Wayne Byers Show Weekdays on CSi 2

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Clear. Lows around 5 below. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

Wind chills around 20 below.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s. Southwest winds

10 to 15 mph. Lowest wind chills around 20 below in the morning.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Not as cold. Lows around 15. West

winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 20s. Northwest winds

10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly

cloudy with snow likely after midnight. Light snow accumulations.

Lows 5 to 10 above. West winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the east

after midnight. Chance of snow 60 percent in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Snow likely in the morning. Patchy

blowing and drifting snow in the morning. Highs 10 to 15. Chance

of snow 70 percent.

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

PRESIDENT’S DAY…Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow.

Highs zero to 5 above.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow.

Lows around 5 below.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 5 to 10 above.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 5 below.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs around 15.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows near zero.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 20s.

 

The next chance for snow will be on Sunday. There is much
uncertainty on the track and strength of this system as it moves
eastward thru the northern Plains. But parts of the area could see
travel impacts with the risk of significant snowfall.

Next week,a period of below average temperatures with highs in the single digits above zero and lows from 5 to 15 below zero.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Cause of the fire that destroyed a mobile home on Monday February 12th, at 154 Sunnyside Mobile, in Jamestown is officially undetermined.

Lt. Sheldon Mohr  tells CSiNewsNow.com that the dollar amount of the loss is  not known as the value of the trailer located at 154 Sunnyside Mobile Manor is not known.

 

Bismarck  (CSi) The State Aeronautics Commission reports that Jamestown airline boardings in January this year improved over January 2017 numbers.

The report says, last month boardings at Jamestown Regional Airport were 920 compared to 862 in January of last year and 872 in January of 2016.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Arts Center’s Annual Gala is set for Saturday February 17th starting at 6-p.m., at the University of Jamestown’s Harold Newman Arena.

On Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Arts Center Director, Larry Kopp said this year’s theme is Heart & Soul Remembering the Groovy 70’s.

The Heart and Soul Band from Fargo will entertain with 70’s themed music.

The Social Hour starts at 6-p.m, followed by Dinner, Live & Silent Auctions, Raffles, Live Music and Dancing.

Food provided by Sodexo Food Service.

Call 701-251-2496 or email info@jamestownarts.com to reserve the limited amount of tickets at $100 each available, with Friday the deadline to reserve tickets.

On another topic, Larry said he’s taking bookings for this summer at the Hansen Arts Park in Downtown Jamestown.

He added that each Thursday evening this summer from 5-p.m.,to 9-p.m., there will be entertainment and activities at the Art Park.

So far he’s booked Jon Wayne and the Pain, and a big band from Fargo plans to entertain in August this summer.

Call the Arts Center for more information at (701) 252-2496 for more information and book events and activities.

Larry thanked the community for supporting the Jamestown Arts Center during the recent Giving Hearts Day event.

Including a $4,000 match, the Arts Center received $8,500 in donations.

 

 

Jamestown   (CSi) The Jamestown Area Grief Support Team will present “Soup for the Soul” on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the James River Senior Center, located at the Legacy Center, 419 5th Street NE, Jamestown, ND (use the west door on 4th Ave NE across from Lincoln School).  The theme of this evening is “Grieving the Loss of a Pet”

On Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSI Cable 2 JAGST members, Eileen Lisko and Diane Witzig said, the death of a companion animal unquestionably causes grief.   The family pet is not just a dog or a cat; it’s a member of the family. Our pets offer us constant companionship, acceptance and unconditional love. Studies have shown that pets can lower blood pressure, change heart rate and alleviate feelings of loneliness.  With the death of that pet, a family experiences a significant loss.

Diane pointed out that with these things in mind the Jamestown Area Grief Support Team has put together of panel of experts including veterinarian, Dr. Dawn Entzminger, Reverend Tom Eckstein, Clarice Snow and Gary Sahr of the James River Humane Society.  Panel members will discuss the affects of the loss of a beloved pet and share ideas on how to handle that loss.

Everyone is welcome to share in this informal evening that includes a meal of soup and sandwiches and beverages.  The program is free and open to all.  Please bring a picture of your pet.  For more information on this program or the Jamestown Area Grief Support Team, please call Diane at 320-4915.

 

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce announces the annual Chili Cook-off and Community Olympics will be held on Monday March 5th and the North Dakota Winter Show, Main Arena.

Olympic  contests will include…Egg Toss, Smooth Race, Dizzy Cowboy, Outhouse Horseshoes, Fly Flicker, and the Modified Chuckwagon Race.

The chili cook-off is $10 per team, the Community Olympics $20 per team, or both events for $25.

General Admission for the Chili Cook-off is $2, the Community Olympics is free.

Sign up forms available at the Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce or on line at www.valleycitychamber.com

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The latest edition of the the Jamestown Downtown Association newsletter answered questions concerning the Jamestown Mainstreet Improvement Project.

At the recent public meeting JDA officials  had the opportunity to learn more about the Jamestown Mainstreet Improvement Project and provide feedback.

JDA encourages individuals  to contact the City of Jamestown with questions and concerns regarding the project.

The newsletter contains a  few common questions the Downtown Association has been hearing and the answers they have received:

 

-Why would the city decide to reduce the number of lanes on one of the busiest streets in town? Jamestown is considering reducing the four lane configuration (two in each direction) to three lanes (one each direction with a center turn lane) on First Avenue. This lane reduction is commonly called a Road Diet. The Federal Highway Administration defines a Road Diet as “removing travel lanes from a roadway and utilizing the space for other uses and travel modes.” A Road Diet is recommended for consideration on roads with less than 25,000 Average Daily Traffic (ADT). First Avenue in Jamestown has significantly less than 25,000 ADT, and it therefore an excel-lent candidate. Road Diets have many advantages: 1. Road Diets reduce vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts that contribute to rear-end, left-turn, and sideswipe crashes. Studies indicate a 19 to 47 percent reduction in overall crashes when a Road Diet is installed. 2. Road Diets reduce speeders and speed differentials. 3. Road Diets improve safety for pedestrian and active transportation by reducing the number of lanes to cross and reducing the time pedestrians are exposed to moving traffic.

 

-Why do this project now when there are other areas of the city that should be a higher priority? The Main Street Improvement project was identified in the Land Use and Transportation Plan as a priority for improving traffic movement in Downtown and improving the business district for economic benefit. In 2018, the ND Department of Transportation in conjunction with the Governor’s office separated some transportation funds into a separate pool of competitive grant funds specifically for Downtown transportation improvements. The opportunity for grant funding and a previously identified priority makes now an excellent time to consider a Main Street Improvement.

 

Why would the city make such a major snap decision with-out consulting the public or researching the effects? The main street improvements conversation is not new, and the specific conversation about reducing to three lanes began with the Land Use and Transportation Plan (LUTP) over two years ago. The LUTP development process included many public engagement tools. Additionally, the City of Jamestown recently hosted an informational meeting and request for public comments. The grant application is due February 23, 2018. After the City learns the results of the grant, there will be additional opportunities for public input.

 

-Why doesn’t the project include diagonal parking? The total road width for First Avenue is only 60 feet. Even with the reduction of one lane, if we are going to widen the driving and parking lanes, we are still short the width for diagonal parking. Additionally, diagonal parking is considered by the DOT one of the least safe parking options because of the blind entry into traffic. First Avenue is still designated as HWY 281. The current cost participation agreements with DOT prohibit diagonal parking.

 

-How will this affect the economic climate downtown? The improved walk-ability, reduced traffic speeds, wider more convenient parking lanes and aesthetic improvements will be a tremendous benefit to the economic climate of Downtown.

 

JDA pointed out that, quite a few downtown business owners are in support of the project. “As one of the owners of Sabir’s Buffalo Grill, I strongly sup-port the plan to reduce 1st Avenue down to 2 lanes. I believe it will effectively manage our traffic. We want to take back our main street from being a 4-lane highway!” says Jim Boyd.

Take the CSiNewsNow.com website poll

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Health Department has selected a Florida-based company to implement a system to monitor North Dakota’s developing medical marijuana program.

BioTrackTHC has similar contracts in six other states including Delaware, which has a medical marijuana program similar to what North Dakota plans. The Fort Lauderdale company was chosen from among six proposals.

The management system will track medical marijuana from seed to sale, as well as help register dispensaries and patient card holders.

Medical Marijuana Division Director Jason Wahl says BioTrackTHC submitted a five-year, $600,000 proposal. He says final dollar terms will be decided through negotiations that could wrap up by the end of the month.

State voters approved medical marijuana in November 2016. The drug is expected to be available to patients late this year.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An Underwood man who successfully appealed his sentence in a rape case has been re-sentenced under a plea deal with prosecutors.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that 37-year-old Brady Blotske was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised probation. Blotske was originally sentenced in 2016 to 20 years in prison.

Authorities say Blotske sexually assaulted a woman he knew in May 2015. The victim testified at trial that Blotske used electrical tape to bind her hands, raped her and threatened her with a firearm.

Blotske successfully appealed to the North Dakota Supreme Court based on a portion of an interview video that jurors should not have been allowed to see.

Blotske pleaded guilty Wednesday to felonious restraint and gross sexual imposition.

 

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Roman Catholic priest accused of molesting two boys in North Dakota in the 1990s has pleaded not guilty.

Fernando Sayasaya was recently returned to the United States from the Philippines, where he had been since 1998. He entered his pleas Thursday to two counts of felony gross sexual imposition.

Prosecutors allege that Sayasaya abused two underage siblings from 1995 to 1998, while he was assigned to the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Cathedral in the Fargo area.

A Philippines court ordered his extradition in 2010. He appealed, lost and was ultimately arrested in November. He remains jailed on $5 million bond. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota first lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum has been named to the board of directors of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

The foundation is the nation’s leading nonprofit provider of addiction treatment and recovery resources.

Helgaas Burgum adopted addiction recovery as her platform as the state’s first lady. She’s a recovering alcoholic and says she wants to use her experience to help others.

She’s chairing a seven-member advisory council that will guide the efforts of a new Office of Recovery Reinvented. Gov. Doug Burgum created the office by executive order last month.

Helgaas Burgum has a master’s business administration degree in human resources from the University of North Texas.

The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s 25-member board meets quarterly to provide governing oversight for the organization’s activities.

 

In sports…

(Minot)  The State West Region Boy’s Hockey  Tournament Thursday at Pepsi Arena in Minot:

Jamestown 4 Dickinson 3

The Blue Jays scored two goals a minute 15 seconds apart in the third period

The Jays take on Bismarck Century Friday night, in the semi finals who beat Williston Thursday.

Williston and Dickinson face off in the consolation round

Later Thursday:

#2 Bismarck High vs. #7 Mandan                  5:00pm

#3 Minot vs. #6 Bottineau-Rugby                    7:15pm

 

 

BOTTINEAU, N.D. (AP) — While U.S. teams compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, a North Dakota coach is preparing another U.S. team for a different Olympic competition, the Paralympic Winter Games.

The Minot Daily News reports that David Hoff is an assistant coach training the 2018 U.S. Paralympics sled hockey team in Chicago. This year’s Paralympic Winter Games will be held March 9-18 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Sled hockey is played like traditional hockey except the sleds don’t have backward movement.

Hoff says the team is comprised of players from across the country and includes military veterans, players who lost legs from cancer and others who are disabled due to birth conditions or trauma events.

Hoff says there’s confidence that comes from being around the players, who are the best in the world at the sport.

 

In world and national news…

PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Two federal law enforcement officials say the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifle used in the deadly rampage at a high school was purchased legally at Sunrise Tactical Supply in Florida. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were briefed on the investigation but not authorized to discuss it publicly. Nineteen-year-old Nikolas Cruz is accused of opening fire Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, killing 17 people.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is cancelling a planned trip to Orlando, Florida, on Friday after Thursday’s deadly school shooting in Parkland. Trump is still planning a separate trip to Florida to meet with families and local officials in Parkland.

PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Months before authorities say Nikolas Cruz walked into his former high school in Florida and slaughtered 17 people, the troubled teen began showing signs he was bent on violence. In September, for example, a YouTube user with the screen name “Nikolas Cruz” posted: “Im going to be a professional school shooter.”

UNDATED (AP) — Friends said senior Joaquin Oliver was among the students killed in Wednesday shooting at a Florida high school. Nineteen-year-old Tyra Hemans said they had been friends since they were freshmen. She was outside the school Thursday holding up two signs, one about gun control and the other about coach Aaron Feis and Joaquin, widely known by his nickname, “Guac,” short for “guacamole.”

NEW YORK (AP) — The flu vaccine is doing a poor job protecting older Americans and others against the bug that’s causing most illnesses. Preliminary figures suggest the vaccine is 36 percent effective overall in preventing flu illness severe enough to send a patient to the doctor’s office. Results were released Thursday.