CSi Weather…

..TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above. Southeast winds

5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY…Cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in the afternoon in the Jamestown area, 30 percent in the Valley City area.

Not as cold. Highs in the lower 30s. Southeast winds 10 to

15 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Not as cold. Lows in the lower

20s. South winds around 10 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s. South winds

10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper

20s. Highs in the mid 40s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain in the

afternoon. Highs in the lower 40s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

.TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY…Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower

30s. Lows 15 to 20.

 

This weekend a warm up.  Temperatures will rise into the 40s/50s across many locations.

A potent low through the Northern Plains Monday…keeping most of the moisture across northern North Dakota and Canada.

However a slight shift southward would see most of North Dakota seeing widespread snowfall.

 

 

Bismarck (CSi) Mar 2, 2017  The National Weather Service has updated the probabilistic Spring Flood and Water Resources outlook.

The report covers is for the Missouri and James River basins of North Dakota and covers the period of early March through early June.

 

…Flood Outlook Highlights…

Unseasonably warm temperatures during the last half of February

caused much of the deep snow cover that had been present across

the Missouri and James River basins of North Dakota to melt.

Significant frost was unable to form underneath the previous snow

cover during the winter because the first heavy snows arrived

after an extended, warm fall. As a result, a much larger than

normal amount of meltwater was able to infiltrate unfrozen ground

during the last few weeks instead of just running off and entering

the river systems.

 

As a result of the significantly depleted snowpack, the overall

risk of flooding in the Missouri and James River basins of North

Dakota has decreased substantially since the last outlook.

However, pockets of remaining deep snow cover are still present

and are responsible for locally greater probabilities of flooding

on the Little Muddy River near Williston, Apple Creek near

Menoken, along the James River above Jamestown Dam, and to a

lesser extent in the lower reaches of the Knife River basin.

 

It`s important to note that while the rapid decrease in snowpack

has decreased the flood risk, it remains near normal for this time

of year because the moisture from the melting snow has resulted

in wet soil conditions. The potential for future spring rain or wet snow events on top of the wet soils,could lead to flooding, even in areas where

snow is essentially gone at this point.

 

…Current Conditions…

Rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are near to slightly above normal

for this time of the year, but their current levels provide no

significant concerns. Snow cover is not uniform across the area.

There`s virtually no snow cover left in parts of southwestern

North Dakota, but pockets of deep snow remain, particularly around

Hazen, in the Apple Creek basin near Menoken, and in the upper

reaches of the James River above Jamestown Dam. Soil moisture

remains above normal, in part due to the recent snowmelt.

 

…Weather Outlook…

The near term, 6 to 10 day outlook favors above normal temperatures

and near normal precipitation across most of the Missouri and James

River basins of North Dakota. The 8 to 14 day outlook favors near

normal temperatures and slightly favors above normal precipitation.

Looking out further, the outlook for the latter part of March and

the full three-month outlook valid from March through May favors

near normal temperatures and slightly favors above normal

precipitation.

The National Weather Service says the chances of major flooding in the Devils Lake region of northeastern North Dakota remain high. The outlook released Thursday is predicting a 3- to 4-foot rise on Devils Lake, with a 10 percent chance the lake could exceed its record level of 1,454.3 feet in June 2011. Weather service meteorologist Greg Gust says there’s about 10 to 20 inches of heavy, wet snow in the Devils Lake Basin. Trace amounts remain south of Grand Forks.

The latest spring flood outlook from the National Weather Service shows a greatly reduced chance of flooding in the area where Dakota Access pipeline opponents camped for months in North Dakota. The flood risk had been a concern because of hundreds of tons of trash and debris protesters left behind in the now-closed camp. Authorities shut down the camp last week and launched a major cleanup effort.

 

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown Police Department warns the public about a convicted sex offender living in Jamestown.

Nelson Whitetail,Sr., resides at 2308 Circle Drive (ND State Hospital, Transitional Home)

He presently has no vehicle.

He has been assigned a high risk assessment by the North Dakota risk level committee of the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Whitetail is a 62 year old American Indian Male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 258 pounds with brown eyes, and gray hair.

Offense:  Gross sexual imposition, involving two girls age 13 and 11

Conviction Date:  March, 1997 in Mercer County, ND, District Court.

Disposition: 10 years

Offense: Gross Sexual Imposition

Conviction Date:  September 1988, Burleigh County, ND District Court

Disposition:  five years, five years suspended.

Whitetail is currently on GPS Monitoring.

Whitetail is not wanted by police at this time, and has served the sentence imposed by the court.

This notification is meant for public safety and not to increase fear in the community, nor should this information be used to threaten, assault, or intimidate the offender.

Any attempts to harass, intimidate or threaten these offenders, their families, landlords, or employers will be turned over for prosecution.

Printed handouts of the demographics of Nelson Whitetail, Sr.,  are available at the Jamestown Police Department.

More information on registered sex offenders is available at the North Dakota Attorney General’s web site: www.sexoffender.nd.gov

 

 

Carrington  (CSi)  Wednesday March 8, 2017 has been set for the funeral for the three Tufte children, Alexander, Melody and Spencer  who lost their lives in the February 25, 2017 fire in their Carrington home.

The Evans Funeral Home  in Carrington is handling arrangements for the funeral  at the Carrington High School Gymnasium at 3-p.m. Burial will be at the Carrington Cemetery.

A Prayer Service will be Tuesday March 7th , at 7-p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church

A candlelight vigil was  held Thursday  night (March 2, 2017)  at 7-O’Clock at the Tufte’s home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the Tufte Family Benefit at any Gate City Bank located throughout North Dakota. Gate City Bank in Carrington will also accept non-monetary donations for the family.

The “GoFundMe” page  has been established for the Tufte family funeral expenses.

The last figures available show that donations have amounted to over $67,000.

Carrington Public Schools  has been  providing counselors and support personnel for students and staff, as needed.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  One out of three Americans are officially listed as “obese,” the leading cause of death.

On the Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2 on Thursday, two representatives of the Jamestown chapter of Overeaters Anonymous (OA) Tina and Teri shared their positions with the local group, and successes they have had with weight loss.

The ladies are prohibited from using their last names in public.

The Overeaters Anonymous is a 12 step program, and not a ‘diet club,’  which is free of charge, offering physical, emotional, and spiritual  recovery for those who suffer from obsessive eating habits.

The program may include members who are extremely overweight, or even morbidly obese, moderately overweight, average weight, underweight, still maintaining periodic control over their eating behavior, or totally unable to control their compulsive eating.

The only requirement for membership in OA is a desire to stop eating compulsively.

The group is open to all ages, including children.

Tina said she became a member of OA in April of 2015 when she weighed 335 pounds, and by August of 2016 she had lost 135 pound, weighting 200 pounds. She said she’s still working on more weight loss.  He pant size went from a size 30 to a size 18.

She pointed out that she became a ‘compulsive overeater,’ after experiencing a personal trauma in her life as a child.

In addition to her weight loss she said she is no longer a Type II diabetic, her blood pressure is back to normal, and her cholesterol is back down to an acceptable level, and she’s no longer on medications.

She stressed that a weight loss program is also a matter of accepting a lifestyle change, adding that the Jamestown group meetings offer support to members.  Tina is OA Red River Valley Intergroup Public Information Officer.

The organization also supports those with other eating disorders.

Teri also experienced an eating disorder as a child, and then in her 20’s became aware of OA, and met with success in the program.

She has become the Chairperson of Overeaters Anonymous, Red River Valley Intergroup, covering North Dakota and parts of Minnesota, and South Dakota.   Region four  covers a large portion of the Midwest.

Teri Pointed out that the web site  www.OA.org  has more information with links to the Jamestown organization along with podcasts and  with links to their Facebook page, and includes information for family and friends.

Tina pointed out that Overeaters Anonymous meets in Jamestown weekly on Thursdays at 5:30-p.m., at 518 10th Avenue, SE.

For more information contact Tina, at 701-269-9048.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Some North Dakota lawmakers say a proposal by the state’s top House Republican to allow state-owned casinos is retaliatory.

The say the proposal by Fargo Rep. Al Carlson risks angering American Indian tribes even more when relations have already been rubbed raw by the Dakota Access pipeline dispute.

Carlson says his idea is not “anti-American Indian.” He says it would establish casinos as “destination-oriented attractions” and use profits from them to offset state taxes.

Many lawmakers believe the measure has little chance of passing, but they fear it’s further damaged the state’s relationship with its tribes.

Carlson’s resolution is a proposed constitutional amendment that would go to voters if lawmakers give the OK. It does not need the governor’s approval, but GOP Gov. Doug Burgum says he opposes the idea.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A man charged with manslaughter in an overdose death in Minot has reached an agreement with prosecutors that reduces the charge, but it drew an admonishment from the father of the man who died.

Nineteen-year-old Aidan Vanderhoef was found dead in the basement of a Minot home July 4, 2015. Aaron Bruce was present at the scene with two other men and was charged with manslaughter and other counts. Bruce accepted a plea deal Wednesday that reduces the manslaughter charge to negligent homicide. Prosecutors agreed to recommend that Bruce spend five to six years behind bars.

The  victim’s father, John Vanderhoef, told the judge he was “disgusted” with the way the prosecution handled the case and called the agreement “garbage.”

The two others charged in the case agreed to testify against Bruce and avoided jail time.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Fargo-based women’s clothing chain plans to close its 140 stores after more than 50 years in business.

Vanity board chairman Jim Bennett says the company has filed for bankruptcy protection. Bennett says competition from internet retailers significantly impacted the company’s bottom line.

Vanity employs as many as 1,700 people, with more than 100 employees at its corporate headquarters in Fargo.

Vanity has stores in 27 states. Vanity was incorporated in 1966.

 

In sports..

Girls State Class B Region 3  Basketball Tournament, Grand Forks

Thursday.

Kindred 56 Edgeley Kulm Montpelier 41

Friday

EKM vs Park River Fordville Lankin in the Consolation Semis

Kindred takes on Grant County in the Championship Game

 

 

In world and national news..

WASHINGTON (AP) —Attorney General Jeff Sessions says he will recuse himself from a federal investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 White House election.

Sessions faced mounting pressure from both Democrats and Republicans to step aside after revelations that he had twice talked with Moscow’s U.S. envoy during the presidential campaign. Sessions’ conversations with the ambassador seem to contradict his sworn statements to Congress during his confirmation hearings.

The Justice Department said there was nothing improper about the meetings. Sessions insisted he never met with Russian officials to discuss the campaign.

Sessions said this week he would recuse himself when appropriate.

When attorneys general have recused themselves in the past, investigations were handled by lower-ranking but still senior political-appointees within the Justice Department.

President Donald Trump says he “wasn’t aware” that his attorney general — former Sen. Jeff Sessions — had contact with the Russian ambassador during last year’s White House campaign. Trump made the comment in Newport News, Virginia, before giving a speech aboard the USS Gerald Ford.

 

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — Aboard a next-generation Naval aircraft, President Donald Trump has vowed to carry out “one of the largest” defense spending increases in history. Wearing an olive-green military jacket and a blue cap, Trump Thursday said, “Hopefully it’s power we don’t have to use, but if we do, they’re in big, big trouble.” He spoke from the Gerald R. Ford. It’s a nearly $13 billion warship that is expected to be commissioned this year after cost overruns and delays. The president also toured the carrier and met with sailors and military leaders.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Attorneys for four Kansas school districts that are suing the state to increase school funding say a new ruling from the state Supreme Court will require a funding boost of at least $800 million per year. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state isn’t spending enough money on its schools to provide a suitable education to every child, which the state constitution requires. The justices did not set a specific figure for how much more the state must spend a year.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The fire chief in a rural Oregon town says a house fire that killed four children and critically burned three other people was caused by a portable space heater. The family bought the space heater to stay warm until they could get the fireplace repaired. Four children ages 4 to 13 died in the blaze. Two adults and a 13-year-old are in critical condition at a Portland hospital.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A spokeswoman for the PwC auditing firm says the company has hired protection for the two accountants responsible for the best-picture flub at the Oscars. The spokesman says the company is providing security to Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz. They are the accountants who mishandled the winners’ envelopes at Sunday’s 89th Academy Awards. The film academy says they won’t be allowed to work at future Academy Awards ceremonies. PwC says it hired security for the two partners after their home addresses and photos of their family members were published in the media. The company says Cullinan and Ruiz made “a series of mistakes” and failed to follow established backstage protocols.

DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co is recalling more than 36,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because their air bags may not inflate properly.

The recall affects the 2016-2017 Ford Edge, 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX and 2017 Lincoln Continental. Most are in the U.S. but around 4,300 are in Canada.

The air bags were made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp., but they don’t have the same deadly problem that has led to a recall of millions of Takata air bags.

In that case, air bags can inflate with too much force and spew shrapnel at occupants.

In Ford’s case, the air bags may not fill completely because of misaligned components.

Ford is not aware of any injuries associated with the defect.

Dealers will replace affected air bags for free.