McLean County Independent News
Pantry gives hand up to families in need
Fueled by community generosity, the Garrison Food Pantry had a year of distributing almost twice as much food to hungry families as originally expected.

Don’t just stand there, bust a move
Last year, the Garrison Just for Kix program was in a state of flux.
Flakes of Fury
Fort Stevenson State Park, in conjunction with Val’s Cyclery of Minot, hosted the Flakes of Fury Fat Tire Bike Race on Saturday.
Cenex burns rubber
During a tough year for most of the United States when it came to retail sales, Garrison’s Cenex/Farmers Union Oil was a shining star.

Strong winds toppled trees
Photo by Hunter Andes Last week a massive evergreen fell over on Covell Street in Plaza due to the high wind gust. According to the National Weather Service wind gusts were reported over 65 mph in Minot and 67 mph in Garrison in Jan. 13 and 14.
Commissioners grant Blue Flint exemption
Although Blue Flint Ethanol didn’t receive the 10-year, 100 percent tax exemption it originally applied for, the McLean County Commission authorized a five-year tax relief package while the biorefinery repowers operations.

Ice fishing ‘villages’ start to pop up
Photo by TYSON SMEDSTAD As Lake Audubon freezes over, small groups of ice fishing houses are beginning to form. Much of Lake Sakakawea remains open and is not safe for houses yet.
Erickson – McLean youth ‘think chemistry, physics’
The employees of Coal Creek Station and the Falkirk Mine didn’t get any extraordinary Christmas presents courtesy of Great River Energy, but McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson is still confident good things are right around the corner for the employees of the power plant and adjacent coal mine.
Police chief gives update
Police Chief Travis Tesch drew criticism from one council member during his departmental update at the Garrison City Council meeting on Jan 5.

First Night Hike brings in a crowd
It was a beautiful, star filled night for the Fort Stevenson’s First Day Hike. According to park manager Chad Trautman about 344 visitors registered for the hike. Gus Schaible enjoyed the lanterns that lit the path throughout the park.