Another local drug investigation links directly to a state where medicinal marijuana is legal.
Thursday afternoon, Moorhead Police investigators executed a narcotics search warrant at 415 3rd Avenue South. Through this investigation, police seized 5 pounds of medicinal marijuana, over $5,000 cash, 9 mm pistol and a .270 caliber rifle.
Andrew Tyler Seeley (25 year old tenant from this address) was arrested without incident and is currently in the Clay County Jail being held on charges of:
Felony 5th Degree Controlled Substance possession/distribution
Felony Ineligible Person Possessing Firearm
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Several local agencies have been involved in this investigation, including the DEA Task Force, Fargo Police Department, Federal IRS, and U.S. Postal Inspector Office.
The medicinal marijuana is believed to have been grown by a person licensed in California to grow medicinal marijuana. Further efforts are being made to work with California authorities to assist with any California investigations for their criminal and licensing considerations.
Almost 10,000 Children in N.D. Without Health Insurance
Children without health insurance have limited access to health care (whether preventive or ongoing), which can lead to a greater risk of illness and hospitalization. In addition, a lack of health insurance can have a negative influence on school attendance and participation in extracurricular activities, and increased financial and emotional stress among parents.
According to 2010 data, 6.1 percent of North Dakota’s youth (approximately 9,514 children ages 0 through 18) do not have health insurance coverage. Nationally, 8.5 percent of youth (approximately 6.5 million) are uninsured.
This month’s “Insights on Children” publication from North Dakota KIDS COUNT at North Dakota State University focuses on children ages 0 through 18 without health insurance by county.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Health Insurance Estimates program produces estimates on health insurance coverage for states and all counties in the nation. Estimates are produced based on models that incorporate data from a number of sources, including Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program records, federal tax returns, population estimates and the American Community Survey.
“While the overall rate of uninsured youth in North Dakota remains lower than the national average, there are many areas in our state where more than one in every 10 children lacks health-care coverage,” says Karen Olson with North Dakota KIDS COUNT. “In addition, while this report focuses mostly on the
uninsured rates of children in the state, it is important to understand that many children who have insurance have inadequate coverage and limited access to health care.”
A little more than one-third of North Dakota children meet the quality of care standard established by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau in collaboration with the National Center for Health Statistics. This means that 39 percent of North Dakota children have adequate insurance and a usual source for care, and
had at least one preventive care visit in the past year. It also means that the majority of children do not meet these criteria (61 percent or approximately 59,000 children).
“Access to health insurance coverage is important for children as they develop and grow into adulthood,” Olson says. “Even more important are efforts to ensure that coverage translates into high-quality health care that leads to positive outcomes for all children.”
“Insights on Children” is available at http://www.ndkidscount.org.
First Birthing Facility in North Dakota Recognized as “Baby Friendly”
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Health is excited to announce that the Quentin Burdick Medical Center in Belcourt is the first birthing facility in North Dakota to be recognized as “Baby Friendly” through Baby Friendly USA. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This initiative is designed to get hospitals to adhere to the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
“This is a great success for North Dakota in increasing our rates of breastfeeding and by doing so, decreasing the risks of obesity, type II diabetes and other chronic diseases,” said BriAnna Wanner, Maternal and Child Health Nutritionist for the North Dakota Department of Health. “We congratulate Quentin Burdick Medical Center for this accomplishment and for making breastfeeding support and education a priority in their facility.”
The implementation of the BFHI in the United States is based on the fact that human milk fed through the mother’s own breast is the normal way for human infants to be nourished. There is an abundance of scientific evidence that points to lower risks for certain diseases and improved health outcomes for both mothers and babies who breastfeed.
Breastfeeding is the natural biological conclusion to pregnancy and an important mechanism for the continued normal development of the infant. With the correct information and the right support in place, most women who choose to breastfeed are able to successfully achieve their goal.
Because the process of attaining Baby-Friendly designation compels facilities to examine, challenge and modify longstanding policies and procedures, the process also strengthens the organization by enhancing leadership skills, increasing staff competence, and improves patient satisfaction. Although the hospital is not, and should not be, the only place a mother receives support for breastfeeding, hospitals provide a unique and critical link between the breastfeeding support provided prior to and after delivery.
“Since Quentin Burdick Medical Center has implemented the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, there has been a significant increase in the number of mothers breastfeeding at the time of discharge from the hospital,” said
Jeanna Strong, Turtle Mountain WIC Director. “WIC clients are also reporting that they are receiving consistent messages between WIC, Quentin Burdick clinic and hospital staff.”
Mothers who give birth at Baby-Friendly hospitals and birthing centers are more likely to initiate exclusive breastfeeding and more likely to sustain breastfeeding at six months and one year of age, perhaps because of the institutional support for breastfeeding at these facilities. In the United States, new mothers exposed to at least six of the 10 steps were 13 times more likely to continue breastfeeding at six weeks postpartum when compared to mothers who had not been exposed to any of the ten steps during their birthing hospitalization. Additionally, adherence to the ten steps decreases racial, ethnic, and sociocultural disparities in breastfeeding rates in U.S. hospitals.
“Through partnership with Quentin Burdick Medical Center, WIC is continuing our work to support all mothers in reaching their breastfeeding goal,” said Strong.
Breastfeeding is associated with decreased risk for infant morbidity and mortality as well as maternal morbidity and provides optimal infant nutrition. Healthy People 2020 established breastfeeding initiation, continuation, and exclusivity as national priorities.
More information about the Baby Friendly Designation and breastfeeding can be found by visiting www.ndhealth.gov/breastfeeding. For more information, contact BriAnna Wanner, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701.328.4529.
City of Fargo Spring Load Restrictions
FARGO, N.D. (April 2, 2013) – The City of Fargo will be imposing spring load restrictions effective April 8. Truck route maps are available to be picked up in the Engineering Department free of charge or they can be viewed online at www.fargotruckroutes.com.
CITY OF FARGO SPRING LOAD RESTRICTIONS
Effective April 8, 2013 at 12:01 a.m. CST, the City of Fargo will impose Class A and Class 1 load restrictions on various roads throughout town.
Class A restrictions are defined as follows:
Single Axle 18,000 lbs.
Tandem Axle 32,000 lbs – 16,000 lbs. per. axle
3 Axles or more 42,000 lbs – 14,000 lbs. per. axle
Gross Vehicle Weight 80,000 lbs.
Class I restrictions are defined as follows:
Single Axle 15,000 lbs.
Tandem Axle 30,000 lbs. – 15,000 lbs. per axle
3 Axles or more 36,000 lbs. – 12,000 lbs. per axle
Gross Vehicle weight 80,000 lbs.
Restrictions shall remain in effect until pavement subgrade conditions warrant removal, generally the first or middle part of May. At this time, the truck route system shall become non-restricted and all non-truck route streets shall have Class A restrictions. Permit applications for weights in excess of restrictions shall be in writing and submitted to the Fargo City Engineer, 200 3rd Street North, Fargo, ND 58102. The Truck Route Map can be viewed on the City web site at: www.fargotruckroutes.com
Annual Fargo City Board of Equalization Meeting
FARGO, N.D. (April 1, 2013) – The annual meeting of the Fargo City Board of Equalization will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. at City Hall, 200 3rd St. N.
The City Commission meets annually as the Board of Equalization to equalize the property tax valuations in the city. Part of this process includes an opportunity for individual property owners to appear before the board regarding their property values. Those who feel their property value for tax purposes is unfair may present their case to the board at this meeting.
If anyone wishes to appear before the City Board of Equalization, it is recommended that they notify the Fargo Assessment Department beforehand. The board will likely refer those who fail to make initial contact with the Assessment Department back there before they take any action on the appeal.
The Fargo Assessment Department is located at 404 4th Ave. N. and may be contacted by phone at 701-241-1340.
Third Side Media Offers Five Free Multimedia Skillsharing Workshops at Moorhead Public Library April 17-May 4
Do you want to learn how to make a video, capture an audio story, create your own website, start a blog, or tell a story using multimedia?
The Third Side Media Multimedia Workshop Series offers free introductory-level training on digital media tools and programs, plus mentorship and resources for continued assistance.
All workshops will be held at the Moorhead Public Library and are free and open to all. Registration is required and class sizes are limited. To register, call (218) 233-7594.
Presented by the Third Side Media Partnership, Lake Agassiz Regional Library, Moorhead Community Access Media, with financial support from the Blandin Foundation.
For more information on this and other programs, please call 218-233-7594 or visit your library at 118 5th St S, Moorhead. Information is also available online at www.larl.org. Moorhead Public Library is a branch of Lake Agassiz Regional Library.
WEST CENTRAL MN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER HOLDS “WHAT SMALL BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE ACT” SEMINAR
The West Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center (WC MN SBDC) is hosting “What Small Businesses Need to Know about the Affordable Healthcare Act Seminar.” The seminar will be held at from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the Birkeland Lounge on Offutt Concourse on Concordia College Campus, Moorhead, Minn.
The seminar will cover health insurance exchange, insurance taxes, insurance rules going into effect, including essential health benefits, rating rule, mandate for certain employers to provide qualifying health coverage to employees, date report requirements for employers and much more, including questions and answers. Providing health insurance to employees can provide a significant challenge to small businesses, which pay on average 18 percent more for identical coverage than larger firms due to lack of purchasing power. The act introduced a number of measures targeted specifically at small businesses, intended to slow the growth of premium costs and increase access to qualify for coverage.
The cost is $10 per person or $25 per company with three or more representatives. To register for this seminar contact Amanda Nygaard at (218) 299-3037 or anygaard@cord.edu.
The goal of the WC MN SBDC is to provide professional, one-on-one business assistance and free information. In doing so, small businesses in Minnesota will stimulate the economy and promote new job opportunities. The consulting includes, but is not limited to, development, financial projections, expansion, diversification, franchising, loan packaging, patents, marketing plans and business planning. The SBDC also cooperates with many organizations to provide a variety of business training workshops and events.
The WC MN SBDC is hosted by the Offutt School of Business at Concordia College and is located at the 1310 8th St. South, Grant Center 220, Moorhead, Minn. Additional information about services, workshops and trainings, and our partners can be found at www.offuttschoolofbusiness.org/sbdc.