*Vote Yes Measure
On November 3, Moorhead residents will vote on a $78.2 million bond referendum to renovate existing schools and add new learning space. Specifically, the renovations will improve security, add kindergarten through 8th grade classrooms, and add performing arts space for both student and community use. We urge voters to send a clear message that we believe in our youth and schools by voting Yes on this important measure.
As educators, we see the life-long personal and professional benefits that flow from a quality education starting with early childhood programs and continuing all the way through college graduation. But specifically for Moorhead residents right here, right now, a Yes vote for this bond referendum just makes good sense.
A Yes vote makes sense because of this community’s historic emphasis on providing an exceptional education to our young people. Generations have benefited from this commitment, today’s students deserve this same consideration.
A Yes vote makes sense because of the tremendous growth that is occurring in the Moorhead School District. The demographic projections are clear, between 2009 to 2019, K-12 enrollment is expected to increase by nearly 1,200 students. More space is needed.
A Yes vote makes sense because we believe in our children and know that they will do better academically and socially in safe, inviting, and inclusive learning environments.
A Yes vote makes sense because interest rates are low, which means voters have a unique opportunity to get outstanding value.
The strength and vitality of our public schools helps attract young families to move to the area for employment opportunities. Continued investment in our schools benefits Moorhead both educationally and economically. Please support our students and our schools. Vote Yes Nov. 3 for the Moorhead school bond referendum.
Dr. Anne Blackhurst
President, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Dr. William Craft
President, Concordia College
Dr. Peggy Kennedy
President, Minnesota State Community and Technical College
*Try MATBUS Week
Try MATBUS Week, Oct. 19 – 24, is a great time to hop on a MATBUS vehicle. The week offers great incentives to encourage F-M metro residents to join MATBUS passengers taking 2.2 million annual rides on the system.
Residents can ride the bus for just half fare (75 cents) all week long. They’ll also have a chance to win prizes and enjoy refreshments during Try MATBUS Week. Plus, there’s the reward of making the metro a little greener!
“Riding MATBUS can lead to significant savings in your monthly budget; the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) estimates that eliminating one car in a two car household can save almost $10,000 per year. It just makes good economic sense,” said Fargo Transit Administrator Julie Bommelman.
“Giving your car a rest one day a week and taking public transit helps the environment by reducing fuel consumption and your carbon footprint,” said Moorhead Transit Manager Lori Van Beek.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, MATBUS will celebrate Customer Appreciation Day with FREE RIDES all day on the fixed route buses. There will also be free popcorn and pop available at the downtown Ground Transportation Center (GTC) at 502 NP Ave. in Fargo.
If you’ve never ridden with MATBUS, dispatch team members can help explain the transit system and answer your questions. For assistance, call 701.232.7500 or visit www.matbus.com. Also, check out the “How to Ride MATBUS” video on YouTube!
*City of Fargo seeking proposals for public art projects
The City of Fargo is requesting proposals from artists and arts organizations interested in enhancing the public art experience in Fargo. A copy of the Request for Proposals may be obtained online at www.cityoffargo.com/artsandculture or by calling the Department of Planning and Development at 701-241-1474. Proposals must be received 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015.
*Take Jack Back
The City of Moorhead and Clay County want to take Jack back! Last year, the City of Moorhead recycled over 27,000 pounds of pumpkins. This year, the goal is 35,000 pounds.
Let us take Jack back and eliminate pumpkins from our yard waste and landfill stream by dropping off your pumpkins at all four of our City of Moorhead Recycling Collection Points as well as the Compost Site and the Moorhead Yard Waste Collection Point (former Oakport Township area).
*Residential brush chipping program ends Oct. 30 in Fargo
The City of Fargo will conclude its 2015 residential curbside brush chipping program on Friday, Oct. 30. After that date, brush will not be collected curbside. The program will resume next May.
Fargo residents can continue to haul their brush/logs to the landfill at no charge, as they can throughout the year, or contact a commercial tree service. The landfill is located at 4501 7th Ave. N. Current operating hours for the landfill are 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 7:15 a.m. until 3 p.m., (except for holiday hours). Proof of residency is required.
For additional information and program guidelines, call the Forestry Department at 241-1465 or visit our website at www.cityoffargo.com/forestry.
*Scam Alert: Department of Revenue warns Minnesotans of over-the-phone scam
The Minnesota Department of Revenue recently published a warning for Minnesotans to be aware of an over-the-phone phishing scam. The department says that “Phishing (as in “fishing for information” and “hooking” victims) is a scam to trick taxpayers into revealing personal and financial information which can be used to steal the taxpayer’s identity.”
If you receive a phone call or voice message saying you are being audited by the IRS and that you must call back to make a payment to settle the tax debt, chances are you are the target of this scam. Be vigilant if you receive a call like this and NEVER provide personal information unless you are certain the call is legitimate.
The Department of Revenue encourages Minnesotans to visit its website, listed below, to learn more about frauds and tax scams, as well as how to report suspicious activity.
The Department of Revenue website is: http://www.revenue.state.mn.us/use_of_information/Pages/fraud_alerts.aspx
Information on identity theft protection can be found at:
https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Identity-Protection
*Narcotics Task Forces Collaboration Successful!
Partnerships Lead to Significant Arrests
Police Authorities assigned to the various regional narcotics task forces, executed search warrants last Thursday in Fargo as part of their on-going drug investigations. Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Lakes to River Task Force, Cass County Drug Task Force, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), and investigators from the Moorhead, Fargo, and West Fargo Police Departments worked together to disrupt a large scale narcotics trafficking organization in the metro area. CHARLES EDWARD ERDMANN (43 years old from Minneapolis) and CORY PATRICK STEVENS (45 years old from Fargo) were taken into custody without incident on Thursday October 15, 2015 at 1101 38 Street North in Fargo.
Investigators seized approximately $100,000 worth of narcotics, along with two firearms, 2006 BMW and over $23,000 cash.
*Seasonal Parking Restrictions to begin Nov.1in Fargo
Seasonal night parking restrictions will be in place from Nov. 1 through April 15 (city ordinance 8-1009) and will restrict parking on the street between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. These restrictions allow city employees to remove snow and perform critical street maintenance. The cost for snow removal doubles in an area when crews have to go back and plow it after illegally parked vehicles have been moved. Citizens can help reduce costs and remove snow more quickly by complying with the seasonal parking restrictions. Street signs noting the restrictions are located in the affected areas. These areas are:
From 19th Avenue North to 13th Avenue South;
From the Red River to 25th Street North and South; and
Any other area designated by the appropriate signs. These areas include sections of the city where parking is restricted on Fridays and the central business district, which has year-round downtown overnight parking restrictions.
The night parking restrictions apply on alternate days:
· Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays: east/west avenues
Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays: north/south streets
Additional seasonal restrictions (Nov. 1 – April 15) were approved in 2011 limiting parking to one side of the street or avenue. Street signs noting the restrictions are located in the affected areas. These areas are:
From 12th Avenue North to I-94; and
From the Red River to 25th Street North and South, including the Madison Neighborhood
These additional restrictions were enacted to ease congestion on narrow streets allowing for snow removal equipment to function safely and efficiently. Restrictions also ensure ample space for fire department equipment to safely reach homes in times of emergency.
All seasonal parking policies will be actively enforced, especially during times of snowfall. Vehicles violating the policy may be impounded and ticketed by the Fargo Police Department or Street Department.
*Moorhead School District Referendum Public Information Meeting
The League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley and the Lake Agassiz Regional Library- Moorhead will hold a public information session on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Moorhead Public Library, 118 5th St. S., Moorhead, MN. Representatives from the Moorhead Public School District will provide information and will respond to audience questions about the district’s upcoming $78.2 million bond referendum vote on November 3, 2015. The information session will be recorded for re-broadcast on the Moorhead Community Access Media (MCAM) channel.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Les Bakke at (701)261-2050.
*Barb Altman Fundraiser
Friends and Beginnings Child Care Center and Preschool, INC. will host a Bake sale Fundraiser on October 29th , 2015 to help Barb Altman with the medical expenses associated with her diagnosis of Stage 4 Glioblastoma of the brain.
Barb was diagnosed on August 18th, 2015. After her initial brain surgery to remove the tumor, she began aggressive treatment to fight the cancer. All proceeds from this benefit will go to Barb and her family to pay for medical expenses incurred.
Thank You for supporting Barb!
A Bake sale is scheduled for 7 am to 6 pm on October 29th, 2015 and will be held at Beginnings Child Care Center, 521 32nd Ave W, West Fargo, ND.
Baked good donations may be made after 3 pm on October 28th to Beginnings Child Care Center.
Lend A Hand, a DMF program, is providing up to $5,000 of matching funds to provide more help for the family.
Questions regarding Bake for Barb Bakesale can be directed to:
• Brandi Koffler, 701.261.9506, brandi@beginningschildcarecenter.com
Online donations may be made to:
• www.dmflendahand.org
Cash/Check donations payable to the Barb Altman Benefit Fund may be sent to:
• BlackRidge Bank 855 26th Ave E West Fargo, ND 58078.
*Vehicle in Homicide Investigation Impounded
The Moorhead Police Department would like to thank the community for their continued attention and numerous phone tips that we have received in reference to our on-going search for homicide suspect ANTHONY LEE RODRIGUEZ. His Dodge Stratus was located at approximately 8:00 p.m. last Monday evening parked on the street in the 1500 block of 7 Avenue South in Fargo. The vehicle’s wide tires had been replaced with standard sized tires. Anyone that believes they have information that may lead to the apprehension of Anthony Rodriguez is reminded to contact their local law enforcement agency without making personal contact.