Girl Scouts mentor meeting set for Thursday, Oct. 6
Join the Girl Scouts at their First Mentor Meeting held Thursday, Oct. 6 at St. Francis Xavier School, 219 Second St. N., Sartell. New registrations begin at 5:45 p.m. with the meeting going from 6-7 p.m. This event is open to all girls K-12th grade from Sartell, St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids, Rice and Royalton.
••••••••••••••••••
Political signs not allowed in highway rights-of-way
Stearns County would like to remind property owners that placement of campaign signs and other unauthorized objects in highway rights-of-way is prohibited under Minnesota State Statute 160.27. In addition, campaign signs may not be placed on private property outside of the right-of-way limits without landowner consent. Highway rights-of-way typically include the driving lanes, inside and outside shoulders, ditches and sight corners at intersections. Crews will remove any unlawfully placed signs and impound them at one of the county’s local maintenance garages. County staff will hold the signs at the garage for a period of 10 days. During that time, the owners may come to claim the signs. If not claimed after 10 days, county staff may discard the signs. Violation of this law is a misdemeanor. Civil penalties also may apply if the placement of such material contributes to a motor-vehicle crash and injures a person or damages a motor vehicle that runs off the road.
••••••••••••••••••
Mental Illness Awareness Week starts Oct. 2
National Mental Illness Awareness Week is Oct. 2-8. This week is marked by community education efforts in all 50 states to raise awareness that mental illnesses are treatable medical conditions, and that there is help and hope for children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. To learn more about anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, or to find support groups, family educational classes and other resources, contact National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota at 651-645-2948 or 1-888-626-4435, or go to namihelps.org.
••••••••••••••••••
Department of Commerce offers tips for flooding, excessive rain damage
Recent mega-rain events have caused flood and water damage for many Minnesota homeowners and businesses. As Minnesotans clean up from the mess, the Minnesota Commerce Department is offering information about insurance coverage and tips on replacing water-damaged furnaces, water heaters and other energy-related mechanical equipment. The first thing to find out is whether you have insurance coverage that will help. In general, damage caused by rising surface water or mudflow requires flood insurance that is separate from standard homeowners insurance. However, damage caused by falling rain water that enters the home through the roof or walls may be covered by your homeowners policy. Check with your insurance company or agent as soon as possible. Most mechanical equipment and associated supply and vent lines damaged by flood water will likely need to be replaced. This includes furnaces and boilers, water heaters, energy-recovery ventilation and air conditioners. Many utility companies offer rebates when purchasing high-efficiency equipment and appliances. For more information on energy topics, contact the Commerce Department’s Energy Information Center by email at energy.info@state.mn.us or by phone at 800-657-3710.
••••••••••••••••••
Recovery night scheduled at St. Cloud VA
The Veterans’ Mental Health Advocacy Council is hosting Recovery Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 at Building 96, St. Cloud Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, located at 4801 Veterans Drive in St. Cloud. Developed and presented by veterans, Recovery Night features several veterans who will share their stories of recovery. For veterans, the concept of recovery is about staying in control of their life despite experiencing a mental-health condition, and emphasizes people with mental illness can gain or regain the capacity to live a meaningful and self-determined life, and thrive in their communities. Veterans, family members, community members and organizations with an interest in or who are curious about VA mental-health recovery and programs are invited to attend. In support of rehabilitation and recovery of every veteran with a mental illness, the VA has identified recovery as a guiding principle for its entire mental-health-service-delivery system. Recovery is a journey that involves developing hope, self-direction, empowerment, respect and peer support. The Veterans’ Mental Health Advocacy Council is a self-governing group of veteran mental-health consumers and their family members, and includes representatives from community mental-health agencies. The purposes of the council are to provide input regarding local mental-health structures and operations and to share information with veterans, family members and community representatives about local VA mental-health programs and initiatives.
