BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota Tax Commissioner Cory Fong announced today that the Tax Department and the IRS will co-host two taxpayer assistance sessions in Bismarck-Mandan on February 8, 2012.

“The devastating flooding in 2011 affected many Bismarck-Mandan area residents,” said Fong. “Taxpayers impacted by flooding may have challenges filing their 2011 individual income tax returns due to the complications and complexities associated with accounting for and reporting property and casualty losses. The Tax Department and IRS want to do what we can to help taxpayers work through these issues.”

The sessions will be held on Wednesday, February 8 at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM in the East Heritage Room at the Doublewood Inn in Bismarck.

Staff from the IRS will lead the informational sessions. Trained tax counseling volunteers from AARP will also be on hand. The sessions will not include tax return preparation. Rather, the sessions will focus on the various issues facing individual income taxpayers as they file property and casualty loss returns. The sessions will end with a time for taxpayers to visit one-on-one with the IRS staff and AARP volunteers present.

“These are informational sessions and we will offer an overview of the different issues individual income taxpayers may be facing,” said Fong. “We will not be providing tax preparation services at these sessions; however taxpayers will have an opportunity to visit one-on-one with IRS staff and AARP volunteers.” Tax preparers and practitioners from the Bismarck-Mandan area have been invited to attend these sessions along with area professionals with expertise in estimating property and casualty losses.

Individuals and businesses with questions or concerns about state filing deadlines, or needing assistance with filing state tax returns, or have other tax-related questions are encouraged to visit the Office of State Tax Commissioner’s web site at www.nd.gov/tax or call the Tax Department at 877.328.7088 or 701.328.7088.

Fong also mentioned that the IRS has available two helpful publications, Publication 547 – Casualty, Disaster, and Theft and Publication 584 – Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook which can be accessed on the IRS web site at www.irs.gov. The publications are designed to help homeowners and businesses affected by disasters such as flooding.

For more information about any federal relief or extensions, taxpayers should visit the IRS web site at www.irs.gov or call the IRS at 800.829.1040 for individuals. For businesses with federal tax-related questions, they should call the IRS at 800.829.4933.

BISMARCK, ND – North Dakota Tax Commissioner Cory Fong announced today that the Tax Department and the IRS will co-host two taxpayer assistance sessions in Minot on February 9, 2012.

“The devastating flooding in 2011 affected many Minot area residents,” said Fong. “Taxpayers impacted by flooding may have challenges filing their 2011 individual income tax returns due to the complications and complexities associated with accounting for and reporting property and casualty losses. The Tax Department and IRS want to do what we can to help taxpayers work through these issues.”

The sessions will be held on Thursday, February 9 at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM in the Theater Room of the North Dakota State Fair Center.

Staff from the IRS will lead the informational sessions. Trained tax counseling volunteers from AARP will also be on hand. The sessions will focus on the various issues facing individual income taxpayers as they file property and casualty loss returns. The sessions will end with a time for taxpayers to visit one-on-one with the IRS staff and AARP volunteers present.

“The informational sessions will offer an overview of the different issues individual income taxpayers may be facing,” said Fong. “Even though we will not be providing tax preparation services at these sessions, taxpayers will have an opportunity to visit one-on-one with IRS staff and AARP volunteers.”

Tax preparers and practitioners from the Minot area have been invited to attend these sessions along with area professionals with expertise in estimating property and casualty losses.

Individuals and businesses with questions or concerns about state filing deadlines, or need assistance with filing state tax returns, or have other tax-related questions are encouraged to visit the Office of State Tax Commissioner’s web site at www.nd.gov/tax or call the Tax Department at 877.328.7088 or 701.328.7088.
Fong also mentioned that the IRS has available two helpful publications, Publication 547 – Casualty, Disaster, and Theft and Publication 584 – Casualty, Disaster, and Theft Loss Workbook which can be accessed on the IRS web site at www.irs.gov. The publications are designed to help homeowners and businesses affected by disasters such as flooding.

For more information about any federal relief or extensions, taxpayers should visit the IRS web site at www.irs.gov or call the IRS at 800.829.1040 for individuals. For businesses with federal tax-related questions, they should call the IRS at 800.829.4933.

Home owners and business owners have until November 21, 2011, to apply with FEMA for Individual Assistance. The deadline extension also gives flood victims 60 more days to apply for low-interest loans provided by the Small Business Administration. Additionally, the extension means that FEMA will continue to operate a Disaster Recovery Center in Minot where property owners are recovering from unprecedented flooding along the Mouse River. The eligibility for federal flood assistance programs was set to expire Thursday, September 22.

“This extension was very important because many property owners in the Minot area have been waiting for more information about a floodway project and buyouts – information that will help them make critical financial decisions about their flood-damaged property,” Dalrymple said.

The State Water Commission today hired Barr Engineering Co. to provide preliminary design alternatives for a Minot-area flood control project along the Mouse River. The firm is expected to complete the study by Nov. 3. The deadline extension will give Minot area residents time to review the pending floodway report and make decisions about their property.

However, all flood-impacted residents and business owners are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance as soon as possible. Property owners who may need a low-interest loan also are encouraged to contact the SBA as soon as possible. Alfred Judd, director of the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance, said home owners and business owners can apply and be approved for a disaster loan without drawing any funds on the approved loan.

Residents affected by 2011 flooding can register for assistance by calling: 800-621-3362 (also applies for VRS and 711-Relay users) or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free line is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT. Individuals may also register for disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov or with a smart phone at m.fema.gov.

The vision, needs and goals of the community will be compiled into a Souris Basin Regional Recovery Strategy that will serve as a road map and implementation guide for the community’s long-term recovery.

This recovery strategy will be developed with participation from residents, community officials and business leaders in a series of public meetings. Identified issues will then be presented to the public for comments. It is quite likely new issues could be identified by the community.

The first of the meetings will be an “open house” format. Residents may stop by any time during the meeting hours and stay as long as they like. There is no formal program and all input is anonymous. Residents will have the opportunity to make suggestions and recommendations on already identified long-term recovery projects, suggest their own and then, at the second public meetings in October, prioritize those identified projects. It’s very much a grassroots approach and is all inclusive. Everyone’s ideas and input is sought. This is the individual’s opportunity to let community leaders know what you need and want.

PUBLIC MEETING #1 SCHEDULE

Monday, 9/19
MINOT (Meeting 5 – 8 PM)
Jim Hill Middle School
1000 6th St SW, Minot

Thursday, 9/22 at
BURLINGTON (Meeting 5 – 8 PM)
Burlington-Des Lacs Elementary School – Cafeteria
301 Wallace St

Saturday, 9/24
COMBINED MEETING (Meeting 10 AM – 3 PM)
Jim Hill Middle School
1000 6th St SW, Minot

Thursday, 10/13
MINOT (Meeting 5 – 8 PM)
Jim Hill Middle School
1000 6th St SW, Minot

Saturday, 10/15
COMBINED MEETING (Meeting 10 AM – 3 PM)
Jim Hill Middle School
1000 6th St SW, Minot

Tuesday, 10/18
BURLINGTON (Meeting 5 – 8 PM)
Burlington-Des Lacs Elementary School – Cafeteria
301 Wallace St

The concert and accompanying events including the Party in the Plaza and a VIP event came together in a five week timeframe thanks to the help of hundreds of volunteers, several area businesses and individuals and especially the Black Eyed Peas, according to Duhamel.

“On behalf of myself and the great people of North Dakota, I would like to thank will.i.am, Taboo, apl.de.ap and Fergie Ferg for their incredible act of kindness,” Duhamel said. “The Black Eyed Peas and their band, Bucky Johnson, rocked the house on Saturday night and raised a ton of money for the flood victims of Minot. We will never forget what they did.”

The concert not only raised more than $1.3 million, it broke a new grandstand attendance and receipts record. The previous record was the KISS concert in 2010 with 15,082 in attendance. Saturday’s show brought nearly 16,000 people into the new facility (initial counts show 15,800) all in the wake of a flood that has affected the infrastructure of the entire area.

“In five weeks a group of community volunteers coordinated everything from electricity to ticketing, parking, transportation, accommodations and more,” says MACF executive director Ken Kitzman. “This was a feat of epic proportion and it resulted in an epic event that will leave a legacy in this city. I am humbled to be the steward of such generosity.”

The Minot Rising t-shirts, designed by LA-based designer Tokidoki, sold out at the concert, and in pre-sales. More shirts are being ordered and will be available off the MinotRising.com website.

The total fundraising total has not been finalized as other donations are still be tallied including all Black Eyed Peas merchandise sales, total Tokidoki t-shirt sales, the tips provided to the 10 North Main staff in the VIP reception and other contributions.

Article from the Minot Area Community Foundation

Unemployment Insurance Director Darren Brostrom said, “Job Service requested this uniform application filing deadline to help ensure that all individuals who are qualified are able to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance and to minimize confusion with all of the various existing program deadline dates.”

The U.S. Department of Labor approved the request “based on the fact that due to the severity of North Dakota’s flooding, many individuals within these counties have been displaced and lost their livelihood. In addition, varying deadline dates for the declared counties to apply for DUA, may cause confusion to the affected population.”

Brostrom encourages individuals who were living or working in any of the affected areas at the time of the flooding and whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to flooding to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance as soon as possible. The program can provide benefits for past periods of unemployment due to the flooding even if an individual has already returned to work. Claims filed after the appropriate application deadline will be considered untimely and benefits will be denied unless individuals provide good cause for filing after this date.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to individuals (including self-employed business owners and farmers) who:

• Worked or were self-employed in or were scheduled to begin work or self-employment, but were unable to do so because of the disaster,
• Can no longer work or perform services because of physical damage or destruction to the place of employment as a direct result of the disaster,
• Establish that work or self-employment they can no longer perform was their primary source of income,
• Do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits from any state,
• Cannot perform work or self-employment due to an injury resulting directly from the disaster,
• Have become the breadwinners or major support of a household because of the death of the head of household due to the disaster
• Cannot reach their place of employment as a direct result of the disaster.

The first possible week of Disaster Unemployment Assistance compensation is the week beginning February 20, 2011 and ending February 26, 2011. Benefit payments can continue through November 12, 2011 as long as an individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. The Disaster Unemployment Assistance weekly benefit amount is based on wages or self-employment income earned during calendar year 2010 and is determined by North Dakota unemployment insurance law.

To file a claim, individuals need their Social Security Number, a copy of their 2010 federal income tax forms, business financial statements, pay stubs/vouchers, trip tickets, crop elevator receipts/credits, bank receipts, a statement from their last employer affirming their employment at the time of the disaster, or a copy of a letter of hire. In addition, self-employed individuals and farmers need to include a copy of Schedule C, F, SE or K with Form 1040. All required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the claim was filed in order to receive benefits.

Individuals can file initial Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefit claims:

• Online at jobsnd.com
• By phone – Call Job Service at 701-328-1152, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• By mail or fax – Forms are located under the Disaster Unemployment link on jobsnd.com. Simply print, complete and return as indicated on the forms.

Job seekers can also contact their local Job Service office for reemployment assistance. Go to jobsnd.com to find the Job Service office nearest you.

“Important questions remain regarding the management of the Missouri River system,” Dalrymple said. “We need to know more about how the system was managed leading up to this year’s historic flooding and how it can be better managed in the future.

“States along the Missouri River need better and more timely information and we need to have direct involvement in the system’s operations because there seems to be a huge deficiency in governance of the river,” Dalrymple said. “These improvements need to be made or we should pursue gaining authority to manage the river system ourselves.”

Dalrymple asked other state leaders to consider future management of the Missouri River under a state compact. He called for the Corps to establish an early warning system to notify states of flood threats based on mountain snowpack levels, water storage conditions and other factors. He said an early warning system could help homeowners decide if they need flood insurance and it would give communities more time to build levees. Dalrymple also shared questions and concerns about: the timing of water releases from Garrison Dam prior to this year’s record flooding; inconsistencies in snowpack readings; and whether the Corps’ master manual really recognizes flood control as the primary purpose of the Missouri River system.

Attending the meeting with Dalrymple were: Gov. Dave Heineman, Neb.; Gov. Sam Brownback, Kan.; Gov. Dennis Daugaard, S.D.; Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa; Gov. Jay Nixon, Mo.; and a representative for Wyoming Gov. Matthew Mead. U.S. Army Corps Brigadier Gen. John McMahon also attended the meeting and briefed the state leaders on the river system’s management.

The governors agreed to pursue an independent, external review of the Corps’ management of the river system leading up to this year’s flooding and they agreed to meet again in November to review the river system’s operation. They also signed a letter to U.S. Army Secretary John McHugh, who oversees the Army, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The letter states, “There is clear consensus that flood control must be the highest priority in the operation of the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System.

“We strongly request the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers thoroughly examine future management of the Missouri River in light of this year’s precipitation and flooding and report to us on alternate actions to reduce flood damage from future high flow events. We also request that the Corps provide recommendations for specific operational changes to afford greater flood protection in the basin in the future and consult with the states and tribes in selecting and implementing any changes.”

Zone “H”, the Imperial Valley area, remains open for road side sandbag collection.

All sandbags must be stacked on the road without pallets, no more than 4’ from the edge of the road next to homeowner’s property. Sandbags must be on the road—not in the ditch. Neighbors are encouraged to work together to ensure that traffic and emergency vehicles have access through the streets at all times.

Only sand and sandbags may be placed on the road side in opened zones. No other materials will be accepted.

Please refer to the Burleigh County website at http://burleighco.com for maps and additional information.

Burleigh County continues to have three sandbag collection sites open located at:

• The southwest corner of Burleigh Ave and South Washington Street
• Fairgrounds – northeast of the race track
• Misty Waters Subdivision – Carefree Drive between Deerwood Lane and Tranquil Circle

Mandan, ND – Aug. 18, 2011 – Tesoro (NYSE:TSO) today announced donations of $100,000 to the Bismarck United Way Flood Relief Fund and $50,000 to the Minot Area Community Foundation’s Minot Recovery Fund.

“Tesoro and our employees are members of the communities everywhere we operate, and our Mandan refinery, pipelines and related equipment cover a large portion of western North Dakota” said Dan Romasko, executive vice president, operations, Tesoro. “We have seen firsthand the impact the flooding has had in the area, and we hope that these funds will aid in the greater efforts by so many area organizations to help community members as they work to repair the damages and get back to their regular routines.”

In addition, as part of its United Way employee contribution matching program, Tesoro will provide $1.50 for every $1.00 contributed by the Mandan refinery employees, offering further support to the area communities. The $1.50 match represents a 50 percent increase over the company’s regular $1.00 match.

Tesoro Corporation, a Fortune 150 company, is an independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products. Tesoro, through its subsidiaries, operates seven refineries in the western United States with a combined capacity of approximately 665,000 barrels per day. Tesoro’s retail-marketing system includes nearly 1,200 branded retail stations, of which over 375 are company operated under the Tesoro®, Shell® and USA GasolineTM brands.

Please visit us at www.tsocorp.com

Contact:

Dave Schollars, Manager, Human Resources, (701) 667-2405