LOCAL BRIEFS

The State Patrol along with other Minnesota law enforcement agencies will be stepping up patrols for St. Patrick's Day weekend.

Over the last three years on St. Patrick's Day in Minnesota alcohol-related crashes accounted for four of 11 traffic deaths. Another 25 motorists were seriously injured in crashes of which nine were alcohol-related. There were 1,263 impaired drivers arrested for DWI statewide on St. Patrick's Day during 2005-2007. Each year, alcohol-related crashes account for about 200 deaths in Minnesota.

Planning ahead is the key for traffic safety on any holiday, particularly St. Patrick's Day weekend.

"Once you start drinking, it's too late to start planning. Until motorists begin making safe decisions, alcohol-related crashes will continue to be a factor in around 200 traffic deaths a year," said Sgt. Curt Mowers from the Brainerd district of the State Patrol. "So far, 2008 is looking better than previous years in total fatals year-to-date."

Bi-County CAP seeks members from Cass, Beltrami Counties

Bi-County Community Action Program has openings on it board of directors for two low-income representatives, one from Beltrami County and one from Cass County.

The board members will be elected in April. The nomination process ends March 26. Low-income people who want to help others through Bi-County CAP can get more information from the Bemidji office at (218) 751-4631. People outside Bemidji can call Bi-County CAP at (800) 332-7161.

The board of directors meets every other month. Its purpose is to adopt the overall policies of the agency, review grant applications and reports, establish agency goals and priorities and monitor and evaluate agency operations. Members receive a meeting allowance and are reimbursed for travel expenses.