Compiled by LAUREN DONOVAN

Bismarck Tribune

Winged creatures thought long gone from the McLean County Courthouse have returned.

Bats have once again taken up residence in the century-old building, causing fright, nasty odors and possibly illness in one courthouse employee.

The county has spent $4 million over the past several years to fix structural problems, including sealing up cracks where bats could get in and to bring the courthouse into handicap compliance.

But the building is basically a wood structure with brick facing, subject to constant expansion and contraction. The foundation is crumbling and some places sealed in 2003 now have 2-inch gaps.

"This is an antique building. It does what it wants to," said building maintenance supervisor Curt Malo.

The county's health district will find another location to serve clients and has asked the county commission to come up with a long-term bat-control plan.

"It's not acceptable," said Jim Hackman, of First District Health. "It's not nice having clients come in and having that smell in there."

The building was checked for hystoplasmosis that comes from a spore carried in bat feces. It's blamed for the ill employee's lingering health issues.

The air quality inspection did not turn up any spores, but the inspector said the building should be checked in various heat and humidity conditions and recommended a thorough cleaning and disinfecting.

The commission hired Aero Cleaning of Bismarck to remove bat urine and feces for $31,000 and Runyans Nuisance Control, also of Bismarck, to eradicate the bats and seal entry points.

The commission is considering an architectural review of the three-story historical structure to look at stability and costs to extend the building's life another 20 years.

- The Leader-News

New members welcome

John Charging, who directs enrollment for Three Affiliated Tribes on Fort Berthold, said the phones are ringing off the hook.

The calls are coming from people who want to how to qualify as tribal members under the new constitutional definition of membership.

Previously, members had to have at least one-eighth blood from the Three Affiliated Tribes and one-eighth from any other federally recognized tribe.

Now, after a recent election, membership will be based on the ability to prove descendancy from a 1930s base enrollment.

Applicants have to document their family tree, provide an official birth certificate and pay a $10 processing fee.

It's expected the lineal descendancy will bring in as many as 2,000 new members.

There are 10,500 enrolled members, with about 300 new members normally signed up each year.

Charging said he and one other employee are processing all the applications and he has about 100 that will be ready for the tribal council's action this week.

Anyone who wants to newly enroll must use the online application at www.mhanation.com.

- New Town News

No victim, no trial

A South Central District judge dismissed attempted murder charges from a New Year's Eve shooting in Beulah.

It didn't help that the prosecution has not been able to locate the shooting victim.

Richard T. Boe was charged with attempted murder for shooting his daughter's boyfriend in the chest after a domestic alcohol and fighting scene at a Beulah apartment.

However, Mercer County State's Attorney Jim Johnson said he hasn't been able to locate the victim, Billy Jack Matthews, who was thought to be in Minot and possibly in Alaska.

Judge Robert Wefald dismissed the case for insufficient evidence that Boe had attempted murder rather than acted in self defense.

Johnson said he knew he'd have a tough time proving the case without the victim, but a poll of jurists indicated they could reach a verdict without Matthews in court.

Irv Nodland, Boe's attorney, said he thought the case had the right outcome and admitted the lack of a victim was a problem.

- Hazen Star