Spring truck weight restrictions begin March 18 for central frost zone

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Spring truck weight restrictions on state highways begin March 18 for Minnesota's Central frost zone, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Winter load increases and overweight permits remain in place for the state's North-Central and North frost zones. Spring load restrictions are already in place for the South, Southeast and Metro frost zones.

MnDOT limits truck weights to prevent damage to roads weakened during the spring thaw. Ending dates for spring load restrictions will be established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change.

The Central frost zone extends south from the southern limit of the North-Central Zone (Highways 10, 210, 18, Interstate I-35 and Highway 48 to the Wisconsin state line) to a line following and including Highway 12 from the South Dakota state line to the Hennepin County line.

Road restriction maps showing the locations of weight-restricted routes and state highways open to maximum 10-ton axle weights are listed at www.dot.state.mn.us/materials. Click on "Seasonal Load Limits," and then "Spring Load Restrictions" for the most up-to-date information.

The information is also available by calling MnDOT’s 24-hour automated message center at 1-800-723-6543 in the United States and Canada or by calling 651-366-5400.

Spring truck weight restrictions begin March 14

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Spring truck weight restrictions on state highways begin March 14 for Minnesota's South, Southeast and Metro frost zones, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Winter load increases and overweight permits remain in place for the state's Central, North-Central and North frost zones.

MnDOT limits truck weights to prevent damage to roads weakened during the spring thaw. Ending dates for spring load restrictions will be established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change.

The South Zone extends south from the southern limit of the Central Zone (US 12 – Hennepin county line) to the Iowa state line and east to the Metro Zone and then a line following and including Interstate 35. This zone includes Highway 19 along the southern border of Scott County.

The Southeast Zone extends south from the southern limit of the Metro Zone along, but not including, I-35 to the Iowa state line and east to the Wisconsin state line. This zone includes Highway 19 along the southern border of Dakota County.

The Metro Zone (Minneapolis – St. Paul metro area) includes Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. This zone does not include Highway 19 along the southern borders of Scott and Dakota counties.

Road restriction maps showing the locations of weight-restricted routes and state highways open to maximum 10-ton axle weights are listed at www.dot.state.mn.us/materials. Click on "Seasonal Load Limits," and then "Spring Load Restrictions" for the most up-to-date information.

The information is also available by calling MnDOT’s 24-hour automated message center at 1-800-723-6543 in the United States and Canada or by calling 651-366-5400.

Gonvick LINK Site to Remain Open Until Further Notice

The Gonvick LINK Site, of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library, will remain open until further notice.

A previous information release stated that March 6 would mark the last day of services for the LINK Site, however, further funding discussion is taking place and the Gonvick LINK Site will remain open indefinitely.

Reminder: The Zinghoppers reading enrichment program, sponsored by LARL and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, will continue to take place on Monday, March 24 at 9:30 a.m. The Zinghoppers are an Emmy Award-winning musical group that specializes in fun, interactive programming for young children and families. 

The event will be held at the Gonvick Community Center.

For more information on all LARL locations, news, and events visit the Library’s website at www.larl.org.   

Peterson seeking submissions for Congressional Art Competition

(WASHINGTON DC) – U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson is inviting high school students from across the Seventh Congressional District to submit their artwork for the 2014 Congressional Art Competition.

The competition is open to all high-school students, and the overall winner of each participating district will be displayed for one year in the Cannon Tunnel leading into the U.S. Capitol.

"I hope students from across the district who love art will consider entering this competition," Peterson said. "This is a great way for young artists to show their talent at the U.S. Capitol for a year."

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nation-wide competition.  Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in each congressional district.

Art works entered in the contest may be up to 28 inches by 28 inches by 4 inches (including the frame) and may be up to 3 inches in depth. The art work may be:

Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor

Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers

Collage (must be two-dimensional)

Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints

Mixed Media

Computer Generated Art

Photography

All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution. Paintings/drawings/etc that are a reproduction of another artists work (including photographs) do not qualify for this competition.

HOW TO APPLY:

In an attempt to reach students from across the entire 7th District, this year my office will be handling all Congressional Art Competition submissions online to ensure accessibility for all students.  To encourage participation, selection of the winning artwork will be made based on the photograph submitted with the application.  Selection of the winning artwork will be made in early May, and further instructions will be sent to the winner.  The deadline for all submissions to my office is April 29, 2014.  To apply for the Congressional Arts Competition, please submit a photograph of the artwork, via email, to congressional.art@mail.house.gov

Mahnomen Public Library to Temporarily Relocate

The Mahnomen Public Library, a branch of the Lake Agassiz Regional Library, will be moving to a temporary location during an 8 to 10 week asbestos abatement project.  

The Mahnomen Public Library will be closed March 10-17, and will reopen on March 18 at the WETCC Wellstone Building, located at 175 S. First St.; one block west of the current Library location. 

The temporary location will offer a limited collection, but will continue to offer new release books and magazines for all ages, DVDs, and public computer access. Library customers may continue to request materials and pick up requested items. 

“The City of Mahnomen is happy to proceed with this project,” said Jeff Cadwell, Mahnomen City Administrator. The renovation project will include new carpet and paint, and is expected to be completed by the end of April.

Steven Dahlberg, Interim President of the White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC), was also willing to assist the Lake Agassiz Regional Library system and the City of Mahnomen, allowing the Library to use the WETCC-owned Wellstone Building as a temporary location.  Dahlberg stated, “The Library is important to the community, and we want to help keep the doors open during the project.”

The Library’s open hours starting March 18 will be: Tuesday 1 to 7 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday noon to 6 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on the renovation project, contact the Mahnomen Public Library at 218-935-2843 or mahnomen@larl.org. For information on all LARL locations, news, and events visit the Library’s website at www.larl.org.