Compiled by LAUREN DONOVAN

Bismarck Tribune

When Al Jazeera International journalists pulled into Crosby last week, it made a few people's hair stand up.

The network is notorious for its Osama bin Laden broadcasts and most people made that association with the film crew.

But it turns out the network has an American base in Washington, D.C., and pulled into Crosby to follow up on a New York Times Magazine article that labeled the Crosby area "Not Far From Forsaken."

Al Jazeera producer Peggy Holter, formerly of NBC's Dateline, was with the crew. With her was Mike Teboe, a freelancer and credentialed gallery photographer in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Despite the crew's background, Divide County Sheriff Lauren Thronveit said the hair stood up on the back of his neck when he heard the crew was in town.

"At some point, everyone in the Middle East is going to know where Crosby is," he said.

John Rushing, a 15-year Marine Corps veteran and spokesman for Gen. Tommy Franks during the Iraq invasion, is the on-air anchor and was in town to conduct the interviews.

He said Al Jazeera International is an opportunity for Americans to be seen and understood by the world at a time when anti-American sentiment is growing.

Rushing said he wants the world to see the America he knew, growing up in a small Texas town of 1,600.

Some in Crosby said the international network couldn't be separated from the same organization that spreads Muslim extremism and terrorism.

Crosby High School senior Janae Hagen was interviewed by the crew on her feelings about living in the Crosby area.

She said she felt creepy about it and declined to be interviewed at the farm, but was OK with one at the school, where she put in a good word for Crosby as a place to grow up, but not live as an adult.

The crew shot scenes in nearby schools and of graduation ceremonies.

No airdate has been scheduled, since Al Jazeera is trying to put together a global network.

"What they're doing has never been done before," Rushing said.

The emir of Qatar backs Al Jazeera International, a relationship Rushing said is similar to the BBC's relationship to the British government.

- The Journal

Ailing ambulance

It's been 18 years since a new emergency medical technician joined the Regent Ambulance Squad.

The Hettinger County community only has four on the ambulance staff and some of them work away from the community during the day.

Regent Mayor Terry Hartman, who leads the squad, said things aren't looking good and there have been some problems because of the lack of responders.

"Right now we're hurting big time," he said.

The question is, who will respond in time to help save the critical service?

Regent could combine its ambulance service with Mott, 15 miles away, and maintain its own ambulance. Another option is to dissolve the ambulance district, have surrounding communities take a share and maintain an in-town service only.

A final option is to dissolve altogether.

Don Schaible, who heads up the Mott ambulance department, said the town would like to help, but there will be hurdles.

Schaible said it would help if New England and Mott could cooperate on some of the area, with Regent's assistance.

New England squad leader Tom Zahn said his community has similar problems, but is not yet at the point of closing.

Many of New England's trained responders live out in the country.

Mott has a squad of 17 and nine are trained responders. New England has 12 and seven are trained. Regent has four on the squad and two are trained.

EMTs require 120 hours of training for certification and another 72 hours every two years to maintain their status.

- The Herald

Taxi, please

There's a blue van in New Town and anyone who has the fare, can grab a ride.

Lyle Danks started a taxi service last week and he'll take people where they need to go around town, including as far away as Minot for appointments.

Anyone who wants a ride, should check in by 7 a.m. In-town rides are $3. A ride to the 4 Bears Casino or Village is $6. Roundtrip to Parshall is $25 and to Minot is $80.

Danks said he was inspired to start the taxi by his now-deceased partner and brother Matthew Foolish Bear, who died in 2003.

"I just got started now, because of procrastination mostly, and wondering if it's going to work," he said.

Danks was a trucker for 30 years and all that road time, plus the high price of fuel, were also hindrances to getting started.

Then, his mother's health started to fail and the taxi service started to look like a good way to come home again.

He said he'll add another taxi or two, if business is good.

For now, he's operating off a cell phone and with money out of pocket.

He hopes to set up an office eventually.

Danks is willing to go where people need to be.

"If there's a need, I'll go wherever someone needs to be picked up," he said.

And that also includes a ride home from the casino, providing the rider is ready to leave by 10 p.m.

- New Town News

Beulah goes alone

Beulah School District will have its own superintendent, not share one with Hazen.

The school board had been giving thought to a proposal to time sharing Hazen's superintendent Mike Ness, as a replacement for Wilfred Volesky, who resigned at Beulah to take a job at Mandan High School.

Beulah School Board president Phil Eastgate said the decision was made after interviewing candidates for the job and realizing that a fulltime superintendent was still needed.

Beulah High School has been in Class A ranks based on enrollment and will rejoin Class B in the fall, but it is still a big high school by state standards.

Eastgate said the board was split on the idea of sharing a superintendent and for him, the turning point came after listening to how candidates viewed the job description.

"That reconfirmed in my mind that we still did need a fulltime superintendnt. The time just wasn't right," Eastgate said. "But I really give both boards a lot of credit for looking at it as an option."

The new superintendent will get between $70,000 and $90,000 a year, based on experience.

The candidates who were interviewed were Royal Lyson, Center; Clarke Ranum, Des Lacs-Burlington; Dan Anderson, Ray; Rick Bailey, Lake Region State College; and Al Lieberspach, Harvey.

- Beulah Beacon