LOCAL BRIEFS

Former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger will present findings on a Minnesota health care cost study during a forum at 10 a.m. Saturday in the John Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

The forum, which is open to the public, is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Brainerd Lakes Area, the Rosenmeier Center for State and Local Government, the Brainerd Dispatch and the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce.

Durenberger, a Republican from Minnesota, served in the U.S. Senate from 1978 to 1995.

Howes identifies area projects in House bonding bill

St. PAUL -- Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, identified the impact the House bonding bill would have on area projects if it survives and is signed by the governor in its current form.

The $816 million bill includes $12.6 million for a state forensic nursing home at the Ah-Gwah-Ching facility near Walker, an appropriation Howes sponsored. The $12.6 million would be used to design, construct, furnish and equip a state-operated nursing home of about 50 beds.

In addition, Howes said there is library funding that would help cities such as Crosslake build a library or help the cities of Pine River and Walker renovate their libraries.

Howes expressed disappointment that the appropriation of $1.6 million for the development of the Big Bog State Recreation Area was not included in the bill.

Cattle producers' group to conduct fund-raiser Friday

MOTLEY -- Tri-County Livestock Auction in Motley will host a fund-raiser for Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund so the organization can work on trade issues that affect independent U.S. cattle producers.

The auction will be 3 p.m. Friday during a feeder sale at the auction site.

Danny and Sue Wiese of the Flying W Ranch near Pequot Lakes donated a calf for the fund-raiser. R-CALF is fighting the U.S. Department of Agriculture's reopening of the Canadian border to live cattle younger than 30 months and additional beef products.

Post office closed Monday

The Brainerd Post Office will close Monday in observance of Presidents Day.

Postmaster Warren D. McQuay said regular residential and business deliveries will not be made on Monday and usual post office lobby services will not be available with the exception of post office lock box service. A postal employee will be on hand from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday to help customers with the new automated postal center in the lobby. Using a credit card, customers can mail their letters and parcels during the holiday.

Mail pickup from collection boxes also will be on a holiday schedule as posted on individual boxes.

McQuay said mailing services will continue to be available at the Baxter branch station in the Baxter Triangle Store.

Nature learning center begins Initiative Foundation program

The Paul Bunyan Nature Learning Center is one of seven nonprofit organizations that recently began the Initiative Foundation's Healthy Organizations Partnership.

The two-year program is designed to help nonprofit organizations become more effective by providing strategic planning assistance, leadership training and implementation grants.

Brainerd council meets Tuesday

Because of the Presidents Day holiday the Brainerd City Council will meet 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Brainerd City Hall.

Brainerd, county transit to operate on regular schedule

The Brainerd and Crow Wing Public Transit will be open Monday on Presidents Day. It will operate during its normal business hours.

United Way, chamber still seeking input on survey

The Crow Wing County United Way and the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce continue to seek opinions for their community needs assessment survey.

Interested people in Crow Wing and southern Cass County can go to www.unitedwaynow.org or www.explorebrainerdlakes.com and select the community needs assessment button.

Input will be solicited until March 15.