Noreen Thomas Named 2022-23 Initiators Fellow
Noreen Thomas of Moorhead has been named one of two 2022-23 Initiators Fellowship recipients in west central Minnesota, joining seven other social entrepreneurs who bring innovative ideas for business growth in rural Minnesota.
Locally supported by West Central Initiative, Thomas will receive a stipend and mentoring advice to help her explore ways to convert local food waste into fertilizer. The biodigester process, she said, would eliminate the need to import fertilizer while also promoting clean waterways and sustainable farming practices.
The eight Fellows selected for the 2022-2023 cohort represent 53 counties and six sovereign tribal nations in central, northwest, southwest and west central Minnesota. They will each receive an annual $30,000 stipend during the two-year program.
Thomas hopes her social enterprise work will help provide cleaner waterways because less fossil fuel would be used for fertilizers. She hopes to make local, clean, sustainable fertilizer that will reduce methane emission of food waste rotting in landfills and capture nutrients of food scraps to return to the field to grow clean, nutritious food.
Alex Ostenson of Evansville is this region’s other 2022-23 Fellow. To end food insecurity in the Evansville area, which has lacked a grocery store for more than four years, Ostenson founded Main Street Market. With a swipe of a key fob or a scan of the grocery store’s cellphone app, members can have 24-hour access. The store also offers traditional hours for non-members, fulfilling a community need while also providing locally produced food.
MONSTER MASH TRUNK-OR-TREAT OCT 28
MOORHEAD – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm this evening enjoy an evening of trick-or-treating through the Moorhead Center Mall Parking lot. All ghouls, witches, and zombies are welcome! Other kids crafts and games will be available for families to enjoy.
TRY MATBUS WEEK, OCTOBER 25-30
MOORHEAD – Try MATBUS Week — October 25-30 — is a fun, interactive opportunity for residents of the Fargo-Moorhead community to experience the benefits that MATBUS has to offer. There are several special offers and events during the week to encourage residents to try MATBUS services and join passengers who take nearly 2 million rides per year in the Fargo-Moorhead area!
Monday – Friday (October 25 – 29): Half-Price Fare
Bus fare will be half price (75 cents for adults, 40 cents for youth, elderly, and disabled) Monday through Friday, and fare free on Saturday. These promotional fares will apply to fixed route buses only and do not include MAT Paratransit.
Saturday, October 30: Fare Free and Halloween candy
Remember to take a piece of free Halloween candy on any of the fixed route buses (while supplies last).
If you have never ridden MATBUS, check out our website including the “How to Ride” video, or call 701.232.7500. Consider planning your trip on Google Maps or using the MATBUS mobile app.
MATBUS has embraced new safety standards for riders, including federal mask requirements. We are following current federal mask requirements, offering contactless payment methods, and using air filtration to keep riders safe on board. We are looking forward to having you on the road with us.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: SE MAIN|20 ST|21 ST UNDERPASS PROJECT
MOORHEAD – As of October 25, 2021, the project is approximately 85% complete. Current work includes:
Constructing bridge (BNSF railroad over SE Main Ave). Final concrete pour scheduled for October 29.
OTVR railroad track is completed and operational. BNSF trains will continue to use the temporary BNSF railroad track (shoo-fly) until November 10, when the permanent track is expected to be installed.
Approximately 70% of excavation has been completed (204,000 cubic yards).
Approximately 86,000 feet of structural support piling (86% of total contract amount) has been installed.
The stormwater pumping station is complete.
Concrete paving of SE Main Avenue near the Moorhead Youth Hockey Arena (MYHA) is ongoing. Completion of this segment of roadway will allow the second driveway access to the MYHA parking lot to be open to traffic this hockey season.
Neighborhood note: A second period of night construction is expected to follow completion of the BNSF permanent track in mid-November 2021.
BONANZAVILLE PRESENTS: TRUNK OR TREAT
WEST FARGO – Free event to the public- “Boo-nanzaville” presents Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 31st, 2021 from 2 pm to 5 pm. We will have various businesses in our village as “trunkers” handing out candy at their decorated vehicles. We will be serving hot dogs, chips and a beverage upstairs at our event center for $5.00, with games and prizes upstairs in the event center as well. There will be a cake walk in Dawson Hall, along with rides to and from the corn maze at the Red River Valley Fair from 2 pm to 5 pm. Dress up in costumes, this will be a fun time at “Boo-nanzaville” on Halloween!