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5 things to know today: Weekend blizzard, Construction scams, Marijuana pardons, Billiards hall theft, Ellefson

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North Dakota State University students make their way to morning classes under blustery conditions on Friday, Jan. 17. David Samson / The Forum

1. Winds up to 60 mph create 2 days of blizzard conditions

After winds that had been gusting up to 60 mph blew fluffy snow around and clogged roads in the Fargo area throughout much of the day Friday, they began to die down with a lull of several hours as night rolled around, providing a slight reprieve.

However, don't be fooled, said National Weather Service meteorologist Vince Goedon and WDAY meteorologist John Wheeler early Friday night, Jan. 17. They said the winds were expected to switch from the southeast to the northwest overnight, leaving a blizzard warning in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday across the Red River Valley.

Goedon said it was "kind of unique" for a blizzard — the third of the winter season — to hit this area with the wind coming from the southeast.

More from The Forum's Barry Amundson

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2. ND AG issues cease-and-desist on widespread 'Irish Traveller' construction scams

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Sean Patrick Gorman, 26, is one of two “Irish Traveller” scammers charged Jan. 17, 2019, by North Dakota law enforcement in a series of rural/farm construction scams, with at least a half-dozen victims. One rancher, a widower in the North Dakota badlands, paid at least $1.89 million, influenced by telephone romance. Photo supplied by McLean County law enforcement.

Officials have charged two people described as “Irish Travellers” in racketeering and other felony charges for targeting ranchers and other rural residents in construction fraud, with one victim alleged to have been scammed of $1.89 million.

State and county law enforcement investigators on Jan. 17 in McLean County District Court filed papers charging Sean Patrick Gorman, 26, and Bartley Gorman Jr., 55, with various Class B and Class C felonies.

Sean Patrick and Bartley Gorman Jr. both were charged with a Class B felony — illegally conducting an enterprise and a Class C felony, exploitation of an “eligible adult.” An "eligible adult,” means someone 65 years or older, or could be someone with a disability. In addition, Sean Patrick Gorman also was charged with attempted theft of property, another Class B felony. Each Class B felony carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Class C felonies are five years in prison.

Read more from Forum News Service's Mikkel Pates

3. Burgum approves pardons for low-level marijuana offenses

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Gov. Doug Burgum on Friday, Jan. 17, granted 16 pardons under a new policy allowing individuals with low-level marijuana offenses on their records to apply for a summary pardon through a streamlined application process.

The new policy was approved by the state’s Pardon Advisory Board in July, according to a release from the governor's office. It allows individuals to submit a summary pardon application if they have been prosecuted for and convicted of possession of marijuana, ingestion of marijuana, or possession of marijuana paraphernalia and have not had any convictions in the past five years. A total of 32 people applied to be considered for pardons at the advisory board’s November meeting, the release said.

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4. Moorhead woman used credit cards to steal nearly $100,000 from Fargo billiards hall, charges say

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A Moorhead woman allegedly stole nearly $100,000 from a Fargo billiards hall and restaurant by using information from a check connected to the business to open multiple credit card accounts, according to court documents.

An arrest warrant was issued Friday, Jan. 17, in Cass County District Court for Kathlyn Rebekka Thureen, 35. She faces a Class A felony count of theft for allegedly stealing money between mid-2016 and mid-2018.

The criminal case was filed Thursday, Jan. 16, but the investigation has been ongoing for more than a year, according to a police report filed in district court. Michael Page, the owner of Fargo Billiards and Gastropub, 3234 43rd St. S., first contacted police in late May 2018 about “a large number of smaller transactions” that were put on the business account.

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More from The Forum's April Baumgarten

5. NFL draft analyst: Bison tight end Ellefson 'trending in the right direction'

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North Dakota State tight end Ben Ellefson is 'trending in the right direction,' according to one NFL Draft analyst. Michael Vosburg / Forum Photo Editor

Dane Brugler, an NFL Draft analyst for The Athletic sports website, said North Dakota State tight end Ben Ellefson wasn’t a strong draft consideration entering his senior season with the Bison.

Ellefson, from Hawley, Minn., has changed that perception during his final collegiate season, and has only helped his cause this week. Ellefson has been in St. Petersburg, Fla., preparing for the East-West Shrine Bowl. The college football all-star game is scheduled for 2 p.m. (CST) Saturday, Jan. 18, at Tropicana Field and is being televised on the NFL Network.

“He entered the year barely even on the radar, so he’s trending in the right direction and I think he continued that this week,” Brugler said Friday afternoon. “He created a little bit of buzz with what he did.”

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Ellefson had 15 catches for 199 yards and five touchdowns this past season, helping NDSU win a third consecutive NCAA Division I FCS national championship last weekend. In his final three seasons with the Bison, the team posted a 45-1 record with three national titles.

Read more from The Forum's Eric Peterson

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