Latest North Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:

HEAVY RAIN Heavy rain leads to ND flood advisory Bismarck, N.D. (AP) Heavy rain has hit parts of western and central North Dakota, including Bismarck, leading to flooding warnings for small streams, underpasses and other low areas.

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for parts of Burleigh, Morton, Dunn, Mercer and Oliver counties until around noon.

Early reports include about 2 inches near Watford City as of 7 a.m. Around 8:30 am., Bismarck reported about .65 inch in about an hour.

MIDWEST FLOODING-LOOTING PLEA Man sentenced to prison for flood looting BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) A second man has pleaded guilty to looting in evacuated south Bismarck during spring flooding.

Eighteen-year-old Kevin Fossen was sentenced to serve 2 1/2 years in prison.

Fossen and 18-year-old Dustin Henrickson have admitted to burglarizing two homes in the Fox Island area that were evacuated during April flooding. Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Pam Nesvig says stolen items ranged from electronics equipment to cash.

Henrickson pleaded guilty in June and was given the same sentence.

Fossen's girlfriend, Madison West, has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge for allegedly providing transportation for Fossen and Henrickson to burglarize the homes.

Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com ANIMALS KILLED Plea deals accepted in ND wildlife killings Dickinson, N.D. (AP) Four men accused of illegal wildlife killings in western North Dakota have accepted plea deals.

State wildlife officials say the shooting of more than 40 deer and antelope and hundreds of porcupines, rabbits and coyotes in Billings and Golden Valley counties in July and August 2007 is the worst case of illegal animal killings they have ever seen.

Charged in the case were 22-year-old Billy Buckman and 21-year-old Jaden Adams of Belfield, 23-year-old Shawn Hiller of Medora and 20-year-old John Koester of Sentinel Butte.

Not all of the settlements have been filed with the court, but Stark County State's Attorney Tom Henning says the four men will receive sentences similar to Koester.

Koester pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and was sentenced to 180 days in prison with all but five days suspended for two years, fined $15,000 with all but $1,625 suspended for two years and ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution and $325 in court fees.

Koester also will lose hunting and fishing privileges for 10 years.

A fifth person also is accused in the case. Authorities have not been able to track down 21-year-old Chris Calentine in Montana.

Warrants are out for his arrest.

Information from: The Dickinson Press, http://www.thedickinsonpress.com BORDER ARREST-PLEA WFargo man pleads guilty in border arrest CAVALIER, N.D. (AP) A West Fargo man arrested at the Pembina border crossing has pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge and minor in possession of alcohol and won't spend time in jail.

Eighteen-year-old James Webster was arrested June 2 after U.S.

Customs officials searched his car.

He initially faced three felony and three misdemeanor drug-related charges. Under a deal with prosecutors he pleaded guilty to possession of hydrocodone, a prescription drug, and the alcohol offense, and the other charges were dismissed.

Webster was given a two-year deferred sentence, and ordered to pay $525 in fines and fees and complete a drug treatment program.

Information from: KXPO-AM FARGO robbery Armed robbery reported in Fargo FARGO, N.D. (AP) Fargo police are investigating a report of an armed robbery.

Authorities say a man reportedly entered Empire Liquors West shortly before midnight, armed with what appeared to be a handgun.

He fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

MIDWEST POWER LINE MDU Resources to participate in power line BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Bismarck-based MDU Resources Group Inc.

says it is joining in the development of a high-voltage power line that would transmit wind energy from the Dakotas to homes in Chicago and other cities.

Michigan-based ITC Holdings Corp. has proposed the "Green Power Express" project, which would cost up to $12 billion and go online in 2020. The 3,000-mile, 765-kilovolt power line would stretch from the Dakotas through Minnesota and Iowa to the Chicago region.

MDU Resources CEO Terry Hildestad says the Plains region has some of the best wind resources in the country, and the transmission project will make development more feasible.

MDU Resources says it will be negotiating an agreement with ITC and other potential partners.

WINKELMAN-EUROPE Winkelman signs with Italian pro team BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) Former North Dakota State Basketball standout Brett Winkelman has signed a professional contract with a team in Italy.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward declined to disclose financial terms of his one-year deal with Pavia of the Italian LegaDue, or second division.

Winkelman, from Morris, Minn., says he also got offers from teams in Belgium, Poland and Turkey. He says the Italy offer was the best fit for him.

Ben Woodside, another member of the Bison team that went to the NCAA tournament last season, plans to play in the NBA Summer League in hopes of hooking on with a team. Former Bison guard Mike Nelson says he likely will sign in the next few weeks with a team in Spain or France.

Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-07-09 1103CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list