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From AP, Feb 13, 2022 4:20 PM

VIRUS OUTBREAK-BURGUM

Burgum returning to normal schedule after COVID-19 diagnosis

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Gov. Doug Burgum is returning to a normal schedule after isolating for nearly a week following a COVID-19 diagnosis. The governor tested positive Feb. 5, and has worked out of his home since. He tested negative Friday morning but continued working out of his home. First lady Kathryn Burgum has tested negative this week, and Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford has shown no symptoms. Burgum plans to be in Fargo on Monday for a couple of events, and his State of the State address is scheduled Wednesday in Fargo. The governor is vaccinated against COVID-19 and has received his booster shot.

PSC APPOINTMENT –  Haugen-Hoffart to serve on state Public Service Commission

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed the board chair of Bismarck-based Capital Electric Cooperative to serve on North Dakota’s Public Service Commission until voters choose a permanent successor in November.  Sheri Haugen-Hoffart succeeds Brian Kroshus, who Burgum appointed in December to head the state Tax Department. The three-member Public Service Commission regulates coal mining, land reclamation, pipelines, electric and gas utilities, grain elevators, telecommunications and auctioneers. Much of its workload has involved determining locations for oil and natural gas pipelines, natural gas processing factories, and wind energy projects. The agency has about 40 employees and a two-year budget of $19.9 million.

HOT TUB-CHARGES

Another Highway Patrol officer charged in hot tub party

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Another North Dakota Highway Patrol officer has been charged with misdemeanor sexual assault in connection with hot tub parties in 2020. The Bismarck Tribune reported Thursday that 40-year-old Travis Skar has been accused of inappropriately touching a woman in a hot tub during a party in the summer of 2020.  Former patrol officer Steven Johnson faces a misdemeanor sexual assault charge stemming from another hot tub party in December 2020.  A woman accused him of inappropriately touching her at the party. Johnson was fired in November 2021. His attorney called the charges an act of revenge by someone with a vendetta. Court documents don’t list an attorney for Skar.

 

COAL PLANT SALE

Sale of largest coal plant in North Dakota reapproved

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. (AP) — Great River Energy’s cooperatives have once again approved the sale of the company’s Coal Creek power plant in North Dakota and an accompanying power line, despite opposition from its largest member. The sale of Coal Creek, near Underwood, North Dakota, was initially approved last June with 27 member co-ops voting in favor and Connexus Energy, of Ramsey, Minnesota, voting against it. The sale had to be reconsidered after some terms of the contract with Rainbow Energy Marketing, of Bismarck, North Dakota, were changed following last year’s vote. Connexus contends the sale won’t generate the savings originally expected, nor would it cut greenhouse gas emissions since the coal plant would remain open.

WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT

BIA officer dismissed from wrongful death lawsuit in ND

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — One of two Bureau of Indian Affairs officers has been dismissed from a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a man who was fatally shot on the Standing Rock Reservation in 2017. A federal judge has signed an order dismissing Gary Sandland Jr. from the lawsuit filed by the family of George “Ryan” Gipp Jr. The family claims Gipp was unarmed and obeyed instructions when officers used a Taser on him and shot him as he stumbled into a road ditch near Fort Yates. Sandland maintained he didn’t use his stun gun or his firearm, according to a document filed jointly by attorneys for Gipp’s family, the BIA and the officers.

POLICE FIGHT-DEATH LAWSUIT

Family of man who died after traffic stop sues city, police

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The family of a Mandan man who died after a traffic stop two years ago has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and several police officers. The federal lawsuit was filed Tuesday on the second anniversary of John “Ernie” Prudente’s death. The suit seeks unspecified money damages. Police stopped Prudente on Feb. 8, 2020 but Prudente drove off. When police caught up with Prudente, he started fighting with the officers and was handcuffed. He became unresponsive and died at a hospital. An autopsy found Prudente died of “excited delirium” as a result of methamphetamine use and underlying conditions.