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Turtle
One monthinto new session,
‘ schools skirtingCOVlD so far
By John Rosinski
Of The Star
After almost a month into the new school year area
districts have so far avoided any major COVID-19 dis-
ruptions.
As cases of the virus increase throughout the state and '
neighboring school districts deal with minor outbreaks,
school officials are moving forward with face-to-face in-
struction. .
Turtle Mountain Community SchoOl in Belcourt is the
largest district in the area. According to Superintendent
Michelle Langan, school officials are relying on robust
testing, mask wearing and adherence to guidelines in
Order to keep the hundreds of students that attend the var-
ious schools in the building. ' ;
“If we find a positive we immediately begin contact
tracing and we go according to six feet,” Langan said.
“We’ve been going at warp speed trying to educate our
students while also implementing all the health measures
we need to keep our students and staff safe.”
, Langan said testing is completed in various buildings
within the district. She estimated 100 to 125 tests are ad-
ministered every day.
Officials in St. John are averaging roughly 75 tests a
week. Superintendent Paul Frydenlund said regular test-
ing occurs Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other testing is done
when deemed necessary.
“If someone isn’t feeling well we try and get on it right
away,” Frydenlund said. “We’ve also had some parents
ask their children be tested weekly as a safety protocol.”
The school has had six positives since school started
I last month and all of them occurred within a couple of
City gets halfmillion
‘ “if We find a positive-we} .
diater begin contact tracing and;
’ we go accordipg‘ to , six" feet;
“We’ve been going at warp speed-i-
trying to educate our students
while also‘implementin‘g all the.
health» measures .we need to
keep your students and staff
safe.” , g ' ' ‘
Michelle Langan, Turtle Mountain
' Schools superintendent
days. Frydenlund described the symptoms of those who
contr'actedthe virus as a “decent case” of- the flu. The
school has. also had one staff member test positive and
that was a breakthrough infection, meaning the individual
was fully vaccinated. ,
St. John is also requiring masks for everyone in the
building. Frydenlund reiterated that everything the school
is doing is being done to continue face~to-face instruc—
tion. -
“Thebottom line is we’re going to do everything we
can to keep' kids in school. I am a little worried things
might get worse before they get better, but our nurse and
COVID .,
(Continued on Page 8)
was.
forvindusrial builing
By John Rosinski
Of The Star
After years of starts and stops, the
Dunseith City Council moved last
week to sell its large industrial build—
ing.
The structure has been vacant for
more than five years when Bench-
mark closed its doors. The city has
owned the building and 'has spent
time trying to find a new occupant.
Earlier this year a trailer company,
based out of Indiana, indicated a se-
rious interest in the building. After
months of negotiations, the council
moved to sell 'the building for
$525,000 to Charles Hoefer during a
special meeting last Tuesday.
According to Bob Leonard, who
has worked on trying to find an em—
ployer for the building on behalf of
the council for years, the transaction
should be completed by November 1.
The deal includes the 100,000 square
foot building and the parking lot.
Prior to the vote the council
touched on a few concerns. Council-
man Chris Strong openly asked what.
the council would do in the future if
a businesses wanted to come into
town. Strong said by agreeing to the
sale, the city was without any avail-
able commercial property.
An aerial view of the former Benchmarkvbuilding in Dunseith
that was sold for $525,000 to an Indiana company that produces
trailers. '
Strong asked councilman George
Gottbreht if he would agree: to sell
some lots to the city. Gottbreht, who
is also on the Dunseith Development
Corporation, has said he would sell
some property to the city in the event
a businesses is looking to come to
town.
"‘I want to make sure George
holds up his end of the stick,” Strong
said. “I’m looking out for the city of
Dunseith.” ,
Mayor Jesse Marion asked Got-
tbreht if the land would be for sale,
and Gottbreht said that it indeed
would be available.
“I asked George if they have an
agreement and he said they do and I
trust George,” Marion said, “His
Building
(Continued on Page 8)
An event for all ages
The Turtle Mountain ChippeWa Pembina Labor Day Powwow was recently held
over three
days. The festivities included traditional dances, shopping and an
opportunity for everyone to
spend time together. (Photos by John Rosinski) ‘
‘ Must-see in
The Star
Tribes and redistricting.....Page 2 .
Homecoming in Rolla......‘..Page 3,,
A plea to school districts..Page 5
Rolette hospital history ....P-age 6
Legal fight over masks .....Page 7
September 13, 2021.
Volume 134 Number 46
Two Sections $1
Rolla, North Dakota 58367
Commission won’t take back decision, new offi'cerstake oath
By John Rosinski
Of The Star
For the second time in two months, the
Rolette County commission discussed the
deputy auditor position.
Last month the commission moved to hire
_Jodie Jeanotte, who was working part-time,
to a full-time deputy in the treasurer’s office
beginning in January. The full-time salary
was set at $42,600. Commission Chairman
.Eldon Moors was not at the meeting in which
the issue was decided. Last week, the posi-
tionwas again addressed by the entire board.
Moors asked if the motion to create the
full time position could be rescinded. He said
there wasn’t any background done in regards
to the position and contended there wasn’t a
need for a full-time treasurer’s deputy.
Get details at starionbank.c_om/250 today.
“It doesn’t call for a full-time job,” Moors
said. “I know a motion was made but the first
thing we need to do is rescind it.”
At the meeting in August commissioner
Henry LaRocque asked if a newly created
full—time employee. could be shared between
other agencies that work for the county.
LaRocque revisited the concept last week.
“It would be ideal for her to be hired and
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be utilized not only by the treasurer office but
by the extension office and if need be the tax
assessors,” LaRocque said. “I see Kandace
(Rolette County treasurer Kandace Desjar~
lais) there three days a week and Joide there
a couple days a week. If she’s not there full
time she could be utilized by all three of-
fices.”
Desjarlais argued there was enough work
in the office for a second position. She added
she was only allowed to have a deputy work
960 hours a year, limiting how much time she
could spend in the office.
“The reason she’s there two days doesn’t
have to do with how busy she is. It’s because
Commission
(Continued on Page 3)
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