ÍáÍáÂþ»­

I'm still between Dakota Spotlight seasons, so today I am rebroadcasting for you one of my earliest pieces of audio work - an episode of a show I created to basically learn how to podcast in the first place - before Dakota Spotlight even existed. In fact, what follows was only the 5th podcast episode I ever put together – back when I was still figuring out how to work a microphone.

This is not a true-crime story, and if you are an avid fan of Dakota Spotlight, you may have heard this once before between seasons one and two. But I'm gonna share it again now with a couple of updates. 

Why? Well, let me tell you.

This story just feels relevant in a way and a much needed reminder in 2023.  It's something I believe we can all relate to and be inspired by – and despite all the podcast content I've created since then, this story remains one of my favorites.

It's a story about something we all have within us, something we have all felt at times, something you may have been considering as recently as this morning, as you lay in bed studying the ceiling above you.

It's about remaining true to ourselves and our pursuit of our personal dreams in life – not the things others want us to achieve or accomplish, not what others believe we are capable of (or what they tell us we are incapable of) but rather those dreams and aspirations you feel burning deep down in your marrow or in your heart; the things we want to achieve or accomplish or maybe just what we want to stand for as a human being. 

In this case it's an inspiring story about how one determined 17-year-old farm kid made up his mind to defy the odds in 1976 and 1977. He set a goal that many assumed was unattainable. But, his irresistible humble spirit won over the initial naysayers and then rallied an army of followers – first his friends, then his tiny community on the prairie and finally the whole state of North Dakota.

His name was Don Allard and in 1976 and 1977, he was a senior at the smallest high school in the state of North Dakota, Epping High with just 23 students. 23 farm-kids that nobody had ever heard of, in a town with no paved streets.

And what was his goal? Don Allard was a basketball player, and somehow, this young man  first envisioned and then set into motion the act leading his team, the Epping Eagles, to the finals of the coveted Class B State Basketball Tournament in 1977. 

In the end – in the final game of that tournament – Don Allard and his Epping Eagles lost to the largest high school in the state. But, with a similar spirit of Rocky Balboa, the hero of that year's best-picture at the Oscars, the Epping Eagles, with their mild-mannered and hard-working pursuit won the hearts of people everywhere. 

The legend of this Cinderella team and of their run at the state title remains perhaps the most memorable game in all of North Dakota's highschool sports history. 

It was a different time. It was a time before shot clocks and three point lines. It was before schools started consolidating teams across two or more schools to build bigger and better squads. It's safe to say, something exactly like this won't happen again in North Dakota. 

Don Allard had passed away in 2015 at age of 56 – before I recorded the following story.

Interviews with

Bob Allard Al and Linda Allard Clyde Vinger Mike Vinger  Dale Keever  Jay Bingeman Tommy Breivik Coach Larry Overbo. 

.com 

 

email -  at jwolner@forumcomm.comFacebook:

 

It's summer 2023. Finally!

Dakota Spotlight is in between seasons and in research mode. 

Meanwhile here is a story by Trisha Taurinskas at The Vault. 

Check out  

email - at jwolner@forumcomm.comFacebook:

 

Episode 7 - 15 Years Later. In this, the last scheduled episode of season 8: An interview with Travis Stay's defense attorney Peter Wold. Also we meet Heather (Holter) Keena. She was on the party bus that night and later married Jon 'The Clown.' Also, Sgt Suby at the Grand Forks PD who talks about the current status of the case. 

Do you have information or tips about the murder of Joel Lovelien? Use the (you may remain anonymous) or call the non-emergency number at : (701) 787-8000

If there are new developments in this story, Dakota Spotlight will be back with updates.

To read and see more about the Season, visit  or  

Check out  

email - at jwolner@forumcomm.comFacebook:

Some music by  and 

Episode 6 - Travis on Trial. In this week's episode we dive deep into the 2008 trial of Travis Stay.  Travis Stay was found not guilty after14 days of testimony. In this episode we meet Archie Ingersoll who reported on the trial. We also hear from the lead prosecutor, Nancy Yon.

TRUST WEEK: Forum Communications, the producer of this fine podcast, has been publishing and supporting local news across the Midwest for over 100 years… and they have named this week – Trust Week! It’s a week highlighting all that goes into covering local news to ensure we keep your trust. Local news is one of the best ways to stay connected to your community, so during Trust Week, you can get 50 percent off a new annual subscription to the Grand Forks Herald. Just visit to get 50% off local news from local reporters.

Episode 6 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.  

To read and see more about the Season, visit  or  

Check out  

email - jwolner@forumcomm.comFacebook:

Some music by  and 

Episode 5. The Evidence Against Travis Stay. In this week's episode we interview the prosecutors and detectives who investigated Joel's murder and ask "What was the evidence against Travis Stay exactly?"  Travis Stay was arrested for the crime but later acquitted in court a year later.

Episode 5 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.  

To read and see more about the Season, visit  or  

Check out  

email - jwolner@forumcomm.comFacebook:

Some music by  and 

Episode 4. Remembering Joel Lovelien.  In this week's episode we step back from the investigation for a moment and focus on the most important person in this story: Joel Lovelien. Joel's friends and family share their fond memories of the generous and goofy man who  consistently brought a smile to those who knew him.

Episode 4 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.  

To read and see more about the Season, visit  or  

Check out  

email - jwolner@forumcomm.comFacebook:

Some music by  and 

Hey Everyone, I'm working hard on the next episode of Season 8, Unresolved, the murder of Joel Lovelien.

Meanwhile, here is part 3 of my colleauge Trisha Taurinska's investigation into the death of Refugio Rodriguez in Montevideo, Minnesota.  

Episode 4 of Dakota Spotlight Season 8 will be out on Wed. March 22, 2023

email me at jwolner@forumcomm.com

 

Episode 3. Travis Stay, the Man in Yellow.  In this episode we track the movements and actions of Travis Stay and his friends. What was going on with him and his friends that weekend just before Halloween? Stay was found not guilty for the murder of Lovelien in December 2008.

Episode 3 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.  

To read and see more about the Season, visit  or  

Check out  

email - jwolner@forumcomm.comFacebook:

Intro and outro music by and 

This is not a full episode, but rather just a quick little update and request for some assistance. 

Today is March 13th, 2023 and episode 3 of Season 8 will be out in two days–that's season 8, Unresolved the Murder of Joel Lovelien. 

Which brings me to my request.  I'm looking for any of you who were friends with Joel Lovelien, maybe you worked with him at Altru hospital or maybe you went to school with him. I'd like to gather a few more memories of him for the podcast. If you can help me learn more about Joel Lovelien, who he was, what he was like, please send me an email at jwolner@forumcomm.com

I'd really appreciate it. 

Also, don't miss  are going to be playing live in Bismarck, on Saturday, May 13th.  You've heard their music a lot on this podcast, including the theme songs for season 5 about missing Barbara Cotton and season 7 about missing Michele Julson.  I'm going to be there to see Wowza play live at in Bismarck on Saturday May 13th.  

Songs in this episode:  and .

In this second episode: The Clown, The Cowboy and the Hunter--We walk through the first hours of the investigation and unpack the many reasons things got off to a confusing start.

Episode 2 of Unresolved-The Murder of Joel Lovelien.  

To read and see more about the Season, visit  or  

Check out  

email - jwolner@forumcomm.comFacebook:

Intro and outro music by and