Time for vacations hard to accommodate at weekly newspapers

Newspapers aren’t allowed vacations, per se.

At least, that’s what we tell friends and family, anyway.

They feign understanding.

People on the street, regular readers, subscribers are a different cat; they expect their weekly paper to be there every week, much like they expect their daily newspaper to be there every day.

So, we oblige.  

2 thieves rob Portland business in lunch hour heist

Traill County authorities are looking for leads this week after a brazen daylight robbery in Portland, N.D.

Two suspects are wanted in connection with a robbery at Gary’s Electronics, located about one-half mile west of Portland at the junction of Hwy. 200 and County Road 16.

The theft was reported shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday when the sheriff’s office received a 911 call. 

Stammen leaving Traill for job in Mountrail CountyBy NEIL O. NELSON

Traill County, which found a deputy for Hatton and Portland, now has to uncover a top gun for its highway department.

Scott Stammen’s resignation as road and bridge superintendent was announced at this week’s regularly-scheduled meeting of the Trail County commission.

Stammen is leaving the highway department January 4. 

Christmas wishes. Happy smiles. New friends.

Five-year-old Caroline Vetter has a classroom full of friends in Hillsboro.

The West Fargo, N.D. girl visited her new friends December 14 to say “thank you” for a Christmas wish the Hillsboro students had a hand in making come true.

Fifth graders in Lisa Toenies’ class first met Caroline via the internet. While visiting the Caringbridge website, Toenies learned of Caroline’s courageous medical battle to live with a number of fatal degenerative diseases. The little girl’s nickname is “Super C” because of her will to survive. 

Little girl’s life teaching lessons about living

Caroline Vetter was born August 28, 2002 — five weeks premature and weighing only four pounds. She  spent 24 hours in the NICU and was sent home, a seemingly healthy baby. Things weren’t right though. After many doctor visits, the Vetter’s family doctor referred her to a pediatric neurologist. At six months old, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. At her own pace, she learned to roll over, crawl, sit up and walk with a walker. She was talking and appeared to be developing normally. 

City, HEDC buy into new marketing plan for Hillsboro

By Michelle McLean

Hillsboro city commissioners are sold on a new approach to market the city to prospective new residents.

Commissioners voted Monday to put $10,000 in sales tax revenues toward the effort, joining forces with Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation as a “major player” in the $30,000 proposal.

HEDC has committed to match the city “dollar for dollar” in the endeavor.

‘Hospitality’ at heart of new city campaign

Hillsboro Hospitality.

Hillsboro is about to sell itself. A new $30,000 marketing proposal aims to capitalize on the city’s “warm and friendly” reputation and convince prospective homebuyers that Hillsboro ought to be their “hometown.”

In creating the marketing plan, the local advertising agency — Hometown Aditude — analyzed the city’s competition, advantages, risks, glitches and opportunities. 

Hillsboro’s celebration of Christmas highlighted by the arrival of Santa Claus

Hillsboro will celebrate Christmas tomorrow with the arrival of Santa Claus, downtown hayrides, $300 to be given away and its annual Parade of Lights.

Other events sandwiched between the opening of the FBLA Christmas Store in the morning and nightfall’s lighted parade will be carolers singing all around downtown, free hot dogs served over the dinner hour and the drawings for two giant Christmas packages in the middle of the afternoon.

“Fun stuff for everyone,” said Steph Olsen, local businesswoman. 

Christmas Cash campaign on pace with last year’s record-setting run

The Hillsboro Business Association will close out 2007 with a paid membership of 62 businesses, a record number for the local organization.

In addition, the business group this year awarded full memberships at  no cost to five non-profit foundations in the community.

Neil Nelson, editor of the Hillsboro Banner, has been president of the business group the last three years. Gail Mooney has been HBA’s vice president for two years. Joelle Morrison is the association’s secretary and Betsy Tate its treasurer.

Nelson, Mooney and Morrision are leaving their posts at the end of the year. 

Landmark given second chance to shine

By MICHELLE MCLEAN

Michael Bishop never saw a movie at the Traill Theater — but someday the Hillsboro man plans to take his young daughter Paige to the Main Street landmark in Hillsboro for a show — and popcorn.

Its neon sign dimmed since the mid-1960s, the Traill has been given a new lease on life. Bishop and the non-profit group he created — Hillsboro Preservation Foundation — saved the 1916 brick showhouse from the wrecking ball this fall. With a helping hand from the City of Hillsboro and Traill County, HPF bought the vacant structure for less than $20 in fees. Ownership of the building had reverted to the county because of unpaid property taxes.