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The North Branch Area Public Schools Transportation Department held it's annual safety awards breakfast on Tuesday, June 2, and recognized staff with 51 awards representing a combined 330 years of safe driving.

Transportation Director Bill Burton told staff it was the first time in his 25 years with the district there were no preventable incidents during the school year.

The department also said farewell to two long time employees, Doreen Skow and Garry Johnson, both of whom retired at the end of the school year. Skow worked for the department for 24 years, and Johnson for 13 years.

The following staff were presented award pins for safe driving:

1st Year: Al Bedard, Melissa Borgman, Chris Rogde; 2nd Year: Michele Baker, Cindy Gillette, Eric Gustafson, Bridgette Kral, Karen Lueck, Marti Mingo, Stephanie Mohs, Stu Schmidt; 3rd Year: Deb Axling, Don Bilunas, Erin Coleman, Pat Corcoran, Tanya Dietrich, Bob Karstens, Bob Kind, Patty Trester; 4th Year: Lisa Klaas, Annie Kurkowski, Ann Mathisen, Bill Weinries; 5th Year: Linda Eastwood, Patty Kuntz, Brent Schroeder; 6th Year: Steve Peterson, Rose Tema; 7th Year: Tammie Arnt, Kate Kind, Jody Schmaltz, Julia Stone, Julie Weller; 8th Year: Shari Lehmann; 9th Year: Larry Clarin, Sherry Croes, Garry Johnson, Deb Thomsen, Lisa Wenell; 10th Year: Bob Ford, Steve Klinkhammer, Noelle Strohecker; 11th Year: Karole Frink; 12th Year: Peter Bloomdahl, Cindy Edberg, Connie Sederberg; 13th Year: Bruce Christenson; 14th Year: Jonelle Nelson, Stan Mitthun; 16th Year: Roberta Tauer; 22nd Year:

Doreen Skow.

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