Linton, ND

What are the first impressions of people when they come to our town as visitors? What do they see upon entering our community from each direction? Is there a sense of pride and welcoming?

What message does our main street or downtown business sector convey? Is it one of vibrancy and health? What experience do visitors have when visiting our local businesses and meeting people on the street. Are we open and welcoming? How about our residential areas; are the homes and yards well-kept and maintained?

Do we send a message that Linton is a wonderful place to live, raise a family, or locate a business? These are questions that we have asked and sought answers to.

The resulting answers have brought about many wonderful ideas. Looking with fresh eyes at our community is a valuable tool in recognizing our assets and drawing on them. An effort is now underway for downtown beautification as well as to enhance the areas leading into our community.

Join the movement – call Sharon at 701-254-4267 or Doug at 701-254-4811.

The Emmons County Interagency, as part of the Region VII Safe and Drug Free Communities held a community program on underage drinking on April 29th at the Linton Community Center . A survey taken at last year’s community program indicated a need and desire to continue these programs in our community.

Shannon Nieuwsma reviewed the following comments from last year’s survey: parents feel that the leading cause of underage drinking is that parents and our community are too accepting of drinking. When questioned about what can be done, the responses from the survey thought that there should be more law enforcement, a change the attitude of parents and youth in our community in regard to drinking and more activities for youth that don‘t involve drinking.

Becca Gerhardt, Coordinator of Region VII Safe and Drug Free Communities, presented information on adolescents and alcohol use. Alcohol kills more adolescents than all other drugs combined. North Dakota was number one in the states for alcohol use in the past month among people who are ages 12-17.

Recent scientific research indicates that alcohol takes a greater toll on brain development for those under age 21 because of the huge changes taking place in the adolescent brain. The damage to the brain includes impacting memory and learning capabilities and some of this damage is irreversible. Other concerns with underage drinking include a negative impact on decision making capabilities, impulse control and the lowering of inhibitions which increase risk taking behavior in adolescents such.

Gary Sanders, Emmons County Sheriff indicated that he was surprised by the amount of underage drinking when he moved to the area in 1994. The trend since he has been here has been to move some of the larger out door parties to occupied farmsteads or homes to avoid law enforcement. Gary related there were 65 alcohol related arrests in Emmons County in 2007. Forty-one of those were minor in possession or minor in consumption.

Gary also cautioned parents that adults who contribute or host parties-even allowing kids to party on their property -can be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor. Above the legal implications, parents take on a huge liability issue.

Becca indicated that there needs to be more education and a change of attitude of underage drinking in our communities. Many parents feel that allowing their kids to drink underage curbs their desire to binge drink in college. This is not backed up by evidence. Of concern however is that the younger a person begins to drink, the higher the chance they have of becoming alcohol dependent, four times higher than for adults who didn‘t drink until they were age 21.

Terry Elhard spoke of underage drinking being an issue in McIntosh County also. He said that most crimes are committed when people are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Interagency also helped sponsor Danae’s Song, a school lyceum attended by all three schools in the county. This program is a mother’s story about her daughter’s death in a drunk driving collision and the impact this had on the family and the community. The Bank of Hazelton, BNC National Bank, Strasburg State Bank, KEM Electric, and Security State Bank helped sponsor the school lyceum.

Thanks to all the sponsors, speakers and parents who supported this important message

The Emmons County 4-H Achievement Days will be held July 9-10. Static exhibits will be judged at the Linton Public School Old Gym starting at 9:00 am on the 9th with purple ribbons given at 1:00. A bake sale will be held starting at 10:00 am. Projects can be viewed until 5:00 pm. Doors will also be open on the 10th from 8:30-5:00 for project viewing.

On the 10th the judging of livestock will begin at 9:00 am at the 4-H quonset followed by the 4-H raffle drawing and the horse show to conclude the days events.

You may see employees at the Emmons County Courthouse wearing jeans a little more often than on the usual Jean Days. The group has set up a committee and in order to raise more funds for their charity of choice, for a time period for $2 a week jeans can be worn to work on Thursdays and Fridays.

This year funds were donated to students that went to the National Science Fair. Then we sent the last round of collections to the local schools for their Prom or Grad Finale celebrations.

The next round of jean funds is earmarked to help Violet Haak’s family with medial bills.

If given the chance there are some of us that would be willing to pay $5 a week and wear our jeans.

June 10th was the day for the primary election. There is a city election as well as a county and a district election. This year was a change of scenery for voters if they applied for the vote by mail option. Total voters in Emmons County were 841 citizens. Of those 841, 200 voted in person at the Linton which is the county seat for Emmons County. 640 people used the vote by mail option. Each voter had to apply in late April. Applications were processed and ballots were sent out on May 6th. Vote by mail is essentially voting by absentee. Results of the cities of Hazelton, Strasburg, Linton , Emmons County Commissioner and national elections for Emmons County can be found at www.EmmonsCountyRecord.com.

Linton’s 1st annual Freedom 5K Walk/Run will be held July 4 at 8 am (location to be determined). Registration will begin at 7:15 am. Registration forms are available at Linton Fitness Center. Cost for ages 13 & up is $12 and ages 12 and under is $6. Proceeds will be donated to the Linton Pool Slide.

Guaranteed T-shirt if signed up 2 weeks prior. Door prizes will be awarded. First, second and third place medals will be awarded. Sponsored by the Linton Chamber of Commerce. Training plans located @ Linton Fitness Center. POC’s: Kayla Bosch 321-2077 or Bernie Humann 254-5324/254-4394. Volunteers needed, please contact the above.

Your National Weather Service, Emmons County Emergency Manager, and Linton Fire Department want you to learn more about severe summer weather.

A Severe Weather Seminar will be held Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 pm at the Fire Hall in Linton. Topics covered will be: thunderstorm formation…how and why; thunderstorm hazards…flash floods, tornadoes, lightning, wind, hail; history of severe weather in North Dakota; storm strength and what weather you will get; storm structure…wall clouds, sheld clouds, mesocyclones, rain free base; how to stay safe!

Neat pictures…Cool video. For more information contact Emmons County Emergency Manager Shawna Paul at 254-4486 or smpaul@nd.gov.

The Emmons County 4-H Communication Arts Contest was held April 25 at the courthouse.

Sarah Naaden received a Participation Certificate in the Teen Interpretive Reading (Serious) division titled ‘Losing Hope.’ She is a member of the North Star 4-H Club.

Casondra Rutschke also received a Participation Certificate in the Preteen Interpretive Reading (Serious) division titled ‘A Beautiful Story.’ She is a member of the Coyote Country Co-Ed 4-H Club.

Katie Carpenter received an Award of Excellence with her speech titled ‘The Diary of Dorothy Gale’ in the Teen Dramatic Presentation (Individual) division.

Katie and Casondra participated in the District Communication Arts contest held May 27 in Mandan. They both received Award of Excellence ribbons for their readings.

Renae Werner is this year’s recipient of the Emmons County 4-H Scholarship. She received $200 provided by Emmons County 4-H Council. The scholarship is designed to assist current and former Emmons County 4-H members in their continued education beyond high school. Renae is a former member of the Dakota Riders 4-H Club. She is the daughter of Jeff and Diane Werner of Linton. This is a big summer for Renae. She will be finishing college (she’s Who’s Who among Colleges and Universities) and is also getting married. Congratulations Renae.

Friday, June 6th is getting closer each day and the dairy and ag days committee met today. Current progress includes the Midwest Dairy Association who is looking for candidates, the Emmons County Farmers Union continuing organizing the parade, Emmons County Extension looking for someone who knows the art of balloon twisting, Linton High School FCCLA program organizing the lunch, Emmons County Record organizing the fundraising and advertising, the Linton Senior Citizens organizing the supper at the Knights of Columbus hall, the Linton Catholic cluster of Hazelton’s St. Paul and St.Michaels youth group organizing their beverage kiosk and the major instigator the Linton Chamber organizing games for the kids.