FARGO, N.D. (June 24, 2013) – The flood property buyout auction which had been scheduled for July 10 has been postponed until August. Open house events scheduled for June 25 and 29 have been postponed until July. Exact dates for these events have not yet been determined. More information will be released by the City of Fargo and posted online at www.pifers.com at a later date.
Sobriety Checkpoint Scheduled Between June 24 – July 1
FARGO, N.D. (June 24, 2013) – The Fargo Police Department will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint within the Fargo city limits between June 24 and July 1, 2013. Since October of 2004, the Fargo Police Department has conducted 57 sobriety checkpoints which have resulted in 172 DUI Arrests.
“Summer just began and the July 4 holiday is just around the corner. I would hate to be the investigating officer notifying a family of an alcohol related tragedy,” Says Sgt. Ryan Dorrheim. “We all have the duty to keep our roads and families safe.” The purpose of a sobriety checkpoint is to deter impaired driving. Law enforcement encourages “positive choices” which includes securing a safe and sober ride in order to reduce alcohol related crashes. The checkpoints are funded in part through grants in an effort to deter drunk driving and ultimately save lives. Law Enforcement would like to pass along this simple message: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
Seniors Prevent West Nile Virus Use Extra Protection
FARGO, N.D. (June 21, 2013) – The combination of warmer weather and standing water means that mosquitoes are now if full force, and everyone should be taking the necessary precautions to prevent West Nile virus, especially senior citizens.
Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk.
Recovery from severe disease may take several weeks or months. Some of the neurologic effects may be permanent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 10 percent of people who develop neurologic infection due to West Nile virus will die. In 2012, there were 89 reported cases of West Nile virus in North Dakota, with one fatality.
To prevent mosquito bites, the CDC recommends:
Use insect repellents when you go outdoors.
Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing so when weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Spraying clothes with repellent will give extra protection. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing. Wear light colored clothing.
Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours. Use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
Mosquito-proof your home:
Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Use your air conditioning, if you have it.
Reduce mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths or anything that can hold water on a regular basis.
For more information, go to ndhealth.gov/wnv.
“My Property” used to return bike to owner; suspect charges pending
FARGO, N.D. (June 20, 2013) – On May 26, a Fargo police officer took a report from a victim of a bike theft. The victim told the officer he had registered the bike on the City of Fargo’s “My Property” program website but did not have the serial number at the time of the report. The officer was able to access the system, retrieve the serial number and include it in the report. With the serial number, a detective discovered the bike had been pawned locally. The victim of the theft was able to get his bike back and there are currently charges pending against the suspect.
The “My Property” program, developed by the Fargo Police Department and City of Fargo Information Services Department, allows users to create an account, enter pertinent information about their valuable property and retrieve the information anytime.
My Property is a valuable resource for users if they ever become victims of theft or fire because detailed information about their property is safely stored on a secure site. Fargo Police have access to use this program as an investigative tool, 24 hours a day, allowing them to return property to its rightful owner.
Fargo residents can take advantage of this service by going to http://myproperty.cityoffargo.com.
Additional information can be found on the Fargo Police Website at www.fargopolice.com .
State Health Council Announces Newest Recipients of Loan Repayment Program
BISMARCK, N.D. – The State Health Council, in conjunction with the North Dakota Department of Health, announces that 11 health professionals have been approved through the Grant Loan Repayment Programs approved by the state legislature. Applications from one nurse practitioner, four physicians and six dentists were accepted during their May meeting.
Sarah Beth Gustafson was the selected nurse practitioner and will be practicing in Mayville.
The physicians chosen were Dr. David Keene who will work in Williston, Dr. Christopher A. DeCock will work in Fargo, plus Dr. Brook Vinine Nelson and Dr. Heather Martin who will both work in Dickinson.
Approved dentists were Jackie R. Nord who will practice in Grand Forks, Courtney Rud and Clarissa Sparkman will be in Fargo, Lucas Allen will practice in Watford City, Narek Ovsepian will work in Watford City, and Ryan J. Yakowicz will practice in Hankinson.
The skills of these health professionals are filling a growing need in those cities and the surrounding areas, especially in western North Dakota where the increased population is demanding more health services. The current increase and the anticipated growth for such services helped the Council determine all of these selections for the program.
“The Council receives a growing number of applications from qualified and skilled medical professionals. All were very deserving of the awards,” said Gordon Myerchin, chair of the State Health Council. “Much of the state is seeing a workforce shortage in many areas, including various health fields and these 11 awardees will help to fill those needs.”
The Loan Repayment Programs are awarded to physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists and veterinarians to help them pay for their educational loans and who have agreed to work in areas of the state that do not have enough applicants to meet the needs of the area. The State Health Council awards the loan repayments based on funding and the criteria set by the legislature.
The Council’s 11 members are appointed by the governor for three-year terms. Four members are appointed from the health-care provider community, five consumers from the public sector, one from the energy industry and one from the manufacturing and processing industry.
For more information, contact Marlene Kouba, State Health Council, at 701.563.4560.
Food Inspection Reports Available On-Line
The Grand Forks Public Health Department has made the results of restaurant or other food related inspections available at the click of a button.
People simply need to log on to the Grand Forks Public Health Department (GFPHD) and click on the link for current restaurant sanitation scores. Residents can view reports for all food facilities inspected by GFPHD including grocery stores, schools, bakeries, butcher shops, and restaurants.
Those interested may also sign up to receive an alert when a favorite restaurant or school kitchen has a new inspection report posted.
The web site can be found at www.grandforksgov.com/publichealth