CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 45 to 50. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Windy. South winds around 15 mph increasing to around 25 mph in the afternoon.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Breezy. Lows 50 to 55.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of light rain.

Breezy. Highs 60 to 65.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 35 to 40.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A chance of light rain. Lows in

the mid 40s.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. A chance of light rain. Highs 55 to 60.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A slight chance of light rain.

Lows in the mid 30s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs 50 to 55.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

 

Prior to the cold front, Friday will be another very warm day with

High near 80.  Southerly winds will increase over the James

River Valley (20mph to 35 mph), during the afternoon

It remains breezy to windy Sunday and Monday as another system pushes through producing a chance of rain Sunday night and Monday.

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board met Thursday, at the CSi Technology Center at Historic Franklin School.  Board members present were: President, Matt Woods, Mitzi Hager, Janna Bergstedt, and Tena Lawrence, along with Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund.

Also attending the meeting was Ex-officio member Pam Phillips representing the Jamestown City Council.

 

The board reviewed applications for funding from the City Promotion Capital Construction Fund.

Funds are earmarked for any such projects must be in an area directly related to tourism. In general, the guiding philosophy of this grant program is to assist projects that:

Seek to create new economic benefits through tourism that will encourage overnight stays.

Seek to address needs that are currently being unmet.

Seek to create facilities that do not currently exist in the Jamestown area.

Seek to create experiences that will enhance the time visitors spend in Jamestown.

 

Swedlund said there was $40,000 in funding available in this round.

The funds stem from 20 percent of annual restaurant taxes.

 

Requests:

Audubon Society represented by Marshall Johnson of Fargo, and Dr. Robert Bates of Jamestown.

The National Buffalo Museum represented by Director Ilana Xinos

The1883 Stutsman County Courthouse represented by Steve Reidburn

And the Frontier Village represented by Secretary-Treasurer, Tina Busche

Each agency had 10 minutes for their present followed with time for questions.

 

The National Buffalo Museum  requested $8,200 in Capital Construction Funds to be used to replace the access door to the observation deck, along with installing a window along the museum’s east wall overlooking the observation deck. Museum Director, Ilana Xinos said the improvements will allow an all seasons utilization, with the hallway to contain the Buffalo Hall of Fame, so visitors can learn the importance of the hall of fame.

The Board approved funding the full amount, of $8,200.

 

A total of $8,000 was requested for the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse, for the installation, design and purchase of interpretive signs and panels.

Steve Reidburn oversees the courthouses, operations on a year round basis.

He pointed out limited funding from the state to due budget cuts this biennium.

He said, four interpretive panels would cost about $1,500 each and would point out to visitors the location and historical significance of:   the door at the courtroom along with the jury room judge’s chambers, the attorney’s room and the balcony.

He pointed out that last summer there were 2,100 visitors including tours by students from Louis L’Amour Elementary School in Jamestown, and students from Medina, and Edgeley.

The board tabled a decision on the request until the November Grant/Executive Board, meeting, pending additional information.

 

The Frontier Village represented by Tina Busche, requested a total of  $22,250  to cover material and labor for:

Medical/Optometrist Building, the former surveyors building, in the amount of $3,820.

Other funding source: $2,439 in dedicated funds.

 

Also including was a request was funding of the Large Caboose, for $18,430, to fix the structure in its entirety, or $2,014 for temporary fixes.

The request indicated the caboose needs a new roof, walls, flooring, siding, windows, and new decking on he exterior landing.

Other funding source $2,795 in dedicated funds for the project.

The board voted unanimously to fund the request of $3,820 for the Medical/Optometrist Building, to include addressing foundation issues, and the building including an interpretive message for visitors.

The board moved considering  the funding for the Large Caboose, to the March, 2018 City Promotion Capital Construction Fund meeting.

The board members concurred that the Frontier Village needs to provide more information on their plans relative to the interpretive aspect of the former Midland Continental Railroad structure, and the historical aspects included in the renovations.  The Tourism Board suggested they look at the caboose in Wimbledon, and the Rosebud Visitor’s Center in Valley City.

 

The Audubon Society represented by Marshall Johnson from Fargo, and Dr. Robert Bares of Jamestown, and the Audubon Dakota, chapter, requested funds for the Audubon Society, Edward M. Brigham III Alkali Lake project of the construction of the new Brigham Ranch Event Barn, at Alkali Lake, South of Spiritwood Lake.

Ranch, event barn, known as a birding “hot spot.”  The Brigham Ranch pole barn was destroyed in a 2016 storm.

Johnson said there are about 30,000 Audubon Society members within a three hour drive of Jamestown.

The application states, the funding request is for $25,000 for construction sponsorship of the second floor ballroom loft to host large events for conservation and agriculture focused, workshops, tours, and other events such as weddings, or holiday parties.

$10,000 toward the project has come from other sources.  In kind labor and supplies have been provided, equivalent to $4,266, and the Audubon Society will be providing a $25,000 in-kind match to the new construction.

The application noted that other funds for the project come from the Jamestown Community Foundation in the amount of $5,000 and a $5,000 donation for Dr. Robert and Kathi Bates of Jamestown. $5,000 will be used for the dormer on the building.
Audubon Dakota has contributed $75,000 toward the project. Members have contributed in-kind labor.

Ultimately, Audubon Dakota will provide $25,000 of in-kind to the construction.

The board voted unanimously to fund the full requested amount of $25,000.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  The North Dakota Attorney General’s Office has issued a cease and desist order banning Chris Gustafson of Becker, Minn., doing business as Nature’s Way Tree and Landscape, from engaging in contracting in North Dakota.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division initiated an investigation in August after receiving a complaint from a North Dakota resident. The homeowner complained that in May 2017, he had paid Gustafson $7,000 to remove trees and perform related cleanup work, but Gustafson did not do all of the work and also damaged the home.

Investigators determined that Gustafson was not licensed as a contractor in North Dakota. It also appeared to investigators that Gustafson was engaged in false advertising by distributing flyers representing that he is licensed and insured, when he is not. Gustafson responded to the initial communications from the investigators but ignored all subsequent efforts to contact him.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Minot officials are debating whether residents should be allowed to raise chickens and keep snakes.

One proposed ordinance would permit chickens within city limits. Proponents say larger cities like Fargo and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, allow backyard hens and there have been few complaints. Opponents are worried the chickens would attract feral cats, weasels, hawks and fox.

Another proposal would lift a ban on all snakes except those that are poisonous or dangerous, such as rattlesnakes, boa constrictors and pit vipers. Minot resident Merle Baisch argued against the idea and said if people want snakes they should move out of town.

The city’s animal ordinance committee recommended that the city council lift the ban on snakes. The group did not vote on the chicken proposal.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Obstruction and disorderly conduct charges have been dismissed against a photo journalist covering the Dakota Access Pipeline protest last year.

Sara Lafleur-Vetter was working for The Guardian, a London-based news outlet, when she was arrested Oct. 22 with 140 other people at the pipeline easement near state Highway 1806.

Defense attorney Amanda Harris argued there was no evidence against Lafleur-Vetter and that photos show she had cameras and equipment and was working. Harris says Lafleur-Vetter identified herself as a journalist when she was arrested.

Surrogate Judge Thomas Merrick dismissed the misdemeanor charges against Lafleur-Vetter Wednesday following testimony from several law enforcement officers who said they did not distinguish journalists from others during arrests. The Bismarck Tribune says four other defendants on trial with Lafleur-Vetter return to court Thursday.

 

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — Protesters cut short a hearing in Duluth on Enbridge Energy’s proposal to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota.

Wednesday’s hearing was one of several for the public to comment on whether the state Public Utilities Commission should approve the project. Hundreds of people on both sides packed the convention center.

Protesters shouting “shut it down” led officials to adjourn early. Afterward, Enbridge and the Jobs for Minnesotans coalition denounced what they called intimidation tactics they said made it impossible for Line 3 supporters to speak.

Tribal and environmental groups say the project threatens pristine waters where wild rice grows.

Enbridge and its supporters say Line 3 is a needed piece of infrastructure, and that replacing it will make it safer while creating jobs.

 

In world and national news….

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Co. has reached a $120 million settlement with 49 states and the District of Columbia over its defective ignition switches.

GM recalled 2.6 million small cars worldwide in 2014 because their ignition switches could slip from the “run” position to the “off” position, shutting off the engine.

The switches played a role in at least 124 deaths and 275 injuries, according to a victims’ fund set up by GM.

Every state but Arizona sued the Detroit-based automaker, saying it violated consumer protection laws by selling cars even though it knew for at least a decade that the switches were defective. The settlement concludes the state investigations.

GM said in addition to the state payouts, it pledged to continue to improve its vehicle safety efforts.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President George W. Bush is denouncing bigotry in Trump-era American politics. The 43rd president did not name President Donald Trump on Thursday, but he attacked some of the principles that define Trump’s political brand. Bush warned that the rise of “nativism,” isolationism and conspiracy theories have clouded the nation’s true identity. Bush spoke at a New York City conference hosted by the George W. Bush.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — One man climbs 24 flights of stairs several times a day amid dormant elevators. Street vendors hawk plastic washboards for $20. And families outstretch their hands as crews in helicopters drop supplies in communities that remain isolated. This is life one month after Hurricane Maria slammed into the U.S. territory, killing at least 48 people and decimating tens of thousands of homes.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina man is the latest to join a growing list of private U.S. citizens who fear they may have suffered from the same unexplained, invisible attacks in Cuba that have harmed American government workers. Chris Allen visited Havana in 2014, and stayed at the same hotel where U.S. government workers have been attacked. Allen’s illness lingered for months and bewildered a half-dozen neurologists in the United States.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forecasters say the odds are good that much of the nation will have a warmer than normal winter. But it likely won’t be as warm as the last two winters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released the forecast Thursday.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — People were waiting in line for hours as former President Barack Obama returns to the campaign trail to stump for New Jersey’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate. Obama is dropping in Thursday afternoon on campaign workers in Newark, New Jersey, for a private “canvass kickoff” for Democratic candidate Phil Murphy. Obama will head to Richmond, Virginia, on Thursday evening to rally support for Democrat Ralph Northam.