Local briefs

All farmers and ranchers in Crow Wing and Cass counties can participate in the election of the county's Farm Service Agency Committee.

Nominations can be submitted for candidates in Wolford, Rabbit Lake, Irondale, Deerwood, Nokay Lake, Bay Lake, Maple Grove, Garrison, Platte Lake and Roosevelt townships in Crow Wing County.

All producers who have registered with the Farm Service Agency office as eligible voters may nominate a candidate from their township. Spouses are encouraged to register separately and cast their own ballot. For the 2003 election, only one of the townships will be involved in the process.

The county committee system is designed to give each producer an opportunity to participate in the delivery of the USDA Farm program.

'United We Stand' plates part of bill

Rep. Dale Walz, R-Brainerd, announced Wednesday he plans to introduce legislation creating "United We Stand" Minnesota license plates. The license plates would give Minnesota drivers an opportunity to show their patriotism while supporting anti-terrorism efforts throughout the state.

The "United We Stand" license plates would be an option similar to the Critical Habitat license plates available now from the Department of Public Safety. Currently, six other states have this type of program: Massachusetts, Virginia, Connecticut, South Carolina, Florida and New Jersey.

Walz said funds raised from the optional license plates would go to support public safety projects, such as the proposed anti-terrorism training facility at Camp Ripley. The money also could help pay for training and equipment to defend against bioterrorism.

Transportation committee to meet

The Brainerd Transportation Committee will meet 3 p.m. Thursday at Brainerd City Hall.