A Michigan company would like to bring natural gas into the heart of Coal Country, one of the few places in the region without that particular fuel service.

Even though Dakota Gasification Co., makes synthetic natural gas and the Northern Border Pipeline edges through on Mercer County's western edge, folks primarily depend on propane or electric heat.

Major Pipelines of Grand Rapids would like to give people another option.

The company has approached both the Hazen and Beulah city leaders and they met recently to jointly mull over the proposal, in which the company would finance construction of a branch gas line into both towns.

It appears the communities could purchase the distribution system.

Commissioner Ken Link said he has questions about the city's financial obligation.

"It could be a profitable business, or it could be a losing business for a number of years," Link said.

It's estimated it would cost about $10 million to get the pipeline and the distribution system in place in both towns.

Hazen City Commissioner Mike Peterson had a practical concern. He wanted to know who would be responsible for repairing asphalt cuts made to install the pipeline under streets.

The joint meeting resulted in a plan to have the Beulah city planner get back to Major Pipelines for answers to questions and then for another meeting to be held this month.

- The Hazen Star

Justice scheduled

Eight Garrison residents may feel justice has been served Dec. 8.

That day, former Garrison attorney Doug Sletten will be sentenced for bilking his clients and the federal government of more than $1.1 million through fraud and tax evasion.

The U.S. State's Attorney's office is recommending 41 months in federal prison, full restitution and three years of supervised release.

The whole business came to light back in 2007, when the state Supreme Court voted to suspend Sletten's license after he admitted to stealing more than $340,000 from two clients, one of them elderly.

In total, he is charged with more than $710,000 in fraud and $417,000 in tax evasion.

Sletten has agreed to give the court a financial statement listing assets that he has, or that he has transferred to others.

Sletten took his clients' money that he was holding in trust accounts by making large cash withdrawals.

He also has been sued in civil litigation and currently there is a $300,000 judgment against him for money taken from the Anita Hopkins estate and another judgment of $84,000 from Jon and Betty Conklin.

He has not yet been disbarred from law practice.

- McLean County Independent

New in town

The tiny town of Noonan in northwestern North Dakota has 36 new residents in the former Good Samaritan nursing home.

None of them are retired, or even old for that matter.

The building's new owners opened the home up to oil field workers; actually to anyone needing temporary housing for an extended stay.

The Good Sam society closed the home in April and planned to demolish it unless a buyer appeared in six months.

Canadians Richard Ford and Josh and Tony Massoup - who came down for oil field work - thought they saw an opportunity.

Josh Massoup said it isn't safe to drive after a long day's work.

"I would see oil workers driving to Tioga after a long day to sleep for the night and then making the trip the next morning," he said.

Having 36 people staying at the facility has been good for others in Noonan.

Donna Fagerland, who owns Donna's Cafe, said she thinks it's a good outcome for the building.

"The abandoned building is being used and it will bring extra business to the area," she said.

Some residents had hoped to use the facility for the state's second traumatic head injury rehabilitation center, but that option was foreclosed by the Canadians' purchase.

- The Journal

Housing for helpers

Lutheran Social Services Housing Inc., is about to venture into a housing project for the first time in North Dakota.

It's picking Watford City as a place to start.

The agency is making plans to construct a 24-plex apartment building to create affordable housing in the community.

"Watford City has an urgent, immediate need …," said LSS's Jessica Thomasson.

The project is envisioned as providing housing for folks who may earn $8 to $12 an hour, an income bracket that supports the viability of the community.

LSS will ask Watford City to support $1.6 million in Municipal Industrial Development Act bonds to be issued for the project, opening the way for a lower interest rate for the financing.

A public hearing on the bonds will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Watford City Hall.

Economic development director Gene Veeder said the development would be one piece in meeting the housing needs in the community.

"We're concerned that non-oil workers could get squeezed out of the current housing market. We support this project because it will fit what we need," Veeder said.

It's anticipated that the apartment rent would range from $450 to $700, depending on the renter's income and that the maximum single income to meet eligibility for the low end of the range would be $43,000.

- McKenzie

County Farmer