By Bill Anderson

Old Man Winter has maintained a tight grip on southeastern North Dakota, providing more than enough below Zero temperatures, ferocious winds and migrating snow to satisfy even the most masochistic of North Dakotans. Last Friday, February 11, Rutland and vicinity was hammered with 60 mph winds followed by below Zero temperatures. The wind inflicted some damage to structures in Rutland, including stripping a substantial number of shingles from the roof of Paul Anderson’s house at 309 Gay Street. The forecast doesn’t indicate any relief through the end of February. Maybe March will be a little more civilized.

Rutland City Auditor Debbie Banish demonstrated how treacherous walking on the ice & snow can be while going to work at the Rutland Town Hall on the morning of Monday, February 14. A layer of new snow hid the ice next to the curb and when she stepped on it her feet went out from under her and down she went. Debbie reports that she landed on her back and gave the pavement a hard whack with her head. Her husband, Mike, took her to the Emergency Room at the Oakes Hospital where she was checked for a concussion. Tests indicated no concussion or other serious injuries, and Debbie was back home in the afternoon with no aftereffects other than a headache. She reports that the pavement was not damaged, either.

Twenty-five teams of coyote hunters braved the elements on Saturday, February 12, to participate in the Fourth Annual Rutland Sportsmen’s Club’s Coyote Hunt. The hunt commenced at 5:00 a.m. at the Sportsmen’s Club’s Clubhouse north of Silver Lake. Each team of coyote hunters paid a $50 entry fee to participate in the hunt. According to Sportsmen’s Club Vice-President Kyle Mahrer, the winning team bagged 9 coyotes, the 2^nd place team got 4 and the 3^rd place team shot 3. The top 3 teams were awarded cash prizes, and the First-Place team earned $600 for their effort. According to Kyle, a total of 24 coyotes were shot throughout the day. The Fifth Annual Rutland Sportsmen’s Club’s Coyote Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2023. Other upcoming Sportsmen’s Club events include: the Annual Great Northern Pike Fish Fry commencing at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, in the Rutland Town Hall; and The First Annual Rutland Sportsmen’s Club Gopher Classic with signup at the John Narum Memorial Trap & Rifle Range on Saturday, April 30.

The bad news in Rutland this week was the announcement from Pete & Michelle Denault that they will be ending their operation of The Lariat Bar as of Saturday, March 5, due to a serious medical condition suffered by Michelle. The Denaults have been operating The Lariat since October of 2020, and their many friends in Rutland are sorry to see them Leave. As of Wednesday, February 16, no plans for successor management have been announced.

Rutland Community Club President Katie McLaen states that there will be a Community Club meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, in the Rutland Town Hall. Everyone is invited.

The latest report on the Rutland Post Office is the same as the last report: no information; no action; no service; and no Post Office. Rutland residents are urged to contact Sen. John Hoeven; Sen. Kevin Cramer; and Rep. Kelly Armstrong; to request their assistance in restoring a Post Office to the Rutland community. Since 1970, the Postal Service has been a corporation owned by the Federal Government, with Congress having oversight of its operations and management.

Well, that’s the news from Rutland for this week. For additional information about what’s going on in the little city that can, check out the community’s internet web site at www.rutlandnd.com, and take a look at the Rutland Facebook page while you’re at it, too. Don’t forget to patronize your local Post Office and remember to keep the pressure on the U. S. Postal Service and the North Dakota Congressional delegation to SAVE OUR POST OFFICE! Later.