Dismissing history costly in long run

Old should still count for something.
And in most places it does.
Just not in Traill County.
Contrary to popular belief that we take care of our old here in Traill County, there’s reason to think otherwise.
We either knock down or threaten to knock down old but historic buildings, case in point: Union Block in Hillsboro.
We simply let old bridges fall in the river or we sell them down river.
Some, we give away.

Advice for the graduate

When I graduated from high school 25 years ago, parents didn’t buy laptops for their college- bound kids. They invested in luggage — good sturdy Samsonite — and promised, “These suitcases will take you places you’ve never imagined.”
In 1982, I never imagined a computer that would fit in a carry-on bag.
Looking back over that quarter of a century — I want you to know I typed those words without even hesitating — I can offer a bit more advice, a bit more imagining.
First off, buy your own luggage, travel while you can. See what’s out there. By the same token, remember where you came from. Call home often, visit when you can. Stay connected.

All right, readers, grab your pen or pencil, here’s your news quiz for the month.

Often boring, seldom entertaining, but nevertheless thought-provoking, the questions this week range from the absurd to the mundane to borderline.

Gas prices are increasing for a reason. Your guess?
A) It’s summertime, what better time to make a killing?
B) The Middle East is sticking it to us.
C) CEOs gotta make a buck, too.
D) The current administration has an investment in gas and oil.

Searching for answers

Commission refuses to reverse decision at May 15 meeting

Questions remain.
In their 5-0 vote to give away the historic Blanchard Bridge, Traill County commissioners may have said “yes” too quickly.
Questions about the logistics of the bridge move and the wisdom of the giveaway have sparked a search for answers.
As things stand, the county has a “verbal agreement” in place allowing a Neenah, Wisc. contractor to move the bridge 560 miles to his home state, according to Scott Stammen, county road and bridge superintendent.
However, there is “nothing in writing” at this point, Stammen noted.

Sparks shines as American Idol winner

Jordin Sparks — the American Idol contestant with the Hillsboro connection — has become the youngest ever winner of the national talent competition.
The 17-year-old from Glendale, Ariz., was voted the winner of the sixth season of the FOX Network show Wednesday night. Sparks won the title after a record 74 million telephone votes were cast by American viewers following Tuesday’s final performances.
Sparks and 23 other contestants started singing for a chance to win a million-dollar recording contract back in January. Week after week of performances, contestants who didn’t impress the judges and the viewers were voted off the show.
Tuesday’s show featured the two finalists — Sparks and 25-year-old beatboxer Blake Lewis of Bothell, Washington.

New deputy totals Traill patrol car

Traill County’s newest deputy has had her first brush with trouble.
Morgan Knauf, who joined sheriff Mike Crocker’s force last month, had a costly run-in with a wayward deer and long-standing bridge two weeks ago.
En route to Hillsboro from Hatton and driving east on County Road 21, Knauf swerved to miss a deer and struck a narrow bridge, ripping apart the entire passenger side of the department’s 2006 Ford Crown Victoria.
The police car was a total loss, according to Crocker.
A 2007 Crown Victoria has been ordered.
“She wasn’t hurt, that’s the important thing,” said the Traill sheriff.
Crocker repeated the often-told advice: “Hold on and hit the deer, do not swerve to miss it.”
Knauf will be stationed at Hatton on completion of her training period.

Traill agency burdened by increasing workload

Disturbing numbers.
A three-page report on two departments within the county’s Social Services agency shows an already heavy caseload burdened even further by more clients.
The detailed report on Aging Services and Child Welfare Services given Traill County’s board of county commissioners two weeks ago enlisted the expected response.
This is a sad commentary on today’s society, intimated commission chairman Ron Peterson.
“This concerns me,” said Arne Osland. “What’s going on here?”
The statistics, agreed Lisa Schuster and Pam Lacher, are increasing here in Traill County, across the state and nation.

Bar owners protest liquor licenses

Hillsboro’s bar owners bellied up to the city commissioners’ table Monday to protest a proposed 35-percent liquor license increase.
Bars with full on- and off-sale service face a $590 per year increase — from $1,650 to $2,240 — if the proposal was finalized. It would be the first rate hike in at least 20 years.
City commissioners proposed the rate increase in the form of an amended ordinance at their May 7 meeting, following up on a budget-balancing plan outlined last fall. A second reading was set for Monday night to finalize the rate increase and make it law.
The bar owners’ protest has halted the second reading as commissioners review a proposal offered by the bar owners to gradually raise rates over three years.
Bar owners argued that the increase was “a lot of money on short notice.”

May 25, 2007

50 YEARS AGO
May 23, 1957 — Three people were killed in three separate car accidents near Hillsboro during a 20-hour span over the weekend.
Supt. Lars Grant announced the hiring of new staff at Hillsboro schools for next fall — Sherilyn Fogelson and Gayle Tisdale, both second grade teachers; Jean Valinski, third grade; Beverly Hesby, fourth and fifth grade; Vernita Olson, fifth grade; and Willard Olson, commercial courses.
Kenneth Harstad and James Notch were the top two graduates of the Class of 1957 at Hillsboro High School. Commencement exercises for the 29 seniors were set for Friday night at the HHS gym.

Cecil Barker

Cecil Barker, 80, Fargo, formerly of Gardner, N.D., died Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fargo.
Funeral services were Saturday, May 19, 2007 at St. William’s Catholic Church in Argusville, N.D. Burial was in Holy Cross North Cemetery, Fargo.
Boulger Funeral Home of Fargo was in charge of arrangements.