Wayne Byers Show Weekdays on CSi 2

CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the evening. Lows 15 to 20. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.  Chance of snow 40 percent.

.TUESDAY…Increasing clouds. Highs in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 15 to 20. North winds around

5 mph shifting to the southwest after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 40. North winds around

10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 20s.

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

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

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s.

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

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 60.

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

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

 

OMAHA, Neb – (USACE)  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, is increasing reservoir releases at Jamestown and Pipestem dams in North Dakota to begin evacuating spring snowmelt runoff.

On Monday, the current pool elevation at Jamestown Dam was 1439.1 ft., approximately 18% into its flood pool. The reservoir is rising due to spring snowmelt. Releases will be increased by 200 cubic feet per second each day until a rate of 800 cfs is reached. With the goal of evacuating flood storage by June 1.

The current pool elevation at Pipestem Dam is 1470.9 ft., measuring approximately 35% into its flood pool and also rising due to spring snowmelt. A small release of 50 cfs was initiated Monday. It is expected this release will remain constant until June 15.

USACE will attempt to follow normal evacuation targets of June 1 at Jamestown Dam and Sept. 1 at Pipestem Dam. The maximum combined releases are not expected to exceed 1,200 cfs, but above-normal precipitation could impact the forecast

Bismarck    Governor Doug Burgum held his daily news briefing on Monday afternoon, at the State Capital in Bismarck.

He related that VCSU, and VCPS in Valley City, are manufacturing 3D printed Faces Masks.

An individual from Bismarck is making earguards.

He announced, 23 new cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus. The figure represents the third highest single-day increase in cases since the state’s outbreak began in mid-March.

He said not reflected in the results released on Monday morning, another COVID-19 death was reported, a man in his 80’s from Morton County, who had underlying health conditions and was in close contact with another positive person.

Updated to reflect that there were zero new deaths from Sunday. The current number of individuals who died with COVID-19 continues to be eight.

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

 

POSITIVE TEST RESULTS

  • Woman in her 40s from Burleigh County, under investigation
  • Man in his 20s from Cass County, close contact
  • Woman in her 70s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Man in his 40s from Cass County, close contact
  • Woman in her 20s from Cass County, community spread
  • Woman in her 50s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Woman in her 30s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Woman in her 30s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Woman in her 60s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Woman in her 20s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Man in his 30s from Dunn County, under investigation
  • Man in his 20s from McKenzie County, household contact
  • Male age 10-19 from McKenzie County, household contact
  • Man in his 30s from Morton County, under investigation
  • Man in his 30s from Mountrail County, community spread
  • Man in his 30s from Mountrail County, community spread
  • Woman in her 20s from Mountrail County, possible travel
  • Woman in her 40s from Mountrail County, household contact
  • Woman in her 40s from Mountrail County, under investigation
  • Male age 10-19 from Mountrail County, household contact
  • Woman in her 30s from Richland County, close contact
  • Woman in her 20s from Stark County, close contact
  • Man in his 20s from Stark County, under investigation

 

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

 

BY THE NUMBERS

10,781– Total Tested (+431 individuals from yesterday)

10,450– Negative (+408 individuals from yesterday)

331 – Positive (+23 individuals from yesterday)

40 – Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

13 – Currently Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

127 – Recovered (+6 individuals from yesterday)

8 – Death (+0 individual 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 FacebookTwitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Burgum said planning continues to identify additional hospital bed capacity if a surge of positive cases require hospitalization.

Burgum Monday signed an executive order allowing for changes necessary to maintain critical operations for vulnerable youths being served in Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities and Qualified Residential Treatment Programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Burgum said, “These are challenging times for these facilities, and often responses and decisions need to be made quickly for the safety of youth and families.  We remain committed to ensuring that youths and families receive quality care while also following CDC guidelines and social distancing practices.”

North Dakota has six Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities with a total of 82 beds: Luther Hall in Fargo, Pride Manchester House in Bismarck, Ruth Meiers Adolescent Treatment Center in Grand Forks, and Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Bismarck, Fargo and Minot.

The state has four Qualified Residential Treatment Programs with a total of 92 beds:  Home On The Range in Beach, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Minot and Fargo, and Charles Hall Youth and Family Services in Bismarck.

The facilities worked with the North Dakota Department of Human Services to identify necessary changes.

 

With veterans, Burgum updated veterans information, and said the state has 50,000 veterans, with 6500 active military personnel. He said, as of Monday no COVID-19 cases have been reported in the veteran’s home, where there is limited visitation, and a waiting list for new residents. The state will connect with the VA in Washington later this week to share information.

With the veterans clinics call ahead before needing to visit, with screenings required.

The VA Hospital in Fargo has added beds, if the need becomes necessary with a patient surge, and is seeking donations of homemade face masks.

He said domestic violence cases have increased, due to isolation within homes and he pointed out if anyone feels they are in a dangerous situation to contact a local office (such as SAFE Shelter in Jamestown) and their domestic violence hot line.

With the CARE-19 phone app, for contact tracing, Burgum said 16,000 participants are using the service in North Dakota.

With unemployment, since March 16, 2020, 48,158 regular claims were filed, with a total of two types of pandemic claims at 5,000 so far this month.

He closed by saying “gratitude,” supports health, and creates a state of emotional “prosperity.”

He suggested to connect with others during this uncertain time.

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Another COVID-19 Joint Briefing with City of Jamestown/Stutsman County, is on Tuesday at 2:30-p.m.

Presentations are expected from:  Central Valley Health District, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, University of Jamestown, North Dakota State Hospital, and Safe Shelter.

The meeting will be  shown live and replays on CSi Cable 67 and 10 The Replay Channel.

For the CSi Live Stream to to CSiNewsNow.com for the link.

 

Valley City  (CHI)  In a statement from CHI Mercy Health, due to the ongoing and increasing COVID19 threat, CHI Mercy Health is increasing visitor restrictions to NO VISITORS.

Use Main Entrance Door #1.
Updated Visitor exceptions include:

  • Pediatric patients will be allowed 1 adult
    · Patients requiring caregivers
    · Critical care/End-of-life will be determined by unit manager
    · All visitors will be screened upon arrival to the hospital

Hospital President Keith Heuser said, “we’re strongly encouraging anyone who is suspicious of or concerned with COVID-19 exposure to PLEASE CALL 701-845-6400 FIRST prior to coming to the hospital / Emergency Room. Screening questions will be used during the phone call. These along with additional screening procedures have been implemented to keep our patients and staff safe.

Additionally, CHI Mercy Health issued this community board memo in a news release to the media on April 13th.

“We hope this finds you and your loved ones well. We want to stay in touch and keep you informed on developments across our ministry at CHI Mercy Health.

The health and safety of our employees, patients, visitors, and communities – are our highest priorities. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we continue to adjust our policies to help maintain everyone’s well-being.

The CDC recently released information that reports that even though one in four patients infected by COVID-19 are asymptomatic, they may still be contagious and might be able to pass on the virus to others. In light of this new information, we are acting now instead of later across our ministry.

We are moving forward with a universal masking policy for our staff and anyone entering CHI Mercy Health effective April 9, 2020. This means all of our employees in patient care areas will wear an appropriate mask while performing their duties in our facilities. Our guidance states that cloth masks are appropriate in certain non-patient areas of our hospital. Please wear a mask upon entering our facility.

By adopting universal masking, we are working ahead of the curve with the North Dakota Department of Health and CDC guidance. You can help. Donations of cloth masks will be accepted. They can be dropped off at our facility.

Thank you again for all of your support and for your steadfast commitment to CHI Mercy Health and to our mission.

Please keep our dedicated caregivers and the patients they serve in your thoughts and prayers.

Keith Heuser

President

CHI Mercy Health

Valley City & Lisbon

Valley City  (CSi)  Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive Kay Vinje has forwarded a letter from Valley City Mayor, Dave Carslrud, regarding a message concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, and a reminder about filling out 2020 Census information.

Dave Carlsrud

Mayor Carlsrud Stated:

  • We have been Blessed to date as COVID-19 positives tests have been few in our area. Keep up your good work with Social Distancing. Cass, Burleigh and Stark are the counties with the most COVID-19 cases ….. AVOID an exposure whenever possible!
  • Can we “relax our efforts”? NO!   North Dakota cases went over 300 Easter Sunday so complacency is our enemy. The COVID-19 is steadily moving our direction and North Dakota cases have not peaked!
  • A really difficult part of Social Distancing includes family and friends. Protect each other; you can make a difference.

Census 2020:

  • Census 2020 time is here and it is financially ($$$$) important to ALL of us and Census 2020 is LEGITIMATE. Each person counted will generate about $19,100.00 in Federal Aid to our area.  You should have received forms in a mailing, they can be completed and mailed or you can complete online.  BE COUNTED J

Financial Challenges:

  • With the COVID-19 Pandemic comes financial Challenges for families and businesses. Please go out of your way to “buy what you can at home”.  Profits for local businesses are critical for wages and reinvestment in our community.  Our car dealers can find most anything you want J.  A portion of our sales tax is used for Property Tax Buy-down.  When sales tax is down, so is the amount of money available for your property tax buy-down L.
  • Business owners, be sure to research the grants and loans our government is making available. APPLY for any and all you can find.

Dave Carlsrud

 

Jamestown  (CSi) Notice from Eddy Funeral Home:  Due to the current pandemic, Eddy Funeral Home will be upholding the regulations given to us by the CDC and Governor Doug Burgum. This includes; no more than 10 people gathering in the funeral home or at the cemetery.

Jamestown  (CSi) Jamestown Public Works informs motorists that beginning Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at approximately 7:30 am and continuing through Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 5th St SE between 6th Ave SE and 7th Ave SE will be temporarily closed to through traffic.

Also, Beginning Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at approximately 7:30 am and continuing through Thursday, April 16, 2020, the intersection of 9th St SE and 2nd Ave SE will be temporarily closed.
Motorist’s should use extreme caution in this area.
PLEASE NOTE:
The above schedule is contingent upon weather conditions.
For more information, contact the Engineering department at 252-5900 or email engineering@jamestownnd.gov

 

Bismarck (ND Attorney General’s Office) – The state’s new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has filed charges to begin prosecution of its first case.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, says, n January 2020, the Pembina County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) regarding an ongoing investigation into alleged theft of narcotics at a long-term care facility. The MFCU concluded the investigation, and Director Marina Spahr has filed felony charges in Pembina County District Court against Charlotte Kay Reilly, age 32, of Crystal, North Dakota, for theft of prescription medication and reckless endangerment.

The charges stem from alleged acts committed in 2017, when Reilly was a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Borg Pioneer Memorial Home in Pembina County. Reilly was responsible for administering prescribed narcotic pain medications to the residents in her care. In November 2017, Reilly’s employment was terminated after it was concluded that she was both diverting prescription pain medication that was intended for residents and substituting patient pain medication with over the counter medications.

Reilly is charged with eleven Class C felony offenses, for which the penalty of each is up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of ten thousand dollars, or both, and one Class B misdemeanor offense.

Reilly has been summoned to appear in Court and bond will be set at that appearance.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit was established by the legislature in 2019 and is a division of the Office of Attorney General. The division is responsible for investigating allegations of Medicaid fraud ranging from medical professionals charging Medicaid for services not provided, to diversion of medications and patient abuse at facilities receiving Medicaid funds.

Update…

Devils Lake  (NDHP) —The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports,  a 44 year old Devils Lake man was killed Friday, in a tractor, semi accident, around 4pm.

Eric Beaver,  drove his semi into the back of a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 8 miles east of Leeds, ND.   Beaver forced the Silverado, a 1974 Allis-Chalmers tractor and his semi off the road.

The driver of the Silverado, 66 year old Bradford Webster, of Devils Lake, was airlifted to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks with serious injuries. The 68 year old driver of the tractor, 68 year old Steven Webster  from Devils Lake, was airlifted to CHI Saint Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake, where he died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Beaver was not injured.

The incident remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

 

In sports…

Montgomery, Ala. (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has died in a one-car crash near his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says the 36-year-old Jackson was killed Sunday night when the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro he was driving went off the road, struck a tree and overturned. Jackson was pronounced dead at a hospital. The crash remains under investigation. Jackson was hired as quarterbacks coach for Tennessee State last season after a 10-year NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll posted a Twitter message calling Jackson “a beloved teammate, competitor, and Seahawk.”

Philadelphia  –  Pete Retzlaff, a captain and integral part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 1960 NFL championship team, died Friday of natural causes, the team announced. He was 88.

Retzlaff played for the Eagles from 1956-1966. When he retired, he was the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (452) and receiving yards (7,412). He was named to the Eagles’ Hall of Fame in 1989.

Retzlaff, who wore No. 44, is one of only nine Eagles to have his number retired.

“Pete’s legacy goes far beyond the success he was able to achieve on the field,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “He gave so much to this organization and to our sport as a player, general manager, broadcaster, and leader of the NFLPA.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR driver Kyle Larson used a racial slur on a live stream during a virtual race and has been suspended by NASCAR and without pay by his team. Larson was competing in an iRacing event when he appeared to lose communication on his headset with his spotter. He said during a check of his microphone “you can’t hear me?” That was followed by the N-word. The star driver apologized, saying there was “no excuse” for his comment. Larson is half Japanese and his grandparents spent time in an interment camp in California. He is the second driver in a week to draw scrutiny while using the online racing platform.

In world and national news…

NEW YORK (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says New York’s death toll from coronavirus has topped 10,000, with hospitals still seeing 2,000 new patients a day. The death tally hit the milestone only about a month after the state recorded its first death. The state tallied 671 new deaths on Sunday. It was the first time in a week the daily toll dipped below 700. Still, the governor noted Monday that people are still dying at a “horrific level of pain and grief and sorrow.” Meanwhile, New York City’s health department says the city is in danger of running out of swabs for COVID-19 tests and should test only hospitalized patients.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is asserting that he is the ultimate decision-maker for determining how and when to relax the social distancing guidelines put in place because of the coronavirus. But it is unclear what authority he has to overrule the states. Trump’s claim that he could force governors to reopen their states follows weeks he spent arguing that he didn’t believe he should pressure states to impose stay-at-home restrictions. Trump has been bristling at criticism that his plan to reopen will cost lives and extend the outbreak. He’s eager to restart an economy that has plummeted during the virus outbreak.

(AP) Scientists in Brazil have stopped part of a study of a malaria drug touted as a possible coronavirus treatment after heart rhythm problems developed in one-quarter of people given the higher of two doses being tested. Chloroquine and a similar drug, hydroxychloroquine, have been pushed by President Donald Trump after some early tests suggested the drugs might curb the virus from entering cells. But the drugs are known to have potentially serious side effects. Only 81 out of the planned 440 participants had been enrolled in the Brazilian study when scientists saw that many in the higher dose group developed abnormal heartbeats.

 

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders has endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy. The two former rivals made a joint online appearance on Monday. Sanders says he’s asking all Americans to come together to support Biden’s candidacy, which he says he also supports. The backing is a crucial development for Biden, who must bridge the Democratic Party’s ideological divide to unify voters against President Donald Trump in the fall. Biden and Sanders clashed throughout the primary over policy issues such as “Medicare for All.” The endorsement stands in contrast to the extended 2016 fight between Sanders and Hillary Clinton, who became the nominee that year.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign is suing a Wisconsin TV station for running an anti-Trump commercial that it says is false. The commercial by the Democratic super PAC Priorities USA pieces together audio clips of the president downplaying the threat of the virus. The lawsuit alleges the ad splices together the clips in a misleading way. The station, WJFW-TV, declined to comment on the lawsuit filed Monday in Wisconsin state court. Priorities USA chairman Guy Cecil said the ad contains Trump’s own words and the president is simply trying to bully a station from running an ad that is critical of him.