BID FAREWELL TO THE MOORHEAD LIBRARY
MOORHEAD – The Moorhead Public Library and the Friends of the Moorhead Library invite the public to help them turn the page and bid farewell to the library’s current location at 118 5th St. S. with a special farewell to the building party scheduled Thursday, February 5 from 2-7 p.m.
The event, which is offered as part of Giving Hearts Day, will feature refreshments and snacks, short remarks from library leaders, community members and special guests reflecting on the library’s impact and sharing stories from across the decades. In partnership with the local historical society, it will also include a History Harvest, which encourages community members to bring photographs, documents and memories related to the library and its role in local life. Historical society staff will be on hand to help record stories and preserve these materials for future generations.
Whether you’ve been visiting the library for years or just discovered it recently, this is a chance to say goodbye, share your memories, and help carry the spirit of this building into our next chapter. Come celebrate the past, contribute to the historical record, and look ahead with us as we prepare for an exciting new beginning. Learn more about the Turning the Page event at larl.org/farewell.
GATE CITY BANK GIVES BACK: $25,000 UP FOR GRABS
Community Members Invited to Nominate Charities for Giving Hearts Day Contest
FARGO – Gate City Bank is inviting community members to make a big impact for local charities. From Jan. 20 through Feb. 4, nominations are open for Giving Hearts Day charities to win $25,000.
Submitting a nomination is quick and easy. Community members can nominate as many charities as they like, as often as they like, at GateCity.Bank/GivingHearts. After the nomination period ends, the bank will select one eligible charity to receive the $25,000 donation. The winner will be announced on Giving Hearts Day, Feb. 12.
“Giving Hearts Day is all about generosity and community,” said Amanda Torok, Gate City Bank Senior Vice President of Culture. “We’re thrilled to give people the opportunity to support the causes they care about and amplify their impact with this gift.”
Giving Hearts Day, launched in 2008 by Dakota Medical Foundation, is a 24-hour fundraising initiative benefiting charities across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. As a longtime supporter, Gate City Bank is committed to empowering generosity and creating lasting change in the communities it serves.
Since 2014, the bank has donated more than $2.2 million and supported over 300 charities through Giving Hearts Day. During that time, community members have submitted more than 990,000 charity nominations.
In addition to the $25,000 giveaway, Gate City Bank is hosting a multi-community food drive to collect nonperishable items for local food pantries. Donations can be dropped off at any Gate City Bank location. Last year, the bank collected 3,851 items.
“It’s amazing to see how much people rally around local charities,” said Kim Settel, Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer at Gate City Bank. “Giving Hearts Day really shows the generosity and kindness that make our communities so special, and we’re proud to be part of this important day.”
To view complete rules and submit nominations, visit GateCity.Bank/GivingHearts.
MPD ANNOUNCES ARRESTS IN MULTI-AGENCY NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION
MOORHEAD – The Moorhead Police Department, in coordination with the Cass County Drug Task Force, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the local DEA Office, executed multiple search warrants this week as part of a months-long narcotics investigation, resulting in two arrests.
On Thursday, January 15, Harold Bowen, Jr. (49-year-old) of Saint Cloud, Florida, and Malcolm Parker (34-year-old) of Chicago, Illinois, were arrested on felony charges of Controlled Substance Crime in the First Degree and Ineligible Person in Possession of a Firearm. Bowen and Parker were transported to the Clay County Jail.
During the investigation, detectives learned the suspects were renting multiple Airbnb properties in Moorhead and Fargo to distribute narcotics. Items seized during the searches included:
Approximately 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine (estimated street value of $12,500)
$14,000 in U.S. currency
One 9 mm handgun
12 high-value bicycles and e-bikes
A small amount of marijuana in Fargo
“This operation is a great example of collaboration with our local partners to keep our communities safe,” said Investigations Lieutenant Mike Detloff. “We also encourage short-term rental property owners to be proactive — use identity verification tools, communicate with guests before approving reservations, and report suspicious activity to local police. Simple steps like these can help prevent criminal activity from entering our neighborhoods.”
FARGO, MOORHEAD AND WEST FARGO FIRE DEPARTMENTS LAUNCH 14TH CLASS OF METRO FIRE ACADEMY
FARGO – The Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo Fire Departments will welcome the 14th class of recruits to the Metro Fire Academy on Tuesday, January 20. A total of 10 recruits will receive 18 weeks of training, taking part in ride-alongs, workouts, classroom instruction and live fire scenarios. They will gain hands-on experience in a controlled environment, learning techniques to prepare them for real-life, emergency situations.
Established in the spring of 2020, the Metro Fire Academy is a shared training program that serves three fire departments. The academy has graduated 90 firefighters and has enhanced interagency cooperation across the community.
“We’re excited to welcome the 14th class to the Metro Fire Academy,” said Fargo Fire Chief Gary Lorenz. “This partnership between Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo continues to show the strength of regional collaboration. By training together under one rigorous program, we’re ensuring every recruit is prepared for the physical, mental and technical demands of the job and that residents across the metro area receive consistent, high-quality fire service.”
Anyone interested in a firefighting career is encouraged to visit FargoFire.com, MoorheadFire.com and WestFargoFire.org to learn more about each department and explore career opportunities.
LAPOINT JOINS BELL BANK AS VP/MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Bell Bank has hired Derrick LaPoint as VP/market development for Bell Bank. In his role, LaPoint will strengthen Bell’s presence in public finance and business banking across the region by building relationships and delivering tailored financial solutions to local governments and businesses.
“Derrick is a great fit for Bell and our public finance and commercial customers,” said Jon Eisert, Bell’s SVP/market development & public finance director. “As we expand our public finance division, Derrick will play a critical role in helping Bell broaden our services to local governments and municipalities.”
LaPoint joins Bell with significant experience in government administration, including in economic development and planning. Since 2018, he served as president/CEO of Downtown Moorhead Inc., where he helped drive revitalization and economic development in Moorhead, Minnesota and the region. Previously, he served as a planning coordinator and planner with the City of Fargo.
LaPoint has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geography with an emphasis in urban planning and community development from the University of North Dakota. A former hockey player at UND, LaPoint was selected in the 2006 NHL draft by the Florida Panthers.
“I’m excited to join Bell Bank which has a long and proud history of helping communities and business succeed,” LaPoint said. “I’m especially pleased to bring my experience to the public finance sector, as Bell continues to expand financing and services for municipalities, institutions, and more.”
DILWORTH 2025 STAR BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR
DILWORTH – The Star City Commission has announced the winners of its 2025 Star Business of the Year Awards in the “Emerging Business” and “Legacy Business” categories in Dilworth. The U Haul Company has been named the “Emerging Star Business,” and TAK Music Venue has been honored as the “Legacy Star Business.”
Both the U Haul Company and TAK Music Venue will be presented with their awards and honored by the Dilworth City Council at its regular meeting on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.