Latest North Dakota news, sports, business and entertainment:

PAINKILLER PATCH Painkiller patch at issue in wrongful death case Fargo, N.D. (AP) The mother of a man who authorities say died of a painkiller overdose is suing his father for allegedly supplying a potent patch.

Court records say 34-year-old CLinton Bitz of Sioux Falls, S.D., died in April 2007 from what authorities called an acute Fentanyl overdose. The painkiller patches allegedly were prescribed to his father, Francis Bitz, of Edgeley.

Clinton Bitz's mother, Wanda Cyr, of Monticello, Minn., has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against Francis Bitz. Cyr is seeking more than $80,000.

Francis Bitz says in court documents that he should not be held responsible for damages.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Klein has set a trial date of Oct.

12, 2010, but scheduled a conference in January to discuss a possible settlement.

SENATE-health care Lawmakers say health overhaul has been slowed Washington (AP) Top members of Congress say it's unlikely they will meet President Barack Obama's August deadline for a sweeping health care overhaul.

Lawmakers on Sunday said they will not rush on a health care overhaul that isn't even in final form yet.

The North Dakota senator in charge of the budget committee, Democrat Kent Conrad, says there's plenty of time for the overhaul while Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee says there's no rush.

Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan says Obama would be pleased with the progress toward overhaul, while budget committee ranking Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire says it's "highly unlikely" that legislation would reach Obama's desk before recess because bills are still being drafted.

The lawmakers appeared on CNN's "State of the Union." HERITAGE DESIGNATION Land designation raises ire of ND property owners Bismarck, N.D. (AP) Some property owners in a five-county area bordering the Missouri River in North Dakota say they feel they were ambushed when the area picked up an overnight designation one that many can't seem to figure out.

After President Barack Obama signed the designation into law March 30, the region that includes McLean, Mercer, Oliver, Morton and Burleigh counties became the Northern Plains Heritage Area.

Fending off the accusations, officials involved say this is no land grab.

Tracy Potter, who's representative of the Northern Plains Heritage Foundation, and North Dakota Sen. Byron Dorgan, who sponsored the designation, say it makes up to $10 million in federal money available over 15 years. The funds can go to preserve cultural resources and promote tourism.

Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com CATTLEMEN'S CODE Dakotas cattlemen say bison ranch owner from Florida has a lot to learn about cattle country SELFRIDGE, N.D. (AP) The owner of a bison ranch along the North Dakota-South Dakota border says he will pay for damage from an incident in January where hundreds of bison broke loose.

Maurice Wilder, of Clearwater, Florida, says he knows he's considered an outsider, and he wants to be a good neighbor. He says he'll pay the claims totaling more than $60,000 to eight ranchers whose hay and fences were damaged.

Sioux County state's attorney John Gosbee filed charges last month against Wilder's ranch, including one count of misdemeanor animal neglect and 99 counts of livestock at large.

Ranchers say the bison will likely escape again because Wilder has too many animals for the amount of pastureland he owns. They say he still has to learn the golden rule in cattle country that good fences make good neighbors.

Wilder says the problems have been caused by mismanagement. He says he fired his ranch boss and recently hired a veteran ranch manager to watch over the operation, which spans some 35,000 acres in the Dakotas.

The ranch has about 3,000 bison, 1,200 cattle and seven employees. The bison are slaughtered in North Dakota, Minnesota and Colorado and sold for meat.

wheat COMMISSION ND Wheat Commission marking 50 years BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) As the North Dakota Wheat Commission marks its 50th anniversary, its chairman says it's important for wheat growers to be involved in trade policies.

Commission Chairman Harlan Klein also chairs a trade policy committee for U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers. He says wheat producers need to make sure they have a competitive advantage and continued access to markets.

Administrator Neal Fisher says wheat continues to be North Dakota's leading crop.

The North Dakota Wheat Commission was created by the Legislature in 1959, when wheat production in the state averaged 100 million bushels. The commission says the state's total wheat production today averages around 300 million bushels and U.S. wheat exports have reached 1.3 billion bushels.

Jamestown HOSPITAL New Jamestown Hospital delayed JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) Jamestown Hospital officials are delaying the start of construction on a new facility.

A groundbreaking that was to take place in the fall is being pushed to next spring.

Hospital President Marty Richman says the architect is still finishing up design work, and some financing details still need to be addressed.

The new $51 million hospital will be on the outskirts of Jamestown. The existing building is downtown.

Some construction at the new site still will be done this fall, including preliminary work on a road and parking lot.

Information from: The Jamestown Sun, http://www.jamestownsun.com CARPENTER TRAINING Fargo center to train carpenters FARGO, N.D. (AP) Carpenters say a new $2.4 million training center in Fargo will improve skills and increase wages.

The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters opened the center June 1.

James Moore is the council's executive secretary-treasurer. He says consumers will "get the job done right the first time" and safely.

The regional council partnered with North Dakota and Minnesota union contractors in building the 14,513-square-foot facility. It also will have offices for United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1176.

Leroy Babolian, a Fargo-area union member who oversaw the project, said training can help put more people to work. He says "the more skills you have, the more you work." The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters represents 20,000 union carpenters, floor coverers, lathers, millwrights and pile drivers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com NATIONALS SWIMMING 2 North Dakotans qualify for world championships in Rome INDANAPOLIS, N.D. (AP) Two North Dakota swimmers have qualified for the U-S women's team going to the world championships in Rome later this month.

Minot's Dagny Knutson made the cut in the 800-meter freestyle relay event. Fargo's Keri Hehn qualified in the 200 breaststroke.

The U-S National qualifying rounds wrapped up this weekend in Indianapolis.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-12-09 1646CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list