Merry Christmas to all...

And to all a lot of snow. If you live in Bottineau. We got slammed last night with a blizzard, no travel advisories, the works. Estimations of 8-10 inches of snow, should put us up over 50 inches already this season, and its not even January yet!

This past week I covered a Westhope-Newburg double header last Tuesday and a Bottineau High hockey game on Friday night. I also was able to write a really touching story that has to do with 9/11, memorials, skiing and bucket lists.

I will be traveling home (weather permitting) Thursday and making home for the holidays. I will only be able to stay a few short days and work will again be beckoning.

I went 8-8 on my NFL picks this week, one of my worst weeks of the season. Hopefully all turns around next week. I am 125-95 on the year, so well above .500.

I had lots of good pictures this week, here are the ones I didn't put in print:

Sioux junior Wyatt Kitzman is fouled by MLS' Hunter Ackerson last Tuesday in Westhope.

Sioux freshman Hunter Braaten drives the basket last Tuesday.

Sioux sophomore Kodie Hancock attempts a shot from the corner in the first half last Tuesday.

Hancock attempts a shot from the baseline.

Braaten is swamped by Maverick defenders. Amazingly, no foul was called on this play.

Braaten attempts to fake out a defender in the first half.

Sioux senior Brandon Brodehl takes an inbounds pass on the run in the second half Tuesday.

Sioux junior Jake Tengesdal receives a pass on a breakaway near the end of the game Tuesday.

Sioux sophomore center Hadlee Schell attempts a shot last Tuesday in Westhope.

Sioux senior Alisha Braaten is accosted as she drives in the lane last Tuesday.

Braaten looks for an open teammate as she dribbles the ball up the court in the first half Tuesday.

Sioux and Maverick players wrestle for position, while waiting for the ball to come down after a miss.

Sioux senior Kendra Thom fights to keep a loose ball in the paint last Tuesday.

Braaten drives against Mavericks defender Jackie Miller.

Bottineau senior Leo Hoffart fights for the puck in the first period last Friday in Bottineau.

Braves junior and leading scorer Logan Millican scores a goal between three defenders in the second period last Friday.

Braves junior Kyle Volk clears the puck out of the zone during a North Stars power play in the second period.

Junior forward Andrew Lorenz skates away from a Hazen-Beulah defender Friday.

Millican takes a shot past a diving North Stars defender in the second period last Friday.

BHS junior Taylor Neubauer skates the puck up the ice while fending off a North Stars defender.

Braves senior Captain Seth Serhienko looks for an open teammate in the third period.

Braves freshman Harrison Aide skates towards the net.

Bottineau junior netminder Cody Brooks makes a save in the third period of a 10-6 BHS win over Hazen-Beulah last Friday.

Volk takes a breakaway toward the North Stars' net.