The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District Finance Department has been awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story.
“It is extraordinary that WLSSD’s Finance Department has been recognized for excellence for 39 consecutive years,” said WLSSD executive director Marianne Bohren. “This notable achievement is not easily earned. It truly illustrates the exceptional leadership, dedication and hard work of our Director of Finance, Cathy Remington, and our talented finance team.”
The Government Finance Officers Association advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities it serves.
The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides wastewater and solid waste services to residents, businesses and industries within its 500 square mile legislative boundaries in Southern St. Louis and northern Carlton counties and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention.
St. Louis County in the News
By Dana Kazel
St. Louis County Public Health is seeking nominations from the public to recognize individuals or groups who have made significant effort to improve the health of residents or communities in St. Louis County. The Public Health Achievement Awards will be presented during the St. Louis County Board meeting on Tuesday, April 2.
Winners will be selected based on their leadership, Public Health contributions, community health improvement outcomes, collaboration and advocacy. The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, March 8.
Previous winners include:
2023: Ely Community Health Center, Rural Aids Action Network (RAAN), First Ladies of the Hillside, and Duluth City Councilor Terese Tomanek
2020: Rachel Doherty and Barbara Hinsz (Mesabi East Environmental Education Center), Dr. Jennifer Jones and Dr. Jordan Blessing; and the South St. Louis County Veterans Treatment Court
2019: Dr. Laura Palombi, the Ely Community Care Team, Dementia Friendly Duluth, and Ashley Grimm
2018: The Rutabaga Project, and Heather Hemphill Keely
2017: Verne Wagner, and the Diabetes Prevention Program partners (Duluth Area and Mesabi Family YMCAs and Essentia Health in Duluth and Virginia)
2016: Ruby's Pantry, and Eversmiles Pediatric Dentistry
More information, including a nomination form and instructions, are available online at stlouiscountymn.gov/phaward or by calling (218) 725-5214.
Minnesota Power in the News
Minnesota Power has issued a Request for Proposals for up to 400 megawatts of wind energy to come online by the end of 2027, an important milestone in advancing its EnergyForward vision for 100% carbon-free energy.
The RFP follows Minnesota Power’s 2021 Integrated Resource Plan approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which calls for the company to acquire up to 300 megawatts of solar energy that is being evaluated in a separate RFP and 400 megawatts of wind generation.
The procurement of wind through this RFP will increase by nearly 50% Minnesota Power’s wind portfolio of about 870 megawatts of owned and contracted capacity and provide customers with more renewable energy that will help the company and state meet carbon-free goals in the coming decades. The company currently delivers more than 50% renewable energy to its 150,000 retail customers.
As part of its EnergyForward strategy for a clean-energy future, Minnesota Power seeks cost-effective wind resources that are within the MISO Local Resource Zone 1 with direct interconnections to the transmission system and the ability to enter commercial production in 2026 or 2027.
This RFP will attempt to maximize the benefits of wind development and federal legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, including preferences for projects in energy-impacted communities; diverse bidders; domestically sourced materials; and requirements for using local prevailing wages, local labor for construction and permanent staffing, and the development of apprenticeship programs.
“The carbon-free future must be sustainable for the climate, customers and communities for everyone to thrive, so we seek projects that will create local jobs, local economic benefits and train people in renewable technologies,” said Minnesota Power Chief Operating Officer Josh Skelton. “New wind generation in the Upper Midwest can tap into an excellent wind resource and maximize use of regional transmission assets to deliver renewable energy to our customers and fits well with our portfolio of other energy supply resources to reliably meet customer demands around the clock.”
Minnesota Power will consider both build-own-transfer and power purchase agreement projects, with a preference for projects between 100 and 200 megawatts in both categories. An independent third-party evaluator will help Minnesota Power screen and review proposals.
Proposals will be accepted through April 11, 2024.
Duluth Police Press Release
At approximately 6 a.m., Thursday, February 15, Duluth Police Officers responded to the 1200 block of East 9th Street for a report of a male who was involved in an altercation and hit with a small shovel. The victim was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries sustained from the incident.
Officers quickly set up a perimeter and members of the Drone Team deployed a drone to aid in the investigation. The Drone Team was relaying information to other members of the Duluth Police Department who entered a TV room and detained 42-year-old Duluth resident Nathan Wyman without incident. Wyman was transported to a local hospital for treatment from an injury that was sustained during the altercation. Wyman was lodged at the County Jail for pending charges of Domestic Assault and 2nd Degree Assault.
