CSi Weather…

…WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST THURSDAY NIGHT…

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT TO 6 PM CST FRIDAY…

…WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON…

Portions of southeast North Dakota and the James River Valley…Barnes County.

* WHAT…For the Wind Chill Advisory, very cold wind chills. Wind

chills as low as 35 below zero. For the Winter Weather Advisory

southeast winds winds increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to

40 mph midnight into Friday causing areas of blowing and

drifting snow. For the Winter Storm Watch, blizzard conditions

possible Friday overnight into Saturday. Total snow

accumulations of 2 to 4 inches possible. Winds could gust as

high as 55 mph Saturday.

 

* WHEN... For the Winter Weather Advisory, from midnight

Thursday night to 6 PM CST Friday.

For the Winter Storm Watch, from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing

snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous

conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. The

dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed

skin in as little as 10 minutes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a

hat, and gloves.

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Prepare for possible blizzard conditions. Continue to monitor the

latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

The latest road conditions for North Dakota can be found at

dot.nd.gov/travel and for Minnesota at 511mn.org, or by calling

5 1 1 in either state.

 

Forecast…

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Areas of blowing and drifting snow
through the night. Lows around 10 below. Temperatures rising into
the upper single digits after midnight. Southeast winds 15 to
25 mph with gusts to around 40 mph. Wind chills around 35 below.

.FRIDAY…Cloudy. Areas of blowing and drifting snow through the
day. A 50 percent chance of snow in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Windy. Not as cold. Highs in the mid 20s. South winds around 30 mph decreasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 45 mph.

Chance of snow 70 percent.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Snow. Blowing and drifting snow. Windy.
Visibility one quarter mile or less at times. Snow accumulation
around 3    inches. Lows around 5 below. East winds 15 to 30 mph
increasing to northwest around 35 mph after midnight. Gusts up to
50 mph. Lowest wind chills around 25 below after midnight.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Blowing and drifting snow. Visibility
one quarter mile or less at times. Windy, colder. Highs zero to
5 above. Northwest winds 30 to 35 mph with gusts to around
50 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Blowing and drifting snow in the
evening, then patchy blowing and drifting snow after midnight.
Windy. Lows around 10 below. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph
decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs near zero.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows around 10 below.
.MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY…Sunny. Highs around 10.
.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows near zero.
.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 10.
.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 10 to 15.
.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.

 

Jamestown   (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session Thursday evening at City Hall. All members were present.

The City Council approved the 2020 Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District.  Included was creating the district, preparation of a preliminary engineering report, approving the preliminary engineering report, and declaring it necessary to construct the district and publish notice of a public hearing.

Discussion was held on  a recommendation for the position of Sanitation Foreman.

Council Member Brubakken said five candidates were interviewed and it recommends hiring former city employee Tyler Michael for the position, which was approved by the City Council

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

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal Committee

Building, Planning & Zoning Committee Civic Center & Promotion Committee

Police & Fire Committee and Public Works Committee all met in joint session, Thursday at City Hall.  Council Member Phillips was  present by Telephone.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

The committee recommends approval the request from DRM Chef LLC doing business as Davoni’s  for an Alcohol Beverage License (On-Sale) at 113 1st Street West, for the period ending June 30, 2020.

Considered was the re-establishment of suggested sales prices on City owned lots for the year 2020.

City Assessor, Jamison Veil outlined city property not for sale.

Three properties were noted, for  sale, that have been on the list for a lengthy period of time, and recommends a sales price of $500. No offers have yet been made on those.

The committee recommends the suggested sales price.

The committee recommends approving the request from the JSDC for reimbursement for 2019 JSDC Real Estate & Special Assessment costs from Economic Development Funds, in the amount $7,291.30, with the City Share to be $6,459.67 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

The committee recommends approving  the request from the JSDC for $250,000 in Flex PACE interest buy down funds for 2020 from the Economic Development Fund with the City Share to be $200,000 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

The committee recommends approving  the request from the JSDC for $5,745.01 from the Economic Development Fund to reimburse Center for Economic Developemtnt building loss for 2019 with the City Share to be 90% or $5,170.51 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Discussed was the zoning and platting policies and procedures, as requested by the City Planning Commission, specifically concerning lot mergers, and notification of nearby property owners.

The time frame was also noted, speeding it up, cutting costs, and avoid taking those to the Planning Commission.  Planning Commission Chairman, Hillerud made suggestions to streamline the process, administratively.

The committee made no recommendations.

Recommended for approval was introducing the First Reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact sections of the City Code pertaining to the Building Code and Plumbing Code. Minor changes were noted, and need to be adopted in the new code.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No agenda items.

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL:

Discussion concerned the Jamestown City Fire department’s ladder truck update. Mayor Heinrich said city officials will meet soon with state legislative leaders in the near future.

The committee considered storage fees for impounded vehicles. Police Chief Edinger said the city Ordinance needs to be reworked, concerning fees and impoundment policies.  Mayor Heinrich suggested media announcements in the event of a major snow storm, to move vehicles off Emergency Snow routes in advance. Council Member Buchanan said the Ordinance needs to be addressed on impoundment fees.

The committee recommends moving the issues to the City Council without recommendation.

Considered was the reclassification of police department positions as presented, eliminate two positions in the police department, saving the city $131,000, which would be used to reclassify positions,  and increase the ranges.  Information was presented to the committee from Human Resource Officer, Jay Sveum with the recommendations.  He said recruitment and retention will benefit the position changes along with the range changes.

The committee recommends accepting the reclassification of positions, retroactive to January 1, 2020.

Chief Edinger said the UJ Hockey Team is planning a Hockey Night Fundraiser February 14, with proceeds to be used to replace the SWAT Team robot.

The committee recommends approval of using the proceeds for that purpose.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Discussed was the draft LPA Bridge Inspection Agreement and Bridge Plans.  City Administrator Sarah Helleckson says the NDDOT is opting out of inspections, stemming from budget cuts, with the county’s responsibility of 80 percent of the costs, saying the city does not currently have a bridge inspector.  She said the city has nine bridges.  Mayor Heinrich asked why the city will possibly have to pay a share of the inspection costs, out of the urban road funding.

The committee took no action at this time and moved the item to the February committee meeting.

Recommended for approvals were Plans and Specifications for the Civic Center Roof Removal and Replacement (1/4 of roof under this phase).

City Engineer – Public Works Project Updates Memo was presented to the committee.

Razing the former LeFevre Building will be started later this week.

INFORMATIONAL: Snow Removal policy changes have been discussed including rotating the start of snow removal within quadrants of the city.  Overnight parking in city lots prior to a snow storm will only be allowed at the fence area.  Emergency Snow Routes, parking bans would be enforced.  Other parking changes on streets will be made to make snow removal more efficient.

INFORMATIONAL: Recycling collection update. Recycle North Dakota manager Ralph Freibel said collections are inhibited in alley due to restrictions stemming from piles of snow at corners and entrances.

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

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board met Thursday at the CSi Technology Center, at Historic Franklin School.

Those present included, Board Members, President Matthew Woods, Taylor Barnes, Tena Lawrence, Frank Balak, and Paulette Ritter.

Tourism Executive Director Searle Swedlund.

 

At the Grant Board Meeting items considered for funding included:

Staffing for:

The National Buffalo Museum

Fort Seward

The Stutsman County Museum

Frontier Village

All requests were granted at $11 per hour, across the board, for a total tourism expenditure of  $45,528 for 2020.

 

Also a request for funding was from:

Frontier Village Horse Rides regarding advertising. The Committee tabled the request pending additional information from Karen George, who now owns the horses.  The stage coach is still owned by the City of Jamestown. Searle Swedlund said he will look into advertising costs and sources and bring the information back to the committee.  He estimates the advertising costs may be in area of $8,000.

 

The James River Figure Skating Club for advertising funding for $1,000 for advertising for the three day Ice Show, with performances Friday through Sunday, March 20-22, 2020, at John L. Wilson Arena in Jamestown.  Lynn Lambrecht said, the full show will feature skaters, from three years old to 18 years old.

Other funding sources, include, $2,000 in ticket sales, Program Advertising $2,500, Family Registrations $1,750.

A total of 741 visitors are expected, with an economic impact of $62,050.

The total advertising budget is $1,080.

The request died for a lack of a second and was denied, as the event offers no new experiences, and generates mostly local people.

 

North Dakota Youth Archery Tournament for  Advertising/Sponsorship requested $3,000.

Myron Gunderson  said Best of the West, National Archery and Schools Program (NASP) Archery Tournament is planned for April 18 & 19, at the Jamestown Civic Center, with about 400 archers participating from regional states. 350 addition people including family are also expected in Jamestown.

Other funding comes from sponsor ads, at $3,000, apparel sales of $6,000, entry fees, $4,000, admission

sales $2,500.  The total income is expected to be about $18,500.

The economic impact is estimated at $31,875.

The Grant Board approved allocating the full request of $3,000.

 

At the Executive Board Meeting

No Conflict of Interest was declared.

The Financial Report was given and accepted and approved from Taylor Barnes.

Tourism Report was given by  Searle Swedlund, who gave an update on Tourism’s management of Frontier Village.

Under New Business:

A Report was given on the Credit Card Cash Back, indicating points accrued amounts to $15,969.

Searle reported on the Stutsman County Mill Levy Expenditures for Tourism Entities.  He said the entities funded will report how the dollars were spent.

Searle gave a report that generated discussion on Event Grant Guidelines.  He suggested that future guidelines may be based on Tourism in the City of Dickinson, regarding annual commitments, and budgeting events.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Arts Center will host a Wine and Cheese event, on January 18, 2020,  from 7-p.m., to 9-p.m.,  at Sabir’s Buffalo Grill in Downtown Jamestown, with proceeds going to the Arts After School program’s Scholarships.

Advance reservations are required by calling the Arts Center, at 701-251-2496.

Tickets are $35 each.

Join your friends for a fun social gathering and enjoy a taste of Spain and Portugal. Tickets are $35 and available at The Arts Center, Cork & Barrel Liquors, from any Board Member or by clicking this link.

The Jamestown Arts Center, offers another Open Mic Night on Thursday January 23, 2020, from 7-p.m., to 9-p.m.

On Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Arts Center Director, Mindi Schmitz said, poets, writers, musicians, comedians, solos, duos, and any and all performers are welcome to share your talent with the community at our monthly open mic night. There will be a sign up sheet at the door. Please limit a piece to 10 minutes. A P.A. system, bass amp, guitar amp and music stands will be provided and facilitated by local musician Steve Kuykendall

The next exhibit at the Arts Center will be, “Gas Bubble in Eye” by Roxi Mathis
January 23 – March 7, 2020

Roxi Mathis is a watercolor artist living and working in Minot, North Dakota. Her current work is based on the experiences she had during three eye surgeries and the recovery that followed. Dealing with a detached retina caused light distortions and patterns in her vision, so she combined these manifestations with real and imagined inspiration.  In discussing her art she says, “I like to work in detail with a lot of color and bold contrast, forming loose patterns based on the visual anomalies that I see. While much of my work includes North Dakota scenery, I also work with figurative elements. I try to tell stories that lead the viewer to find their own narrative in the work.”

Her work pairs real world subject matter like landscapes, animals and figures with the unreal visual anomalies that she experienced after having her multiple eye surgeries. The resulting artwork is a juxtaposition of soft watercolor landscapes, many of badlands-like buttes, with hard-edged, mostly abstract ink drawings. While each style isn’t unusual alone, the combination of the two makes Mathis’ work unusual and compelling–it challenges the norm.  The ink drawings seemingly have no relationship to the landscapes, however the more one looks, narratives begin to emerge. Someone might see Native American dancers, gateways to alternative universes, microscopic minerals, birds in flight and severe storms.  Each piece could be an illustration for a story and not surprisingly Mathis has combined her graphic work and artwork to create several illustrated books.  You can find examples of her work at facebook.com/RoxiMathisArt.

The Arts Center Gallery is open
Weekdays: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Admission is always free.


Meet the Artist Lunch
Join us and the artist for a homemade lunch
Wednesday, February 12th starting at 12:00 pm at The Arts Center.
Please RSVP by February 10th if you would like to enjoy the lunch. Cost $5.

Upcoming Classes Include:

COLOR THEORY: Jan 21 – 31 with Kathleen Roehm

In the visual arts, color theory is a body of practical guidance to color mixing and the visual effects of a specific color combination. During this session, we will be diving into the history of color theory, learning how to mix colors, and how different colors are used to portray different emotions. This fun and creative session will also tie in with our gallery artist, Roxi Mathis, as we will be discussing her use of color that she incorporates into her artwork.

MAGAZINE COLLAGE: Feb 3 – 6 with DIna Laskowski
Do you have some old magazines lying around? Have your child bring them to this fun Arts After School class where they will use cardboard, glue, and magazine clippings to make their very own collages with Dina Laskowski! 

Call the Arts Center for additional information, and to register at 701-251-2496.

Sunday’s in February the Arts Center hosts Acrylic Painting, and adult course from 2-4-p.m.,

Registration is required by calling the Arts Center at 701-251-2496.

Valley City  (CSi)  North Dakota State Senator Larry Robinson, from District 24, Valley City, has announced hiscandicacy to seek re-election to the North Dakota Senate.

Robinson was first elected to the Senate in 1988. He is the senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The news release from his office, says,  “It has been an honor and a privilege serving the Citizens of District 24 in the North Dakota Senate. I intend to work hard to win re-election to continue to work on their behalf.” District 24 includes all of Barnes County, northern Ransom County and southwest Cass County.

Robinson, says, “We have ongoing challenges in Health Care, Property Tax Relief, Behavioral Health and Addiction issues, the care for our Veterans and Senior Citizens, maintenance of our roads and bridges, educational funding, & corrections. We also have important decisions to make on where to invest the earnings from the Legacy Fund. Finally, there will be a Re-districting Committee appointed during the 2021 session to re-draw the legislative district lines for the next 10 years. I want to be there representing District 24 so we have a voice on these and other important issues.”

He pointed out that “During the 2019 session, I served as a co-sponsor of the Capital Construction bill which resulted in a $32,000,000 Center for the Arts Building at Valley City State University and the funding of a critically important $50,000,000 agricultural research facility at NDSU. I was also co-sponsor of the Prairie Dog bill which will bring millions of dollars of important infrastructure funding from oil tax dollars to our townships, cities and counties across the state of North Dakota. Securing funding for a host of water projects across the state, including funding for permanent flood protection in Valley City and Lisbon, and support for Rural and Municipal Water projects statewide, has been a top priority for Robinson. “I pride myself in my ability to work with both political parties,” said Robinson. “I have also made it a high priority to participate in legislative forums and other local meetings, so I am in touch with the needs and concerns of all constituents in District 24.”

Robinson and his wife Mary Lee, reside in Valley City. They have two sons and three grand sons.

Robinson is in his 45th year on the administrative staff of Valley City State University. He received his B.S. Degree in Education from VCSU and his Masters Degree in Educational Administration from North Dakota State University. Robinson grew up on a family farm in Kidder County North Dakota.

(AP)  A new survey of bankers suggests the economy is growing in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states. The survey released Thursday showed that the overall index for rural parts of the region improved to 55.9 in January from December’s 50.2. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says hiring remains strong across the region. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Gov. Doug Burgum sees progress in state government’s relationship with American Indian tribes in North Dakota, but he acknowledges there is more work to do. Burgum talked about the accomplishments with the tribes since he took office in 2016 during a tribal conference in Bismarck Wednesday. An oil tax revenue-sharing compact with the the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, updated agreements for child welfare services for Native American families and the display of tribal flags at the state Capitol are among the moves Burgum cited. The Bismarck Tribune says tribal leaders discussed the need for understanding issues such as addiction, unemployment, youth engagement and the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census on reservations.

In sports..

Valley City  (VCSU)  Due to weather concerns, games on Friday with the Barnes County Boy’s Basketball Tournament  will now start at 12 p.m. The championship is now scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. Below is the updated schedule for the remainder of the tournament. 

Thursday, Jan. 16
Consolation Semis
3 p.m. – Finley-Sharon/Hope Page vs. Milnor/North Sargent
4:30 p.m. – Sargent Central vs. Barnes County North
Semifinals
6 p.m. – Enderlin vs. LaMoure/Litchville-Marion
7:30 p.m. – Griggs County Central vs. Maple Valley

Friday, Jan. 17
12 p.m. – 7th place
1:30 p.m. – 5th place
3 p.m. – 3rd place
4:30 p.m. – Championship

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Chief justice of the United States has arrived at the U.S. Senate to preside over President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. He will be swearing in the senators with an oath to ensure “impartial justice” as jurors for only the third such proceeding in U.S. history. Earlier, Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, stood before the senators to read the formal charges against the president. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said new evidence reinforces the need for senators to call witnesses. She warned them not to become “all the president’s henchmen.” The full trial will begin next week.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has overwhelmingly approved a new North American trade pact that rewrites the rules of trade with Canada and Mexico. Passage of the measure gives President Donald Trump a major policy victory before senators turns their full attention to his impeachment trial. The measure goes to Trump for his signature. It would replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, known as NAFTA. It tore down most trade barriers and triggered a surge in trade. But Trump and other critics blamed NAFTA for encouraging U.S. companies to move their manufacturing plants south of the border to take advantage of low-wage Mexican laborers.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says that U.S. training for more than 800 Saudi Arabian military students could be restarted “in the coming days.” It was nearly six weeks when a shooting by one Saudi trainee killed three sailors at a Florida base. The Pentagon had stopped all flight and field training for the approximately 850 Saudi students amid fears that others may have known about or been involved in the shooting at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Classroom training has continued. The U.S. has completed security screenings of all the students, and on Monday, the Justice Department announced that 21 were being sent home.

 

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — FBI agents have arrested a former Canadian Armed Forces reservist and two other men who are linked to a violent white supremacist group. The men were believed to be heading to a pro-gun rally next week in Virginia’s capital. A Justice Department news release says the three men are members of The Base. They were arrested Thursday on federal charges in a criminal complaint unsealed in Maryland. A law enforcement official says the men were believed to be planning to attend a pro-gun rally planned for Monday in Richmond. The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss an active investigation.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has postponed the sentencing of former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn. The move comes two days after Flynn moved to withdraw his guilty plea. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan did not immediately rule on Flynn’s request to withdraw his plea but instead asked for additional court filings on the matter over the next month. He rescheduled the sentencing hearing to February 27. It had previously been set for January 28.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers went to court Thursday with a last-minute demand to halt jury selection and move his rape trial out of New York City, where they say intense media coverage, protesters and even the consideration of supermodel Gigi Hadid as a juror have turned the case into a “media and entertainment circus.” Weinstein’s lawyers detoured to the Manhattan appellate court hours after the 24-year-old Hadid was dismissed from the jury pool and as jurors were starting to be picked for the case. By lunchtime Thursday, five jurors had been selected — three men and two women — from about 145 potential jurors who were invited back for additional questioning.

 

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A former Texas nurse suspected in the killing of dozens of children has pleaded guilty to the 1981 death of an 11-month-old. Sixty-nine-year-old Genene Jones received a life sentence Thursday that a prosecutor says will likely ensure she dies in prison. Jones was sent to prison in 1984 after being convicted for the death of one child and for giving an overdose to another. She’d been set to be released from prison in 2018 under a mandatory release law in place when she was convicted. But prosecutors in 2017 filed five murder charges related to the deaths of children in the 1980s. The other four cases have been dismissed.