Here is your InForum Minute for Monday, Jan. 10.
FARGO — The fast-spreading omicron variant has taken hold in North Dakota as a closely watched forecasting model is predicting the latest wave in the pandemic will peak in the state in early February.
The University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicts that new daily infections in North Dakota will peak above 6,000 around Feb. 5. That level would be 2.4 times the model’s current estimate for 2,500 daily infections in the state.
The
that reported COVID-19 deaths in North Dakota will reach 2,458 by April 1, up from the 2,028 deaths reported as of Friday, Jan. 7.
Full story here.
Driver shortage prompts temporary reduction in MATBUS services
FARGO — An ongoing shortage of drivers is prompting a temporary change to MATBUS service, according to Cole Swingen, assistant transit director for the city of Fargo.
As a result of the driver shortage, all MATBUS fixed routes and MATBUS Paratransit services will end daily at 9:45 p.m. starting Monday, Jan. 10.
The change represents a temporary reduction in hours from the current service end time of 11:15 p.m.
The change will be in effect until further notice, though it is expected to last through May at the earliest.
Full story here.
Study underway to extend life of North Dakota’s only urban landfill in Fargo
FARGO — A yearlong study is underway here to see what can be done to stretch the life of the state’s only urban landfill.
Fargo Landfill Director Terry Ludlum said as they continue to reclaim the city’s original landfill on the 160 acres on the east side of 45th Street, they are looking at other options.
They include finding ways to divert more garbage from the landfill and studying new technologies.
The major project underway as the new year begins is to continue to reclaim the old landfill that was in use from the late 1950s to the late 1980s, when crews simply dug trenches and then covered the garbage in what was then largely a rural part of the metro.
Full story here.
Fargo’s S’mores and More event series begins Jan. 10
FARGO — The Fargo Park District is hosting S’mores and More events on Mondays at outdoor skating rinks for the remainder of January.
Attendees are invited to bring skates and participate in free open skating, warm up around bonfires, and enjoy snacks and music. S’mores supplies and hot cocoa will be available while supplies last.
Each free S’mores and More event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. The dates and locations are as follows:
- Jan. 10 at Roosevelt Park, 1220 9th St. N.
- Jan. 17 at Clara Barton Park, 1451 6th St. S.
- Jan. 24 at Longfellow Park, 20 29th Ave. N.
- Jan. 31 at Centennial Park, 4101 25th St. S.
The events are part of Frostival, a community-wide celebration of winter. For more information about Frostival events, visit
.
For more information about S’mores and More, contact the Fargo Park District at 701-499-6060 or visit
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WTHL3M72ZND7BOHDVSAKHHE45M.bmp)
