March 2013 – Dustin Monke

Watford City WWII vet receives medals

Vet — Watford City’s Donald Diederich, left, receives his World War II medals from Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., Tuesday afternoon in the Stark County Courthouse in Dickinson.

Donald Diederich knew he had earned medals in World War II. But he never thought he would see them.

That changed Tuesday afternoon at the Stark County Courthouse when Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., presented the 90-year-old Army veteran from Watford City with five medals, including a bronze star, for his service in the South Pacific during World War II.

“It means a lot. I really didn’t think it would mean that much,” Diederich said. “After so many years, I just kind of forgot about it. I always thought they would come, but I never got them.”

Hoeven said it is important that veterans like Diederich, whom he called a “great American,” are recognized for their sacrifices.

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Missing Miss Njos: Students, teachers react after beloved elementary teacher dies in weekend car crash

0326-njos-1 — A photo of Johanna Njos sits on a table in the hallway at Lincoln Elementary School in Dickinson on Monday as students sign a poster dedicated to the school’s gifted and talented teacher, who died Saturday in a car accident west of Amidon. Lincoln students also created cards, seen lying on the table.

Students and faculty at Lincoln and Berg Elementary Schools in Dickinson grieved Monday for a teacher who touched lives in Dickinson as well as on the other side of the world.

Johanna Njos was described by her co-workers as an adored teacher who devoted her life and career to serving others.

The 30-year-old educator who oversaw the gifted-and-talented program at the two schools, died Saturday afternoon when her car was struck by an oncoming semi truck after it slid into the opposite lane on ice-covered Highway 85 while attempting to negotiate a curve west of Amidon.

“There have been many tears and sadness,” said Tammy Praus, the principal at Lincoln Elementary School.

Njos, who taught 32 students from kindergarten through fifth grade, was hired by Dickinson Public Schools in 2006 after graduating from Dickinson State University.

From her first day, staff members said they could tell she was going to be a special teacher.

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Glasser hanging up whistle, ready for winter vacations

Jim Glasser is ready for some vacations to warmer climates in the winter.

At least that’s what his wife, Terry, tells him.

“She’s got plans for the winter time,” he said with a laugh.

After spending the first 21 years of his post-playing basketball career as a coach and the next 24 as an official, the 62-year-old Glasser is stepping away from the game.

“I think I’ll miss reffing more than I did teaching or coaching,” Glasser said. “It sounds funny. But, (you make) so many friends. You know all the coaches. I coached before, so I know how they were feeling during a game. You make friends with all the referees. We’ve got some good guys in southwest North Dakota.”

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Press names Monke new managing editor; Byrd promoted to news editor

By Bryan Horwath / The Dickinson Press

The Dickinson Press didn’t go far in its search for a managing editor.

Calling his promotion a “dream come true,” former Press Sports Editor Dustin Monke has been tapped to lead the newspaper’s editorial department.

“I’m truly excited to start this new chapter in my life and in my career,” Monke said on Monday, his first day as managing editor. “I’m ready to tackle the challenges that come with being the managing editor of a newspaper. We hope to continue to provide southwest North Dakota with the excellent coverage that The Dickinson Press has been known for while also improving in some facets of how we present readers the news both in print and online.”

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Schrempp trying to be a strong influence for son, hometown kids

Whenever he enters a competition, Cameron Schrempp said he sets the bar high.

Whether it has been boxing, mixed martial arts or wrestling, the 25-year-old Dickinson State student-athlete has made it his job to do as well as he possibly can.

He said his inspiration has been his 4-yearold son, Aiden, and the countless other children from his hometown of Eagle Butte, S.D., an area where nearly half the population lives beneath the poverty line.

“Setting the bar not just for my son, but where I came from, a lot of kids don’t have anyone to look up to,” said Schrempp, a graduate of Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School. “I kind of want to set the bar for kids, for someone to look up to.”
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