Census packets Pool Response rate may not be toys as low as stats show Page 5 New features pop up awaiting opening Page 11 www.JournalTrib.com Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Crosby, ND Vol. 119, No. 22 -- Price $1.25 Graduation is a masked affair By Brad Nygaard Previous graduation ceremo- Judging by the program, Sun- nies have been public events, day’s commencement exercises open to the community at large. at Divide County High School Not this year. didn’t appear much different Graduates were limited to from any other year. eight family members in at- Graduates entered the gym tendance and admission was to “Pomp and Circumstance,” by ticket only. Families were there were speeches by Valedic- checked off a list, then seated torian Addyson Eriksmoen and by ushers in rows spaced six Salutatorian Zenn Alvarez, sing- feet apart. ers performed, diplomas were The Class of 2020 was spaced presented and parents were out, too. While graduates nor- recognized for their contribu- mally sit in rows right next to tions. one another, this year’s class There were a lot of bright was spread out, 6-foot gaps smiles, and a few tears shed. between them. A few notable exeptions were For those unable to attend, made, too, in order to comply ceremonies were broadcast on with COVID-19 safety guidelines cable TV and livestreamed by recommended by the state BEK. Health Department and the Scholarship winners were state school board association. announced, the school board Most noticeable were the president handed out diplomas masks worn. By everyone. -- wearing mask and gloves -- They were required, and for and there was a pause between those who didn’t bring one, each speaker as the micro- masks were provided by the phone received a wipedown. school district, along with hand The traditional parents’ rec- sanitizer at tables located at the ognition came at the end, with entrances. graduates escorting their par- Brad Nygaard -- The Journal The size of the assembly was ents out of the gym to conclude Monte and Edna Ellingson are escorted from the Divide County High School Gymnasium, Sunday, by their son, Isaac, following a com- the program. also a departure from normal. mencement exercise which required masks and social distancing to comply with state guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. More photos from the event may be seen on Page 12. Drive-thru test event draws 251 Co-op’s 75th By Jody Michael annual meeting The Upper Missouri District Health Unit hosted Crosby’s first public drive-thru coronavirus test- ing Friday at Divide County High is postponed School, as the state aims to better measure where the disease may By Jody Michael have spread. Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative turned 75 years old this year, but the celebration of that The two-lane testing setup saw Drone footage by Jody Gunlock, milestone will not take place as scheduled. 251 people between 10 a.m. and above, captures the big picture, 2 p.m., said Jody Gunlock, Divide Initially, co-op officials planned to expand while on the ground, photogra- their annual meeting on June 10 by including an County’s emergency manager. pher Brad Nygaard documents Gunlock had requested the anniversary celebration. Even a hot-air balloon the setup beneath registration was scheduled to come in for the event. mobile testing site and secured and testing tents. Below, a medi- 300 test kits from the state Depart- “That was kind of going to be our highlight,” cal worker prepares to swab a test ment of Health, and then even said Heidi Haugen-Grohs, member services more became available, if needed, subject. manager. “Of course, we were planning for more after low turnout the day before at people, things like that, just because it is our 75th.” a Williston event. “I would just hate to not know ing began, having been to cities big “I was hoping we’d get closer But the outbreak of the coronavirus led the that I had it and gave it to some- and small, east to west. board of directors to postpone the annual meet- to that 300 mark,” Gunlock said, body else,” said Lund, the library’s “It is a fight that we’re fighting “but the folks from Upper Missouri ing. director. together,” Sommerfeld said of the “It was not our desire to delay your annual Health were extremely happy with Lund pulled into the lot in the National Guard’s support. “We’re the turnout.” membership meeting,” the directors said in a first hour, when the testing was all in it, and we all want the best joint message to co-op members; “however, due Divide County residents could at its busiest, and felt the line of for everyone. We all want to help.” get a test regardless of whether to the health concerns with the COVID-19 pan- several cars was reasonable and Sommerfeld was helping move demic, we feel that it is prudent that we avoid they had preregistered or devel- moving quickly. test kits into and out of the tents, oped any symptoms of the virus. having this gathering at this time.” “I don’t even know if I was in while other guardsmen explained Instead, for now, the co-op is mailing members Vehicles in each lane drove up to it for 10 minutes,” Lund said. “I to the motorists in line how to two tents, one for registration and its annual report at the end of May and holding brought a book along, and I didn’t complete the testing question- off on setting a new meeting date. The current one for medical workers to take a even get to open it.” naire, which asks for contact infor- swab sample to send to the state directors will remain in office until either the an- Those who tested were told mation and any known symptoms. nual meeting or a special meeting takes place. lab. they would be notified within 72 The questionnaire was on the data by hand, Sommerfeld said. “We’re looking forward for the possibility of Brenda Ekness of Crosby said hours if they tested positive. state’s website, meaning people Each vial containing a completed still having it some time this year,” Haugen-Grohs she has not had any symptoms “Now we’ll see how many could either register in advance sample now has a bar code to link said. “It just might not be the big celebration I but was grateful for the chance to asymptomatic cases we have,” or fill it out from a mobile device to the person’s answers, eliminat- had planned in my mind.” test and learn for sure whether she Gunlock said. “It wouldn’t surprise while in line. ing much of the paperwork that Jan. 5 marked the day the co-op was formed was carrying it. me to know we’ve got a few.” That impressed Ekness, who was previously necessary. 75 years ago, according to co-op records. Larger “Some people can be asymptom- About 25 members of the North said she didn’t expect the drive- “Once it gets to the state lab, power companies at the time were choosing not atic, evidently,” Ekness said, “and I Dakota National Guard were thru to be so swift. they will scan that vial and have all to extend their services into rural areas, leading felt it was my duty to be tested.” dispatched to Crosby to assist “I thought it ran very smoothly, that information already,” Sommer- to the creation of rural electric cooperatives. Traci Lund, Crosby, wasn't feel- with the testing, said 1st Lt. Jacob especially when we could do the feld said. BDEC isn’t the only co-op in the region having ing ill either. She decided to get Sommerfeld, who was overseeing preliminary registration on our Divide County has had only one to postpone an annual meeting. Northwest Com- tested because her workplace, the their work. telephone,” Ekness said. confirmed positive case of the munications Cooperative originally scheduled Divide County Library, is now open Sommerfeld said the Crosby The Crosby testing was among to the public on a limited basis. virus, back in late March. its annual meeting for June 16. The co-op has not event was his 24th since the test- the first to not collect any of the announced a new meeting date. Flag display Jay Sortland adjusts a flag on the lawn of the Divide County Court- house prior to Memorial Day. Brad Nygaard -- The Journal The service this year was Great day for a dip canceled. A couple of young moose got caught wading in a slough in Frederick Township, Tuesday, one of the hottest days of the year so far, with a high of 84. Following a cool Brad Nygaard -- The Journal Memorial Day weekend, temperatures are expected to climb near 90 next week. Page 2 -- The Journal Local Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Obituaries Deanna Dhuyvetter Deanna Adair Dhuyvetter, 83, arthritis for years, her prayers Kenneth Engberg went to her eternal home Sun- were mainly for others and she Kenneth “Ken” Raymond Eng- dents. He was very proud of the day, May 17, 2020, while at St. never complained. That same berg, 100, passed away in Cros- program and always pleased to Lukes Hospital in Crosby. selflessness and genuine car- by, May 18, 2020, surrounded hear from the recipients of the A private family Mass was ing was not only given to every by his five children and several scholarships held May 23, followed by a member of her family, but to grandchildren.