CSi Weather…

TODAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. West winds 10 to 20 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 35 to 40. West winds 10 to 20 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 20 to 25.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of light snow.

Lows 15 to 20.

.SUNDAY…Cloudy. A chance of light snow. Highs in the mid 20s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of light snow.

Lows 10 to 15.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows zero to 5 above.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows zero to 5 above.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

 

A slight chance of precipitation along the southern tier of central North Dakota Saturday afternoon. Temperatures are expected to be in the

mid to upper 30s in this area precip type could be rain or snow.

 

Saturday night and Sunday  Southern North Dakota (far south central

through the James Valley and east) will be on the northwestern

fringe of the precipitation associated with a storm system.

 

Northerly winds will develop over the Dakotas, and any precipitation will be

in the form of snow for North Dakota.

 

Light snow is expected across far south central ND into the James Valley Saturday night through Sunday night.  Snow amounts of 1 to 3 inches possible in the southern ND counties south of Jamestown, including in the McIntosh, LaMoure, and

Dickey county areas including towns of Ashley, Lamoure, Ellendale, Oakes).

 

 

Jamestown (Cassie DuBray)    United Way of Stutsman County and Jamestown restaurants: Applebee’s Bar and Grill and Paradiso Mexican Restaurant are joining forces to help raise money for local agencies.

 

Dine and Donate Days will be Tuesdays: January 23 and 30 and February 6 and 13. During these dates up to 20% of proceeds will be donated to the United Way of Stutsman County. Applebee’s welcomes patrons for the Dine and Donate from 4-10 p.m. Paradiso welcomes patrons from 4-9 p.m. Patrons participating in the Dine and Donate days will need to bring in a copy of the flyer for the event. Copies can be found on the United Way of Stutsman County Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Unitedwayofstutsmancounty/  or picked up at Ingstad Family Media Radio Station in Jamestown.

 

The United Way campaign goal for 2018 is $200,000. To date the campaign has raised $138,000.

 

The United Way of Stutsman County will be supporting the following agencies during this year’s fundraising campaign: Alano Society, Boy Scouts – Northern Lights, Camp Rokiwan, Child Care Aware, Community Corrections, Girl Scouts – Dakota Horizons, Imagination Library, James River Transit, MOST/21st Century After School, PATH, Safe Shelter, Salvation Army, SANE/SART, Senior Companion Program, and The Arts Center.

 

The United Way of Stutsman County is part of United Way Worldwide. Its mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. The current impact model emphasizes that 99% of all funds raised stays within in Stutsman County.

 

The United Way of Stutsman County welcomed Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC) staff;  Trisha Jungels,  CNO and Deanna Van Bruggen, RN  (SANE nurse coordinator) to its monthly meeting in December.

 

Trisha Jungels, DeAnna Van Bruggen and their Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) have transitioned the SANE program from Central Valley Health District (CVHD)  to the Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC). Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) are registered nurses who have completed specialized education and clinical preparation in the medical forensic care of the patient who has experienced sexual assault or abuse regardless of gender. The program was originally administered through Central Valley Health and has since transitioned to JRMC.  The transition from CVHD to JRMC was significant as  all protocols and procedures were extensively reviewed and the program Jungles stated that the support they receive from the United Way of Stutsman County  has certainly has made a difference in the lives served and helps with the success of the program.

 

When the program transitioned there were three trained SANE nurses. Through the development of the SANE program at JRMC, there are now eight SANE trained nurses. JRMC was fortunate to bring in a trainer, Dr. Linda LeDray, who is a SANE expert who used models in the training which was a phenomenal experience for the nurses.  JRMC has also purchased a pelvic trainer for mock exams which is a very helpful tool for them.  The key and goal is to ensure that the SANE nurse is comfortable and competent with the process and procedures.

 

Van Bruggen and Jungels stated that there have been seven reported assaults in the past six months with two of them in December. Over the past five years there has been an average of ten assaults reported yearly at JRMC.

 

The United Way of Stutsman County Board thanks Trisha and Deanna for sharing information and answering questions regarding the SANE/SART program and looks forward to continued collaboration with the agency.

 

The next Lunch and Learn will be January 18th at noon at Shady’s Restaurant with Child Care Aware presenting. The February 15th meeting will welcome Safe Shelter as a presenter.

 

The United Way of Stutsman County will be supporting the following agencies during this year’s fundraising campaign: Alano Society, Boy Scouts – Northern Lights, Camp Rokiwan, Child Care Aware, Community Corrections, Girl Scouts – Dakota Horizons, Imagination Library, James River Transit, MOST/21st Cen. After School, PATH, Safe Shelter, Salvation Army, SANE/SART, Senior Companion Program, and The Arts Center.

 

The United Way of Stutsman County is part of United Way Worldwide. Its mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. The current impact model emphasizes that 99% of all funds raised stays within in Stutsman County.

 

 

Jamestown  (NDFU)  – Efforts by U.S. senators to reform a tax provision that was newly passed into law in December may not be in the best interest of farmers or the viability of cooperatives.  That, according to Mark Watne, North Dakota Farmers Union president.

The provision in question involves Section 199 of the tax code which applies to agricultural products that are marketed through cooperatives. It allows cooperatives to keep a tax deduction or pass it through to their farmer members.

Under the new tax code, farmers can now deduct up to 20 percent of their total sales to a cooperative to offset the loss of the previous Section 199. Private businesses get a tax benefit from a lower tax rate and a lower corporate tax.”

Watne says, “It’s unfortunate in the rush to pass tax legislation that this has occurred. But if the fix is to remove Section 199 completely, that isn’t a solution.  As one of the most co-op minded states in the Union, this provision is important for North Dakota. It’s important for our cooperative businesses and their member owners.”

Watne adds, he is aware that Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Sen. John Thune (R-SD) are working on a solution, collaboratively.

He says some have suggested that corporate tax rates be lowered to offset the impact if Section 199 were eliminated. “A corporate rate reduction won’t benefit cooperatives or co-op members. Section 199 is an important tool for farmers. Without it, tax cuts for agriculture will be ineffective.”

Farmers Union strongly supports maintaining the current provision or reinstating the original language of Section 199, Watne said. Originally passed in 2004 as a jobs creation measure, he said the section has done just that, while increasing spending on agricultural production and in local communities.

 

MANDAREE, N.D. (AP) — A Montana man has died in a head-on crash in western North Dakota.

The Highway Patrol says 59-year-old Robert Barke was driving a pickup truck southwest of Mandaree Wednesday about 6:30 p.m. when another pickup traveling in the opposite direction skidded on the icy road and struck Barke’s vehicle head-on. The Dutton, Montana man died at the scene.

The driver of the other pickup, a 19-year-old Watford City man, suffered unknown injuries. The crash is under investigation.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is launching a new pilot program called “Track-A-Plow” this week.  The pilot program utilizes technology to track the location of designated state snowplows and provides the information to the public online.

NDDOT Director Tom Sorel, says, “We are excited to launch the Track-A- Plow program in North Dakota. The driving element behind technology that we implement is to help motorists travel safe,” said “This is one more piece of information that travelers can use to see what is happening on the highways and make more informed decisions when making travel plans.”

Forty-seven NDDOT snowplow trucks at select locations are now equipped with Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) systems which use in-truck technology to log and share data in real time for that truck. The AVL unit in each snowplow truck sends a cellular signal through the system showing where a truck is located, which direction the snowplow is traveling, average speed and when the information was updated. Data is fed automatically to the map online. The information reported is based on cellular coverage so there may be some areas in the state where the snowplow icon won’t show up on the map temporarily.

To find out where the snowplows in the pilot program are working in the state, you can go to NDDOT’s website at dot.nd.gov, click on the Travel Information Map and go to the website link located under the weather radar section called “Track-A-Plow (Pilot Project)”.  Once you are on the map, snowplow icons will show you the current location of each truck working to keep your roads safe.

The NDDOT has 350 snowplows and will analyze the results of the pilot project on 47 snowplows for a year with plans to expand the technology to more trucks in the future.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota officials are asking a federal judge to lift his order that requires the state to allow voters without identification to cast a ballot by filing an affidavit.

In court documents filed Tuesday, the state argues the affidavits could lead to “thousands of unverifiable votes.”

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland issued the order in 2016 and blocked the state’s voter identification law after it was challenged by a group of Native Americans. They allege the ID requirements violate the U.S. Voting Rights Act.

Before 2013, a voter could sign an affidavit attesting to their eligibility to vote but the Legislature removed that provision.

The new law would allow those who don’t have proper ID to cast a ballot that is set aside until the voter’s eligibility is confirmed.

 

 

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) — Opponents of a refinery proposed near Theodore Roosevelt National Park objected during a public hearing to the location of the project and urged state regulators to deny a permit.

The Bismarck Tribune reports more than 230 people gathered Wednesday night to comment on a draft air quality permit for the Davis Refinery. Most spoke against the project, though some touted its economic impact.

The state Health Department late last year concluded that the refinery plan complies with federal and state air pollution rules.

Meridian Energy Group Inc. officials say the Davis Refinery near Belfield would be the “cleanest refinery on the planet.” But opponents worry about its impact on the park.

The Health Department is accepting public comments through Jan. 26. The company also still needs a state water permit.

 

HILLSBORO, N.D. (AP) — Snow contaminated with diesel fuel and canola oil has been removed from atop the frozen Elm River in eastern North Dakota, following a semitrailer crash.

The state Health Department says the semi slid off a bridge over the river south of Hillsboro on Monday. About 10 gallons of diesel and an unknown amount of canola oil that was being hauled spilled onto the snow over the river.

Health officials say the snow has since been removed, and they’re continuing to monitor the site.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s tourism agency will once again enlist the help of actor and Minot native Josh Duhamel to help lure visitors to the state.

North Dakota’s tourism agency on Wednesday unveiled its $2.9 million marketing plan for 2018. The agency also announced that Duhamel will be paid $365,000 to be the face of the tourism campaign for the next two years.

Duhamel, who’s best known for starring in the “Transformers” movies, already has earned $525,000 since 2013 for his work with the tourism agency.

State Tourism Division Director Sara Otte Coleman says Duhamel has been a good ambassador, and that his television and other advertising have boosted visits to North Dakota.

The marketing campaign features new TV and print ads, as well as new travel and hunting guides that feature Duhamel.

 

CROSBY, N.D. (AP) — Longtime newspaperman and former state Sen. John Andrist has died.

Steve Andrist says his father died Wednesday morning in Fargo from complications of a stroke he suffered earlier. He was 86.

The Republican from Crosby was first elected to the Senate in 1992, serving District 2 in the northwestern corner of the state. He resigned his seat in 2014 due to declining health.

He had been known for being an advocate of rural North Dakota and a leader in helping to solve problems created by the rapid growth of the state’s oil and gas industry.

Andrist was a retired publisher and past-president of both the North Dakota Newspaper Association and the National Newspaper Association.

He wrote newspaper columns for more than 60 years for the Crosby Journal.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Bismarck’s police chief says he will step down later this year.

Chief Dan Donlin on Wednesday announced his intent to retire this summer or early fall after 30 years with the police department, including five years as chief.

Donlin ruled out a run to replace Burleigh County Sheriff Pat Heinert who has decided not to seek re-election after three terms. Donlin says he’ll retire sometime between June and September. The chief oversees 158 employees, including 128 sworn officers.

 

 

In sports…

Valley City  (VCSU)   Valley City State University senior Megan Johnson has been chosen as an NSAA Track & Field Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday.

The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) conference announced its first edition of the Women’s Indoor Track & Field Athletes-of-the-Week honors Tuesday.  Megan Johnson of Valley City State (N.D.) was chosen to its Field Athlete-of-the-Week, while Marissa Kuik of Waldorf (Iowa) was selected to its Track Athlete-of-the-Week.
Megan Johnson is a  Senior from Enderlin, N.D. – Valley City State’s (N.D.) Johnson placed eighth (8th) out of 35 long jumpers and just missed qualifying mark for nationals at the NCAA Division I meet Thundering Herd Classic.  Her mark of 5.33 meters (17 feet, 6 inches) is currently the top mark in the North Star conference by more than a foot and is .12 meters off the national qualifying standard.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)- Three of the high schools from the capitol city are sitting pretty in this week’s Class A Basketball polls; as voted on by members of the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. First place votes are in parenthesis, followed by the team’s record, and the number of total points…

 

 

Boys

Team Rec. Pts. LW

1. Bismarck (9) 10-2 60 3

2. Fargo Davies (4) 10-1 53 1

3. Mandan (1) 10-1 36 2

4. West Fargo (3) 10-1 36 2

5. WF Sheyenne 8-2 10 NR

Others receiving votes: Minot (7-3), Bismarck Century (9-2), Fargo Shanley (8-3).

Girls

Team Rec. Pts. LW

1. Bismarck Century (14) 11-0 70 1

2. Bismarck St. Mary’s 10-2 51 2

3. Fargo Davies 9-2 37 4

4. G.F. Red River 9-2 30 5

5. Fargo Shanley 9-2 18 3

Others receiving votes: Mandan (8-3).

 

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

Final Charlotte 133 Washington 109

Final Atlanta 94 New Orleans 93

Final San Antonio 100 Brooklyn 95

Final Toronto 96 Detroit 91

Final Miami 106 Milwaukee 101

Final Oklahoma City 114 L.A. Lakers 90

Final Golden State 119 Chicago 112

Final Memphis 105 N-Y Knicks 99

Final Utah 120 Sacramento 105

Final L.A. Clippers 109 Denver 104

 

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Final Boston 4 Montreal 1

Final Anaheim 5 Pittsburgh 3

 

VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Matt Mooney scored 19 points with five assists and four steals and South Dakota beat Oral Roberts 82-70. Tyler Hagedorn added 14 points and five rebounds for the Coyotes who have won four of the last five. Tyler Peterson had 13 points and Triston Simpson and Nick Fuller had 11 apiece.

 

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Final (1) Villanova 88 Georgetown 56

Final SMU 83 (7) Wichita St. 78

Final Texas 67 (8) Texas Tech 58

Final (11) Xavier 88 St. John’s 82

Final (14) Arizona 79 California 58

Final Stanford 86 (16) Arizona St. 77

Final Alabama 76 (17) Auburn 71

Final Creighton 80 (19) Seton Hall 63

Final Missouri 59 (21) Tennessee 55

Final (22) Ohio St. 71 Northwestern 65

Final (24) TCU 96 Iowa St. 73

 

TWINS…

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have hired the recently retired Justin Morneau as a special assistant. The team said Morneau will become the fourth former Twins player from his generation to get the job, joining Michael Cuddyer, Torii Hunter and LaTroy Hawkins. Morneau was drafted by the Twins in the third round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft and played 14 seasons in the majors, including 11 seasons with the Twins from 2003-13. He was named AL MVP in 2006.

 

NBA-NEWS

UNDATED (AP) — Houston Rockets guard James Harden practiced Wednesday for the first time since he strained his left hamstring Dec. 31 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Harden stepped onto the court and nailed a couple of corner 3-pointers as he quickly got into the flow of warmups.

The Rockets are 4-3 without Harden, who is leading the NBA in scoring at 32.4 points a game.

In other NBA news:

— The San Antonio Spurs are giving Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard additional time to recover from the right quadriceps injury that forced him to miss the team’s first 27 games this season. Leonard is out indefinitely, although general manager R.C. Buford says the All-Star has made significant progress in his recovery. Leonard is averaging 16.2 in nine games this season.

— Houston’s Trevor Ariza (ah-REE’-zah) and Gerald Green have been suspended for two games each by the NBA for entering the Clippers’ locker room after Monday’s game in Los Angeles. The game was marred late by on-court chippiness, some of which led to the ejections of Ariza and the Clippers’ Blake Griffin.

 

NFL…

UNDATED (AP) — The Patriots say quarterback Tom Brady did not attend a scheduled AFC championship news conference Wednesday because he was meeting with the team medical staff for a right hand injury.

According to New England’s first injury report of the week, Brady was a limited participant in the practice held earlier in the day.

It was the Patriots’ first practice in preparation for Sunday’s conference title game against Jacksonville. Defensive lineman Alan Branch and running backs Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead also were limited by knee injuries.

The 40-year-old has never missed a playoff start during his 18-year career.

 

In world and national news…

BOSTON (AP) — Immigration officials will release details Thursday about the next steps for Haitians in the U.S. on temporary protected status. The Trump administration delayed the process of re-registering some 60,000 Haitians with the special status, resulting in their facing employment and travel hurdles. Advocates say it will still be too late to help the thousands of Haitians whose legal and work status expire Monday.

UNDATED (AP) — President Donald Trump is traveling to southwestern Pennsylvania on Thursday to hail the Republican tax cuts he signed last year. Trump will appear with Rick Saccone, the Republican nominee for a Pittsburgh-area House seat, but the White House says Trump won’t mention Saccone in his remarks. Trump is looking for wins after the embarrassment of losing a Senate seat last month in conservative Alabama.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California couple accused of starving and torturing their 13 children are expected to make their first court appearance Thursday. Authorities say David and Louise Turpin could face charges including torture and child endangerment. The Turpins’ children, ages 2 to 29, were found malnourished with some in shackles in their home, 60 miles southeast of Los Angeles, after a 17-year-old daughter escaped on Sunday and called 911.

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt and Jordan are heavily dependent on U.S. aid, and talks with a senior Trump administration official like Vice President Mike Pence offer them an opportunity to strengthen ties. But Pence’s upcoming visit to the Mideast comes at a time of friction between his administration and the Palestinian leadership and poses a dilemma for the two Arab hosts who must avoid ignoring Palestinian concerns.

HONOLULU (AP) — Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii says his state has a long road ahead in restoring the public’s confidence in the alert system. Nearly 40 minutes passed between the time Hawaii officials fired off a false alert about an incoming missile over the weekend and the moment the notice was canceled. A timeline shows that state officials first took more than 20 minutes to contact federal authorities for approval they didn’t need.