Minnesota's minimum-wage rate changes Jan. 1, 2018

Minnesota's minimum-wage rates will be adjusted for inflation beginning Jan. 1, 2018, to $9.65 an hour for large employers and $7.87 an hour for other state minimum wages.

To help employers understand the requirements, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has updated its minimum-wage fact sheets at www.dli.mn.gov/MinWage and its minimum-wage workplace poster at www.dli.mn.gov/Posters.

An estimated 250,000 hourly workers in Minnesota will earn less than $9.65 an hour.

"In 2014, I worked with the Legislature to raise the minimum wage in Minnesota. Now that law demonstrates its full benefit as incomes rise for more than 250,000 Minnesotans and their families who are working hard to lift themselves out of poverty," said Governor Mark Dayton.

"Our state and nation were founded on the belief that hard work and opportunity should go hand in hand. Raising the minimum wage will help make this value a reality for thousands of Minnesotans, many of them people of color and women with children," said Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith. "This increase is good news and we have more work to do so that all Minnesotans can earn their way to economic security for themselves and their families."

"This is good news for Minnesota's lowest-wage workers and will help them earn more to provide for their families," said Ken Peterson, commissioner, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

As of Jan. 1, 2018:

·         Large employers must pay at least $9.65 an hour when the employer's annual gross revenues are $500,000 or more.

·         Small employers must pay at least $7.87 an hour when the employer's annual gross revenues are less than $500,000.

·         The training wage rate, $7.87 an hour, may be paid to employees younger than 20 years of age for the first 90 consecutive days of employment.

·         The youth wage rate, at least $7.87 an hour, may be paid to employees younger than 18 years of age.

Minnesota law requires employers to display some state-mandated posters in a location where employees can easily see them. The posters are available at no cost and need to be updated only when Minnesota law changes. DLI will translate the minimum-wage poster into Hmong, Somali and Spanish and add those posters online in November.

New district engineer for MnDOT District 4

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — Jody Martinson has been selected to serve as district engineer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation District 4, which encompasses 12 counties in west central Minnesota.

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve MnDOT and the citizens of Minnesota in the role as district engineer for District 4,” Martinson said. “I will continue to work to provide a high quality, dependable transportation system for the citizens of Minnesota. We will continue to hold safety as a high priority for our employees and the people who travel our roadways.” 

Martinson began her career with MnDOT as an engineering intern in 1992. Since then, she has served in a number of key positions, including project engineer, right of way engineer, planning director and program development manager. Martinson recently served as acting transportation district engineer for MnDOT District 3, covering a 13 county area in central Minnesota.  

"Jody knows, and has experience working in, west central Minnesota that will help her excel as the new District 4 district engineer,” said MnDOT Operations Division Director, Mike Barnes. "She has built great working relationships with our west central Minnesota transportation partners, local communities and district employees and will continue to expand and build on those relationships in her new position.”    

Jody Martinson has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University. She graduated from Barnesville High School in 1989 and lives in Perham with her husband, Brian, and their two daughters, Jordan and Emily.   

District 4 has two full service offices, located in Detroit Lakes and Morris, and employs approximately 220 people to handle snow and ice control, roadway construction, traffic, land acquisition, business operations, planning, design and other transportation-related duties. 

NWMF announces new Early Childhood Program Specialist

BEMIDJI, MN – June 28, 2012 -- Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) is pleased to announce that Vicky Grove of Thief River Falls has been selected as the new NMF early childhood program specialist. Grove begins her duties June 27.  Lin Backstrom, who held the position since 2003 has resigned.

Grove will work to serve the NMF region by providing support and direction to the 12 early childhood coalitions.  Her biggest role will be working with coalition coordinators and the Thrive Initiative. The early childhood coalitions work within their local communities and the region to help all young children reach healthy development and enter kindergarten ready to learn and succeed.

The Thrive Initiative’s focus is strengthening early childhood mental health services for young children and families in the Bemidji, Blackduck and Kelliher communities.

NMF President Nancy Vyskocil said, “We are excited to have Vicky on board with us because of her extensive background in education.  She has been immersed in the culture of education in Northwest Minnesota and has an awareness of what the needs are in our region.”

Grove is a 31 year veteran of special education, serving as a special education teacher and a regional facilitator for early childhood initiatives.  She holds a Master of Education in Special Education, with an emphasis in early childhood, from the University of North Dakota.  Grove continues to serve part-time as a Regional Professional Development Co-Facilitator for Regions 1 and 2, through the Minnesota Centers of Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities, a program affiliated with the Bemidji Regional Interdistrict Council and the Minnesota Department of Education. Most recently, Grove served as a special education teacher for the Red Lake Falls Schools.

Grove was born and raised in Grand Forks and during her school years was involved in vocal music and drama.  Grove’s volunteer affiliations include the Fourtown Grygla Sportsman’s Club, Grygla Lions, Council of Exceptional Children/Division of Early Childhood, Catholic Daughter’s of America and the St. Bernard’s Church Choir. 

“I am very excited to join the staff of NMF and I am looking forward to serving the region’s youngest citizens and their needs to help them prosper in their communities,” said Grove.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public, charitable foundation serving 12 counties of Northwest Minnesota by investing resources, creating opportunities and promoting philanthropy.

Essentia Heath - Ada welcomes husband/wife duo

Monday, February 20, 2012, Ada, MN – Essentia Health Ada is pleased to welcome Bantoo Sehgal, MD and Paulina Purnama, PA-C. Dr. Sehgal and Paulina Purnama are both part of the Essentia Health Orthopedic and Sports Medicine department at our 32nd Avenue Campus in Fargo. Beginning February 20th they will be available to see patients at Essentia Health Ada.

Dr. Sehgal received his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine and completed an orthopedic surgery residency at New York Medical College. He recently fulfilled a fellowship in sports medicine at Kaiser Permanente Orange County in Irvine, CA. Dr. Sehgal is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine.

As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Sehgal specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder, hip and elbow. His clinical focus is in advanced cartilage restoration and meniscus procedures. He also performs joint replacement surgery including shoulder arthroplasty and general fracture care.

Paulina received her physician assistant degree from St. John’s University in New York and is certified by the National Board on the Certification of Physician Assistants. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She also holds certification as a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

As an orthopedic & sports medicine provider, Paulina focuses on general orthopedics and sports medicine including sports injuries, basic trauma, knee arthritis and injury prevention.

Dr. Sehgal and Paulina reside in Fargo. In their spare time, they enjoy hiking, traveling, biking and snowboarding, reading and cooking.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sehgal or Paulina Purnama, please contact Essentia Health Ada at 701-784-2727.

Essentia Health - Ada welcomes new Occupational Therapist

Friday, February 17, 2012, Ada, MN – Essentia Health Ada is happy to announce that Jennifer Hamre has accepted the position of Occupational Therapist at the Ada campus.

Hamre is originally from the Hillsboro, North Dakota area. She completed her Master’s of Occupational Therapy from the University of North Dakota Medical School in May of 2009 and has three years experience in the healthcare industry; most recently, as Lead Occupational Therapist at Sanford Medical Center Mayville. She is registered and licensed in both Minnesota and North Dakota and has been certified by the National Board of Occupational Therapy since June of 2009. Hamre is also a certified lymphedema therapist, educated in compression wrapping and manual lymph drainage techniques.

Jennifer’s areas of focus include orthopedics, neurological conditions, lymphedema treatment, home evaluations and adaptive equipment recommendations for increased independence. Her education and specialties will be a great asset to the Essentia Health Ada Therapy Department.

Jennifer resides near Caledonia, North Dakota with her husband, Brandon, and their two sons, Ross (23mo) and Emmett (4mo). Jennifer and her family enjoy traveling, do-it-yourself projects and home decorating.

For more information, please contact the Essentia Health Ada at 218-784-2727 or visit our blog at www.wereherewithyou.org.