CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Cloudy. Snow likely in the evening. Lows 15 to 20. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.  Total snow accumulation 2 inches.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s. Northwest winds

10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the morning.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 10 to 15. Northwest winds

5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 20s. West winds 5 to

10 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of snow in

the evening in the Jamestown area, 20 percent in the Valley City area. Lows around 10. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny in the morning then clearing. Highs in the

lower 20s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 10.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow in the morning, then

snow likely in the afternoon. Highs around 30. Chance of snow

70 percent.

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

Lows 15 to 20.

.VETERANS DAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 20s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow.

Lows around 15.

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

.MONDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows around 10.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 20s.

 

Snow, accumulations between 1 and 3 inches is forecast for

northwest, north central, and the northern James River Valley.

Gusty winds combined with the falling snow will result in

slippery roads and reduced visibilities.

 

Jamestown (CSi)  –  Jamestown Police  is urging motorists to slow down and drive adjusting for slippery conditions.

Tuesday evening police report freezing snow and wind led to 21 accidents between 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

There was an accident that caused  one minor injury due to a health issue.

Major Justin Blinsky reports ice under the snow, is causing traction problems.

Slow down and allow an extra car length between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

Make turns slowly and cautiously.

Even though city sanding trucks are out, not every street can be sanded within the city.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Voter turn out on election day, Tuesday at the Stutsman County polls at the Jamestown Civic Center, was termed, “heavy.’

Josh Smagge says, early in the day, the lines to vote were the longest he’s ever seen.

2,836 people had voted early in Stutsman County with 1,162 through absentee voting, for a total of 3,998 votes.  The absentee numbers may increase, if received after election day, with a postmark no later than November 5.

Total votes cast in the 2018 General Election 8446, 36 percent of eligible voters.

66.4 percent voted on election day.  33.6 percent voted either Early Voting or Absentee Ballot.

Election Results posted on line at CSiNewsNow.com, and on CSi 10 The Replay Channel.

 

The June primary election had a total of 3,528 voters.

The Secretary of State’s Office says 150,894 people cast ballots in early voting at poll sites or through absentee and vote-by-mail ballots.

The total surpassed those from 2012 and 2016 — both presidential election years in which voter turnout is traditionally higher than in midterm elections like the one this year. In 2016, the number was 134,805. In 2012, it was 136,685.

Voting results on election night are unofficial. The Stutsman County Canvassing Board will certify the election on Tuesday November 13, at 10 a.m. at the Stutsman County courthouse.

Jamestown  (CSi)  A Jamestown man has pleaded guilty to shooting his ex-wife, last May, as she sat in her car in a Southeast  Jamestown apartment parking lot.

27 year old Kevin Michael Hoff, entered the plea in front of  Southeast District Court Judge Troy LeFevre in Jamestown.  He is charged with Class AA murder in the death of  25 year old Nicole Gututala,  May 12, 2018.

A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered.

Hoff’s court appointed attorney, Russell Myhre informed the court this week that Hoff was to waive his preliminary hearing and enter the guilty plea.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Plans continue to expand the camping experience at lakeside camping grounds in Jamestown.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Jamestown Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund said the expansion includes an improved recreational site, providing a destination for campers and tourists for the Jamestown area.  He added that funding is being sought through grants and other funding options.

He pointed out that this past summer tourist numbers at the Frontier Village and the National Buffalo Museum were up slightly.

He added that state tourism funds are not coming in as before, due to decreases in all state funds.

He said the tourism goal is to not only continuing to make Jamestown a tourist destination, but also keeping tourists in Jamestown for a longer period of time.  He pointed out a well attended Tennis Bubble event last weekend, hosted by the Two Rivers Activity Center in Jamestown, also drawing out of town visitors.

He said upcoming events will continue to attract visitors, for overnight stays,  including the upcoming National Women’s Wrestling Tournament and Hockey Day, along with the Basketball Shootout.

The University of Jamestown and other members of the community organized and UJ will host the majority of those events, on campus.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session, Tuesday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED:

Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $2,596,672.11

Approved Blocking off the Street Request for Valley City Chamber of Commerce on November 29, 2018 after Parade of Lights Event on Central Avenue

Approved a Raffle Permit for American Fisheries Society – Student Subunit, ND Hereford Association

Approved Raffle Permit for Valley City High School Art Club.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Lloyd Nelson asked why citizens were not able to vote on the StreetScape project.

Commissioner Powell said the issue was too complicated to be put on a ballot.

Commission Bishop  also stated that the item is an infrastructure issue, and the StreetScape project to be voted on would set a precedence.

He asked why Public Comments are limited.   Mayor  Carlsrud said the public comment time allows adequate time.

Gary pointed out veterans observance set in Valley City.

Attorney General’s “A Citizen’s Guide to North Dakota Open Records & Open Meetings Laws” *A member of the public does not have the right to speak to the governing body at an open meeting. The public is only entitled to see and hear what happens at a meeting, and to record or broadcast those observations.

No personal attacks to persons present or not

No inflammatory language used during time that you have the platform

5 minute maximum or as directed by the chair

Thank you for participating in City Government.

 

ORDINANCE

City Commissioners approved the  second and final reading of an Ordinance Repealing Title 15.1 and Reenacting Title 10, Stormwater Management. City Attorney Schoenack pointed out minor changes.

RESOLUTIONS

Approved a Resolution Amending the Master Fee Schedule to add fee for a Class G, Microbrewry amending the fee schedule.

Approved a Resolution Awarding Bids for Paving Improvement District No. 116 Central Avenue, Project UGP-SU-2-990(057)  including curb and gutter, lighting improvements among other times.

Commissioner Bishop questioned the costs, as Mayor Carlsrud pointed out added funds went into the project, such as from economic development, and the Municipal Utilities Fund, and the Image Enhancement program.

From the audience Lloyd Nelson suggested tabling the issue, and put it to a vote of the people.

Gary Schlagel was opposed.

George Dutton a business owner is in favor of the project.

An unidentified business owner was also in favor of the project.

The vote was 4-1 to approve with Commission Erickson voting in opposition.

Approved a Resolution No. 2164, a resolution creating Paving Improvement District No. 119 (7th Avenue NW & 4th Street NW)

 

NEW BUSINESS

The City Commission approved the appointment of Scott Magnuson as Fire Chief of  the Valley City Fire Department effective January 1, 2019.  City Administrator Schelkoph said nine applications were received.

He pointed out Magnuson’s experience, qualifications and dedication to the Fire Department over the years,plus the backing of his fellow firefighters.

Commissioner Duane Maguson recused himself from the vote.

Approved the Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation request of up to $35,000 to assist with implementation of Streetscape project from City Sales Tax Funds.  Commissioner Erickson was opposed.

Approved Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation request of $150,000 for the Regional Technology Center from the City Sales Tax Fund.  Jennifer Feist said the dollars will be used in part to pay back a loan, and return a portion to the city.

Approved the annual NDDOT Maintenance Certification for Urban Federal Aid Projects.

Approved an Amendment to Owner-Engineer Agreement to include Final Design of PFP Phase 2A – Bettin Pump Station and Floodwalls in an amount not to exceed $20,000.

City Commissioners approved the Preliminary Engineering Agreement for Two Permanent Flood Protection Erosion Sites (Riverview Drive & Woodland Park) with KLJ in amount of $45,500.

Approved a Change Order Request for Sanitary Sewer Improvement District No. 62 (NE Quarter& Central Avenue) in the amount of $56,237.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR SCHELKOPH’S REPORT:

He said the Public Works Department budget is nearing completion, with a public hearing on the budget coming later.

Winter hours are now in effect at the landfill, transfer station.  He added th 24 hour drop off site is working well, including for trees and will be open through the winter.

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS

City Attorney Schoenack said the recodification process is nearing completion.

City Fire Chief Retterath pointed out the annual dance will be held the night after Thanksgiving on the 23rd.

City Police Chief  Hatcher recognized two officers who are veterans, and thanked them for their service.

Commissioner Erickson thanked those on the fire chief search committee.

Commissioner Powell said those involved with the StreetScape project did their due diligence in the planning process.

Mayor Carlsrud thanked employees, and thanked veterans for their service.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68, followed by replays.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  Valley City officials remind residents of schedule changes due to the Veterans Day Holiday, that occurs on Monday November 12.

Valley City Office & Transfer Station Closings:

Transfer Station will be closed on Saturday, November 10 and Monday, November 12.

City Hall & Public Works will be closed Monday, November 12 in observance of Veteran’s Day.

Garbage schedule: Week of November 12
Monday’s garbage route will be picked up on Tuesday.
Tuesday & Wednesday’s garbage routes will be picked up on Wednesday.
Regular schedule resumes on Thursday,

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) —  North Dakota’s Secretary of State’s Office says voting is going relatively smoothly, though a professor helping monitor voting in Indian Country says some people are having problems producing the required documents to vote.

State Elections Director John Arnold says he hasn’t heard of any widespread problems at reservation polling sites. But Professor Carla Fredericks with the University of Colorado’s American Indian Law Clinic says dozens and perhaps hundreds of American Indians are having issues with the state’s recently tightened voter identification laws.

Voters need a provable street address, and many people on reservations don’t know theirs and don’t have IDs that list it.

Tribes and nonprofits worked before the election to provide free qualifying ID to thousands of members. But Fredericks says it’s still a problem for some.

 

DETROIT (AP) — Voters in Michigan and North Dakota will decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana, which would make them first Midwestern states to do so. Nine states and the District of Columbia already allow people age 21 or older to buy and use the drug. And Canada, which borders Michigan and North Dakota, recently legalized it, as well. But its legalization in either Midwestern state could cause tension with their neighbors. Meanwhile, Utah and Missouri have medical marijuana ballot measures.

 

In sports…

Valley City  (VCSUVikings.com)- Valley City State University juniors Travon Smith and Landon Arredondo have both been named Dacotah Bank/NSAA Football Players of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

NSAA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Travon Smith – Valley City State (N.D.) – 6’3″ – 190 lbs., Junior – defensive back – Phoenix, Ariz. – Smith caught two interceptions and collected a team-high 11 tackles (8 solo, 3 assist) in Valley City State’s (N.D.) 49-21 road victory at Presentation (S.D.).  His two interceptions came at the goal-line in the first quarter, ending back-to-back Saints’ drives in the red-zone.

NSAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Landon Arredondo – Valley City State (N.D.) – 5’11” – 210 lbs., Junior – kicker – Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. – Arredondo converted all of his seven (7) PAT extra-point kicks in Valley City State’s (N.D.) 49-21 victory at Presentation (S.D.).  He also registered eight kick-offs for a total of 406 yards.  Arredondo’s longest kick-off is 60 yards.

 

In sports…

High School Volleyball…

Devils Lake def. Valley City, 25-22, 27-25, 25-23

Fargo Davies def. Fargo South, 25-17, 25-15, 25-15

Class B Region 1
Semifinal

Northern Cass def. Richland, 25-17, 18-25, 27-25, 17-25, 19-17

Class B Region 2
Semifinal

May Port CG def. Park River/Fordville Lankin, 25-19, 25-23, 25-19

Thompson def. Grafton/St. Thomas, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0

Class B Region 3
Semifinal

Napoleon def. Carrington, 25-17, 7-25, 25-17, 19-25, 15-9

Class B Region 4
Semifinal

Langdon-Edmore-Munich def. Rolla, 25-7, 25-10, 25-6

Class B Region 5
Semifinal

Center-Stanton def. Flasher, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-21

Class B Region 6
Semifinal

Lewis and Clark def. Des Lacs-Burlington, 22-25, 12-25, 25-20, 25-14, 15-8

Class B Region 7
Semifinal

Dickinson Trinity def. Heart River, 25-11, 25-10, 25-19

Class B Region 8
Semifinal

Stanley def. Ray, 25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-13

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is spending Election Day calling allies, tweeting endorsements and following news coverage, after concluding a six-day rally blitz in Missouri late Monday.

Trump packed his closing argument with hardline immigration rhetoric and harsh attacks on Democrats as he stared down the prospect of Republican losses that could shadow his presidency.

Faced with the possibility of keeping the Senate but losing the House, aides have begun laying out the political reality to Trump, who could face an onslaught of Democratic-run investigations and paralysis of his policy agenda.

Trump has already been trying out defensive arguments, noting that midterm losses are typical for the party in the White House, pointing out a high number of GOP retirements and stressing that he has kept his focus on the Senate.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are aiming to retain Senate control in Tuesday’s voting.

Democrats’ longshot prospects for capturing a Senate majority are pinned on hopes of their supporters surging to the polls. Democrats and some independents have been motivated by Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric and policies and his efforts to dismantle health care protections enacted under President Barack Obama.

The Democrats have history on their side: 2002 was the only midterm election in the past three decades when the party holding the White House gained Senate seats.

Republicans have a narrow 51-49 majority. Democrats need to gain two Senate seats to win a majority. But they and their two independent allies are defending 26 of the 35 seats in play. Those 26 seats include 10 in states that Trump won in 2016.

 

 

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — President Donald Trump closed out his midterm election rallies with one in Missouri that featured conservative stars, Republican hopefuls, favorite Democratic targets, and a little drama.

Joining Trump on stage in the Mississippi River town of Cape Girardeau was native son and radio host Rush Limbaugh plus Fox News hosts Sean Hannity and Jeanine Pirro.

Trump’s stump speech was interrupted for several minutes Monday night when a woman in the crowd required medical attention. People sang the hymn “Amazing Grace” as she was taken outside.

Trump’s Missouri rally was his third of the day and his 11th in a spate of campaigning during which he accused Democrats of planning to ruin the country if they succeed in gaining power in Congress after Tuesday’s midterm elections.

 

 

ATLANTA (AP) — A man is accused of threatening to shoot workers at a western Pennsylvania polling place after they told him he wasn’t registered to vote.

Forty-eight-year-old Christopher Thomas Queen of Claysville was charged Tuesday with terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.

Washington county assistant elections director Melanie Ostrander says Quinn came to the South Franklin Volunteer Fire Department in South Franklin Township at about 9 a.m. Tuesday. She says he became irate when he was told he wasn’t registered to vote.

Ostrander says the man allegedly “became upset, told the poll workers he was going to go get a gun and come back and shoot them.”

Court documents don’t list an attorney for Queen and a phone number listed in his name rang unanswered before disconnecting Tuesday.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The battle for control of the House is becoming a fight to the finish as Democrats try to flip the majority.

Democrats are increasingly confident they’ll pick up the 23 seats needed to seize control. They are counting on voter enthusiasm and the strength of their candidates to carry them to victory. More women than ever are running, along with military veterans and minorities, in districts across the country.

Republicans predict they’ll lose seats but hold a slim majority based on what they say is a healthy economy.

The midterm elections are typically difficult for the party in power. This year it’s become a referendum on President Donald Trump and GOP control of Congress. House Republicans took control in 2010 during then-President Barack Obama’s first term.

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — An array of initiatives is on the ballot in dozens of states, including whether to legalize marijuana, boost the minimum wage and expand Medicaid.

In all, voters in 37 states will decide the fate of 155 statewide initiatives on Tuesday. Most were drafted by legislatures, but 64 resulted from citizen-initiated campaigns.

In North Dakota and Michigan, voters have a chance to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, a step already taken by nine other states. The ballots in Missouri and Utah included proposals to legalize the medical use of pot.

Proposals to change the redistricting process so it’s potentially less partisan were on the ballot in four states — Missouri, Michigan, Utah and Colorado.