CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Increasing clouds. Highs in the mid 50s.

Northeast winds around 5 mph.

.TONIGHT…Cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. Northeast winds around

5 mph.

.SATURDAY…Decreasing clouds. Highs in the upper 50s. East winds

around 5 mph shifting to the south in the afternoon.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s. South

winds around 10 mph.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. A 30 percent chance of rain in the

afternoon in the Jamestown area, a 20 percent chance in the Valley City Area.  Highs in the upper 50s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain in the

evening. Lows in the mid 30s.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain after

midnight. Lows in the mid 30s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of rain in the

afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows in the lower 30s.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. A 30 percent chance of rain in the

afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s.

 

 

Spiritwood  (CSi)  The Spiritwood Energy Park Association Board heard that ground breaking for the Minnesota Soybean Processors crushing plant will be this summer.

At the quarterly meeting, JSDC, CEO Connie Ova, said  the  groundbreaking for the  $240 million soybean meal, oil and bio-diesel plant in Spiritwood,   is anticipated for  August or September.

The company was requesting the land not be farmed this year.

The Minnesota Soybean Processors is expected to confirm its intentions to lease land from SEPA south of the Dakota Spirit AgEnergy ethanol plant.

SEPA will refund $445,000 to Dakota Spirit AgEnergy, after a billing error and a problem with calculating depreciation.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Barnes County Sheriff’s Office is informing residents of a registered sex offender is now living in the county.

Tydise Reed Peltier has been assessed as a Moderate Sex Offender, by the North Dakota Risk Level Committee of the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Peltier now resides at 12626 43rd Street, Southeast, Fingal, North Dakota.

Conviction:  1997 in US Federal Court of Abusive Sexual Contact without Permission. His victim was a 9-year-old female who was a relative.

Conviction:  2008 in Cass County District Court, of Sexual Assault a Class C Felony and Solicitation of a Minor-class A Misdemeanor. His victim was a 17-year-old female.

For more information on registered sex offenders go to North Dakota Attorney General’s website at  www.sexoffender.nd.gov

 

Spiritwood  (CSi)   The Spiritwood Energy Park Associaiton Board heard that ground breaking for the Minnesota Soybean Processors crushing plant will be this summer.

At the quarterly meeting, JSDC, CEO Connie Ova, said  the  groundbreaking is anticipated for  August or September.

The company was requesting the land not be farmed this year.

The Minnesota Soybean Processors is expected to confirm its intentions to lease land from SEPA south of the Dakota Spirit AgEnergy ethanol plant.

SEPA will refund $445,000 to Dakota Spirit AgEnergy, after a billing error and a problem with calculating depreciation.

 

 

Jamestown (CSi)  Kiwanis’ Pancake Day is set for Monday, May 1, 2017, at the Jamestown Knights of Columbus Hall.

The new hours this year are 11-a.m. to 7-p.m.

Proceeds help support the local non-profit’s and international efforts to end hunger and disease.

Locally Kiwanis supports, Salvation Army, Anne Carlsen Center, Jamestown High School’s Key Club, Camp Rokiwan and more.

Tickets are:   $8 for adults, $4 for children 6-12- years old, $22 for a family.

If purchased in bulk, Kiwanis offers a discount on tickets, meaning gifts to customers and employees can cost as little as $4/ticket!

The Jamestown Kiwanis thanks the sponsor, Hugo’s Family Marketplace.

Learn more about Kiwanis anytime at Facebook.com/JamestownKiwanis

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  The parents of a North Dakota college student found dead after becoming a confidential informant are upset that a bill named for their son has been stripped of its intent.

The body of 20-year-old Andrew Sadek was found dead with a gunshot wound nearly three years ago near Wahpeton in the Red River.

His parents, Tammy and John Sadek, say potential informants should be better informed of their legal options to understand the risks they may be taking.

A House bill named “Andrew’s Law” that unanimously passed last month attempted to do that. The Senate version was rewritten and passed unanimously on Thursday.

The Sadeks say the Senate version is “not what it needs to be.”

A conference committee will attempt to reconcile both versions of the bill.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Republican North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has won his first veto fight with the GOP-led Legislature.

The Senate voted 33-13 on Thursday to sustain Burgum’s rejection of a bill that limits a governor’s ability to set salary bonuses for staff.

The House voted 84-7 to override Burgum on Wednesday.

Burgum has argued the legislation improperly infringes on the executive branch.

Legislators passed the measure after then-Gov. Jack Dalrymple approved nearly $100,000 in retention bonuses for five staffers in 2015.

Leaders of both parties have criticized the bonuses.

 

Fargo  (CSi)  – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, , announced Thursday that she will vote for 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court.

She says, “He has a record as a balanced, meticulous, and well respected jurist who understands the rule of law.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee is slated to vote Monday, April 4, on whether to recommend Gorsuch for full Senate confirmation.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A midsummer trial has been scheduled for embattled Ward County Sheriff Steve Kukowski.

Kukowski faces misdemeanor charges related to an October 2014 incident in which an ill jail inmate died. He maintains his innocence.

Judge Lolita Romanick on Thursday scheduled a weeklong trial beginning July 10.

Former Gov. Jack Dalrymple suspended Kukowski last year. The sheriff faces a removal hearing next month after current Gov. Doug Burgum in January allowed the removal proceedings to go forward.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A man accused of shooting two people outside of a Minot bar last fall has been arrested in Las Vegas.

Police had been seeking 26-year-old Steven Stewart since the Oct. 29 shooting on charges of attempted murder and reckless endangerment. Authorities say he was arrested Wednesday in Las Vegas and is awaiting extradition back to North Dakota. Court documents don’t list an attorney for him.

Stewart is accused of shooting 25-year-old and 41-year-old men with a semi-automatic rifle in the parking lot of Sports on Tap. Authorities believe only one of the men was an intended target, and the other was a bystander. Neither was killed.

Stewart also is accused of firing into a crowd of 50-75 people with an AK-47 rifle.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is urging farmers and ranchers in northeast and north central North Dakota to monitor for flooding in the coming days.

Rivers and streams in the region are expected to crest this weekend. National Weather Service data indicate snowmelt with a significant rain event could create overland flooding or river and stream flooding.

Goehring is encouraging agricultural producers to prepare for that possibility, keeping in mind that some roadways might also flood.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Taxable sales and purchases in North Dakota totaled $17.3 billion in 2016, down 24 percent from the previous year.

Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger (RAW’-shuhn-bur-gur) cites the oil industry slump and low farm commodity prices for the decrease.

He says the 2016 figures are comparable to pre-oil boom levels.

Taxable sales and purchases are a key indicator of economic activity in the state. The mining and oil extraction sector had the biggest drop for the year with a 60 percent decrease.

The arts, entertainment and recreation sector was the only one to post an increase from 2015 to 2016, up 8 percent.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Backers of a successful North Dakota citizen initiative to allow marijuana to be used as medicine say they still aren’t happy with new rules governing its use, despite a major rewrite by lawmakers.

Fargo financial planner Rilie Ray Morgan headed the initiative campaign and says another citizen initiative is possible if the current bill stands.

A big sticking point is the ease in which marijuana could be smoked as medicine. The bill passed by the Senate allows patients to smoke it only if a physician finds no other form of marijuana would help.

A House committee has taken out that provision but a doctor still must recommend smoking marijuana as medicine for people who suffer from one of several debilitating illnesses.

Morgan says a doctor would never recommend smoking anything.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The majority leader of the North Dakota House wants the state Board of Higher Education to look into reorganizing its two-year colleges.

Republican Rep. Al Carlson, of Fargo, is proposing that the study be included in the higher education budget bill. He wants the board to consider shared services and courses, links with elementary and secondary education, and centralized services.

Carlson told the board Thursday that the higher education needs to do a better job of filling workforce needs in the state. He works as a contractor and says he’s often forced to look to other states to hire electricians, plumbers, pipefitters and other workers.

The measure provides $40,000 to fund the study, which would be completed before the next session.

The board voted 6-2 to approve the study.

 

In sports…

 

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Ricky Rubio had a career-high 33 points, 10 assists and five rebounds and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 32 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 119-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

Rubio shot 4 of 5 on 3-pointers and Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points for the Timberwolves (30-44), who have now won more games than they did last season. Minnesota had 30 assists and only 11 turnovers.

Jordan Clarkson scored 18 points and D’Angelo Russell had 14 points and seven assists for the Lakers (21-54), who have lost 17 of their last 19 games. Brandon Ingram missed his third straight game with patellar tendinitis in his right knee.

 

Final Detroit 90 Brooklyn 89

Final Chicago 99 Cleveland 93

Final L.A. Clippers 124 Phoenix 118

Final Portland 117 Houston 107

 

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Alex Stalock won his first NHL start in over a year, Nino Niederreiter had two goals and the Minnesota Wild beat the Ottawa Senators 5-1 on Thursday night to end a four-game skid.

Stalock stopped 18 shots in his first start for the Wild, who remained second in the Western Conference. Joel Eriksson Ek, Matt Dumba and Jason Pominville also scored for Minnesota.

Searching for a spark with Devan Dubnyk and backup Darcy Kuemper struggling, Minnesota recalled Stalock on Wednesday for his first start since last February with San Jose. The St. Paul native had spent six months in the minors.

Stalock allowed a goal on Ottawa’s seventh shot, but Neiderreiter tied it less than a minute later. Stalock stopped everything after that, and Niederreiter added another goal in the second to put the Wild ahead for good.

Ottawa played without captain and leading scorer Erik Karlsson, who was injured blocking a shot against Philadelphia on Tuesday and ended his streak of 324 consecutive games played.

 

Final OT Carolina 2 Columbus 1

Final Philadelphia 6 N-Y Islanders 3

Final Montreal 6 Florida 2

Final Boston 2 Dallas 0

Final Tampa Bay 5 Detroit 3

Final Toronto 3 Nashville 1

Final OT Winnipeg 4 Anaheim 3

Final Edmonton 3 San Jose 2

 

MEN’s BASKETBALL-NIT

NEW YORK (AP) — TCU is the NIT champion following a rout of Georgia Tech.

Tournament MVP Kenrich Williams had 25 points and 12 rebounds as the Horned Frogs blasted the Yellow Jackets, 88-56. Vlad Brodziansky scored 18 points for the Horned Frogs, who opened on a 20-3 run en route to their first NIT title.

Tadric Jackson led Georgia Tech with 19 points.

 

NCAA-FINAL FOUR

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Final Four teams have begun their preparations in Arizona for the last three games of March Madness.

South Carolina, Gonzaga, North Carolina and Oregon are in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale ahead of two semifinal games on Saturday.

Gamecocks star Sindarius Thornwell is dealing with an illness.

Thornwell was not at University of Phoenix Stadium Thursday due to what coach Frank Martin says is a “little body bug” and did not practice. Martin, who is battling a bug himself, says Thornwell is back at the hotel resting and hydrating.

 

 

TWINS MOVES

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have made slugger ByungHo Park one of their final roster cuts despite a strong performance at the plate throughout spring training.

Park was among six players reassigned to minor league camp on Thursday before the Twins traveled to Port Charlotte, Florida, for an exhibition game against Tampa Bay. With Kennys Vargas (left foot) injured, backup outfielder Robbie Grossman is slated for now as the primary designated hitter.

Catcher John Ryan Murphy was also optioned to Triple-A Rochester, and utility infielder Ehire Adrianza (right oblique strain) and left-handed reliever Ryan O’Rourke (left forearm strain) were placed on the 10-day disabled list.

Park hit .353 with a team-high six home runs and 13 RBIs in 19 spring games.

The Twins also chose rookie Adalberto Mejia as the fifth starter.

 

 

NORTH DAKOTA-POOLMAN

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — University of North Dakota junior defenseman Tucker Poolman has signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets.

The native of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, helped lead UND to an NCAA Tournament berth in each of his three seasons, and to a national championship last year.

He scored 20 goals and 52 assists in his 118 collegiate games, and was named defensive defenseman of the year this past season in the NCHC.

Poolman is the third Fighting Hawk to sign an NHL contract since the end of the season. Forward Tyson Jost signed with the Colorado Avalanche and forward Brock Boeser also signed with Winnipeg.

 

HOBEY BAKER FINALISTS

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Northeastern forward Zach Aston-Reese, Denver defenseman Will Butcher and Union forward Mike Vecchione have been selected as the 2017 Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalists for the best player in college hockey.

The Hobey Baker organization announced the names on Thursday. All three players are seniors. The winner will be revealed on April 7th in Chicago, the site of this year’s Frozen Four.

Aston-Reese was the Hockey East Player of the Year, leading all NCAA Division One players with 31 goals. He recently signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins and is playing in the AHL.

Butcher was the NCHC Player of the Year and was second in the nation among defensemen with 36 points.

Vecchione was the ECAC Player of the Year and was second in the country with 29 goals.

 

HUMBLE, Texas (AP) — Rickie Fowler is the leader through one round of the PGA’s Houston Open. Fowler opened with an 8-under 64 that puts him one stroke in front of Sung Kang. Stewart Cink (sihnk), Jhonattan Vegas and Kyle Stanley share third, one shot better than a seven-player logjam that includes Keegan Bradley and Justin Rose.

 

 

In world and national news…

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says his former national security adviser, Mike Flynn, is right to ask for immunity in exchange for talking about Russia. Trump tweeted early Friday: “Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion!” Flynn’s attorney said Thursday that the retired general is in discussions with the House and Senate intelligence committees on receiving immunity from “unfair prosecution.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s top lawyer is inviting a group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers to view classified information at the White House. The outreach comes as the Trump administration faces new questions about possible political interference involving investigations into Russian election meddling and reports that White House officials secretly funneled material to the chairman of the House intelligence committee.

BAGHDAD (AP) — As the U.S.-led coalition ramps up the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, claims of civilian casualties caused by airstrikes have spiked dramatically. The toll, both in infrastructure destroyed and in lives lost, has the potential to undercut U.S. military victories, stoking resentment and a backlash that could play into the hands of the militants.

TOKYO (AP) — Let the corks pop in Pyongyang: Diplomatic standoff over assassination in Malaysia ends and South Korea’s hard-line ex-president checks in to jail. North Korean officials notched a big victory Friday by getting the body of leader Kim Jong Un’s estranged half-brother and 3 North Koreans questioned in his murder out of Malaysia. And they got the distinct pleasure of watching the arrest of arch-enemy Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s ex-president, in Seoul. All in the same day, no less.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new survey shows most Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance, but they’re more positive about how he’s handling the economy. The poll was conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research amid the collapse of the GOP’s health care overhaul.