The Sargent County Teller

The Sargent County Teller Official Newspaper of Sargent County, North Dakota

09/10/2025

Letter to the Editor:

Happy National Voter Registration Day! Organizations across the country are registering voters in their communities on September 16, 2025... except in North Dakota.
North Dakota is the only state without voter registration, so we’re calling it “Voter ID Day” instead to make sure North Dakota voters are ready with their ID.
To vote in North Dakota elections, you must have an acceptable form of ID. You’ll need one of these to vote: 1) ND Driver’s License, 2) ND Non-Driver’s ID Card, 3) Tribal ID or Tribal Letter, or 4) Long Term Care ID Certificate.
If you’ve moved, be sure to update the address on your ID, which you can do online at Drivers License Online Services - Address/Email/Emergency Contact Change
We know there’s more work to do to educate voters and poll workers on voter ID. North Dakota Native Vote and the League of Women Voters of North Dakota had election observers at polling sites in November 2024. Those who had the most barriers to casting a ballot due to voter ID were Native voters, student voters, military voters, and New American voters.
Join us in participating in Voter ID Day in North Dakota. Ask your friends and neighbors if they are ready to vote with their ID.

Barbara Headrick,
President of the League of Women Voters of ND
PO Box 295
Fargo, ND 58107

Nicole Donaghy,
Executive Director of ND Native Vote

09/06/2025

Strong Public Schools, Strong North Dakota
By Nick Archuleta, ND United President
As a new school year begins across North Dakota, students from Wahpeton to Williston, and from Bathgate to Bowman are back in our schools, making them hum with the excitement and promise of another year of learning. The return of students to school is more than a seasonal milestone. It is a reminder of the essential role our public schools and teachers play in sustaining our communities and securing our future.
In North Dakota, our schools are not just places where children learn math, reading, and science. They are often the cultural and social centers of our towns, especially in rural areas. Friday night football games, school concerts, and community gatherings all revolve around the local school. In many small towns, the school is the beating heart of the community, the one institution that ties generations together and keeps rural life vibrant.
At the center of this work are our teachers and education support professionals. North Dakota’s educators do more than instruct; they nurture, inspire, and guide. Whether in a small elementary school on the prairie or in a bustling high school in ND’s more urban areas, teachers meet students where they are and help them reach their potential. These education professionals know their students by name, communicate with their families, and place our kids at the center of their best intentions. Most importantly, they educate every student who walks, runs, or rolls through their schoolhouse doors. That is the obligation and passion of every public-school teacher.
Strong public schools are the key to North Dakota’s future. Our economy depends on a well-educated workforce ready to lead in fields like agriculture, energy, health care, education, public service, and technology. If we want our young people to stay in our state and build their lives here, we must provide them with schools that prepare them for success and communities that value their talents.
But strong schools don’t happen by accident. They require stable funding, policies that recognize the unique needs of rural districts as well as urban districts, and fair salaries that keep great teachers in our classrooms. Given the importance and impact of public schools in ND, when we shortchange our schools, we are shortchanging our communities and limiting opportunities for our children.
This school year, I encourage all North Dakotans to celebrate, support, and protect the public schools that hold our communities together. Let’s honor our teachers for the difference they make in the lives of students every single day. Because when we invest in our schools, we are not just funding education, we are building stronger communities, creating opportunities, and securing the future of North Dakota. Our kids deserve nothing less, and neither do we.

09/06/2025

Wahpeton FedEx Freight driver is ND’s first ATA Grand Champion

FedEx Freight driver David Comings of Wahpeton recently became the first North Dakota driver to be crowned Grand Champion at the American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving Championship in Minneapolis.

The National TDC is held annually and is limited to state champions from across the United States. Drivers compete in events designed to measure their driving skills, industry knowledge and dedication to safety.

This was Comings’ fourth consecutive appearance at the national TDC. He outscored 424 other competitors to bring home the Bendix Grand Champion Award. He also won the award for best performance on the written exam.

Comings drives daily loads between Fargo and Belfield, North Dakota. He has logged over 3.1 million accident-free miles in 28.5 years. He won the North Dakota 4-axle titles in 2022 and 2023, and was 5-axle champion in 2024 and 2025. In June, David won his first North Dakota state Grand Champion award.

Comings, and other NDMCA 2024 award winners, will be honored Saturday evening at the NDMCA Annual Convention awards banquet at the Holiday Inn in Fargo.

09/06/2025

Slow down: More farm equipment on roads during harvest
STATEWIDE, N.D. — Vision Zero is urging motorists to use extra caution while traveling the state’s roadways this time of year as farmers and ranchers work their fields and transport goods.

Farm and ranch equipment is large and heavy, making it extremely challenging for operators to accelerate, slow down and stop. This type of vehicle also has large blind spots, making it difficult for operators to see approaching vehicles.

“Harvest season means more farm equipment on rural roads – especially two-lane highways,” said Karin Mongeon, director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division. “Reduce your speed and carefully evaluate the situation before passing safely.”

Preliminary data from 2024 shows there were 42 crashes involving farm equipment in North Dakota.

Motorists are reminded to:

Always wear a seat belt
Watch for mud and debris on the roadway
Be aware you can encounter farm equipment at any time of day
Keep a safe distance
Farm equipment operators should consider the following:

Use lights, flashers and reflectors
Make sure your load is balanced and secure
Use slow moving emblems when traveling less than 30 miles per hour
Use an es**rt vehicle when moving equipment, especially at night
Construction projects are also finishing up this time of year, so some roads may be inaccessible. For the most current progress on construction projects call 511 or go to the Travel Information Map at travel.dot.nd.gov.

09/06/2025

As the new school year begins, Vision Zero is urging drivers and families to make safety a top priority – especially for students traveling on off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in rural areas. With many young riders using OHVs to get to school, everyone on the road plays a role in preventing crashes and injuries.

Safety Tips for Drivers:

Stay Alert: Expect to see student OHV riders before and after school, especially on rural roads and near school zones.
Slow Down: Lower speeds give you more time to react.
Give Space: OHVs handle differently than cars – keep a safe following distance.
Share the Road: Treat OHVs with the same caution and respect as other vehicles.
Safety Tips for Student Riders:

Wear a Helmet: Required by law for riders under 18 and essential for preventing head injuries.
Ride the Right Size: Choose an OHV suited to your age, size and skill level.
No Passengers: Unless the OHV is equipped for passengers, ride solo.
Obey Traffic Laws: Stop at signs, follow signals and yield to pedestrians.
Be Seen: Wear bright clothing and use working lights.
Buckle Up: In utility task vehicles, the law requires all occupants to wear a seat belt.
Families should check helmets, inspect OHVs and talk about safe riding habits. Schools and communities can reinforce these messages to help students make smart choices on the road.

This message is part of the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.

Visit the North Dakota Crash Memorial Wall to view memorials built on the hope of preventing another death on North Dakota roads.

09/06/2025

Richland County Sheriff Report: DATE/TIME: 09/04/2025 1:40 PMINCIDENT: Farm AccidentLOCATION: Rural WyndmereDETAILS: On 09/04/2025 at approximately 1:40 PM the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Wyndmere Fire Department and the Wyndmere Ambulance were dispatched to a farm in Rural Wyndmere for a Farm Accident.A farm worker was caught in a bin sweeper while cleaning. The worker sustained non-life threatening injuries to his leg. The worker was transported by Wyndmere Ambulance to a Fargo Hospital and the condition of the individual is unknown.No further information is available at this tim

09/05/2025

The Teller would like to honor Ryan Rossow. Ryan passed away on August 28. Mr. Rossow served his country in the Army National Guard. Thank you Mr. Rossow for your service. Ryan's obituary will be in the Sept. 12 edition of The Teller.

08/28/2025

North Dakota reports on West Nile virus activity

VIEW THIS RELEASE ONLINE: hhs.nd.gov

BISMARCK, ND (Aug. 15, 2025) - North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has seen a rise in reported West Nile virus cases in recent weeks. State health officials are reminding people to continue taking precautions against mosquito bites that can cause West Nile virus infection.

As of Aug. 14, North Dakota reported 26 human West Nile virus cases, with additional cases pending further results. Of the 26 cases, 11 were hospitalized and nine had nervous system complications. In addition to human cases, 38 mosquito pools and three birds have also tested positive for West Nile virus.

“People should be aware of the increase in mosquitoes spreading West Nile virus and take proper precautions to protect themselves from bites,” said Amanda Bakken, HHS epidemiologist. “Peak West Nile virus activity historically has occurred in late August, but with earlier human cases and high mosquito populations, this is the time to be vigilant and safeguard against disease.”

HHS recommends North Dakotans take these precautions to avoid mosquito bites:

Use insect repellent registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that contain ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD, 2-undecanone, and permethrin (clothing only). Always follow the directions on the manufacturer’s label for safe and effective use.
Wear protective clothing outdoors such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks.
Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus are most likely to bite.
Eliminate stagnant water in containers around homes where mosquitoes can lay their eggs (e.g. gutters, buckets, flowerpots, old tires, wading pools and birdbaths).
Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of residences.
Maintain a well-trimmed yard and landscape around homes.
Most people infected with West Nile virus experience no symptoms. Those who develop symptoms will commonly report fever, headache, body/joint aches or rash. People who develop severe illness may experience stiff neck, altered mental status, paralysis, coma and possibly death. People over 60, or those who have underlying health issues are at greater risk for developing West Nile neuroinvasive disease.

For more information on West Nile virus, visit: About West Nile Virus

For locations go to the interactive map here: West Nile Cases in ND

08/28/2025

Richland County Sheriff Report: DATE/TIME: 08/27/2025 2004 hoursINCIDENT: House FireLOCATION: 416 1st Ave SW, Hankinson, ND 58041DETAILS:On August 27, 2025 at approximately 8pm Richland County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a house fire at 416 1st Ave SW, Hankinson. Hankinson Fire was paged out. Richland County Deputies and Hankinson Ambulance also responded. All residents were able to exit the home. Due to the fire being quickly extinguished there was minimal damage. One resident received minor injuries and was transported to the hospital by Hankinson Ambulance and Ambulance Service Inc.Fire is under investigation by Hankinson Fire Department and North Dakota State Fire Marshals.Responding agencies included Hankinson Fire, Hankinson Ambulance, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, and Ambulance Service In

Bible School at GA Lutheran Church in Gwinner
08/13/2025

Bible School at GA Lutheran Church in Gwinner

Recent Tractor Show in Milnor on August 6. Hosted by the Milnor Satellite Club.
08/13/2025

Recent Tractor Show in Milnor on August 6. Hosted by the Milnor Satellite Club.

08/08/2025

We have a wheelchair in each building to better serve you.

Address

Milnor, ND

Telephone

+17016803724

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Sargent County Teller posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Sargent County Teller:

Shortcuts

Share

Category