S erving the R egion S ince 1907
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NEWS, 3
Man traveling through Bowman saved by officer
BOWMAN
Man voices concern over past building demolition By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
A local resident’s concerns with having to demolish a dilapidated structure on his property more than a decade ago were rehashed with Bowman city commissioners this week. Brian Caron of Bowman told the Bowman City Commission at its regular meeting Tuesday that he was curious about multiple properties around the city that he deemed unsafe were still standing, unlike his. Caron claimed he was pressured to raze the structure but was never given an actual, consistent explanation why. He alleged that Bowman City Attorney Steve Wild, who was present at the Tuesday meeting, said Caron could either tear down the building or hire an attorney and prepare to go to court. “That does sound like something I would say,” said Wild, but added that it was a courtesy call, after a complaint was received, instead of immediately bringing him into court. Lyn James, president of the commission, agreed. “It was complaint driven,” James continually explained to Caron. Yet Caron said the previous chief of police told him that no complaints had been recorded on his property. James and Wild each insisted there was a complaint. Canon’s concerns called into
CITY Page 2
A volunteer firefighter stands up to his knees in grain while fellow firefighters help free him during a demonstration on Tuesday of Bowman Fire Department’s newest piece of equipment to rescue people trapped in grain bins. (Pioneer Photo by Bryce Martin)
‘NEVER GIVE UP’
Fire department’s new equipment rescues people trapped in grain
Only online
By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
An ordinary day of minding the grain bins could turn into tragedy in an instant. A person, even only up to their knees in grain, could become stuck and quickly sink facing a potentially dangerous situation. Thanks to a donation from Farm Credit Services of Mandan, several local fire departments are now able to handle such an emergency. The leading cause of death for people
n Watch a full demonstration of Bowman
and regional firefighters using the new lifesaving equipment. Visit The Pioneer’s website at www. bowmanextra.com to access these additional features. trapped in a grain bin is choking. While the pressures on the body are intense — nearly
Annual Triple Turn Classic turns 10
By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
Chad and Ali Miller weren’t sure what to expect for the first year of their annual Triple Turn Classic barrel racing competition. About 60 participants were lined up, but on the opening day, jaws dropped when that number more than doubled. Ten years later, the Bowman event has grown year-overyear, with its size now competing against larger racing events on the Great Plains. “Every year it just kept getting a little bigger and adding more to it,” said Ali Miller, whose bravado and love for barrel racing made the event into what it is today. With the help from some local sponsors, Miller and her husband, who reside in Bowman, have successfully churned out the competition each year, for the first time this year moving its date from April to August. The date change was a bit of an uncertainty —changed due to scheduling conflicts for Miller — as there are typi-
WEATHER, 5
TODAY
High: 68 Low: 50 Partly sunny and cooler
900 pounds of pressure just on a person’s feet — people tend to succumb more from ingesting the grain. According to Dale Ekdahl of Outstate Data LLC, however, it is still possible for people swallowed beneath the grain’s surface to still be alive. That’s when it is especially crucial for emergency crews to respond. The Bowman Fire Department now retains the capability of rescuing, within a few precious moments, these people that
GRAIN Page 7
SCRANTON
School passes 9 percent mill levy increase By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
Eight-year-old Rhame resident Teagan Homelvig races the clock in last weekend’s Triple Turn Classic, held at Dakota Winds Arena in Bowman. (Pioneer Photo by Bryce Martin) cally fewer local events in the early spring months, leading to a larger turnout at the Triple Turn. Though on the first day of this year’s event, Aug. 12, participation was a surprise.
Last year’s event saw about 400 runs per day; this year there were about 300. “It still was really good … (it was) probably one of the bigger ones,” Miller said. Hosting the event in the
Index Classifieds ..............10 Comics ................... 11 Obituaries .............. 9 Opinion .................. 8
Puzzles ...................13 Briefs .......................2 Sports ..................... 12 Community ..........5
summer months also allowed for the racing to be held outside, at the Dakota Winds Arena, which Miller said people seemed to appreciate.
Scranton Public School’s proposal for a 12 percent increase to its general fund tax levy was passed this week. A public hearing was held Aug. 16 to answer questions regarding the school’s motion to increase its general fund by $50,000, which could translate into an increase for local Scranton property taxes depending upon taxable valuation that will be completed in November. There were no members of the public in attendance. With no opposition, the board approved the motion as presented by Superintendent John Pretzer. Pretzer said the increase was necessary for the school in a time of economic uncertainty with the dramatic slump in oil. The school lost a total of about $100,000 of state funding, which was attributed to the decline in the
RACE Page 2 SPORTS, 10
Coach: Scranton-Hettinger gets new volleyball coach
SCHOOL Page 2
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