Valentine’s Day special guest

By Lynn Leach
Regarding valentines, Ryley Kritzberger, from the 2nd grade class of Jan Liedholm, was heard to say, “It’s fun to make them and when you give them it makes you feel really good inside!”
With that thought in mind, the class made a group valentine as well as presenting individual cards for Stacy Engel, a special guest at their Valentines Party Wednesday.
Stacy, the children knew, was a young lady who was dealing with a difficult disability. She is one of 51 diagnosed people with SCA17. The rare disease is genetic and causes gradual shrinking of the cerebellum causing multiple degeneration in motor function skills, speech, eating, and memory functions.

Dealing with the hand we’re dealt

A new building couldn’t be built soon enough for Kim Jacobson and Mike Crocker.
Soon rather than later would be nice; realistically, the two Traill County department heads know it will likely be later, not sooner, if at all.
Jacobson, director of the Social Services agency in the county, and Crocker, the Traill sheriff, were encouraged last week when the board of county commissioners renewed the dialogue on the proposed new addition to the 100-year-old Traill County Courthouse.
Back on the front burner, where it goes from there, we’re not sure.

Focus.

Walking along, minding my own business, not really thinking about what I was doing at the moment, rather I was concentrating on what I had to do in the next 20 minutes. I should have known that was a recipe for disaster.
I’d checked off three of the four errands on my list. I was hustling along the sidewalk to my minivan. Parked on Main Street, its engine was running to stay warm in the subzero temps — like all the others lined up along the street. I pulled open the driver’s door and was ready to jump inside when I realized my mistake.

Not one to pass on a good thing…

Not one to pass on a good thing, I must confess I’m in the crowd chasing Anna Nicole Smith’s money.
I am the father of her baby.
I have company, I know. Who didn’t sleep with the tramp?
“Take a number,” I was told.
Not to get ahead of myself, I’m also announcing my candidacy for the President of the United States.
If there are 10,000 newspaper columnists writing this week across the country, 8,965 are telling of their love for Anna Nicole and the baby they made. Another thousand or so have announced their plans to enter the political arena, starting with a run for the presidency.

Jail escapee sentenced to 2 years in state prison

A Traill County Jail prisoner who walked away from his work release job in July has been sentenced to two years in prison on a felony escape charge.
Paul Bartholomay, 38, pled guilty in East Central District Court Wednesday. He appeared in court in handcuffs and shackles.
Judge Wade Webb sentenced Bartholomay, following a joint recommendation set forth by Traill County states attorney Stuart Larson and defense attorney Cash Aaland.
“You have earned your sentence,” Judge Webb told Bartholomay, alluding to the “serious” nature of the charge.
Defense attorney Aaland said his client has a lengthy criminal history and still faces additional criminal charges in other jursidictions.
“He is not a candidate for probation,” Aaland conceded.
Bartholomay had been sentenced in May 2006 to six months in jail for DUI, driving under suspension, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and fleeing police — all misdemeanors. The offenses took place in February.
Bartholomay first completed a jail sentence in Cass County before being transferred to the Traill County Jail July 10. He started his court-approved work release job July 18. His girlfriend picked him up the following day for a ride to his Fargo workplace. Bartholomay didn’t return to the jail — until November 21.
His arrival at the jail in November was a surprise, Sheriff Mike Crocker admitted.
“I didn’t recognize him right away,” Crocker said at the time.
Traill County authorities suspected the escaped prisoner was in the Fargo and Sheldon, N.D., areas while he was on the lam.
Bartholomay turned himself in two days after Cass County authorities alleged a car he was driving led deputies and state troopers on a high-speed chase near Kindred, N.D. The car was clocked at 100 mph before authorities called off the chase.
The felony escape charge carried a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Bartholomay’s previous sentence was a one-year suspended sentence. He was required to serve six months in jail. He served nine days before escaping. Back in custody since November, he has been serving time in the county jail toward the six-month sentence.

Sunday ride through Woodland Park

Smiles all around

Daytime temperatures hovering around 8 above Sunday didn’t keep families from Hillsboro’s Woodland Park, where the father and son team of Hank and Paul Geray and Hank’s two Belgian horses, Duke and Dan, provided sleigh rides all around the city park.
Sunday proved to be a beautiful day for the friends of winter. When they weren’t climbing on top of the hay bales on the back of Hank’s sled, kids skated the day away.
Inside the warming house, coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts were the top menu selections.
The old-fashioned winter Sunday at Hillsboro’s Woodland Park was, again, more fun than you could shake a hockey stick at.

Tax bills on House floor

With but a few hours remaining before crossover, the pace of the process is a virtual blur. Those who have bills remaining in their committees begin deliberations at 7 a.m. only to break at 8 a.m. for floor activity in their respective chambers. Mid-morning brings a break from floor action and a return to finish remaining committee work. Occasionally, full committees are required to divide into smaller sub-committees to do more in depth analysis on certain bills. Floor activity continues after lunch and continues on into the early evening.

February 16, 2007

50 YEARS AGO
February 14, 1957 — Engineers estimated it would cost about $2.25 per lineal foot to install curb and gutter on all Hillsboro city streets, less if the streets were paved at the same time. Engineers discouraged the commissioners from having the city crew do the paving work, instead advising the city to hire professional pavers.
Banner editor Bill Kremer heard from a longtime local resident that the old Traill County Jail in Hillsboro should not be demolished but instead used as a museum or a library.
Eight teams were set to play in the Class C District 7 tournament at Hillsboro — defending champion Clifford plus Emerado, Buxton, Logan Center, Galesburg, Thompson, Reynolds and Caledonia.

Albert Capouch

Albert Capouch, 75, Grand Forks, N.D., died Monday, February 12, 2007 in SCCI Hospital, Fargo, N.D.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Friday, February 16, 2007 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Grand Forks in the spring.
Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks was in charge of arrangements.

Harold Weible

Harold Weible, 94, Tucson, Ariz., died Saturday, January 27, 2007 at his home.
A memorial service was held Friday, February 16, 2007 at Ascension Lutheran Church in Tucson. Inurnment will be at a later date in St. John Cemetery near Hillsboro, N.D.