District Judge Jon Folmar addressed members of the Luverne Kiwanis Club Tuesday, updating the group with information about the many initiatives at work within the court system to serve the community.

Recently, the court implemented a traffic resolution system. Folmar described the new program designed to aid citizens in paying for citations and also submitting the needed documentation to resolve tickets when possible.

“We’ve  implemented a traffic resolution system that will allow working people to go online and resolve traffic [citations],” Folmar said. “They can, for instance, if [they’ve] got a ticket for not having a tag, or an equipment violation, [they] can email [documentation] in to us and we can take care of that online. 

“[We] can even have trials online through zoom capabilities. It really saves time and money. [Citizens] can apply for driving school online, if they want to do that, so we can resolve the case.”

Folmar outlined a truancy program executed after he took office. The four-step process, he said, engaging court officials with students having attendance issues, working with families to correct deficiencies and get children back on track.

“We’re working with [students], and we’re making sure that each and every one of them goes through the same steps,” Folmar said. “We don’t want anyone to start off at level four if they haven’t had the opportunity to go through level one through three.”

On Friday, Folmar hosted an organization veteran’s court meeting. He described the initiative to Kiwanians, recognizing Kiwanis Club member Fran Christian who was among the 15-20 local veterans attending the Friday meeting to learn about ways they can assist other veterans..

Kiwanians discussed plans for its upcoming 6th annual golf tournament, slated for April 2, 9 a.m. at the Luverne Country Club. Hole sponsorships are available at $50, with opportunities for individual genres at $60 and three-man team options at $180 per team.

The club, which sponsors a “little library” at Turner Park, announced it is accepting donations of new or gently used books for the library. Donors can drop off donations in collection boxes located at Folmar’s office or at the Luverne Public Library.

The Kiwanis Club meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, gathering at noon at the Chicken Shack in Luverne. The group’s next meeting, set for March 18, will feature Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kathy Smyth.