Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Mar 24

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow. Colder. Highs in the lower 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. Northeast winds

around 5 mph shifting to the southeast up to 5 mph after

midnight.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of snow in the morning,

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

the upper 30s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation

20 percent.

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

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.

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

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s.

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

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

Hydrologic Outlook…

Warm weather through Tuesday will restart snowmelt throughout the
James River basin this week before it once again gets tempered by
cooler temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday. A gradual warm-up
late in the week will continue to favor a gentle melt. Overall, what
was a fairly formidable snowpack in early February has been
diminished considerably by very favorable melt conditions and dry
air. Satellite imagery and webcams suggest recent weather patterns
have already removed a fair amount of the water equivalent via
evaporation and sublimation. So while the potential for significant
runoff remains, the threat of damaging high water this week along
either the James River or Pipestem Creek has lessened even though
substantial rises in the areas streams are likely late this week and
into early April.

Jamestown (CSi) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pipestem Dam Manager, James Dixon says adjustments continue to be made in the Jamestown and Pipestem Dam releases.

He says the release from the Jamestown Dam was reduced to zero on Monday Pipestem Dam’s release continues at 100 (CFS) cubic feet per second but may also be reduced to zero by mid week this week.

The changes shift the releases from 100 cfs at Jamestown Dam and 100 cfs from Pipestem Dam.

The decreases are aimed at controlling the potential for downstream flooding from spring snowmelt.

The plans include keeping the releases from the two dams at zero cfs until the James River at LaMoure is ice free.

On line at csinewsnow.com

From the CSi TV archives, video of the ice jam work on the James River near the State Hospital Road, March 24, 2009, ten years ago. . . little did everyone know what the next few months would bring for Jamestown and Valley City. The second video was a news report from Wayne Byers Show, the beginning of 128 flood reports that spring, from March thru July.

Jamestown  (CSi)   Central Valley Health District, (CVHD)  Stutsman County Sheriff’s Department, Jamestown Police Department, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Jamestown Ambulance, Jamestown Fire Department held a joint News Briefing Tuesday March 24, 2020, at CityHall,concerning local COVID-19 updates.

At the meeting, Central Valley Health District Administrator Robin Izsler said, as of Tuesday March 24, 2020,  almost 50 individuals in the Jamestown area have been tested for the COVID-19 virus, with some testing results pending.  No positive results have been received as of Tuesday.

She said the Unified Command Center for Stutsman County has been activated, with officials meeting daily via virtual meetings.

55 individuals have been fit tested for masks, including law enforcement individuals  along with workers at the Anne Carlsen Center, and the James river Correctional Center.

Tested for the virus include hospital patients, healthcare workers, those working in congregate settings, and travelers.  She urged all residents to practice social distancing, and hygiene including washing hands with soap and water, and if gathering outdoors, no more than 10 people in the group.

WIC federal waivers are in place to provide for new clients, with applications taken over the phone at the CVHD office, at 701-252-8130.

She added that the common cold and Influenza A virus are still in the community.

Before be screened for COVID-19 certain symptoms need to be present, including a fever and difficulty in breathing and a cough, and chills, along with body aches.

Jamestown City Fire Chief Jim Reuther said, the fire hall is off limits to the public.  Annual Inspections have been cancelled. For immediate needs, call the fire hall.  When the Ready Squad is called to investigate concerns, two fire fighters are sent, and will ask for additional information before responding.  There is no change is responding to General Fire Calls.

Jamestown Police Chief Scott Edinger said, the LEC is closed to the public, and officers may respond to calls by phone, if appropriate.  Officers responding have been fitted with face masks.

He pointed out that since the COVID-19 pandemic has been in affect there has been a reduced number of calls for service.

Stutsman County Sheriff, Chad Kaiser said the Sheriff’s Office remains open regular hours, with the lobby closed to walk-ins.  Call the office for additional information.  He stresses social distancing in groups, and stay home if sick.

Jamestown Ambulance Service spokesperson Andrew Berkey said, those calling for service should provide the symptoms of the patient when calling, and EMTs will be wearing protective gear.  Expect a 2-3 minute delay from arrival until they enter the home or business.  When responding to respiratory patients the EMT’s will be wearing  respirators.   The ambulance service lobby is closed to the public, on line courses are still being offered.  Call 701-251-2273 for more information.

Jamestown Regional Medical Center President and CEO Mike Delfs said 17 patients have been tested for the COVID-19 virus, and NONE were positive.  He added that no elective surgeries are being performed at this time, however post-op follow-ups  are being done.  New patients will be seen on a case by case basis.

He said the JRMC 25 hospital bed capacity can be expanded to 65 beds if needed for additional patients. Call before going to the E.R. at 701-952-4578, with symptoms so staff is ready to receive that person.  He said, medical supplies are monitored daily, with adequate supplies currently on hand.  Donations of hospital masks are being accepted if qualified for use.

Telecare is available by calling 701-952-4809.

Dan Kramer from South Center Human Service Center said, essential services continue with the doors open.  Visitors will be screening including taking of temperatures.

The Crisis Line remains available at 701-253-6304.   The office phone number is during days is 701-253-6300.

Telehealth services are available with therapy by phone accepted.

He concluded by saying the public should remain informed concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, but not preoccupied with the situation

The news briefing was shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays,along with CSi 10 The Replay Channel.

Bismarck   NDDoH  The North Dakota Department of Health has released their updated COVID-19 numbers for March 24.

A.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 23 at 3 p.m. – March 24 at 9 a.m.

• Man in his 20s from Dunn County, travel
• Woman in her 60s from Burleigh County, travel

P.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 24 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Man in his 70s from Cass County, under investigation
• Man in his 90s from Cass County , under investigation

 

Categories: Travel, Possible Travel, Community Spread, Close Contact, Under Investigation

BY THE NUMBERS

1602 – Total Tested (+162 individuals from yesterday)

1566 – Negative (+158 individuals from yesterday)

36 – Positive (+4 individuals new from yesterday)

7– Hospitalized (+3 individuals new from yesterday)

 

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Burgum urges people to keep a journal who they have been in contact with, in the event a case tracker should contact them concerning an individual that tested positive.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum  held his daily News Briefing, concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, on Tuesday, in Bismarck.

Bismarck   NDDoH  The North Dakota Department of Health has released their updated COVID-19 numbers for March 24.

A.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 23 at 3 p.m. – March 24 at 9 a.m.

• Man in his 20s from Dunn County, travel
• Woman in her 60s from Burleigh County, travel

P.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 24 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Man in his 70s from Cass County, under investigation
• Man in his 90s from Cass County , under investigation

Categories: Travel, Possible Travel, Community Spread, Close Contact, Under Investigation

BY THE NUMBERS

1602 – Total Tested (+162 individuals from yesterday)

1566 – Negative (+158 individuals from yesterday)

36 – Positive (+4 individuals new from yesterday)

7– Hospitalized (+3 individuals new from yesterday)

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Burgum urges people to keep a journal who they have been in contact with, in the event a case tracker should contact them concerning an individual that tested positive.

Bank of North Dakota (BND) shared its student loan relief plans to assist borrowers impacted by COVID-19 with the Industrial Commission Tuesday. Effective immediately, borrowers may request to defer payments for six months.  To request the deferment of payments, borrowers can complete a simple form online at bnd.nd.gov/covid or call 800.472.2166 extension 328.5660.

Also the interest rate for variable rate borrowers decreases April 1, 2020, so BND will reduce payments to reflect the new interest rate. In addition, all borrowers with a fixed interest rate will receive a decrease in their interest rates by at least 1 percent when the Bank is able to work through technical issues.

Beginning Tuesday, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has temporarily lifted seasonal load restrictions on all state highways to minimize disruption of the supply chain during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This change was made after Gov. Doug Burgum enacted an executive order in response to the public health crisis resulting from COVID-19.

(Barnes County Highway Road Superintendent Kerry Johnson says even though Governor Burgum lifted restrictions on State highway it does not include Barnes County roads., which will remain restricted until further notice.)

Burgum said, “This order temporarily lifts weight restrictions on our state’s highways to ensure our citizens are able to get the resources they need in a timely manner as we see an increase in demand for goods and services.”

During this time, the NDDOT director still has the authority to implement load and weight restrictions as deemed appropriate under current law if it is determined that removal of this restriction is negatively impacting the roadway or creating a safety risk.

Lt. Governor Brent Sanford said he was on the phone Tuesday with mayors and auditors with updates on Executive Orders, claim numbers, and state budget planning.

With long term care, Burgum said 20 percent of North Dakota residents are in long term care facilities. 218 long terms care facilities have been visited by 20 state officials.   As of Tuesday no positive COVID-19 results in North Dakota nursing homes.

He stressed social (physical) distancing…covering coughing and sneezes, clean and sanitize surfaces, along with regular washing of hands with soap and water.

He suggested going on walks for activities.

He asked that people to check with access livestock sale barns, some are offering videos.

 

In other state news…

The North Dakota Department of Human Services’ eight regional human service clinics and their four satellite clinics are continuing to provide medically-necessary behavioral health services to vulnerable North Dakotans. The clinics located in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot and Williston with satellite clinics in Grafton, Rolla, Valley City and the Off Main location in Fargo, offer behavioral health services focused on chronic disease management and behavioral health crises.

 

The clinics primarily serve individuals with chronic, serious mental illness and substance use disorders, including pregnant women and others who use intravenous drugs.

 

Dr. Rosalie Etherington, chief clinical officer for the state’s human service clinic system, says,

“The clinics remain open and staffed by our dedicated behavioral health professionals. We will continue to serve individuals in crisis and others who are experiencing serious behavioral health needs.”

 

For more information, including a list of crisis phone numbers and behavioral health walk-in hours at each clinic, visit www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/regionalhsc/.

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded $249,297 to four health centers in North Dakota stemming from the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020.  Health center recipients in North Dakota may use these awards to address screening and testing needs, acquire medical supplies and boost their telehealth capacity in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Jamestown  (CSi) LeRoy Wegenast- President at the All vets Club in Jamestown says “The National Vietnam Vets Day event scheduled for Saturday March 28th  has been canceled at the All Vets Club in Jamestown due to closure
directives and health concerns for patrons. We look forward to being  able to resume service to our veterans and our community in the  future.”

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown City Administrator  Sarah Hellekson says petition forms are available at City Hall, for those interested in running in the June 2020 city elections. There are two City Park Board seats up for election and three City Council seats up for election. She suggests the petitions be used drawn up by the city, so as to contain the proper wording.

The deadline to file the petitions is April 6^th at 4-p.m. at City Hall.

City Council seats up for re-election in 2020 for four year terms are those of Pam Phillips, Dan Buchanan, and Steve Brubakken. Brubakken has said that he is not running for re-election.

Currently, with petitions circulating are:  Joshua Meade, Katherine Roth, Brian Kamlitz, Pam Phillips and David Schloegel. Dan Buchanan filed his petition on March 12.

On the Jamestown City Park board there are two open seats, Ron Olson and Mark Ukestad who have taken out petitions, with Olson having filed his on March 16..

The city elections, and Jamestown Public School Board elections, and county and state primary elections will be on June 9, 2020.

Valley City (City of Valley city)   The filing deadline for the June 9, 2020 election is April 6, 2020 at 4:00 PM. ND Attorney General Al Jaeger stated that NDCC “sets the number of signatures required for a candidate’s name to appear on the ballot for a position in a political subdivision and that cannot be changed.” If you are filing a petition, you will need to submit the following number of signatures:

Commissioner (2 open positions for 4 year term): 133 signatures\

Park Board (2 open positions for 4 year term): 128 signatures

Park Board (1 unexpired 4 year term ending June 30, 2022): 128 signatures Municipal Judge (1 open position for 4 year term): 133 signatures

In light of COVID-19, circulators may scan the petition and return it electronically to the candidate. Petitions can be transmitted electronically, along with other required documents to City Auditor, Avis Richter at arichter@valleycity.us . Petitions may also be dropped off at the north door of City Hall (254 2^nd Avenue NE) during regular business hours, please call 845-8121 to let the City Auditor know you’ve dropped off a petition.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Due to concerns over the Coronavirus The Jamestown Arts Center will be closed for the near future.

Arts Center events, classes and gallery exhibit are canceled / closed until further notice (including Open Mic night).

Director, Mindi Schmitz thanks the community for understanding. Please use common sense, good hygiene and stay safe. We look forward to serving you again after this situation.  She says unfortunately, the current exhibit “The Female Gaze” by Jaime Azevedo cannot be viewed by the public at this time. So, the Arts Center put together a short video  to enjoy from afar.

Also, our amazing artist in residence, Linda Roesch, never stops! She has created some coloring pages straight out of her sketch book for your enjoyment.
Simply visit her website  sketchingspot.com and click on projects. Here you will find the download for the 1st Jamestown Bundle of coloring pages. AND, coming shortly, video links to online lessons with Linda for all the students out there missing their lessons.

Be sure to thank Linda for being determined to continue sharing her art with Jamestown through this uncertain time.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Buffalo Mall’s Soup Spectacular Cook-off held on March 7 raised $2,120 for the Home Delivered Meal program of James River Senior Center Inc. The total ncluded $500 raised from the RSVP/Jamestown Volunteer Center bake sale held in conjunction with the Soup Spectacular Cook-off.

Seventeen business leaders and organizations participated including:

Those taking part were Alpha Opportunities, Babb’s Coffee House, Bison 6 Cinema, Buffalo Mall, Community Garden Societies, Dakota Lawn Care, Dakota Store, eXp Realty, Eventide Senior Living Apartments, Gate City Bank, Home of Economy, James River Public Transit, James River Senior Citizens Inc., Jamestown Kiwanis, PATH ND, Stutsman County 4-H/Hippology Judging Team and Unison Bank.

Award winners:

The People’s Choice award for the best tasting soup went to Unison Bank.

The Most Money Collected award went to Dakota Store.

The Best Decorated went to Jamestown Kiwanis.

The award for the Most Unique Soup was presented to Babb’s Coffee House.

(Fergus Falls, Minnesota, March 24, 2020)   Otter Tail Power Company is aware of recent scam activity in parts of its service area.

Customer Care Supervisor Collin Kremeier, says, “Scammers are taking advantage of potentially heightened anxiety around the COVID-19 pandemic.  It’s important for our customers to know that we’ll never pressure you to make immediate payments, especially through services like MoneyPak, MoneyGram, or pre-paid credit cards.”

Otter Tail Power Company continues to put the health and safety of its employees and customers first—while it continues to maintain reliable electric service in the region. As always, the company is working with its customers to address specific concerns.

Kremeier outlines these red flags if you receive suspicious contact from a possible scammer:

• The caller says he or she works for Otter Tail Power Company or a collection agency and your electricity is about to be shut off—even though you know you’ve paid your bill.
• The caller references a phony bill date, account number, or balance. Otter Tail Power Company doesn’t offer this information over the phone and only will validate what customers provide.
• If the scam surfaces via email, the message does not mention Otter Tail Power Company yet contains a clickable link that supposedly would allow you to view your bill.

Use these tips to help protect yourself:

• Don’t call back the number the scammer provided, as scammers can spoof the company’s phone number, making it appear as though the call is coming from Otter Tail Power Company. Contact the company directly at 800-257-4044 or check your account using the company’s website, otpco.com.
• Only share information by phone if you’ve initiated the call.
• Don’t click on links in or reply to a suspicious email.
• Never share business or personal information by email.
• Contact your financial institution if you shared banking or credit card information.
• Report illegal activity to local law enforcement and to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP.

Kremeier, adds, “An Otter Tail Power Company Customer Service Representative may call to remind you to make a payment—but never will ask to process your payment on the call. Please call us with questions about your account or to set up payment arrangements. Stay well during this difficult time.”

This news release is available on our website at otpco.com/Newsroom.

Otter Tail Power Company, a subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select Market: OTTR), is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. With a balanced commitment to environmental, economic, and community stewardship, the company provides electricity and energy services to approximately 230,000 people in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. To learn more about Otter Tail Power Company visit otpco.com. To learn more about Otter Tail Corporation visit ottertail.com.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Native American tribes across the country are pressing the federal government for more resources to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. In the meantime, tribal leaders are suspending travel off reservations, closing casinos and hotels, instituting curfews in some places and strongly urging their citizens to protect the elderly. Tribes recently were included in a federal funding package for epidemiology, infection control, education and other things. But tribes say the $40 million is not enough. The federal Indian Health Service says it’s talking with tribes to determine how best to dole out the money.

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — A deal may be at hand to ease the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. Both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the top Democrat, Sen. Chuck Schumer, say agreement appears close. The package would free up nearly $2 trillion to help businesses and workers. A key provision in the emerging package would provide stepped-up unemployment insurance for workers furloughed because of the pandemic. After being ravaged for days, stocks rose as congressional and White House negotiators approached a deal. Any deal struck by the Senate would need House approval next.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is weighing how to refine nationwide social-distancing guidelines to put some workers back on the job amid the coronavirus outbreak. At a virtual town hall hosted by Fox News on Tuesday, Trump said he is hoping the country will be reopened by Easter. Health experts have made clear that unless Americans continue to dramatically limit social interaction, staying home from work and isolating themselves, the number of infections will overwhelm the health care system, as it has in parts of Italy, leading to many more deaths. While the worst outbreaks are concentrated in certain parts of the country, such as New York, experts warn that the highly infectious disease is certain to spread.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — The International Olympic Committee has postponed this summer’s Tokyo Games for a year as coronavirus deaths mount around the world and U.S. lawmakers close in on a nearly $2 trillion deal to help cushion the economic damage from the crisis. The IOC acted on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, adding the Olympics to a long roster of sports events canceled because of the deadly outbreak.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sounded his most dire warning yet about the coronavirus pandemic. He said Tuesday the infection rate in New York is accelerating and the state could be two to three weeks away from a crisis that sees 40,000 people in intensive care. Such a surge would swamp hospitals, which now have just 3,000 intensive care unit beds in the entire state. Cuomo said the rate of new infections is doubling about every three days. Johns Hopkins University data shows there have been more than 23,000 positive cases in New York state.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hospitals are gearing up to test if a century-old treatment used to fight off pre-vaccine epidemics of flu, measles and other infections might work for COVID-19, too — using blood donated from patients who’ve recovered. Doctors in China attempted the first treatments using infusions of donated plasma. Now U.S. hospitals are seeking government permission for formal studies to test antibody-rich plasma in the sick. They also want to test if the infusions could offer offer temporary, vaccine-like protection to people at high risk, such as hospital workers. History suggests it could work but there’s no guarantee.

 

LONDON (AP) — Confusion is rippling through Britain after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a three-week halt to all non-essential activity to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. Streets were empty on Tuesday, but some subways were full. Hair salons were closed, and construction sites were open. The government has ordered most stores to close, banned gatherings of three or more people who don’t live together and told everyone apart from workers in select fields to stay home except for exercising once a day or shopping for food and medicine. People in romantic relationships that don’t involve cohabitation are wondering if they can see their boyfriends or girlfriends. Britain has recorded 8,077 virus cases and 422 deaths.