Thursday, June 6, 2013

Volume 97; Number 49

www.bladepublishing.net staff@bladepublishing.net

A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

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Todd County Board will consider joining Cass County in fraud prevention program
By Rin Porter At the Health and Human Services Board meeting on May 28, commissioners heard from HHS employee Lisa Chapin that Todd County HHS wishes to join with Cass County HHS in a joint Fraud Prevention Investigation Program, effective July 1. The purpose of the program, Chapin said, would be to quickly resolve issues of public assistance program eligibility for citizens of Todd and Cass Counties. During 2011, Todd County HHS referred 24 cases to fraud investigation, and found after all the cases were completed, that overpayments totaling $70,000 had been made. In addition, the investigator discovered ineligible clients and saved the county $8,494 in claims. Joining the Frand Prevention Investigation Program will result in no cost to the county. Cass County is the host county for the Regional Administrative Agency of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, which bears the cost of the program. Commissioners discussed the program and decided to vote on it at the next county board meeting. A three-year agreement between the two counties has been drafted, and will be presented to the county board at its regular meeting on June 4. Chapin would manage the program in Todd County. Also at the HHS board meeting, Verna Toenyan of the Council on Aging presented a report on her activities during the past few months. As part of the Senior Transportation Program, Toenyan has concentrated on updating volunteer driver application forms, training procedures, and handbook. Toenyan also informed commissioners of the need for additional training for Todd County communities on how to manage people who have Alzheimers or senile dementia, but who live in the community rather than in a locked care facility. She said that only one community, Eagle Bend, has received extensive training. A recent incident occurred in which a person with Alzheimers wandered away from where he was supposed to be. Eagle Bend community members searched the area and found the person, and took him to a safe location. Continued on page 12.

Students receive Perfect Attendance awards

Browervilles 2012-2013 Perfect Attendance Awards recipients are: Emerson Johnson, Quinten Rickbeil, Dylan Recknor, Blake Irsfeld, Dylan Christensen, Bella Abrahamson, Austin Tyrrell, Alli Olander, Parker Duncan, Tanner Fischer, Andre Recknor, Jennae Quistorff, Reis Irsfeld, Zane Coyer, Tyra Myers, Annette Drayna, Caleb Christensen, Emersyn Hudalla, Frank Couchey, Cassius Recknor, Marissa Callahan, Zoe Hillmer, Jada Geyer, Anna Norton, Katherine Michel, Sam Hinnenkamp, Michael Gregerson, Ben Olander, Alexis Blenker, Jack Nedoroscik, Tate Johnson, Brady Emery, Kennady Hudalla, Grace Bruder, Amy Michel, Zak Irsfeld, and Colton Thieschafer

Nauber new Director of Long Prairie Chamber

By Rin Porter directors was interviewing for Prairie, they will do a search Karin Nauber, Clarissa, has the position, they wanted some- online. This is true whether they been hired by the Long Prairie one with web-building experi- are business people, tourists, or Chamber of Commerce as its ence and strong computer skills. employees doing some kind of new director. She applied in Karen has both. She designed research for their jobs. They February, was interviewed in will see our website. March, and began work on Karin was also chosen April 22. because of her personal netNauber will work three working experience. Over days per week, and has schedthe years she has been in uled office time from 2 to 5 Todd County, Karin has built PM every Tuesday, relationships with many difWednesday, and Thursday at ferent kinds of people. the Chambers office in the She said, If theres someLong Prairie Public Library thing that I dont know how to building. do, Ill know somebody who If youre thinking, Ive knows how to do it, and I can heard that name before, its call them. Networking is because you have. Karin important because we need Nauber has been the main teamwork in todays world. reporter for the Independent Here, its the Chamber, local News Herald newspaper for businesses and nonprofits, 17 years. Karin will still work and citizens. Working togethfor the paper part-time, and er, we can accomplish more Karin Nauber, Clarissa, has expects to remain an active than we can working alone. been hired by the Long Prairie news reporter, covering the If people dont work together, Chamber of Commerce as its new Todd County Board, and sevthey are not gaining all the director. eral city councils and school progress that they could to boards in the Eagle Bend- the websites for the Independent reach their goals. Clarissa area of the county. News Herald, The Verndale Sun, Karin is also known for her Although shes only been the City of Hewitt, and the City listening skills. As a reporter, Chamber Director for a few of Clarissa. she has had to listen to people weeks, Karin has already When asked why a website for 17 years. In her new posiredesigned the Chambers web- was important, Karin told us, tion as Chamber Director, she site. You can see the new look Its important because these will be doing a lot of listening. at www.longprairie.org days its the first place people Just yesterday, she said in <http://www.longprairie.org> . look for information. When Continued on page 12 When the Chamber board of they want to know about Long

Barb Spychalla, representative of the Todd Area Trails Association, presented Browerville Area Food Shelf Director Florence Rickbeil with a check for $300 Monday morning. The donation will be used to purchase additional supply items for the food shelf. The funds raised for the donation came from the clubs gambling proceeds. The club made simular donations to all of the Todd County Area Food Shelves.

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Tue. June 4 Rain/Thunder 61/50 Wed. June 5 Showers 56/44 Thur. June 6 Partly Cloudy 65/45 Fri. June 7 Partly Cloudy 67/49 Sat. June 8 Mostly Cloudy 69/53 Sun. June 9 Thunder Showers 69/53