Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Mar 31

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain and slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of rain after midnight. Lows in the upper 30s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Chance of rain in the morning, then

chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s.

Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the west in the

afternoon. Chance of precipitation 40 percent in the Jamestown area 30 percent in the Valley City area.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers and snow

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

in the upper 20s. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of

precipitation 50 percent in the Jamestown area, 60 percent in the Valley City area.

.THURSDAY…Snow likely. Colder. Light snow accumulations. Highs

in the mid 30s. North winds around 15 mph. Chance of snow

70 percent.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Snow likely possibly mixed with freezing rain

in the evening, then snow likely after midnight. Lows in the

lower 20s. Chance of precipitation 70 percent.

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy with chance of snow in the morning, then

mostly sunny with slight chance of snow possibly mixed with rain

in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation

30 percent.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 40.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain and snow

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

mid 20s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Chance of snow possibly mixed with rain

in the morning, then chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in

the upper 40s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain in the

evening, then slight chance of rain and snow after midnight. Lows

in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

.MONDAY…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain and snow in the

morning, then slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in

the lower 50s. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

Showers and a few thunderstorms are possible over western and

central North Dakota this afternoon and evening. A cold front will

push into central North Dakota late tonight bringing the

potential for light snow into the west. On Wednesday the snow will

spread slowly east but will mainly affect western into north

central North Dakota.

Another round of snow will spread across most of the state

Wednesday night through Thursday night. Much uncertainty remains

with the temperatures and the location of snow, but at this time

it appears much of the James River Valley has a high risk of at

least 4 inches of snow during this second round. Gusty northerly

winds will also produce patchy blowing and drifting snow mainly

over the south on Thursday.

Impacts to travel may occur. Continue to check back for the latest

forecasts.

Saturday into Tuesday will see milder temperatures.

so any snow later this week will melt rather quickly.

Impacts from rain and snow could be significant, from travel to

flooding.

River Watch…

Precipitation amounts from a quarter of an inch to as much as an inch are possible Wednesday night into Thursday. Since some of this will fall as snow, rapid runoff of the precipitation is not likely.

The Pipestem and James rivers are still expected to crest below

minor flood stage Tuesday into Wednesday of this week. This will

be followed by falling river levels into the weekend. The added

precipitation could slow this fall, or even prolong the crest.

The worst case scenario would be all of the precipitation falling

as rain in a short period of time, which could push river levels

close to minor flood stage at LaMoure. However, this is not

considered likely at this time.

Those with river concerns should continue to monitor the latest

stages and forecasts.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Another  local  response COVID-19 briefing for Jamestown and Stutsman County was held Tuesday afternoon Mar 31, 2020.

Speakers included from:  Central Valley Health District, The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Jamestown Regional Medical Center. The Jamestown Ministerial Association, the Jamestown Salvation Army, and The City of Jamestown.

Central Valley Health District Administrator  Robin Iszler said, even though at this time (on Tuesday) no one has been tested positive, yet, for COVID- 19, the coronavirus is likely in the Jamestown community, but has not yet been found.

She also related the governor’s travel quarantine executive order: “All individuals traveling back to North Dakota from international locations and states in the U.S. that have been classified as having widespread disease by the CDC. must quarantine immediately upon reentry to the state of North Dakota and for a period of 14 days.”

If anyone would like to make homemade masks, to contact CVHD, for a pattern, at 701-252-8130.  One agency in Jamestown had indicated the need for masks.

She said May to early June is the likely time frame the pandemic and emergency measures  will be needed and precautions should be taken.

JRMC CEO Mike Delfs said that 35 tests were performed at the hospital and none positive.

He said the hospital has six ventilators, with three dedicated to hospital surgeries if need.

He said supplies are in good shape, and monitored  daily.

Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, pharmacist Matt Perkins said, the lobby is open, with limited access, with prescriptions available at the drive through, curbside pick up, or mail.     Credit or Debit cards may also be used. They plan to stay open through the pandemic.

The Medicine Shoppe is NOT testing for COVID-19.

Jamestown Salvation Army Major Judy Lowder said, it still open with the regular services, with limited access to the lobby, and one person per family at a time, and no children.

Donations are welcome of cleaning supplies, and other items regularly kept in supply.

The Jamestown Salvation Army’s phone number is 701-252-0290.

On behalf of The City of Jamestown, Mayor Dwaine Heinrich thanked the organizers of these news briefings in getting the word out from organizations and unities, with important information.

He reminds residents to social distance, and discourages people from congregating in stores and leave children at home.  Also not to congregate in city parks.

He said information on the Forgivable loan program for small business is on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce web site.

On another topic, he said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has informed him that the expected combined releases from the Jamestown and Pipestem Dams this spring will be 750-cfs, well below a flood threat.  He said last fall the combined release was 1200 cfs that required sandbagging in some areas of the city.

Representing the Jamestown Ministerial Association, Pastor Eric Weber from St. John’s Lutheran Church said, virtual church services and radio and T.V. Services are substituting for in church services.  He said churches are in touch with their congregation through  E-Mails as well.  He says plans are developed for funeral services regarding social distancing.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays including CSi 10 The Replay Channel.

The next meeting is planned for Friday April 3, 2020 at 2:30-p.m.

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his Tuesday News Briefing in Bismarck with updates and news on the state’s coronavirus fight.

He began with updates on the latest COVID-19  case numbers from the State Health Department, as of 3-p.m., Tuesday.

He said 17 new positives were recorded since Monday, bringing the total to 126 positive results at 3-p.m., Tuesday.  384 tests were given since Monday.  He said not everybody that has COVID-19 has yet been found, with the data lagging with results.

He stressed the basics of washing hands, and social distancing,  and stay home if you are sick.

From NDDoH:

COVID-19 Positive Test Results for March 31, 2020 

P.M. POSITIVE TEST RESULTS | March 31 at 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Man in his 40s from McKenzie County, under investigation
• Man in his 50s from Burleigh County, under investigation
• Woman in her 20s from Stark County, close contact
• Man in his 30s from Williams County, under investigation
• Male age 10-19 from Grand Forks County, community spread

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

BY THE NUMBERS

4257 – Total Tested (+348 individuals from yesterday)

4131 – Negative (+331 individuals from yesterday)

126 – Positive (+17 individuals from yesterday)

21 – Hospitalized (+2 individuals from yesterday)

30 – Recovered (+10 individual from yesterday)

3 – Death (+0 individuals 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.

 

Burgum was on a conference call Tuesday with critical care hospital officials which included accommodating additional bed space at various new locations, if it becomes necessary.

The call included The National Guard and FEMA, in the planning.

With the Workforce Coordination Center he said volunteers are needed in a range of services with those with previous experience, some paid positions.  He said the National Guard is also seeking recruits.

With hand sanitizer, Burgum said some North Dakota vendors are making sanitizer to be distributed to health care facilities, and then the public.

The public schools, Burgum said on April 1, public school were required to have their virtual classrooms on line, and 98 percent of the state’s students will be on line, with approved programs. Other schools will need to still be approved.

School will still be closed until further notice.

With working at home, he said, internet capacity is being met and there is not a danger of the internet crashing with the additional use.

 

Jamestown  (JPS)  Following is a brief update on plans for JPS and progress made towards a formalized virtual learning plan, From Superintendent, Dr. Robert Lech.

“As you know, Governor Doug Burgum declared that all schools were closed through March 31 and directed all schools to create a virtual learning plan by April 1st.  The purpose of this plan was to allow the option to educate our students remotely instead of making up each day missed, beyond 3/31.

This plan had to address a number of issues including ensuring equitable services and the district’s plan to provide a high-quality, effective, and standards-based education through distance/virtual learning.   It can be viewed through this attachment and can also via our school district’s alert center.  Over the past week with our virtual learning pilot, we have already learned so much about what works and what does not.  Thank you for your patience as we continue to improve our instruction in this environment.

I am happy to announce that the Jamestown School District was one of the first Virtual Learning Plans approved by the Governor’s Office.  The process was a three-step approval (Department of Public Instruction review team, Superintendent Baesler, and Governor Burgum).  Credit truly goes to all staff that has worked so diligently to get an excellent plan in place to educate our students virtually.

With the approval of this plan, and Governor Burgum’s executive orders, the district will plan to provide virtual learning for the foreseeable future.  If guidance from the Governor’s Office changes, the district may consider other alternatives, but, for now, the Jamestown School District will be continuing the virtual learning plan.  If circumstances change, we will provide additional communications to families as soon as possible.

Lastly, please note that with the transition of schools to an online platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this also means that school common areas, such as the MS green space, and school playgrounds are closed to the public.  We look forward to a time, hopefully in the near future, when we are able to see children enjoying that equipment and organizing time to congregate together.  Until then, however, we ask that all consider those places closed to the public.”

Valley City  (VCSU) Officials at Valley City State University have postponed its spring 2020 commencement ceremony, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 16.

Citing public health and safety concerns, President Alan LaFave made the announcement in an email to the campus community March 31.

“Like so many of the other decisions we’ve needed to make recently, this one doesn’t come easy,” said President LaFave. “Celebrating the educational achievements of our undergraduate and graduate students and awarding them their diplomas is one of the most significant university events, befitting the traditional pomp and circumstance that accompanies the ceremony. But this year’s unique circumstances dictate that we delay that celebration.”

Although LaFave indicated that VCSU hopes to have an in-person ceremony at a later date, no specific date has been set for the event. Alternate plans for recognizing graduates at the end of spring semester are in the development stages.

Jamestown  (JPD)  The Jamestown Police Department has identified the victim of the vehicle/pedestrian fatality accident on March 29, 2020, as 16-year-old Ava Donegan of Jamestown, ND. The crash still remains under investigation.

Obituary….Ava Donegan, 16, of Jamestown, ND, passed away Sunday night, March 29, 2020, at her home.Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2020 at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND.

Graveside Service: 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 3, 2020 at Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The City of Jamestown informs residents that the city Baler and Recycle ND will be closed on Friday and Saturday April 10,11, the Good Friday Holiday.

Valley City  (Chamber)  Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive, Kay Vinje says  a survey from the ND Department of Commerce to help them better understand how the Coronavirus is impacting your business and others across North Dakota is available.   She asks business to please take a few minutes to complete the survey.  Scroll down and select the 2^nd link which will take you directly to the survey.

Also, you may register for Business Briefing call that is held each  Thursday at 11:00 am.  As you register, please submit questions you’d like addressed during the call.  Here’s the link to register for this call, and all following Business Briefing calls:

https://ndresponse.gov/covid-19-resources/covid-19-business-and-employer-resources

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Parks and Recreation and On TRAC Learning Center participate in the Childcare Emergency Operations Grant Program through  the North Dakota Department of Human Services. As a multi-licensed child care center, On TRAC Learning Center, looks to meet the child care needs of essential service workers in the community.

The CEOG Program will allow On TRAC Learning Center to care for additional children 3 years old-5th grade with priority given to families working in essential services such as health care, safety and lifeline jobs.

Local officials say, the health and safety of children in On Trac’s care and the staff will continue to be a priority throughout this pandemic. On TRAC Learning Center will be following the Modified Operating Practices as required by the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

Contact Tammy Mewes, On TRAC Learning Center director, at tammy@jamestownparksandrec.com or 952-8723 for more information and/or to enroll your child in this program. The number of children who can be enrolled is limited.

WEST FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Authorities have put down a wild mountain lion in West Fargo. Police responded around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday after the mountain lion was sighted. Officers arrived and found the mountain lion in a tree line near Rendezvous Park next to Aurora Elementary School. North Dakota Game and Fish also arrived. Authorities say they decided the animal needed to be put down because it was within feet of occupied buildings and not showing normal behavior, and that the mountain lion could not be relocated. North Dakota Game and Fish supported the police department’s decision. No people were hurt.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A Canadian company says it plans to start construction of the disputed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline in April after lining up customers and money for a project bitterly opposed by environmentalists and some American Indian tribes. Calgary-based TC Energy says the provincial Alberta government in Canada will invest $1.1 billion to cover construction costs through 2020. The company plans to begin at Montana’s border with Canada. Climate activists who oppose the pipeline say fossil fuel usage must be curbed to combat global warming.

BISMARCK, N.D. (Bismarck Tribune) — The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board is endorsing some U.S. Forest Service land near Medora as the site for the Roosevelt library. The 60-acre site is west of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation’s Burning Hills Amphitheatre. The Bismarck Tribune says the board evaluated 11 sites in and around Medora and considered criteria such as land acquisition, regulatory compliance and infrastructure. Library CEO Ed O’Keefe on Monday stressed the library’s site selection is far from final because the land has to be acquired from the U.S. Forest Service.

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — Essentia Health has placed 500 employees on unpaid leave as it deals with the financial impact of canceled surgeries and appointments because of the coronavirus pandemic. The move affects about 3% of the health care provider’s workforce and involves non-medical staff. The Duluth, Minnesota-based health care provider says it’s projecting a 20% to 40% decrease in revenue due to fewer patients because of COVID-19. In a news release, Essentia said staffing levels will be evaluated continually. Some states have mandated an end to elective surgeries and nonessential appointments in order to deal with COVID-19 cases.

In sports…

(Field Level Media)  The NBA has plans for a players-only NBA 2K video game tournament to be shown on ESPN, CSi Cable 14, Yahoo Sports reported Monday evening.

In world and national news…

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus has climbed past 3,500, eclipsing China’s official count. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reported Tuesday that deaths in New York state had rise more than 300 from the day before, reaching about 1,550, mostly in New York City. That puts the U.S. ahead of China’s official death toll of about 3,300. Cuomo’s brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, has disclosed that he has become infected with the virus.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The captain of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier facing a growing outbreak of the coronavirus is asking for permission to isolate the bulk of his roughly 5,000 crew members on shore. The extraordinary move would take the warship out of duty in an effort to save lives. The captain of the USS Theodore Roosevelt says the spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating. He says removing all but 10 percent of the crew is a “necessary risk” in order to stop the spread of the virus. The ship is docked in Guam.

 

(AP) For the first time, a major election in Africa has been postponed as authorities say the coronavirus makes it impossible to prepare. Ethiopia’s national election board says it is ceasing all work related to the vote once set for August. It has been highly anticipated in a country that has seen sweeping political reforms but a surge of violence as people use new freedoms to settle old scores. Both the government and opposition camps have expressed support for the election board’s decision. With the government’s mandate expiring in a few months, lawmakers are expected to vote to extend it. Several African countries have upcoming presidential votes this year.

 

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Homeless people in Las Vegas have been directed to sleep in rectangles painted on the pavement in a makeshift parking lot camp as a way to limit the spread of the coronavirus. It’s a move that is stirring outrage by some on social media. Former Obama administration housing chief Julian Castro suggested in a post on Twitter that the city’s homeless should be temporarily places in empty hotel rooms. Officials said they decided to temporarily place the homeless in a parking lot of a multi-use facility rather than inside a stadium, a theater, exhibit space and meeting rooms, because officials planned to reserve them for potential hospital overflow

 

BOSTON (AP) — A California woman has been sentenced to seven months in prison for paying bribes to rig her two daughters’ college admissions exams and get one of them into Georgetown University as a fake tennis recruit. The judge on Tuesday rejected Elizabeth Henriquez’s bid to avoid prison because of the public health crisis, but is allowing her to remain free until at least June 30 in the hopes that the outbreak will have diminished by then. Henriquez apologized and said she will spend the rest of her life trying to repair the harm caused by her “immoral actions.”