Conference looks at autism issues

The Anne Carlsen Center for Children will bring a special speaker on autism to a Bismarck conference.

Stacy Goresko, Ph.D., is a relationship development intervention program certified consultant from Longmont, Colo.

The conference will be held April 14-15 at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Bismarck. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Workshop sessions run each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Conference participants will learn about the fundamentals of relationship development intervention and how it helps children on the autism spectrum overcome relationship challenges and become engaged and connected to the world around them.

For registration materials for the conference, contact Julie Hoeckle at 800-568-5175 or julie.hoeckle@;annecenter.org.

Graduate workshop credit and CEUs are pending. More information is available at www.annecenter.org.

Program on medications offered

The April Eldercare Program is "Wise Use of Prescription Medications."

Information on generic medication, Medicare Part D and medication therapy management will be presented by Rick Detwiller, R.Ph., director of St. Alexius Community Pharmacy.

The program runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m. April 10 at St. Alexius Boniface Auditorium. Enter through the east entrance at 10th Street and Rosser Avenue. Register by April 8 by calling 530-7700 or 800-843-9628.

The cost is $5 per person or $3 for "Especially for Seniors" members.

Foreign language group meeting

The Foreign Language Association of North Dakota is celebrating its 40th anniversary on April 11 at the Seven Seas in Mandan.

Elementary, secondary and university foreign language teachers as well as university students with foreign language majors are invited.

For more information, contact LeAnne Tracey at 701-770-1899 or Sandra Meidinger at 701-254-4717. To learn more about FLAND and the details of the spring conference, google "FLAND" and check the online newsletter for spring 2008.

College offers therapy course

A manual therapy course for the physical therapist assistant will be held at Williston State College on April 19-20.

The course will focus on spinal and peripheral joint mobilizations, with an emphasis on safe and effective manual therapy.

The course is designed for physical therapist assistants who are interested in expanding their manual therapy skills. Legal and ethical concerns regarding the performance of manual therapy by PTAs also will be discussed.

This is a lab-based course. Participants will earn 12 contact hours. Justin Berry, MPT and DPT, will be the instructor for the course. There are a limited number of seats available. Call 701-774-4277 or toll-free at 866-938-6963 for more information.

NanoDays event planned

Gateway to Science will participate in a NanoDays event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Science centers around the country are holding events to highlight the many applications of nanotechnology.

Stations will be set up for all ages to experience nanotechnology. Invisible sunblock, stain resistant fabric, "liquid" metals, carbon nanotubes and antibacterial silver are some of the activities that will be encountered.

Nano Days will be held at Gateway to Science at the High Prairie Arts and Science Complex, 1810 Schafer St., Bismarck. For more information, go to www.gscience.org or call 258-1975.

Water authority to meet April 7

The Southwest Water Authority board of directors meeting will be held at 9 a.m. MDT April 7 at the Elks Lodge in Dickinson.

For more information, or to be placed on the agenda, contact Loren Myran, chairman of the board, at 701-974-3644, or Southwest Water Authority toll-free at 888-425-0241.

Bowling event benefits program

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bismarck-Mandan has scheduled Bowl For Kids' Sake 2008 for April 26 at Midway Lanes.

The funds will go to recruit and screen volunteer mentors who will be role models and friends to nearly 40 children waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister.

All Bowl For Kids' Sake participants will be eligible to win door prizes. Individuals are asked to form teams and get pledges to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The team entry fee is a minimum of $250; however, each team is urged to raise more. There will be additional prizes for the individuals who raise the most money.

Registration is at 1:30 p.m. Bowling starts at 2 p.m. at Midway Lanes on the "Strip" in Mandan.

To register a team, obtain roster and pledge sheets or for more information, call 222-0797, fax 223-5775 or e-mail edbbbs@;btinet.net.

Traffic fine issue could be touchy

FARGO (AP) - U.S. District Judge Rodney Webb says he won't grant class action status to a lawsuit over Fargo traffic fines if it's going to turn into a "boondoggle" of expenses that leaves little money for those who paid the fines.

Attorneys for both sides say they don't want that, either - but there are issues and legal questions that need to be resolved.

The North Dakota Supreme Court recently ruled that Fargo may not charge traffic fines that exceed the penalties in state law. The opinion was part of a federal lawsuit filed by a woman who wants the case declared as a class action lawsuit, which could benefit any motorist who paid a Fargo traffic fine since August 2001.

Webb will decide on the class action question later.

Dunn County crash kills one

DICKINSON, (AP) - A pickup rollover on state Highway 22 in Dunn County has killed a Mandaree man.

The Highway Patrol says 25-year-old Coleton Fettig lost control of his vehicle on the frost-covered roadway not long after midnight, and it rolled in a field.

Fettig was partially thrown from the pickup, and pronounced dead at the scene.

Home in fatal fire in question

WILLISTON (AP) - Williston officials are trying to determine what to do with a home that was the site of a fatal fire.

Eighty-seven-year-old Harriot Weisgerber died about two weeks after the March 8 fire in her home. Authorities say they believe the blaze was caused by a discarded cigarette.

Fire Chief Alan Hanson says the home was not insured, and officials have had problems finding any of Weisgerber's relatives. He says the property might have to be condemned.

Minn. mulls lowering drinking age

ST. PAUL (AP) - Some state lawmakers have introduced bills that would lower the drinking age in Minnesota from 21 to 18.

Representative Phyllis Kahn of Minneapolis says lowering the drinking age could decrease binge drinking among young adults because it would make alcohol less forbidden.