Local briefs

RSVP, in cooperation with AARP, is again providing free tax help to seniors, disabled and low-income residents in Crow Wing County. Low-income residents are described as those who make less than $30,000 and require uncomplicated tax preparation.

Trained and IRS-certified volunteers are offering federal and state tax assistance at the following sites through April 15: noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Kingwood Senior Center, for walk-in traffic; 1-5 p.m. Fridays, Brainerd Public Library small meeting room, walk-in traffic; and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Central Lakes College by appointment only. Call 855-8158.

Tax help is also offered from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays, Garrison city offices, appointment only by calling 320-692-4957; from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Jessie Hallett Library in Crosby, appointment only by calling 546-8005; and from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays, Crosslake Community Center, appointment only by calling 692-4271.

Those seeking assistance are asked to bring copies of last year's taxes, all current income information and forms received from the IRS and Minnesota Department of Revenue. All information is confidential.Friends of the Brainerd Public Library are currently accepting donations for the spring book sale March 30-31.

Books may be dropped off at the library during regular business hours. Proceeds from the book sale are used to purchase materials for the library and to provide programming at the library.

For more information, call the library at 829-5574 or Dawn Stattine at 829-4092.

Soil district staff

to attend workshop

The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District office will be closed Thursday and Friday so that staff members can attend erosion control training sessions.

The office will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday.

Three recipients

chosen for program

Cass County, Pierz and Hackensack were selected to take part in the next round of the Healthy Communities Partnership Program.

The HCP program is offered through the Little Falls-based Initiative Foundation. Central Minnesota communities apply as a 15-20 member team representing an area's social, cultural and professional diversity.

Once selected, the team begins a year-long training process with exercises in team building and community development. Later sessions cover strategic planning. The foundation provides each community with an initial grant, ongoing staff assistance and priority project funding.

Cass County Environmental Services received a $12,500 grant for its comprehensive plan update, supporting a citizen-based planning process to update the county's comp plan and water plan.

The city of Pierz and the combination of the city of Hackensack with Birch Lake and Hiram townships both received $12,500 for projects originating from the HCP training.

The next round of training is set to begin March 27.

Little Falls to

get airport grant

Congressman Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., announced Monday the Little Falls airport was awarded a $76,968 grant for a snowplow and carrier for snow removal.

The equipment will be used on the runway, apron and taxiways.