Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Minnesota Receives $1,744,926.44 to Improve 911 Services

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced more than $40 million in grants to 30 states and U.S. territories to help 911 call centers across the country improve the ability to locate people calling from wireless and Internet-connected telephones.

“Reaching a 911 operator can make the difference between life and death,” U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said. “These grants will give states and territories the opportunity to improve their 911 systems, enhance safety and help save countless lives across America.”

“A majority of emergency 9-1-1 calls are now coming from wireless and Internet-connected telephones,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “These grants will help first responders locate where these calls are made and to ensure that help arrives quickly.”

The E–911 grant program was authorized under the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 (ENHANCE 911) Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108–494, codified at 47 U.S.C. 942). The grants were available to all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. The Act authorizes grants for the implementation and operation of Phase II enhanced 911 services and for migration to an IP-enabled emergency network. To qualify for a grant, an applicant must submit a State 911 plan and project budget, designate an E–911 coordinator, and certify, among other things, that the State and other taxing jurisdictions within the State have not diverted E–911 charges for any other purpose within 180 days preceding the application date.

The funds could be used to implement advanced technologies to deliver 9-1-1 calls with automatic crash location information as well as evacuation alerts to people using wireless services, warning them of dangerous situations like a bridge being washed out or a toxic spill.

All states and territories did not apply for funding.
Go to http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/E911grants_090929.html for a list of all grant awards.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Barnesville Hires New City Administrator

Michael Rietz of Castle Hills, Texas has accepted the Barnesville city administrator position.

The city council hired the Brimeyer Group, an executive search firm from Minneapolis, MN to lead in the search process and to negotiate the position's terms on behalf of the city. Five candidates were interviewed last week with a 6-0 vote by the city council to retain the services of Rietz.

The city has been without a city administrator since the beginning of the year when Michael Brethorst stepped down to accept a position with the VA Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Rietz will begin his new position in Barnesville in the near future.

Recession Putting Triple Strain on Nonprofits

Nonprofits are facing growing demand for services, rising operating costs and lagging revenues in the face of the nationwide recession, according to a variety of studies.

An overview report published by the National Council of Nonprofits cited more than a dozen studies in documenting the extent of the recession's effects on nonprofits.

"Anecdotes and individual studies often get dismissed as outliers," said National Council of Nonprofits president and CEO Tim Delaney, who said the new overview documents "the facts in a way that can no longer get overlooked or ignored."

"The economic threats to nonprofits and the communities we serve are real and dire," said Delaney. "It is both unrealistic and unsafe to those depending on services to simply assume that nonprofits will somehow be able to continue to deliver more services that cost more with declining revenues. The math just doesn't work."

The group recommended that government officials and nonprofit leaders step up collaboration to meet community needs in the absence of more public funding.

http://www.jointogether.org

Friday, September 25, 2009

Nationwide Public Health Alert Issued Concerning Life-Threatening Risk Posed by Cocaine Laced with Veterinary Anti-Parasite Drug

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is alerting medical professionals, substance abuse treatment centers and other public health authorities about the risk that substantial levels of cocaine may be adulterated with levamisole – a veterinary anti-parasitic drug. There have been approximately 20 confirmed or probable cases of agranulocytosis (a serious, sometimes fatal blood disorder), including two deaths, associated with cocaine adulterated with levamisole. The number of reported cases is expected to increase as information about cocaine adulterated with levamisole is disseminated.

"SAMHSA and other public health authorities are working together to inform everyone of this serious potential public health risk and what measures are being taken to address it," said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., MPH.

Levamisole is used in veterinary medicine and is currently approved for use in cattle, sheep and swine as an anti-parasitic agent. Although it was once used in human medicine in the past for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer, it is no longer an approved drug for human use.

Ingesting cocaine mixed with levamisole can seriously reduce a person's white blood cells, suppressing immune function and the body's ability to fight off even minor infections. People who snort, smoke, or inject crack or powder cocaine contaminated by levamisole can experience overwhelming, rapidly-developing, life threatening infections. Other serious side effects can also occur.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration and State testing laboratories, the percentage of cocaine specimens containing levamisole has increased steadily since 2002, with levamisole now found in over 70 percent of the illicit cocaine analyzed in July. In addition, a recent analysis in Seattle, Washington found that almost 80 percent of the individuals who test positive for cocaine also test positive for levamisole.

According to the SAMHSA alert substance abuse treatment providers, clinicians, outreach workers, and individuals who abuse cocaine need to be aware of the facts. Levamisole is showing up with increasing frequency in illicit cocaine powder and crack cocaine. Levamisole can severely reduce the number of white blood cells, a problem called agranulocytosis. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ILLNESS THAT NEEDS TO BE TREATED AT A HOSPITAL. If you use cocaine, watch out for:
* high fever, chills, or weakness
* swollen glands
* painful sores (mouth, anal)
* any infection that won’t go away or gets worse very fast, including sore throat or mouth sores -skin infections, abscesses -thrush (white coating of the mouth, tongue, or throat) -pneumonia (fever, cough, shortness of breath)."

SAMHSA is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Food and Drug Administration, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and other federal and international organizations, as well as state agencies to monitor the levamisole issue. CDC will be publishing a case report analysis in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and will be working with state health departments to systematically collect information on cocaine-associated agranulocytosis cases. Information from this effort will be used to guide treatment and prevention initiatives to address this public health concern.

Individuals are encouraged to report suspected and confirmed cases of agranulocytosis that are associated with cocaine abuse to their respective state health departments. Cases can also be reported to local Poison Control Centers (1-800-222-1222), these centers may also provide assistance in clinical management and additional reporting.

For further medical/technical information, contact Nicholas Reuter, SAMHSA (Nicholas.reuter@samhsa.hhs.gov).

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment and mental health services delivery system.


SAMHSA Press Office 240-276-2130
www.samhsa.gov

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE

Mn/DOT seeks public input for Minnesota's first statewide rail plan.
Sept. 22, 2009

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Members of the traveling public, transportation stakeholders, rail providers and local government officials are invited to provide input for development of the Minnesota Department of Transportation's 2009 Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan at the second and final round of public open houses scheduled at seven locations statewide.

"We appreciate the feedback on the rail plan that we have received to date, and encourage additional members of the public to attend one of these open houses to give us their ideas about rail issues that affect their lives and businesses," said Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel.

The plan, mandated by the 2008 Minnesota Legislature, will provide guidance for statewide rail initiatives and investments and will make Minnesota eligible for federal funding. Public input received from these open houses, a series of stakeholders meetings and ongoing commentary will help Mn/DOT develop a draft of the plan that identifies:

- An overall vision for effective use of the state's rail network and its future development.
- Public and private sector roles for use of rail in the state's transportation system.
- Priority intercity and high-speed passenger rail corridors for travel within and beyond Minnesota.
- Ways to enhance national and international freight access to markets, services and logistics.
- Measures and guidelines for public investments in rail assets and services.
- Requirements for Minnesota's participation in national rail initiatives, programs and resources.

There will be a brief presentation on the Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan planning process at each open house. After the presentation, Mn/DOT officials and national rail consultants will be on hand to discuss current and future rail programs, answer questions and take input.

2009 Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

5-7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 6
ST. CLOUD
Mn/DOT Office and Training Center
3725 - 12th St. N.
St. Cloud

5-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 7
ROCHESTER
Rochester Community/Technical College
Heintz Center
1926 Collegeview Drive SE
Rochester

5-7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8
RED WING
Red Wing Main Library
Foot Room
225 East Ave.
Red Wing

5-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 14
TWIN CITIES METRO
St. Paul Union Depot
214 East 4th Street
St. Paul

5-7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 15
DULUTH
Duluth Union Depot and Transportation Museum - Great Hall
506 W. Michigan St.
Duluth

5-7 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
MOORHEAD
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Room C-118
1900 28th Ave. S.
Moorhead

5-7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 22
MANKATO
Best Western N. Mankato
1111 Range St.
Mankato

For more information about open houses, call Mn/DOT's Office of Passenger Rail at 651-366-3199.

Public input received will be presented to advisory and steering committees and key community, industry and government officials in November 2009. The Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan will be completed by Dec. 31, 2009, and then presented to the Minnesota Legislature. The completed plan will be included in the Minnesota Statewide Transportation Policy Plan and will enter into required state and federal reviews in January 2010. For information, go to http://www.dot.state.mn.us/planning/railplan/.

To request these documents or information in an alternative format call 651-366-4718 or e-mail ADArequest@dot.state.mn.us.

To request an ASL interpreter at an open house, call 651-366-4720. To request other reasonable accommodations, call 651-366-4718; the Minnesota Relay Service toll-free at 1-800-627-3529 (TTY, Voice or ASCII) or 711, or e-mail your request to ADArequest@dot.state.mn.us.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Productive Alternatives Celebrates 50 Years of Serving Otter Tail County!

For the past 50 years, Productive Alternatives has proven that people with disabilities are a valuable part of the economic workforce.

Productive Alternatives has grown and evolved from a farming operation for the former State Hospital in Fergus Falls to currently providing services to companies throughout the region. In addition to the production factory, Productive Alternatives also manages the Otter Express public transportation buses, the detox program and a new mental health crisis unit.

Seven Productive Alternative sites will gather on October 10, 2009 for a 50th anniversary gala and fundraiser. They will also host a consumer recognition banquet on October 27, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Alexandria.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Federal grant funding available to cities to address energy assurance and reliability concerns

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is making $10.5 million in competitive grant funding available to cities to prepare energy assurance and reliability plans. This funding is made available through the Local Energy Assurance Planning (LEAP) initiative as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Cities can receive between $60,000 and $300,000 for this effort.

Public Technology Institute (PTI) conducts a variety of energy assurance educational and outreach programs tailored specifically for local officials through the support of the DOE Office of Energy Reliability. PTI is available to provide free support to cities as they prepare their proposals.

Local Government Energy Assurance Guidelines, published by PTI with the DOE’s support, is designed to help city and county officials address energy assurance and security concerns for mission-critical government facilities and will serve as a resource for cities interested in submitting proposals for funding as part of the LEAP initiative. A PDF of this guide is available at no charge on the PTI web site. A soft cover version of the guide can be purchased for $33.49 plus shipping.

According to the DOE, the goal of this funding program is to facilitate recovery from disruptions to the energy supply and enhance reliability and quicker repair of outages. This initiative will create jobs at the local level and allow cities to have well-developed, standardized energy assurance and resiliency plans that they can rely on during energy emergencies and supply disruptions.

Under the LEAP initiative, city governments will address energy supply disruption risks and vulnerabilities in their plans to lessen the devastating impact that such incidents have on the economy and the health and safety of citizens.

The deadline for cities to submit their proposals to the DOE is Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.
For more information on the LEAP initiative, visit the Fedconnect web site (see the public opportunities section, funding number DE-FOA-0000098).

For more information about free assistance from PTI, contact Ronda Mosley, PTI, at rmosley@pti.org.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Rural Business Enterprise Grant Awarded to the City of Frazee

The City of Frazee is being awarded $90,000 as part of the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) sponsored by USDA Rural Development.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the selection of 145 recipients for more than $15.3 million in grants to start or expand businesses in rural communities. Through Recovery Act funding, businesses will be able to access critical capital that will help with start-up and working capital loans, building and plant renovations, transportation improvements, project planning and other business needs.

With a $10,000 contribution from the Frazee Economic Development Authority, there will be access to a $100,000 revolving loan pool for start-up and expanding businesses in Frazee.

A reception to accept the $90,000 grant award will be help on September 16th at 9:30 a.m. at the Frazee Events Center located at 105 Lake Street NE in downtown Frazee.

Congratulations to the City of Frazee for this fantastic opportunity!

62nd Annual Underwood Harvest Festival

Underwood celebrates the beginning of a new season on Labor Day weekend by hosting the 62nd Harvest Festival.

Activities kick-off Friday evening with a steak fry and live music. A fishing tournament is set to begin early Saturday morning, as well as a parade and a variety of other activities throughout the day. The festival will conclude with a street dance in front of the fire hall Saturday night.

13th Annual Truck Rodeo

Maintenance crews from six counties gathered at the West Otter Tail County Fairgrounds on September 2nd to test their skills at driving snow plows, skidsteers, backhoes and motor graders.

Employees from Becker, Wadena, Douglas, Grant, Todd, Wilkin and Otter Tail counties, as well as the city of Fergus Falls participated in the one-day event that focused on safety training.

Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and State Patrol were on hand at the rodeo to answer questions about safety and truck inspections. Equipment vendors also attended the rodeo.