Jamestown (CSi) Friday afternoon the Jamestown Public Works Department said,  Anticipating the upcoming winter storm, the full snow removal program will be in progress as of 4:00 a.m. Monday, December 26, 2016.

Snow removal in the RESIDENTIAL areas will begin at approximately 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 26, 2016.

City crews will begin snow removal in the DOWNTOWN area beginning approximately at 11:00 p.m. Monday, December 26, 2016 and continue during the night.

Downtown merchants and all public/private schools are asked to have their sidewalks shoveled by 9 p.m., Monday, December 26, 2016.

PLEASE NOTE:

The above schedule is contingent upon changing weather conditions and snow accumulation totals.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) encourages motorists to stay informed of road conditions as travel may be difficult this holiday weekend due to forecasted weather conditions.  NDDOT provides many tools for motorists to know before you go including the NDRoads smartphone app, online Travel Information Map, text and email subscription service and 511.

National Weather Service forecasts blizzard conditions for much of the state. Roads may become blocked and impassable as a result of the forecasted conditions. Motorists should be prepared to alter travel plans as weather conditions change. Know the road conditions before you go by checking the Travel Information Map online at http://www.dot.nd.gov/travel-info-v2/ or download the NDRoads smartphone app. Road condition information is also available through text or email alerts by signing up on our website at: http://www.dot.nd.gov/govdelivery/landing.htm. Also available on line at www.CSiNewsNow.com

 

The NDDOT releases information to the public about road conditions on state highways and interstates. There are three categories you should familiarize yourself with:

  • Travel Alert– Motorists can still travel but may encounter areas of challenging winter weather driving conditions on roadways.
  • No Travel Advised– Motorists should not travel due to hazardous conditions which may make it unsafe to travel.
  • Roads Closed or Blocked– Motorist are not allowed to travel on closed roads due to life threatening conditions.

NDDOT snow plows will be out in full force this weekend to combat snow and ice on state roadways. Over 300 plows will be out across the state and no matter when you travel, motorists must share the road with them. Motorists should stay back from snow plows, slow down and never drive through “white-outs” or “snowfog” caused by cross winds while plowing snow.

Motorists should always check the road conditions before they travel and abide by the travel warnings issued by NDDOT, Highway Patrol and local law enforcement. Those warnings are in place for the safety of the traveling public and allows snow plow operators, emergency responders and law enforcement to do their job.

If you do get stranded:

  • Stay in your vehicle.
  • Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes an hour to stay warm.
  • When the engine is running, open a window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.  Periodically clearing snow from the exhaust pipe will also help prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
  • When it’s dark outside, turn on the interior light so rescuers can see you.
  • Put up a distress flag, or spread a large colored cloth on the ground to attract attention from rescuers.

 

If you are traveling this weekend, motorists should follow these winter driving tips:

  • Be ready to change travel plans as weather conditions warrant.
  • Carry a winter survival kit.
  • Never use cruise control on wet or icy roadways.
  • Dress according to weather conditions. Keep dry and wear clothing in layers.
  • Make sure to have a full tank of gas.
  • Use highly traveled roads and highways.
  • Keep family or friends informed of your travel schedule and route.
  • Travel with a charged cell phone.

Road conditions are anticipated to change frequently this weekend. Check on road conditions at the NDDOT Travel Information Map on the NDRoads app, visit www.dot.nd.gov or call 511.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  Results have been announced from the Valley City Public Schools, Salvation Army Kettle bell-ringing competition during held on December 21st.

Superintendent Josh Johnson said VCPS students, with community support and staff raised $3000 for the Barnes County Salvation Army.

Johnson said the Jr/Sr High School is the winner with the most donations in a close competition.

He said there will be an announcement made after school is back in session after the Christmas recess concerning the assembly and where the winner will get to “pie” their competitors.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce has announced winners in the Christmas in Valley Drawing, held Thursday evening.

The Grand Prize Winner is  Kay Kringlie of Valley City, winning  a night on the town donated by: City Lights Supper Club Sabir’s Dining & Lounge, Woodland Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Dutton’s Parlour, Bridges Bar & Grill, GrandStay Hotel & Suites and Miller Motors.

Other winners including Bonnie Weatherly winning $250 Chamber Bucks donated by the Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Van Dyke won the Mall of America Fun Package donated by Ingstad Family Media.

Kathy Mosby wins an  5′x8′ area rug donated by Valley Flooring By Home Design Center.

One Night Stay donated by Americinn goes to Curt Sayler.

Winter Frost Canvas Wrap donated by Dutton’s Valley Gallery went to Scott Winkler.

Wooden Rocking Chair went to Brenda Bjork, donated by Empire Home Furnishings.

Rick Pfeifer who won a $100 Gift Card from Appliance City in Valley City.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The year in news in North Dakota was dominated by the months-long protest of the Dakota Access oil pipeline that attracted thousands of demonstrators to an encampment near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

It has been called the largest gathering of Native American tribes in a century. Tribal members and others have joined in an ongoing, tense protest against the $3.8 billion, four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline, which the tribe believes threatens sacred sites and a river that provides drinking water for millions of people.

The protest was one of several issues that dominated the political scene. Others included public officials wrestling over budgets because of low crop and oil prices and former software executive Doug Burgum stunning the old guard of the Republican Party in the race for governor.

 

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A spokeswoman says the nation’s largest railroad has addressed more than 800 potential safety violations found by federal railroad inspectors on lines used to haul crude oil and other hazardous materials.

Union Pacific Railroad and the Federal Railroad Administration confirmed Friday that they’d reached an agreement intended to improve track safety by requiring more thorough inspections.

Details were obtained by The Associated Press.

The agreement comes after a Union Pacific train hauling tankers filled with North Dakota crude oil derailed in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, sparking a massive fire.

Investigators say the June 3 accident was preventable with better inspections.

Railroad spokeswoman Calli Hite says Union Pacific is committed to making its lines safer. She says it has fixed problems that were identified by the government as potential violations.

 

ANNANDALE, Minn. (AP) — A small white house that belonged to Jacob Wetterling’s killer has come crashing down.

Real estate developer Tim Thone bought the former home of Danny Heinrich specifically to destroy it. While Heinrich is now in prison, his empty house was a distressing reminder to the central Minnesota community of Annandale that the man who killed 11-year-old Jacob in 1989 had lived among them.

Jacob’s mother, Patty Wetterling, was in the crowd Friday to watch a crew use heavy machinery to tear the house down.

The unsolved kidnapping of the St. Joseph boy haunted Minnesota for decades. Authorities searched Heinrich’s home and arrested him on child pornography charges last year as they took a fresh look at the case. As part of a plea bargain, Heinrich publicly confessed in September.

 

In world and national news…

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States has given its biggest rebuke in recent history to longstanding ally Israel. The U.S. Friday allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israel’s settlements and its continuing construction in Palestinian territory as a ‘flagrant violation’ of international law. Instead of casting a veto to support Israel, as it almost always does, the U.S. abstained. The resolution says Israel’s settlements on Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, have “no legal validity.”

PARIS (AP) — France’s interior minister says his country increased border controls on roads and trains coming in from Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg after the deadly Berlin Christmas market attack. France’s interior minister isn’t addressing a statement from Milan’s police chief, who says Berlin attack suspect Anis Amri had passed through France before reaching Italy, where he was killed by police early today. France has been under a state of emergency since extremist attacks in Paris more than a year ago.

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — The family of slain Berlin truck attack suspect Anis Amri wants his remains to be sent to his hometown in Tunisia. And family members are asking for more information about his role in Monday’s attack. Amri is suspected of driving a truck through a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and wounding 56.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Lawmakers in several states are proposing measures that would allow their states to work around the Electoral College. They are joining a push that has gained steam since the November election, in which Hillary Clinton won the national popular vote but lost the electoral vote. Over the last decade, 11 states have passed laws to join The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. It calls for Electoral College voters in member states to cast ballots for the presidential candidate who earns the most votes nationwide, regardless of their statewide vote.

NEW YORK (AP) — The company that employs the Radio City Rockettes says no dancers are being forced to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration. After the announcement that the Rockettes would be performing at the event, one dancer went on Instagram to say she was “embarrassed and disappointed.” And on social media, there were calls for a boycott. But Madison Square Garden Company says in order to be considered for an event, a Rockette has to “voluntarily sign up.” The company says for the inauguration, more Rockettes volunteered than there were slots available.