MATBUS CELEBRATES EARTH WEEK APRIL 17-22

FARGO – MATBUS invites residents to celebrate Earth Week, April 17-22, with the Get Your “Can” on the Bus promotion. Participants ride for free when they donate one aluminum can on board fixed route vehicles. Proceeds from the recycling of collected cans will be donated to the Homeward Animal Shelter. This promotion is not valid on MAT Paratransit.

Public transportation plays an integral role in protecting our environment. Did you know that one MATBUS bus full of people removes up to 50 cars from the road? That’s a line of cars approximately four city blocks long. Riding public transportation instead of using a personal vehicle is one of the most effective ways for citizens to reduce their individual carbon footprints.  

MATBUS will also be participating in the Red River Zoo’s Party for the Planet on Saturday, April 22. This family-friendly event showcases a variety of activities to educate and celebrate Earth Week.

CLAY COUNTY EARTH WEEK EVENTS

On Friday, April 21st Clay County Solid Waste will be giving tours of the new Resource Recovery Center (RRC) following the 10:00am Earth Day Press Conference. Tours will include the commercial garbage tipping floor, the household hazardous waste facility, the public recycling and garbage drop off, and the reuse room. The RRC is located at the corner of 34th Street and 15th Avenue North in Moorhead.

Saturday, April 22nd Clay County Solid Waste will be at the Party for the Planet at the Red River Zoo.

The Clay County Solid Waste Educator is available to present to groups in Clay County about Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling anytime. Call 218 299-7329 for more information.

RECALL INFORMATION FROM THE MN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Simply Protein

Wellness Natural USA Inc. Expands Allergy Alert

Wellness Natural USA Inc. of Wilmington, DE is expanding their voluntary recall of its SimplyProtein® Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Bar, which is sold in a 15-count variety pack that contains two other flavors, because it may contain undeclared cashews. The initial recall which included a single lot has been expanded to include all lots within expiration.

Rico

Rico Perez Products, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert

Rico Perez Products, Inc. of Miami, Florida is voluntarily recalling 60-count bottles of Dr. Rico Perez Super Kids Colostrum chewable tablets, because they may contain undeclared milk allergen. Dr. Rico Perez Super Kids Colostrum chewable tablet was distributed at Dr. Rico Perez Vitamin & Supplement stores locations in California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York and online via the company website ricoperez.com.

Hy-vee

Hy-Vee Issues Allergy Alert

Hy-Vee of West Des Moines, Iowa, is recalling its Hy-Vee Brand Honey Mustard Braided Pretzels, Hy-Vee Brand Dill Pickle Braided Pretzels, and Hy-Vee Brand Salt and Vinegar Braided Pretzels, because it may contain undeclared milk. Hy-Vee 10oz Braided Pretzels were distributed through retail stores in IL, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, SD and WI.

HECTOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BREAKS ALL-TIME PASSENGER RECORDS

FARGO – Hector International Airport’s passenger traffic continues to significantly increase, including a record-setting month. March brought nearly 100,000 passengers through Hector, the most ever in Hector’s recorded history.

In March 2023, 48,032 passengers boarded planes at Hector. This is an increase of 11% when compared to March 2022 passenger enplanements. In addition, 50,344 passengers landed at Hector. This is an increase of 12% when compared to March 2022 passenger deplanements. The total passenger count of passengers departing and arriving at Hector in March was 98,376, up 11% over the same period last year.

“Travel numbers are continuing to increase and exceed our expectations. Not only is traffic growing but so is our airport. We are in the process of expanding our terminal which is set to begin Spring of 2024,” says Shawn Dobberstein, executive director. “Our biggest priority for travelers is safety and efficiency. We are honored to continue welcoming passengers on their next adventure.”

The continued growth at Hector is the primary reason for the terminal expansion project currently underway. “With passenger growth, there is a need for more capacity within the terminal at the airport,” explains Dobberstein. “This is a really exciting time for Hector and Fargo as a whole.”

The terminal expansion will allow for additional aircraft at the airport but also create greater efficiencies, functionality, an improved passenger experience, modernization and post security amenities. “All of these elements relate to serving more passengers as the airport continues to grow,” shares Dobberstein.

Three all-time passenger records were broken in March 2023:

• Enplanements in March 2023 with 48,032 passengers breaks the previous record set in December 2019 with 46,021 passengers.

• Deplanements in March 2023 with 50,344 passengers breaks the previous record set in March 2022 with 44,931 passengers.

• Enplanement and deplanement passengers in March 2023 with 98,376 passengers breaks the previous record set in December 2019 with 89,409 passengers.

NATIONAL TAKE-BACK DAY APRIL 22 OFFERS SAFE DISPOSAL OF UNNEEDED MEDS

The Moorhead Police Department will be on hand Saturday, April 22, to collect residents’ no-longer-needed prescriptions and dispose of them safely.

Two National Take-Back Day events are scheduled that day. Officers and volunteers will be on hand in the parking lot of the Walgreen’s store on 30th Avenue South from 10 to 11:45 a.m. A second collection site in front of Walgreen’s on Main Avenue takes place from noon to 2 p.m.

Along with unneeded or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications, the MPD will collect vape pens and e-cigarette devices. Batteries must be removed before dropping them off. Needles can also be dropped off for safe disposal.

Moorheaders turned in 111 pounds of drugs during last year’s take-back at the Azool Hornbacher’s. The collected meds were safely incinerated by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Drugs no longer needed by the person for whom they were prescribed can also be dropped off year-round in the secure drop box inside the front door of the Law Enforcement Center at 911 11th St. S.

FREE ENTRANCE TO MINNESOTA STATE PARKS, RECREATION AREAS ON EARTH DAY, APRIL 22

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 75 state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, April 22. This “Free Park Day” is one of four days each year on which the DNR waives the requirement for a vehicle permit at state parks and recreation areas.

In addition to being a Free Park Day, April 22 is also Earth Day. Several state parks are offering Earth Day events, such as the Earth Day celebration at Gooseberry Falls State Park and clean-up events at Frontenac, Lake Bemidji and Myre-Big Island state parks. Find details about these events and others on the state parks event calendar (mndnr.gov/ptcalendar).

“Minnesota state parks and recreation areas are great places to make memories with loved ones,” said Ann Pierce, director of the DNR Parks and Trails Division. “Earth Day is an ideal time to have fun outdoors and enjoy the natural resources of Minnesota. We hope those who visit on Free Park Day will have a positive experience and come back again soon.”

Visitors looking for certain recreational opportunities or amenities can use the ParkFinder tool (mndnr.gov/parkfinder) to find great options to meet their interests and needs.

For more information, visit the DNR’s Free Park Days web page (mndnr.gov/freeparkdays) or contact the DNR Information Center by emailing info.dnr@state.mn.us or by calling 888-646-6367 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.