welkhome2smallBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Officials say attendance rose slightly at the boyhood home of famous band leader Lawrence Welk after the state took over the site this year.
 
     Site manager Diane Rogness says  about 850 people visited the site this year. That’s up from about 650 in 2014.
 
     The Legislature two years ago approved $100,000 to purchase the property from Welk’s nieces. The state took over operations of the site on July 1.