FARGO, N.D. (May 28, 2013) – The Fargo Police Department administration will be taking part in Blue Days on May 29 – 30. During these two days department administrators will be on patrol and assisting with traffic enforcement throughout the city. These dates coincide with the end of the school year for Fargo Public Schools which officially ends on Thursday, May 30.
As part of Blue Days, patrol staff, School Resource Officers (SRO’s), Traffic Safety Unit members (TSU) and command staff will be conducting traffic enforcement throughout the city and focusing on areas in and around schools zones. The purpose of this added enforcement is to encourage compliance with municipal and state traffic laws, create a safe environment in our school zones and encourage seatbelt usage.
Along with standard traffic enforcement, all officers involved are encouraged to interact with school staff, students and parents in a non-enforcement setting to meet those we serve.
City of Fargo Spring Load Restrictions Lifted
FARGO, N.D. (May 28, 2013) – Effective Tuesday, May 28, 2013, City of Fargo spring load restrictions were lifted and all roads returned to their regular weight restrictions.
The Designated Truck Route system will return to weight limitations as follows:
Single Axle 20,000 lbs.
Tandem Axle 34,000 lbs.-not to exceed 17,000 lbs. per axle
3 or more Axles 48,000lbs.-not to exceed 16,000 lbs. per axle
Gross Vehicle Weight 105,500 lbs.
All non-truck route streets which include the residential system will return to a Class A restriction as follows:
Single Axle 18,000 lbs.
Tandem Axle 32,000 lbs.-not to exceed 16,000 lbs. per axle
3 or more Axles 42,000lbs.-not to exceed 14,000 lbs. per axle
Gross Vehicle Weight 80,000 lbs.
Intersection Closure – S. Columbia Rd & 11th Ave. S.
The City of Grand Forks will close the intersection of 11th Ave. South and South Columbia Road to all traffic on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
The closure will allow crews to reconstruct the intersection as part of the first phase of reconstruction on Columbia Road. The closure is expected to remain in effect through June, 26, 2013 – or approximately four weeks in duration.
Traffic will re-routed along eastbound 13th Avenue South. All current detour routes on the Columbia Road reconstruction project will remain in effect.
Motorcycle Rally Fundraiser in Support of the East Grand Forks Fire Dept Relief Association
Saturday, June 8
Registration for the ride begins at 10:00 AM with the ride starting at 12:00 PM. The riders are expected to return back at 7:00 PM. The public is invited to a pulled pork sandwich dinner that begins at 5:00 PM. If you have any questions please contact Mike at (218) 779-8188 or Kelly at (218) 991-2500.
Apple Creek Country Club
July 18, 2013
$100.00 per player
$100.00 to sponsor a battle buddy or survivor
Shotgun Start: 1:30 p.m.
Registration: 12:00 p.m.
Raising awareness for suicide prevention programs within our community.
The North Dakota Chapter of the AFSP invites you to participate as a Player and/or Sponsor in the Kurt
Schreiner 4-Person Golf Scramble charity tournament. Foursomes or individual players are invited.
Player’s fee includes golf, cart, prizes and steak dinner.
For player information and additional sponsorship opportunities, email:
nd.afsp.golftournament@gmail.com or contact:
Micki Savelkoul 701-891-1862 or Kursten Dienert 701-202-1587
More Elderly & Disabled Homeowners Qualify for Homestead Tax Credit
FARGO, N.D. (May 22, 2013) – More low-income senior citizens and disabled persons may be able to receive the Homestead Tax Credit for 2013 because of recent changes to the eligibility requirements, which were included in Senate Bill 2171 and House Bill 1015.
The Homestead Tax Credit is available to homeowners who are 65 years of age or older, or permanently and totally disabled. Qualified applicants receive a reduction in the property taxes on their primary residence.
The 2013 legislation increased the maximum amount of income allowed in order to qualify for the property tax credit. The new income limit is $42,000, after certain deductions. The previous income limit was $26,000.
The other change to the program includes raising the value of assets allowed from $75,000 to $500,000 (which does include the value of the residence).
The changes would take effect for the 2013 property tax statements that will be sent out this December.
Homeowners may apply for the credit by completing the Homestead Credit Application for Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons and sending it to their local assessor or county director of tax equalization. For more information about the program or for the proper application, homeowners should contact their local assessor or county director of tax equalization.
In Fargo, the City Assessor may be contacted at 701-241-1340. In West Fargo, the number is 701-433-5341. The Cass County Tax Director may be contacted at 701-241-5616.
HOLIDAY WEEKEND RECAP: AT LEAST FOUR KILLED, 360 DWI ARRESTS
4,316 Seat Belt Tickets during First Week of Click It or Ticket, Effort Runs through June 2
ST. PAUL — Preliminary crash reports indicate at least four people were killed in traffic crashes during the Memorial Day weekend, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety.
Approximately 360 people were arrested for DWI during the holiday weekend.
Four Memorial Day Weekend Traffic Deaths
• In Douglas County at 2:03 a.m., Sat., May 25, a 19-year-old male motorist on I-94 was killed when he was passing another vehicle and sideswiped it, causing his vehicle to lose control and roll.
• In LeSueur County at 7:58 a.m., Sat., May 25, a 24-year-old female driver was killed on Hwy. 112 when her vehicle left the road and vaulted, hitting a power pole.
• In Hennepin County around 5 p.m., Sat. May 25, a 49-year-old male pedestrian was killed as he was walking on the road with traffic when a vehicle crossed the center line and struck him.
• In Morrison County at 4:44 p.m., Mon., May 27, an 81-year-old woman driver was killed on U.S. 10 when her vehicle was broadsided by an oncoming vehicle as she attempted to make a left turn.
There were four deaths during the holiday weekend in 2012; zero deaths in 2011; nine in 2010; 13 in 2009; and two in 2008. Of these 28 road deaths, 14 were drunk driving-related.
4,316 Ticketed for Belt Violations as Click It or Ticket Continues
Since the start of a statewide Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign on May 20, at least 4,316 motorists have been cited for seat belt violations (preliminary). Extra belt patrols are on the roads through June 2. Drivers and all passengers, including in the back, must be belted. Children must be in the correct child restraint or booster seat.
Minnesota Road Deaths Up in 2013
Minnesota traffic deaths topped the 100-death mark for the year last week. To-date, 112 people have been killed in crashes, up from 99 at this time in 2012.
DPS officials are reminding motorists to make safe, smart decisions behind the wheel as the summer months are historically the deadliest due in part to a spike in drunk driving and vehicles traveling at faster speeds.
HERO CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT DONATIONS OF PILL BOTTLES
FARGO, ND- MAY 22, 2013‐ Many volunteer groups, service clubs, religious groups, elderly living centers, and more have donated empty prescription pill bottles to HERO for years. These were redistributed to a specific organization that was able to reuse them overseas through medical missions. The organization no longer has a need for them and HERO has no other outlet for the empty bottles.
What should you do with them now? They are now recyclable in some areas. Please check with your local recycling center for rules and regulations on plastic donations. HERO thanks all those for the donations over the years and want to continue partnering in other ways.
HERO doesn’t just collect pill bottles; they do so much more. HERO collects and redistributes donated healthcare supplies to benefit those in need. Last year, HERO provided a volume of 3,119 individuals and agencies with over 21,000 items. They gave nearly $175,000 worth of healthcare supplies and equipment to those in need. Learn more about what you can donate or receive at www.HEROFargo.org or by call 701-212-1921.
Families Utilizing the WIC Program Will Notice a New Infant Formula Starting in July
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Health is working to educate parents and other family members who utilize the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (the WIC Program) that a new brand of infant formula will be used soon.
WIC federal regulations require competitive bidding for infant formula rebates. The funds received from the rebates allow the North Dakota WIC Program to serve an additional 2,500 mothers and children each month. The Department of Health has signed a contract with Mead Johnson Nutrition. The two-year contract for Enfamil PREMIUM Infant, Enfamil ProSobee, Enfamil AR and Enfamil Gentlease goes into effect July 1, 2013. Participants in the WIC Program will be given information about the change when they go into their WIC office the next time.
The North Dakota WIC Program currently serves about 12,500 mothers and children, including 3,200 infants, each month. The WIC Program provides healthy foods and nutrition information and counseling to middle- and low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5. Program participants receive monthly WIC food checks for items such as milk, juice, fresh fruit and vegetables, cereal, eggs, peanut butter and infant formula. WIC families also receive screenings, breastfeeding support and referrals to health and support services within their communities.
For additional information about the WIC Program, to locate the nearest WIC office, or to apply for WIC Program benefits, please visit www.ndhealth.gov/wic. For more information, the media may contact Colleen Pearce at 701.328.2496.