Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Dec 19

CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Snow likely after midnight. Snow accumulation around 1 inch. Lows around 15. East winds 5 to

15 mph. Chance of snow 60 percent in the Jamestown area 70 percent in the Valley City area.

.WEDNESDAY…Cloudy. Chance of snow in the morning, then snow

likely in the afternoon. Patchy blowing and drifting snow through

the day. Snow accumulation around 2 inches. Highs 15 to 20. East

winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 60 percent in the Jamestown area, 80 percent in the Valley City area.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Patchy blowing and drifting snow in

the evening. Snow likely in the evening, then chance of snow

after midnight. Light snow accumulations. Lows zero to 5 above.

North winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent in the Jamestown area, 80 percent in the Valley City area.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs 5 to 10 above. Northwest winds

5 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows near zero.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny in the morning, then cloudy with a

30 percent chance of snow in the afternoon. Highs around 20.

.FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. Lows zero to 5 above.

Highs around 15.

.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 5 below.

Highs 5 to 10 above.

.SUNDAY NIGHT AND Christmas Day…Mostly cloudy. Lows around

10 below. Highs 5 below to 5 above zero.

 

Widespread snow is expected to spread across much of North Dakota

late Tuesday night into Wednesday.

 

The greatest snow amounts of 5 to 8 inches are possible over portions of northwest and north central North Dakota generally along and north of Highway 200 and west of Highway 3.

 

Surrounding areas including Wing, Tuttle, Dunseith, Rugby, Harvey, Carrington, and Jamestown may see 3 to 6 inches of snow. Those with travel plans should continue to monitor the latest forecast and road conditions.

 

If you do travel, be sure to have a winter survival kit and alert others of your travel plans.

 

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation of a Monday morning collision between a City of Jamestown garbage truck, and an individual operating a scooter, about 8-a.m., on First Avenue North just north of the railroad tracks.

Since the accident involved a city vehicle the sheriff’s office is investigating, with more information when the report is filed.

 

Devils Lake  (CSi)   A Devils Lake credit union will merge with First Community Credit Union in Jamestown.

The Devils Lake Citizens Community Credit Union was taken over by federal regulators and will merge with the  financial cooperative in Jamestown.

The news release says, Citizens Community Credit Union announced this month it will take on the First Community Credit Union name after the two credit unions agreed to merge.

First Community Credit Union  President and CEO Steve Schmitz will head both credit unions and the main office for the combined credit unions will be based in Jamestown.

 

 

Valley City (CSi) Valley City officials remind residents that  work on permanent flood protection in Valley City, continues today and expected  until December 22nd . Main Street will then  be closed between Central Avenue and 5th Avenue Northwest.  Local traffic will be allowed to businesses inside  the road closures.

The contractor will be driving piling and will need to have their A crane will be in place,  while pilings are being driven and other materials will be in place on Main Street.

Motorists will  be directed to Second Street Northwest during the closure. Truck deliveries are asked  to use alternative routes.

 

 

Bismarck  (NDFU)  More than 750 North Dakota Farmers Union members participated in the organization’s 91^st annual state convention Dec. 15-16, 2017 in Bismarck. A mix of educational speakers, entertainment, elections, youth achievement recognition, and policy debate highlighted the event.

Velva farmer Mark Watne was reelected president of the state’s largest farm organization, a position he has held since 2013. Terry Borstad of Devils Lake, Wes Niederman of Sioux County, and Ronda Throener of Cogswell were reelected to the board of directors. Of special note were three special orders of business that were adopted by delegates.

The first called on Congress and the Trump administration to implement emergency action to alleviate the ongoing farm crisis. Low commodity prices, catastrophic drought, and increasing interest rates have made it difficult for many farmers to obtain operating capital for 2018, especially for young and beginning farmers. The special order called for short-term low interest loans, temporary waiving of cash-flow and collateral requirements for FSA operating loans, and increased disaster payments.

Farmers Union members also called for increased use of ethanol, specifically E30 to be used in state fleet vehicles. Watne says tests show E30 to be the best blend for maximizing fuel economy and cost, adding,  “We believe if auto owners try E30 for one week, they will see better performance than with regular unleaded fuel. Every time ethanol goes in the tank, it helps stimulate the rural economy.”

Delegates also called on the state legislature to reassess its elimination of the state’s 12 percent property tax buydown, calling for a legislative fix. Since 2007, the state has provided more than $2 billion in property tax relief through the buydown and K-12 school aid formula. Many counties are facing significant property tax increases, which will affect farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp addressed the implications of federal tax cuts to the bottom line of family farmers and ranchers, when she spoke to convention-goers.  She says, “The tax bill we are advancing really focuses on getting money to the richest Americans.  If this blows up the budget, it could result in billions in cuts” to farm programs, marketing programs and ag research. “It’s wrong for rural America.”

Sen. John Hoeven sent video greetings from Washington, D.C. Tom Brusegaard of Sen. Hoeven’s office spoke about a fix to Sec. 199 in proposed tax legislation that would impact cooperatives and producers.

Miss America Cara Mund, the first Miss North Dakota to wear the crown of royalty, spoke to the 2017 Torchbearer Class. She encouraged young people to never stop believing in themselves and shared her journey to becoming Miss America. Twenty youths earned the Torchbearer award, the highest honor that can be achieved in the Farmers Union youth program.

Recipients, listed by county, include:

BARNES – Nita Peterson, Valley City. BOWMAN – Michaela Fischer, Bowman. BURLEIGH – Ben Wood, Lincoln. CASS – Riley Lebahn, West Fargo. EMMONS – Katherine Theisgen, Strasburg, and Mya Vetter, Linton. LAMOURE – Shaun Heier, Edgeley. MCLEAN – Jaden Reiser, Turtle Lake. MORTON – Mary Westberg, St. Anthony. MOUNTRAIL – Jessica Rosencrans, Powers Lake. STARK – Shaylyn Lefor, Gladstone, and Gracie Morel, Dickinson. STUTSMAN – Madisyn Kleven, Medina, Dalton Lacina, Ypsilanti, and Alyssa Michel, Jamestown. WARD – Elizabeth Geyer, Minot, Sydney Larson, Norwich, and Payton Smith, Minot. WELLS – Nicole Willey, Cathay. WILLIAMS – Cassidy Donnelly, Ray.

 

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Two women are accused of embezzling from their Minot employers in unrelated cases.

The Minot Daily News reports that 27-year-old Brittany Haynes of Minot allegedly stole about $8,700 from TJ Maxx, through a scheme involving fraudulent returns.

Thirty-three-year-old Danielle Cooper of Velva is accused of embezzling from the Holiday Inn while working as housekeeping manager, by refunding bogus reservation fees to a personal money card. The alleged amount wasn’t clear.

Both women face felony charges. Both could enter pleas at hearings on Jan. 25. Court documents don’t list an attorney for either woman.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A brawl involving a number of people at a Bismarck shopping mall led to one arrest and injuries to several people.

Bismarck Police Sgt. Mark Buschena says five officers responded to a fight outside a store at the Kirkwood Mall Friday. A person who called police said about 20 people were involved in the fight. Mall security also responded and stores temporarily closed their security gates.

A security officer was holding a 27-year-old Bismarck man who was arrested for disorderly conduct and marijuana possession. He told police he fought with eight other people over something on social media.

The Bismarck Tribune says at least four people had visible injuries but would not tell police about their involvement. The case is under investigation.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A man convicted of fatally assaulting a woman behind a Bismarck store last year has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

A jury in September found 35-year-old Morris Brickle-Hicks guilty of beating 40-year-old Misty Coffelt and leaving her to die behind Runnings in April 2016. Brickle-Hicks was charged with felony murder.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that defense attorney James Loraas asked for life with the possibility of parole. Loraas said Brickle-Hicks asked him to request a 20-year sentence.

Prosecutor Julie Lawyer told the court that Brickle-Hicks’ lack of remorse and violent behavior called for the maximum sentence.

Loraas said a psychological evaluation shows that Brickle-Hicks has “low intellectual functioning” and would require accommodations in prison.

 

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The last suspect set for trial in a large-scale Jamaican lottery scam being prosecuted in the U.S. is seeking to have evidence suppressed.

Melinda Bulgin, of Providence, Rhode Island, maintains her rights were violated when authorities questioned her in Jamaica and Rhode Island in 2015.

The government hasn’t yet responded to the motion. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Jan. 22 in federal court in North Dakota, where the case began in 2011.

The investigation resulted in charges against 27 people accused of bilking at least 90 Americans out of more than $5.7 million.

All of the suspects have pleaded guilty, agreed to do so or been convicted except Bulgin and two who remain fugitives.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A program that provides grants to conservation projects in North Dakota is doling out more than $1 million in the latest round of grant funding.

But The Bismarck Tribune reports those who review the conservation projects say they hope to see more applications for the next round.

The Outdoor Heritage Fund Advisory Board received only six applications for the funding, the lowest number since the program was established by the Legislature in 2013.

Board Chairman Jim Melchior says the low number of applications might be the result of a misconception about the availability of funding, due to the downturn in oil and commodity prices.

The fund is supported by energy production taxes. Its goal is to restore land affected by energy production, and develop wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation areas.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger says alcohol deliveries have resumed on an American Indian reservation in North Dakota, after tribal leaders temporarily shelved new rules and higher taxes on booze.

The Three Affiliated Tribes in November imposed a 7 percent tax on alcohol on the Fort Berthold Reservation. That’s in addition to the state’s 7 percent tax.

Tribal rules also require permits, and subject records and businesses to be open for inspection by the tribe.

Alcohol distributors halted shipments due to the new taxes and rules.

The tribe now has passed a resolution that suspends the tax and new rules for 60 days. It also gives the tribal chairman authority to extend them for 60 additional days.

Tribal Chairman Mark Fox did not immediately return telephone calls on Monday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota tree habitat project involving the state, the oil and gas industry and private landowners will plant about 55,000 trees in the state over the next few years.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that the North Dakota Industrial Commission approved $108,000 in grant funding last week to support the Planting for the Future project. The plan was proposed by the North Dakota Petroleum Council and will involve 30 tree planting projects.

Private landowners will help plant, water and maintain the trees.

The Public Service Commission requires companies to replace two trees for every one removed during pipeline construction. Oneok is a company that gathers and processes natural gas in western North Dakota. They will plant 20,000 of the project’s trees to satisfy the requirement.

 

 

 

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Figures show railroads ship more than 1 million barrels of crude oil across Washington each week.

The Spokesman-Review reports information from October 2016 through September of this year indicate railroads shipped nearly 56 million barrels of crude oil across Washington in 82,000 rail cars. Most of the oil trains enter the state from Idaho, transporting light crude from North Dakota.

The state last year began requiring facilities that receive crude oil by rail to notify the state officials in advance of shipments. The information is shared with emergency managers along the rail route. The Department of Ecology later publishes quarterly reports summarizing the volumes.

The state says railroads began shipping crude oil through Washington in 2012, and volumes have increased over time.

Washington’s reporting rule also applies to pipelines, which must report information about crude oil volumes twice per year.

 

In sports…

Valley City  (VCSU) Valley City State University athletics had 12 student-athletes earn the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete award during the fall semester.

The NAIA Scholar-Athlete award recognizes students who demonstrate consistent success in the classroom while handling the heavy time demands of a student-athlete. In order to qualify for this honor, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status.

Awards have been announced for volleyball, cross country and football. VCSU student-athletes earning the NAIA Scholar-Athlete award in those sports include:
Cross Country: Orin Rambow
Football: PJ Peterson, Tyler Masat, Tyler Ukestad, Marc Wagner, Dakota Johnson, Cole Kelly, Jake Peterson
Volleyball: Polette Medina, Autumn Johnson, Mikayla Mellem, Clarissa Olson.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department has set tentative opening dates for next year’s hunting seasons.

The dates become official with the governor’s approval.

Tentative 2018 opening dates for some major seasons include spring turkey on April 14, mountain lions on Aug. 31, grouse on Sept. 8, waterfowl on Sept. 29, pronghorn on Oct. 5, pheasants on Oct. 6, fall turkey on Oct. 13 and deer gun on Nov. 9.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakotans who haven’t gone ice fishing but want to give it a try can do so at the end of this month.

The state Game and Fish Department has announced a free ice fishing weekend Dec. 30-31.

Resident anglers may fish that weekend without a license. All other ice fishing regulations apply, and people interested in darkhouse spearfishing that weekend must first register with Game and Fish.

The department also holds a free fishing weekend in the summer

 

BOY’S BASKETBALL

 

COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL….

Nationally Ranked No.18  Arizona 83  NDSU  53

 

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jimmy Butler powered through back spasms to score 37 points, with two free throws that gave the Minnesota Timberwolves the lead with 2.5 seconds left for a 108-107 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Jamal Crawford had a season-high 23 points in a Wolves rally from 10 points down with 7½ minutes left. C.J. McCollum scored 20 points for the Blazers, whose three-game winning streak ended.

 

Final Boston 112 Indiana 111

Final Charlotte 109 N-Y Knicks 91

Final Atlanta 110 Miami 104

Final Houston 120 Utah 99

Final Chicago 117 Philadelphia 115

Final Oklahoma City 95 Denver 94

Final Phoenix 97 Dallas 91

Final San Antonio 109 L.A. Clippers 91

Final OT Golden State 116 L.A. Lakers 114

 

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Final New Jersey 5 Anaheim 3

Final Boston 7 Columbus 2

Final L.A. Kings 4 Philadelphia 1

Final Edmonton 5 San Jose 3

Final Colorado 4 Pittsburgh 2

 

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE…

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have kept pace with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers in the tight NFC South race while keeping their hold on a wild-card berth.

Devonta (deh-VAHN’-tay) Freeman rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown as the Falcons downed the Buccaneers 24-21 at Tampa. Freeman scored on a 32-yard run to put Atlanta ahead by 10 points midway through the fourth quarter. He also caught five passes for a team-high 68 yards and had a first-half fumble recovered in the end zone by teammate Levine Toilolo for a touchdown.

Matt Ryan threw for 212 yards and no interceptions for the 9-5 Falcons, who remain one game behind the Saints and Panthers for the division lead.

Jameis (JAY’-mihs) Winston threw for 299 yards and three TDs for the 4-10 Bucs.

 

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

 

Final (2) Michigan St. 107 Houston Baptist 62

Final (12) Gonzaga 101 IUPUI 71

Final (14) Kansas 109 Nebraska-Omaha 64

Final (15) TCU 91 Texas Southern 72

Final (19) Arizona 83 N. Dakota St. 53

Final (24) Florida St. 69 Charleston Southern 58

Final (25) Creighton 90 Texas-Arlington 81

 

Top 25 College Basketball Polls…

(AP)  The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Dec. 17, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking:

	Record	Pts	Prv
1. Villanova (45)	11-0	1602	1
2. Michigan St. (15)	10-1	1560	2
3. Arizona St. (5)	10-0	1429	5
4. Duke	11-1	1390	4
5. North Carolina	10-1	1332	7
6. Miami	9-0	1308	6
7. Kentucky	9-1	1231	8
8. Texas A&M	9-1	1156	9
9. Xavier	10-1	1073	10
10. West Virginia	9-1	1040	11
11. Wichita St.	8-2	851	3
12. Gonzaga	9-2	831	12
13. Virginia	9-1	796	16
14. Kansas	8-2	791	13
15. TCU	10-0	789	14
16. Purdue	11-2	706	17
17. Oklahoma	8-1	691	—
18. Arizona	8-3	396	23
18. Baylor	9-2	396	21
20. Cincinnati	9-2	314	25
21. Tennessee	7-2	308	20
21. Texas Tech	9-1	308	24
23. Seton Hall	9-2	223	15
24. Florida St.	9-1	164	19
25. Creighton	8-2	144	—

Others receiving votes: Arkansas 83, Notre Dame 73, Clemson 35, Louisville 28, Texas 21, Nevada 13, Minnesota 9, Oklahoma St. 9, Alabama 5, SMU 5, Auburn 4, Virginia Tech 3, Rhode Island 2, Syracuse 2, Florida 2, Michigan 1, Towson 1.

 

WOMEN’S POLL..

UConn is still the unanimous No. 1 team in the AP women’s basketball poll.

The top five are the same following exam break for most schools. Notre Dame is followed by Louisville, South Carolina and Mississippi State.

 

 

Vikings…

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With the NFC North title in hand, the Minnesota Vikings have guaranteed themselves a home game to start the playoffs. Now it’s time to schedule it for the second weekend in January, rather than the first. They’re actively and now openly pursuing the first-round bye that would automatically put them one step closer to playing in the Super Bowl in their home stadium.

 

Super Bowl…

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kelly Clarkson will be performing for Super Bowl ticket holders during two separate events on the day of the game. The Star Tribune reports Clarkson will perform at a pre-game party called the 52 Live party for Super Bowl ticket holders at the Armory. She’ll also sing at another event inside the stadium that afternoon. Her concerts are part of different VIP ticket packages that include various parties.

 

NFL…

UNDATED (AP) — Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis has been suspended for two games by the NFL following his helmet-to-helmet hit on Green Bay’s Davante Adams.

The Packers wide receiver left Sunday’s 31-24 loss to Carolina in the third quarter with a concussion after being blindsided by Davis following a Carolina interception.

Davis has apologized to Adams via Twitter for the hit and has three days to appeal the punishment.

Davis was the 2015 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, but he’s also considered a repeat offender by the league and was fined over $48,000 for a hit earlier this season.

 

KOBE JERSEYS…

UNDATED (AP) — Kobe Bryant received a double honor at halftime of the Los Angeles Lakers 116-114 overtime loss against the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers retired each of his uniform numbers last night. He scored 16,777 points while wearing No. 8, and 16,866 points in No. 24. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss explained the double-retirement by saying, “If you separated each of the accomplishments under those numbers, each of those players would qualify for the Hall of Fame.”

Bryant told the cheering crowd that “It’s not about the jerseys that are hanging up there for me. It’s about the jerseys that were hanging up there before. They inspired me to play the game at a high level.”

 

In world and national news…