2.5 million and the construction contract was awarded to Mattson Construction.

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Special Prosecutor to Oversee Investigation of Ward County Jail Incident

The Ward County Commission has hired a special prosecutor for an investigation of an incident at Ward County Jail. State’s Attorney Roza Larson would not comment on details of the incident.

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Williams County Correctional Center Plans Another Expansion

Six years after finishing construction, the Williston County Correctional center is already squeezed for space working on plans for expansion.

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