– Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Apr 3

CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Clear. Lows 5 to 10 above. West winds around 5 mph shifting to the south after midnight.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. South winds 5 to

10 mph.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny in the morning, then mostly cloudy with a

20 percent chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the lower

40s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain in the evening,

then slight chance of rain, freezing rain and sleet after

midnight. Lows in the lower 30s. Chance of precipitation

30 percent.

.MONDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 40s.

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

evening, then chance of rain possibly mixed with snow after

midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation

30 percent.

.TUESDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain possibly

mixed with snow in the morning. Highs in the mid 50s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

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

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s.

Jamestown (CSi) The local COVID-19 Response,Joint Briefing with City of Jamestown and Stutsman County representatives, was Friday April 3 at 2:30 pm.

Invited speakers are from: Central Valley Health District, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, South Central Human Services, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, and Jamestown Public Schools.

Central Valley Health District Administrator Robin Iszler said so far in Jamestown 144 test were performed at Sanford Clinic, and Jamestown Regional Medical Center, NO positives as of Friday.

She asks all residents to maintain social distance, and avoid gathering of more than ten people.

Anyone having a donation of masks is asked to call CVHD at 701-252-8130.

JRMC CEO Mike Delfs said, at 42 patients have been tested, using the State Lab for results…NO positives.

At the Hospital limited doors are open, and those entering will have their temperature taken and will be screened, with questions. “Rosie” the sanitizing robot continues to roam the hospital.

He is in touch with Sanford Health in Fargo, to match plans for future care needs.

He said criteria needs to be met before they may be tested for COVID-19.

The hospital is still available for other services, and call the hospital before entering the ER in person, and describe symptoms.

Stutsman County Auditor and COO, Nichole Meland said the courthouse is not accepting walk-ins, but the staff is working and available by phone.

She added that the June election will be by mail only, and no physical polling locations. There will be no early voting. Absentee voting forms will be mailed to residents, in order to be mailed an election ballot, starting later this month. Drop off locations of ballots will also be established.

Jamestown Mayor Dwaine Heinrich said the April 6 City Council meeting will be a virtual meeting with the audio live on CSi Cable Channel 67, followed by replays. Residents can also call a phone number to listen to the meeting, as well.

He said programs are available for local businesses, including small business loans, that may be struggling, with either being closed, or offering limited services. He said programs are available for local businesses, that may be struggling, with either being closed, or offering limited services.including small business loans.

Asks residents to not be complacent in that there are no COVID-19 positives. He said there can be individuals with the virus, in Jamestown, and maintain social distancing.

He pointed out that he cannot modify any Governor Burgum, Executive Orders.

He reminded all Jamestown residents to fill out an return 2020 Census forms.

Jamestown School Superintendent, Dr. Robert Lech repeated that the schools virtual learning plan has been approved by the state. Students are learning by attending classes on home computers while schools are closed.

He said the full virtual learning plan is available to view at Jamestown Public Schools, including how other students learning needs are being met.

He added that the school district’s free meals are continuing and Louis L’Amour Elementary is being added. 600 free meals were served on Friday.

South Central Human Service Center, represented by Dan Kramer at the meeting, continues to maintain services, with crisis staff available 24/7, along with telehealth services.

The Crisis Line phone number is 701-252-6304, the business phone number is 701-252-6300.

The briefing was seen live on CSi TV 10 & Cable 67, followed by replays, amd The Replay Channel. It was also LiveStreamed it at Facebook.com/TheReplayChannel

Bismarck (CSi) Governor Doug Burgum held his daily News Briefing, Friday afternoon from Bismarck at an earlier time, at 3:30-p.m.

He was joined by North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Jon Jensen, Maj. Gen. Alan Dohrmann and Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer.

Burgum related the latest information on COVID-19 tests and positive results.

Friday, April 3, 2020 – 11:14am

Coronavirus updates:

Results listed are from the previous day.

Notice: Reporting Plan moving forward: April 3 and forward – by 11am the State Health Department post results from the previous day.

POSITIVE TEST RESULTS

Woman in her 50s from Cass County, under investigation
Woman in her 20s from Cass County, community spread
Women in her 60s from Grand Forks County, possible travel
Woman in 40s from Cass County, community spread
Woman in her 70s from Stark County, close contact
Man in his 60s from Slope County, community spread
Man in his 40s from Mountrail County, under investigation
Woman in her 30s from Ward County, travel
Man in his 40s from Eddy County, travel
Man in his 50s from Williams County, close contact
Female age 10-19 from Mountrail County, close contact
Female in her 30s from Mountrail County, community spread
Female in her 20s from Morton County, close contact
Female in her 70s from Morton County, under investigation

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

BY THE NUMBERS

5798 – Total Tested (+818 individuals from yesterday)

5625 – Negative (+804 individuals from yesterday)

173 – Positive (+14 individuals from yesterday)

29 – Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

55 – Recovered (+12 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.

He stressed for people to stay home if sick avoid crowds over 10, observe social distancing, and urges frequent handwashing, and sanitizing surfaces.

Burgum then recapped state efforts over the past few weeks in order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Surveillance testing is being ramped up in the state, testing people that are asymptomatic.

Two drive thru testing sites are being established. On Saturday Amidon, in Slope County, and at Gladstone, ND will be the sites available. The National Guard will be on hand to direct traffic.

Burgum signed an Executive Order, it allows Respiratory Therapists to reinstate licenses and be issued a temporary license, through the State Board of Respiratory Care.

With evictions, North Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Jon Jensen, explained the legal process to evict residents, and when the judicial process begins, if the tenant fails to abide by the evection notice.

The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled in regard to temporarily suspending evictions of tenants for the duration of the coronavirus emergency, within certain circumstances.

Burgum said for tenants to notify their landlords if they have lost their jobs, and paycheck, and make arrangements for payment, and communicate with each other.

By phone, Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer, outlined federal funds coming to North Dakota through the CARES ACT, and checks coming to businesses, and individuals.

Small business loans are available through the end of 2020 or if funds run out sooner.

A payroll loan to small businesses is also available through June 30, 2020, or when the funds run out. The loan is designed to keep workers in small businesses, employed. She said demand for the loans, nationally have already been strong. The North Dakota Commerce Commission has more information on its web site.

He reminded parents to not create anxieties in their children about the coronavirus emergency, and do activities with them while they are home. Parents need to take care of themselves as well.

Burgum said there have been 32,600 unemployment claims filed in North Dakota since March 16, 2020, to date.

In other state news…

– In response to the COVID-19 pandemic with funding from Congress included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and support from the federal U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), the North Dakota Department of Human Services will be issuing extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for March and April to some SNAP households in the state.

The extra benefits will ensure that all SNAP households receive the maximum SNAP benefit for March and April. The department will provide extra benefits only to those households that did not receive the maximum benefit amount in March and April due to earned income. SNAP benefits typically decrease as a household’s income goes up, but the short-term policy change is intended to help address food insecurity during this unusual time.

“The coronavirus pandemic is affecting people’s jobs and incomes. We are taking action to ensure that all SNAP households receive a maximum benefit for a household their size for both March and April,” said Economic Assistance Division Director Michele Gee. “This temporary change will benefit about 14,500 SNAP households that had earned income and did not receive a maximum benefit.”

She said, the extra SNAP benefits for March total $2.4 million and will be issued to qualifying SNAP households on April 9 and available on their EBT cards on April 10. The extra April benefits will be available on qualifying SNAP households’ EBT cards on April 21.

The maximum benefit is $355 for a two-person household, and $509 for a three-person household. A brochure describing the program and listing all maximum SNAP benefit amounts by household size is available online at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/pubs/docs/dn-1375.pdf.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council Meeting will be held on Monday April 6, 2020 as scheduled, at 5-p.m., as all Council Members will participate by phone, along with the City Administrator, and City Attorney.

The Public can access the meeting by either calling 877- 885-3221 and using conference code 8007228#. The meeting is also available on Cable Services channel 67. The Cable Services feed will provide audio only of the meeting.

City Administrator, Sarah Hellekson says phones from the public will all be muted, to eliminate background noise from every call.

Hellekson said people wanting to submit comments to the City Council can do so by calling City Hall at 252-5900. They must provide their name, address and any information they want to provide to the council to a person rather than by leaving a message. Comments can also be submitted by email at info@Jamestownnd.gov Please have questions in to City Hall by 3-p.m., each day of the meeting.

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown High School has postponed the 2020 prom. Originally scheduled for March 28, 2020, it’s now rescheduled to April 25 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Grades K-12 are now online or distance learning methods.

The prom committee lead adviser Dietz and high school physical science teacher Amber Roers had scheduled the dance for earlier in the spring to try and avoid conflicts with other spring activities.

Jamestown (uj) The University of Jamestown has announced that it plans to move its 2020 spring commencement to homecoming 2020 scheduled for the weekend of October 10-11, when Jimmie football hosts Doane University in its annual homecoming game October 11 Saturday at 2 p.m.

The plans are in place at this time pending the course of the COVID-19 pandemic that’s currently shutting down most forms of physical human contact from coast to coast.

Jamestown (CSi) The Salvation Army announced Friday the closure of its Jamestown Family Store, at 210 Business Loop West, which had temporarily closed due to COVID-19 safety guidelines

The permanent closure is effective immediately.

Maj. Judy Lowder in Jamestown said, “It’s not easy to close something that the people of Jamestown have enjoyed for many years. We made a concentrated effort to find a suitable location to move into, but we were unsuccessful after several months of searching.”

Only the Family Store is closing—The Salvation Army Worship and Service Center, at 320 1st Avenue North continues its operations unabated. Among the services offered there are food pantry, Pathway of Hope, rent and utility assistance, adult and youth programming and more.

In addition, the Worship and Service Center will now begin accepting clothing donations and will soon be hosting a monthly “Freebie Friday” event, during which clients can select clothing items they need at no cost.

To support Jamestown Salvation Army’s efforts, visit salvationarmynorth.org/jamestown to donate or for more information.

BISMARCK (AP) The police department’s bomb squad was called to a Bismarck house where two homemade explosive devices were found by a cleaning crew. Burleigh County sheriff’s officials say the workers were cleaning a house Wednesday that had been empty for several months and had recently been purchased. The bomb squad removed the devices and detonated them under controlled circumstances. The Bismarck Tribune says neighbors were told to shelter in place while the bomb squad removed the devices. No one was hurt. The sheriff’s department obtained and executed a search warrant at the home, but no other devices were found.

BISMARCK, N.D. – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic with funding from Congress included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and support from the federal U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), the North Dakota Department of Human Services will be issuing extra Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for March and April to some SNAP households in the state.

Gee encouraged North Dakotans who are having problems paying for food to apply for SNAP online at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/pubs/application.html or by contacting their local human service zone office, formerly known as a county social service office. Zone offices are temporarily restricting public access, she said, but are still providing services to North Dakotans by phone, email and fax. Contact information is online at www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/countysocialserv/index.html.

SNAP benefits are issued on electronic benefit cards called EBT cards and can only be used to purchase food items at grocery stores and other qualified USDA FNS retailers, including participating farmers markets.

In February 2020, the federally-funded program assisted about 22,910 low-income North Dakota households with their nutritional needs. On average, the monthly SNAP benefit per household was $242.

For more information about resources for individuals and families and the department’s response to COVID-19, visit www.nd.gov/dhs/info/covid-19/index.html.

WILLOW CITY, N.D. (Bismarck Tribune) — A small-town North Dakota bar owner who was cited five times in four days for violating Gov. Doug Burgum’s order to close downplayed risks from the coronavirus and said he prefers “a dangerous freedom to a peaceful slavery.” David Corum, owner of Gunslinger’s in Willow City, says he understands there’s “a face, there’s stories, there’s loved ones” associated with the virus but said “you also have to be realistic and pragmatic” about the scope of the problem. He says he’s not convinced “this pandemic is the threat they claim it is.”

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A medical marijuana dispensary that opened in North Dakota’s largest city a year ago was shut down Friday because of slow sales and regulatory delays due to the coronavirus. New York-based Acreage Holdings said it’s temporarily closing The Botanist in Fargo and one of its dispensaries in Maryland because of the “significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors that have greatly shifted the cannabis landscape.” The state Medical Marijuana Division Director was informed about the move about 20 minutes before the Fargo dispensary was set to open Friday. Division director Jason Wahl says no employees at the facility have tested positive for the coronavirus.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol have lifted an advisory which recommended against traveling on Interstate 29 from Fargo to the Canadian border because snow and strong winds. The slick conditions caused a state health department emergency response truck loaded with medical supplies to slide off a highway and crash northwest of Fargo in Steele County. KFGO reports officials say the truck loaded with masks, medical gloves and gowns was heavily damaged, but the driver wasn’t hurt.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota officials say they’re confident the state will have enough hospital beds and equipment to handle the coming flood of coronavirus cases. The one thing they’re worried about is having enough health care workers. Officials say the state should have 2,400 beds available by using existing facilities. They say the state could add 4,000 more beds by building temporary hospitals. The state Department of Health has stockpiled emergency supplies over the years. So there appears to be enough ventilators and protective gear for workers. However, doctors and nurses may need to come out of retirement if field hospitals are needed in Fargo and Bismarck.

MILWAUKEE (KFYR-TV) — A homicide suspect who was fleeing police in Milwaukee Friday morning ran a red light and caused a crash that left one person dead and another in critical condition, police said. WITI-TV reports the crash happened about 9:30 a.m. while federal marshals were pursuing an individual who was wanted on a warrant out of Minot, North Dakota. A 20-year-old woman died and a 23-year-old man was hurt. Dan Orr, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for North Dakota, identified the suspect as 27-year-old Donald Lee Cooper, Jr. KFYR-TV reports that Cooper was wanted on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder for the January death of 29-year-old Dominick Stephens in Minot.

In sports…

Bismarck (NDGF) While the upcoming weekend weather doesn’t necessarily remind us of spring, warmer weather is just around the corner. As the days get longer and temperatures rise, people naturally want to head outdoors. But this year it’s not business as usual.

North Dakota’s outdoors and its health benefits, including stress reduction, lower blood pressure, better sleep, and relief from anxiety, stress, and depression, are likely more important than ever. That’s why the North Dakota departments of Parks and Recreation and Game and Fish want to remind citizens who venture outdoors to avoid crowds and practice recommended social distancing.

Game and Fish Director Terry Steinwand,says,”We encourage people to get outside and fish and enjoy the outdoors, but we also need to practice the recommendations for minimizing the risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Especially for anglers at popular shore-fishing locations, Steinwand said a good rule of thumb is that if you can reach out with a fishing rod and touch the person fishing next to you, you’re too close. “In other situations, we urge people to follow the 6-foot separation guideline as well,” Steinwand added.

In world and national news…

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he will order ventilators be redeployed to overwhelmed hospitals from other places amid an alarming increase in COVID-19-related deaths. New York state tallied its biggest daily jump yet in deaths_ up 562 to 2,935. Almost 15,000 people were hospitalized. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is calling for a national enlistment program for doctors and nurses to handle an expected surge in coronavirus cases in New York and other places around the country.

(AP) Manufacturing giant 3M pushed back Friday against criticism from President Donald Trump over production of face masks that are badly needed by American health care workers. 3M suggested that the administration’s actions to procure more masks for the U.S. will backfire. The company also said the administration asked it to stop exporting medical-grade masks to Canada and Latin American nations, which it said raised “significant humanitarian implications” in those countries. The unusual but not unprecedented spat between the president and a leading American manufacturer broke out after Trump ordered 3M to produce as many N95 masks as administration officials believe are needed for the U.S.

(AP) Turkey is expanding a ban on people above the age of 65 from leaving homes to include youngsters aged 20 and below. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also says the wearing of masks in markets, supermarkets and other crowded places will become obligatory. The country is also barring entry and exits from 31 Turkish cities, except for the transportation of essential goods. The new coronavirus-related measures come into force at midnight.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks Friday were falling again on Wall Street, putting the market on track for its third down week in the last four. The S&P 500 was down 1.8% in early afternoon trading after having traded slightly higher in the early going. The losses, which grew steadily as the day wore on, were still milder than those that have rocked investors the last couple months. The drop came after the government reported that more than 700,000 jobs were lost last month, the latest of what is sure to be many grim indicators of the toll the coronavirus outbreak is is taking on the economy.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are zeroing in on health care as one of the few issues that might resonate among Americans who have largely shelved election year politics as they focus on protecting their families from the spreading coronavirus. Joe Biden, the prospective Democratic nominee, is blasting President Donald Trump for refusing to reopen “Obamacare” enrollment. Congressional candidates are slamming Republicans for not doing enough to protect access to health coverage. And on Capitol Hill, Democratic leaders are pushing for the next cornavirus response legislation. Democrats were always going to focus on health care after the issue helped them retake control of the House in 2018. But the coronavirus pandemic has added new urgency to the push.

NEW YORK (AP) — The federal government’s relief program for small businesses is off to a slow start, with few businesses able to apply and some big banks saying they’re not ready to process applications. Millions of small businesses are expected to apply for these desperately needed rescue loans from the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which was put in place to help them retain workers and pay bills during the coronavirus pandemic. Some large lenders like Wells Fargo, Huntington Bank and Bank of America said Friday that they are ready to go. But JPMorgan Chase only started accepting applications Friday afternoon after saying earlier that it wouldn’t.