Local news briefs

The cap and trade program will be the topic of the next League of Women Voters of the Brainerd Lake Area meeting at noon Nov. 12 at the Brainerd Public Library.

The speaker will be Katie Fernholz, executive director of Dovetail Partners, an environmental group that provides information about the impacts and trade-offs of environmental decisions. She will discuss consumption choices, land use and policy alternatives, carbon footprints, how a cap and trade system might affect Minnesota and legislation in Congress.

Ovarian cancer support group to meet Nov. 12

NISSWA - The next Ovarian Cancer Support Group meeting is planned from 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Nisswa American Legion, in the lower level meeting room, 25807 Main St., Nisswa.

The meeting, sponsored by the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance - online at mnovarian.org - is free and ovarian cancer survivors, family members and friends are invited. The public is also welcome. Pre-registration is encouraged. A light snack will be provided.

RSVP is requested by calling Teresa Faust, local area volunteer and ovarian cancer survivor, at 963-9566.

Forum explores post-traumatic stress disorder

Psychotherapist Morgan Juel, M.A., with Nystrom and Associates, and Connie Seldon, M.S.W., a licensed clinical social worker at St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center, served as panelists Tuesday for a program on post-traumatic stress disorder at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

The CLC Psychology Club hosted the two-hour forum. Several veterans joined an audience of students and some instructors and counseling staff in the Chalberg Theatre audience. Besides defining the disorder and citing incidents that may produce it, the two clinical specialists provided numerous resources available for those who may be suffering from PTSD. At CLC, a resource for returning veterans is the Veterans Resource Center.

Hospice Awareness Month

Good Samaritan Society Home Care and Hospice is joining hospice care centers throughout the country in celebrating National Hospice and Palliative Care month during November. The monthlong awareness recognizes and honors health care professionals and volunteers who provide end-of-life care to more than 1.2 million individuals annually.

At 3 p.m. Sunday Good Samaritan Hospice will host its second annual remembrance and blessing ceremony at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa. This will be a time to reflect and honor patients and families served this past year.

Howes, Ward, Skogen receive commendation from tourism group

Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, and Sen. Dan Skogen, DFL-Hewitt, were three of five legislators who were recently recognized as Friends of Minnesota Tourism by the Minnesota Resort and Campground Association.

They were singled out for their support of the resort and campground industry. The other lawmakers who were honored were Rep. Joe Atkins, DFL-Inver Grove Heights, and Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall.

Association officials said tourism is a $11 billion dollar industry in Minnesota and generates 15 percent of all state sales tax revenue.

Little Falls city administrator retires; interim plan in place

LITTLE FALLS - The Little Falls City Council Monday appointed Lori Kasella, city finance officer, and Gerald Lochner, public works director, as interim city administrators, effective Jan. 1.

City Administrator Garrison Hale turned in his letter of retirement on Oct. 19. Hale's last day with the city will be effective Dec. 31.