LOCAL BRIEFS

LITTLE FALLS - Unity Family Healthcare and Catholic Health Initiatives have signed a letter of intent to sell St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls to Eldercare of Minnesota, a private organization owned by Jim and Kathy Birchem of Little Falls.

Eldercare operates or manages four skilled nursing facilities and 10 assisted living facilities in Minnesota.

Carl Vaagenes, UFH president, said in a news release that he expects a definitive agreement to be reached in the next few weeks. He said a transfer of ownership is tentatively scheduled for September.

Vaagenes said the health care facility is making the necessary investments to meet the changing consumer expectations to improve the residents' enjoyment of the environment at St. Otto's.

Lisa Germscheid, UFH board chair, said the CHI and UFH boards determined to sell the facility to maintain the center's reputation by being able to invest in the facility in a timely manner in order to meet changing consumer expectations in long-term care.

UFH is a multi-facility health care organization, which includes St. Gabriel's Hospital, St. Otto's Care Center, St. Camillus Place and Alverna Apartments in Little Falls and Albany Area Hospital and Medical Center in Albany.

Nisswa Fire Department receives grant

NISSWA - The Nisswa Fire Department recently received a $5,900 grant from the Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. The grant went toward equipping a pumper truck with a Jaws of Life tool for extricating victims from vehicle crashes. The fire department previously only had such a tool on its rescue truck.

For more information on the grant visit www.firemansfund.com.