MnDOT gathering input on regional bicycle routes in NW MN

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is hosting open houses in counties across northwest Minnesota in order to gather input on regional bicycle routes that can be included in a Statewide Bicycle Network.

Area stakeholders are invited to help identify bicycle friendly routes that make meaningful connections in the region. The routes may include existing trails and roadways, and may cross the jurisdictions of the township, city, county and state.

The meetings will be held at the following locations and times:

·         Beltrami County – Sept. 13, 10 a.m., MnDOT District 2 Office, 3920 Highway 2 West, Bemidji

·         Kittson County – Sept. 14, 1 p.m., Kittson County Courthouse, 410 Fifth Street, Hallock

·         Norman County – Sept. 19, 1 p.m., Dekko Community Center, 107 Fourth Avenue East, Ada

·         Polk County – Sept. 20, 10 a.m., Crookston City Hall, 124 North Broadway, Crookston

·         Pennington County – Sept. 20, 6:30 p.m., Ralph Engelstad Arena, 525 Brooks Avenue, Thief River Falls

District 2 comprises over 1,800 miles of state highways across 14 counties 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.

You can learn more about MnDOT District 2, at to www.mndot.gov/d2.

Water Quality Town Hall Meetings to Be Held Across MN

ST. PAUL, MN – Joined by environmental advocates, lawmakers, and concerned Minnesotans for Water Action Day at the Minnesota State Capitol, Governor Mark Dayton today announced a series of Water Quality Town Hall meetings beginning in late July. The town halls will offer Minnesotans an opportunity to discuss the water quality challenges facing their communities and our state, learn from experts, and engage with policymakers. The town hall meetings build on the momentum from Governor Dayton’s “25 by 25” Water Quality goal proposal, announced earlier this year.

“All Minnesotans have a stake in water that’s safe for drinking, swimming, and fishing,” said Governor Dayton. “These town hall meetings will further the important conversations already happening across Minnesota around water quality. Together we can develop strategies and solutions that work for all of our communities.”

The State of Minnesota will host ten town hall meetings in communities across the state from late July through early October. These meetings are free to attend and open to the public.

In addition to attending the town halls, Minnesotans are encouraged to host their own community meetings about water quality from June through August. These Community Water Meetings offer an opportunity for cities, schools, families, and friends to identify ways individuals can work at the local level to move Minnesota towards the 25 by 25 goal. Individuals interested in registering to hold their own meeting can find more information at www.eqb.state.mn.us/25by25.

Earlier this year, Governor Dayton announced a new goal to improve Minnesota’s water quality 25 percent by 2025. Without additional action, the quality of Minnesota’s waters is expected to improve only 6 to 8 percent by 2034. If the goal is approved by the Legislature, a series of town halls and community meetings would engage local governments, farmers, scientists, environmental groups, and business leaders in a collaborative effort to address Minnesota’s water quality challenges.

Achieving a 25 percent improvement in water quality statewide would require Minnesota to take aggressive, yet achievable action. It also would help Minnesota meet existing commitments to reduce phosphorus 12 percent by 2025 and nitrogen 45 percent by 2040 in the Mississippi River.

Attend a Water Quality Town Hall This Summer or Fall

Town hall meetings have been scheduled in communities across Minnesota. Additional scheduling details will be made available ahead of the events.

·         Rochester – Water Quality Town Hall Monday, July 31, 2017 ·         Marshall – Water Quality Town Hall Wednesday, August 16, 2017 ·         Mankato – Water Quality Town Hall Thursday, August 17, 2017 ·         Crookston – Water Quality Town Hall Tuesday, September 5, 2017 ·         St. Cloud – Water Quality Town Hall Wednesday, September 6, 2017

·         Ely – Water Quality Town Hall Tuesday, September 12, 2017 ·         Bemidji – Water Quality Town Hall Wednesday, September 13, 2017 ·         Minneapolis – Water Quality Town Hall Tuesday, September 26, 2017 ·         Burnsville – Water Quality Town Hall Wednesday, October 4, 2017 ·         Maplewood – Water Quality Town Hall Thursday, October 5, 2017

Additional information will be available at www.eqb.state.mn.us/25by25.

Meeting set for parents of youth with autism

Parents of children or young adults under age 21 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a related condition are invited to a parents meeting hosted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, April 21, at the Brooklyn Park Public Library, 8500 W. Broadway, Brooklyn Park. The meeting will be held in the Mississippi Room. The meeting room is accessible and the library has free parking.

The meeting will focus on the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) benefit for children and young adults under age 21 with ASD and related conditions. The benefit, introduced in 2015, offers medically necessary, individualized and intensive treatment services for children and young adults with ASD and related conditions who are eligible for or enrolled in Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.

“We want more Minnesota families to be aware of the opportunities of this benefit, which was designed to address in a comprehensive way effects of ASD and related conditions for the youth and the family,” said Claire Wilson, DHS assistant commissioner for Community Supports.

This meeting is the first of proposed quarterly meetings in the state for parents to:

• Hear information about the EIDBI benefit from DHS staff
• Get answers to their questions about the EIDBI benefit
• Tell DHS staff about challenges and successes related to the EIDBI benefit
• Provide input on various topics related to the administration, implementation, or improvement of the EIDBI benefit.

Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting should email ASD.DHS@state.mn.usand say what type of accommodation you need.