5 things to know today: Produced water, UND finalists, Win streak, Fargo history, Childhood memories

Earthen dams covered in a plastic liner have been installed near the site of a brine spill in Dunn County reported in October. The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says a pipeline operated by Marathon Oil Co. leaked more than 1.4 million gallons of brine. (Contibuted photo via Bismarck Tribune)

By InForum and Eric Bolin

November 23, 2019 at 6:00 AM

1. Pipeline leak in Dunn County far exceeds initial report on produced water spill

A pipeline that leaked produced water in western North Dakota's Dunn County last month released 1.4 million gallons of brine — far more than originally estimated, a state agency said Friday, Nov. 22.

The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality announced that it had received an updated estimate on a Marathon Oil produced water spill about a mile and a half northeast of Manning on Oct. 2. According to an investigation into the incident, 32,826 barrels, or 1,378,692 gallons, were discharged.

Marathon’s initial estimates indicated that roughly 500 barrels, or 21,000 gallons, were discharged.

2. UND president finalists chosen

112319.N.GFH.Finalists collage — From left to right are the three finalists for UND president: Andrew Armacost, Laurie Stenberg Nichols and David Rosowsky. (Sydney Mook / Grand Forks Herald)

The committee aiding in the search for the next president of the University of North Dakota has chosen its three finalists.

Andrew Armacost, Laurie Stenberg Nichols and David Rosowsky were selected as the finalists. Their names will now be sent, unranked, to the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, who will then interview the candidates Dec. 3 on the UND campus. The state board is expected to name the next president that day.

The search committee invited six candidates to UND's campus for interviews. Each candidate spent time talking to faculty, staff, students and community members during their two-day visit. The search committee had about 60 applications for the position.

Armacost completed his service as the dean of the faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy earlier this year. With more than 30 years on active duty and 20 years at the academy, Armacost served in the rank of brigadier general as the chief academic officer for the institution. The position is similar to a provost.

3. Mum is the word when it comes to streaks within Bison Football program

GDBISON2014 (2).JPG — Northern Iowa's Darrian Miller breaks away from Travis Beck and Andrew Smith for a 30-yard touchdown run during a 2014 game in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Northern Iowa won 23-3, marking the last loss the Bison had before reeling off 33 straight wins. David Samson / The Forum

The loss to Northern Iowa was as convincing as any Bison defeat since North Dakota State began its run of seven Division I FCS national championships in eight years. The UNI-Dome crowd made a difference and the Bison were never really a factor in the 23-3 loss in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

It ended a streak of 33 straight wins, an FCS record that started in 2012 and ended to the Panthers in early November of 2014. In his post-game press conference in a classroom adjacent to the UNI-Dome, former NDSU head coach Chris Klieman was his usual calm demeanor.

He was asked about being part of the consecutive victories record.

“It’s something I don’t think will ever be done again,” Klieman said. “To win as many games as we have in a row, hard-pressed to think any FCS school could do that again.”

Well, it could be done again.

4. Eriksmoen: US marshal who lived in Fargo built elegant mansion in Washington, DC

112319.F.FF.DIDYOUKNOWTHAT.1.jpg — Harrison Allen. Pennsylvania Legislature / Special to The Forum

I find it interesting that during the 1880s, Fargo became the home of a number of former Civil War officers.

In Fargo, Henry Capehart was a doctor, Smith Stimmel and Charles Buttz were attorneys, Alanson Edwards and Pat Donan were newspapermen, and John Raymond was a prominent farmer. In 1882, another new resident joined these ranks when Harrison Allen moved to Fargo to serve as U.S. marshal.

During the Civil War, Allen led his soldiers in a number of notable battles, including Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and when he was discharged, he was promoted to the rank of brevet brigadier general. Allen then returned to his home in Pennsylvania where he became active in politics, serving in the state legislature and as state auditor. In 1882, President Chester A. Arthur appointed Allen as U.S. marshal of Dakota Territory, and when North Dakota became a state in 1889, he became a leading candidate to become the state’s first governor.

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5. Minnesotan puts 20 years into creating replica of childhood farmhouse

112119.N.PJ.MARGARETSMINIS house cr .jpg — The dollhouse replica of Margaret Kiehn's childhood home took her about 20 years to complete. She made about 25 pieces of tiny furniture to go inside the house. Jamie Lund / Pine Journal

Margaret Kiehn loved the old farmhouse that she grew up on so much that she recreated it.

Her parents, Daisy and Elmer Lindstrom, bought the dairy farm and 120 acres outside Rush City in 1944 when she was 5 years old. Kiehn estimates the house was probably built in the late 1800s and never had indoor plumbing. Her grandparents came from Sweden. Her father didn't speak any English when he started school.

Kiehn loved life on the farm.

“It was a good life,” said Kiehn, who now lives in Moose Lake. “We didn't have any money, but we had lots to eat.”