Increased Traffic
Enforcement Starting Week of April 1
FARGO, N.D. (March 12, 2014)–The Fargo Police Department is gearing up to conduct an increased distracted driving/texting enforcement campaign the first week in April through the end of September as part of the state wide distracted driver reduction effort. April 2014 is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
In addition to looking for individuals who are driving while distracted, officers will be watching for speeding, red light violations, stop sign violations, seat belt violations, and lane and right-of-way violations in key points throughout the City.
3,328 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2012. Distracted driving is becoming a dangerous epidemic on America›s roadways. Research shows that high visibility enforcement works because with many distracted drivers the fear of a citation and significant fine outweighs their fear of being injured or killed in a crash.
Develop your “Code for the Road” and share it at: https://www.facebook.com/codefortheroad. Please buckle up every trip, every time.
For more information on other safe driving initiatives, please visit the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s website at http://www.dot.nd.gov/.
City of Fargo Spring Load
Restrictions begin March 26
FARGO, N.D. (March 21, 2014)– The City of Fargo will be imposing Spring Load Restrictions effective Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Truck route maps are available for pickup in the Engineering Department free of charge or they can be viewed online at www.fargotruckroutes.com.
CITY OF FARGO SPRING LOAD RESTRICTIONS
Effective March 26, 2014 at 12:01 a.m. CST, the City of Fargo will impose Class A and Class 1 load restrictions on various roads throughout town.
Class A restrictions are defined as follows:
Single Axle 18,000 lbs
Tandem Axle 32,000 lbs – 16,000 lbs per axle
3 Axles or more 42,000 lbs – 14,000 lbs per axle
Gross Vehicle Weight 80,000 lbs
Class 1 restrictions are defined as follows:
Single Axle 15,000 lbs
Tandem Axle 30,000 lbs – 15,000 lbs per axle
3 Axles or more 36,000 lbs – 12,000 lbs per axle
Gross Vehicle weight 80,000 lbs
Restrictions shall remain in effect until pavement subgrade conditions warrant removal, generally the first or middle part of May. A list of restricted roads may be viewed on the City website. Permit applications for weights in excess of restrictions shall be in writing and submitted to the Fargo City Engineer, 200 3rd St. N., Fargo, ND, 58102. The Truck Route Map and roads affected by Spring Load Restrictions can be viewed on the City website at www.fargotruckroutes.com.
PHASE TWO LAUNCH FOR HERO MOBILE
FARGO, ND- MAR. 19, 2013– HERO, Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization is close to launching the HERO Mobile. HERO currently has acquired funding for ninety-four percent of the Phase One goal of $25,000.
“As a younger non-profit, we are excited to build on unique variety of services, said Ty Hegland, Executive Director for HERO.
“HERO is now the only MSRO [Medical Surplus Recovery Organization] in the United States that operates a store front, redistributes supplies locally and now offers a mobile service.”
The goal of HERO Mobile is to support the overall mission of helping those locally in need of medical supplies. Many individuals in rural areas of Fargo-Moorhead are unable to access the services of HERO due to the inability to get to the HERO store.
Phase One is nearly complete to secure donations for the purchase of a box truck.
“We are looking toward Phase Two with a goal of securing funding for $10,000 in operational expenses,” said Hegland.
HERO Mobile should be running by this summer and serving those in rural areas of the Fargo-Moorhead area. HERO Mobile will be equipped to pick up and deliver needed medical supplies and equipment to a wide variety of individuals and agencies.
HERO redistributes medical equipment and supplies that would otherwise be discarded in landfills. Through their work, HERO staff and volunteers impact those in need both locally and globally while focusing on remaining environmentally conscious.
The HERO Mobile unit is expected to make an appearance at the 10th Annual HERO Bash on April 24th from 6-9:30 pm at the Ramada Plaza and Suites in Fargo. For questions or to make a donation to HERO Mobile, contact HERO directly at 701-212-1921 or Ty Hegland at ty@herofargo.org.
Enventis Announces $12,000 in
Grant Awards in Fargo-Moorhead Area
Company Foundation supports education, community and cultural initiatives
Enventis is pleased to announce its Foundation has awarded four grants, totaling $12,000 to non-profit organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead area. With a focus on education, critical community needs, and culture, the Foundation aims to strengthen community programs with its financial support.
Grants are being awarded to the following organizations:
· Fraser, Ltd., skills enhancement training; $3,500
· Hospice of the Red River Valley, Journeying Home Conference; $3,000
· Village Family Services, Nokomis Child Care Centers, developmental assessment system; $3,000
· Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation, Dollars for Scholars; $2,500
The Foundation is awarding 40 grants totaling $131,000 in communities served by Enventis.
“We have a long history of providing financial assistance to many programs and organizations in the communities we serve,” said John Finke, president and chief executive officer. “These organizations have an incredible impact on the people they serve and we are pleased to increase our grant awards this year to support even more non-profits that make a huge difference in our communities.”
Foundation grants are awarded on an annual basis and through a grant application process. Grant requests for the next fiscal year, which begins March 1, 2015, are due Dec. 1, 2014. More information on the company’s Foundation is available at www.enventis.com/foundation.
In addition to grant awards, the Foundation’s Employee Matching Gift Program and Employee Volunteer Bonus Program provided more than $23,000 in support to non-profit organizations last year. The Employee Volunteer Bonus Program provides monetary contributions to non-profit organizations at which employees volunteer 40 hours or more during the year.
Built on a tradition of community leadership and corporate responsibility, the company and Foundation have donated millions of dollars to worthy organizations and focused their outreach charitable giving to support the communities served by the company. Originating in 1963, the Foundation contributes to numerous non-profit organizations in the areas of education, community and culture.
Senators Advocate for 5% Campaign;
Explain Why 4% Won’t Cut It
ST. PAUL, MINN – The fate of nearly 91,000 home and community-based caregivers and staff’s futures await a vote in St. Paul. The 5% Campaign has worked tirelessly for more than a year to secure a modest 5% rate increase for caregivers and the services they provide across the state. Last week the House and Governor announced 4% increases in their respective budgets; but Senator Eken (DFL-Twin Valley), the chief author of 5% campaign legislation in the Senate, and Senator Hoffman (DFL-Champlin, Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids), a co-author of the bill explain why a 4% increase just isn’t enough.
“We’ve fallen behind in supporting this industry; these caregivers deserve fair compensation for all of the difficult, labor intensive work and support they provide to people with disabilities and older adults. Without these dedicated workers hundreds of thousands of Minnesota families would be at a loss. Now is the year for us to give home and community based care givers the support they deserve,” said Sen. Eken.
“The 5% Campaign is about maintaining quality care for thousands of people across the state. Caregivers do this work because of the differences they can make. Too often though, they just can’t make ends meet and they have to find alternative work in order to pay the bills. By ensuring a 5% increase the legislature can help maintain quality care and help lower turnover rates” said Sen. Hoffman.
Consistent staff with low turnover is the foundation for quality care. By giving home and community based caregivers a 5% rate increase, service providers will be able to better retain staff, reduce turnover and maintain consistent high quality care. The only way this group of workers receives a pay increase, is if the legislature allocates it to them. These caregivers have gone six years without a rate increase and have faced almost a decade of budget cuts. This has directly inhibited the industry to recruit and retain employees. A 5% increase is a modest amount given the breadth and depth of services caregivers provide.