MN Winter Load Increases in North Frost Zone

Winter Load Increases will begin on unrestricted highways in the NORTH FROST ZONE at 12:01 AM on Thursday, December 14, 2017.

Vehicles will be allowed to operate up to 10 percent over the standard legal maximum loads on unrestricted highways during the Winter Load Increase period.  However, trucks must comply with current registration weight laws and not exceed registered gross weight tolerances.  Please check with local agencies (cities, counties and townships) prior to increasing any weights on their routes. The sign erected on the roadway governs the load limit in effect.  A Winter Weight Increase Permit is required to take advantage of the 10 percent weight increase on Interstate Highways only; a permit is not required for state trunk highways.

For questions about enforcement call: Minnesota Department of Public Safety, State Patrol - Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, 651-405-6196 (select Option 3, Option 3).

For questions about over legal weight/size "heavy haul" trucking call: Minnesota Department of Transportation, Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations - Oversize/Weight Permits, 651-296-6000 or email:  ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us

Winter Load Increases starting and ending dates are based on how weather is affecting roadway strength.  These dates are established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change.  Therefore, the ending date for Winter Load Increases is variable and drivers MUST check for updates throughout the year. Vehicle operators are required to check with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the exact start and end dates.

All changes are made with a minimum three calendar-day notice.

As soon as a date is set, MnDOT will report this date on its 24-hour automated message center at 1‑800‑723‑6543 for the USA and Canada, and locally at 651‑366‑5400 for the Minneapolis/St Paul area. This information is also published on the MnDOT Seasonal Load Limits website: www.mndot.gov/loadlimits

MN Commerce Dept launches senior fraud prevention campaign

SAINT PAUL – The Minnesota Commerce Department is convening a series of free public forums to provide information for older Minnesotans and their family caregivers on how to protect themselves and their money from common scams and fraud.

Older adults are often targeted for financial exploitation. It is estimated that one out of every five persons over the age of 65 has been victimized by a financial swindle, with older Americans defrauded out of nearly $3 billion each year. The threat of senior financial fraud is expected to grow as the senior population itself grows.

To provide older Minnesotans and their loved ones with the knowledge and tools to stop fraud before it starts, the Commerce Department is working with law enforcement, social service agencies and groups such as AARP Minnesota, Minnesota Elder Justice Center and Senior LinkAge Line (Minnesota Board on Aging).

A free copy of the Commerce Department’s financial fraud prevention toolkit can be requested by email at consumer.protection@state.mn.us or by phone at 800-657-3602. It is also available on the Commerce Department website (mn.gov/commerce).

Senior Fraud Prevention Events

Monday, December 4, 11:00 a.m. Hennepin County Library-Edina 5280 Grandview Square, Edina

Tuesday, December 5, 9:30 a.m. Cora McCorvey Center: Heritage Park, 1015 N. 4th St., Minneapolis

Thursday, December 7, 12:30 p.m. Rochester Public Library, 101 2nd St. SE, Rochester

Friday, December 8, 11:00 a.m. Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Dr., St. Cloud

Tuesday, December 12, 11:00 a.m. Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior, Duluth

Thursday, December 14, 2:00 p.m. Realife Cooperative of Phalen Village, 1355 Phalen Blvd., St Paul

CRES Seeks Partners on Class Projects

CROOKSTON, Minn. – Entrepreneurs and small business owners can receive valuable assistance through an opportunity offered by the Center for Rural Entrepreneurial Studies (CRES) at the University of Minnesota Crookston. CRES is seeking regional entrepreneurs and small business owners interested working with UMC students on a class project for their business.  Potential projects may include, but are not limited to, marketing and management strategies, business plans, assistance with accounting software, marketing research, competitive analysis, social media marketing, and other projects identified by the client.  All projects are completed by U of M Crookston students under the guidance of qualified faculty at no cost.

Each semester, both spring and fall, CRES integrates projects into courses offered on campus. These projects become an integral part of the course curriculum and are designed to benefit small business owners and entrepreneurs while providing students with real-world business experiences.

Applications for the program are accepted anytime; however, priority is given to applications received prior to the due dates. The 2018 spring semester application deadline is Friday, December 15, 2017. Interested individuals and business can apply for assistance at www.umccres.org/apply.  All applications are screened by CRES and the projects that best fit the mission of CRES and enhance the learner outcomes for the course will be contacted for a follow-up meeting to determine guidelines, client expectations, and to review other relevant information regarding participation.

For more information about the opportunity, contact Rachel Lundbohm, director of CRES at 218-281-8190 (rlundboh@umn.edu) or visit the CRES Web site at www.umccres.org. The CRES office is located in Dowell Hall 117 on the Crookston campus.