– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Apr 16

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Fire Department was called to a dumpster fire Wednesday, April 15, at 1:19-p.m. behind Tractor Supply Co. in Southwest Jamestown.

Lt. Sheldon Mohr says four city fire units and 18 firefighters were on the scene about 30 minutes.

He says the probable cause of the fire was smoking materials with damage to the dumpster estimated at about $1,000.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Rural Fire Department was called out about 1:17 p.m. Wednesday, to 8600 35th Street Southeast, on the paved road that leads to Cavendish, Farms.

Rural Fire Chief, Brian Paulson said a road maintainer came off gravel by Cavendish with a low blade that threw sparks in the ditch, causing spot fires that spread for about a mile.

No appreciable damage was reported.

Four units and eight firefighters were on the scene, about 30 minutes.

Valley City (CSi) Word has been received that former Valley City Mayor, 91 year old Ty Peterson, passed away, Wednesday April 15, 2020 at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City.

He was a longtime resident, and funeral director in Valley City.

Arrangements in the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, in Valley City.

Valley City (CSi) The City of Valley City hosted a COVID-19 Response briefing Wednesday evening, at City Hall, closed to the public in observance of Social Distancing, providing accurate information.

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

On hand were officials from City-County Health District, South Central Human Service Center, and Local Government:

City-County Health District, Administrator, Theresa Will said, the agency continues to serve clients by appointment, along with Homecare workers seeing clients.

She added at City/County Health District has performed 67 COVID-19 tests, with two positives, who were tested outside Barnes County.

She said with symptoms two of those now, are the number to be tested.

She urged everybody to keep a contact journal, if in contact with people within six feet for more than ten minutes. The agency continues to do fit testing of masks for essential care workers. She encourages that people wear masks in public. They also continue to partner with community resources. The phone number is 845-8518.

She said Barnes County is well supplied with Person Protective Equipment.

Valley City Site Director for South Central Human Service Center Chelsea Modin outlined services provided, and pointed to social isolation that is occurring during the pandemic, and stress related to job loss, and disruption of routine. She encourages contact with friends, with skype, or other on line social media available, including virtual tours. She added that those asking for triage, will be asked a series of questions, in order to determine the course of support. The phone number is 701-253-6300.

Bill Carlblom – Barnes County Commission Chairman, Bill Carlsblom reminded citizens that the June 9 elections will be mail-in only. Those needing assistance can call the county courthouse to make an appointment. He said the sheriff’s office’s biggest concerns of lack of social distancing.

He added that with county rural roads, many are baricaided, and to leave those barriciades in place. He added that the Barnes County Courthouse is not available on Friday’s, otherwise it is being staff, with no access to walk-ins, Call the courthouse with question or to set up an appointment to see a staff member.

Valley City Mayor Dave Carlsrud said, the perfect snow melt, as led to a good scenario in the water levels on the Sheyenne, and at Lake Ashtabula. Unless a heavy rain event occurs the outlook for a non-flood event.

He reminded residents to fill out and submit the forms.

He noted stress on local business with restrictions, including on customers, noting business income is down, along with sales tax revenue. and urges residents to buy local in Valley City. He pointed out that sales tax revenues go toward lowering property taxes.

He pointed out local assistance for businesses struggle with finances.

He added that North Dakota positive COVID-19 cases, continue to increase, and noted Cass and Clay Counties with high positives that poses a threat to those traveling there, and he recommends essential travel only. Visit local businesses and then return home.

He recommends getting outside, and observe social distancing, even being outdoors.

He stresses the continuance of social distancing to slow the spread and flatten the curve of positive cases, as North Dakota has yet to see the apex of virus.

The briefing was shown live on CSi Cable 68, followed by replays and on CSi 10 The Replay Channel.

Bismarck (CSi) Governor Doug Burgum held his daily COVIC-19 Response News Briefing on Wednesday afternoon at the State Capital in Bismarck. He was joined by Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer and Homeland Security Director Cody Schulz.

Health officials have announced 24 cases of COVID-19 cases,the largest single-day increase in cases of the coronavirus in North Dakota.

Governor Burgum said of those three individuals are under the age of 20.

NDDoH

Wed. Apr 15, 2020

11-a.m.

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

POSITIVE TEST RESULTS

Male age 10-19 from Cass County, community spread
Man in his 50s from Cass County, community spread
Woman in her 20s from Cass County, community spread
Man in his 50s from Cass County, close contact
Man in his 40s from Cass County, community spread
Woman in her 60s from Cass County, under investigation
Male age 10-19 from Cass County, under investigation
Man in his 20s from Cass County, community spread
Woman in her 70s from Cass County, under investigation
Man in his 40s from Cass County, under investigation
Man in his 30s from Cass County, under investigation
Woman in her 40s from Cass County, under investigation
Man in his 40s from Grand Forks County, community spread
Man in his 30s from Grand Forks County, under investigation
Woman in her 50s from Grand Forks County, community spread
Woman in her 30s from Grand Forks County, community spread
Man in his 40s from Grand Forks County, community spread
Man in his 20s from Grand Forks County, community spread
Man in his 40s from Grand Forks County, community spread
Male age 10-19 from Grand Forks County, under investigation
Man in his 40s from McKenzie County, close contact
Man in his 40s from McLean County, under investigation
Man in his 40s from Mountrail County, under investigation
Man in his 20s from Mountrail County, under investigation

400 tests are backlog, at the state lab, due to technical issues.

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

BY THE NUMBERS

11,317 – Total Tested (+401 individuals from yesterday)

10,952 – Negative (+377 individuals from yesterday)

365 – Positive (+24 individuals from yesterday)

44 – Hospitalized (+2 individuals from yesterday)

13 – Currently Hospitalized (+0 individuals from yesterday)

142 – Recovered (+4 individuals from yesterday)

9 – 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 Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Burgum spoke about the business restrictions previously implemented to slow the spread of COVID-19. He said the restrictions set to expire on April 20, 2020 have been extended ten days, to April 30, 2020. because the state is not safely in a position to lift them. He pointed out the number of positive cases on the rise. The April 30 date, may or may not be extended.

A Grand Forks wind turbine manufacturing facility halted production after an outbreak among employees there. LM Wind Power declined to say when or how many workers have tested positive. The company says it has temporarily halted production to disinfect and clean the facility that employs about 900 workers.

Burgum said the restrictions in place have helped in keeping the positive numbers relatively low including social distancing, and good hygiene practices, staying home if sick, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding social gatherings of more than ten people, and other practices, including limiting or halting visitations to healthcare facilities and nursing homes. It also includes restrictions limiting business access.

The North Dakota Smart approach to reopening businesses and other facilities, include, widespread rapid testing, robust contact tracing, protections for the most vulnerable, and being prepared for a second spike in positive cases, plus other protections in the work places, including employees wearing masks.

A new blood testing, using a finger prick looks to be more accurate in testing for those currently infected, and indicates past positives in individuals.

With a commerce update, concerning ND Smart Restart was North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer. Highlights included a background of what has been accomplished to support businesses. She updated the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and how to access it. For businesses, the Payroll Protection Program has so far issued 8,232 loans.

She reminded business to access NDResponse.gov for more information, on loans and other commerce related information, including links to resources. Plus SBA.com. She said ndchamber.com is also available to businesses.

Burgum added that the March state revenues showed revenues in tax collections were ahead of projections.

With water and flood protections he pointed out that the state is monitoring the flood update.

Homeland Security Director Cody Schulz., noted flooding concerns, and an increase in flood insurance policies issued, an 18 percent increase, this year. He pointed out Wednesday’ road closures due to water either closing or creating water over the roadway.

He pointed out that the Jamestown and Pipestem Dam releases have been increased as snow melt from the north continues to enter the reservoirs.

Burgum pointed out the website, behavioralhealth.nd.gov is a good source of support, including for people struggling with emotions and information concerning suicide prevention. The National Suicide Prevention support phone number is 1-800-273-8255.

With unemployment, over 51,000 regular claims have been filed, between March 16, 2020 and Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in addition to claims under the pandemic unemployment. Burgum says those approved for pandemic jobless claims are starting to be paid out, in addition to regular unemployment claims.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Community Prayer meeting will be online. Those wishing to participate is asked to email Jamestowncpm@gmail.com and download the free Zoo app at https://zoom.us/ . To join Saturday April 18, from 10 to 10:30 a.m., you will receive an invitation that you click on to participate.

BISMARCK, N.D. (Bismarck Tribune) — Bismarck city commissioners have rejected a request by local restaurant owners to temporarily allow them to sell alcohol with takeout orders. Several North Dakota cities have made such adjustments to help restaurants deal with a reduction in business because of the coronavirus stay-at-home order. Mandan is one city allowing restaurants to sell sealed cans or bottles of alcohol with takeout meals. The Bismarck Tribune reports Mayor Steve Bakken said restaurants have typically told the city that alcohol is an add-on and that food is their primary source of revenue. Commissioner Nancy Guy said at Tuesday’s meeting that alcohol is still available to area residents at liquor stores.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A top state oil regulator estimates that North Dakota producers have idled thousands of wells as the U.S. oil industry crashed during the coronavirus outbreak. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms said Tuesday that companies have shut in 4,600 wells since the start of March. The Bismarck Tribune reports the idled wells account of about 260,000 barrels per day of oil. Operators are temporarily idling wells that produce smaller quantities of oil, in addition to wells that flare large amounts of natural gas. Helms says oil industry estimates indicate even more rigs will stop drilling for oil in North Dakota. He says the rig count could bottom out at 50% to 75% below pre-pandemic levels. On Tuesday, 33 rigs were active in North Dakota.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A U.S. judge has canceled a key permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline that’s expected to stretch from Canada to Nebraska. The ruling Wednesday marks another setback for the disputed project that got underway less than two weeks ago following years of delays. The judge says the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to adequately consider the pipeline’s effect on endangered species. Attorneys say the ruling won’t shut down work that’s started at the U.S.-Canada border crossing in Montana. But pipeline sponsor TC Energy will need the permit for future construction across hundreds of rivers and streams along Keystone’s 1,200-mile route.

In sports…

Bismarck The ND High School Activities Board met Tues April 14 via conference call.

Highlights of the Meeting included:

The Board voted to extend the indefinite suspension of Spring Sports in accordance with Governor Burgum’s Executive Order 2020-10 requiring the closure of all public and non-public K-12 school facilities indefinitely, as well as Federal social distancing guidelines. Winter Basketball State Tournaments and Fine Arts contests also remain suspended indefinitely. The Board of Directors will re-evaluate on May 1, 2020 with the resumption of Spring Sports, Winter Basketball State Tournaments, and Fine Arts Contests to be considered only if a return to in-person K-12 instruction is imminent.

The Board approved a Combined Tournament Committee recommendation to move 2020 spring sports state tournament sites to 2021 in the event the Spring 2020 seasons are canceled. 2021-2027 spring state tournament sites would also be moved to 2022-2028 on the 7-year site rotation. Bismarck was also added as a host site for future State Volleyball Tournaments. The Bismarck Event Center is scheduled to host the event for the first time in November 2021. A list of approved NDHSAA State Tournament Sites through the 2027-28 school year can be found here: https://ndhsaa.com/calendar/tournament-sites/approved

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS

Manfred wants MLB ready for business

UNDATED (AP) — Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred wants his leagues to be in position to take the field whenever government and health officials give the go-ahead. Manfred says he thinks it’s incumbent upon MLB to turn over every stone to try to play the game in 2020 if there’s any way it can in the environment.

Among the plans being investigating is basing all 30 teams in the Phoenix area and using the 10 spring training ballparks there, along with the Diamondbacks’ Chase Field and possibly college facilities.

Arizona’s governor says his state is willing to host all 30 major league teams when public health concerns allow, which eventually could lead to the start of the baseball season primarily in empty spring training ballparks. Having all teams based in the Phoenix area is among the contingency plans being examined.

Meanwhile, Major League Baseball is cutting the salary of senior staff by an average of 35% for this year due to the pandemic’s impact on the season. MLB is guaranteeing paychecks to its full-time employees of its central office through May.

In other developments related to the coronavirus pandemic:

— Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen says he tested positive for COVID-19 three weeks ago. Allen is the first active NFL player to acknowledge testing positive during the coronavirus pandemic. He’s not hospitalized and is “feeling good,” according to a statement issued by the team. The 24-year-old Allen became the Rams’ starting center last year in his second NFL season. He played in nine games before missing the rest of the season with a knee injury.

— At least one member of the Los Angeles Chargers organization has tested positive for the coronavirus and two others have reported symptoms. ESPN reported that the first positive diagnosis happened two weeks after the team facility was shut down on March 12. A team spokesman says owner Dean Spanos, general manager Tom Telesco and coach Anthony Lynn are fine.

— This year’s Tour de France is now scheduled to be held from Aug. 29 through Sept. 20 and will be followed by cycling’s two other major races. The International Cycling Union announced the new dates after organizers were forced to postpone the Tour’s scheduled June 27 start because of restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. The UCI also says the world championships will go ahead as planned from Sept. 20-27 and will be followed by the Giro d’Italia and the Spanish Vuelta. No official dates were given for those two major races.

— The parent company that oversees the NHL Buffalo Sabres has announced a series of cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and furloughs affecting 125 employees. Pegula (peh-GOO’-luh) Sports and Entertainment says 104 employees are being furloughed. Another 21 were laid off yesterday, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

— Speedway Motorsports has laid off 180 employees and furloughed 100 as part of a company restructuring during the sports shutdown. Speedway Motorsports owns the Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Kentucky, Las Vegas, New Hampshire, Sonoma and Texas tracks, all of which host NASCAR’s Cup Series races.

— ESPN is asking some of its on-air personalities to take a 15% pay cut over the next three months because of the coronavirus pandemic. The network says the voluntary pay cuts would apply to ESPN’s highest-paid broadcasters. The network already has furloughed those who work on live events.

— The major college football conference commissioners have held a 30-minute conference call today with Vice President Mike Pence, stressing that college sports cannot return from the coronavirus shutdown until campuses have reopened. Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Pence asked good questions and was “hopeful and optimistic” about the fight against the coronavirus. American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco said they stressed the differences between pro and college sports and talked about how academics and college athletics were inseparable.

— World Wrestling Entertainment started releasing professional wrestlers today in budget cuts related to the coronavirus pandemic. The moves came even with the company allowed to continue to run live TV shows in Florida after Gov. Ron DeSantis deemed WWE an essential business. Pro sports were added to a list of businesses permitted to stay open in an April 9 memorandum. WWE is allowed to continue putting on shows without shows.

NFL…

UNDATED (AP) — Willie Davis was one of the defensive linchpins that helped the Green Bay Packers reel off six NFL championships from 1960-67, including the first two Super Bowls.

Davis has died in a Santa Monica, California, hospital at 85. His wife, Carol, told the Packers her husband had been hospitalized for about a month with kidney failure.

Davis was a five-time All-Pro while playing for the Packers from 1960-69. He was voted to the NFL’s all-decade team for the 1960s and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

Davis played college ball at Grambling and was taken in the 15th round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, where he spent his first two seasons.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NEWS

— Minnesota has added frontcourt players Liam Robbins from Drake and Brandon Johnson from Western Michigan. The 7-foot Robbins has applied for immediate eligibility and will have two seasons left. The 6-foot-8 Johnson is a graduate transfer who’ll be eligible immediately for his senior season.

UNDATED (AP) — The NBA draft list continues to grow.

Kentucky sophomore forward EJ Montgomery and Washington swingman Jaden McDaniels have announced they are leaving school early to enter the draft.

Montgomery averaged career highs of 6.1 points and 5.4 rebounds per game with 31 blocks while starting 25 of his 28 games for the Wildcats last season. He ranked second on the team in rebounding and blocks.

Montgomery follows pro announcements by Kentucky teammates Nick Richards, Immanuel Quickley, Ashton Hagans and Tyrese Maxey.

McDaniels is the latest one-and-done player for the Huskies and is projected as a middle first-round pick after an inconsistent season. McDaniels showed a lack of maturity and flaws in his game at times, but he averaged 13 points and 5.8 rebounds.

In other college basketball news:

— Louisville has added graduate transfer guards Carlik Jones and Charles Minlend Jr. Jones was named Big South Conference player of the year last season after helping Radford win its second consecutive regular season championship, averaging 20 points, 5.5 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Minlend averaged 14.5 and points and 4.7 rebounds to lead San Francisco to 22 wins, matching its highest win total in 35 years.

— Graduate transfer Dimencio Vaughn has signed to play his final season with Mississippi after three years at Rider. Vaughn averaged 14.8 points and 6.6 rebounds last season, ranking fifth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in both categories. He was twice a first-team All-MAAC selection and was considered one of the top available grad transfers.

— Tennessee has picked up forward E.J. Anosike as a graduate transfer. Anosike averaged a team-high 15.7 points for Sacred Heart last season and ranked sixth nationally with 11.6 rebounds a game.

— Vance Jackson and Jalen Tate are joining Arkansas as graduate transfers. Jackson averaged 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds for New Mexico last season. Tate leaves Northern Kentucky after being named the 2020 Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year and MVP of the conference tournament.

— Washington has added Wichita State transfer Erik Stevenson and junior college standout Nate Pryor. Stevenson averaged 11.1 points per game last season for Wichita State. Pryor averaged 16.8 points and 4.1 assists per game last season for North Idaho.

MLB-VERLANDER

Verlander throwing again

UNDATED (AP) — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander has resumed throwing as he recovers from a March groin surgery.

Verlander dealt with the problem early in spring training and made just two starts during the exhibition season, compiling a 3.86 ERA over 4 2/3 innings.

Astros manager Dusty Baker says Verlander is “doing great” and is throwing as he continues his rehabilitation from the March 17 surgery.

MLB-HALLADAY-NTSB

NTSB releases Halladay crash report

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Baseball Hall of Famer Roy Halladay had high levels of amphetamines in his system and was doing extreme acrobatics when he lost control of his small plane and nosedived into Tampa Bay in 2017, killing him. That’s according to a report issued Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Halladay had amphetamine levels about 10 times therapeutic levels in his blood along with a high level of morphine and an anti-depressant that can impair judgment. The report says he performed high-pitch climbs and steep turns, sometimes within five feet of the water. The maneuvers put loads of nearly two-times gravity on the plane, an Icon A5 Halladay had purchased a month earlier.

The NTSB is expected to release a final reason for the crash next month.

MLB-OBIT-GARCIA

Ex-Jays All-Star Garcia dies

UNDATED (AP) — Former Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Dámaso (DAH’-mah-soh) García has died in his native Dominican Republic at 63.

Garcia broke into the majors with the 1978 Yankees and was an All-Star for the Blue Jays in 1984 and ’85. He hit .283 with 323 RBIs and 203 stolen bases before his career ended in 1989.

Garcia had several health problems in recent years, including a stroke, according to his son, Dámaso Jr. He was also dealing with respiratory issues, but the death is not related to COVID-19 according to his son.

PGA-BYRON NELSON-NEW COURSE

Nelson going to ranch for new home in ’21

McKINNEY, Texas (AP) — The Byron Nelson is moving to TPC Craig Ranch, about 30 minutes north of downtown Dallas.

Craig Ranch will host the tournament for at least five years, beginning next spring.

The announcement Wednesday from the PGA Tour and the Nelson came three months after officials said the tournament was moving from the links-style Trinity Forest Golf Club.

In world and national news…

BANGKOK (AP) — Japan’s prime minister is planning to expand a state of emergency to the entire country from just Tokyo and other urban areas as the coronavirus continues to spread. Shinzo Abe convened a meeting of experts Thursday to receive approval for the proclamation. Abe declared a state of emergency on April 7 that covers just Tokyo and six other prefectures deemed at highest risk. In other developments in Asia, China denied allegations that the pandemic originated in a laboratory where contagious samples were stored. South Korea’s ruling party won parliamentary elections with a high turnout despite the virus.

(AP)A leaked letter to a senior U.K. health official shows that leaders in social care are accusing the government of offering conflicting messages, creating confusion and adding to the workload of those on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. The letter seen by the BBC from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services also raises fears about funding, testing and personal protective equipment for nursing homes. Official statistics showed Tuesday that hundreds more people with the new virus have died than were recorded in the U.K. government’s daily tally. Health Secretary Matt Hancock acknowledged in a BBC interview that the government needs to do more for the sector.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The head of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 1 million coronavirus tests will be rolled out starting next week in Africa to address the “big gap” in assessing the true number of cases on the continent. He says that “maybe 15 million tests” will be required in Africa over the next three months. The new initiative to dramatically accelerate testing comes as the continent of 1.3 billion people braces for its turn in the pandemic. More than 17,000 cases have been confirmed so far. However, health officials have said that the testing shortage means more are out there.

WASHINGTON (AP) — New guidelines expected soon from President Donald Trump aim to ease restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus. Current social distancing guidelines would remain in place for harder-hit states. But business leaders are telling Trump they need more coronavirus testing and personal protective equipment before people can safely go back to work. The industry executives are cautioning Trump that the return to normalcy will be anything but swift. While Trump’s guidelines are expected to be announced Thursday, the ultimate decisions will remain with governors.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Government relief checks are arriving in Americans’ bank accounts as the damage to the U.S. economy piles up. And sluggish sales at reopened businesses in Europe and China are making it clear that things won’t necessarily bounce right back when the crisis eases. American industrial output shriveled in March, registering its biggest decline since demobilization at the end of World War II in 1946, and retail sales fell by an unprecedented 8.7%.

BEIJING (AP) — Asian stocks are mostly lower after weak U.S. retail and manufacturing added to global gloom over the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Tokyo and Hong Kong declined while Shanghai advanced. Markets are already bracing for the virus-induced downturn to be the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s. U.S. retail and industrial data that were even weaker than expected added to pessimism. Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 fell 2.2%. Markets have been cycling for weeks between fear and optimism about how long and deep the recession will be. Investors are watching for Chinese economic growth data due to be released on Friday.