Good morning, Bismarck.

Gordy 'Crazyfingers' Lindquist, a beloved 88-year-old performer known for his unique piano skills, died in a crash last week and is remembered across North Dakota for the joy he brought to festivals.

A prayer service will be held Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. — a memorial service at First Lutheran Church in Bottineau will take place Dec. 13 at 1 p.m.

Tigirlily Gold — the North Dakota duo of Krista and Kendra Slaubaugh — appears in Hallmark’s holiday film A Grand Ole Opry Christmas where they perform their song Mistletoe Tipsy.

The film premiered on Nov. 29 and is available on Hallmark’s streaming service.

Xcel Energy has agreed to lower its proposed electricity rate increase for North Dakota customers to 10.37% overall and 12.92% for residential rates after a compromise was reached at a Monday hearing—pending approval by the Public Service Commission, customers are expected to see little change in their bills. This revised proposal cuts nearly half of the original 19.34% increase that had been requested.

The Bismarck Fire Department is asking residents and business owners to adopt a hydrant by clearing snow from around over 4500 hydrants as more snowfall is expected.

Locals should clear a 3 to 4 foot area to ground level around their hydrants—helping firefighters quickly access water in emergencies.

Bismarck Police remind residents to remove campers and trailers from streets this winter to avoid $150 fines per day and possible towing after 48 hours—this rule is in effect until April 1.

The Department of Commerce has extended the RWIP application deadline to January 22 — proposals received by December 9 may be funded early if submitted by 5 p.m. CST on January 2.

Applications submitted after December 9 will be reviewed after the extended deadline.

North Dakota Information Technology announced that the state received federal approval for its final BEAD plan, which will allow funds to flow to local broadband providers.

The plan makes North Dakota the first state to achieve 100% broadband access and is expected to be completed by late 2027 or early 2028—local exchange carriers and independent co-ops are credited for taking early risks.

The City of Bismarck has urged residents to safely discharge their sump pump water into a floor drain or bathtub during the cold months—this measure helps prevent frozen lines that could block drainage or damage the utility system.

Residents with questions can call the city's Utility Operations for guidance.

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week began December 1 and runs through December 5 as Vision Zero urges families to discuss how aging affects driving with older adults.

The organization reported that 103 seniors died in crashes statewide, including 32 in 2024— an effort to promote safer driving practices.

Snowmobile season in North Dakota started December 1 and will continue until April as riders can use 13 trail systems spanning over 2,800 miles if there is at least four inches of packed snow—ND Parks and Recreation also launched a GPS phone app and requires children 10 and older without a driver’s license to complete an approved safety course before riding.

62nd Annual Joint North Dakota Water Convention and Irrigation Workshop

December 9-11 — Bismarck Hotel & Conference Center — Registration required — Explore water management and irrigation practices at North Dakota's premier water convention.

Candlelight: Tribute to Adele

6:30-7:45 p.m. — Russell Reid Auditorium - North Dakota Heritage Center — Tickets required — Experience a mesmerizing tribute to Adele performed by Listeso String Quartet in a candlelit ambiance.

Bismarck Bobcats Hockey Game

7:15-8:45 p.m. — VFW Sports Center — Check for ticket prices — Catch the exciting action of the Bismarck Bobcats in junior ice hockey.