Alcohol Compliance Check Results

FARGO, N.D. — The West Fargo Police Department, with the assistance of Fargo Cass Public Health, conducted alcohol compliance checks in Fargo on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of Fargo Cass Public Health, conducted alcohol compliance checks in Cass County on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

In West Fargo there were 12 establishments checked, with all of these establishments passing.

In Cass County there were nine establishments checked, with all of these establishments passing.

Passed in West Fargo:

Ace Liquors

Bar Nine

Bernie’s West

Bordertown Bar & Grill

Bottle Barn Liquors

JL Beers

M & J Saloon

Speedway

Stars and Strikes

Sunmart Liquors

VFW

Work Zone

Passed in Cass County:

American Legion #297- Harwood

Casey’s General Store- Horace

Coaches Corner- Arthur

Happy Trails Tavern- Argusville

Hunter C & I

Mississippi’s Tower Bar- Tower City

Old 10 Saloon- Buffalo

R & J’s Front Page Lounge- Page

Sheyenne Bar & Lounge- Horace

Museum hosts human trafficking program

Plains Art Museum will host “IdeaExchange: Human Trafficking,” a free community conversation on March 5 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Members of the Road to Williston Collective in Duluth will share stories of their work on display in Bakken Boom: Artists Respond to the North Dakota Oil Rush.

The collective’s installation was created in response to the increasing numbers of Native American women and girls subject to human trafficking and the resistance movements that have emerged to fight this problem. Local advocates for human rights also will lend insights to the discussion. Space is limited, register at plainsart.org or call 701-551-6100.

Plains Art Museum is located at 704 1st Ave. N. in downtown Fargo.

Sanford Health Plan selected as

insurance provider for ND Public Employees Retirement System health plan members

NDPERS board announces decision

BISMARCK, N.D. – Sanford Health Plan will become the insurance provider for the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS) health plan members beginning July 1. The NDPERS board announced its decision today.

“This is tremendous recognition of our work in North Dakota and the trust the North Dakota PERS board has in Sanford Health Plan,” said Rich Adcock, Sanford Health executive vice president.

The decision will add 29,000 contracts covering 65,000 covered lives to Sanford Health Plan.

“Our existing infrastructure across a broad geography is well-equipped to support these additional members and we will immediately expand our presence in North Dakota,” said Adcock.

Sanford Health Plan is in the process of opening offices in Fargo and Bismarck. There will be more than 100 positions available immediately in the state.

“I want to assure all NDPERS health plan members utilizing our health plan that they can all expect outstanding service from their partners at Sanford Health Plan,” said Adcock.

NDPERS health plan members can expect additional information and multiple member forums at convenient locations in various communities prior to the transition.

Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier

Jet performing at 2015 Fargo AirSho

AirSho features top entertainment from the last decade after four-year hiatus

(FARGO, ND) — A Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier Jet demonstration has been added to the lineup of aerial entertainment featured at the 2015 Fargo AirSho on July 25 and 26 at Hector International Airport.

“The last time a Harrier Jet performed at the AirSho was over 10 years ago,” AirSho co-chairman Dick Walstad said, “This aircraft is only making 16 appearances in the country this year, so we feel fortunate to be able to finally bring it back to Fargo-Moorhead skies in 2015.”

The Harrier will be flown by U.S. Marine aviators as they demonstrate a 90-degree climbing turn, a high-speed pass over the runway and a vertical landing in front of the crowd. Many of the maneuvers demonstrated at the show will mimic those executed in Operation Desert Storm,

Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, as well as in operations conducted at sea aboard Naval vessels.

Previously-announced entertainment at the 2015 Fargo AirSho includes the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron back by popular demand, Franklin’s Flying Circus, Paul Stender, Skip Stewart, Kent Pietsch, Lt. Col. John Klatt and Sky Dive Fargo exhibition jumps.

Industrial Hemp Development Act Introduced

ST.PAUL, MN. – The Senate Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has heard and passed legislation chief authored by Senator Kent Eken (DFL- Twin Valley) concerning the regulation of industrial hemp production and research in Minnesota.

During WWII, industrial hemp was a widely produced crop used to support the war effort. In fact Minnesota was a national leader in hemp production. After WWII, hemp was banned due to its resemblance to marijuana. Banning industrial hemp for its resemblance to marijuana would be similar to throwing someone into jail for resembling a cousin who committed a crime; although they are related, industrial hemp is not marijuana and you cannot get high from it.

Eken says industrial hemp in Minnesota is an economic opportunity for the state through both farming and manufacturing. “Hemp can be used for many purposes such as foods, paper, rope, clothing, building materials, plastics – it really is limitless.” Another benefit to growing hemp is that it can be grown on land otherwise unusable for common Minnesota crops like corn or soybeans. “We can invest in this industry and make it become a valuable asset across the state,” said Eken. Currently, hemp products are legal to sell, use and consume in the US, but must be imported from countries where the plant is legal to grow and process, such as Canada and China. Sen. Eken is carrying legislation that if passed would allow Minnesota to join a growing list of states which currently have laws allowing for hemp pilot studies.

“I’m pleased to have bipartisan support for this exciting economic opportunity,” added Sen. Eken.

The bill passed through the Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee and will be moving on to the Judiciary Committee.

For information on this or any legislation, please contact Sen. Kent Eken at 651-296-3205 or by email at sen.kent.eken@senate.mn.