Pierce County Tribune

Open house planned for returning surgeon, Dr. Skipper

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

An open house is scheduled for Dr. Ronald Skipper, general surgeon, who has returned to Heart of America Medical Center (HAMC). Dr. Skipper previously worked as a general surgeon at HAMC from 1997-2005. Since then, he's been employed as a general surgeon at Central Montana Medical Cente

Balta Centennial: Be there or be square

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Mark those calendars for the weekend of June 15, 16, and 17. Those are the dates of the three-day extravaganza celebration for the 100th Birthday of the City of Balta and All-School Reunion. Letters have been sent to all alumni who could be located for the All-School Reunion. If anyone was missed, it was not intentional. Please get in contact with Monica Grove either by phone at 701-776-6904 or send a note confirming intention to attend to: Monica Grove at 6471 Hwy 3 South, Rugby, ND 58368. Registrations are starting to filter in already. "We are encouraging alumni and guests to bring their musical instruments for a jam session or two," said Cheryl Hager. On Friday, June 15, the All-School Reunion banquet will be held at the Rugby Eagles Club. Activities planned for the three-day Centennial Celebration include a Dam Fun Run, alumni basketball games, a pancake breakfast supporting the Rugby Fire Department, a parade, an arts and crafts fair, silent auction, food vendors, memorabilia display, and two street dances, on Friday and on Saturday nights in Balta. Dave Brandt is organizing a car show with the theme "If it has a wheel, it has appeal". Many activities for the kids are also being planned including a petting zoo both Friday and Saturday, a bounce house, a climbing wall, and competitions for kids. Many activities for the celebration are in the planning stage, but all promise fun for all ages. Rumor has it that people are planning family reunions to coincide with the celebration. Everyone is welcome to participate in all activities in Balta. The committees are looking for parade entries (class floats, old tractors, anything anyone can think of), car show entries, fun run entries and arts and crafts vendors. Contact Cheryl Hager or any committee member to participate. Raffle tickets are being sold and are available to purchase at most of the banks and from any committee member (which is the whole town). Any clubs or kids' groups that need to raise money can contact the committee for ideas. Donations to the celebration are always welcome. Please support Hav-It of Harvey who will provide barrels for recycling. Neighboring towns are helping in whatever way they can to celebrate Balta's 100th Birthday party. All donations are graciously accepted. A special Mass has been arranged with alumni providing music and eucharistic ministers, etc. Father Joseph Senger will return to celebrate the Mass. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate in the fun of Balta's Centennial Celebration in June.Mark those calendars for the weekend of June 15, 16, and 17. Those are the dates of the three-day extravaganza celebration for the 100th Birthday of the City of Balta and All-School Reunion. Letters have been sent to all alumni who could be located for the All-School Reunion. If anyone was missed, it was not intentional. Please get in contact with Monica Grove either by phone at 701-776-6904 or send a note confirming intention to attend to: Monica Grove at 6471 Hwy 3 South, Rugby, ND 58368. Registrations are starting to filter in already. "We are encouraging alumni and guests to bring their musical instruments for a jam session or two," said Cheryl Hager. On Friday, June 15, the All-School Reunion banquet will be held at the Rugby Eagles Club. Activities planned for the three-day Centennial Celebration include a Dam Fun Run, alumni basketball games, a pancake breakfast supporting the Rugby Fire Department, a parade, an arts and crafts fair, silent auction, food vendors, memorabilia display, and two street dances, on Friday and on Saturday nights in Balta. Dave Brandt is organizing a car show with the theme "If it has a wheel, it has appeal". Many activities for the kids are also being planned including a petting zoo both Friday and Saturday, a bounce house, a climbing wall, and competitions for kids. Many activities for the celebration are in the planning stage, but all promise fun for all ages. Rumor has it that people are planning family reunions to coincide with the celebration. Everyone is welcome to participate in all activities in Balta. The committees are looking for parade entries (class floats, old tractors, anything anyone can think of), car show entries, fun run entries and arts and crafts vendors. Contact Cheryl Hager or any committee member to participate. Raffle tickets are being sold and are available to purchase at most of the banks and from any committee member (which is the whole town). Any clubs or kids' groups that need to raise money can contact the committee for ideas. Donations to the celebration are always welcome. Please support Hav-It of Harvey who will provide barrels for recycling. Neighboring towns are helping in whatever way they can to celebrate Balta's 100th Birthday party. All donations are graciously accepted. A special Mass has been arranged with alumni providing music and eucharistic ministers, etc. Father Joseph Senger will return to celebrate the Mass. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate in the fun of Balta's Centennial Celebration in June.Mark those calendars for the weekend of June 15, 16, and 17. Those are the dates of the three-day extravaganza celebration for the 100th Birthday of the City of Balta and All-School Reunion. Letters have been sent to all alumni who could be located for the All-School Reunion. If anyone was missed, it was not intentional. Please get in contact with Monica Grove either by phone at 701-776-6904 or send a note confirming intention to attend to: Monica Grove at 6471 Hwy 3 South, Rugby, ND 58368. Registrations are starting to filter in already. "We are encouraging alumni and guests to bring their musical instruments for a jam session or two," said Cheryl Hager. On Friday, June 15, the All-School Reunion banquet will be held at the Rugby Eagles Club. Activities planned for the three-day Centennial Celebration include a Dam Fun Run, alumni basketball games, a pancake breakfast supporting the Rugby Fire Department, a parade, an arts and crafts fair, silent auction, food vendors, memorabilia display, and two street dances, on Friday and on Saturday nights in Balta. Dave Brandt is organizing a car show with the theme "If it has a wheel, it has appeal". Many activities for the kids are also being planned including a petting zoo both Friday and Saturday, a bounce house, a climbing wall, and competitions for kids. Many activities for the celebration are in the planning stage, but all promise fun for all ages. Rumor has it that people are planning family reunions to coincide with the celebration. Everyone is welcome to participate in all activities in Balta. The committees are looking for parade entries (class floats, old tractors, anything anyone can think of), car show entries, fun run entries and arts and crafts vendors. Contact Cheryl Hager or any committee member to participate. Raffle tickets are being sold and are available to purchase at most of the banks and from any committee member (which is the whole town). Any clubs or kids' groups that need to raise money can contact the committee for ideas. Donations to the celebration are always welcome. Please support Hav-It of Harvey who will provide barrels for recycling. Neighboring towns are helping in whatever way they can to celebrate Balta's 100th Birthday party. All donations are graciously accepted. A special Mass has been arranged with alumni providing music and eucharistic ministers, etc. Father Joseph Senger will return to celebrate the Mass. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate in the fun of Balta's Centennial Celebration in June.Mark those calendars for the weekend of June 15, 16, and 17. Those are the dates of the three-day extravaganza celebration for the 100th Birthday of the City of Balta and All-School Reunion. Letters have been sent to all alumni who could be located for the All-School Reunion. If anyone was missed, it was not intentional. Please get in contact with Monica Grove either by phone at 701-776-6904 or send a note confirming intention to attend to: Monica Grove at 6471 Hwy 3 South, Rugby, ND 58368. Registrations are starting to filter in already. "We are encouraging alumni and guests to bring their musical instruments for a jam session or two," said Cheryl Hager. On Friday, June 15, the All-School Reunion banquet will be held at the Rugby Eagles Club. Activities planned for the three-day Centennial Celebration include a Dam Fun Run, alumni basketball games, a pancake breakfast supporting the Rugby Fire Department, a parade, an arts and crafts fair, silent auction, food vendors, memorabilia display, and two street dances, on Friday and on Saturday nights in Balta. Dave Brandt is organizing a car show with the theme "If it has a wheel, it has appeal". Many activities for the kids are also being planned including a petting zoo both Friday and Saturday, a bounce house, a climbing wall, and competitions for kids. Many activities for the celebration are in the planning stage, but all promise fun for all ages. Rumor has it that people are planning family reunions to coincide with the celebration. Everyone is welcome to participate in all activities in Balta. The committees are looking for parade entries (class floats, old tractors, anything anyone can think of), car show entries, fun run entries and arts and crafts vendors. Contact Cheryl Hager or any committee member to participate. Raffle tickets are being sold and are available to purchase at most of the banks and from any committee member (which is the whole town). Any clubs or kids' groups that need to raise money can contact the committee for ideas. Donations to the celebration are always welcome. Please support Hav-It of Harvey who will provide barrels for recycling. Neighboring towns are helping in whatever way they can to celebrate Balta's 100th Birthday party. All donations are graciously accepted. A special Mass has been arranged with alumni providing music and eucharistic ministers, etc. Father Joseph Senger will return to celebrate the Mass. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate in the fun of Balta's Centennial Celebration in June.

t's time to circulate petitions and file for office

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The primary election is June 12, but the time to circulate petitions and throw a hat in the ring for local office began on Jan. 14 in Pierce County. Residents who wish to run for an office have a process to go through which includes circulating a petition. The number of signatures needed to gather vary, according to how many people voted for that office in the last election. The following positions are up for election in city government in June: Ward 1 council member - incumbent Bruce Rheault - 4 year term; Ward 2 council member - incumbent Gerry Jacobson - 4 year term; Ward 3 council member - incumbent Jim Hoffert - 4 year term; Ward 4 council member - incumbent Terry Wentz - 4 year term; municipal judge - incumbent Sharon Peterschick - 2 year term; park board member - incumbent - Terry Wentz - 4 year term; and park board member - incumbent Mark Voeller - 4 year term. No one had filed to run for office with the city auditor by Wednesday, Jan. 25. The final date for filing is April 13 at 4 p.m. On the county level, the following positions are up for election: two county commissioners - incumbents - Mike Christenson and Duane Johnston; and judge - incumbent - John McClintock. Legislative redistricting, with the dissolving of District 7 and including Pierce County in District 14, has created changes in where residents will vote this year, as well (See the maps included with story). In the city of Rugby, First Ward, first precinct, residents of Torgerson and Tofte Townships will vote in the Rugby Armory. In the second precinct of the First Ward, residents will also vote in the Rugby Armory. In the Second Ward residents who live in Barton, East Barton, Spring Lake, Dewey and Walsh townships will vote at the Rugby Armory. In the Third Ward, residents will vote at the RugbyArmory. In the Fourth Ward, residents of Christenson Township will vote in the Rugby Armory. Precinct #1 which includes Juniata, Wolford, Union, Rush Lake, Hurricane Lake townships and the city of Wolford will vote in the Wolford Fire Hall. Precinct #2 which includes Hillside, Alexander, White, Antelope Lake,Truman and Hagel townships will vote in St. Anthony's Hall. Precinct #3 which includes residents in Sandale, Elling, Girard, Meyer, Rosedale, Ness, Jefferson, Tuscarora, Reno Valley, Balta, Elverum, townships and the City of Balta will vote at the Rugby

Heart of America Correctional & Treatment Center is in the blac

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The Heart of America Correction and Treatment Center (HACTC) in Rugby ended 2011 in the black. A report was presented at their Jan. 26 board meeting at the facility. After struggling in its early years, HACTC has been doing very well in the last few years. The profit and loss statement showed a net income for Dec., 2011 of $87,878.60. The average net income per month for 2011 was $57,319. The greatest part of the expenses is total payroll, which for the month of December 2011, was $145,671.78. The total assests, according to the balance sheet provided as of Dec. 31, 2011, are $1,921,164.08 with total liabilities and equity of $1,921,164.08. Administrator Elaine Little reported that the USDA would be taking a $432,500.48 payment on the loan for the building, on January 31, 2012. The correctional and treatment center is very self-sufficient. It has services to sell to bring in revenue and the expenses are watched and for the most part stay in line. The average inmate population has increased from 87 in July of 2009 to 118 in July of 2010 to finishing 2011 in December with 132.9. Sometimes, requests to bring in prisoners is denied because HACTC is at its maximum. On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, there was an inmate population of 107 from 12 counties/cities. There were 102 males and five female inmates that day. The inmates are sent from the state department of corrections and rehabilitation, to both the jail and the treatment center, from the United States Marshal Service and other places. In 2011, the Belcourt jail was being renovated and they sent prisoners to Rugby temporarily. They transported 23 inmates back to Belcourt when the work was done. Little reported that the mug shots program that HACTC is using to maintain all the information on each inmate is outdated and the company is no longer supporting it. She presented the board with nine different quotes for a new system. Two were eliminated as too costly and one didn't have enough information. Little recommended Securus/XJail System at $34,500 plus an additional $5,000 to transfer all the data. The board reviewed the information. Dale Neiwoehner made a motion to approve the Securus/XJail System for $34,500 and include the $5,000 for transferring data. Elvin Anderson seconded the motion. It was approved. One of the

Rugby welcomes North Central Dakota Ag ShowRugby will welcome The North Central Dakota Ag Show on Friday, Feb. 3 at the Rugby Armory. The day-long event will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. Over 30 agri-related booths will be available with inform

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Rugby will welcome The North Central Dakota Ag Show on Friday, Feb. 3 at the Rugby Armory. The day-long event will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. Over 30 agri-related booths will be available with information on just about any subject related to agriculture. Food will be available all day. Come and join neighbors and friends at the Dakota Ag Show and see some of the newer equipment. A special feature of this year's show is marketing specialist, Kristi Van Ahn-Kjeseth speaking on "Market Decisions:Protecting the Downside While Allowing for Topside Potential". Van Ahn-Kjeseth has been employed as a market specialist with Van Ahn and Company since 2009. She enjoys working with clients finding the best marketing strategy or investment plan for each producer based on their needs and risk tolerance. She graduated from NDSU in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in finance. She and her husband, moved from Fargo back to Alexandria, Minn. where she works in the main office of the company. The Van Ahn Company was established in 1987 by L.E. Van Ahn in Alexandria, Minn. It offers services in investing, producer marketing, and commercial hedging. A Bobcat snow blower will be given away. Sign up