Commission to enforce load limits

COUNTY—The Walsh County Commission on Tuesday at its monthly meeting approved a disaster declaration to take advantage of a recently announced Presidential Disaster Declaration for North Dakota.

Craig Fugate, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced on Friday that federal disaster aid has been made available for North Dakota to supplement state and local recovery efforts in North Dakota, struck by a severe winter storm during the period of Jan. 20-25.

North Dakota Governor John Hoeven requested the declaration on Feb. 17, as a result of a severe winter storm that produced freezing rain, ice, heavy snow accumulations and high winds in excess of 50 mph causing blizzard conditions throughout the state.

Not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms are eligible for federal funds. Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in several North Dakota counties including Walsh.

Walsh County Emergency Manager Brent Nelson requested from Bismarck that the commission declare an emergency, making state and local government and certain private non-profit organizations eligible for the funding.

 

Seniors help at tourney time

GRAFTON - Tournaments and sports events at Grafton High School run smoothly thanks in part to a large group of volunteers who give back to the community, especially during basketball season.

Several who volunteer are seniors. Four of those seniors, Glora Halliday, Mike Callahan and Lila and Marvin Mielke are lifelong Grafton sports fans and have been going to games as long as they can remember.

Lila said she began volunteering in the early 1990s when she offered to help new Athletic Director Dean Ralston by organizing volunteers.

“At that time he was new and I think we had two or three tournaments right in a row,” she said. “So I told him I’d help him get workers and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Lila said over the years there have been around 30 or more volunteers many who have helped out year after year.

“We are very fortunate in Grafton,” Lila said. “People are always willing to volunteer no matter what the cause.”

Mielke said volunteers help take tickets and receive tickets during tournaments, others serve as tournament hosts and as crowd control.

Women’s Christian Temperance Union’s fountain in Park River’s community park is one of 28 known of in the world

PARK RIVER—The Walsh County Historic Preservation Committee (WCHPC) has selected the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) fountain in Park River’s Little Park as a project for 2010-2011. The project would be a National Register Nomination.

According to Katherine Lunde, who administers the work of the WCHPC, (a Certified Local Government) for the Red River Regional Council the project must first be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Once approved the process will begin. A request for proposal to procure the services of a qualified  firm/consultant to do the nomination research would be issued.

“Before a historic biding or in this case a monument can be placed on the National Register of Historic Properties (NRHP) it has to be researched by a qualified person and a formal National Register Nomination completed,” she said. “If the ‘fountain’ meets the criteria in accordance with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards and is approved by the State Review Board, it is then sent to Washington, D.C. for final approval and placement on the NRHP.”

 

Western Walsh set to receive outlet to help reduce flooding 

LANKIN—Officials from Walsh County and Nelson County met Tuesday in the Lankin Fire Hall to discuss the release of sheet water draining into Matejcek Dam.

Representing the Nelson County Water Resource District (NCWRD) were Ben Varnson, Gene Gehrke, Richard Morken (alternate) and Mike Donahue. Representing the Nelson County Commission were Ron Dahlen, Don Fougner and Harold Berquist. Representing the Walsh County Water Resource District (WCWRD) were Larry Tanke, Robert “Bob” Shirek and Dan Dub. Representing the Walsh County Commission were Ernie Barta, Lawrence Burianek, Jack Karas and Luther Meberg. Approximately 50 concerned landowners from Nelson and Walsh County were also in attendance.

Approximately 10 percent of Walsh County’s water drains south and is part of the Devils Lake Basin. The remaining water drains east into the Red River.



 

Grafton girl represents peers who suffer from muscular diseases

When 13-year-old Kirsten Ferguson of Grafton was contacted by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) with a request to serve as the organization’s “Shambassador,” she did not hesitate to say yes. It is her goal to give back to the organization what has been given to her  so she could attend MDA camp and to raise enough money so other children like her can also attend.

At only 20 days old, Kirsten was adopted by Jeff and Chris Ferguson of Grafton. Her parents were aware their new daughter had special needs and would require extra tender, loving care. At her one-month checkup, her pediatrician determined Kirsten had low muscle tone. After months and years of testing, she was diagnosed with congenital myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigue. According to her mother, Chris, two years ago, her doctors dismissed the diagnosis, but have not been able to give her daughter’s disorder a specific name. The disorder affects her speech and her coordination, and makes it difficult for her to run and keep up with other teens her age.

Because it is a muscular disorder, she falls within the guidelines to receive help from MDA.