Lion President Terril Pederson, presenting a check is Lion Pam Olson to A Place for Hope Executive Director Darrell Vasvick.
MOORHEAD MIDDAY-CENTRAL LIONS SUPPORT A PLACE FOR HOPE
MOORHEAD – At a recent noon luncheon of the Moorhead Midday-Central Lions at the Fryn Pan, Darrell Vasvick, Executive Director of A Place For Hope was the featured presenter. He shared that his recovery and wellness center located at 2419 12th Avenue South, Site 1 in Moorhead has a mission to provide a safe, enriching and supportive recovery environment for adults living with mental illness.
Volunteers such as members of a Lions club or others support a food shelf which is open to members. For information on their program call 218-284-6069.
CITY OF MOORHEAD PARTNERS WITH GATE CITY BANK ON NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACT PROGRAM
Moorhead residents can apply to help make repairs and improvements with a low interest rate.
MOORHEAD – Beginning March 17 and running through October 31, Gate City Bank will once again partner with the City of Moorhead to revitalize mature neighborhoods, helping local homeowners make repairs and improvements with a low interest rate.
Program funds may be used to address code and structural issues, improve energy efficiency and make general property improvements. Applicants must be the owner-occupant of the home and meet credit requirements. Qualifying projects for the bank’s home improvement programs range from patio additions and new garages to safety repairs like furnace replacements and accessibility adjustments. Funds may also be used to address code and structural corrections, energy improvements and general property upgrades.
Applications must be received on or before October 31, 2025, and projects must be within Moorhead city limits. Each application is subject to credit qualification and a home evaluation, and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis as funds are available. Loan amounts can range from $10,000 to $100,000, and each location may have varied rates and requirements. To learn more and apply, visit cityofmoorhead.com/residents/housing/home-improvement.
RED CROSS CALLS FOR SUPPORT ON GIVING DAY, MARCH 26
Supporters needed to help deliver aid when help can’t wait after disasters
FARGO – The American Red Cross serving Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota is issuing a call to help ensure no one faces a disaster alone by donating on Red Cross Giving Day, March 26.
In the first 50 days of 2025, Red Cross volunteers responded to more major disasters across the U.S. than there were days in the new year. In addition to supporting disaster relief in the Minnesota and Dakotas region, 75 responders—more than 90% of them volunteers—deployed to help people affected by wildfires, storms, and flooding. Closer to home, our teams responded to more than 200 single- and multi-family home fires in just 50 days, turning lives upside down and underscoring the urgent need for help.
“This year disasters have set a whirlwind pace,” said Kimberly Vosseteig, executive director of the Red Cross serving eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. “Across the country, disasters have displaced thousands of people from their homes. As we enter spring disaster season, people are relying on the Red Cross to come together as a community and support them when help can’t wait.”
Donations will be part of Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 individuals to help people affected by disasters big and small. A gift of any size makes a difference. For example, a donation of $3 can provide a comfort kit with supplies like a toothbrush, comb and shampoo, and a gift of $11 can provide a nutritious meal, snack and drink. Visit redcross.org/mndaks to make a financial donation.
Donors can make their gift and claim their thank-you by visiting redcross.org any time during March.
WEST FARGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WARNS RESIDENTS OF SCAM
WEST FARGO – The West Fargo Police Department has learned of a scam caller contacting residents using the department’s phone number.
In the scam, residents are contacted by phone and told they have outstanding warrants or need to provide information for an ongoing investigation. The scammers are able to make the phone number they are calling from appear like it is the West Fargo Police Department’s phone number, which is a common scam practice called spoofing.
Residents are always encouraged to call the West Fargo Police Department directly at a verified number if they receive any suspicious phone calls or voicemails from individuals claiming to be members of the department.
If a resident is contacted with a similar scam call, please contact the Red River Regional Dispatch Center at 701-451-7660.
AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR FINED $16,000 FOR FAILING TO SAMPLE AND DISCHARGING HIGH LEVELS OF FECAL CONTAMINATED WASTEWATER
MOORHEAD – American Crystal Sugar Company located in Moorhead, Minnesota, failed to collect fecal samples on two occasions, according to an MPCA investigation. This facility also failed to stop discharging when fecal sample results showed they exceeded their fecal sample limit on five separate days in 2024. American Crystal Sugar Company in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, exceeded their fecal sample limit on two separate days in 2024. These violations were discovered during a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) investigation. The company was fined $16,000 for these violations.
MPCA rules and regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment by limiting pollution emissions and discharges from facilities. When companies do not fully comply with regulatory requirements, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment.
When calculating penalties, the MPCA considers how seriously the violations affected or could have affected the environment, and whether they were first-time or repeat violations. The agency also attempts to recover the economic benefit the regulated party gained by failing to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.