Press Pass: Commission breaks ground on courthouse renovation, United Airlines announces intent to cease service to Dickinson, Police Blotter

Here’s some of our top stories from Wednesday’s edition. It’s your Press Pass to some of the best stories we bring you every day.

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Commission breaks ground on courthouse renovation

The Stark County Courthouse renovation took a symbolic step forward on Tuesday immediately following the regular meeting of the Stark County Commission.

After commission members asked for further details on project fees from representatives from JLG Architects and Scull Construction, the project’s construction manager at risk, the commissioners donned hardhats and picked up gold-painted shovels to break ground for the courthouse expansion on what is now a lawn on the west side of the building.

United Airlines announces intent to cease service to Dickinson

United Airlines will cease its service to Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport in September, less than a year after Delta Airlines did the same.

City Administrator Shawn Kessel said Tuesday at the Dickinson City Commission’s regular meeting that the airline had communicated its intent to suspend operations in Dickinson to the city but was quick to say the outcome might not strand would-be flyers.  

“We’ve been in contact with the governor’s office and United Airlines and are working with them to ensure continued service in a seamless fashion so there’s really no, or little, change in the service they offer today,” said Kessel.

Buck Hill demonstration shows refinery won’t be visible from national park

If seeing is believing, it was clear as day that a process stack from a proposed oil refinery near Fryburg would not be visible from Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Meridian Energy Group put up an 11-foot- wide kite late Tuesday afternoon at the location and height of the stack, and members of the public were invited to climb Buck Hill -- the highest observation point in the national park -- to take a look. The distance, as the crow flies, was roughly 7 miles. The bright-red kite wasn’t visible, even with binoculars.

Search for ND father of three turns up nothing yet

Although there’s been no trace of a Williams County man who disappeared more than a week ago while on a motorcycle ride, the search continues.

Zackary Baldwin set out for a half-hour ride the evening of June 26. He was expected to return in time for dinner and a family birthday celebration, but instead was reported missing the next day.

Since then, efforts to find him have spanned northwest North Dakota, crossed into Montana and included the help of law enforcement aircraft, family, friends and volunteers.

Intensive searches over the weekend covered hundreds of miles around Baldwin’s home, turning up no sign of the 30-year-old father of three. Still, those involved aren’t giving up hope.

A Minneapolis-based search and rescue group that arrived in Williston on Friday to deploy volunteers along planned routes is still coordinating efforts remotely after returning home on Sunday.

Police Blotter: Man drinking alcohol inside Cash-Wise says he didn't know he couldn't drink there

An employee of Whiting Petroleum Corporation reported to Dickinson police on Friday evening that someone had super glued dimes onto the locks of his Chevy truck causing $120 worth of damage. The man believes it may have been a co-worker trying to play a prank on him.