DPS projects 2010 Minnesota traffic deaths to match 2009 – lowest since 1944
ST. PAUL – At least 410 people were killed on Minnesota roads in 2010, according to preliminary records from the state Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety. DPS projects the final 2010 count to close around the 420 mark — on par with 2009’s total of 421, the lowest number of annual deaths since 1944.
“We’ve seen a positive trend-line of fewer road deaths in recent years that points to the success of legislation and proactive traffic safety campaigns,” says DPS Commissioner Michael Campion. “While it appears 2010 won’t show a big reduction in deaths, we are maintaining a low death count and have cut down our annual road deaths by more than 200 since just eight years ago.”
Campion cites these factors for the lower death trend: traffic safety legislation (such as primary seat belt law); enhanced enforcement coupled with education efforts; effective MnDOT, county and local engineering improvements; efficient emergency trauma response and safer vehicles.
“These are all critical elements to the progress, but none are as important as safe driver behavior. The key to reducing deaths is for motorists to take the task of driving seriously,” says Campion.
Snow Removal Operations Continue
Fargo Public Works will continue 24-hour snow removal operations for the next several weeks on main arterial routes and in residential areas of the city. In the meantime, motorists are urged to please be patient and use caution. If a lane or street is closed, it is closed for public safety. Do not attempt to go around barricades or snow-removal equipment.
After street hauling is complete, Public Works will begin to address the large piles left on the corners. Caution will be required when approaching and driving through these intersections.
Residents are asked to please clean your sidewalks adjacent to your property and refrain from blowing snow back into the streets.
Please comply with parking restrictions as enforcement from the Fargo Police Department will be requested.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation also asks the public to be patient and continue driving with extreme caution as crews continue to clear ice patches from the most recent storm.
Mn/DOT crews will be out sanding problem areas and removing and hauling snow to selected disposal sites. Extra attention will be placed on removing high snow banks that limit visibility in higher traffic areas such as main streets and intersections on state highway routes.
Minn. State Troopers kept busy over holiday weekend
Between the time the winter storms started on Dec. 30, 2010, through Jan. 3, 2011, State Troopers in the west-central and northwest regions of Minnesota responded to approximately 621 vehicles that had run off the road, many of those receiving minor damage. An additional 67 crashes resulting in substantial damage were also reported, with 32 of those being rollovers and 11 involving injuries. Two jackknifed semis were also attended to.
Prior to reopening I-94 on January 2, 2011, a state trooper on patrol met a vehicle traveling 86 mph near Rothsay. The trooper cited Dmitri Kilin, 36, of Fargo, for speeding and driving on a closed road.
Community gives back to local charities at Santa Village
The Fargo Park District hosted over 10,875 visitors — the highest attendance since 1999 — at the 24th Annual Santa Village at Rheault Farm November 27 through December 23. Admission was free, but donations of non-perishable foods, new or gently used toys or cash were encouraged. All donations were given to families in Cass and Clay counties.
During the 2010 Season of Giving, $2,689.05 in cash donations were collected — the second largest total in the history of Santa Village. There were 5389 pounds of donated food given to the Great Plains Food Bank. Nearly 950 new and gently used toys were given to the YMCA 21st Century Community Learning Center.
“Visitors come annually and continue to remember to help those less fortunate by sharing what they have,” says Allison Bakke, Program Coordinator for the Fargo Park District. “This is an amazing community!”
RRV League of Women Voters to hold First Friday event
The public is invited to attend the Red River Valley League of Women Voters’ First Friday event on Friday, January 7, from noon to 1 p.m.; lunch is available at 11:30. The event takes place at the Fargo Sons of Norway Lodge. This month’s topic is “What are essential city services?” Speakers will be Brad Wimmer of the Fargo City Commission and Diane Wray Williams of the Moorhead City Commission. For more information, call 701-297-6815 or email LWVRRV@q.com.
Fargo Library kicks off new year with Winter Read-A-Thon
The Fargo Public Library invites you to put an end to those winter blues and warm up with some good books during the library’s annual Winter Read-A-Thon reading program. With book logs for readers of all ages, the winter reading program can add a little excitement, adventure and mystery to dreary winter days; plus, it also provides opportunities to win prizes for reading books.
To participate, pick up an official book log at any Fargo Public Library location beginning Jan. 3. Book logs are due on or before Feb. 26 to be eligible for prizes and prize drawings.
For more information regarding the Fargo Public Library and a list of upcoming events, visit www.fargolibrary.org.
Fargo Theatre exceeds
fundraising goal
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of 234 individual and corporate donors, the Fargo Theatre has exceeded its $31,000 marquee fund drive with a grand total of $47,441.31.
According to Executive Director Margie Bailley, the Fargo Theatre Board of Directors and staff are committed to “[honoring] these gifts in 2011 with continued great film programming, an increased number of live events, specialty film series and our annual Fargo Film Festival, March 1—5.”
Sex offenders move
The Fargo Police Department would like to inform the public of several sex offenders who have changed their addresses.
Daniel Fike Grinder, a level three (high risk) sex offender, has had his probation revoked and is in custody in the Cass County Jail. He will no longer be residing at 1423 6th Ave. S. Grinder was convicted in 2007 in Cass County District Court of Gross Sexual Imposition. His victims were female acquaintances under the age of 15. He is a lifetime registrant.
Kenneth Elton Fatland, a level two (moderate risk) sex offender, has moved to 7 6th Ave. N. Fatland was convicted of Possession of Child Pornography, in Ward County, ND, in 2008. He is required to register until 2034.
Gerardo Garza, a level two (moderate risk) sex offender, has moved from 123 15th St. N. to 3529 Kelly St. N. Garza was convicted of Sexual Assault in 2002 in Webb County District Court, Laredo TX. Garza’s victim was a 14-year-old female acquaintance. Garza is required to register until 2027.
Bradley John Lafleur, a level two (moderate risk) sex offender, has moved from 220 6th Ave. N. to 1505 4th Ave. N. Lafleur was convicted in Cass County, ND, District Court of Sexual Assault in 2006. His victim was a 15-year-old female acquaintance. He has to register until 2032.
If you would like more information about registered sex offenders in the city of Fargo, visit our website at www.fargopolice.com. Information on high-risk and lifetime offenders is also available on the North Dakota Attorney General’s website at www.ndsexof
fender.com and the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website at www.nsopr.gov.
‘Food for Fines’ extended
Due to the great community response to the Fargo Public Library’s Holiday Amnesty “Food for Fines” event, the library is extending the event through Dec. 12.
To participate, library users should bring in any overdue library items, along with unexpired, nonperishable food items, to the check-out desk at any Fargo Public Library location during regular library hours. One food item equals $10 in library fines. Library staff will waive the appropriate fine amount and collect the food donation.
All food collected during the event will be given to the Great Plains Food Bank for local distribution. Non-returned items or lost library items are not eligible for the library’s Holiday Amnesty event.
Library customers are encouraged to sign up for e-mail courtesy notices during this time to receive automatic e-mail reminders two days before items are due, thus avoiding library fines. Those who sign up to receive e-mail notices will no longer receive paper notices. E-mail addresses will not be given away, sold or traded.
To sign up to receive e-mail courtesy notices, or for more information about the library’s Holiday Amnesty event, go to www.fargolibrary.org or call the check-out desk at the Main Library at 701-241-1472.
Fargo donating computer
equipment to nonprofits
The City of Fargo is donating surplus computers and other equipment to area nonprofit organizations.
Items available include desktop and laptop computers with operating systems installed; monitors; printers; scanners; and network switches.
Nonprofits must apply by Dec. 23 to be eligible to receive the equipment. Applications are available online at www.cityoffargo.com/planning or by contacting Nate Bailly at 701-476-6751.
The City’s Community Development Committee will review the applications and make recommendations to the City Commission about who should receive the equipment. Criteria used to select recipients will be based, in part, on how the donated items would impact the organization. The computer equipment is expected to be distributed in January 2011.