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Local/state briefs

Klobuchar supporters to travel to Iowa Dec. 7

Senator Amy Klobuchar’s supporters are gathering at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Independence Park in Marshall to travel to Sioux City, Iowa, to meet up with local supporters there for an Amy for America organizing social, where they will share why they support Klobuchar for president on both sides of the border.

Transportation will be provided to those who need it.

After arrival in Sioux City, the social will begin at noon at the Amy for America office in Sioux City: 511 5th St., Sioux City, Iowa. Refreshments will be provided and attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather. Following the social, the group will break into pairs to help spread the message by canvassing neighborhoods and sharing personal stories with caucusgoers in Iowa.

The group will return to Marshall by 6 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to help elect Senator Klobuchar as the next president, meet with fellow Democrats from the area and see the Iowa Caucus process up close.

For more information and to RSVP, visit http://bit.ly/2Dksmz8 or contact Matt Rubel at 612- 910-3287 or matt@amyklobuchar.com.

UCAP tax program readies for another high-impact year

For low to moderate income families who can’t afford hefty fees, United Community Action Partnership is again offering free tax preparation clinics in Hutchinson, Jackson, Marshall, Redwood Falls, Willmar and Windom.

Volunteers make the program work.

“Our tax clinics are volunteer driven,” said Michelle Jensen, UCAP’s family services manager. “They can’t happen without the help of people in our communities.”

UCAP offers tax clinics in partnership with the United Way of Southwest MN, United Way of West Central Minnesota, the MN Department of Revenue, the Internal Revenue Service, the IJ Burich Family Foundation and other community partners to ensure that tax payers receive their full tax credits and refunds. People don’t need tax knowledge to volunteer.

“We provide training so that anyone can become an IRS certified tax preparer,” Jensen said. “But we also need volunteers to greet people and help make sure they are prepared for their appointment.”

Training for the volunteer tax site positions are scheduled to take place in several locations throughout the month of January. Anyone who is interested in learning more can contact Jensen.

Tax clinics have been growing over the last several years, and that trend is expected to continue this year. Jensen hopes that enough people will step forward this year to keep up with the demand.

“A few hours of someone’s time can, literally, put thousands of dollars back into the households that need it most,” Jensen said.

If interested in learning more about the program or would like to sign up to volunteer, contact Jensen at 507-847-2632 ext. #3102 or taxstaff@unitedcapmn.org.

United Community Action Partnership is a non-profit organization that strives to help low and moderate income families improve their lives and move out of poverty.

Somalia burial planned for Minnesota high-rise fire victim

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A daughter of a woman who was killed in a fire at a Minneapolis public housing high-rise is making plans to hold her funeral in Somalia.

Five people died and three were injured in the early Wednesday morning blaze at the Cedar High Apartments located in a heavily immigrant neighborhood. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office identified four of the five victims as Jerome Stewart, 59; Nadifa Mohamud, 67; Maryan Mohamed Mohamud, 69; and Amatalah Adam, 58.

Mohamud’s daughter, Fardowsa Yusuf, told the Star Tribune Wednesday that her mother lived on the 24th floor and was overcome by smoke trying to escape. Yusuf said she and her two sisters attempted to help Mohamud, who had trouble walking, but lost her in the smoke on the 17th floor. Later, after Yusuf was able to enter her mother’s apartment, she dropped to her knees, placed her forehead on her mother’s mattress and wept quietly.

“I will never get my mother back,” she said, adding it was Mohamud’s wish to be laid to rest in Somalia.

While the cause of the blaze was still under investigation, Fire Chief John Fruetel told reporters Wednesday that investigators believe the fire was an accident but didn’t explain why. No further details on the fire were available Thursday morning and authorities had not released the name of the fifth victim.

Fruetel said the fire had been burning for a while and had blown out windows by the time firefighters arrived. A fire alarm was sounding throughout the building, and from a distance, flames could be seen extending 10 to 15 feet from windows on the 14th floor.

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