McLean County Independent News
Indoor rink to remain closed
The ice skates are hanging on the wall, ready for skaters. The ice is on the rink, ready to be used. And the phones have been ringing off the hook at Garrison’s indoor skating rink from people inquiring if and when the facility will be open. But there is no answer. There will be no ice skating in the indoor rink this year.
Garrison schools get tough on bullying
Principal Shelly Fuller had a hard time keeping the emotion out of her voice at a meeting Tuesday evening. She told the story of a friend’s school district in Alexandria, Minn. that experienced a teen suicide blamed on bullying. Fuller said she is trying her best in the Garrison school district to combat a student reaching a similarly hopeless stage.
Cost of making a choice
North or south? That simple question, when asked by a crewmember of the Garrison-Max Ambulance District, translates simply as “Minot or Bismarck?”
Teachers: average benefits up 9 percent in two years
Pay hikes for teachers grew in the single digits over the past years. If the governor has his way there will be more pay increases tied to students’ successes. Salary increases and benefit packages for area teachers increased an average of 9 percent in the past two years, according to recently released data from the state Department of Public Instruction.
There’s been a lot of ‘digging out’
It’s great to break records, to exceed beyond preset limits. While it is exhilarating when some records are broken others are best left alone. Among those that might fall int0 that category are those that have to do with weather extremes. Unfortunately, it appears that the winter of 2010-11 just could pan out to be another snowfall record-breaker for the local area. Setting a weather-related record means reaching an extreme. As a general rule, extreme weather is not a good thing!
Go local, save and cut taxes
North Dakota’s Legislature convened this week with a sizeable budget surplus that many residents believe should come back, in one form or another, to their own pockets. The North Dakota Prairie Poll last month surveyed residents of 11 rural communities to determine where they think the Legislature should place its spending priorities.
Board edgy over building tax hike
There was a minor case of cold feet at a recent Garrison School Board meeting. Board member Steve Seidler asked, “Is the community ready for a $5 million, $10 million bond issue?”
Rescue squad receives grant
A gift of $1,000 from the Beach Party Committee, along with a matching grant of $4,800 through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, has enabled the Garrison Fire and Rescue Squad to update its aging dive gear. The $1,000 donation from the Beach Party Committee was presented to fire department First Assistant Fire Chief Tod Graeber by Sharon Jungling, member of the Beach Party Committee.
Uproar in the Douglas community
The Douglas Post Office is relatively small – in fact, it’s about the right size for a few patrons to be served at a time.
Fishing committee disbanded
The Garrison Chamber of Commerce is generally regarded as a progressive group.
