text: County puts drone to work
  Ward County Highway Department's UAS improves ease, safety of measuring stockpiles
  Jill Schramm/MDN Ward County's UAS takes off Wednesday next to a gravel stockpile that the county is in the process of purchasing near Burlington. Flying at 107 feet, the drone captured 255 images in about 12 minutes to obtain data for computing the volume of the 40-foot high pile.
  Drone technology is making certain tasks safer and easier for the Ward County Highway Department.
  Jill Schramm/MDN Cole Ude with the Ward County Highway Department uses the Unmanned Aerial System control tablet to shut down a drone following a flyover of the nearby gravel stockpile Wednesday.
  "We wanted to get to a point where we were comfortable," Larsen said of the department's patience in jumping into the technology. Cost also was an issue initially, but drones have become much more affordable. The department acquired its UAS for $2,031. The price includes a camera capable of taking overlapping photos – useful in measuring volumes- as well as extra batteries and an iPad mini for use as a controller.
  Submitted Art As work continues on Phase MI-3 of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project, the following roadway closure and impacts have been scheduled to begin next week. Underground storm sewer installation will be taking place along Second Avenue SW starting at 16th Street and moving east for about one block. During construction, the road will be closed to through traffic. Local access will be provided to businesses along this route from the east end of Second Avenue SW. The road is expected to be closed for about three weeks. Work along this corridor is anticipated to be completed by mid-October, weather permitting. Safety is always a priority and people are asked to be vigilant near the construction zone.
  Alex Eisen/MDN A pack of cars race in the Motor Magic Enduro race held Friday night at Nodak Speedway.
  Ashton Gerard/MDN Nedrose junior running back Kelly Eggen runs with the ball during the first quarter of a high school Class A football game against Stanley Friday in Minot. The Cardinals (1-1) earned their first victory of the season and second win in program history with a 20-8 performance against the Blue Jays (0-2). Eggen ran in two of the team's three touchdowns.
  Kim Fundingsland/MDN A demonstration on waterfowl hunting, complete with dog work, was part of the Youth Outdoors Festival held at the Conservation and Skills Park at the State Fairgrounds Thursday evening. The annual event, which was open to the public and included participation by various outdoors clubs and organizations from Minot and the surrounding area, is held as a prelude to North Dakota's fall hunting seasons.
  Alex Eisen/MDN Aggies sophomore running back Gage Florence (middle) breaks a tackle and scores a touchdown Friday evening against the Des Lacs-Burlington Lakers in a Class A Region 3 football game in Velva. The Aggies won 44-14 to move to 2-0 overall on the season.
  Submitted Photo Two pieces that will be displayed by Kimble Bromley are "Across the Field" and "Looking to the Other Side." His art will be exhibited through Oct. 12 at the Taube Museum of Art.