BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Enjoy the warmer temperatures on Saturday, because Sunday and Monday could be bringing snow across a large portion of the state.

National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Abeling says a large, low-pressure system moving in from the Rocky Mountains has the potential to dump six inches or more of wet, heavy snow.

Abeling says the storm is not expected to bring a lot of wind, but it will begin with a mixed form of precipitation before turning to snow. Western parts of the state have a chance for mixed precipitation late Saturday night before turning to snow later.

The system should be out of the area by Monday night.

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Mar 1, 2013) — The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session, then recessed to an Executive Session Friday afternoon at City Hall.

The council consulted with the city attorney, to discuss territorial service claims by Stutsman Rural Water District.

At issue is whether the City of Jamestown, or Stutsman Rural Water District is to serve the area west of Jamestown, in this case, specifically the Titan Machinery building, under construction, across from Jamestown Regional Medical Center.

Attending the Executive Session were: Mayor Andersen, Deputy City Auditor Jay Sveum, Council Members Kourajian, Brubakken, Buchanan, and Gumke, along with City Fire Chief Jim Reuther, City Engineer Reed Schwartzkopf, and City Attorney Ken Dalsted, and on the phone attorney Tammy Norgaard from Vogel Law Firm.

Following the Executive Session the Special Session was reconvened.

No action was taken by the Council.

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — Advance tickets are going fast for the Prairie Paws Rescue “Paw-Sta Paw-Looza,” on Friday March 15, 2013.

On Friday’s (Mar 1, 2013) Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Kaye John said the spaghetti supper, with all the trimmings, fundraiser, is set for the Bunker in Jamestown from 5-p.m., to 8-p.m.

She urges anyone wishing to attend to purchase advance tickets soon, as the seating is limited to 150, and tickets may not be available at the door.

Ms. John pointed out that there will be door prizes and the debut of the Private Label Prairie Paws Wine, from the Casselton, North Dakota winery.

She said a number of country music stars have autographed some of the labels to be auctioned.

Also to be auctioned is a guitar autographed by country music star, Dwight Yokum.

Generous donations have been made for other silent auction items, and includes a kids silent auction.

Numerous raffle items have been donated as well.

Advance ticket holders, only, are guaranteed a bottle of wine, and each ticket receives a complimentary bottle of wine, and will be given a coupon. Those individuals need to be at least 21 years of age. Substitute beverages will be given to those individuals. (No wine will be served so the event is open to all ages.)

Advance tickets are available from Jamestown veterinary clinics, and from Prairie Paws Rescue members. Call 320-4553 or E-Mail prairiepawsrescue.com

Advance tickets are:

Single…$15

Couple…$25

Family…$40

Any tickets available at the door, will be slightly higher.

All proceeds will benefit Prairie Paws Rescue, which operates solely from donations.

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – Police in Grand Forks are investigating a morning stabbing.

Officers arrived at a house about 9:30 a.m. Friday to investigate a report of a person screaming in the area. They found a 27-year-old man suffering what appeared to be a stab wound.

The victim was taken to Altru Hospital but his condition was not known. Police didn’t release his name.

Police are asking anyone with knowledge of the incident to call them at (701) 787-8000.

 

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – Authorities have identified a man who died in a collision with a school bus in southwestern North Dakota.

The Highway Patrol says 59-year-old Paul Eddy of Craig, Colo., was driving a pickup truck that crossed the center line on state Highway 22 about three miles north of Dickinson on Thursday morning and struck the bus.

There were no students on the bus. The bus driver and a passenger in Eddy’s pickup were taken to a Dickinson hospital with undisclosed injuries.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A Mandan man is detained on federal drug charges after a three-county chase with law officers that began in the Bismarck-Mandan area and ended near the South Dakota border.

A warrant was issued Feb. 13 for the arrest of 38-year-old Robert Martell, who had been indicted on methamphetamine-related charges. He was arrested Wednesday in a field on the Standing Rock Reservation after the chase that involved Bismarck-Mandan police, Burleigh County officers and North Dakota Highway Patrol troopers.

Martell appeared in federal court in Bismarck on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the drug charges. A hearing is scheduled Monday on whether he should be held in custody pending trial. He did not immediately face charges related to the chase.

 

GRAFTON, N.D. (AP) – A shared-parenting advocate in Walsh County wants a judge to reject a challenge by North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem (STEHN’-juhm) to an initiative that was approved by county voters last November.

The measure establishes equal parental and custody rights for divorced or separated parents, as long as neither parent is legally determined to be an unfit parent. Stenehjem argues the county ordinance usurps state authority in divorce and custody cases.

Advocate Mitch Sanderson claims the county initiative does not violate state law, and that the state lacks authority to intervene in the case.

No hearing has been set.

 

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – Leaders in the North Dakota oil patch hub of Williston say they’re disappointed by a reduction in the city’s credit rating.

They also say they’re committed to managing their debt without putting the burden of the oil boom on local taxpayers.

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services says its lowered rating for Williston reflects such things as general fund deficits that could deplete cash reserves and the city’s financial challenges related to rapid growth.

It could make it more expensive for Williston to borrow money for projects such as expansions of the sewage treatment plant and airport.

City Auditor John Kautzman tells The Forum Williston has about $625 million in infrastructure needs but not all projects need to be done immediately. The city hopes for help from the Legislature.

 

In world and national news..

WASHINGTON (AP) – A deal hasn’t been reached and all signs point to $85 billion in federal spending cuts beginning to take effect later Friday. President Obama and Republican lawmakers failed to make any progress on how to avoid the cuts, which both sides agree would be damaging reductions in defense and domestic spending. Obama wanted Republicans to accept his proposal to reduce deficits with a blend of tax hikes and long-term reduction in entitlement spending.

BOSTON (AP) – Mitt Romney says instead of “berating Republicans” President Barack Obama needs to “lead the nation and bring Republicans and Democrats together.” In his first public comments since his Election Day defeat, the former GOP presidential nominee tells Fox News that Washington’s budget battle wasn’t “a success” for the president. The interview is scheduled to air Friday night.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Jeff Flake have met with key House conservatives this week to sell their immigration plan. A McCain spokesman says House members present were part of the conservative Republican Study Committee and included Reps. Steve King of Iowa and Raul Labrador of Idaho. King is known for decrying amnesty for illegal immigrants.

SEFFNER, Fla. (AP) – Police in Florida say they are starting a recovery operation to find a man who was swallowed up by a huge sinkhole at his home. The man is feared dead after the floor in his home near Tampa gave way. The man’s brother jumped in to save him but had to be rescued himself.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – The commercial vehicle launched Friday morning from Cape Canaveral is still expected to link up Saturday with the International Space Station. The Dragon capsule developed thruster problems shortly after liftoff, delaying the release of the solar panels. The Dragon is carrying more than a ton of supplies for the space station, including some much-needed equipment for air purifiers.