CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Cloudy. A 50 percent chance of light snow after midnight in the Valley City area. Lows in the upper 20s. East winds around 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Snow likely and chance of drizzle in the morning,

then drizzle, snow and light freezing drizzle likely in the

afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch.

Highs in the mid 30s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Chance of precipitation 70 percent in the Jamestown area, 80 percent in the Valley City area.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Light freezing drizzle and snow likely

in the evening, then slight chance of snow after midnight. Lows

15 to 20. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation

60 percent in the Jamestown area 70 percent in the Valley City area.

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

the mid 20s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 15 to 20.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 40.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the upper 20s.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 20s.

.MONDAY…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the morning,

then slight chance of rain and snow in the afternoon. Highs in

the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

A storm system developing over the Rockies Tuesday will expand into
the Plains tonight, and strengthen as it approaches the upper
Mississippi Valley Wednesday night. Rain or snow will develop over
northwestern North Dakota early Tuesday evening, quickly changing over
to all snow as it spreads east across northern North Dakota.

Locations along and north of Highway 2 could receive 2 to 6
inches of snow Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon. Farther
south, across southwest and south central North Dakota, a mix of
snow and light freezing rain or freezing drizzle will be the main
threats late Tuesday night through Wednesday night. Light ice
accumulations are possible.

People planning travel across North Dakota Tuesday night through
Wednesday night should monitor the latest weather conditions and
updated forecasts.

OMAHA, Neb  (11-19-19)– Starting Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased the releases from Jamestown and Pipestem Dams by a combined 200 cubic feet per second per day as the cities of Jamestown and LaMoure prepare for the higher flows.  The target combined release rate is 2,200 cfs.  Combined releases are currently planned to be reduced back to 1,400 cfs by Sunday, December 1, but could be held if weather allows.

Daily high temperatures have been near to above freezing for the last several weeks, resulting in river ice breakup and melting from Jamestown to LaMoure, North Dakota. Observed water temperatures have increased, and updated forecasts indicate the James River downstream of Jamestown and Pipestem Dams should not see significant ice formation for the rest of November.  The Corps of Engineers is coordinating closely with the National Weather Service to monitor temperature forecasts.

The increased releases will allow for the dams to release as much flood storage as possible before ice formation and prior to spring runoff.

To mitigate the risk of freeze-up ice jams or other ice-related flooding, the target combined release rate before ice sets in is 800 cfs.  The Corps of Engineers will operate to minimize the risk of ice-related flooding, and adjustments to the releases will be made as needed.

On Tuesday, Jamestown Dam was at a pool elevation of 1442.0 ft, 31% into the flood pool, and is steady.  Inflows into the reservoir peaked on October 30 and are steady, currently near 675 cfs.  Reservoir releases are 700 cfs.

Pipestem Dam is currently at a pool elevation of 1467.6 ft, 29% into the flood pool, and dropping.  The pool elevation peaked on October 29 at 1475.0 ft, which was 43% into the flood pool.  Inflows are near 325 cfs, and releases are 700 cfs.

The Corps of Engineers is coordinating with relevant agencies in North and South Dakota.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal, Building, Planning & Zoning, and Civic Center & Promotion Committees met Tuesday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE:

A Frontier Village update was given.

City Attorney Leo Ryan said the Frontier Village Association has withdrawn its lawsuit against the city.  He added that negotiations on other issues and differences between the city and Frontier Village is progressing.  He added that the Village representative needs to further negotiate some differences, with the city, and it’s likely that another meeting for discussions will be necessary, for a resolution. He anticipates when an agreement is reached, no other action will be needed by the city.  It was noted that the Frontier Village buildings have been secured, and winterized.

At a November 1 meeting of the Frontier Village Association Board, a motion was made to turn over all items at Frontier Village to the City of Jamestown, including artifacts and all debts, including attorney fees .

The motion passed on a 3-1 vote with one abstention.

Previously

In other Civic Center & Promotion Committee business, Tuesday, considered was authorizing the amendment to the ATM lease agreement with Carr Enterprises, cancelling the present agreement and establishing a new agreement, with adjustments in the transaction fees and risks of loss of cash in the machine, the responsibility of the vendor.  The committee recommends authorizing the amendment and lease agreement.

Three Jamestown High School students were introduced attending the committee meeting, outlining a food drive for the Christmas holiday with items collected at the Civic Center, and distributed by the students to area food pantries.

The committee recommends approving waiving the Civic Center fee.

A Rodeo event update was given.  Civic Center Manager Pam Fosse said, the attendance was 2,286, with the revenue at $11,693.41.  She said the Civic Center paid the rental fee, of $5,000 and the dirt hauling fee of $12,000.

Next year it will be a 50/50 rental payment arrangement between the rodeo and the Civic Center.

A damage report was also included.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

The Committee recommends acceptance of the 2018 City Audit Report as prepared by Schauer & Associates, PC.

Considered was the employee annual leave policy.  Deputy City Auditor Jay Sveum talked about recruitment and retention, of city employees, and suggested an improvement in the benefit package, including the annual leave.  He asked that the policy, comparable to the current Stutsman County policy, be considered by the City Council.

The committee moved the information for discussion at next month’s committee meeting.

City Assessor, Jamison Veil explained abatement applications.

The committee recommends approval of the Application for Abatement for 609 4th Ave NW due to a Fire.

The committee recommends approval of the Application for Abatement for 617 3rd Ave NW destroyed by Fire with the structure removed.

The committee recommends approval of  the Application for Abatement for 632 2nd St SW, with the owner saying the property that was foreclosed on, was over valued.   Upon inspection by Veil he re-evaluated the assessment, to match the purchase price.  Veil recommended $27,900, which was approved by the committee.

Considered was the request from Northern Roots Hair Salon for ten (10) parking spaces in the 3rd St/2nd Ave SW parking lot, adjacent to the former Eagle Club location. No  recommendation was made by the committee.

Approved was moving the Community Corrections agreement to the December committee agenda.

Considered was approval of utility rate adjustments for 2020.  City Administrator Sarah Hellekson  explained the rate changes including increases in the water and waste water rates, while commercial roll off rate decreased, and the haul charge was reduced.  She explained other adjustments.  The committee recommends, approval of the rates as proposed.

Considered was approval of licenses and permit fee adjustments for 2020. Included is the Medical marijuana dispensary permit fee proposed to increase from $4,000 to $5,000.  The committee recommends approval of all the proposed adjustments.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE:

The committee recommends approval of  the Minor Subdivision, Preliminary/Final plat – Kraehenbuehl Addition, Lot 1, Block 1, being within the City of Jamestown, Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota, a replat of the East 100 feet of Lots 16 and 17 and East 100 feet of the South 20 feet of Lot 18, Block 31 of Original Plat of Jamestown, within the SW 1/4 of Section 25, T140N, R64W, City of Jamestown, North Dakota. The property is located at 124 3rd Ave SE.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays.

St. Paul  (USACE)  The Corps is currently lowering the elevation of Lake Ashtabula, located near Valley City, North Dakota. The current elevation is 1,265.5 feet, and will be further drawn down to 1,262.5 feet by March 1. The reservoir may be lowered further prior to spring runoff based on snowpack conditions.

The Corps also reports…

Elevation at Homme Dam, near Park River, North Dakota, is currently at 1,078 feet, and will be drawn down to 1,077 feet by the end of the week. The reservoir may be lowered further prior to spring runoff based on snowpack conditions.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is lowering its reservoir elevations within the Red River of the North basin to prepare for potential spring snowmelt.

White Rock Dam, part of the Lake Traverse project, near Wheaton, Minnesota, is currently at 973.9 feet, almost 2 feet above normal. Normal levels of 972 feet are expected by the end of November. Additional drawdown at the Lake Traverse project may occur prior to the spring melt based on snowpack conditions.

Red Lake Dam, near Red Lake, Minnesota, is currently at 1,175.3 feet and is currently being drawn down to target 1,173.5 feet before spring runoff.

A wet fall has caused above average stream flows and reservoir levels for this time of year throughout the basin. River and reservoir levels may change more rapidly as ice forms than they have in the past due to the higher water levels this fall.

Drawdown releases may degrade river ice downstream of the reservoirs and care should be taken for those recreating or working in these areas. Just because ice has formed, doesn’t mean it is safe. Lake ice conditions will vary throughout the winter and lake users should exercise caution at all time.

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session, Tuesday evening at City Hall.  Commissioner Magnuson was not present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:

A Raffle Permit for American Fisheries Society Student Sub-unit.

A Raffle permit for the Valley City Fire Department.

A Permit for the Parade of Lights, and street block off for the parade.

PUBLIC COMMENTS … No one spoke.

RESOLUTION:

Approved was Resolution Approving the Oxbow Addition Plat.

Approved was a Resolution Authorizing Filing of Addition with North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality for a Loan under the Clean Water Act and/or Safewater Drinking Act.  It replaces a refunding bond at a lower rate, and will be reimbursed from special assessments.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioners approved City Recommendations for Streetscape II on Main Street and Central Avenue, improvements to be submitted to the NDDOT. The city’s share of the $2.2 million costs is $500,000, previously approved by commissioners.

City Commissioners approved a Contract between Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) and the City of Valley City regarding Scheduling & Payment.

Approved was the Annual Blue Cross Blue Shield Contract for 2020.  City Attorney Martineck said a committee decided to look at another provider for next year, due to premium increases, but stay with the 2020 contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:

David Schelkoph said flood mitigation accomplished over the past few years, including permanent flood walls, and property buyouts protected the city to a river rise of 18 feet, this fall which included two feet of free board.  The river level this fall rose to about 16 feet.

He said the city incurred a flood fight cost of $487,000 including erosion control.  Without that additional cost, the flood fight itself cost the city about $160,000.  The costs have been submitted to FEMA for reimbursement.

He added that energy efficient lights bulbs, two each, are being distributed to Valley City electric utility users, in an effort to show energy usage reduction.

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS:

Mayor Carlsrud reported that the Corps of Engineers is lowering the elevation of Lake Ashtabula, in an effort to lower the lake’s level and increase flood control storage.

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

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Barnes County Salvation Army Red Kettle, Bell Ringer Campaign will begin Friday, November 29, with kettle locations at Leevers north and south and at Petro Serve USA in Valley City.

Those interested in volunteer bell ringing call Tim Kadrmas or Don Fiebiger.

In 2018 bell ringing campaign, raised over $72,000, a new record.

Bismarck  (Gov. Burgum’s Office)   – Gov. Doug Burgum submitted a letter Monday seeking an extension for the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) to finish compiling local preliminary damage assessments for a presidential disaster declaration following historic fall flooding that has caused millions of dollars in damage to public infrastructure.

In conjunction with NDDES, Burgum submitted a written request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to grant local and state officials more time to assess extensive damage to public infrastructure. Federal guidelines require that a request for a presidential disaster declaration must be made within 30 days of the event, but widespread flooding has prevented access to the damaged areas and completion of preliminary damage assessments.

The disaster period for which North Dakota counties are being submitted for a presidential disaster declaration spans from Oct. 9-26, 2019. This time period began with a severe winter storm that blanketed already saturated areas across the state with more than 36 inches of snow in some locations. The end date was identified as the day when inflows from the Jamestown Reservoir and the gauge on the Red River at Pembina officially crested and began to recede.

“Many of the local governments experiencing fall flooding are also in the process of addressing severe agricultural impacts,” Burgum said in the letter, noting that Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently declared a Secretarial Disaster Designation for 47 of North Dakota’s 53 counties, making assistance available to farmers and ranchers struggling with the impacts of an early blizzard and abnormally wet fall.

If the request for an extension is approved, NDDES will continue to gather information describing the extent of damages to infrastructure and submit the information to FEMA mid-December. Currently, 11 counties have submitted reports on damages with 8 counties still working to assess the adverse effects of fall flooding. A presidential disaster declaration potentially would include public assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged road infrastructure.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Top U.S. House Democrats have called for a federal review of the Keystone pipeline and the agency that regulates it in the wake of 383,000-gallon (1.4-million-liter) spill in northeastern North Dakota, the latest of three spills along the line in as many years.

In a letter Monday to the Government Accountability Office, the congressmen said the spills raise “serious questions” about pipeline owner TC Energy’s management of the line, and whether the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is providing adequate oversight.

“The public has a legitimate expectation that the Keystone Pipeline System managed by TC Energy operate safely and without repeated incidents that damage the environment and threaten the public’s health and security,” according to the letter signed by House Energy and Commerce Chairman Rep. Frank Pallone, of New Jersey; Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio, of Oregon; Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials subcommittee Chairman Dan Lipinski, of Illinois; and Energy subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush of Illinois.

GAO spokeswoman Sarah Kaczmarek said Tuesday that the nonpartisan watchdog agency received the congressional request and is evaluating it.

“At this point, no decisions have been made,” she said, adding that the process could “take some weeks.”

Calgary, Alberta-based TC Energy, formerly known as TransCanada, reported the spill in North Dakota on Oct. 29. The pipeline returned to service on Nov. 10 after approval of a repair and restart plan by the federal pipeline safety agency.

The company did not immediately respond to an Associated Press phone message seeking comment on the House Democrats’ request for action.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Law enforcement officers pursued a fleeing driver at speeds of 95 mph in Grand Forks before the suspect crashed his vehicle.

University of North Dakota police stopped the driver about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, but the driver took off and Grand Forks police gave chase. Officers ended the pursuit as speeds climbed.

The driver eventually crashed into a minivan and fled on foot. He was apprehended as he tried to enter a Walmart.

Police are recommending at least nine charges, including fleeing and drug possession.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota regulators say oil production in September was down slightly from the record set a month earlier.

The Department of Mineral Resources says the state produced an average of 1.44 million barrels of oil daily in September. That’s down from the record of 1.48 million barrels a day in set in August.

North Dakota also produced a 2.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day in September, down from a record 3 billion cubic feet in August.

Statewide, companies flared 18 percent of all gas produced in September, above the 12 percent target.

A record 16,099 wells were producing in September, up from 15,964 in August. The September tallies are the latest figures available.

There were 55 drill rigs operating Tuesday, down six from the September average.

Fargo  (Valley News Live)  The man involved in a downtown Fargo shooting incident is being charged with attempted murder for firing his gun at an officer, according to court documents.

54 year old Henry Aiken, was charged with five felonies in Cass County District Court including, attempted murder, aggravated assault, terrorizing, reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a firearm.

In sports…

SIOUX CITY, Iowa  (uj.edu)  — Jamestown Jimmies Punter Izaak Myles (SO/Apple Valley, Calif.) and defensive lineman Vincent Corral (SO/Gilbert, Ariz.) were named to the Great Plains Athletic Conference second team as the conference office announced its All-Conference teams Tuesday.

Myles set a new Jimmie single season record with his 41.0 yards per punt average. He ranked second in the GPAC in punting average and led the conference in punting yards with 2747. Myles’  longest punt of the season traveled 61 yards and he finished with 10 punts of 50 yards or more. Twelve of his punts landed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

Corral played nose guard in Jamestown’s 3-4 defensive scheme and recorded 16 tackles, including a quarterback sack. His best game of the season came in UJ’s 13-10 four-overtime victory against Concordia (Neb.) as he made six total tackles, four of them solo.

Wide receiver Garrett Mitchell (SO/Shakopee, Minn.) and linebacker/defensive back Aundre Purnell (SR/Garden Grove, Calif.) were named honorable mention All-Conference.

Mitchell led Jimmie receivers with 48 catches, 677 yards, and six touchdowns. He ranked among the top 10 in the GPAC in catches, yards, touchdowns, yards per game, and catches per game.

Purnell was the leading tackler on the Jimmie defense in 2019. He made 63 total tackles (32 solo) with 4 1/2 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack. Purnell set a career high with 14 tackles in UJ’s 13-10 win against Concordia (Neb.)

2019 GPAC Football All-Conference Honors

SIOUX CITY, Iowa   (uj.edu) — The University of Jamestown men’s soccer team had three players earn Great Plains Athletic Conference honorable mention all-conference honors, the conference office announced Monday.

Goalkeeper Jake Askew (SR/Rotherham, England), midfielder Karl Gatiramu (FR/Nairobi, Kenya), and forward Aaron Pike (SO/Milton Keynes, England) were recoginzed for their play this season.

Askew appeared in 14 matches, starting 13. He recorded 57 saves and two shutouts with a save percentage of .606.

Gatiramu had four goals and two assists in 16 matches, with 15 starts.

Pike started all 19 matches for the Jimmies, scoring a team-high 11 goals to go along with three assists. Two of Pike’s goals were game-winners.

Jamestown finished 8-9-2 this season, advancing to the semifinals of the GPAC postseason tournament.

2019 GPAC Men’s Soccer All-Conference Honors (PDF)

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tuesday’s second impeachment hearing is beginning, this time with witnesses Tim Morrison and Kurt Volker.

Morrison is a former top aide on the National Security Council and Volker is a former envoy to Ukraine.

Both have already testified behind closed doors in House Democrats’ impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump and his dealings with Ukraine.

On Tuesday morning, the House Intelligence Committee heard from two aides who listened into Trump’s July call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

 

HONG KONG (AP) — The U.N. human rights office is calling on authorities in Hong Kong to do all they can to de-escalate a standoff between security forces and anti-government protesters holed up in a university.

The spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rupert Colville, said it is concerned about increasing violence by young people “who are clearly very angry, with deep-seated grievances.”

Colville told reporters in Geneva that most protesters have been demonstrating peacefully, and that authorities had “by and large” respected the right to freedom of assembly.

He urged Hong Kong authorities to “address the humanitarian situation” of protesters at Polytechnic University whose situation was “clearly deteriorating.”

He said the rights office remains concerned about a possible further escalation of violence in Hong Kong.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by systematic failures, from massive staffing shortages to chronic violence.

But the largest agency in the Justice Department has largely stayed out of the public view.

The death of billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein and the revelation that he was able to kill himself while behind bars at one of the most secure jails in America has cast a spotlight on the agency, which has also been besieged by serious misconduct in recent years.

Staffing shortages at the agency are so severe that guards often work overtime day after day or are forced to work mandatory double shifts.

Troubling issues at the Bureau of Prisons are likely to take center stage Tuesday as the agency’s new director appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 

 

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the prisoner exchange that freed an American and an Australian as well as a promise by the Taliban to release another 10 Afghan prisoners is a “hopeful sign” that Afghanistan’s relentless war can soon come to an end.

Pompeo said in a statement released by the U.S. State Department following the release of American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks that: “We see these developments as hopeful signs that the Afghan war, a terrible and costly conflict that has lasted 40 years, may soon conclude through a political settlement.”

The two men were held for more than three years and were exchanged for three ranking Taliban, including the younger brother of the group’s deputy, Sirajuddin, who also leads the terrorist-designated Haqqani group.

Pompeo’s statement also commended Afghanistan’s opposition politicians who set aside their differences long enough to allow the exchange to happen and “did not use these humanitarian gestures for personal political gain. “

 

 

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A psychologist in charge of treating Iowa’s most dangerous sex offenders violated policies by developing an improperly close relationship with a violent predator who became obsessed with her.

A termination letter obtained by The Associated Press alleges that Shannon Sanders committed “boundary violations” with a patient in her care. Sanders is the treatment director at the Civil Commitment Unit for Sex Offenders in Cherokee.

The letter alleges that she shared secrets with the patient, didn’t apply the program rules to him, and failed to report that he was having personal feelings for her.

Those actions created potential security problems for the institution, which houses sexually violent predators who have been ordered by the courts to be locked up for treatment following their prison terms.