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CSi Weather…
.TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the upper 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.
.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds around 15 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 50s. North
winds around 10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain
showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. East winds 10 to
15 mph.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of
showers and thunderstorms. Lows around 60. Southeast winds 10 to
15 mph.
.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and
thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.
.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with chance of rain showers and
slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of
precipitation 30 percent.
.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain showers and
thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain
showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows around 50.
.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of rain
showers after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s.
.MONDAY…Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain showers.
Highs in the lower 60s.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Budget Committee met Monday afternoon at City Hall.
All members were present.
With the budget in its final form due to be voted on at the October 1 City Council meeting, the committee made up of City Council members, Monday reviewed the preliminary budget.
City Administrator Sarah Hellekson presented Draft Six with utility rate adjustments and wage increases.
Ms. Hellickson pointed out line items budgets including liability insurance costs and decreases in those expenditures, along with other departments expenditures.
She said that a five percent transfer in utilities to the General Fund, amounts to an additional $726,000.
Mayor Heinrich said two issues at question at Monday’s meeting were employee raises, and hiring an additional firefighter.
Discussed was a two and half percent step increase for wages. Deputy City Auditor Jay Sveum suggested a cost a living increase as well.
He suggested a one percent cost of living increase, and two and half step increase.
Mayor Heinrich proposed at two and a half percent step increase, with a one percent cost of living increase.
Council Member Buchanan moved for a two and an half percent step increase and a two percent cost of living increase, which failed on a voice voted 3-2.
Approved on a 4-1 voice vote was a step increase of two and a half percent and a cost of living increase of one percent.
City Fire Chief Reuther suggested fire fighters receive a cost of living increase, instead of coming back later for a request in raise.
He said an additional firefighter would bring the total to six, the same number as in 2003.
He added that fire inspections have lagged over the past several years.
The council approved unanimously an additional firefighter, at an annual cost of $80,000.
Also recommended for approval were:
Increases in the utility rates for water, sanitary sewer, waste water treatment, residential garbage collection and commercial garbage.
A 24 mill increase in the proposed 2019 budget was approved for recommendation.
Mayor Heinrich has said the budget needs $1.7million in reserves, without having a deficit.
Recommendations from the proposed budget will go to the October 1, City Council meeting for consideration.
It was noted earlier, that cuts in state funding, means Jamestown will have a total of $886,000 less in available funding from the state compared to the past few years. That includes $386,000 no longer coming from the North Dakota’s property tax subsidy, in addition to $500,000 less in state funding for the 2019 city budget, stemming from a sharp downturn in the gas and oil extraction tax.
In 2018 the city has spent down its General Fund reserves. and about $2-million needs to be in the reserve fund, for the 2019 budget.
Monday’s meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays.
Jamestown (NDFU) – More than 100 North Dakotans will be in Washington, D.C., this week, meeting with legislators on Capitol Hill and Trump administration officials to draw attention to the farm bill, declining net farm income and the impact trade disruptions are having on family farms. The delegation is part of 350 family farmers and ranchers from across the country that will be participating in National Farmers Union’s Legislative Fly-In, Sept. 12-14.
North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne says, passage of a farm bill before current legislation expires on Sept. 30 is a top priority. He says, “We’ll be advocating for a farm bill that has a strong crop insurance component and safety net programs. One way to offset losses farmers are incurring from the trade war is to raise crop reference prices in the farm bill.”
Participants will visit all 535 congressional offices to meet with members of Congress and congressional staff to share their personal story of how federal policies and actions have impacted their farm or ranch. They also will be meeting with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and several undersecretaries.
Watne said the North Dakota delegation is one of the largest ever to participate in a Farmers Union Fly-In. He adds, “This just shows the level of hurt in the countryside, especially when farmers are shutting off their combine during harvest to make this trip and have their voice heard.”
Jamestown (CSi) Due to the University of Jamestown Hosting the Women’s National Wrestling Invitational to be held at Harold Newman Arena on March 15-16, 2019, Runnin O’ the Green founder/organizer, Larry Knoblich says the annual fund raising event will be moved later, to March 23, 2019 instead of March 16, the day closest to St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.
He tells CSiNewsNow.com that the following year the date for the run may be moved later again, as the Wrestling Tournament is slated for UJ in 2020 as well.
The Women’s National Wrestling Invitational at Harold Newman Arena on March 15-16 is anticipated to draw, to Jamestown, 300 wrestlers, plus coaches, officials and families.
He says he supports events and activities that bring people and dollars into Jamestown.
Washington (Sen Heitkamp’s Office) – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp Monday announced that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has released a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Central North Dakota Water Supply Project, an important step forward for a project that would help spur economic development in the region by supporting industries that need reliable sources of water.
The Central North Dakota Water Supply project would provide water from the McClusky Canal for industrial purposes for Stutsman Rural Water District, Jamestown, Carrington, Central Plains Water District, and Tuttle and South Central Regional Water District.
Last week, Heitkamp met with leaders of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District to discuss the importance of moving the Central North Dakota Water Supply Project forward, and other water management issues facing North Dakota. She also helped facilitate a meeting between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District to press for the FONSI.
Heitkamp says, “At our meeting with Garrison Diversion last week, we talked about the critical need to get this project moving forward in a way that supports every community in the region. Rural communities need infrastructure to attract industries that create jobs. Properly managing North Dakota’s water resources and providing new infrastructure helps keep every community strong.”
Heitkamp has long been working to improve flood protection and access to clean water in rural communities in North Dakota and across the country. In May, Heitkamp announced $29.2 million in federal funding she helped to secure to expand and improve water supply infrastructure in North Dakota through the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Heitkamp pressed the commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to provide significant resources for North Dakota to support rural water projects, including those that will now receive funds. Heitkamp helped secure $24.4 million for water infrastructure last year and $24.8 million in 2016 for rural water infrastructure improvements.
Last year, Heitkamp introduced her bipartisan Small and Rural Community Clean Water Technical Assistance Act to authorize two new technical assistance provisions to improve wastewater treatment in rural communities. The legislation builds on her bipartisan Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance Act, which was signed into law in 2015.
The bill was written to help make sure small towns and rural areas – often lacking the resources to the latest technology or access to proper technological assistance to comply with federal clean water rules. Her bill also provides $15 million in annual support for technical assistance and training to community water systems serving not more than 10,000 people and $10 million annually for medium-sized systems serving between 10,001 and 75,000 people. States would also be able to set aside two percent of their Clean Water State Revolving Funds to assist communities in complying with federal rules and improving wastewater quality. The bill has been included in the Senate water infrastructure bill which was approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Jamestown (CSi) The public is invited to support the Jamestown High School Cheer Team with a car wash Saturday September 15, at R.M. Stoudt, from 10-a.m., to 2-p.m.
Cheer Team Coach Heather Lawrence says proceeds will go toward new and additional uniforms and supplies, as cheer has expanded in members.
She says the suggested cost is a minimum of $15 per car, however no one will be turned away donating less dollars.
During the car wash hot dogs and refreshments will be served for those getting their car washed.
Fargo (KFGO) – A Cooperstown, ND man arrested for murder in the stabbing death of a man at the AmericInn in Fargo early Saturday has been released from jail without charges.
Investigators say 21-year-old Alan Bear was acting in self -defense when he stabbed 23-year-old Jakob Dirks in the abdomen. The West Fargo man was found by police in a hallway of the hotel and died later at a hospital. Deputy Police Chief Joe Anderson says further investigation has shown that Dirks and 22-year-old Robert Peightal of Fargo went to the hotel to rob Bear and his brother, Shawn.
Dirks and Peightal pushed their way into the brother’s hotel room where there was a fight. The investigation determined another occupant of the room, Jordan Plouffe, of Fargo conspired with Dirks and Peightal to arrange the robbery. Both men have been arrested for conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit terrorizing.
Lt. Shannon Rusizka says the investigation continues as cell phone data, surveillance video, and additional follow-up interviews are conducted. He says there were small amounts of drugs and money in the room but it has not been determined if the fight was drug-related.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol on Monday identified the driver as 21-year-old Bradley Jackson of Woodlands, Manitoba.
Jackson’s tanker left a Grand Forks County road last Wednesday. A GoFundMe page set up for Jackson said he suffered burns to 95 percent of his body, and died three days after being taken to the burn unit in Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Patrol Sgt. Ryan Panasuk says some of the hot tar flowed into the cab of the truck while Jackson was still inside.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The lawyer for former Miss America Cara Mund says a report commissioned by the Miss America Organization finding that Mund was not bullied by pageant leaders is “dishonest” and “a complete whitewash.”
Mund’s attorney Roger Haber says it’s clear the Miss America Organization wanted to brush off the allegations.
The report found no evidence to support bullying allegations made by Mund.
It was issued Monday, a day after Mund’s tenure came to an end.
She was not interviewed for the report.
Mund agreed to speak after the next Miss America was crowned, but pageant officials insisted on doing it before then.
Nia Franklin, Miss New York, was named 2019 Miss America in Atlantic City on Sunday night in the first swimsuit-less competition in the pageant’s 98-year history.
In sports…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Severe drought in North Dakota in 2017 continues to impact pheasant numbers, with this year’s summer population survey providing little good news for hunters.
Pheasant production last year was at its lowest level in two decades, dramatically reducing the number of adult birds nesting earlier this year. The Game and Fish Department estimates the pheasant population is down 2 percent from last year.
The population is up in the southeast and northwest. But in the southwest — the states’ prime pheasant-hunting territory — pheasant numbers are down 32 percent.
State Wildlife Chief Jeb Williams expects the overall hunter harvest to be similar to last year, when it totaled only 309,000 birds and was the smallest in 16 years. The agency’s benchmark for a good hunting season is 500,000 birds killed.
In world and national news…
NEW YORK (AP) — The resignation of longtime CBS chief Les Moonves won’t likely lead to drastic changes in network programs, but it could make the company ripe for a takeover.
Moonves was ousted on Sunday, just hours after the New Yorker detailed more sexual misconduct allegations against him. As part of that, CBS shook up its board and settled a larger fight with its parent company, National Amusements.
The parent company agreed not to pursue a CBS merger with sibling company Viacom for two years. That makes CBS a hot target for a takeover by another company.
To better compete with tech companies such as Netflix, companies that have traditionally distributed TV shows and movies have been buying the producers of such programs. The producers, themselves, have been consolidating as well. Possible CBS suitors include AT&T and Verizon.
ATLANTA (AP) — The governor of Maryland has declared a state of emergency in preparation for significant flooding from Hurricane Florence. Gov. Larry Hogan made the announcement at a news conference Monday. While the governor noted there is still some uncertainty about the track of the storm, he says Maryland officials are “preparing for the potential of historic, catastrophic and life-threatening flooding in Maryland.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Palestinian Authority says it will not abandon its principles following the U.S. decision to close the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s office in Washington. The spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, says the Palestinian Authority will maintain its “commitment to the resolutions of international legitimacy,” according to a written statement released Monday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Not everyone is satisfied with Gov. Jerry Brown for setting a goal of phasing out fossil fuels from the state’s electricity grid by 2045. The bill would not affect in-state oil and gas drilling. Some environmentalists are pushing Brown to end new drilling permits. Business groups are also critical of the legislation, saying it sets impossible targets and could increase electric bills.
DALLAS (AP) — Authorities say a Dallas police officer said she shot a neighbor whose home she mistakenly entered last week after he ignored her “verbal commands.” David Armstrong of the Texas Rangers wrote in an arrest affidavit released Monday that Officer Amber Guyger said she didn’t realize she was in the wrong apartment until after she shot 26-year-old Botham Jean and went into the hallway to check the address. Guyger was booked Sunday on a manslaughter charge and was released on bond.
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