REGIONAL BRIEFS: Dogs victimized by parvo outbreak

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From the Forum Communications News Bureau

Minnesota

Dogs victimized by parvo outbreak (WCT)

WILLMAR, Minn. — An outbreak of canine parvovirus in the Willmar area has prompted local veterinarians to remind dog owners to make sure their pet’s shots are up to date.

Well over a dozen cases, including some deaths, have been reported within the past two to three weeks.

“We maybe only see a handful a year but we’ve seen at least a 10-fold increase. It’s a lot,” said Dr. Dan Cook, owner of Country Lakes Veterinary Clinic, Green Lake Pet Hospital and Willmar Pet Hospital.

Canine parvovirus is highly contagious. The microbe that causes it can persist in the outdoor environment for up to six months. It is transmitted by direct contact with the feces of an infected dog or indirectly through contaminated objects such as hands, clothing, toys, bedding, and food or water dishes. It does not spread to humans.

Symptoms include vomiting, severe or bloody diarrhea and lethargy. Left untreated, parvo is usually fatal.

Young dogs and puppies under the age of 6 months who haven’t been vaccinated or received the full series of shots are the most vulnerable to parvovirus.

Man wanted in S.D. busted in Minnesota (WCT)

HECTOR, Minn. — A man wanted on drug charges in South Dakota now faces multiple charges in Minnesota.

Justin Andrew Walker, 27, faces charges including first degree manufacture of methamphetamine, third degree possession of methamphetamine in a school and park area, fourth degree sale of marijuana in a school and park area, and possession of methamphetamine precursors with intent to manufacture.

He was arrested at a home in Hector located near a city park and the Buffalo Lake – Hector High School on Monday evening. Authorities seized of a portable lab for manufacturing methamphetamine, nearly 2 grams of methamphetamine and about 4 pounds of marijuana from the home.

He made his first appearance on the charges in district court in Olivia on Wednesday, according to Renville County Assistant Attorney Glen Jacobsen.

The defendant also faces charges in Minnehaha County of South Dakota for felony controlled substance, theft and domestic assault, according to the complaint. South Dakota records indicate he also faces failure to appear and fugitive from justice charges there.

Bemidji man dies after rear-ending truck (BP)

CASS LAKE, Minn. — A Bemidji man died Thursday morning after rear-ending a dump truck on U.S. Highway 2 west of Cass Lake.

The Minnesota State Patrol reported that Theodore Bruers, 38, of Bemidji died in an accident that took place at 9:15 a.m. Thursday morning.

Bruers was driving a 2006 Dodge Sprinter in the eastbound lane of Highway 2 when he struck the truck, which was driven by Allen Pence, 64, of Cass Lake. Pence’s vehicle was also in the eastbound lane.

Pence suffered minor injuries in the accident.

The Cass Lake Fire Department and ambulance assisted the State Patrol at the scene.

Bear center to break ground on expansion (DNT)

ELY, Minn. — The North American Bear Center in Ely will break ground Sept. 30 on a $1 million expansion, nearly doubling the size of the research, education and exhibit facility.

A 2 p.m. ceremony will mark the beginning of work on an addition to create offices, a multimedia classroom, broadcast room, lecture hall and exhibit space. The project is expected to be completed by the spring.

Money for the expansion is coming in part from donations to the center, including one of $400,000. Another $155,000 was donated from fans of Lily, a mother bear that became an Internet sensation in the winter of 2010 when the birth of the cub, Hope, was captured on a Web camera.

Hope was shot and killed last fall by a hunter and is the namesake for what will be called the Hope Learning Center.

The mission of the bear center is to gather scientific facts about the region’s black bears in an effort to allow humans to co-exist with them, biologist Lynn Rogers said. It opened in May 2007.

Becker County 22-year-old killed in rollover (FF)

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – A 22-year-old Becker County man died Friday morning in a fatal crash near Elbow Lake, officials said.

According to a news release from Becker County Sheriff Tim Gordon, dispatchers received a report at 10:36 a.m. of a one-car rollover on Highway 35 about 30 miles northeast of Detroit Lakes.

Gordon stated in the news release that it appears the man swerved to avoid a pedestrian, lost control of his Dodge Avenger and overturned.

Emergency crews weren’t able to revive the driver at the scene of the crash.

The driver, who has not yet been identified, was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident, Gordon said.

An accident reconstruction has been requested, the sheriff said.

Interchange celebration planned in Perham (FF)

PERHAM, Minn. – A celebration to mark the completion of new interchange ramps at Highway 10 and Otter Tail County Road 34 near here is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Perham Health, 1000 Coney St. W.

The interchange project was constructed as the result of a public and private partnership through the Transportation Economic Development Program, a grant program available to communities for highway improvement and public infrastructure projects that aims to create jobs and support economic development.

TED is funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Local matches were provided by the city of Perham, Otter Tail County and private donations.

Finders of unclaimed wedding ring will get it back (FF)

MOORHEAD, Minn. – An unclaimed wedding ring discovered June 14 at the Menard’s store in south Moorhead will be turned over to the finders.

The Moorhead Police Department reported Friday that the ring was given to authorities by Jason Brenna and his daughter. Police looked for the previous owner, but said, despite numerous inquiries, they never came forward.

After satisfying statutory requirements, the department said it is now legally authorized to give the ring back to Brenna.

Women’s studies conference at MSUM seeks proposals (GFH)

MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead women’s studies program invites scholars and community activists to submit proposals for panels, papers, workshops and creative presentations for the Red River Women’s Studies Conference Oct. 26.

The theme of the 12th annual conference, held at MSUM Comstock Memorial Union, will be “Feminism in Action: Perspectives on Gender and Technology.” Keynote speaker will be Andrea Quijada, executive director of the New Mexico Museum.

Proposals should relate to how gender and technology intersect along with ways in which technology shapes feminist theory and activism. The deadline for submission is Sept. 30.

To register, submit a proposal, or for more information, visit the conference website at http://collaborate.mnstate.edu/public/blogs/wsprogram, or contact Ginny Bachmann, Women’s and Gender Studies, (218) 477-4072.

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North Dakota

Wildfires plague western N.D. (DP)

DICKINSON, N.D. -- Firefighters on Friday were battling fires burning thousands of acres across western North Dakota Friday afternoon.

The “Little Swallow Fire” on the Fort Berthold Reservation has burned about 6,000 acres since Wednesday and was about 40 percent contained Friday afternoon, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Firefighters also have been on the scene of a grass fire about 10 miles northwest of Grassy Butte this afternoon, officials said. They said the fire was big and hard to access.

Insurance agent forums Oct. 1-5 (FF)

BISMARCK – North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm and four staff members will conduct insurance agent forums at the following locations:

Knights of Columbus, Jamestown, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Oct 1.

Ramada Inn, Grand Forks, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 1.

Doublewood Inn, Fargo, 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 2.

Ramkota Hotel, Bismarck, 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 3.

Dickinson State University’s Badlands Activity Center, 8 to 11 a.m. MDT, Oct. 4.

Williston, Marquis Plaza & Suites, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 4.

Grand International Inn, Minot, 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 5.

Topics will include 2013 legislation, producer ethics and licensing, market analysis and filings, trends and other issues.

Attendees will receive three hours of continuing education credit, including one hour of ethics credit.

For more information, call (800) 247-0560.

N.D. website launches Kickstarter campaign (FF)

FARGO - Ghosts of North Dakota, a website that documents the remains of pioneer towns through photography, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to publish a coffee table book.

The book will feature photos, history and stories about North Dakota’s ghost towns and abandoned places.

To donate, log on to www.kickstarter.com/projects/1035155599/ghosts-of-north-dakota-the-book before 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10.

Festival of tuba music set at Peace Gardens Oct. 5-7 (GFH)

DUNSEITH, N.D. -- The first ever Oktubafest at the International Peace Gardens near Dunseith will be Oct. 5-7 featuring German food, fun and lots of tuba music.

Professional euphonium artist Adam Frey of Atlanta, and tubist Jerry Young of Eau Claire, Wis., will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Burdick Centre for the Performing Arts. Kraut and brats on a bun will be served in the nearby Peterson Dining Hall from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

Performances and workshops for tuba and euphonium players will be the focus of the weekend with high school and college musicians and teachers, as well as adult amateur musicians, invited to participate.

The Massed Tuba Euphonium Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Burdick Centre and the concert will feature the world premiere of a composition by Kenyon Williams commissioned especially for Oktubafest.

For more about the concerts and workshops, call (701) 263-4390 or (701) 838-8472, or visit http://www.internationalmusiccamp.com/news/oktubafest2012/ to register.

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