UHD donates ambulance to police

BLUE EARTH — United Hospital District has donated a used ambulance to the South Central Drug Investigative Unit for use in the Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) unit.

The vehicle will be moderately refurbished before replacing the S.W.A.T. team’s current vehicle, which is more than 30 years old.

The donation was made in recognition of local law enforcement’s strong support for UHD. The hospital recently purchased and put into service an updated ambulance, which created a surplus in its emergency vehicle fleet. Possession of the vehicle was taken by the city of Albert Lea Police Department on July 12 on UHD’s Blue Earth campus.

South Central Drug Investigative Unit is a multi-agency emergency response team created by the city of Albert Lea Police Department more than 30 years ago.

Lawmakers propose DHS split

ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers are considering reorganizing the state’s Department of Human Services following a series of leadership resignations.

Commissioner Tony Lourey abruptly announced his resignation, followed by chief of staff Stacie Weeks. Two veteran deputy commissioners, Chuck Johnson and Claire Wilson, also resigned but rescinded their decision Wednesday.

Some Republican lawmakers who control the state Senate proposed a bill that would separate the department’s office of the inspector general into its an independent agency. The office investigates claims of fraud and abuse.

The $18 billion agency serves the welfare and foster care systems along with some seniors, people living with disabilities and sex offenders.

Complaints target CenturyLink

ST. PAUL (AP) — State officials are investigating CenturyLink after receiving hundreds of complaints that the utility failed to respond to requests to locate and mark underground cables.

Minnesota Public Radio News cites a state Office of Administrative Hearings document which shows CenturyLink faces more than $780,000 in fines for alleged violations of a law intended to protect the safety of people and the utility infrastructure.

State law requires property owners and professional contractors to notify the Office of Pipeline Safety before digging. Utilities must respond to the notification, often by marking the location of underground infrastructure.

CenturyLink provides internet, TV and phone service in Minnesota. It says a contractor change has resulted in delays which it is working to resolve.