Dakota Beacon

No suspects; no motive.  Minot police are investigating four related shooting murders: Jolene Zephier (38), daughter Sabrina (19), son Dylan (13), and Jolene’s boyfriend Jeremy Longie (22).  Information emerges slowly in a case which abounds in complexity.  The Zephiers are members of South Dakota’s Yankton Sioux Tribe.  Jolene and Longie have extensive records for drug offenses and violent crimes.  Sabrena’s infant daughter was found unharmed at the scene of the murder -- the father of the child is being held on immigration charges and has a previous assault record.  He has a Somali background, but his deportation is complicated by the lack of a government in that country.  The stabbing death of college student Anita Knutson in Minot in 2007 also remains unsolved with no suspects.  ND averages 11 murders a year. 

“Hostile and abusive” has been a catch phrase of opponents, including the NCAA, of the UND Fighting Sioux nickname.  The allegation never held much water nor has systemic evidence ever been presented.  A nickname supporter, John Chaske of Spirit Lake, says there has been hostile and abusive treatment of the Spirit Lake Sioux, but it has come from the state higher ed board, the NCAA, news media and opponents of the nickname.  Chaske testified before the ND House Education Committee.  David Murphy of Grand Forks agrees, in a letter to the Herald he said, “American Indians have been poorly served throughout this process (NCAA settlement), and the fault lies with the do-gooders at UND and the NCAA.”

The Fighting Sioux issue is filling more opinion page space in ND papers than any other subject -- columns, editorials and numerous letters.  GF Herald Editor Mike Jacobs was troubled by a news item in his and other papers suggesting UND officials manipulated the Summit League to pressure the Board of Higher Education to resolve the nickname.  Jacobs said he believes UND President Robert Kelley’s denial and hinted there are folks in Fargo “who might wish to embarrass UND.”  Bismarck Tribune Editor John Irby wrote his column in a state of acute frustration.  He said the debate is “evergreen” and “we have reached impasse” and an independent arbiter was needed “to get us back on track.”  Columnists for the Forum belittled proposed Fighting Sioux legislation now before the ND Legislature.

What keeps the Fighting Sioux issue alive?  Why is it “evergreen?”  The notion that the issue is stoked by only a stubborn, misinformed minority of supporters is off the mark and contrary to most evidence.  When people are polled, have a chance to vote or otherwise express an opinion two types of thinking emerge.  First, there is widespread affection, loyalty and respect for the nickname and logo.  An example, a Herald reader wrote: “The respectful use of the Sioux could arguably be one of the most positive public images of native pride across our country.”  Another wrote that nothing “makes me feel as proud of our state as a Sioux jersey.”  There is a second group who are more neutral about the nickname and logo, but are turned off by the process used by the Board of Higher Ed to drop the name.

A Maryland firm gives South American students experience in the U.S. while helping deal with a shortage of workers in the ND oil patch.  About 90 students from countries such as Argentina and Brazil are working for 3-1/2 months in Williston and other western ND cities.  The program is run by United Work and Travel and the students fill entry level positions in restaurants and discount stores.  A new group of students will arrive in the spring.  A store owner characterized the students as “very intelligent, polite and hardworking.”

The oil boom has presented Williston with many challenges.  One is particularly urgent -- the city’s schools are swamped -- enrollment has grown 30 percent in five years.  The city is asking the state for $14 million of emergency aid for school construction and renovation.  State Rep. Patrick Hatlestad of Williston said, "The situation is rather unique because it hasn't multiplied over the years and slowly crept up.  It's hit us straight in the face overnight."

Bismarck wants to be “little Houston.”  That takes some explaining.  Houston is not directly in an oil producing area, but serves as a support center for all parts of the energy industry.  Bismarck is not in ND’s oil, gas and coal fields, but is conveniently located to support the work that goes on there and is home to the state’s regulators.  The Bismarck-Mandan Development Association is charged with the task of identifying and courting businesses related to energy.  It may seem farfetched now, but some believe ND’s oil production will someday be second in the country.

Minnesota Republican legislators are sounding the alarm -- Watch out for the Dakotas!  The anxious legislators say there is an urgent need to streamline Minnesota business regulations to prevent the two little western brothers from poaching attractive businesses.  There is little evidence the thefts are taking place, but both Dakotas are rated more friendly to business than is Minnesota.  The Tax Foundation ranks South Dakota first in business climate, ND 20th, and Minnesota 43rd.  Minnesota may have to post guards on its western border.

The Devils Lake Fire Department has a novel but effective way of fund raising.  While we hear many bad things about lake flooding, the lake is also an important economic resource for Devils Lake and a regional fishing center.  About this time of year, the DLFD plows an ice sheet one-quarter mile long and the width of a football field, then drills 4,500 holes.  Thus the table is set for the Annual Devils Lake FD Fishing Tournament.  The department sells about 12,000 entry tickets at $25 each and winners get $190,000 in prizes including pickups and a hot car.  The FD nets about $100,000.

Sen. Kent Conrad has issued many stern warnings about the nation’s dior financial position.  The chairman of the Senate Budget Committee enjoys the title “Deficit Hawk.”  He is for discipline and sacrifice, except, perhaps, where it involves rural post offices in ND.  He has advised the Postmaster General that in many cases shutting down a post office “could have a ripple effect, impacting the local economy and closing off the community to the outside world.”  Closing to the outside world?  He must be thinking of communities without cars, land lines, cellphones, faxes, email, UPS or other forms of communication.  Recently two ND post offices, each serving a handful of people, were closed when they were unable to replace the departing postmaster (one of the few loopholes for closing small, ineffective post offices).

You will be comforted to know the Jamestown Sun is still doling out “bravos” and “buffalo chips” in its usual evenhanded manner.  Let me remind you of the formula: bravos go to local folks for what sometimes seem like silly or trivial accomplishments -- buffalo chips go to villains, preferably those out-of-state.  In a January column, the Sun awarded a bravo to the people of Streeter (pop.170) for sharing the town with over 200 wintering deer.  Buffalo chips were dumped on three teens who robbed motorists trapped in the snow in Missouri.  The Sun’s lonely quest goes on.

Jamestown’s City Council has rolled up its sleeves and jumped into a strategic planning process which includes identifying the city’s strengths and weaknesses.  Chief among its strengths were financial health and a central location in the state; rivers and trains were the major weaknesses -- they divide the city.

DAKTOIDS:  Would you like to improve your Norwegian and get past “you betcha?”  UND is offering Norwegian 101 online -- the first university to do so . . . UND’s unmanned aircraft systems program had 15 students in 2009 -- today it has 70 students.