FARGO, N.D. (March 13, 2013) – The City of Fargo has started its annual phone book recycling campaign. Yellow containers have been placed throughout the city for residents to deposit their old phone books. The containers, which will remain in place until Friday, April 26, are available at the following locations:
Centennial Area 25th St. & 40th Ave. S.
Cash Wise Foods 1401 33rd St. S.W.
Longfellow Park Elm St. & Forest Ave. N.
North High 10th St. & 17th Ave. N (Behind the Curling Club)
Minnkota Redemption Center University Dr. and 35th Ave. S.
Waste Water Plant 10th St. & 37th Ave. N.
Parking Lot near CVS 13th Ave. & 25th St. S.
Osgood Recycling Site 3857 Village Ln.
Shanley Recycling Site 5600 25th St. S.
Solid Waste Bldg. 2301 8th Ave. N.
In 2011, the City of Fargo recycled over 90,000 pounds of phonebooks. For more information on the Fargo recycling program, visit www.FargoRecycles.com.
Library Welcomes Trio Sonic Escape Sunday, March 24
FARGO, N.D. (March 19, 2013) – The Fargo Public Library welcomes Sonic Escape, a New York City-based flute-violin-cello trio, to the downtown Main Library on Sunday, March 24 for a concert starting at 2 p.m. in the community room. This trio of Juilliard graduates will present a diverse offering of classical and original music and music styles from around the world. Sonic Escape has performed throughout the U.S. and is equally at home performing in classical music’s greatest halls – The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center – or traveling across the U.S. in roles as diverse as fiddle-dancing in “Riverdance,” jamming with Beale Street blues bands, and improvising with Native-American flute masters. All ages are welcome.
This concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Main Library’s Information Desk at (701) 241-1492. For more information regarding the Fargo Public Library and a list of upcoming events, visit www.fargolibrary.org.
People with disabilities who plan to attend Fargo Public Library events and need special accommodations should contact Beth Postema at 701-241-8198. Please contact us at least three business days in advance of the event to give our staff adequate time to make arrangements.
Study Predicts Costs of Federal Grants to North Dakotans
Bismarck, N.D. – The North Dakota Policy Council has released a study which predicts that North Dakotans can expect their state taxes to increase between $0.221 and $0.274 for each $1 of federal grants that is accepted.
The study, conducted by Columbia Economics, L.L.C., concluded that states which accept federal grants usually encounter three unintended consequences: 1) growing demands on state resources, 2) loss of local control, and 3) expanded bureaucracy. Each of these consequences results in local and state government having to pick up part of the tab when federal grants are accepted.
“Federal funds are generally perceived as a ‘Free Lunch,’” North Dakota Policy Council Executive Director Zack Tiggelaar said. “But this study shows that not only do federal funds end up costing North Dakotans through tax increases, but we also lose that local control which North Dakotans value highly.”
In 2010, North Dakota received $2.17 billion in federal grants which amounted to more than one-third of total state and local expenditures. That totals over $3200 in federal aid per resident, which ranks ND the 6th highest recipient of federal grants in the nation.
Of that total, one-third of it was in the form of Medicaid. The senate is currently mulling over a bill, HB 1362, which would expand Medicaid as directed under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
“It’s clear that accepting these federal dollars is a bad idea,” Tiggelaar said. “Not only will this cost ND in the long run, but we are going to be controlled by federal regulations over on who, how, when, and how much of this money we can spend.”
The study uses several examples of states losing local control over laws through accepting federal funds. The examples include: the national minimum drinking age, Highway Beautification Act, and No Child Left Behind.
“A lot of laws that North Dakotans are strongly opposed to are a result of strings-attached federal dollars that come in and are perceived as free lunches.” Tiggelaar said. “My hope is that this study will give legislators courage to say no to federal grants and keep the burdens off of North Dakotans.”
The North Dakota Policy Council is a 501c3 non-profit, non-partisan organization. The event described above is in no way an endorsement of anyone for any elected office.
Seizure of Over Two Pounds of Marijuana in Casselton, ND
CASS COUNTY, N.D. (March 15, 2013) – On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 13 Cass County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Detectives, Fargo Police Department and the Cass County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence in Casselton, ND. Upon entry to the residence two adults and one young child were located.
Russel Utvick, a 52 year old Casselton, ND man, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana Paraphernalia, Child Endangerment and Possession of a Schedule IV Drug. More than two pounds of marijuana and cash were seized. Utvick was transportd to Cass County Jail.
The child present was placed into protective custody.
Utvick was arraigned March 15, 2013, in District Court and bail was set at $7,500. Utvich has posted bail and has been released from the Cass County Jail.
STUDENT LECTURE ON DESIMPLIFYING THE AFRICAN NARRATIVE
Concordia sophomore Amber Morgan will present a lecture as part of the Student Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, in Jones Conference Center A-B, Knutson Campus Center. The lecture, “Desimplifying the African Narrative: A Program Oral Interpretation,” is free and open to the public.
Morgan reviewed prose, poetry and drama to illustrate how some Americans have simplified the African continent and objectified its people through a single story of negativity – through presenting and viewing Africa as a place only of war, poverty, disease and helplessness. She’ll discuss her findings in literature that highlight the socially significant and varied perspectives of both Africans and Americans.
Morgan’s faculty sponsors are Adam Knowlton, Megan Orcholski, and Joe Kennedy, communication studies and theatre art.
The Student Lecture Series recognizes students who do outstanding research work in a discipline and provides them with the opportunity to share their results in an informal presentation.
Sex Offender Change of Address Notification
Fargo Police Department would like to inform the public of a sex offender who has changed their address: Michael Scott Garner
Garner, a Level II Sex Offender, has moved to 729 3rd Street N #2, Fargo, ND.
Born in 1977, 5’10”, 310 lbs. Brown eyes, Brown hair
Offense Background: Garner was convicted of Luring a Minor by Computer in 2003 in Cass County District Court, North Dakota. The victim was a law enforcement officer posing online as a 16 year old female. Garner is required to register as a sex offender until 7/27/2028.
More information regarding this Sex Offender can be found here: http://www.cityoffargo.com/CityInfo/Departments/Police/CitizenResources/SexOffenders/
NDSU students gain experience by giving free tax services
Fargo, N.D., March 15, 2013 – Approximately 25 accounting students at North Dakota State University are applying classroom lessons to real-world scenarios by helping students and community members prepare their taxes.
Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, students are preparing and e-filing clients’ federal and state income taxes at no charge. The services are open to the community, with special emphasis on serving people who have low incomes, people whose native language is not English and international students.
Hamidreza Vakilzadeh, a graduate student in accounting, is one of five interns who oversee the process. They were trained to help undergraduate student volunteers, who are mostly seniors, complete the required certifications. The interns review the prepared tax returns for accuracy and provide guidance.
Vakilzadeh said the service is beneficial for everyone involved.
“This program helps us all (volunteers) gain experience about tax returns in real life,” Vakilzadeh said. “Volunteers do their best to make preparation of tax returns easier for the taxpayer. Sometimes taxpayers make mistakes, which can lead to penalties. The VITA program tries to lessen those mistakes.”
All of the volunteers pass Internal Revenue Service certification exams to ensure they adhere to the Volunteer Income Tax Service standards of conduct and have basic understanding of taxation. In addition, all volunteers take a Foreign Student Certification Exam.
James Clifton, assistant professor of accounting practice, has advised the program for 12 years. He said one of the program’s benefits is the ability to provide information in different languages. Many volunteers speak multiple languages and translators are available through NDSU’s Office of International Programs, he said.
Students also gain valuable perspective working with a variety of real scenarios. “Students can go from a very smooth tax return to one that is very difficult, depending how things fall into place,” Clifton said. “The real-world experience and volunteer work is a great resume booster and interview topic.”
The program, which is a branch of the IRS’ Taxpayer Services Division, was launched 15 years ago as part of a class. It shifted to a volunteer program to make sure students had the time and desire to do the work.
Vakilzadeh said something new this year is updated software and that everything will be done online. “The securities of the software has also increased so the probability of making certain mistakes has been reduced,” he said.
The income tax service will be available March 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the NDSU Main Library located at 1201 Albrecht Boulevard.