🌱 What West Fargo schools learned from a year without student phones
West Fargo, North Dakota Patch AM: a 4 min readGreetings West Fargo! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What West Fargo schools learned from a year without student phones
- How a new church campus will reshape traffic in southwest West Fargo
- How a West Fargo bull riding event left one rider in intensive care
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Heavy t-storms; not as warm, with a high of 78 and low of 61 degrees.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, showers around, temps: high: 82, low: 56.
- Friday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 79 and low of 54 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. West Fargo schools reports positive results from first year of phone restrictions (inforum.com) — West Fargo students just wrapped up their first school year under North Dakota’s bell-to-bell cell phone ban, with 10–15% receiving violations but officials reporting fewer lunchtime screens and more conversation. District leaders say behavior reports stayed steady, emergency communication worked smoothly during an April shooting scare, and statewide surveys could lead to even tighter device rules. 
2. As Hope Lutheran Church breaks ground on 4th campus, West Fargo plans changes to surrounding area (inforum.com) — West Fargo is moving ahead with road and utility upgrades to support Hope Lutheran Church’s new west campus at 4905 Ninth St. W., with about $568,000 in special-assessment-funded infrastructure work. Neighbors raised traffic and safety concerns, prompting the city to drop a planned neighborhood access point while still aiming to finish most construction during this year, even as work overlaps the school year.
3. Fergus Falls man in ICU with severe injuries from bull riding event (valleynewslive.com) — A bull riding event in West Fargo left Fergus Falls resident Brandon “Bubba” Sedler in intensive care with serious head, facial, rib, and spinal injuries, according to his family. Loved ones say he’s undergone major surgery and faces more treatment, while a GoFundMe is helping cover his medical and living expenses during recovery.
4. Community remembers Fargo barber's generosity, humor after fatal hit-and-run (valleynewslive.com) — Friends and fellow barbers are honoring the life of Fargo barber Freddy Mendoza, who was killed in a hit-and-run in West Fargo last month, by raising money for his family and sharing stories of his generosity. Authorities say the case remains open, with the file now in the Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office and no charges filed yet.
5. Fargo police audit Flock cameras monthly to prevent misuse (valleynewslive.com) — West Fargo residents should know that their police department, along with Fargo and Moorhead, now uses Flock Safety license plate cameras to help track stolen vehicles and locate suspects. Fargo police say data is stored for 30 days, audited monthly for misuse, and not shared in a national database or used for facial recognition, positioning the system as an investigative tool rather than mass surveillance.
📸 Around West Fargo
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Any one in Armour Park area know Terry Steinmetz?
We have are looking for him as an employer...he isnt answering calls or text I know he got a vehicle from someone in the area so hoping to see if… (Nextdoor Armour Park) - There is an emergency vehicle on Veterans Blvd...
There is an emergency vehicle on Veterans Blvd reported at 11:52 AM. "Fire vehicle on scene" (Nextdoor )
- Marvin posted a job opening for First Shift Production Associate - Located in Fargo, ND in West Fargo. Apply here.
- TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for Retail Associate in West Fargo. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near West Fargo here.
Ok West Fargo! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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