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SCHOOLS

ROB PORT

Anti-oil activists cling to derailment

Bikers for a cause ride through area

News » Page 3

Opinion » Page 4

News » Page 16

Kat Perkins comes back home

NEWS

TODAY’S WEATHER

Cloudy with a t-storm in the p.m. High 59º Low 48º VOL. 110 NO. 20

Friday, May 15, 2015

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Mayor airlifted after rollover RHAME

Jeremiah Erickson's vehicle hits 2 deer and rolls, sheriff says By Bryce Martin

Pioneer Editor bmartin@countrymedia.net Rhame Mayor Jeremiah Erickson was airlifted to a Bismarck hospital early this week for injuries he

suffered when his vehicle collided with two deer and rolled. Bowman County Sheriff Rory Tiegen said Tuesday that Erickson, 32, was traveling eastbound on Highway 12 shortly after midnight Monday when

his pick-up truck struck two deer that were in the eastbound lane. The vehicle crossed into the westbound lane after impact, continued into the north ditch, and rolled. Erickson was ejected from the vehicle and landed in the ditch, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol. It was reported that Erickson was not wearing a

safety belt at the time of the incident, which occurred near mile marker 12 west of Rhame, according to the NDHP. Tiegen said a call over the radio initially indicated that Erickson was unresponsive, but that was later proved false as Erickson was partially conscious at the scene. He was transported by Marmarth

Ambulance to Southwest Healthcare Services in Bowman and later airlifted to Sanford Health Medical Center in Bismarck for treatment, according to the NDHP. Tiegen and the NDHP couldn't comment on the extent of Erickson's injuries. Bowman County Sheriff Deputies Jordan Fischer

and Doug Langhoff assisted at the scene along with Marmarth First Responders, Bowman Police Officer Ross Dannhoff and the NDHP. Rhame City Auditor Margie Russ told the Pioneer on Tuesday that the city had no comment on the incident. Erickson became mayor of Rhame last year.

'THE LEADER OF THE BAND' New BIDS A TEARY-EYED FAREWELL airport experiences 'turbulence' leading to opening BOWMAN COUNTY

Airport to officially open May 28 By Bryce Martin

» ONLY ONLINE: See our photo and video gallery on bowmanextra. com

Throughout his years at Scranton, Perkins always

The new Bowman Municipal Airport is complete and a ribbon cutting has been scheduled for the end of this month, but the time leading up to its completion was plagued by turbulence. The $16 million airport, which is four times larger than its predecessor and sits on more than 400 acres of property east of Bowman, was a project that took almost a decade to complete. Multiple phases of planning, several financial hang-ups and trying to find the right location took years before construction could begin. Throughout the construction process, rumors circulated throughout the community regarding the airport’s runway and if the project was even worthwhile. Rodney Schaaf, Bowman County Airport Authority president, had to continually dispel such rumors but they kept resurfacing. It reached a point where the rumors and misinformation prompted Schaaf to brief the Bowman County Board of Commissioners about the project. He said the Bowman Airport Authority has nothing to hide. “The one I heard was that this runway is no better than the old one,” Schaaf told the Pioneer last week. He collected the pertinent information from Brosz Engineering, the new airport’s project manager, and showed the board that the new runway is three times stronger. Schaaf explained that the new runway’s footprint, or amount of pressure it can handle, was rated at 30,000 pounds

BAND | PAGE 3

AIRPORT | PAGE 2

Photo By Bryce Martin | Pioneer

Mark Perkins, simply called Mr. P. to those who know him, wipes a tear from his eye during his farewell presentation May 10 in Scranton. Perkins, 60, will begin his retirement later this month, ending a four-decade music education career at Scranton Public Schools. was time for Perkins, 60, to approach the conducting podium for the final time. He conducted his junior high and high school bands as they performed some popular oldies and modern Top 20 hits. As he does at the end of each performance, Perkins spun around to the crowd and took a bow. He got a standing ovation. But he realizes it’s not just his success—his band, too, gets the credit—so he stood aside and pointed his hand toward his students. The crowd offered tremendous applause and cheers. Perkins told the audience that throughout his decades of teaching people would approach him and ask why he wouldn’t leave Scranton for bigger markets, such as Bismarck or Fargo. Both had teaching positions available over the years. “I would tell them, the rea-

By Bryce Martin

Pioneer Editor bmartin@countrymedia.net It was finally time for Scranton’s longtime “leader of the band” to say goodbye. Mark Perkins, band director and music teacher at Scranton Public Schools, received a heartwarming sendoff from family, friends, students and community members May 10 during the school’s spring concert. Perkins’ storied, 36-year career in Scranton comes to an end later this month as he enters retirement, but Scranton wouldn’t have the beloved teacher bid farewell without paying tribute to his accomplishments. After strong performances by the junior high and high school choirs, led by choir teacher Will Charboneau, it

Photo By Bryce Martin | Pioneer

Kat Perkins gives her father a high-five after her special performance with him conducting the band. son I did not do that is sitting behind me right now,” he pointed to the students. “These are the real stars.”

SPORTS

SCRANTON

The Bulldogs ranked third in state for boys' 4x800-meter relays after last week's invite in Dickinson. PAGE 13

Bo Fries was named the 2015 S.D. Mr. Basketball at the Hansen and Anderson Mr. and Miss Basketball awards luncheon in Sioux Falls, S.D. PAGE 14

More records set as boys head to state

INDEX

Sports................ 10

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Obituaries................ 7

Pioneer Editor bmartin@countrymedia.net

WANT MORE?

Man with Scranton ties named 'Mr. Basketball'

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Opinion................ 6

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Church Directory................ 7

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Classifieds/Legals................ 8

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Briefs................ 2

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Weather................ 5


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