Wayne Byers Show Evening – Dec 27

CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 15. TEMPERATURES RISING INTO THE

MID 20S AFTER MIDNIGHT. SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.

.WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW

THROUGH THE DAY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S. WEST WINDS 15 TO 20 MPH.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…INCREASING CLOUDS. AREAS OF BLOWING AND

DRIFTING SNOW. BREEZY. LOWS AROUND 20. WEST WINDS 20 TO 25 MPH.

.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

BREEZY. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…INCREASING CLOUDS. LOWS AROUND 10. SOUTHWEST

WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.

.FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S.

LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.

.SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 15 TO 20.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…INCREASING CLOUDS. LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.

.NEW YEARS DAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 20.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. LOWS

5 TO 10 ABOVE.

.MONDAY…CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS AROUND

10.

.MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE

EVENING. LOWS AROUND 5 BELOW.

.TUESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS NEAR ZERO.

 

Update….NDDOT…

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the North Dakota Highway Patrol have OPENED HWY 52 from Minot to Carrington and HWY 2 from Minot to Leeds.

Other highways were OPENED including I-94, US 83, ND 5 and HWY 52 from Portal to Brooks Junction.

A No Travel Advisory has been LIFTED for the Williston, Dickinson, Devils Lake, Grand Forks, Minot, Bismarck/Mandan, Jamestown, Valley City, and surrounding areas.

Motorists still  may encounter areas of challenging winter weather driving conditions on roadways and should allow extra time to reach their destination and be alert to conditions that may make travel difficult, change rapidly, or cause travel delays.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Special Session, Tuesday morning at 7-O’Clock,  and was considering and acting upon an agreement with City Attorney Russell Myhre.

The agreement calls for Myhre to step down.

Myhre has served since 2011, and participated in grievances against city officials.

The agreement calls for a settlement of damages on behalf of the city.

Mayor Carlsrud said the Myhre law firm suffered economic hardships due to allegations of a hostile work environment, involving  former mayor Bob Werkhoven, Myhre and three other city employees earlier in 2016.

The severance and release agreement, states that, on January 25, 2016, Myhre, together with the City Administrator, the Chief of Police, and a lieutenant in the Valley City Police Department filed a Grievance against the former Mayor of the City, in which Myhre alleged that he was being subjected to a hostile and abusive work environment.

It further states that Myhre has alleged damages as a result of the hostile and abusive work environment, and Myhre and the City desire to enter into a severance agreement related to Myhre’s appointment as City Attorney.

The parties agreement,  settles all claims against the other, whether known or unknown, related to Myhre’s term as City Attorney.

The settlement includes a severance package of a  $150,000 pay out over two years.

Myhre will stay on as the City Attorney for six months, or until a new City Attorney is hired.

Myhre will  continue during a transition to a new City Attorney.

Myhre said it’s been “A rocky road,” serving as City Attorney.

He noted working with the city on Permanent Flood Protection, and Re-codifying the city’s code.

He said he enjoyed working with city officials.

He said while not retiring he is “winding down,” his career.

Commissioners voted to approve.

The meeting was recorded by CSi 68, with showings starting Tuesday morning.

Also on the City Commission agenda a Memorandum of Understanding with Valley City Public School District concerning a School Resource Officer Program. All members were present.

Commissioners on Tuesday,  approved the memorandum.

City Administrator David Schelkoph said the agreement was in the works the past few weeks, and all legal aspects are in order.

Last week, the Valley City School Board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with Valley City to hire a School Resource Officer.

Valley City police officer Sean Hagen takes on the position of  the new School Resource Officer in the Valley City School District on January 3, 2017.

Under the agreement, the school district will pay $30,000 per year toward the cost of Hagen’s salary and benefits, and that any party may cancel the memorandum of understanding without cause after giving a 90-day written notice.

The agreement will be reviewed annually to reflect cost-of-living salary adjustments.

Superintendent Josh Johnson says the position will have a positive impact on our schools and the community, and he looks forward to working with the city.

 

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) — Authorities say a standoff in Jamestown that lasted nearly eight hours started out as a domestic incident.

Police Chief Scott  Edinger says  that officers were called to a trailer court about 8 p.m. Monday on a report that a woman had been assaulted by her boyfriend. The woman left the home but the man, who was believed to be armed, barricaded himself inside.

Edinger says attempts to talk the man out failed, so a SWAT team used tear gas to force the man out around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

He was arrested on suspicion of domestic assault and terrorizing.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A 31-year-old man is accused in the stabbing death of another man in a south Fargo home.

The 26-year-old victim was discovered after police and paramedics responded to a call at 4:20 a.m. Saturday.

Police say the victim was stabbed in the chest during the dispute. A woman who was in the home at the time was questioned by investigators.

Authorities declined to release the name of the victim, citing the newly enacted “Marsy’s Law” that protects the rights of crime victims.

No further details were released.

 

(AP)  Pipeline uncertainty illustrates broader concerns for tribes.

Some Native Americans worry the transition to a Donald Trump administration signals an end to eight years of sweeping Indian Country policy reforms.

Trump rarely acknowledged Native Americans during his campaign. And he hasn’t publicly outlined since the election how he would improve or manage the United States’ longstanding relationships with tribes.

Some of his biggest campaign pledges — including repealing health care legislation and building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border — would collide with tribal interests. And Trump’s transition team said in a recent memo that he supports the completion of the Dakota Access pipeline.

But Trump’s Native American supporters say they’re hopeful he will cut through some of the government red tape that they believe has stifled economic progress on reservations.

 

In Sports…

Bismarck  (CSi)  North Dakota Game and Fish Department Director Terry Steinwand recently honored a number of employees with performance-based awards. Steinwand presented the following awards at the department’s annual staff meeting Dec. 8.

John Mazur, hunter education coordinator, Bismarck, received the Special Projects award, given to an individual who implemented a successful new project. Mazur was recognized for his efforts with successfully refining the hunter education program. “John took the concept of a hunter education instructor academy and made it a reality,” Steinwand said. “He created a volunteer instructor academy team, field days and a pilot mentoring program. He was able to accomplish this because of our well-trained and dedicated volunteer staff.”

Bill Jensen, big game biologist, Bismarck, received the Solid Foundation award, presented to staff who demonstrate exemplary work in their field. Jensen was recognized for his passion for wildlife conservation. “Bill’s professionalism, integrity, attitude and work ethic serves as an exemplary model for all employees,” Steinwand said. “He continually strives to use the best available science to help guide wildlife management, and is a go-to source for big game management in North Dakota.”

Stephanie Tucker, game management section leader, Bismarck, received the Public Outreach award, presented to an employee for showing a significant effort, ability or accomplishment in interacting with the public while promoting the Department’s programs. Tucker was recognized for her work involved with furbearer issues. “Stephanie does an outstanding job in communicating with all entities in a professional manner,” Steinwand said. “She is well spoken, highly informed and extremely courteous while working with landowners, legislators, hunters and trappers.”

Jerry Weigel, fisheries production and development section leader, Bismarck, was presented with the Innovations award, which recognizes staff for implementing a process to improve Department goals and objectives. Weigel was recognized for his statewide efforts in fish distribution. “One of Jerry’s career accomplishments has been his ability to integrate improvements to our existing program, and it’s because of his innovation, extreme interest and dedication to our overall fish culture program,” Steinwand said.

Greg Hastings, district game warden, Jamestown, was named North Dakota’s Boating Officer of the Year. Chief warden Robert Timian said Hasting’s district boasts several man-made and natural lakes that are home to many anglers and recreational boat operators. “Warden Hastings is skilled in the detection, apprehension and prosecution of boaters who are operating while operating under the influence,” Timian said. “He is dedicated to making sure his boaters are operating in a safe manner while still enjoying the outdoors.”

 

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James has been  named AP Male Athlete of Year.

James collected 24 first-place votes, beating out a pair of Olympic legends: Michael Phelps (16) and Usain Bolt (9), the fastest men in water and on land who are not accustomed to finishing behind anyone.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, the NL MVP who led his team to its first World Series title since 1908, tied for fourth with Golden State star guard Stephen Curry, last year’s winner. Cristiano Ronaldo, Von Miller and Andy Murray also received votes.

James joined Michael Jordan as the only NBA players to win twice. Jordan won it three straight years from 1991-94.

U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was named AP’s top female athlete on Monday.

 

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — The Bills have fired coach Rex Ryan ahead of their last game of the season after he failed to lead Buffalo to the playoffs.

Bills officials announced Ryan’s firing on Twitter on Tuesday, after a Week 16 loss to the Dolphins dropped the Bills to 7-8 and officially eliminated the team from playoff contention. The loss extended the NFL’s longest active playoff drought to 17 seasons.

Ryan was 15-16 in two seasons with Buffalo.

The Bills also said on Twitter that Ryan’s brother, Rob Ryan, was fired from his position as an assistant head coach with the responsibility to oversee defense. Rob was hired in January to improve a defense that finished 19th in the NFL last year.

Rex Ryan came to Buffalo saying this would be his last job after six seasons with the Jets.

The Bills owners, Terry and Kim Pegula, hired Ryan as a defensive specialist with the belief that he could bring the team back to relevance.

 

In world and national news…