CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 60. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. North winds 5 to

10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the upper 50s. North winds

around 5 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. Northeast winds around

5 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s.

.FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 80s.

Lows in the lower 60s.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 60s.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY…Mostly clear. Lows around 60. Highs in

the lower 80s.

 

Jamestown (CSi)   Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist says Stutsman County Commission Chairman, Mark Klose Tuesday  signed a drought emergency declaration for Stutsman County.

Begquist says, the intent of the declaration is to document to the State of North Dakota and to the public the extent of the worsening dry conditions.  Since early spring, Stutsman County has experienced very limited rainfall with some areas of the County approaching six inches below average precipitation.  Lack of rainfall has severely stressed or damaged pasture land and crops, along with feed and water supplies for livestock.

The declaration also takes into account the heightened potential for rural fires and the adverse economic impacts on Stutsman County’s agribusiness.  The dry conditions constitute an eminent threat of unrecoverable losses, damages and hardship to the local economy where recovery is no longer possible for the 2017 growing season.

According to state law, the drought declaration signed by Commissioner Klose can only remain in effect for seven days without approval by the entire County Commission. The continuation of the declaration will be discussed at the regular meeting of the Stutsman County Commission on Tuesday, August 1st.

An aerial photo of the burned area was taken by Medina Fire Chief, Brian Rau.

The fire started as a result of normal haying operations and burned approximately 170 acres.

Stutsman County has not yet been in the Very High and/or Extreme Fire
Danger Ratings.  But, Bergquist says,for anyone haying CRP, it would be a good idea to have firefighting tools on hand such as water and a shovel etc.

 

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council Meeting  in Special Session on Tuesday at City Hall, unanimously   approved a request from the JSDC for the City’s share of  $2,847,502.71 from Economic Development  Funds, paid from the City Sales Tax Fund, to create the Airport Business Park.

The cost to develop that land is estimated at $2.8 million.

The funding is on a 90/10 city and county split. The city’s share is $2,238,502.71.  The county share at $284,750.28.

Around 87 acres on Highway 20 North would be developed into industrial and aeronautical use lots.

The airport will lease the land from JSDC, and the airport  tenants will be direct lessee.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Following Special Jamestown City Council meeting, the Council’s Finance & Legal Committee, Building Planning & Zoning Committee, and Civic Center & Promotion Committee met at City Hall.

All members were present.

 

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

The committee considered any action deemed necessary concerning communications received from the Frontier Village Association and Jamestown Tourism.

At the June 20, 2017  Jamestown City Council Civic Center and Promotion Committee meeting, Frontier Village Association, President Nellie Degen appeared, handing out material  in a seven-page document, including a copy of a letter of appeal concerning a decision by the Jamestown Tourism Board of Directors to not fund some projects at the village.

At the March 16, 2017 Tourism Capital Construction grant application meeting, the Tourism Board, voted unanimously to grant the General Store project, with $12,750 coming from the Capital Construction Fund, and $5,250 from the Grant Requests Fund. The board tabled the request for the Depot Building project.

The Tourism Grant/Exeuctive Board has discussed the FVA’s policies as they relate to Tourism funding and the Association’s accountability of grant dollars, along with general operational issues at Frontier Village.

At Tuesday’s City Council Committee meeting, Council Member Pam Phillips who holds the Civic Center and Promotion Committee portfolio said the committee has reviewed the information.

Nellie Degen said, any grant funding requests will also be submitted to the City Council for review.

She claimed that City Council Member Phillips has a conflict of interest.

However, Phillips said she is not a member of the Tourism Advisory Board, and attends meetings as a City Council representative and does not vote on grant requests.

Frontier Village Secretary Tina Busche read a letter from museum official Skip Drake, highlighting accomplishments by the FVA and Jamestown Tourism. He recommends ending any conflict between the two entities.

He disagrees with Tourism taking over the management of Frontier Village.

Busche said the FVA will be requesting $14,702 in grant funding for projects, in the next Capital Construction grant request period.

Jamestown Tourism Director Searle Swedlund outlined the budget requests, approvals and denials, and reapplication of the Depot building project request.

Mayor Andersen said the city has approved Capitol Construction Guidelines and feels comfortable with the guidelines, adding that Jamestown Tourism has abided by the guidelines, concerning allocation of funds and does not feel the guidelines need changing.

The city committee took no action of the Frontier Village appeal at Tuesday’s meeting.

Mayor Andersen said the city may look into any potential conflict of interest that Council Member Phillips may have.

In her opinion Phillips has no conflict of interest.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

The committee recommends approval of the 2018 JSDC Budget.  CEO Connie Ova said salaries and expenses are the only increases showing in the budget, with the dollars requested the same as in 2017’s budget.

The committee will look into  amending a Section of the City Code pertaining to Temporary Alcohol Permits.

The committee recommends the City assuming the cost of all special assessments currently assessed and to be assessed as part of Paving District #16-42 in exchange for the deed of proposed Lot 1, Eastwood Second Subdivision (a replat of Lots 1 & 2, Block 1, Eastwood Estates Subdivision).

The committee recommends moving to the city council without recommendation entering into a license agreement with Arvig Enterprises, Inc., to place 10,634 feet of conduit and fiber optic cable within the City right-of-way as specified in the license agreement.  Clarification will be made concerning the project possibly in connection with Verizon Wireless.

Arvig is a subcontractor for Century Link.   Century Link has yet to come to an agreement with the city with the franchise agreement.

The committee recommends a flat two percent fee.

The committee recommends approving  the request from Stutsman Harley-Davidson for a dance permit in the parking lot located at 2501 3rd Ave SW on September 9, 2017.

Informational: The Second Reading of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact Chapter 5, Sections 5-1 and 5-11.1, of the City Code pertaining to Alcoholic Beverages, is scheduled for the August 7, 2017, City Council meeting.

Public Hearings on and final approval of special assessments are scheduled for the August 7, 2017

2017, City Council meeting on the following districts:

  1. Seal Coat , Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #16-41
  2. Sanitary Sewer & Water District #16-31 & #16-61
  3. Southwest Water Main Replacement District #16-62

Departmental and financial reports were presented.

The committee discussed a procedure to fill the City Administrator’s position with the retirement of City

Administrator Jeff Fuchs, effective December 31, 2017.

The required a six month notice was served by Fuchs to the city.

Fuchs serves as City Administrator and City Auditor.

Mayor Andersen pointed out a service provided by a firm to handle the advertising, background check and other provisions is available, including interviews if the city so chooses.  Another option is to conduct a service in-house.

The committee recommends hiring a firm previously used by the city, AE2S.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

The committee recommends approving the plat of Eastwood Second Subdivision, a replat of Lots 1 & 2, Block 1, Eastwood Estates Subdivision.

Chairman of the City Planning Commission, Dave Hillerud spoke relative to Planning Commission action items for 2017.   He said the Planning Commission wants to compare its priority list with the city, and receive any input from the city.  He said SRF Consultants is available for input.

He said the Planning Commission will present the action items to the City Council, for consideration for the city Ordinance.

The committee recommends working with the Planning Commission.

The committee meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  On  Wednesday September 6, 2017 R.M. Stoudt in Jamestown offers the Ford Drive 4 UR Community program, to benefit Disabled American Veterans.

From 5-p.m.,to 7-p.m., every no obligation test drive taken in a 2017 Ford model, Ford and R.M. Stoudt will donate $20 to the DAV.

Ford has been loyal friend of DAV since 1922, when Henry Ford provided 50 Model T Fords to help disabled World War I veterans attend the organization’s Second National Convention.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Bikers For Kids Ride, will benefit the Community Action Weekend Backpack for Kids Program.

The Ride takes place on Saturday August 5, 2017 with registration at 10-a.m., kickstands up at 12 noon, starting from Double D’s Hydrosealing & Landscaping, at 1513 Business Loop East.

$15 per driver, and $10 per passenger.

All motorcycles and cars welcome.

Lunch will be served after the run.

Monetary donations can be sent to:

Dan Pausing, Vice President

324 3rd Avenue, SW

Jamestown, ND  58401

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Firefighters have rescued two men trapped in a fishing boat on the Red River in Fargo.

The boat got stuck on some rocks in the river Tuesday while the water rushed around it. Rescuers used ropes to move the men to safety, an effort that took about an hour. The men were not hurt.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Bismarck man and woman are facing felony charges for allegedly passing out drunk in a van and leaving two toddlers unattended.

Officers found the 1-year-old boy and 2-year-old boy playing alone Thursday. Police said the children were in overly dirty diapers and one was covered with rotten milk.

Officers say they found an open jug of milk in the van, along with food, dirty diapers, a bottle of vodka and an unmarked pill bottle.

Authorities allege 40-year-olds Andrea Addison and Gary Pulido both were drunk and passed out. Addison is the grandmother and caretaker of the two children, who were turned over to Social Services.

Addison and Pulido face felony child neglect charges. Court documents don’t list an attorney for them. A telephone listing for Pulido isn’t in service.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Drought-plagued North Dakota received much-needed rainfall over the past week, but crops and pastures still need much more.

The weekly crop report from the federal Agriculture Department says 39 percent of North Dakota’s staple spring wheat crop is rated poor or very poor, and many other crops are in the same situation.

Topsoil moisture supplies statewide are rated 67 percent short or very short. Subsoil moisture is 62 percent in those categories.

In the ranching community, pasture and range conditions are rated 75 percent poor or very poor. Stock water supplies are 56 percent in those categories.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows three-fourths of North Dakota in some stage of drought.

 

 

In sports..

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Parks Program will be hosting the first ever inter-Park Kickball Tournament at Al Boelke Fields (McElroy Park) on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at 1:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.  Those who regularly attend the Parks Program, are asked to wear the color corresponding with your park: McElroy – light blue, Meidinger – hot pink, Nickeus – green, Leapaldt – royal blue.  If you do not usually attend a particular park, you will be assigned to a team.

There will be no supervised Parks Program activities at Meidinger Park, Nickeus Park, and Leapaldt Park Tuesday afternoon.  Please provide transportation for your child. Supervision will run from 1:30-4:00 at McElroy Park. If you have any questions, call the Parks and Recreation office 252-3982.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s pronghorn population and the popular hunting opportunity it provides both have taken a blow this year.

A summer survey conducted by the Game and Fish Department concluded pronghorn numbers are down 14 percent from last year. The agency is offering 410 licenses for the fall hunt — a 44 percent drop from 2016.

Big Game Management Supervisor Bruce Stillings cites both a tough winter and extreme drought this summer.

Pronghorn in recent years have rebounded from harsh winters in the early 2000s that decimated the population and prompted Game and Fish to cancel hunting seasons four years in a row.

State Wildlife Chief Jeb Williams says this year is a setback. But he and Stillings say there’s reason for optimism, especially with good fawn production this year.

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP)  – The Senate has voted to move ahead on health care legislation aimed at dismantling the Obama health law.

The vote was 51-50 on Tuesday, a victory for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and President Donald Trump. Last week, McConnell was forced to postpone the vote, lacking the support of conservatives and moderates.

Vice President Mike Pence cast the tie-breaking vote.

In a dramatic turn, Sen. John McCain returned from Arizona where he is battling brain cancer to cast a crucial vote on proceeding on health care.

The vote sets up days of debate and votes on repealing and replacing Barack Obama’s health care law. Whatever the Senate approves still requires a vote in the House.

President Donald Trump is praising the Senate for moving forward on health care repeal.

He says a vote Tuesday to take up the Republican health care bill “was a big step.”

Trump is speaking at a joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri (sahd hah-REER’-ee).

Trump is also thanking Arizona Sen. John McCain, who returned to Washington his brain cancer diagnosis, to cast a vote.

Trump adds that he wants “to congratulate the American people” because better health care is on the way.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says that he is “very disappointed” in Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Trump told The Wall Street Journal in an interview Tuesday that he has not made up his mind as to whether to fire his longtime ally.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser has finished meeting with lawmakers on the House intelligence committee. The panel that heard from Jared Kushner for about three hours Tuesday is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign and possible involvement of Trump associates. Kushner had a similar interview with staff on the Senate intelligence panel Monday. Kushner faces questions about his involvement in a June 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Some parents, Boy Scouts and others are furious that President Donald Trump used a speech at a national Boy Scout gathering to rail against his enemies and promote his political agenda. The furor has put the Boy Scouts in an awkward position.