Wayne Byers Show – Morning -Apr 9

CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 40s. Northwest winds 20 to 30mph.

.TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 20s. Southwest winds around 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.  Shifting to the southwest after midnight.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Southwest winds

5 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s. Southwest

winds around 5 mph shifting to the northwest after midnight.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain in the

afternoon. Highs in the lower 40s. North winds 10 to 15 mph.

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

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

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

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 30s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows 15 to 20.

.MONDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s.

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

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

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

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

Fast-moving snow showers this morning could briefly reduce
visibility below one mile.

 

 

Fargo  (INFORUM)   Up to 45,000 Essentia patients are being notified that medication or vaccines they received might have been compromised by improper temperature storage by a wholesale drug distributor.

The vaccines and medications were given to patients seen at clinics, including Fargo, Jamestown and Valley City in North Dakota and including Moorhead, Detroit Lakes and Ada in Minnesota.

The problem was discovered in February, when Essentia took over management and storage of medications from a former distributor, Essentia spokeswoman Tara Ekren said Wednesday, April 8.

Roughly half of those who could be affected received the flu vaccine. Essentia has written to patients to inform them of the possibility that injectable medications or vaccines they received might have been rendered less effective by improper storage.

In North Dakota, health officials referred the matter to the state Board of Pharmacy. Mark Hardy, the pharmacy board’s executive director, says, “We are opening an investigation into the matter and talking to the parties involved.  Decisions about the appropriateness of revaccinating any patients will have to be made individually by the patients’ physicians.”

Essentia says, “All of the patients who may have been affected by this issue are being contacted by Essentia Health to determine next steps for revaccination or treatment to ensure they are getting the full benefits of these treatments.”

According to an alert on Essentia’s website, a little more than 100 refrigerated injectable medications could have been compromised, but no “shelf stable” medications are at risk.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Fire Department was called to Edgewood Senior Living Center in Southwest Jamestown at 12:56-p.m., Wednesday.

Lt. Sheldon Mohr says, the cause of the fire was a failed fixture, that caused moderate smoke damage.  Residents, and staff were evacuated for about an hour.

No reports of injuries.  One employee was taken to JRMC for treatment of smoke inhalation and release.

Five city fire units and 22 fire fighters were on the scene for an hour.

 

Jamestown  (CVHD) – Stutsman County’s first positive case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been identified.  Central Valley Health District is working under the direction of the North Dakota Department of Health to identify people who have been in close contact with the affected individual.

According to Central Valley Health District Unit Administrator – Robin Iszler, “the public health department is following up with the infected person and is conducting an interview process to determine the individual’s close contacts.  We will reach out to those close contact individually and provide them with information and next steps.”

Robin Iszler, urges local residents to be prepared, but not panic.  “The community does not need to panic.  We need to continue practicing social distancing and monitoring symptoms for illness.”

Currently there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent being infected with the virus is to avoid exposure. As a community, we need to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. In order to do this, we ask you to do the following:

• practice social distance
• contact your healthcare provider if you are sick
• practice good hygiene; wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow
• disinfect frequently used items and surfaces

Positive COVID-19 Test Results
Results listed are from the previous day.

POSITIVE TEST RESULTS

• Woman in her 30s from Burleigh County, under investigation
• Female age 10-19 from Burleigh County, close contact
• Woman in her 20s from Burleigh County, community spread
• Man in his 40s from Cass County, community spread
• Man in his 30s from Cass County, close contact
• Woman in her 30s from Cass County, community spread
• Man in his 40s from Cass County, community spread
• Woman in her 90s from Cass County, close contact
• Man in his 60s from Cass County, close contact
• Woman in her 60s from Cass county, under investigation
• Female age 10-19 from Stark County, community spread
• Woman in her 60s from Stark County, community spread
• Male age 10-19 from Stark County, under investigation
• Woman in her 60s from Stutsman County, community spread

 

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

Updated

BY THE NUMBERS

8552 – Total Tested (+849 individuals from yesterday)

8301 – Negative (+835 individuals from yesterday)

251 – Positive (+14 individuals from yesterday)

34 – Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

16 – Currently Hospitalized (-2 individuals from yesterday)

98 – Recovered (+16 individual from yesterday)

4 – Death (+0 individuals from yesterday)

 

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

 

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.

 

For questions related to COVID-19, the public can call the North Dakota Department of Health hotline at 866-207-2880 from 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., 7 days/week or Central Valley Health District at 701-252-8130, 8:00 a.m. –  3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday.  Central Valley Health will be closed this Friday, April 10, for the Good Friday Holiday.  Individuals experiencing a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing; call your healthcare provider prior to going to the healthcare facility.

 

Jamestown  (NDD0H)  The North Dakota State Hospital in Jamestown is ramping up its COVID-19 preparedness efforts while maintaining specialized inpatient and residential care to individuals with severe, complex and persistent mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

State Hospital Superintendent Dr. Rosalie Etherington says,   “Our team members are working diligently to ensure that all patients continue to receive the appropriate and necessary behavioral health services needed to facilitate recovery.  We have been focusing on our COVID-19 preparedness efforts, and if any state hospital patients were to test positive, plans are in place to respond quickly.”

She said the state hospital created a unit to screen new patient admissions and to provide care should any patients test positive for COVID-19 but do not require regular medical or hospital services. Other emergency plans are in place to expand inpatient bed availability to meet needs.

The state hospital has the necessary personal protective gear and cleaning and disinfectant supplies on hand and meets safety standards as recommended by the North Dakota Department of Health. The hospital’s emergency management team is also collaborating regularly with state and local partners on COVID-19 emergency preparedness planning.

She adds, “We are taking every measure we can to protect our entire campus from the spread of the coronavirus. We are limiting group therapy sizes, modifying treatment settings, practicing social distancing, monitoring handwashing activities, screening all patients and staff for signs or symptoms and implementing other safety precautions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

A visitor restriction policy remains in place. It will be reviewed later this month for possible extension for another 30 days. Patients can continue to communicate with friends and family by phone, computers and other electronic devices.

She adds, “There is a tremendous team working around the clock at the North Dakota State Hospital during this uncertain time.  I am extremely grateful to each employee for their continued commitment to their work, the people we serve and to the community.”

For more information on the North Dakota Department of Human Services response to COVID-19, visit www.nd.gov/dhs/info/covid19/index.html. For details about the state’s COVID-19 response, visit www.ndresponse.gov.

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his daily News Briefing at the state capital, Wednesday afternoon., with and Bank of North Dakota President and CEO Eric Hardmeyer to provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota.

Burgum said, the latest COVID-19 report issued Wednesday morning, including a positive test of a woman in her 60’s from Stutsman County.  (See Separate Story)

14 Additional positive cases were reported, Wednesday morning from Tuesday.  The pool of people tested included the drive thru last weekend in western North Dakota.

He said continue to use sanitary measures, and observe social distancing, and wear face masks in public.  Limit gathering to people of no more than ten.

2600 critical care hospital beds are available.

An Executive Order concerns the Public Service Commission, and the State Land Commission suspends needing to have a physical location for public hearings and can now be held virtually.

Another Executive Order allow exchanges pf Personal Protective Equipment and medical equipment to the State Health Department, directly, and bypassing the state’s used equipment location.  He added more hand sanitizer is becoming available in the state, through regional producers.

The amended travel quarantine now allows workers in North Dakota and Minnesota to cross the border, including those in essential services and outdoor activities.  Social distancing when in outdoor activities.  The travel quarantine for people coming into North Dakota  from other states still applies, with a 14 day quarantine.

Bank of North Dakota President &CEO Eric Hardmeyer talked about financing, said take advantage to federal programs available  to assist local small businesses.

He said the Bank of North Dakota will assist local banks in delivering federal dollars for distribution.

Burgum said the North Dakota Department of Commerce will host another Business Briefing, at 11-a.m., Thursday, accessible on line at NDChamber.com

Burgum added with the Easter Holiday approaching he asks families to plan ahead and create ways to limit physical connecting with others, with various on line services, and church services, and Skype and other ways to connect with family members.

With unemployment, on Tuesday there were 1844 claims filed, bringing the total to 42,362 from March 16 through Tuesday.

Valley City  (CSi)  The  City of Valley City  hosted local government, and Public Health for a COVID-19 Briefing on Wednesday, April 8.

Each organization provided updates and information pertaining to recent developments in the COVID-19 response.

The briefing was closed the public to honor social distancing.

City-County Health District Administrator, Theresa Will said, the briefing is to give information on the collaboration of agencies, and entities, in the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said City-County Health workers are trained in contact tracing, of a person who has rested positive, with their close contacts, over the prior 14 days.  The guidelines follow the State Health Department.  Fit testing of face masks has been accomplished with 200 healthcare workers. City/County Health is accepting donations of masks to distribute.

She said as of 5-p.m. Barnes County has performed  59 COVID-19 tests.  Contact local healthcare providers by phone, before visiting them for healthcare needs.  She said local hospitals have beds available at this time for critical care needs in the event of a COVID-19 surge.   Hospitals have a no visitor policy, with the exception of patients at end of life.

Essentia Health will be testing ‘in house’ by later this week, without needing to send the tests to the state lab for results.  She urges observing social distancing, and frequent hand washing with soap and water, and not touch your face.  She said to attend church services, remotely, and arrange for gatherings on line through Skype, Zoom or other programs.

Barnes County Emergency Manager Sue Lloyd, said, on March, 20, 2020 the Barnes County Commission approved a state of emergency in the county, to access funds and resources.

A joint Emergency Operations Center has been established to share information among agencies to pass along to the public.

On the flooding update, she said the Sheyenne River in Valley crested Wednesday morning at 14.4 feet, expected to be steady the next week. Baldhill Dam level wasat 1263.5 feet.  The water outflow release on Wednesday was between 2900 and 3000 cfs. Some pumps have been installed in town to relieve pressure on the sewer system.

Valley City Mayor, Dave Carlsrud, said, next Wednesday April 15, 2020 another COVID-19 Briefing will be held at 5:30-p.m.

He said with the COVID-19 virus awareness, to not travel to Cass County where the positive cases are the highest in the state.   He urges social distancing, and hand washing.

He added that social distancing is a good rule to be adhered to, along with using common sense,  will lessen the needs for a lockdown in Valley City.

He reminded citizens to fill out and return, the census form, and beware of scammers who ask for money in connection with utilizing the census form.  He said to respect others during this time, and spend time with friends and family on line.

Bill Carlblom – Barnes County Commission Chairman, Bill Carlblom said, at the county level, the courthouse is closed to walk-ins.  With voting in the Jun 9 elections, voting will be done by mail-in ballot only, with no physical location, with drop boxes to be available.  He added a good number of county roads that are washed out, or water covered.  He urges motorists to observe barricades, and report to the county any areas that need to be barricaded.

He said during Friday’s the courthouse is not occupied, with staff working from home. Other days, the staff can be reached at the courthouse by phone, or on line.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68.  Members of the public can view the replay on CSi Cable 68 and CSi TV 10 – The Replay Channel.

 

Jamestown  (Chamber) Members of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee and the Young Professionals of Jamestown presented the Customer Service Award for March to Thelma Gackle of Servicemaster for her outstanding customer service.  The chamber honors individuals who demonstrate a consistent commitment to delivering products or services that satisfy customers by exceeding their requirements or expectations.

 

Her nomination said, “Thelma has been cleaning my employer’s building for years. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that we are taken care of as a client of Service Master but she also cares about us as people. She makes sure to wish all of our team members Happy Birthday and helps us celebrate other milestones such as additions to our families and promotions of our team members. She will even go out of her way to cook us new meals to try from her culture and shares her apples and garden vegetables with us every year! We couldn’t ask for a better friend than Thelma to keep us in line and keep our bank looking clean!”

 

Congratulations to Thelma, who along with all the other monthly winners, will be recognized at the Chamber’s annual banquet in January 2021.  Customer Service Award nomination forms are available at the Chamber office and on their website at www.jamestownchamber.com or call 701-252-4830.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  Now in place,  South Central Adult Services is not be charging fares in their bus service area:  Barnes, LaMoure, Foster, Logan, McIntosh, Griggs, Emmons and Nelson counties.   The does NOT include the taxi service.

Director Pat Hansen says they are receiving assistance from the Federal Transit Administration and want to pass it on to riders.

Jamestown  (City of Jamestown) – Jamestown Public Works informs motorists of  a road closure beginning Thursday April 9, 2020, beginning at 7-am through April 10  for storm sewer replacement.

The area is 7th Ave NW between 4th St NW and 5th St NW.

Motorist’s should use extreme caution in this area. The schedule is contingent upon weather conditions.

For more information, contact the Engineering department at 252-5900 or email engineering@jamestownnd.gov

Bismarck   – The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality announced today that its State Revolving Fund (SRF) Programs awarded loans to four communities in March.

Jamestown received  $2,123,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan for watermain rehabilitation, hydrants, gate valves and pressure-reducing manhole/valves. This project will ensure the reliable and safe distribution of water.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides part of the funding for the SRF Programs, which offer below-market interest rate loans to political subdivisions for financing projects authorized under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.

In sports…

Valley City  (VCPS)  Valley City High School Activities Director Mike Schultz has announced The  Hi-Liners have a new head volleyball coach.  Rebekah De Pesa  replaces Mattie Cruff who resigned in January after two years as the Hi-Liner coach.

BISMARCK, N.D. (Bismarck Tribune) — The University of Mary Fieldhouse is being transformed to a hospital for coronavirus patients. With students gone from the university, the North Dakota National Guard and state health officials have set up more than 200 cots and health stations in the fieldhouse. Similar plans are underway for the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University. The Bismarck Tribune reports the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sent out teams last week to assess potential sites in Bismarck and Fargo. Health officials would only turn to the university facilities if hospitals couldn’t handle a surge in patients.

National sports…

Continuing effects of the COVID-19 Virus

The NFL’s  2020 draft will be a three-day fundraiser to help six charities dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

The “Draft-A-Thon” will be featured during the draft April 23-25 to raise money for non-profits selected by the NFL Foundation. Among the charities are the American Red Cross, CDC Foundation’s All of Us, Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund, the Salvation Army, and United Way’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement that the Draft-A-Thon will deliver much-needed funding to many who are suffering as well as those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In other developments related to the coronavirus:

— Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp says that officials believe a 13-game college football schedule would be possible even if the start of the season were delayed until October because of the new coronavirus. Sharp added Wednesday that there are many unknowns about football season because of the pandemic that has killed thousands and shut down sports across the globe.

— The track world championships in Eugene, Oregon, have been rescheduled for July 15-24, 2022. The event was pushed back a year because the Tokyo Olympics were delayed until 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The track worlds were originally scheduled for Aug. 6-15, 2021.

— Formula One says it will furlough half of its staff until the end of May and senior executives will take pay cuts amid the coronavirus pandemic. F1 says senior leadership figures will take “voluntary pay cuts while still continuing to work and not in furlough,” and CEO Chase Carey will take a “much deeper” pay cut. F1 has postponed eight races so far this season and the Monaco Grand Prix has been canceled. The season is currently scheduled to begin in France on June 28. More postponements are likely to turn into cancellations, but F1 has said it is still hoping to stage between 15 and 18 races out of the original 22.

— The president of the International Paralympic Committee says the body has “cash-flow” problems because of the Olympic and Paralympic postponement until 2021. Andrew Parsons says about 5% of spending is being cut from the IPC’s budget. Parsons says the problem is due partly to broadcast rights holders who want to delay their payments until the product is delivered. Parsons says it’s not a question of “losing money” but rather some temporary belt tightening.

— The players and coach on Switzerland’s national soccer team have declined to take more than $1 million of payments that were due from their federation in 2020. The team was scheduled to play in the now-postponed European Championship in June and had two games in Qatar canceled last month because of the coronavirus pandemic. The shutdown of games has cost the Swiss soccer body millions of dollars. Federation chairman Dominique Blanc says it’s a “magnificent gesture” from the players. Blanc tested positive for the virus three weeks ago. Team captain Stephan Lichtsteiner says, “we wanted to set an example and show solidarity.”

— A two-time Olympic finalist in the 800 meters has died after getting infected with the coronavirus. The Italian Olympic Committee announced the death of Donato Sabia at 56. Sabia finished fifth in the 800 at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and seventh at the 1988 Seoul Games.

— A groom who worked at Belmont Park has died of coronavirus complications. The New York Racing Association says Martin Zapata died Tuesday. The 63-year-old native of Panama had spent the past two years working for trainer Tom Morley in New York, which has been hard-hit by the pandemic. NYRA says Zapata tested positive for COVID-19 on March 24 and was hospitalized two days later. He lived and worked at Belmont Park.

— The opening of the stable area and training track at Saratoga in upstate New York is being delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. The training track was set to open April 15. The New York Racing Association says it has yet to decide an appropriate date to safely open. Saratoga’s racing season is still scheduled to begin on July 16 and run through Sept. 7.

NFL-NEWS

Brady says time was right to change teams

UNDATED (AP) — Quarterback Tom Brady says it was time for a change.

Brady appeared on SiriusXM’s “The Howard Stern Show” for about two hours Wednesday and discussed a myriad of topics, including his decision to leave the New England Patriots. The six-time Super Bowl winner said he was ready for a new challenge when he elected to become a free agent and signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month.

Brady reiterated he has no hard feelings about coach Bill Belichick (BEHL’-ih-chik) not making him a Patriot for life. He added that so many wrong assumptions were made about his relationship with Belichick, or about how Belichick felt about him.

In other NFL news:

— The Falcons are moving to black pants with black jerseys for their home uniforms in 2020. Those changes are part of a redesign the team says respects past fashion choices with updates “to match the modern progression of Atlanta.” The team’s first redesign in 17 years also include white jerseys and white pants for road uniforms. The Falcons will continue to use black helmets.

MLB-HAMILTON-INDICTMENT

Ex-Rangers star indicted

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Former Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton has been indicted on a felony charge of injury to a child after his teenage daughter accused him of beating her.

A Tarrant County grand jury indicted the 38-year-old Hamilton on Monday. He remains free on $30,000 bond after he turned himself in to authorities on Oct. 30. If convicted, he faces a prison sentence of two to 10 years in prison.

Hamilton’s attorneys say the Rangers Hall of Famer is innocent of the charge. His 14-year-old daughter told her mother, Hamilton’s ex-wife, that her father struck her after he became enraged by a comment from her.

According to an affidavit by a Keller Police Department detective, Hamilton’s daughter told police that he went on a rampage Sept. 30.

NHL-DRAFT

Lafrenière tops list of NHL draft-eligible prospects

UNDATED (AP) — Forward Alexis Lafrenière remained No. 1 when the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s released its final ranking of draft-eligible prospects Wednesday, while German forward Tim Stuetzle was ranked as the top European prospect.

Lafrenière was leading the Quebec Major Junior League with 112 points on 35 goals and 77 assists in 52 games when play was canceled by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sudbury Wolves center Quinton Byfield and Erie Otters defenseman Jamie Drysdale are ranked second and third among North American prospects.

The draft can’t feasibly be held until the playoffs are completed or the entire season canceled. The draft had been scheduled for Montreal in late June.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a first, small step toward reopening the country, the Trump administration has issued new guidelines to make it easier for essential workers who have been exposed to COVID-19 get back to work — if they have no symptoms. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says essential employees, such as health care and food supply workers, who had been within 6 feet of a confirmed or suspected case of the coronavirus can return to work under certain circumstances. The CDC recommends taking their temperature before shifts, wearing face masks and practicing social distancing.

(AP)  The general election for president is underway between President Donald Trump and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. The former vice president’s last major rival, Bernie Sanders, announced Wednesday he was ending his campaign. Sanders’ decision concludes a fiery and public intraparty battle that has been tearing at the fabric of the Democratic Party. Sanders says he will continue to work toward the defeat of the Republican president. But Sanders suggested in an interview on CBS’ “Late Show” he hopes to see Biden move in a more progressive direction. Neither Trump nor Biden has formally received his party’s nomination, but they will be the standard-bearers barring an unforeseen event.

 

BERLIN (AP) — Leaders are warning that hard-won gains in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic must not be jeopardized by relaxing social distancing practices during Easter. A spike in deaths in Britain and New York and surges of reported new infections in Japan and in India’s congested cities make it clear that the battle is far from over. The warnings come even as the U.S. and some of the hardest-hit European countries are considering when to start easing restrictions. The sharp rise in Japan is worrisome since it has the world’s oldest population. India is already under a lockdown but it took a further step to seal hot spots and not allow residents to leave.

 

 

MOSCOW (AP) — A U.S.-Russian space crew has blasted off to the International Space Station following a tight quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic. NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Roscosmos’ Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner lifted off as scheduled Thursday from the Russian-operated Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Their Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft is set to dock at the station six hours later. Russian space officials have taken extra precautions to protect the crew during pre-flight preparations as the coronavirus outbreak has swept the world. Speaking to journalists Wednesday from Baikonur, Cassidy said the crew has been in “a very strict quarantine” for the past month and is in good health.