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The official newspaper of Cavalier County Theborderlandpress.com
In this Issue:
Friday, January 5, 2024
Volume 2, Number 52
Munich opens new skating rink
News: Burgum declares statewide emergency for infrastructure damage caused by severe ice storm, Pg. A2
The new Munich ice rink even has Matt "Zamboni" Mitzel taking care of the ice. Photos by Larry Stokke.
News: GoFundMe set up for former Langdon man, injured in drone attack in Iraq, Pg. A2
Munich’s newest town attraction, an outdoor skating rink, officially opened on Friday, Dec. 29. The rink is located in the new town plaza location, across the street from Horizon Financial Bank. The on-site warming house is still a work in progress and is not open yet. According to Matt Mitzel, parents have been huddling and watching the action from the Munich Bar where hot chocolate is available. Mitzel spearheaded the ice rink project. He serves as a city councilman in Munich, an event planner for fun activities in Munich, and a columnist of this newspaper.
Unseasonably warm weather making for poor ice conditions By Mike Alan Steinfeldt
Lebanon Lodge #34 rings in 2024 with scholarship breakfast By Borderland Press Staff
Lebanon Lodge #34 in Langdon hosted its annual New Year’s Day breakfast on Monday, Jan. 1. Masons and volunteers hosting the popular event served pancakes, sausage, and eggs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Langdon Masonic Center. Community: Pembilier Nursing Center reflections of 2023, Pg. A10
This is a scholarship fundraiser that helps students from Langdon Area Schools and Munich and Edmore, by awarding $1,000.00 scholarships to local young men and women.
The end of December and early January is usually the time when local sportsmen and women are out in force on area lakes enjoying a passtime unique to northern climates – ice fishing. Sports: Eagles use big fourth quarter to beat Warwick at Northwood Shootout, Pg. B2
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Index: News Agriculture Opinion Community Lifestyle Church/Obituaries Sports Classifieds Public Notices
Pages A2 - A3 Page A3 Page A4 Pages A5 - A6 Page A7 Pages A8 - A9 Pages B1 - B5 Page B6 Page B7
Weather: Jan. 5
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This year anglers are learning the truth about an old ice fishing axiom: no ice is ever 100% safe. On Thursday, Dec. 28, a 78-year-old Wisconsin man drowned near the Northwest Angle of Minnesota on Lake of the Woods when the tracked vehicle known as a “Bomber” broke through the ice near Flag Island. The ice was estimated to be about a foot thick. John Frey of Prairie Du Sac, Wis. was unable to escape and drowned in water about 10-feet deep. Lake of the Woods is a hot spot for walleye and sauger fishermen from all around the United States. Many ice fishermen agree that fishing through early ice is one of the best times of the season. Especially now it is very important, if residents plan to fish Lake of the Woods, to work through a resort or outfitter who has marked, and is constantly maintaining, a trail. Most resorts and outfitters offer round trip heated shuttle service to their heated fish houses that are set up and ready to fish. Another hot-spot destination for walleye and crappie fishermen is Upper Red Lake in northwest Minn.
fishermen have been stranded on ice floes when the ice broke away from shore. The last incident happened on Friday, Dec. 29 when it took about two and a half hours to rescue 122 people from the ice. Before first responders arrived, four people fell in the water after a botched rescue by canoe and had to be treated for hypothermia.
In the past four years the lodge has awarded $12,000 to local students to help with the costs of their continuing education. The event had a free will offering with 100% of proceeds going to the scholarship fund. Lodge members always say the more people who come, the more money they make, and the more students they can help. In a Facebook post on Tuesday the group posted a thank you, “The members of Lebanon Lodge #34 thank all who came out to support our annual scholarship breakfast. It was a beautiful day and it was great to see you all. Thanks to you we can continue to help our area students follow their dreams and aspirations. It is so great to be a part of a community that supports each other in good times as well as tough ones. Thanks again!!”
On Dec. 31, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office issued restrictions for fishing on Upper Red Lake. Snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and all motorized vehicles are prohibited from going on the ice. A violation of the order is a misdemeanor under the Minnesota Statute and if convicted, a violator can face fines, penalties, and restitution. County officials are monitoring the ice conditions and when conditions improve, the Sheriff will lift the restrictions. All local law enforcement in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minn. are urging extreme caution for those who plan to venture out on area lakes. Ice fishermen in the region are asked to check the ice thickness frequently, do not drive vehicles on the ice, and check with area resorts and bait shops regarding ice conditions before going on the ice.
Upper Red Lake is roughly a three hour drive from Drayton. In the past month, several fishermen have either been stranded on the ice or have fallen through.
The return of cold weather over the past few days is bound to improve area ice conditions; however, if residents are planning to head out on the ice to do some ice fishing in the near future, below are some recommendations on ice safety from the North
On two occasions, large numbers of
cont’d. on page B8
Joey Hansel took a break from serving pancakes to eat with his family, including Taten (left) and Kamden (right). Photos by Terry Hinnenkamp.
Members of Lebanon Lodge #34. Photos by Terry Hinnenkamp.
cont’d. on page B8