Dakota Beacon

“He was raised on a family farm between Hannah and Sarles, North Dakota, where he learned the value of hard work and persistence in the face of difficult situations.” -- The obituary of Donald Bottrell (61).  That quote could easily be the anthem of rural ND, whence came thousands of hardworking problem solvers.  Don Bottrell was an entrepreneur who started many companies -- the largest grew to 2,500 employees.

There are two ways of viewing almost everything. The obituary of Kalcie Eagle (21) of New Town says he will be “remembered for his kind, loving and caring heart and his beautiful smile.”  He “loved everybody.”  Eagle committed suicide while being investigated for the murder of New Town grandmother Martha Johnson and her three grandchildren.

The grandmother's funeral at the Bethel Lutheran Church in New Town was nearly as dramatic.  The church had seats for 180 -- 400 attended.  Two benefit funds have been established: The Schuster fund for the children’s parents in Minto.  The Johnson fund in New Town for survivors of the grandmother. 

Employment in the ND Oil Patch has soared 50 percent in the past three years.  Average annual wages are around $90,000, over double state and national averages.  In 2004, employment in nine key ND Bakken counties was 10 percent of the state total; today, it’s 20 percent.  Did these increases spill into the rest of the state, where there is also higher employment and wages?  The Federal Reserve, which is studying the issue, hasn’t formed a conclusion.

The Federal Reserve says the nine Bakken counties have seen a 128 percent increase in bank deposits since 2007.  By contrast, deposits in Cass County rose 38% during the same period.  Energy wealth is piling up in western banks and deposits are outpacing loans.  Banks are having difficulty putting the deposits to work in prudent loans.  The Federal Reserve says “Banks in North Dakota on average are really, really strong.”  Patrick Springer wrote about Oil Patch employment and banking in the Sunday Forum.

USA Today reports that six of the top 10 counties in the nation in per capita personal income are in the ND Oil Patch.

For decades, an oil refinery in Anacortes, Washington has been supplied from Alaska.  As Alaska production declines, Anacortes and Washington ports in Tacoma and Grays Harbor are readying rail yards to receive 100-car oil trains from ND.

The state of ND owns 1.2 million acres in 17 oil producing counties.  About two-thirds of the land is leased for oil production and 2,100 wells bring in oil royalties of $20 million a month.  Production royalties increase each month, but leasing revenues decline as the most promising acreage becomes leased.

“The state’s huge cash surplus will be hanging over deliberations at the legislature.” -- Herald Editor Mike Jacobs prognosticating about the 2013 session of the ND Legislature.  Jacobs said eastern ND lawmakers are keenly aware that power in the state is shifting westward.  He thinks that could set off a “get-it-while-we-can” attitude on the part of the east.

Tribune columnist Clay Jenkinson has been playing one note for many years -- and it may very well be the right one. The Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt National Park are his foremost concerns.  He was concerned about protection of the Badlands before the Oil Boom -- a worry that is now sharpened.  Jenkinson believes both the Badlands and TRNP have already been compromised by oil development -- oil-related structures are constantly visible outside the park and the night sky is bright with gas flares.  As oil development closes in, he expects it all to get worse. 

Ernestine Jewel Fox-Mountain, Red Medicine Wheel Woman, 75, went home to the spirit world Nov. 20, 2012.  She is survived by children from three marriages.  Fox-Mountain held certificates from Indian colleges in ND and Montana, and attended UND for 3-1/2 years.  She was president of the Indian Club at UTTC and UND.  She seemingly lived in dozens of locations from Grand Forks, ND to Glasgow, Montana and was constantly active in community organizations.  Her obituary contradicts many stereotypes of Indian women of her generation.

A steep hill to climb.  The new president of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in southwest South Dakota identified four intertwined issues he will tackle: high unemployment, a housing shortage, alcoholism and violence.  Unemployment on the reservation is 89 percent compared to a state rate of 4.5 percent.

Was something in the air at Bismarck high schools in the early 1990s?  Paula Broadwell graduated from Bismarck Century HS in 1991, had a distinguished military career, but had the dubious distinction of becoming the mistress of CIA Director David Petraeus.  Shannon Galpin graduated from Bismarck HS in 1992 and is a nominee for 2012 National Geographic “Adventurer of the Year.”  Both women are assertive, risk-taking and self-promoting.

There are only a few facilities like it in the world.  The Agriculture Experiment Station at NDSU has a $33 million, two-acre greenhouse divided into over 60 self-contained labs, each capable of maintaining biological security and unique climate conditions.  Over 300 researchers, students and employees use the facility.

DAKTOIDS: News outlet 24/7 Wall Street picked ND as the best-run state in the nation followed by Wyoming and Nebraska -- California, Rhode Island and Illinois held down the other end . . . Fargo -- a great place, but a little chilly.  In the next 100 days, the average high temperature in Fargo will be below freezing . . . Dickinson officials have been advised the city needs more bars to reduce crowding and serious bar fights.  So far this year, Dickinson police have received over 70 calls for bar fights . . . Everyone knows it, Bismarck is not a party town -- Party World closed after five unsuccessful years.