Dakota Beacon

It’s sobering -- for the fifth time in the last 6 years ND had the fastest personal income growth of all states.  Since 2006, ND personal income has grown at a compound annual rate of 9 percent.  In 2012, ND personal income increased 12 percent.  Personal income growth was also strong in neighboring states Montana (#5) and Minnesota (#6).  Most astounding, ND per capita personal income of $51,900 was higher than any neighboring states and #6 in the nation, topped only by a cluster of wealthy northeastern states.

This is what the “fedgazette,” a publication of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, had to say about ND: “Not that long ago, North Dakota was one of the have-nots among a nation of haves. The state was losing population, and average earnings were declining compared to the national average. As has been widely publicized, that’s no longer the case. But while most observers attribute the state’s growth to the recent oil boom there, the longer-term story is much more interesting and compelling.”  The article went on to tell how prior the oil boom ND was creating the basis for a stronger economy.

Go to ND fellows -- that’s where the money is.  Two fraud artists from the Twin Cities, both in their 60s, walked away from a federal minimum-security camp at the former Duluth AFB.  Between them, Michael Krzyzaniak and Gerald Greenfield have a substantial record of big-time investment fraud.  Given their reputation for elaborate schemes, it would be a little disappointing if they were found immediately.  

After years of good crops and good prices, ND farmers look forward to 2013.  Wheat is still king, but is losing ground -- farmers plan to plant 7.6 million acres,  a decrease from last year.  But soybeans, 4.9 million acres, and corn, 4.1 million acres, are both projected to increase from last year.  None of the state’s many specialty crops break above 2 million acres.

Sets of the thick, 2-foot high “Home of the Fighting Sioux” letters were pried off the side of the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks.  Meanwhile, the UND hockey team was outplayed 4-1 by Yale and will miss the “Frozen Four.”  Commentators made observations like the “UND team never hit its stride,” “tough drought” and fans were “used to big runs by UND.”  Suppose UND was still the Fighting Sioux -- would things be different?

“In my opinion, you can’t replace it.  It’s a proud tradition that’s been here so long. They will always be the Sioux to me.”  -- The man who paid $8,000, the winning bid for the first set of Fighting Sioux letters sold by the REA.  Pisek farmer Mike Dvorak will proudly display the sign near the road by his farm.  

Meet the newest and 39th recipient of the ND T. Roosevelt Rough Rider Award.  It’s Louise Erdrich, a popular novelist who grew up in Wahpeton and lives in Minneapolis.  Erdrich is a member of the Turtle Mt. Band of Chippewa and often features American Indians in her books.

“We will discover and report first-hand the condition of the wilderness that inspired President Theodore Roosevelt’s effort to preserve the rugged, wild spaces for all Americans and the world.”  -- A member of a group of elite, athlete scientists who will make a 10-day expedition into the ND Badlands.

“This is clever politics on Heitkamp’s part. North Dakotans love guns . . . We resent outsiders almost as much. ‘Eastern elitists’ have been bogeymen in the state’s politics for at least a century.” -- GF Herald Publisher Mike Jacobs admiring Sen. Heidi Heitkamp’s political acumen when she tangled with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg over gun control.  In the same column, Jacobs noted that Gov. Dalrymple nimbly avoided one of the state’s touchiest issues (abortion) by passing the buck to the courts.

Did U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer step into a political maelstrom or is he the victim of a “set up” by Indian activists from Spirit Lake -- or both?  Cramer appears to have made intemperate remarks in meetings with tribal women.  He apologized for the tone, but the apology has not been accepted.  Instead, it has been turned into a tirade against Cramer and used in political appeals for donations.  The incident is a welcome diversion to the Spirit Lake tribe which has been under the gun for tribal government scandals.

Like Father Like Son.  Daniel Greatwalker Sr. is in prison for the brutal 2002 killing of Linus Wallette on the Turtle Mt. Reservation.  Greatwater attacked Wallette as revenge, because Daniel’s father, Clarence, was killed in 1997 by another Wallette.   Daniel Greatwalker Jr. (23), Daniel’s son, is accused of killing Perry Picotte last November.

Punch a grandfather, go to jail!  Bob Matthews of Fargo chastised Brenden Marjama (29), a drunken California day laborer who was cursing in a restaurant.  Marjama knocked Matthews unconscious and, for good measure, went across the street and did the same thing to another man.  Marjama will spend a year in prison.  Matthews would not accept Marjama’s apology, saying “All bad men have good apologies”  and adding “This is Fargo – you’ve got to behave.”

Andrew Sorenson (22) of Portland, Oregon, was enjoying a nice eastbound trip on Amtrak, until the train reached Grand Forks.  Somebody reported Andrew for appearing suspicious -- he was nabbed with 7.5 pounds of marijuana in his luggage with a street value of $44,000.  ND is Main Street for drugs headed from the West Coast to the Twin Cities and Chicago.  Authorities in ND complain they are seeing stronger forms of marijuana coming from western states where the drug has been legalized.

No, tell me it’s not so!  Counterfeit clothing in Jamestown?  New York and Los Angeles, yes, that’s where those things happen.  Alas, the state Consumer Protection Division bagged fake Gucci and North Face clothing and put Jamestown’s Attitudes 4 U out of business.  Owner Adrian Williams was already in jail on other charges.  A handwritten sign on the store’s fashionable door says “Closed Until Further Notice.”

Rudolph Walz’s (97) parents were named Christian and Christina -- the type of wholesome names common in south central ND over 100 years ago.  The Pettibone native was a steady person, at the time of his recent death he had been married to Katherine for 76 years.  He was an all-around guy in his Lutheran church, singing in the choir and serving as congregation chairman and elder.  Rudolph didn’t believe in idle hands -- in his spare time he built things, including 56 roll-top desks.