COMMUNITY GARDEN GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Do you operate a small community garden or have you wanted to start one?
MOORHEAD – This grant supports organizations and individuals who would like to start/operate a community garden on private land within the City of Moorhead (City-owned property is not available for this program). The City anticipates awarding up to four grants of $500 each for community gardens in 2024. Community garden plots must be open and available to the public and either be free or have a minimal cost to join/reserve a plot of land. Funds must be utilized for garden purposes only.
The application deadline is approaching soon. Please apply by 4 pm on Friday, April 5, 2024.

MHS SPEECH SHOWCASE
MOORHEAD – The National Speech and Debate Association recently recognized the Moorhead High School Speech Team for Excellence in Speech with the Leading Chapter Award and Team Sweepstakes Award at the National Speech and Debate Association’s Northern Lights District tournament held March 15-16. Moorhead qualified twenty-five spots to the National Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa on June 15-22. The following Moorhead students qualified to represent the best of Minnesota Speech at this prestigious national tournament:
Drama: Leif Carlson, CeCe Bedore, Emma Andersen
Humor: Ashlyn Kanuch, Allie Skauge, Evan Froslie
Oratory: Sam Schaefer, Emma Andersen
Dramatic Duo: Ashlyn Kanuch/Sam Schaefer, Lucie Swanson/Evan Froslie, Menkayla Kruah/Luc duCharme, Ubin Kim/Sienna Lee
Informative: Karena Christenson, Eleanor Culloton, Peyton Mestery
Program Oral Interpretation: CeCe Bedore, Leif Carlson, Tim Gabbard
Extemporaneous Speaking: Larkyn Kellen, Ava Sticka-Jacobs, Elise Halvorson, Jinu Lee, Sam Rein-Strutz
The public is invited to see the seven-time state championship team at the Speech Showcase on Saturday, March 23rd at 5:00 PM in the Horizon Performing Arts Center. The admission price is $8 for adults/$6 for students and includes a dessert reception.

MOORHEAD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
MOORHEAD – The City of Moorhead has prepared the 2023 Report for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Performance and Evaluation Report. The CAPER summarizes the CDBG grant funds that were spent in the program year 2023 and reports on the accomplishments of the planned activities. The 2023 CDBG program year funds were provided by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promote affordable housing and economic opportunities for low-to-moderate income persons. The City of Moorhead will hold this public meeting to discuss the report outcomes before submitting the report to HUD.
You are welcome to attend the meeting. If you are unable to come to the meeting, comments, ideas, or concerns regarding housing and community development may also be shared at cityofmoorhead.com/cdbgcomments until March 29.

VICTIM OF MARCH 14 FATAL FIRE IDENTIFIED
MOORHEAD – On Thursday, March 14, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Moorhead Fire and Police Departments responded to a residential fire in the 2000 block of 56 Avenue North. Fire crews located a deceased adult male inside the residence. The victim was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office. The victim has positively identified as Steven Timmer, age 73. The provisional autopsy report states the cause of death as soot and smoke inhalation due to the house fire.
The cause of the fire appeared accidental and started in the home’s kitchen area.
The final autopsy report, including toxicology, is still pending.

VICTIM OF MARCH 12 VEHICLE CRASH IDENTIFIED
MOORHEAD – On Tuesday, March 12, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Moorhead Fire and Police Departments responded to a single-vehicle, single-occupant fatality crash. The victim was transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office. The victim has positively identified as Elizabeth Johnson, age 35. The provisional autopsy report states the cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries due to the automobile collision with a fixed object.
The final autopsy report, including toxicology, is still pending.

FARM IN THE DELL OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY ANNOUNCES 2024 COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) PROGRAM
MOORHEAD – Farm in the Dell is excited to announce that registration for our 2024 CSA program is NOW OPEN. “Subscribe” to our harvest and receive fresh, locally-grown produce all summer long.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a farming model that allows consumers to buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance. Shareholders pay for produce up front at the start of the season – providing the farm with the immediate income necessary to purchase seed and begin the growing season.
In return, members receive freshly picked produce every week. Consumers eat healthy, locally-produced food, strengthening their connection to the land and to the farmers who feed them.
Farm in the Dell’s CSA program is unique, however, because of our mission of “transforming disabilities into abilities.” Not only does a Farm in the Dell CSA share give you access to locally grown produce, but you’ll also be providing our Garden Engineers – our employees with disabilities – with meaningful employment and real life garden and agricultural experience. Each season, our team works hard to plant dozens of varieties of produce, allowing our shareholders to enjoy their favorite veggies and also try new things.
For more information or to sign up for a share: farminthedellrrv.org/csa.

MINNESOTA SPRING BURNING RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is restricting the open burning of vegetative debris due to increased wildfire risk resulting from unusually warm temperatures and exceptionally dry conditions across most of Minnesota.
Restrictions apply in the following local counties:
Becker, Clay, Norman, Otter Tail, Polk and Wilkin.
The DNR will not issue permits for open burning of brush or yard waste in these counties until restrictions are lifted.
Burning restrictions will be adjusted as conditions change. For more information and daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions, visit the statewide fire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions).