CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Areas of fog. Lows around 10. South winds around 5 mph.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Areas of fog in the morning. Slight chance of sleet in the afternoon in the Jamestown area, a 20 percent chance of light snow in the afternoon in the Valley City area.

Highs in the mid 20s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

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

cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow after midnight. Lows

15 to 20. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

.SUNDAY…Cloudy. Highs around 30. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.MONDAY…Cloudy. Highs in the lower 30s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 20s.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 15.

.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 20s.

 

Fog is possible Friday night. Some fog may become dense.

Fog is possible early Saturday morning. Some fog may become dense.

There is a slight chance of light rain or snow Saturday evening, west and light snow into the central after midnight.

 

(AP/CSi)  Officials in North Dakota say it’s time for property owners in flood-prone areas of the Red River Valley to think about buying flood insurance. The state Water Commission has scheduled flood preparation meetings next week in Fargo, Grand Forks and Jamestown that will focus on insuring homes and other structures.

The push comes as early signs suggest a heightened risk of flooding this spring. The National Weather Service says the precipitation totals for the fall and winter period in the Red River Valley Basin are the wettest on record. The average flood insurance policy in North Dakota is about $700. Residents in low to moderate risk areas will pay about $200 less.

Valley City  (Chamber)  The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce is assisting with supporting numerous events and activities coming up.

The Chamber’s Event Coordinator, Mikayla Gustafson says,  the Chili Cookoff and Community Olympics are set for March 2nd. The Chili Cookoff is at 5:30-p.m., followed by the Community Olympics, at 7-p.m.,  at the North Dakota Winter Show, Main Arena.  Contact the Chamber for the entry deadline and event information.

Also coming up is the Ag Social, at the NDWS South Exhibit Building, Free Stage,on March 3, from 4-p.m., to 6-p.m., with the Guest Speaker, Kurt Kristopherson, at 4:10-p.m., with the latest information on the new Farm Bill.  The Awards Banquet is at 5-p.m., and the top three Essay Contest Winners will be recognized at the event.

Tickets are required by contact the Valley City Chamber.

The Pinochle Tournament is on February 15 and 16 at the Valley City Eagles club.  The Tournament is limited to 100 participants, with the entry deadline, through the Chamber on February 11.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Due to weather, last weekend the Arts Center will host a Wine and Cheese event this Saturday, Jan 25  from 7 pm to 9pm at the Arts Center  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.

Arts Center, Director,  Mindi  Schmitz says, that the Arts Center will be seeking talent to perform at this coming summer’s Arts Market, at Hansen Arts Park, in Downtown Jamestown.

Anyone that has information on entertainers may call the Jamestown Arts Center,  701-251-2496.

Those wishing to make a donation to the Arts Market, or become a sponsor may also get in touch with the Jamestown Arts Center.

Jamestown   (CSi)  The Jamestown Classic Car Club Winter Wheels Car Show is Saturday, January 25 from 9-a.m. to 6-p.m. at the Jamestown Civic Center. Anyone interested in showing  a vehicle, can call Jack 701-320-4246 or Monte 701-320-9108.

The Civic Center opens on Friday the 24th, for vehicles entered.

Unique classic cars are scheduled to be on hand from The Shed in Warroad, Minnesota.

Free Hot Wheels for kids while supplies last, and there willbe $0 in cash Door Prize Drawings.

Coming back to the show this year is the 1966 Batmobile from the T.V. Show.

There will also be $50 door prizes.

Jamestown (UJ) University of Jamestown is sponsoring a free Community Ice Skate Event on Sat., Jan. 25 from 2-4 p.m. The event will take place on the outdoor rink that was built for Hockey Day North Dakota. It is located on Allen Field in the middle of the University of Jamestown campus.

Participants will need to bring their own skates. Attendees are also invited to pick up a free pass to that day’s hockey game featuring UJ vs. Minot State at 7.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Annual Sports and Recreation Show will be at the Jamestown Civic Center, Friday January 31,  4-p.m., to 8-p.m., and Saturday February 1,  from 9-a.m., to 4-p.m., with free admission.

On display will be campers, along with watercraft, and other home and sports items to view, including Caves, from Bismarck with items to stock your “man cave,” like pool tables, arcade games, home theater items, and neon signs.

The United way fundraising Soup Cookoff, “Super Soup Bowl,” will be held, and the Optimist Club’s Spaghetti Supper returns, on Friday January 31 in the Exchequor Room 5-p.m. to 7-p.m.

The new Kids Zone will be on Saturday with activities for the young people.

For more information contact Lynn Lambrecht, 701-252-1400 or E-Mail lynn@newsdakota.com

Jamestown (CSi)  Jamestown Tourism elected Christian Cairy to the Board of Directors at their annual meeting. The Board provides leadership in coordinating, promoting, and supporting tourism growth and development in Jamestown, N.D. and surrounding areas.

Christian Cairy is New Home Salesperson for Liechty Homes and has experience with new and emerging forms of photography. His work with social media, marketing, and outdoor photography as well as his experience with outdoor sports will be a tremendous asset to the board.

Other Board Members and Officers are:

Matthew Woods, President
Tena Lawrence, Vice President
Taylor Barnes, Treasurer
Frank Balak
Paulette Ritter
Amanda Thrift
Pam Phillips
Sean Johnson

 

WASHINGTON (Sen Cramer’s Office)  – U.S. Senator and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee member Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced Friday the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) granted $4,300,000 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) to support highway and road reconstruction at multiple locations throughout North Dakota.

The Emergency Relief (ER) program within DOT, Federal Highway Administration, is authorized for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic failures from an external cause.

These funds were awarded to the state after Governor Doug Burgum issued a formal emergency declaration due to flooding from rain and snowstorms and a request was filed for ER for the cost of damages to its eligible highways. Eligible repair work includes emergency repairs needed to restore essential traffic, minimize the extent of damage, or protect the remaining facilities as well as permanent repairs necessary to restore the highway to its pre-disaster condition.

In addition to traditional statewide flooding, the precipitation resulted in a significant rise to the following closed basin locations: 1) Rice Lake basin in Emmons County associated with event ND20-2, Fall 2019 Rice Lake Basin Flooding; 2) West James River basin in Burleigh, Dickey, Foster, Kidder, Lamoure, Logan, McIntosh, Stutsman, and Wells Counties, associated with event ND20-3, Fall 2019 West James River Basin Flooding; and 3) Salt Lake basin in Burleigh and Sheridan Counties associated with event ND20-5, Fall 2019 Salt Lake Basin Flooding. This $4,300,000 quick release will be distributed to these four flooding events as shown:
1) $1,500,000 to ND20-1, Fall 2019 Statewide Traditional Flooding; 2) $600,000 to ND20-2, Fall 2019 Rice Lake Basin Flooding; 3) $2,000,000 to ND20-3, Fall 2019 West James River Basin Flooding; and 4) $200,000 to ND20-5, Fall 2019 Salt Lake Basin Flooding.

Click here to read more about Friday’s announcement.

 

(AP)   A massive 1984 diesel spill in Mandan, North Dakota, has finally been cleaned up. The Bismarck Tribune reports that state officials said the cleanup at a rail yard in downtown Mandan was complicated because of limited access to the affected area. Dave Glatt, director of the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, says workers collected about 770,000 gallons of fuel over the years. The paper previously reported that the state initially estimated that 200,000 gallons had spilled, but Glatt says the actual volume is unknown to this day and is likely at least five times that amount.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic House prosecutors are launching their final arguments at Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, insisting the president only released congressionally approved military money to Ukraine because he had “gotten caught” withholding it. The Democrats said Thursday that he abused his presidential power in his Ukraine dealings and should be convicted because “right matters.” The president’s legal team is preparing its defense, expected to start Saturday. Trump bemoaned the schedule in a morning tweet, saying it “looks like my lawyers will be forced to start on Saturday, which is called Death Valley in T.V.”

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump called it his “profound honor” on Friday to be the first president to attend the annual anti-abortion gathering in Washington called the March for Life. He used his speech to attack Democrats as embracing “radical and extreme positions” on abortion. He praised those attending the event, saying “unborn children have never had a stronger defender in the White House.” Trump once declared in a 1999 interview that he is “pro-choice in every respect.” Now, as he heads into the 2020 election, Trump continues to reach out to the white evangelical voters who have proven to be among his most loyal backers.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is threatening California with a potential loss of federal health care funds over the state’s requirement that insurance plans cover abortions. The announcement from the Health and Human Services Department came a short time before President Donald Trump was to address the annual anti-abortion March for Life. HHS is giving California 30 days to comply with a federal law known as the Weldon amendment. That law bars federal health care funding from being provided to states or entities that practice “discrimination” against health care organizations that do not “provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.” California’s Democratic governor and attorney general were both defiant in response, saying the state is doing nothing wrong.

 

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — With a newly empowered Democratic majority at the Virginia General Assembly, abortion-rights advocates say the state has a chance to roll back decades of restrictions and become a “safe haven” for women in neighboring conservative states. Abortion-rights groups are pushing to undo Republican-backed laws including a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion and requirements for ultrasound and counseling. A Senate committee passed that bill Thursday, a day after a House committee advanced that chamber’s version. Abortion opponents argue the laws protect a pregnant woman’s health and safety and are prudent given the gravity of the decision to obtain an abortion.

 

BEIJING (AP) — China is expanding its lockdown against the deadly new virus to an unprecedented 36 million people and rushing to build a prefabricated, 1,000-bed hospital for victims as the outbreak cast a pall over Lunar New Year, the country’s biggest and most festive holiday. The number of confirmed cases around the world has climbed sharply to more than 850, with at least 25 deaths, all of them in China. The U.S. is reporting its second case, involving a Chicago woman in her 60s who was hospitalized after returning from China.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon says 34 U.S. troops have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries suffered in this month’s Iranian missile strike on an Iraqi air base. Half of the troops have returned to their duties, while the others are still under observation. The 34 total is more than previously reported. President Donald Trump had initially said he was told that no troops had been injured in the Jan. 8 strike. The military said symptoms were not immediately apparent, and that in some cases, the concussion-like symptoms appeared days later. After the first reports that some troops had been diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms, Trump referred to the injuries as “headaches.”