S erving the R egion S ince 1907
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At 109 years old, one local Lose pounds, grow friendship woman has seen it all with Bowman Weight Watchers
New charges filed in Bowman murder case By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
end. “So many people around this side of North Dakota struggle to find places to ride and people to ride with,” Jill Schneider said. So she and her husband created the rally to bring together people with similar outdoor interests for a really fun time. The rally covered three days with organized rides around the region each day. The first day took the dozens of ATVs and their occupants on an excursion
Chase Duane Swanson made his initial appearance in Southwest Judicial District Court the morning of Sept. 2, charged with three felonies related to the August homicide of Rhame resident Nicholas Johnson. Swanson and Madison Beth West have been charged with a Class AA felony of conspiracy to commit murder, which has a maximum punishment of life imprisonment without parole, in addition to two Class C felonies of theft of property and felon in possession of a firearm. Swanson is currently being held at the Southwest Multi-County Correctional Center in Dickinson on a $5 million cash bond. Bowman County State’s Attorney Stephanie Pretzer told The Pioneer that a date for West’s initial hearing is not yet known. Prosecutor Britta Demello Rice of the N.D. Attorney General’s Office will serve as second chair throughout the court hearings and potential trial. A criminal complaint made by Timothy Helmer of the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the lead investigator on the case, stated that “the defendants agreed with one of more persons to engage in our cause conduct which in fact constituted the offense of murder.” Helmer continued in the complaint that Johnson was invited into Swanson and West’s motel room at the El-Vu Motel in Bowman where he was ultimately found dead. Todd Anthony Pashano, who allegedly was kidnapped by Swanson and West — though it was not confirmed by law enforcement — was also charged with hindering police, a Class C felony. According to a criminal complaint filed
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An adventurous rider takes on the jagged terrain of the North Cave Hills outside of Ludlow, S.D. over Labor Day Weekend. A group of ATV enthusiasts met in Rhame and traveled the region as part of the Spring Creek Rally, organized by Rhame residents Doug and Jill Schneider. (Courtesy photo)
A muddy good time New ATV rally finds roots in Rhame
By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
Being covered in thick mud while navigating perilous crevices of earth appeals to Doug and Jill Schneider of Rhame. They love being outdoors, connecting with people all while riding their ATV. After brainstorming ideas how to solve the problem of finding places to ride in southwestern North Dakota, the two started their own ATV rally in Rhame, the Spring Creek Rally, which had its first endeavor over the Labor Day week-
Construction at School of Promise to benefit needs of students By BRYCE MARTIN Pioneer Editor
A project to benefit the needs of students at the School of Promise is finally taking shape after four years of planning. Construction activity on the south side of the school in Bowman, which serves three- to five-year-old children with mental and physical disabilities, has been hard not to notice. Once completed, the facility will boast a brand-new, stateof-the-art playground for its students. Justin Abrahamson, president of the School of Promise Board of Directors, said he has wanted to see a new playground at the
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school for several years. But not just a playground, he said, something that would further educate and accommodate the children. The funding for the project was entirely made possible through estate and memorial dollars gifted to the school. Abrahamson pointed out that none of the money raised during the school’s annual auction was used for the project. Instead, that money is earmarked for the school’s operating expenses. With a special rubberized playing surface, the new playground will provide children with several unique pieces of equipment to engage them and stimulate their senses.
Sensory wall panels will be installed on the playground, including a “cozy dome,” which Abrahamson was especially proud of. The dome will be beneficial to students struggling with Autism, who those who just wish to be alone or climb. The main piece of equipment comes with 28 different functions, including slides, steps and more to keep the children active. A current playground will remain open to the students, but is more pegged towards seven to 11-yearolds. The new playground will cater specifically to two to six-year-old children, but is open to all ages. Mostly Abrahamson emphasized that the play-
Index Classifieds ..............8 Comics ................... 9 Obituaries .............. 7 Opinion .................. 6
Puzzles ...................11 Briefs .......................2 Sports ..................... 10 Community ..........4
ground is safe. The rubber floor that the equipment will stand on is made to meet high safety standards, coming with an 11-foot tall fall rating. Its similar to the recent upgrades made to the Mandan Park, according to Abrahamson. The surface will be poured Sept. 19. A small track will surround the playground to be used for running, walking and for riding the bicycles the School of Promise receives in donations. “It’s more of a chance for the kids to be active, while learning and having fun,” Abrahamson said. A large shed will be built
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Crews work on readying the project site next to the School of Promise in Bowman to accomodate a new, state-of-the-art playground for the students. (Pioneer Photo by Bryce Martin)
Bulldogs: All 3 squads win on football field
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