Volunteers to get background checks

FARGO (AP) - Some volunteers at the public library here will be subjected to background checks.

The library already conducts background checks on new employees. A new policy adopted by the board of directors calls for similar checks of volunteers whose duties bring them into contact with the elderly and young children.

With a stronger state and national focus on background checks, "I don't think we can't do it," library director Beth Postema said.

She said volunteers who work one specific event have limited contact with clients and don't warrant the expense of a background check.

The policy also clarifies that the library can't accept volunteers ordered by the courts to perform community service, a rule based on "previous, very negative history," Postema said.

Old neighborhood park reopening

GRAND FORKS (AP) - One of this city's oldest neighborhood parks is getting ready for the public again.

Riverside Park, flooded by the Red River in 1997, has been closed for three years of reconstruction and flood levee work. Officials say it should be open today.

Park District Director John Staley has been working with city engineers and Army Corps of Engineers contractors to set a date for the park to reopen. He said last week that they should be able to finish their work by today.

"We're going to go ahead and operate it," Staley said. "That is certainly the intent of our board."

Mexico's largest wheat buyer visiting

FARGO (AP) - North Dakota officials hope a visit by representatives of Mexico's largest wheat buyer this week will mean more wheat sales to that country.

Top executives of Gruma will be in the state through Tuesday to visit the Northern Crops Institute in Fargo and take part in conference calls with elevators in western North Dakota, the North Dakota Wheat Commission said.

Erica Petersen, a marketing specialist with the North Dakota Wheat Commission, said U.S. spring wheat accounts for just a small part of Mexico's imports, but the demand is growing.

"The Mexican market is full of opportunity for North Dakota," Petersen said in a statement announcing the visit. "The primary goal with this trade team is to reinforce the functionality of our hard red spring wheat and to provide them with the understanding and tools to purchase it. They are especially interested in exploring obtaining U.S. wheat through direct rail shipment."

The Gruma team plans to visit the Northern Crops Institute in Fargo, the Reynolds United Co-op elevator in Reynolds, and talk with elevator representatives from western North Dakota about direct rail shipments to Mexico, Petersen said.

Former treasurer to be sentenced

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A former treasurer of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is scheduled to be sentenced Monday in federal court for stealing $9,898 from the tribe.

David Rabbit Sr., 41, of Pine Ridge, faces up to five years in federal prison.

Kim Colhoff and former tribal Vice President Eileen Janis, both of Pine Ridge, are also charged with theft from the tribe, along with Rabbit, in 2003 and 2004.

Rabbit was also arrested earlier this year for spousal abuse, assault, eluding police and other tribal charges. Those incidents allegedly took place while Rabbit was free on bond after being arrested on the federal theft charges.