FARGO, N.D. (April 30, 2013) – The Fargo City Commission has approved returning cleanup week to May 6 – 10, 2013. The decision to change the dates back was based on several factors, including the lower river crest prediction, the city’s ability to remove sandbag pallets from neighborhoods before May 6, and the concerns of citizens. The annual electronics recycling event will now be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013. Please visit www.cleanupweek.com for a complete guide to cleanup week and the electronics recycling event.
New Board Members and Officers Announced at The Village’s Annual Board Meeting
Four community leaders recently joined The Village Family Service Center’s Board of Directors. The new board members are:
· Richard Duysen, Moorhead Fire Chief
· Thomas Nelson, Communications/Political Consultant
· Karen Mellum, Organizational Development Consultant/Learning and Organization Development, Altru Health System
· Judy Green, Executive Director, Regional American Red Cross
New officers were also elected at the April 24 annual meeting. Matthew Hallaway, Alerus Financial, was named the Board Chair; Tammy Hauck, Dakota REIT, was named 1st Vice Chair of the Board, and Carrie Bjorge, Black Ridge Bank, was named 2nd Vice Chair of the Board.
Lyman Edds, Michelle Powers, and Dale Mowry completed their terms and were honored for their many years of service on The Village Board of Directors.
Fire damages apartment at 4219 10th Ave. S.
FARGO, N.D. (April 30, 2013) – At 9:03 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, Fargo fire crews responded to a report of smoke coming from the roof vents and eaves of a 12 unit apartment building located at 4219 10th Ave. S., Fargo. Fire crews entered and found that the fire was in the attic space and started pulling ceilings inside to get at the fire. The fire was knocked down at 9:19 a.m. and completely extinguished about 10 minutes later. The insulation was removed to check for extension and the electricity to the building was disconnected due to wiring that was damaged during the fire. Crews remained on scene for a couple hours removing insulation from the attic.
The Fargo Fire Department responded with 24 personnel on 4 engines, 2 trucks and 1 command vehicle. The Moorhead Fire Department, Fargo Police Department, FM Ambulance, Salvation Army, and Red Cross assisted. Several residents were displaced from their apartments because of fire and/or smoke damage. At this time, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
No smoke detectors were sounding within the building when crews entered. The Fargo Fire Department encourages you to always have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your home. For more information on smoke detectors, visit www.fargofire.com.
Grand Forks Unveils Homebuyer Assistance Program
The City of Grand Forks will soon begin accepting applications for a new home buyer assistance program. The Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance program will provide no-interest, no-payment deferred loans of up to $10,000 for income-eligible buyers.
The program comes on the heels of recommendations by the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Housing that suggested opening up additional opportunities to potential homeowners.
“One of the pillars of the Grand Forks Promise is to make sure our community is an affordable place to live and do business,” said Mayor Michael Brown. “This program lives up to that promise and opens new avenues of opportunities for would-be homeowners.”
The program, which kicks off May 1, 2013, is limited to homes within the Grand Forks city limits. It will be administered by the City’s Office of Urban Development.
For more information, including income limits or how to apply, check the City’s website at www.grandforksgov.com/gfgov/home.nsf/Pages/DCA, or contact a local lender or realtor.
Fargo Police Make Arrest in Counterfeiting Case
The Fargo Police Department arrested one individual on Tuesday, April 23, 2013, following an investigation into the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit US currency.
Over $200 in the counterfeit funds used on April 17 and 18 were recovered from six Fargo businesses with additional bills still likely in circulation. While viewing surveillance video from one of the effected businesses, a FPD detective noticed the suspect was standing behind an off-duty law enforcement officer. The FPD detective contacted the officer and the officer was able to identify the suspect as a result of prior dealings with her.
On Monday April 22, the Fargo Police Department executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home and recovered over $2,000 in completed or partially completed counterfeit bills. The bills included denominations from $1 to $50 dollars utilizing the following serial numbers:
$1 dollar notes
E48556055C; L15779099M; H25663033C
$5 dollar notes
JL92046631A; IA02207472B; IE46090897B; BD62420256A; JL09327661B; IL63556057B;
$10 dollar notes
JB11983665B; JB78414918A; JA02100398A; IA68188383A; JF27373312B; JB29446763B;
IK51596909A
$20 dollar notes
IL24414320F; II67142843A; JG27711952B;
$50 dollar notes
IB02196666A;
The quality of the counterfeit bills was relatively good but they did have noticeably blurred images and all the bills lacked legitimate currency indicators such as security strips, watermarks and colored threads.
Arrested for Counterfeiting (class B felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine), Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance (both class C felonies with a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine) was:
· Tori Renee Ziegelman, 26 year old female resident of Fargo
Ziegleman was already in the custody of the Cass County Jail on unrelated charges at the time of her arrest.
Additional arrests in the future are possible.
Sanford Children’s Hosts Free Car Seat Round Up Event
(Fargo, ND) – Sanford Children’s is hosting a Car Seat Round Up Event on Friday, May 3, from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m.-Noon at AAA North Dakota- 4950 13th Ave. S. Fargo, ND
Event participants will receive a $10 Kohl’s gift card (while supplies last) for bringing their used and damaged car seats to safely discard. Also during the event, families may discard old and damaged bicycle helmets, which expire three to four years from the date of manufacture.
Most car seats expire after six years, and if they’ve been in a significant crash they must be replaced immediately. While some families opt to place expired or damaged car seats on the curb during Spring cleanup, this may result in others picking up and reusing the unsafe seats.
The event is a collaboration between Safe Kids Fargo/Moorhead, Sanford Children’s, Kohl’s Cares for Kids, AAA ND and Fargo Police.
No registration required.
Sex Offenders Change of Address Notification
Fargo Police Department would like to inform the public of sex offenders who have changed their address:
James Henry Geray, a Level II Sex Offender, has moved to 1018 16st N #1, Fargo, ND.
Born in 1985, 6’0”, 195 lbs.
Blue eyes, Blond hair
Offense Background: Geray was convicted in Richland County ND Court on a charge of Gross Sexual Imposition in 2003. The victim was an acquaintance under the age of 15. Geray is required to register as a sex offender until 10/5/2032.
George Eugene Nicolai, a Level III Sex Offender, has moved to 1122 2nd Ave S #6, Fargo, ND.
Born in 1948, 6’1”, 230 lbs.
Blue eyes, Brown hair
Offense Background: Nicolai was convicted of Sexual Assault 3 (window peeping) in Larimer County Court, Colorado on June 18, 2000. Nicolai is a lifetime registrant.
More information regarding these Sex Offenders can be found here: http://www.cityoffargo.com/CityInfo/Departments/Police/CitizenResources/SexOffenders/