News

Bottineau County in 2012 saw a number of activities

By Tyler Ohmann

01/02/2013

With many happenings documented in the past year by the Bottineau Courant, the Courant has compiled a number of the biggest stories from the Courant in 2012.

Jan. 10, 2012- Bottineau City Council member Brad Gangl answers questions from fellow council member Harley Getzlaff about a $2000 bill that wasn’t approved by the entire council. The question of an unauthorized audit into vacation and overtime of city employees pit council members against each other.

Jan. 17, 2012- Travis (Wilkie) Brudwick was charged with arson by local authorities for the fire that destroyed Tommy Turtle Lanes on Highway 5 in Bottineau. The July 19, 2011 fire was allegedly started by Brudwick to cover up a burglary committed by Brudwick.

Jan. 31, 2012- In the midst of a number of complaints from council members and the public, including a recall petition for his seat, Bottineau City Council member Brad Gangl officially resigned from his post after sitting on the council for five years. Gangl declined to comment.

Feb. 14, 2012- The Bottineau Braves hockey team, led by senior Logan Millican ended Bismarck Century’s 39-game regular season win streak by beating the Patriots 5-4 in OT.

Feb. 28, 2012- The Bottineau Braves basketball team falls to Berthold for the second time of the season (the Braves’ only two losses) in the Region 6 title game. It was the second straight year the Braves came one game short of making it to state.
Bottineau-Rugby’s hockey team loses both games at the North Dakota State Hockey Tournament in the Ralph in Grand Forks. Bottineau fell to Fargo North and Bismarck.  

March 6, 2012- Bottineau’s 19U hockey team falls to Crosby in the State Title game in Fargo. Bottineau won a record 20 games during the season, but could not upset the Comets to take the title. Longtime Bottineau Stars coach Mike Forsberg retires as head girl’s basketball coach after more than 30 years and 700 wins as a high school coach.

March 13, 2012- Bottineau City Council members are informed that the recall petition for mayor Doug Marsden had been processed with the city auditor’s office. More than 100 signatures are contained on the petition, which the signees hope to help oust the mayor.

March 27, 2012- The Bottineau School Board held a special meeting in which BHS Principal Ross Roemmich tenders his resignation and Middle School and Elementary Principal Mike Forsberg is denied early retirement by the board.

April 24, 2012- Brian Palmer is announced as the new Elementary Principal for the Bottineau School District. Palmer is set to replace the retiring Mike Forsberg.
The National Junior College Athletic Association recently limited the number of international athletes that are able to compete on NJCAA teams. The decision drastically changed the make up of several sports’ rosters for Dakota College at Bottineau. It also appears to change the way that DCB recruits.

May 22, 2012- Hundreds gather at the Bottineau Winter Park ski facility to honor Ann Nicole Nelson on her birthday by breaking ground on Annie’s House, the new BWP chalet that will be made in honor of Nelson. The construction is slated to mostly be completed the weekend before the 11th anniversary of 9/11. Nelson is the only 9/11 victim from North Dakota.

May 29, 2012- Candidates for the Mayoral Recall Election Doug Marsden (incumbent) and Ben Aufforth answer questions about their stances before the June 12 election.
The Bottineau Braves baseball team advanced to state after capturing a Region 5 title by beating Bishop Ryan in Surrey. It is the third straight year the Braves have advanced to state.
Bottineau sophomore Harrison Aide won his second straight State pole vault title after he cleared 13-feet, six inches and won by a margin of more than a foot.

June 5, 2012- Bottineau’s baseball team finishes with a consolation title after falling in the first round of the state tournament. It was the second consecutive fifth place finish for the Braves.

June 19, 2012- Ben Aufforth becomes Bottineau’s new mayor after incumbent mayor Doug Marsden was defeated in a recall election on June 12. It was the first time in Bottineau’s 128-year history that a mayor was recalled.

June 26, 2012- Travis (Wilkie) Brudwick pleads guilty to arson in the fire at Tommy Turtle Lanes nearly a year prior. Brudwick was sentenced to 10 years in jail with five years suspended.

July 3, 2012- Willow City hosted its 125th birthday over the weekend. Folks from all around gathered for the parade, demo derby and more to celebrate the event, which included an All-Class Reunion. Also attending were residents of Willow City, Texas, Willow City, ND’s “sister city.”

July 10, 2012- Two juveniles were fatally killed after a truck allegedly driven by Juan Acosta, 30, of Newburg, N.D., drove over the tent the two boys were staying in. Another child and an adult were in the tent, but made it out alive.

July 17, 2012- Juan Acosta, who was accused of running over a tent that killed two young boys appeared in court for his arraignment. He was charged with four felonies (including two counts of manslaughter) and two misdemeanors.

Aug. 7, 2012- James Kapp is named the replacement for long-time Bottineau County Extension Service agent Tim Semler, who recently retired. Kapp is originally from Steele, N.D. and graduated from Kidder County High School in 2008.

Aug. 14. 2012- Roger Nelson is appointed to the Bottineau City Council to fill the vacated spot left by Ben Aufforth after he was elected mayor in June’s recall election. Nelson is a local real estate agent. Logan Millican, a 2011-12 standout for BHS, commits to playing hockey for the Dakota College at Bottineau Lumberjacks for the 2012-13 season. Millican led all of ND in scoring in 2011-12, and was named the West Region Senior Athlete of the Year.

Sep. 11, 2012- The Bottineau Winter Park was swarmed by thousands of volunteers from all over the area and the country as they built “Annie’s House” a large new chalet, which will include an adaptive ski program. The project, which was supported by the New York Says Thank You Foundation was in tribute to Ann Nicole Nelson, the only victim from ND that was lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Sep. 18, 2012- Bottineau County loses another young victim of a car accident as Zachary Reinoehl was fatally injured in a roll over near Kramer on a gravel road.

Oct. 23, 2012- Shopko Hometown, formerly Pamida,  reopens its doors after a renovation and new inventory. Pamida and Shopko merged and all Pamida’s are to become “Shopko Hometown.”

Nov. 13, 2012- David O’Connell, Bob Hunskor and Richard Anderson win positions in the North Dakota Legislature from District 6, which includes all of Bottineau County. Voter turnout is one of the highest in history.

Nov. 20, 2012- Another Bottineau City Council member resigned as Troy Marsden (brother of former mayor Doug Marsden) resigns his post from the Bottineau Council. Roger Nelson had recently also resigned due to health reasons.

Dec. 4, 2012- The Adjutant General of North Dakota’s National Guard swooped in for a quick meeting and to hand out awards to members of Bottineau’s National Guard. Adjutant General David Sprynczynatyk made Bottineau one of several visits.