Adventure racers will likely have a chance to swim in the Red River this fall after the Grand Forks City Council lifted a strict ban on swimming in the river or coulees in city limits Tuesday.
City leaders modified the ban so that swimming would require their permission, which they said they don't intend to give liberally.
The Sept. 4 Extreme North Dakota Adventure Race includes running, bicycling and moving in water while navigating from check point to check point along the Red River and Red Lake River. Organizers said the river swim would be limited to a specific crossing, involve safety equipment and be fully insured.
Also on Tuesday, council members agreed to refund half of the liquor license fee for Suite 49, the old bar and grill near Ralph Engelstad Arena. Owners at Brown Corp. paid $3,844 but now said they don't have a buyer who would take up the license.
