Spring load restrictions

to be lifted May 19

FARGO, N.D. (May 13, 2014) – The City of Fargo will be lifting spring load restrictions starting Monday, May 19, 2014. All roads will return to their regular weight restrictions at that time.

The designated truck route system will return to weight limitations as follows:

Single Axle 20,000 lbs.

Tandem Axle 34,000 lbs.-not to exceed 17,000 lbs. per axle

3 or more Axles 48,000lbs.-not to exceed 16,000 lbs. per axle

Gross Vehicle Weight 105,500 lbs.

All non-truck route streets, which includes the residential system, will return to a Class A restriction as follows:

Single Axle 18,000 lbs.

Tandem Axle 32,000 lbs.-not to exceed 16,000 lbs. per axle

3 or more Axles 42,000lbs.-not to exceed 14,000 lbs. per axle

Gross Vehicle Weight 80,000 lbs.

Truck route maps are available for pickup in the Engineering Department free of charge or they can be viewed online atwww.fargotruckroutes.com.

Students to plant

trees at Arbor Day celebration

FARGO, N.D. (May 12, 2014) – The Fargo Forestry Department, Fargo Park District, River Keepers, and Cass County Soil Conservation Service will celebrate Arbor Day and receive the “Tree City USA” award on Friday, May 16 at 9:30 a.m., at 1201 49th Ave. S. Students from Carl Ben Eielson and Discovery Middle Schools, along with Dakota Memorial School students, will plant trees along the river after the presentation. Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker and ND Forest Service Community Forestry Specialist Sharon Bartels are also scheduled to speak. The public is invited to attend. This year marks the 37th time the National Arbor Day Foundation has named Fargo a “Tree City USA”.

To receive this honor, the City of Fargo met the following four standards by establishing:

Tree board or department

Tree care ordinance

Comprehensive community forestry program

Arbor Day observance

“An effective community forestry program is an ongoing process of renewal and improvement – a program of tree planting and care that continues through the years,” said John Rosenow, president of the National Arbor Day Foundation. “The Tree City USA Award is an excellent indication that there is a solid foundation for that process of improvement.” Learn more about the Tree City USA program at www.arborday.org. For advice on tree planting and care, call the Fargo Forestry Department at 241-8104.

Emerald Ash Borer

Awareness Week begins May 18

FARGO, N.D. (May 12, 2014) – Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Awareness Week will kick-off Sunday, May 18. EAB Awareness Week is an effort to increase public awareness about EAB and the threat it poses to ash trees in Fargo and North Dakota.

The City of Fargo urges residents and visitors to become better educated about EAB and to take action to help slow the spread of this invasive pest.

In recognition of EAB Awareness Week, the city will be placing posters and ribbons on ash street trees to highlight a sampling of the large areas that are at risk and will be affected by the pest. These areas include 17th Ave. S., east of 32nd St. and 13th Ave. S., west of 21st St.

Fargo residents and visitors can help slow the spread of EAB in several ways:

· Don’t move firewood.

· Diversify tree plantings to reduce vulnerability.

· Become aware of the symptoms of EAB and report possible sightings to the forestry department.

· Learn about the signs and symptoms of EAB infestation. This information can be found at the EAB Web site at www.emeraldashborer.info.

EAB attacks all species of North American ash trees. The EAB larvae kill ash trees by feeding on the soft layer of wood just under the bark that moves water and nutrients throughout the tree. The Forestry Department continues to aggressively move forward with ash street tree diversification efforts.

Emerald ash borer is native to Asia. It was discovered near Detroit, Michigan in 2002. Since then, it has spread to 21 states, including Minnesota, primarily through infested firewood. EAB has killed millions of trees.

Eastbound lanes to

close on 19th Avenue North

FARGO, N.D. (May 9, 2014) –Starting Monday, May 12, 19th Avenue North will be closed to eastbound traffic between University and 10th Street North. Traffic will be detoured down University to 17th Avenue North and over to 10th Street North. This is a part of the 19th Avenue reconstruction project that started April 25thand is expected to be completed in October. Also, the current eastbound closure between 18th and 16th Streets on 19th Avenue North will remain in place.

Find a complete list of road closures online at www.FargoStreets.com. Follow @FargoStreets on Twitter.

Is Adoption Right for You?

The Adoption Option, a partnership between The Village Family Service Center and Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota is holding a FREE informational meeting about adoption, Thursday, May 22, 2014, 6:30 p.m., The Village Family Service Center, 1201 25th St. S., Fargo.

This meeting is open to North Dakotans who are considering adopting a child. Caring professionals with knowledge and experience in adoption issues will answer questions and provide education regarding the opportunities, strengths and risks of adoption.

Find out about all the adoption options including infant, identified, interstate, and relative adoption, plus a special focus on international adoption. Open adoption will be explained and the issues of cost and waiting periods will be addressed. For more information, call 1-800-627-8220.

Large Grant Awarded to Combat Underage Drinking and Adult Binge Drinking

FARGO, ND (May 7, 2014)—Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) is receiving $389,503 to build local substance abuse prevention infrastructure, to combat underage drinking and adult binge drinking. This funding is granted under the federal Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG), through the North Dakota Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

Fargo Cass Public Health, in collaboration with community partners, is currently completing a Community Needs Assessment to determine how and where to focus their efforts in addressing underage and adult binge drinking. The next step will be to develop a strategic plan and then to implement evidence-based strategies tackling underage and adult binge drinking.

According to FCPH’s Alcohol Prevention Coordinator, Robyn Litke Sall, “This is an incredible opportunity for our community. The topic areas that have been selected are very appropriate and Fargo Cass Public Health is excited to begin work with community partners to address underage drinking and adult binge drinking,”

The Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) is an infrastructure grant program of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The funding is to support states, tribes, and communities in building a solid foundation for delivering and sustaining effective substance abuse prevention. Grant funds run through September of 2015.

If you would like to be involved with these community substance abuse prevention efforts, call 701.241-1341 or rlitkesall@cityoffargo.com.