(NewsDakota.com) – The daytime air is feeling a bit more like summer while the evenings remind us it can still cool nicely Catherines Schools will be celebrating and recognizing educators during “Educators Appreciation Week” Everyone who invests time around students is teaching “kids are always watching” so you are all educators Small Businesses comprise more than 99% of all private sector employers and provide nearly 66% of the jobs in America Support your local small businesses regularly News from Missouri River Energy Services Government Relations Department indicated state legislative actions on bills regarding public power were favorable for our needs at this point A bill allowing Renewable Energy Credits (REC) from hydropower and another balancing mitigation liability due to wildfire damages are two important ones Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column Utah — As the three-year anniversary of a murder in West Valley City approaches the police department is offering a good chunk of money for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect 45-year-old Pete Ulibarri was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting near 3500 S The West Valley City Police Department said the suspects drove past the home Ulibarri was in a vehicle in the driveway when he was shot Police said they believe the shooting was gang-related and intended for someone else at the residence They said Ulibarri had no gang affiliation and was an innocent bystander who became the victim WVCPD said investigators are still pursuing all leads in connection with the case "No casings were recovered, and there was limited video footage of the suspect vehicle, which appears to be a Honda Insight," the Utah Department of Public Safety said on a webpage for Ulibarri's cold case Anyone with information on the case is asked to call 801-963-3300 The department is holding a press conference on Monday to give more information about the case VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University will recognize more than 300 graduates during its annual Spring Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. President Alan LaFave, who began his tenure at VCSU in 2018, will preside over the commencement exercises. Curtis Biller will represent the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) The undergraduate reflection will be presented by graduating senior Grant Larson and the faculty reflection will be presented by Dr The in-person ceremony will also be live-streamed on VCSU’s YouTube channel Watch the 2025 Spring Commencement Ceremony Visit the VCSU Commencement website The 2025 Spring Commencement recognizes 24 graduate students and 294 undergraduate students who have earned their degrees over the past year Select Seniors will also be recognized at the annual Senior Awards Ceremony Various departments on campus will present awards to their graduating seniors at the Senior Awards Ceremony Larson is graduating with a degree in Elementary Education and will be the fourth generation in his family to go into teaching Larson has served as president of the VCSU Trap Club and was a member of VCSU’s trap team that won state championships in 2023 and 2025 He was a driving force in the effort to have VCSU Shooting Sports added as a competitive club sport Larson has also been heavily involved in Fisheries Club He worked as a resident assistant on campus and served as a New Student Orientation leader Larson starts his teaching career this fall as the 6th grade history teacher at Watford City (N.D.) Middle School Galt joined the VCSU Department of Science in 2016 He is an associate professor of science and teaches General Biology Galt recently received the VCSU Senior Faculty Excellence Award and the Student Senate Teacher of the Year award He is also head coach of the VCSU Shooting Sports Team and advisor for both the Trap Club and Pre-Professional Club Through his passion for teaching and involvement and leader both in and out of the classroom Galt resides in Valley City with his wife Jessica and their two children and student Grant Larson will speak at commencement A woman was taken into custody Saturday and is suspected of child abuse after police said her child was found covered in blood Police said she also tried to take an officer's firearm BY CARLYSLE PRICE SALT LAKE CITY – Sunday, the West Valley City Police Department announced it is offering a $10,000 reward for information on a 2022 cold case homicide it will be the third anniversary of 45-year-old Pete Ulibarri’s killing and police are offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case a drive-by shooting occurred “just before midnight in front of a home in the 3500 block of 6400 West in West Valley City,” police said in a release Police said witnesses reported a vehicle drove passed the home and made a U-turn before firing several shots Ulibarri was in a vehicle in the driveway and was killed A 46-year-old was reportedly in front of the house and was not hurt “Investigators believe the suspects were gang-affiliated and were likely targeting someone at the residence,” police said Ulibarri had no gang affiliation and appears to have been an innocent victim in the case.” Investigators said they would be available at 10 a.m Monday at the West City Valley Police Department to explain the reward and answer questions about the cold case Hot Rods Flood California’s Central ValleyThe Kingsburg Car Show celebrated its 30th anniversary with a record turnout John McGannWriter celebrated its 30th annual car show over the third weekend in April Nearly 400 cars were in attendance; it was the highest car count the show has ever seen Situated about half an hour south of Fresno Kingsburg is home to just over 12,000 people the Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce closes Draper Street and several of the intersecting streets for the show participants to park their cars We made the four-hour drive north from Los Angeles with Lucky Costa and the GasRatz Customs car club Be sure to check out our photo gallery from the show It was a little smaller than most of the shows we cover but the small-town charm of this Central Valley city made it all worthwhile Game Recap: Softball | 5/4/2025 3:17:00 PM Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here A 2024 Golden Valley survey of city employees showed 90% of 126 employees who responded to a survey thought communications from city management was poor 72% were dissatisfied and 75% are at risk of leaving the city The survey cost taxpayers $37,000 and the city is now conducting another survey at a cost of $20,000 Golden Valley resident Joanie Clausen sued the city claiming it did not respond to her data practices request for a full copy of the survey in a timely manner An administrative law judge agreed and fined the city $50 Clausen told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS she was disappointed to see the names of city administrators “There are people that are still working in upper management here that did not want those seen because those comments were directed at them,” said Clausen The city told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS no one was available for an interview but a spokesperson said the judge ruled the questions and names of the city employees who were criticized were considered private under state law Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KSTP via our online form or call 651-646-5555 Utah (KUTV) — A $10,000 reward is being offered to those with information leading to an arrest and conviction in a cold-case homicide 45-year-old Pete Ulibarri was shot and killed outside of his home near the 3500th block of 6400 West the West Valley City Police Department said Witnesses reported that a vehicle drove past the home A 46-year-old man was in front of his house who was sitting in a vehicle in the driveway Investigators believe the suspects were gang-affiliated and were likely targeting someone They believe that some people have information about the homicide N.D.— Valley City High School is launching a new initiative aimed at preparing student-athletes and their families for the upcoming athletic year The school will host its first-ever “What to Expect in Hi-Liner Athletics 2025–26” meeting on Thursday The informational session is open to students currently in grades 6 through 11 and their families The event is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of expectations “We want to ensure our families feel informed and supported as we head into a new year of Hi-Liner Athletics,” said Rob Hunt Activities Director at Valley City High School “This meeting will help establish clear communication and set everyone up for success.” The session will include presentations on several key areas: Athletic Training: including SWAY concussion testing protocols Sports Performance: highlighting summer performance camp opportunities Athletic Administration: covering policy updates Individual Sports Team Information: with details on summer camp schedules School officials encourage families to attend and engage with coaches and administrators as part of a shared effort to support student-athlete development “This is a great opportunity for our community to come together and help us build a strong foundation for the upcoming year,” Hunt said The event underscores Valley City’s continued commitment to fostering a safe The town of Apple Valley could see significant change over the next decade This file photo shows the water tanks in Apple Valley State Route 59 passes through Apple Valley The Canaan Mountain Wilderness stretches toward the horizon near Hildale The sun sets in the Canaan Mountain Wilderness Area a quiet high-desert town fewer than 40 miles from Zion National Park and defined by its rugged independence and slow-paced living now teeters on the brink of a transformative change Nestled in the high desert of southwestern Utah where red rock cliffs meet expansive plains scattered like puzzle pieces across the town’s 33 square miles could reshape Apple Valley’s future by nearly quadrupling its population and ushering in an era of deliberate and focused community development the town’s growth has steadily trended upwards Apple Valley’s population climbed to 383 by 2000 Current estimates place the number at roughly 900 a testament to its enduring appeal as a refuge for those seeking space affordability and proximity to Zion National Park But the pace of growth is set to accelerate Apple Valley’s Planning Commission recently voted to advance recommendations to the Town Council paving the way for the project that would add 1,386 new housing units highlighted by upscale estates spanning 3,000 to 7,000 square feet alongside 580 "high-end" short-term rental cabins ranging from 800 to 1,500 square feet the cabin community will feature premium amenities such as a central lodge positioning the development as a blend of luxury living and recreational retreat While earlier town administrations had approved certain components of the more than $100 million land deal the transition from approval to shovels in the ground became delayed beyond expectations Apple Valley Mayor Mike Farrar attributed the holdup to mismanagement by the former town government which prompted him to renegotiate the contract’s terms Farrar expressed confidence that the revised agreement has revived the project creating a mutually beneficial outcome for the town “Unfortunately for the town of Apple Valley the (previous) agreements were made without any thought to how all of this growth would be accomplished,” Farrar said water and the plan would have negatively affected the town and its residents I was elected based upon my promise to do everything I could to renegotiate the agreements so they better suited the needs of the town and the desire of the residents,” Farrar added and these developments were erroneously approved by past administrations against the will of the people dialing back over-development to protect the town’s quality of life and its future.” he said he has upheld his commitment to Apple Valley by meticulously evaluating every development proposal through the lens of the community’s needs “Here’s the thing about growth: you can’t stop it; it’s coming But we can do it slow and responsibly,” Farrar said “I’ve looked at other towns and noticed what I thought they were doing wrong handling things like traffic and I didn’t want to make those same mistakes … which can be costly each subdivision would amplify the town’s housing inventory almost overnight catering to both permanent residents and vacationers drawn to the region’s iconic landscape Working in tandem with his son Bradley – the town’s planning commissioner – Farrar collaborated with the developers through the multifaceted municipal approval process By aligning their expertise and community-driven vision the town administration cultivated a plan to prioritize responsible growth cultivate community engagement and sustain progress ensuring the project advanced with broad public endorsement “It was very important for us to have the Town Council mayor and Planning Commission’s support,” said Scout Holm “The mayor and his son stepped up and we owe them a debt of gratitude by keeping this project’s momentum alive.” In a perfect world – if all the regulatory gods fall in line – Holm anticipates breaking ground by summer but realizes that managing a project of this scale requires strategic coordination “We think this is a 10-year commitment,” Holm said We’d like to do this in such as way that we will leave Apple Valley as it is today Standard Development will build on lots no smaller than a half-acre with the majority on one acre and a smattering of 2.5-acre lots Holm has designed a comprehensive blueprint that integrates a variety of housing styles and community layouts This structured approach empowers Standard Development to sustain focus and advance decisively toward its strategic goals “Every lot out there will be equestrian style,” he added “You will still be able to look at the views of the crimson peaks surrounding Zion and the beauty of the Canaan (Mountain) Wilderness we’re going to get creative by blending them into the tree line a lot of the current residents won’t even be able to see them through the trees.” will honor the town’s sensibilities while embracing a nostalgic vision of rural simplicity “We’re not looking at this as a ‘get in get out quick’ scheme The mixed-use development in Apple Valley will integrate housing with expansive recreational and commercial amenities anchored by two professionally designed golf courses – 18 and 27 holes – irrigated with reclaimed water from a new municipal sewage treatment plant currently proposed by Holm Farrar said the reclaimed water system is projected to reduce consumption by 90% compared to the water demands of residential housing “While golf courses typically require significant water the reclaimed system makes irrigation far more cost-effective than supporting homes on the same land,” he said The project will also feature critical water infrastructure including drilling new wells and the construction of two water storage tanks – with a capacity of 1.5 million gallons combined – alongside community-focused amenities such as a park with baseball and soccer fields candy store and a pedestrian-friendly shopping district The 55-acre commercial zone aims to attract businesses like grocery stores dedicated bicycle shops will cater to riders tackling Gooseberry Mesa’s sprawling 30-mile trail network seamlessly connecting commerce to the region’s outdoor allure “Right now we don’t see a lot of tourists now other than mountain bikers … and this is why we’re starting to gear up for change,” Farrar said “Instead of having tourists pass through on their way to Zion we want to make Apple Valley more of a destination.” Infrastructure upgrades include partially paving of North State Street which currently links Apple Valley to Rockville While the county intends to fully pave the road the developer plans to complete 20% of the work upfront “We’re going to pave a portion of the road with plans to approach the county in a couple of years and leverage the time effort and money the city and the developer have already put into this project,” Farrar said the new paved route is projected to reduce travel time between Las Vegas while improving access to Apple Valley’s commercial district it's about keeping people here,” Farrar said “Hotels don’t want people to stay two nights We want to – through this development – attract more tourists by giving them things to do and a reason to choose to stay here longer.” Farrar stressed that it must be carefully planned effectively implemented and acceptable to Apple Valley residents but we really need to gear up and get ready,” he added “I think these developments are going to put us pretty close to our maximum growth potential.” Apple Valley is advancing plans to expand public services including the addition of a third fire station and the establishment of a municipal police force Currently reliant on the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement the town is in discussions with neighboring municipalities to coordinate regional support before the town entertains ideas of creating its own police force Educational infrastructure is also a priority as the community currently sends students to schools in Hurricane and Hildale The goal is to build a school to meet the needs of the families anticipated to relocate to Apple Valley Improvements to health care are also planned requiring residents to travel to Hurricane the town plans to begin with a rural urgent care clinic possibly followed by a long-term goal of constructing a full-service hospital The town of Apple Valley began in 1986 when contractor Ted Gubler looked out across the arid expanse of Washington County and saw potential He envisioned a place where families could live close to nature Gubler purchased land near the base of Canaan Mountain and began developing the Apple Valley Ranch and Gooseberry subdivisions laying out more than 300 lots under vast desert skies Early residents arrived to a raw landscape of dirt roads and sparse infrastructure Water rights became a flashpoint in the mid-1990s yet the original water allotments – 0.45 acre-feet per lot – left residents parched Tensions flared until the state intervened was to address a myriad of issues with the town’s water supply in a short time Farrar took aim at tackling infrastructure needs and water safety but I hadn’t taken office yet when we ran out of water for half of our town,” Farrar said “The (former city administration) tried to come up with some kind of blame game improper maintenance and pump failures that ran the storage tanks dry.” Apple Valley was plunged into an unexpected water crisis when taps ran dry across the town The disruption originated from a critical malfunction in a primary water pump which rapidly drained the community’s 1-million-gallon storage tank This failure left 170 households without water access underscoring vulnerabilities in the town’s infrastructure but we did some very thorough tests and what we found was high levels of radium – a radioactive element – which was over the state’s legal limit.” In areas where granite bedrock underlies local aquifers radium – a naturally occurring radioactive element – can infiltrate groundwater Prolonged exposure to elevated radium levels incrementally heightens the risk of bone cancer kidney dysfunction and other radiation-linked illnesses by damaging cellular DNA which disrupts biological processes and fosters mutations that may culminate in malignant cancer growth Farrar dealt with what he called an over-complicated Prior to the beginning of Farrar’s tenure as mayor the town relied on three isolated water systems: one serving Apple Valley proper This fragmented setup forced the city to allocate limited funds toward redundant water quality testing and maintenance for each isolated network all while lacking the infrastructure to integrate them Compounding these challenges was a water company burdened by $4.5 million in debt further straining the town’s ability to address its aging the town upgraded its water infrastructure merging its fragmented systems into two interconnected networks and setting the stage for eventual consolidation into a single Farrar set his gaze on dealing with the failing water company “I told the people when I was elected that I was going to fix this problem,” Farrar said Help soon came but from a somewhat unsolicited source offered to help me if there was anything I needed,” Farrar said but he pointed me in the right direction and to the State Division of Drinking Water … who listened to my plea for help and ended up awarding Apple Valley $3.3 million for an emergency pipeline to cut off the contaminated wells in the affected part of town.” Although Cox has been “amazing,” Farrar added has offered additional help in the form of a $2 million grant to add an additional pipeline that will get Apple Valley down to one system “We are no longer in an emergency situation but the $2 million will finish everything we need to do.” As Apple Valley’s story still unfolds – not as a tale of pioneer wagons or remote outposts but as a modern experiment in community building – its residents are poised to reinvent their town a volunteer fire department still run by neighbors and homes tucked between juniper trees and sagebrush The air is cooler – 5-10 degrees below nearby St George – a reward for living at 4,500 feet elevation broken only by the wind or the occasional distant howl of a coyote The question remains: what will change bring Email notifications are only sent once a day summary of the weather details and news of any severe weather We'll send breaking news and news alerts to you as they happen Receive Sunday Local Offers Coupons from St Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account AZ — Cities across the Valley have picked up a reputation for rapid growth in recent years but a new report shows the East Valley boasts some of the nation’s fastest-growing cities over the longer haul The analysis from online self-storage listings platform StorageCafe measured Gilbert as the large city with the fourth-fastest growth in the country between 2014 and 2023 The East Valley city grew by 22% during that time a percentage its matched in its category by the larger Henderson Two other East Valley cities were also on the high-growth side of the large-cities list which includes 88 cities whose populations are higher than 250,000 But while Gilbert was near the top for large cities the percentage growth of another East Valley community was more than six times higher Read more of this story from the Business Journal. Report a typo 1-seeded University of Jamestown softball team won the conference championship after a 7-0 win over No 4-seeded Valley City State University in the North Star Athletic Association Conference Championship Game on Sunday at Dickinson State University’s Bravera Field The win is the Jimmies' first conference title since the 2016-17 season The Jimmies (35-15) are heading to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time since the 2017-18 season time and effort into it when it comes to recruiting and counseling and hosting and getting them to do camps and practicing and training," Jimmies head coach Kevin Gall said "So at the end of the day you want the pay day for all the time and effort you're putting in There'd be something wrong with you if you didn't feel good about it The Jimmies opened the scoring in the second inning on a Tori Olson sacrifice bunt to make it 1-0 before she was later brought home on a Sydney Grendler two-run double made it 3-0 adding three more runs in the frame to go up 6-0 The Jimmies put the game away in the third inning when Grendler reached on an error allowing Rylie Welk to score and make it 7-0 The Jimmies went with their ace on the bump who pitched a complete game three-hitter shutout while striking out three and not walking any Vikings (26-23) Ransome finishes the tournament throwing 19.1 innings giving up one run on 11 hits while striking out four hitters and walking three hitters The Vikings’ Maddy Zander started the game going 1.0+ giving up four earned runs on three hits while striking two hitters and walking three hitters who went five innings giving up one earned run on four hits while striking out three hitters The Jimmies will now wait to see who they face in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament starting on Monday "We gotta heal up and take care of our bodies and have a couple good practices here towards the end of the week," Gall said we find out what our destination is so that could be pretty easy to plan a trip or it could be a lot of work to plan a trip If we go into Missouri or something that's gonna be different than if we go to Sioux Center So hopefully we'll be in a spot where we can get there relatively easy and I think we gotta get there a couple days early to be ready to play whoever it is we're gonna play." improves to 37-13 on the year and will play No Valley City drops to 20-31 and will play an elimination game against DSU on Friday BU hitters touched up VCSU ace Hunter Magnuson for eight runs before departing after just 3.2 innings of work Alexis Velasco got the Vikings on the board first with a fielder’s choice in the opening half inning It would have been the third out if not for the first of five Bruin errors earlier in the frame Makarus chased Magnuson in the bottom of the fourth with a line drive grand slam Magnuson (4-6) exited with just three of his eight runs as earned on seven hits McMan (6-2) worked around the defensive miscues to deliver seven innings in a quality start He allowed a pair of unearned runs while scattering eight hits and striking out six against just one walk Brody Burnette worked the final two innings to nail down the victory allowing just a solo home run from Babiuk with two out in the ninth © 2025 Nebraska Rural Radio Association. All rights reserved. Republishing, rebroadcasting, rewriting, redistributing prohibited. Copyright Information Website ©2025 Nebraska Rural Radio Association | All rights reserved. | Website developed by Hollman Media you will be automatically redirected here whenever you go to https://ruralradio.com you can click the "Clear home" link in the footer of the site Game Recap: Softball | 5/2/2025 3:06:00 PM Thanks for visiting VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – More than 45 Valley City State University students will present their research writing and other creative activities during the annual VCSU Scholar Symposium The Scholar Symposium will be held Tuesday The annual event provides undergraduate students the opportunity to showcase research and other academic projects developed over the past year The student-designed projects showcased this year represent 10 departments across campus The event also includes presentations by the recipients of grants from the VCSU Student Opportunities for Academic Research (SOAR) advisory committee A schedule for the Scholar Symposium is below Students from different departments will present throughout the event 10:00 a.m.: Welcome from VCSU President Alan LaFave The 2News continuing investigation shows a dramatically different action another agency has taken Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer – that’s the outcome of an internal affairs investigation by the West Valley City Police Department The basis for the IA investigation was the allegation of a relationship between Detective Josue Llil and Salt Lake County Deputy District Attorney Adrianna Davis This is a very different response than what we've seen from District Attorney Sim Gill a former Deputy District Attorney in Gill's office told 2News Investigates I mean they were willing to disregard the truth." She blew the whistle about this inappropriate relationship to Gill's administration and to Gill himself Then she resigned after she says they covered it up "West Valley City - clearly their focus was what are the facts and what’s the right thing to do." The Professional Standards Section known as internal affairs of the West Valley City Police Department launched an internal affairs investigation against Det Police Chief Colleen Jacobs issued a disciplinary order to Det "I have now reviewed the case in its entirety I have sustained the allegation of Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and determined that a letter of reprimand is appropriate discipline for this conduct." She also told Emiliano that he is "so young" and that he acted in self-defense The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office initially declined to file charges in the case citing self-defense aspects of the case six months later Davis filed a murder charge against Emiliano with the intent to transfer it to District Court where the 14-year-old would be tried as an adult a whistleblower in the case worked for Gill at the time She warned top administrators and even DA Gill about an inappropriate relationship between Davis and Llil that she says led to the "aggressive filing." There are multiple emails and other communications showing this Mills also turned over dozens of text messages between her and Davis In the Letter of Reprimand West Valley City Police issued to Det "The administrative investigation revealed your personal relationship with a deputy district attorney resulted in widespread negative attention for you and the Department This conduct you knew or should have known is unbecoming a member of this Department reflected unfavorably upon this Department and yourself and is unacceptable." "This violation of West Valley City Police Department Policy 326.5.9 is a Category B violation." Allegation # 1 for sexual misconduct was not sustained Human Resource Director and City Attorney Eric Bunderson were copied on the letter from the Office of the Chief Chris Burbank was the Salt Lake City Police Chief for nine years He reviewed Llil’s Letter of Reprimand and other documentation in this case prior to his interview ”That is a police chief basically saying boy you caused not only embarrassment for yourself but for the entire organization and that’s what I’m going to hold you accountable for Given that language I’m surprised this person still has a job," he said "Anytime an officer’s integrity is at question then it does potentially bring in a Brady conflict in court but it also is if you can’t trust them in this past situation how do you ever trust them going forward How do you ever reconcile that as a police officer Or how do you reconcile that as a police chief to have an employee in that category.” and they came with this - I’d ask a lot of serious questions before I ever hired somebody in this position.” “The other thing that’s problematic about it is I got 300-400 applicants for the job so you can always find somebody who is just as qualified but doesn’t have a problem and then that makes them more qualified So why are you going to take a chance on this.” Burbank says while Llil’s letter of reprimand is a strongly worded letter “The lowest level of discipline that exists in the structure.” Llil's letter of reprimand is in stark contrast from what the DA's Office has argued in court filings It was not able to sustain Mills allegations of wrongdoing on that part of Adrianna Davis despite a thorough investigation Mills’s allegations of wrongdoing on the part of Davis despite a thorough investigation." whether or how the DAO determined the allegations Ms Mills leveled against DDA Davis could not be substantiated will not advance this case nor establish a basis for the Court to disqualify the elected DA or his Office." In the State's Response in Opposition to Emiliano's Motion for Relief dated January 14, 2025 Chief Deputy District Attorney Bridget Romano wrote ******* depicts as relevant factual history is based on carefully cultivated excerpts of text conversations between Mss Davis and Mills which have been taken out of context and presented to inflame In an internal email from the DA himself, sent on March 12 Gill claims "salacious unsupported allegations" were leveled by two former prosecutors Court filings from prosecutors list Meghann Mills and Nathan Evershed who worked in the DA's office for Gill and now represents Emiliano "Two former DAO employees have unjustifiably alleged that a juvenile named Emiliano ******* was charged with murder only to appease an attorney in this Office who allegedly was involved in an inappropriate relationship with an investigator from a law enforcement agency." "We take our discovery obligations seriously and are deeply disappointed that attorneys particularly former prosecutors from our office chose to inject lurid and irrelevant accusations into court records and media narratives about the private lives of our employees." "The discovery rules in criminal procedure and relevant case law exist to safeguard defendants' due process rights; they do not justify a salacious shell game of spreading unsubstantiated rumors or engaging in character attacks unrelated to the case evidence." "It is unfortunate that former colleagues chose sensationalism as a tactic to divert public attention from the serious nature of this crime." "He doesn’t care who he hurts he doesn't care who he defames." we will continue to defend the actions of our attorneys and this office when attacked by unsupported allegations." 2News Investigates reached out to Keith Chalmers the Communications Manager for the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office We asked for a response to details in this story Chalmers sent the following email statement for DA Gill In response to the defamation accusation: “I standby what I said in the email sent to our staff,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill For a response to the quote "The depths to his lies and his “We have responded in legal filings to the issues Nothing more needs to be said,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill (Click Here for complete agenda and Materials) The City Commission Meeting will begin on Monday The meeting is also available to view online https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87004017148 or listen by calling (1 346 248 7799) Webinar ID: 870 0401 7148 APPROVAL OF AGENDA (ROLL CALL VOTE NEEDED WHEN CHANGES MADE TO THE AGENDA) Roll Call: Magnuson Erickson Gulmon Bishop Carlsrud Approve Minutes from the 4.15.2025 Finance and Commission Meetings Approve Site Authorizations: ND Horse Park @ Casa Mexico Thundering Saints @ Bridges Bar & Grill VC Hockey & Figure Skating @ North 9 Bar & Grill and The Captain’s Pub Approve Raffle Requests: Kollyn Quick Cancer Benefit 5.30.2025 VC Eagles Club Valley City Chamber of Commerce 6.14.25 Central Ave Approve 2025-26 Contractor Renewals: Enterprise Electric Inc Park Street Development Inc dba Valley Flooring Roll Call: Bishop Magnuson Erickson Gulmon Carlsrud Attorney General’s “A Citizen’s Guide to North Dakota Open Records & Open Meetings Laws” *A member of the public does not have the right to speak to the governing body at an open meeting The public is only entitled to see and hear what happens at a meeting  No personal attacks to persons present or not  No inflammatory language used during time that you have the platform  5-minute maximum or as directed by the chair  Thank you for participating in City Government An ordinance to create and enact Chapter 1 of Title 21 of the Valley City Municipal Code related to an enterprise for single-family homebuyer assistance Roll Call: Gulmon Bishop Magnuson Erickson Carlsrud RES 2480 Resolution Accepting Bids and Awarding Contract for Sanitary Sewer Improvement District No 72 Roll Call: Erickson Gulmon Bishop Magnuson Carlsrud RES 2481 Resolution Creating Paving Improvement District-131 24181) (SU-CPU-2-990(69) PCN 24239) (City Engineer) RES 2482 Resolution Creating Water Main Improvement District-107 24181) (SU-CPU-2-990(069) PCN 24239) (City Engineer) RES 2483 Resolution Creating Sanitary Improvement District-71 RES 2484 Resolution Creating Storm Sewer Improvement District-57 Approve change: North 9 Bar & Grill Hours of Operation Approve Tree Tourism Grant – Visitor Committee Approve the Renewal of Dana Rustebakke to the Valley City Renaissance Zone Committee Approve the Renewal of John Hill to the Valley City Renaissance Zone Committee Consider request of Valley City Tourism Board to use cash reserves in the amount of $10,000 for WWII Heritage City Roll Call: Magnuson Erickson Gulmon Bishop Carlsrud6 Approve purchase of PFP Buyout of 567 Viking Drive in the amount of $82,280 Approve Updates to the Renaissance Zone and Extension Approve Update to Employee Policy and Procedure Manual Related to Purchasing (City Attorney Martineck) Approve Preliminary & Design Engineering Task Order for Project No Road Shared-Use Path – Phase 2 (City Engineer) Approve Amendment to Construction Manager at Risk Contract for Guaranteed Maximum Price of $10,685,685 (NewsDakota.com) More than 140 people participated in the 6th annual Bar Golf Tournament in Valley City More than 30 teams mini golfed at 14 establishments in Valley City on Saturday i3G Media and the Thundering Saints sponsored this fun event Congratulation to team Clubhouse for winning the tournament and Mulligan’s Island for being selected as sporting the best costumed team VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Ensembles from the Valley City State University Department of Music are going on tour in early May performing nine concerts in North Dakota and South Dakota from May 2-9 The VCSU Music Tour begins with a kick-off concert on Friday and will culminate with a performance May 9 at the Mount Rushmore Amphitheater “Our students and faculty have worked hard to create a strong music program at VCSU,” said Ken Jimenez associate professor and music department chair “We’re excited to share the fruits of that labor with audiences throughout the state and region We’re confident that our student performances will leave a long-lasting impression and we know how big of an impact going on tour will have on our students’ lives The final performance at the Mount Rushmore Amphitheater will definitely stick with them for years to come.” More than 40 students and faculty will be on the tour performing a variety of vocal and instrumental selections Ensembles performing on tour include the Concert Band Valley City residents can get a preview of the tour performances by attending the Tour Kick-Off Concert The concert is free and open to the public Community members interested in providing a donation to offset costs of the tour are encouraged to do so at the Tour Kick-Off Concert or by donating to the VCSU Friends of Music The music tour includes North Dakota performances in Jamestown The tour culminates with performances at Chapel in the Hills near Rapid City VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University students provided free tax return preparation for community members this year helping to prepare 50 tax returns free of charge The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program was offered by students and faculty from the VCSU Department of Business and is for low-to-moderate income taxpayers The average cost to prepare a federal return runs nearly $200 meaning the VITA program was estimated to save community members up to $10,000 total “We had three students who participated and helped run the site this year,” said Wesley Wright assistant professor and organizer for this year’s VITA program we would not have been able to help the community like we did these clinics give our students the opportunity to develop strong leadership The VITA program includes face-to-face meetings between students and the tax filer to complete their return The returns are then reviewed by a faculty member Every student volunteer working in the clinic has passed a tax preparation and code of standards exam to ensure returns are prepared accurately and ensure all personal information is secure VCSU students helping with the tax clinics this year were Abby Rasmussen The VITA program is an IRS and community-sponsored program designed to assist low to moderate income taxpayers with the preparation of their annual tax returns at no cost This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Tickets are still available for the 30th annual VCSU Scholarship Auction happening Friday This year’s pirate-themed event will be full of treasure Auction tickets are on sale now for $70 each, which includes admission, two drink tickets and a buffet dinner. Purchase tickets online or by contacting the VCSU Foundation office at 701-845-7203 The night begins with a social hour at 5 p.m This is an opportunity to bid on great items while contributing to scholarships offering some financial relief for future and current VCSU students the evening will also feature the popular Mystery Wine Table along with a variety of raffle giveaways Games and contests throughout the night include raffle boards Items on the live auction will be listed on the VCSU Alumni Website prior to Friday’s event The live auction includes numerous  VCSU items along with trips Online bidding is now open for Silent Auction items The silent auction will be set up in-person this year at the Eagles club but bids will still be made exclusively in the Handbid app Silent auction bidding concludes at 7:30 p.m The Handbid app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store participants follow the prompts to create an account then choose “VCSU Scholarship Auction 2025” from the list Silent auction participants do not need to be present to win VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University is seeking employers for its annual Career & Internship Expo on Tuesday Students attending the expo will be looking for internships This is an excellent way for employers to meet soon-to-be graduates and make connections with underclassmen “This event is one of the best ways we can connect our student population with the business community in Valley City and North Dakota,” said Janna Kohler “We love to bring opportunities like this to campus for our students to see what great career offerings are in our region.” Employers interested in attending the fair can contact Kohler at janna.kohler@vcsu.edu or 701-845-7534 The expo will be held February 25 from 11 a.m Registration is open for employers until January 31 or until maximum capacity is reached VCSU students have been proven to be career ready 99 percent of VCSU graduates responding to a career survey said they were already employed or choosing to continue their education after graduation Valley City State University students can major in more than 65 programs Some of the larger programs on campus include elementary and secondary education The Office of Multicultural Affairs provides essential support and transformative educational experiences to cultivate a global perspective and foster an appreciation for diversity within the Valley City State University community The Office of Multicultural Affairs is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable campus environment faculty and staff by promoting mutual respect and facilitating intercultural dialogue we aim to cultivate global citizens prepared to thrive in diverse environments support the retention and graduation of underrepresented students and uphold the university’s mission of honoring the dignity and uniqueness of each individual This mission statement aligns with VCSU’s commitment to diversity and inclusion emphasizing the importance of mutual respect intercultural dialogue and the holistic development of the university community The services and programs this office provides are integral to creating a campus atmosphere that values diversity promotes equity and supports the holistic development of all students Learn more about the educational workshops and trainings below We hereby acknowledge that the VCSU campus sits on traditional and ancestral lands of the Red Lake and Pembina bands of Ojibwe and Sisseton and Wahpeton bands of Santee Dakota peoples This land is deeply connected to the many indigenous people who have held and continue to hold it sacred We pledge to work toward a strong and lasting relationship with Ojibwe and Dakota tribes as well as other indigenous peoples of our region to hold this land and community in celebration of its rich cultural history The Office for Multicultural Affairs offers educational opportunities and workshops for the campus community These workshops and opportunities are designed to engage in cultural and multicultural competency development and skills please contact the multicultural affairs office participants will increase self-awareness and recognize the diverse experiences of others Outcome: Participants will develop foundational understanding of their “self” and societal structures participants will build a comprehensive understanding of historical and systemic inequities and how they affect different communities Outcome: Participants will better understand systemic factors and develop empathy for diverse experiences participants will receive practical tools for addressing equity and creating a culture of belonging in everyday interactions Outcome: Participants will leave with actionable skills to promote equity inclusion and belonging in their immediate environments participants will be empowered to take leadership roles in fostering equity inclusion and belonging within their communities Outcome: Participants will emerge as change agents belonging efforts on campus and as global citizens effectively advocate for justice in their communities Jocelyn Santana is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in higher education having served at both two-year and four-year institutions as she has collaborated with school districts and municipalities to foster cultural competence and advance practices that promote access Jocelyn holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree She is a national restorative justice practitioner Passionate about exploration and connection immersing herself in diverse communities and building meaningful relationships The University of Utah today announced a landmark $75 million gift from the George S and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation to establish a new 800,000-square-foot state-of-the-art hospital and medical campus in West Valley City marking a historic expansion of health care access for westside communities The gift will enable the construction of the university’s first off-campus hospital in its 175-year history and its largest multi-specialty health clinic This expansion is a vital step in increasing health care access across Salt Lake County ensuring that the more than 725,000 residents living west of I-15 have greater access to hospital care where currently only one in 10 hospital beds serve the area The new campus will anchor an innovative $855 million university initiative that extends beyond health care delivery and educational opportunities and career development in health care while catalyzing economic development that will build local prosperity “This groundbreaking investment continues the Eccles family’s extraordinary legacy of expanding health care access and education across Utah,” said Taylor Randall the Eccles family has offered both unwavering leadership and financial support for excellence in health care throughout the state in 1965 a critical contribution from Spencer S Eccles helped establish the U’s medical library Eccles chaired the first fundraising campaign to build University of Utah Hospital in 1975 the family made a monumental gift to the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine in 2021 We are so grateful to the Eccles family for their leadership in expanding access to U of U Health’s outstanding medical care ensuring more westside communities have the high-quality health care they deserve.” the new University of Utah Health campus will feature a 90-bed hospital and comprehensive multi-specialty outpatient clinics including heart care in addition to general internal medicine and urgent care the clinics are expected to serve more than 341,000 outpatient visits annually The campus will also provide additional pathways for education and career advancement in medical fields creating over 2,000 new jobs in the West Valley area “We’re thrilled to partner with the West Valley community to expand access to high-quality health care on the westside,” said Bob Carter westside residents drive more than 12 million miles per year to access U of U Health services This new campus is exciting because it will bring comprehensive We also see this project as key to expanding educational opportunities and helping to address our shortage of doctors which is five times greater in western Salt Lake County than in other Wasatch Front communities.” The need for expanded health care in West Valley City is critical to addressing various social determinants of health Current data shows that West Valley residents experience: we are so thrilled about this project because this community—right here in our Salt Lake Valley—has not had access to the kind of world-class medical care that they deserve,” said Spencer F “Our hope is that this hospital and health campus will become an indispensable community resource This campus will be a win-win-win for those living in West Valley and all along the Wasatch Front for years to come.” Since the hospital was publicly announced last year the community has been actively involved in the planning process with hundreds attending numerous stakeholder meetings “West Valley City is the second largest city in Utah and has a growing demand for hospital and specialty services,” said Karen Lang “We are so excited to have this incredible commitment by the University of Utah and other donors whose support make it possible These new state-of-the-art medical facilities will be a wonderful addition for our entire community.” Construction of the new health campus is anticipated to begin this summer The multi-specialty health clinic is scheduled to be completed in 2028 The campus will be located on 22 acres in West Valley City at 3750 South and 5600 West VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The Valley City State University Opera Ensemble is pleased to announce its spring concert The performance takes place at the Larry J the Opera Ensemble will present a selection of pieces from renowned opera and musical theater productions We invite all community members to join the VCSU Opera Ensemble for an afternoon of musical performances Valley City State University Department of Mathematics will host hundreds of area students for the 2nd Annual VCSU Math Competition on Wednesday The competition is open to students in grades 7-12 Registration is done online at the link below and will close on Tuesday View the Online Registration Form Participants and teachers/coaches will receive a VCSU beanie just for attending Individual awards will be presented to the top 10 students in each grade division (7-9 and 10-12) including a $1,000 VCSU Math scholarship to the individual champion of the grade 10-12 division Team awards will be presented to the top 3 teams in each grade division Questions? Contact VCSU math department chair, Dr. Jamie Wirth at 701-845-7734 or jamie.wirth@vcsu.edu MINOT — One program was going to come out of Minot with a first-ever state championship Through poised performances from Skye Neilson 16 points from Neilson and 12 points from Anderson powered the Hi-Liners to a 67-44 win as they were able to put a stop to a wild run from the Thompson Tommies in the Division A title game on Saturday After victories of more than 20 points in its first two games of the tournament Valley City was able to hold the Thompson offense in check Our game travels everywhere with the way we play,” Valley City head coach Jimmy Howard said “We wanted to be locked in and make it difficult for them to score.” The Hi-Liners feature a trio that has averaged double digits in scoring on the year with Burchill (20.1) All three are dynamic players at both ends of the court and all three provided the strong post play that brought them to the final via a one-point victory over No it was Neilson and Anderson that started the job and Burchill that came in for the finish Both players hit emphatic 3-pointers in the opening minutes that forced the focus off the paint We’re physical and its tough to defend both of them The imbalance in the paint showed early on Rebounds in the first half were 21-9 in favor of Valley City and the Hi-Liners ran away with second-chance points There was an extra set of hands able to get to every tipped board and feed Burchill She would collect 10 points in the first half was able to achieve a double-double in all three state tournament games “Our mindset was just getting out on those shooters and not letting them take shots Our defense was amazing during this game,” Burchill said The matchup in the paint between the Thompson double and the Burchill-Neilson duo was push and pull throughout the night once the shots from the field pushed Valley out to a 10-point lead but the Hi-Liners have a frontcourt that can pull in offensive rebounds with ease Thompson's Jordyn Tozer and Neilson both traded threes after the opening tip Tozer even went on to lead Thompson in scoring after the first half with two 3-pointers “We were hedging screens and switching on stuff if we had to We wanted hands in faces and did not want them to knock down threes.” Just as much of a threat in recent weeks has been the Thompson duo of Addison Sage and Kya Hurst Both have been playing at a different level since getting bounced from the Region 2A tournament in February Sage had 47 points thus far in this tournament Burchill was a force the entire tournament totaling 46 points and 23 assists in her two double-doubles before the final Sage and Hurst finished the title game with 10 and 11 points “To put yourself into a state championship is extremely hard you have a lot of positive energy and confidence but we just didn’t have that wind in our sail today,” Thompson head coach Jason Brend said Turnovers increased on both sides to open the second half as the Tommies looked to up the aggressiveness and cut down on Valley City’s 10-point lead and get that spark back The Hi-Liners were able to rally through it In a 14-3 run to start the closing 16 minutes Neilson ran up a 7-for-8 stat line for 16 points and an exclamation point 3-pointer to put Valley City up 41-24 in the third quarter kick outs to Anderson were open and she took advantage Each three she hit came at a perfect time to squash Thompson's momentum “She shoots the ball with a lot of confidence and she saved her best night of shooting at the state tournament for night three She took advantage of being left open and getting to those gaps,” Howard said Valley City captures its first state tournament in its first trip to a state title game since 1982 the Tommies have to swallow another crushing loss Thompson lost in the Class B title game in overtime to Central Cass the Tommies lost in the semifinals as the No Thompson made a magical run as a state qualifier only to fall short again “Three years in a row we’ve gotten a gut punch to end our season,” Brend said “I feel like we have all the motivation in the world that we need It’s just a situation where we’ve got to keep fighting.” VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The VCSU Scholarship Auction raised $125,000 for student scholarships during the annual event held Friday “The support and generosity from our community is greatly appreciated,” said Kim Hesch assistant director for university advancement The VCSU Foundation sold 329 tickets for this year’s auction and raised a total of $125,000 through ticket sales The Scholarship Auction is the largest annual fundraiser for the VCSU Foundation and supports both academic and athletic scholarships for VCSU students (KOKH) — Flooding causing safety concerns for Oklahomans in Pauls Valley City officials are stepping in to help however they can The Pauls Valley Fire Department is giving away sandbags to protect people and their property Fox 25 spoke with a man who says he's not taking any chances tonight after seeing how bad the damage was from last night's storm "This is dangerous for us," Keaton Eastep said you can see where [the floodwaters are] in the electrical box like it’s touching my electrical box right now.” Eastep says he expected Tuesday night's storms to cause flooding by his trailer park off State Highway 19 I'd rather deal with tornadoes." Floodwaters caused damage to two of his cars He says he wants city or state leaders to help Eastep says he’s thinking about his family's safety tonight "We’re actually thinking about probably leaving tonight just in case if it does [rain] Going to go stay with family probably just in case.” The Oklahoma Department of Transportation provided Fox 25 with the following statement: For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here. Valley City State University has released it’s President’s Honor Roll Dean’s Honor Roll and Honor Roll for the fall 2024 semester The President’s Honor Roll recognizes students who completed 12 semester hours or more of VCSU classes for which grade points are earned with a 4.0 grade point average Click here to view the President’s Honor Roll The Dean’s Honor Roll recognizes students who completed 12 semester hours or more of VCSU classes for which grade points are earned with a grade point average of at least 3.50 Click here to view the Dean’s Honor Roll. The Honor Roll recognizes students who completed 6 to 11 semester hours of Valley City State University classes for which grade points are earned with a grade point average of at least 3.50 Click here to view the Honor Roll Valley City State University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, VCSU is one of 11 institutions in the North Dakota University System (NDUS) GRANTSVILLE — A new outdoor swap meet is set to launch on Sunday in Grantsville and it's expected to draw some of the vendors who operated at the now-defunct Redwood Swap Meet in West Valley City Some of the organizers were associated with the Redwood Swap Meet, but the Grantsville Marketplace The swap meet at 512 Sheep Lane on the grounds of Burt Brothers Motorpark will open at 8 a.m Plans are to hold the swap meet each Sunday and organizers are thinking of expanding to Saturdays The closure of Redwood last December came about because of plans to redevelop the land and other smaller business operators dependent on the income said he has encouraged many of the Redwood vendors to take part in the Grantsville operation expected to draw 200 or so sellers on Sunday and more going forward Gutierrez is not involved in Grantsville Marketplace and said he's scouting for possible swap meet sites closer to the Salt Lake City urban population area The Redwood Swap Meet had hosted around 800 vendors making it among the largest of the informal retail operations in the area "Not everyone can afford to set up their shops at strip malls due to risk The swap meet gives them the opportunity to do this once (or twice) a week without having to invest as much time money and risk," Luna said in a message to KSL.com He's not aware of any outdoor swap meets in the area that match the size of Grantsville Marketplace but said he senses demand and interest from both vendors and the general public Entry to the Grantsville Marketplace will be $2 per person "We will have a variety of vendors — food vendors We will be having music of different genres every other week when able to," Luna said Photo: Life in Color by Maleah Pfeifer of Northern Cass High School VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The Valley City State University Arts Gallery proudly presents the annual High School Student Art Exhibit showcasing a diverse collection of artworks created by talented high school students across North Dakota The exhibition is open to the public February 24 through March 21 on the VCSU campus This year’s exhibit highlights outstanding student artworks from students at Hillsboro High School The VCSU Arts Gallery is located inside the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Awards will be presented at a public reception, announced at a later date. A virtual exhibit will also be available on the VCSU Art Department’s YouTube Channel North Dakota as one of the least populated states in the country is a place of wide-open spaces and unspoiled natural beauty Hidden amidst the vast countryside are small delightful escapes with some of the prettiest main streets From the best ice cream in Bottineau to the oldest continuously operating movie theater in Lisbon Life in these small communities moves a little slower but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do Be sure to check out these idyllic North Dakota communities when you want a slice of Americana in the Peace Garden State Not too far from the Montana border in western North Dakota is Medora, tucked in the heart of the Badlands near the Theodore Roosevelt National Park not much has changed in Medora in all the best ways The Old West-style buildings with the towering Badlands in the distance feel like walking into the days of the Wild West (minus all the saloon brawls) it’s best to stop at the Medora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau It’s where you can learn about all the community events happening in the area like watching The Outlaws Live at the Old Town Hall Theater You can also stop in delightful shops like Little Missouri Saloon & Dining Room or experience Medora’s past at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame You know you've made it to Jamestown when you find yourself face to face with the world’s largest buffalo monument Dakota Thunder is a massive 26-foot-tall concrete buffalo and one of the most iconic roadside attractions in Jamestown you can also check out the National Buffalo Museum to learn more about these animals' role in the American West walkable community with cozy shops like Babb's Coffee House or the beautiful Stutsman County Memorial Museum there’s no better stop than Frontier Village Many of the original buildings from old Jamestown were relocated to this spot equipped with antiques and artifacts for visitors to gain insight into the days of the American West Settled along the banks of the Sheyenne River is Valley City the town is known for its charming bridges its most famous bridge is the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge known as one of the longest and highest single-track railroad bridges in the United States You can’t walk across it because it’s still used for railcars but you can see it from Chautauqua Park and learn a little more about it at the Valley City Rosebud Visitor Center Central Valley City has a bit of an artistic flair You can grab a cup of coffee at Alley Beans Coffee & Roastery before exploring this tight-knit neighborhood with notable festivals like Summer Nights on Central and Sheyenne RiverFest Located in eastern North Dakota just south of Fargo Wahpeton delivers all of the excitement of a bustling city in a much smaller space You can visit quaint attractions like the 29-acre Chahinkapa Zoo or spend a lazy afternoon at Chahinkapa Park you may even catch a glimpse of a dinosaur (not a real one but a velociraptor sculpture made of scrap metal) Many of the buildings near Dakota Avenue are on the National Register of Historic Places like the massive Richland County Courthouse which is no longer operational but stands as a historical landmark Wahpeton also has artistic appeal in addition to its ornate has annual exhibits worth checking out and serves as Wahpeton’s visitors center If you didn’t know that Lisbon was there, you likely would never stumble upon this hidden gem. Situated in the heart of the Sheyenne National Grassland it has one of the prettiest downtown areas anywhere in the state You can expect ornate brick buildings with accented stone pieces and a touch of Art Deco There’s no better example of the unique architecture in Lisbon than the Ransom County Courthouse built in the 1930s (the peak of the Art Deco movement in America) Lisbon leans into its small-town charm with attractions you may not find anywhere else in the country The Scenic Theater opened its doors in 1911 and is believed to be one of the oldest continuously operating movie theaters in the United States You can still visit the theater to catch a show although the films playing today are quite different from those in the early 1900s You can also grab a bite to eat at The Bronc then explore the Sandager Park and enjoy the views of the Sheyenne River Bottineau boasts natural beauty from the highest peaks to Main Street There are plenty of outdoor adventures to discover just outside the city limits but the real fun in Bottineau lies on its charming streets The best time to visit is during the Bottineau County Fair Bottineau’s biggest claim to fame isn’t the county fair or even the tranquility of the Turtle Mountains While there are quite a few shops to grab a sundae or a cone It’s one of North Dakota’s last remaining small-time creameries and was nominated as one of the country's top 50 ice cream parlors by USA Today you have to add Bottineau to your North Dakota road-trip itinerary The town's central hub on 3rd Street SW has a bit of everything: Darling little restaurants It’s the type of town where you don’t feel like you need to rush You can grab a slice of pizza at the Pizza Shop and then explore the unique Island Park which is surrounded by water from an oxbow of the Goose River One of the best places to visit in Mayville is the Rainbow Garden and Sculpture Walk located right across 3rd Avenue and across from the Island Park well-manicured green space in with paved walking paths It also has live music and food trucks in the summer If you’re looking for a small, quiet community to relax and explore, look no further than Washburn. Nestled along the banks of the Missouri River Washburn is truly a North Dakota secret gem with quaint shops that provide retail therapy in an old-timey setting Exploring the Old West-style buildings feels like traveling back in time You can order a drink at Riverboat Saloon and dine on classic American comfort food at the cozy Cafe 77 As you travel south down Main Avenue and turn onto 6th Street, the road will eventually lead to Boat Ramp Road, where you can take in the scenic spots of Washburn. You can walk along the Missouri River at Riverside Park or walk through Washburn Dog Park (which is not too far from where Lewis and Clark spent the winter in the 1800s) If you want to learn more about Washburn's connection to Lewis and Clark be sure to stop by the McLean County Museum Though the proclamation is up for debate, a stone monument in the middle of town states that Rigby is the geographical center of North America Aside from its convenient location smack dab in the center of America Rugby is a charming town with a rich history flat stretch of road with unique stops worth checking out There’s the geographical center monument at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and U.S The museum offers a glimpse into Rugby’s past with over 20 historic buildings all furnished with antiques and exhibits that illustrate early life in Rugby Another interesting stop is the Niewoehner Bell Tower a collection of bells from various sources These small communities will not disappoint the next time you want to hit the road; they deliver a vibe that makes you feel like you’re right at home You can grab a bite to eat and take in the breathtaking view of the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge overlooking the Sheyenne River in Valley City or stop by Jamestown to visit Dakota Thunder before taking a museum tour and don’t be surprised if you leave with a few new friends photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University announced a 6 percent growth in enrollment Tuesday setting another campus record with 1,854 students enrolled during the spring semester That shatters the previous spring enrollment record of 1,747 students set in 2024 and even breaks the overall enrollment record of 1,806 students set last fall VCSU added 66 new full-time students during the spring semester including 15 freshmen and 51 transfer students The record enrollment was fueled by growth in all major areas this spring: “We are thrilled to see growth in so many different areas of our university,” said VCSU president Alan LaFave “Students have always been our top priority and the continued growth and improved retention validates that we continue to put students first.” “Students attending VCSU find a friendly campus that truly cares about their success,” LaFave continued “To meet the changing needs of higher education we continue to transform and adapt our course offerings our degree options and the delivery modes by which students take their courses Paired with our extremely affordable tuition rates a VCSU education is a great fit for many types of students.” The current in-state tuition for VCSU undergrads is just $6,619 for a 30-credit year North Dakota students who receive a full Federal Pell Grant will have their entire yearly tuition covered The VCSU Foundation has also played a major role in making an education affordable awarding nearly $2 million in scholarships this past year “In an increasingly cost-conscious society Valley City State provides great value with a high-quality education at an affordable price Students and their families continue to recognize the value of a VCSU degree,” said vice president for academic affairs Larry Brooks “More than 70 percent of our students come from North Dakota and we understand the important role we play in meeting workforce needs for our state.” VCSU’s spring enrollment was 1,034 total students The number of full-time students has grown by 30 percent and the overall campus headcount has grown 79 percent since 2010 For more information about VCSU and its academic programs, visit www.vcsu.edu This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:  Students named to Fall 2024 honor rollsValley City State University has released it’s President’s Honor Roll Dean’s Honor Roll and Honor Roll for the fall 2024 semester Click here to view the President’s Honor Roll Click here to view the Dean’s Honor Roll. Valley City State University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, VCSU is one of 11 institutions in the North Dakota University System (NDUS) Valley City State University has been named a 2024-2025 STEM School of Excellence in recognition of a wide range of STEM-related initiatives the university leads or collaborates on The award was announced by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) STEM Center for Teaching and Learning which annually recognizes schools for their commitment to providing a robust integrative STEM education experience and forward-thinking of individuals who collaborated and contributed to deliver high-quality STEM education at VCSU,” said Peder Gjovik Chair of the Department of Technology and STEM Education “It’s a great honor to receive this designation from the ITEEA an organization that sets and maintains the standards for technology and engineering education.” VCSU will officially receive the award in April at the ITEEA 2025 Conference in St The ITEEA evaluated numerous VCSU STEM-related initiatives when awarding the School of Excellence honor including the VCSU Planetarium – which is the only permanent planetarium in the state and regularly hosts free shows for area schools and community members to learn about astronomy and space The award also cited VCSU’s technology education degrees INSTEM (Indians into STEM) annually brings Native American students to campus for week-long STEM academies in the summer VCSU offers a Bachelor of Science in technology education and has STEM certificates for both elementary and secondary educators Other STEM-related initiatives mentioned by the ITEEA include the annual Marketplace for Kids event on campus and a statewide engineering design challenge hosted by the VCSU Department of Technology “VCSU is honored to be selected as an ITEEA 2024-25 STEM School of Excellence,” said Larry Brooks “This is a testament of our commitment to numerous initiatives related to STEM education.” Valley City State University welcomed nearly 400 elementary and middle school students to campus for the third annual Marketplace for Kids Education Day on Thursday Students had opportunities to take part in 27 different classes that featured projects experiments and presentations from area professionals representing numerous careers and industries Sessions ranged from “Fun with Chemistry” to “CAN You Build it?” and “Career Paths in Aviation.” Marketplace for Kids is designed to promote entrepreneurship and career awareness among 3rd-8th graders VCSU hosts one of the several education days put on across the state by the Marketplace for Kids organization “Valley City State University was pleased to host the third annual Marketplace for Kids Education Day,” said Larry Brooks VCSU Vice President for Academic Affairs and one of the organizers for Thursday’s event “This yearly event encourages area youth to explore careers and fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship.” Thursday’s event included more than 400 students teachers and chaperones from six regional schools A total of 20 different businesses or entities were represented in the 27 classes put on by presenters Total attendance included about 575 people The VCSU Music Department announces a performance by DnD Duo: Matthew Denman and Emily Duncan on Jan explores the intricate and expressive interplay between the guitar and harp showcasing their unique textures and dynamic contrasts Their concert program includes captivating works by Pereira offering a rich tapestry of musical artistry Olson has taught lighting and portraiture at organizations such as the Photographic Center Northwest in Seattle and the Santa Fe Workshops in N.M secondary schools and professional conferences most recently the instructional books “The Art of the Portrait” and “The ABC’s of Beautiful Light” as well as “This is Who I Am: Our Beauty in All Shapes and Sizes” a book about women and body image featured on Good Morning America This exhibition is sponsored by the North Dakota Art Gallery Association (NDAGA) a statewide service organization for non-profit museums & galleries and supported in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts knew he wanted to be an educator after growing up in a household of teachers reflects on the connections and memories he made at VCSU Grad Year: 2024 Major/Minor: Physical Education List any clubs activities you are involved in on campus: Golf and Women’s basketball student assistant I chose that major because I grew up in a family full of educators and teachers I also got to experience so many amazing physical education teachers growing up who became role models for me and I just fell in love with it What has been your favorite memory from VCSU so far My favorite memory from VCSU is being around so many amazing people I now consider my closest friends Being a transfer student and coming to VCSU was such as blessing and the people here made it all the more enjoyable I chose VCSU because my grandfather attended VCSU and he never forgot the amazing memories I also wanted to choose a place that was welcoming and had everything I needed to become a physical education teacher I knew this was the place I needed to be to complete my education Where is your favorite spot to be on campus and why My favorite spot to be on campus is the Gaukler Family Wellness Center I spent most of my time there with classes but it is also where I got to become physically active during my free time What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about coming to VCSU My advice for someone who is coming to VCSU is you are attending a university where you matter and you are going to meet the best people around the state of North Dakota The leadership and professors you are going to have are going to make you feel welcome and important advisors and friends are actively involved in my life and career I cannot recommend Valley City State University enough to anyone coming out of high school or a 2-year college VCSU falls to 9-8 on the season and 1-4 in conference play VCSU is now 10-7 overall and 1-4 in the North Star Track and Field VCSU Indoor Track and Field is back in action this Saturday, Jan. 18, competing at the Bison Team Cup 17: Basketball at Dickinson State University Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/ Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/ WEST VALLEY CITY — A 21-year-old Tooele man has been arrested and accused of hiding a gun used in a gang-related shooting in West Valley City last month Andrae Robles was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Thursday for investigation of obstruction of justice police responded to a report of shots fired near Hunter View Drive and Hunter Point Circle in West Valley City Two groups met for what police are calling a gang-related confrontation "The alleged suspect in the shooting fired several rounds at an opposing gang after a large fight," a police booking affidavit states The gunman and others then drove to Tooele to meet with Robles "at a known gang house," according to the affidavit Robles "agreed to take possession of the AR-15 style rifle used in the shooting … in an attempt to hide the weapon from being located by police." Officers later served a search warrant on Robles' apartment "(Robles) admitted to conducting a straw purchase of the firearm used in the crime … (used by a) known juvenile gang member (He) also admitted to taking the firearm used in the crime and hiding it until recently selling the gun to an unknown gang member for $600," the affidavit states VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The Valley City State University math department hosted its 2nd Annual Math Competition on April 9 welcoming more than 450 junior high and high school students from 37 different schools The competition featured 259 students in grades 7-9 and 195 students in grades 10-12 Students competed as individuals and as teams of four Awards were given to the Top 3 teams and the Top 10 individuals in each division The 3rd Annual VCSU Math Competition is scheduled for April 8 VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University junior Grady Hornung competed this weekend at the American Forensics Association (AFA) National Speech Tournament in North Carolina Hornung earned his spot at nationals through placing in competition at multiple events this year Hornung qualified in Dramatic Interpretation and competed in three rounds at the 47th AFA National Speech Tournament hosted by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Hornung has been an active member of the recently revived VCSU Speech Team The team included students from multiple academic disciplines on campus Members competed in nine tournaments across the upper Midwest region “Competing in AFA Nationals was an amazing opportunity that I will treasure with me for the rest of my life,” Hornung said “I have made so many new friends and learned new skills that will help me in my career through forensics This activity truly gives students a voice and promotes advocacy in ways that I have never gotten to experience prior to competing.” “Speech and competitive forensics allow students to find develop and raise their voices in a unique and time-honored way,” said Tammy Jo A assistant professor of Communication Arts and VCSU speech team coach “It was exciting that Grady qualified for this national tournament Qualifying requires extensive preparation and competitive focus This was Grady’s first year in college speech Other students competing and participating in VCSU Speech this year include Tara Dahl Tournament competition includes 11 different events for individuals or partners A variety of interpretive events like prose Other categories include original content created by the competitor For more information about VCSU Speech contact coach Tammy Jo Taft at tammyjo.taft@vcsu.edu Valley City State University (VCSU) celebrated the success of more than 100 graduates Thursday afternoon at the Tenth VCSU Winter Commencement Exercises VCSU president Alan LaFave presided over the ceremony in historic Vangstad Auditorium where 17 students were recognized for completion of master’s degrees and 103 students for undergraduate degrees “Our graduates have proven they are prepared to enter the workforce and make a difference,” said President Alan LaFave “We value the contributions they made on campus student organizations or student government We are proud of our students graduating today.” A recording of the entire ceremony is available at www.youtube.com/vcsuvikings. Photos from the ceremony will be available online at VCSU’s Flickr page. Jazmine (Hill) Truax – an elementary education graduate – delivered the undergraduate reflection “In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced we’ve had the rare opportunity here to slow down and build relationships that go beyond the surface,” said Truax speaking to her fellow graduates in the audience our professors knew us—not just as students in their classes but as individuals with personalities and passions We were individuals with unique perspectives and stories Our professors weren’t just lecturers—they were mentors Truax is the ninth teacher in her family to graduate from VCSU and has already started a full-time job as a kindergarten teacher in West Fargo Heather (Metcalf) Kvilvang – associate professor in the School of Education and Graduate Studies – delivered the faculty reflection “All of us here are so proud of you,” she said “You’ve all had challenges to overcome but you overcame them You stayed focused and kind… All of us here know you can achieve anything you set your mind to VCSU has now conferred 27,909 undergraduate degrees and 652 master’s degree in its proud history dating back to 1890 For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Mark Potts by emailing mark.m.potts@vcsu.edu or calling 701-845-7228 VCSU Tenth Winter Commencement Candidates for Graduation Dec MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING Allison Hennings Keller,* Valley City Jaiden Elizabeth Langlie West Fargo Kimberleigh Anne Hephzibah Shirkey Kindred Haley Bowman,* Fredonia Jazmyne Nicole Reinke Breitbach,* Fargo Daniel Catizone,* Randolph New Jersey Brady Victor Matheny,* Lisbon Kara McKaiden Roth MASTER OF SCIENCE Riley Anne Perryman,* Cottage Grove BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION Sydney Donell Anderson Gwinner Meredith Linda Dumas,* Grafton Joslyn Avery Dupree Mohall Samuel James Rieger,* Lisbon Grace Lila Robinson,* Bismarck Rachel Elizabeth Sand Wimbledon Indigo Stankiewicz,* Bismarck Riley Stief BACHELOR OF ARTS Abbi Marie Myers,* Valley City Jon Sorensen,* Jonesboro Minnesota Easton Soren Hesch,* Valley City Jordyn Ann Klein BACHELOR OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES Trisha Jane Austin Minnesota Taryn Rebecca Beers,* Watford City Shannon Arlene Deitz The 30th annual Valley City State University Scholarship Auction presents: “Adventure Awaits A Night Full of Treasure” on April 11 at the Valley City Eagles Club Auction tickets are on sale now for $70 each, which includes admission, two drink tickets and a buffet dinner. Purchase tickets online or by contacting the VCSU Foundation office at 701-845-7203 “The scholarship auction has become the event of the season for many We have been very fortunate in both the donations we have received in the past and for our generous bidders the night of the event,” said Kim Hesch “With record-breaking enrollment in both fall and spring semesters it is more important than ever to have a successful scholarship fundraiser.” Users can monitor their winning and losing bids from the dashboard receive notifications when they have been outbid and checkout within the app at the end of the night Auction items are currently being solicited for the event. Anyone wishing to donate an item can contact the VCSU Foundation office. As the event approaches, a list of silent and live auction items will be made available on the VCSU Foundation website at vcsualumni.org; click on the “Auction” banner For more information regarding the VCSU Scholarship Auction, to purchase tickets or to donate an item, call the VCSU Foundation Office at 701-845-7203 or visit the VCSU Auction website. VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University hosts the 2025 North Dakota Intercollegiate Band on February 22 bringing together 87 college students from across the state Eight different North Dakota institutions are represented in the band Professor of Conducting and Director of Bands at Eastern Michigan University and concludes with a free public concert at 3 p.m Robinson Center for the Arts Performance Hall “We are excited and honored to host the 2025 North Dakota Intercollegiate Band event for the first time since the opening of the Larry J Robinson Center for the Arts,” said VCSU assistant professor of music Mr “This event brings our North Dakota institutions together through music in VCSU’s incredible performance spaces and we look forward to celebrating the talent and passion of our collegiate musicians from across the state.” Concerts selections are “Fanfare Politeia” by Kimberly Archer and “Bullets and Bayonets” by John Philip Sous The guest ensemble Lake Agassiz Wind Symphony will also perform during the concert Valley City State University has 18 students participating in the ND Intercollegiate Band Other students attending are from Bismarck State College University of Jamestown and University of Mary the head of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL during the height of the party's power and a prominent Valley City developer Gaukler was remembered as an indefatigable community builder and skilled political strategist by friends who said Gaukler was one of the most instrumental politicos in the history of North Dakota and a "loyal and true friend." "People will point to his electoral success in winning big races for U.S but the genius of George was his understanding of the importance of party infrastructure and the power of building the bench." Heitkamp said her first race was a longshot bid for state auditor in 1984 Gaukler called her in the waning weeks of the election asking to help with her campaign the results ended up far closer than anyone expected He had a really great political sense — he didn't need a poll to feel political movement What I remember is he spent as much time with me a 28-year-old lawyer running for state auditor as he did with Bud Sinner (who won the race for governor that year) Gaukler served as chair of the Dem-NPL from 1980 to 1994 Byron Dorgan said Gaukler was a "wonderful friend who I will miss dearly." "George Gaukler was a very successful businessman and he was also a strong leader for the Democrat Party in North Dakota for decades He believed in being involved in politics and public policy that strengthened our state and country," Dorgan said "North Dakota has lost a remarkable man who touched so many lives in a positive way in our state.” Kent Conrad said he spoke with Gaukler a few weeks ago after Gaukler wrote him to express his delight in seeing Conrad's holiday card which included a photo of last year's "Team North Dakota" reunion Team North Dakota was the Dem-NPL's nickname given to Conrad as the state's longtime congressional delegation "It was so thoughtful of him to write this handwritten note to tell me how happy it made him that we were all still getting together," Conrad said none of us would have achieved the victories we did without George Gaukler." Conrad said his fondest memory of Gaukler's political "sixth sense" was from his 1986 run for Senate which Conrad started as a 30-point underdog "We would have all these monthly meetings during which we'd discuss how much money we were raising George would look at me with amused eyes and give me his George Gaukler chuckle and say I think you're going to win this thing,' as if he was as surprised as anyone and he was just tickled by it," Conrad said Conrad was outspent 3-1 during the election but ended up beating longtime incumbent Sen Mark Andrews for the seat in a stunning political upset Pomeroy said he thought of Gaukler as an older brother "He was also the most effective state chairman the Democratic Party has ever had — leading our state to Democratic domination for the period of time he was our leader I tried to follow his golden counsel and always wanted him to be proud of our efforts because he had worked so hard to get us elected in the first place," Pomeroy said "will be felt in the cities of our region for generations." "He was a driving force in Valley City's Economic Development Commission since its founding to present day generously sponsored programs and community facilities like Valley City's Gaukler Center enhancing the quality of life in our area," Pomeroy said “George was a visionary and had a passion for improving the quality of life for all leading and supporting numerous community improvements George had a big heart and helped many over the course of his life friends said Gaukler's insights and mind remained "sharp as can be" and that he was still involved in economic development and philanthropy "He was making notes and giving instructions to his team right till the end," Pomeroy said Tim Mathern said Gaukler lived "a full and energetic life." "He shared his business success by generous philanthropy He shared his social justice values by mentoring and supporting political candidates He shared his concerns by challenging organizations when they strayed from their teachings," Mathern said A celebration of life for Gaukler will be held April 10 at the Center for the Arts on the Valley City State University campus SALT LAKE CITY —The University of Utah announced plans to open its first off-campus hospital in West Valley City The plans became a reality thanks to a $75 million donation from the George S University President Taylor Randall announced the donation and future hospital to a large group of university and community leaders at a press conference in the foyer of the John R "This gift will change lives for generations to come," Randall said He said the new hospital will not only bring world-class health care to the community in West Valley City but it will also allow residents of the city to receive job training and find employment He said the university hopes to provide a system that removes barriers citing conversations with people in West Valley City about their needs while planning the hospital and we're thrilled to step forward into a future of more equitable health care and opportunity for all," Randall said He said he has met with West Valley City community members over the past year to better understand their needs "West Valley is a community that has remarkable dreams and hopes — but would like better healthcare better access to education and better access to tools of prosperity," he said Eccles said this "landmark gift" is the largest in the foundation's history and a donation focused on the future He said it is hard to think that it took 175 years to get to this point — the years the university has been running — and he is overwhelmed by all of the people who came to the event "I am humbled for all of you to be with us to celebrate this," he said playfully moves an awarded helicopter memento around in the air during a press conference announcing University of Utah Hospitals and Health will receive $75 from the Foundation to establish a University of Utah West Valley Health Campus along with the Nora Eccles Treadwell Foundation gave a joint $110 million donation to build a new medical school at the U talked about innovations at the new medical school campus He said the University of Utah trains over two-thirds of the physicians in Utah "I'm very proud to say that the University of Utah health system in the past 10 years has been rated the number one hospital in Utah and one of the top facilities in the country," he said "We're very proud to be the state's top choice for patient care and today we're very proud to celebrate what's next for health care in our community West Valley City Mayor Karen Lang thanked the Eccles family for its commitment to health care in the city and said the new hospital represents hope She said she is "thrilled" citizens in her city will have a place for moments of healing and opportunity She said West Valley City is the second largest city in Utah and has a growing demand for hospital services Lang said she looks forward to seeing young people in West Valley City become the next generation of doctors and medical staff allowing them to give back to the community that raised them we are creating a hospital and health campus that truly serves the people who will call it their health care home infusing such significant financial investment into this community cannot help but strengthen our city's economy and workforce," Lang said Spencer Cox said about seven years ago he became "obsessed" with medical disparities throughout Utah saying those who live in Salt Lake City have a 10-year-longer life expectancy than those living just 15 or 20 minutes away in West Valley City "I couldn't believe that that was happening here and there had to be some things that we can do to change that," he said citing the One Utah Health Collaborative he started to address health care issues in the state The West Valley location where University of Utah Health is planning to build a new hospital and medical campus (Photo: University of Utah)Cox said when he got a call about plans to build the new West Valley City medical campus a few years ago He said Tuesday would go down in history as the plan to expand has never been done in Utah No other family has done more for Utah than the Eccles family adding that carrying forward a tradition of giving through multiple generations as they have done is rare "Of all their gifts … I believe that this one could have the largest impact of anything else they have done in the past century," he said Cox said this hospital will provide an economic impact and can break an intergenerational poverty cycle and "transform generations." Randall said this hospital represents a new approach where residents of a city can get training and health care at the same location He said the University of Utah is one of just nine universities in the U.S which he said helps it improve lives of individuals He said the new campus is an example of that He said residents of West Valley City drive 12 million miles a year making trips to the University of Utah Hospital saying the new campus will eliminate that need said they are excited to be partners on this project She said the community has not had access to the health care it deserves and this will bring the university's finest doctors from over 200 specialties to West Valley City education and economic hub that will benefit the people of West Valley the university and the entire state of Utah for decades to come our family cannot wait to get started," she said estimates construction on the hospital at 3750 South and 5600 West will begin this year and the hospital will be completed in late 2029 It has plans for an outpatient facility and emergency room to open in 2028 ahead of the rest of the hospital.