AROUND THE REGION: Grandparent scam again ... GF among top stock pickers ... Biodiesel rule partly lifted ... more

Grandparent scam persists in N.D.

BISMARCK — Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said the so-called “grandparent scam” persists in North Dakota.

In the scam, a con artist calls a senior citizen, pretending to be a grandchild with an emergency and asks for money.

Stenehjem said a Bismarck woman recently fell victim, wiring $13,000 out of the country in the belief her grandson was in trouble in Canada.

The scam first surfaced in North Dakota in summer 2008.

Bismarck, West Fargo, GF top stock pickers

BISMARCK — Some students from Shiloh Christian High School in Bismarck have proven they have a knack for playing the stock market.

The team of Charles Coleman, Carlee Fleck and Hailey Sparks took top honors in the high school division of last fall’s Stock Market Game run by the state Securities Department.

Teams compete to see who can achieve the largest investment gain in their portfolio. The Shiloh Christian students had a gain of $22,000.

Winners in other age categories were Cheney Middle School of West Fargo and Holy Family Elementary of Grand Forks.

The Securities Department said nearly 1,100 teams and 2,500 students took part in the game.

Biodiesel rule to resume April 1

ST. PAUL — Minnesotans using No. 1 diesel fuel don’t need to mix it with biodiesel until April 1.

The normal 5 percent biodiesel mixture requirement is being lifted because of concerns from truckers and others who fear extreme cold weather could clog fuel lines, the state Commerce Department reported. No. 2 diesel still must be mixed with biodiesel.

Minnesota is the first state to require the mixture.

N.D. commodities stocks increase

FARGO — Stocks of spring wheat, durum wheat and winter wheat in North Dakota are higher than a year ago.

The Agriculture Department said in a new report that all wheat stocks Dec. 1 totaled 269 million bushels, up 52 percent over the year.

Barley, soybean and hay stocks also were up in North Dakota, while corn stocks were down.

Falls paper to cut to twice a week<

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — The Daily Journal of International Falls is switching from five days a week to twice-a-week publication next month.

Starting on Feb. 3, the northern Minnesota newspaper will change its name to The Journal and publish Wednesdays and Fridays. The newspaper said the changes would better position itself for the future.

Journal Publisher Rob Davenport said the paper will continue to offer news, advertising and other features. The new schedule will allow for more in-depth news reporting.

The Journal also will add to its products by publishing The Journal Shopper, which will be delivered Friday to nonsubscribers.

No jobs will be affected at The Journal, but contractors who delivered the Monday edition won’t be needed.

Last September, another small daily newspaper, the Red Wing Republican Eagle, switched to twice-a-week publication. It’s owned by Forum Communications Co., which also owns the Herald and other Midwestern newspapers.