Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is Saturday, Jan. 18, through Monday, Jan. 20.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY SCHEDULE CHANGES
MOORHEAD – City of Moorhead Offices: City offices will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20. They will reopen on Tuesday, January 21.
Garbage/Recycling: Monday, January 20, garbage/recycling will be picked up on Tuesday, January 21. All other garbage/recycling pickup that week will be on normal days. The Monday change may cause early or delayed collection on Tuesday; set your trash out by 4 am to ensure it is collected.
MATBUS: Routes will run normally, and the Ground Transportation Center will be open on January 20. Administration offices will be closed.
FARGO MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY SCHEDULES
FARGO – The City of Fargo offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Additionally, all Fargo Public Library locations, Fargo Municipal Court and Fargo Cass Public Health offices, including WIC and clinic, will be closed Monday, January 20.
There will be no MATBUS service for Routes 31, 33, 34 and North Dakota State University On-Demand. MATBUS administrative offices will also be closed.
The regular City Commission meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, in Commission Chambers in City Hall, 225 4th St. N.
All garbage and recycling collection will run on schedule. Residents are reminded to always place garbage and recycling carts out for collection by 8 a.m. on their normal garbage day. The Fargo Sanitary Landfill and Household Hazardous Waste Facility will be open and operating normal hours on Monday, January 20.
MINNESOTA INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX FILING SEASON OPENS JANUARY 27, 2025
The Minnesota Department of Revenue will open the state Individual Income Tax filing season on Monday, January 27, 2025. This date matches the opening day for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The filing deadline to submit 2024 Minnesota and federal income tax returns is Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Tax software providers and tax professionals may be accepting and preparing tax returns before January 27 and will submit those returns when the IRS and state systems open.
“There are some new things this tax season that taxpayers should be aware of. A first-in-the-nation advance payment option for Child Tax Credit recipients is available to help families get the benefits of the credit when it best meets their budget needs,” said Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart. “Renters will be filing for the new Renter’s Credit on their income tax return and will get that refund along with their income tax refund instead of getting it separately later in the year.”
“Taxpayers can find more information about these changes as well as electronic tax filing options and information on choosing a tax preparer on our website,” said Commissioner Marquart.
Minnesota Child Tax Credit
Taxpayers may qualify for a Child Tax Credit of $1,750 per qualifying child, with no limit on the number of children claimed. This is a refundable credit, meaning you can receive a refund even if you do not owe tax. You must file a 2024 individual income tax return in order to claim the credit.
More than 223,000 tax returns claimed the new Child Tax Credit for tax year 2023, for an average total credit of $1,242 per child. This tax credit put over $562 million into the budgets of Minnesota families this year.
Learn more about income requirements and qualifications on the Child Tax Credit webpage.
Advance payment option available for Child Tax Credit recipients
If a Child Tax Credit recipient chooses advance payments of their 2025 credit when filing their 2024 tax returns this filing season, they will receive a portion of their 2025 credit in three installments going out at the end of July, September, and November. They will receive the remaining portion of the credit amount when they file their 2025 income tax returns.
New Renter’s Credit this year
Starting this tax filing season, renters eligible for a property tax refund will now claim the new Renter’s Credit on their Minnesota return. To claim the Renter’s Credit, renters must file a state income tax return. For most renters, this means they will no longer file a separate Property Tax Refund return and will not receive a separate refund later in the year. The Renter’s Credit will be part of their income tax refund amount, be applied to the amount owed on their income tax return, or be applied to other debts referred to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
JAN. 20 IS THE FIRST 2025 FREE PARK DAY AT MINNESOTA STATE PARKS
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 73 state parks and recreation areas on Monday, Jan. 20. This Free Park Day is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the requirement for a vehicle permit at state parks and recreation areas. There is one fee-free day for each season of the year, giving Minnesotans an opportunity to experience state parks and recreation areas at different times of the year.
The 2025 free park days are scheduled as follows:
Monday, Jan. 20
Saturday, April 26
Saturday, June 14
Friday, Nov. 28
“While Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are open 365 days per year, most visits occur in the summer,” said Ann Pierce, director of DNR’s Parks and Trails Division. “Minnesota state parks truly shine year-round, and winter is a special time to embrace the state’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities; so we’re hoping people will come out and join us on Jan. 20.”
In winter, visitors can partake in popular activities like sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, if snow conditions are suitable. There are also many winter outdoor activities that don’t require snow, such as birding, wildlife watching, winter hiking, nature photography, and having a campfire with hot chocolate and s’mores. If ice conditions are suitable, ice fishing is also a popular activity in state parks and recreation areas.
Many parks offer snowshoe rentals, and select parks offer ski rentals. Visitors looking for rental equipment or certain recreational opportunities can use the DNR’s ParkFinder tool (mndnr.gov/parkfinder) to find the best destination for their visit.
DILWORTH 2024 STAR BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR
DILWORTH – The Star City Commission has announced the winners of its 2024 Star Business of the Year Awards in the “Emerging Business” and “Legacy Business” categories in Dilworth. The Tractor Supply Company has been named the “Emerging Star Business,” while Valley Hardwood Supply has been honored as the “Legacy Star Business.”
The Tractor Supply Company redeveloped a vacant “big box” commercial building in Dilworth’s west commercial district, creating several new job opportunities. The store is located at 1411 Center Avenue W, Dilworth, MN.
Message from the Tractor Supply Company owners:
“We are both honored and excited to serve and support the City of Dilworth! We are grateful for the opportunity to provide Legendary Service to customers seeking ‘Out Here Lifestyle Solutions.’ We look forward to working closely with the City of Dilworth to contribute to the growth of this Legendary Community!”
Valley Hardwood Supply has been a long-time fixture in the area. After losing their building to a fire in 2023, the company chose to rebuild on their existing site in Dilworth. We look forward to their continued success in their new facility, located at 900 Center Avenue W, Dilworth, MN.
Message from the Valley Hardwood Supply owners:
“We are deeply honored to be recognized as the 2024 Legacy Business of the Year. After the fire, we were committed to rebuilding. The City of Dilworth has supported us every step of the way. We are excited to open our new store and look forward to many more years of business in Dilworth.”
Both the Tractor Supply Company and Valley Hardwood Supply will be presented with their awards and honored by the Dilworth City Council at its regular meeting on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
MINNESOTANS FISH FREE STATEWIDE WITH KIDS JAN. 18-20
During this three-day weekend, any Minnesota resident can go fishing for free if fishing with a child 15 years old or younger. Minnesotans 15 years old or younger don’t need fishing licenses any time of the year.
“Ice fishing is lots of fun and this weekend is a great time to share the experience with a kid in your life,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “If you’re new to ice fishing, check out the helpful how-to and ice safety information on our website or even see if your local community is hosting any ice fishing events this winter.”
Tips and a webinar about taking kids ice fishing can be found on the Minnesota DNR take a kid ice fishing webpage (mndnr.gov/takeakidicefishing).