LOCAL BRIEFS

Desiree Montonye, a program director at PORT Group Homes, was hired Friday as the organization's new executive director.

Board member Marlee Larson said the board made its decision Friday morning and Montonye accepted the position. Larson said Montonye came to PORT as a program director for the boys' group home in November of 2008. Before that she served in an administrative position at Prairie View Med Center One in Underwood, N.D.

Montonye replaces Karen Johnston, who served as executive director for about a dozen years. Larson said Johnston left PORT to accept a job as executive director of TASKS, a nonprofit entity in Minneapolis that provides housing and job services to people with a mental health diagnosis. Her last day was in mid-July.

Larson said Montonye told board members she was committed to moving PORT forward, increasing the resident population, keeping the budget in the black and helping the staff with the leadership transition.

Picnic planned for families with special needs children

A family potluck picnic for families of children with special needs/disabilities will be noon Sunday at Oscar Kristopherson Park (behind Baxter Elementary School). Bring one dish to share and your own beverages. Contact Becky Meyer at 828-6359 for more information.