CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Not as cool. Lows around 40. South winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the west after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy in the evening, then mostly

cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain showers after midnight.

Lows in the lower 40s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to

the southeast after midnight.

.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers in the

morning, then chance of rain showers and slight chance of

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 60s. Southeast

winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northeast in the afternoon.

Chance of precipitation 40 percent.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain

showers. Lows in the lower 40s.

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers in the

morning, then chance of rain showers and slight chance of

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 50s. Chance of

precipitation 40 percent.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 30s.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain showers in the

morning, then chance of rain showers and slight chance of

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 50s. Chance of

precipitation 40 percent.

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

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.

.MONDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain showers in

the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s.

 

Wednesday still looks to be a mild day with highs in the lower 60s to lower 70s, A few rain showers on Wednesday, with numerous showers and a few thunderstorms developing Thursday afternoon through Saturday.

 

..RED FLAG WARNING FOR PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND SOUTH CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY EVENING…

.Critical fire weather conditions are expected across portions of

western and south central North Dakota Tuesday afternoon through

early Tuesday evening. Relative humidity as low as 15 percent,

sustained winds up to 20 mph, and very dry vegetation will create

dangerous burning conditions. Any fires that ignite will spread

rapidly and become difficult to control.

The fire danger rating is in the high category today.

A Burn Bans is in effect in Stutsman County

A full version of the burn ordinance can also be found at the website under Departments, choose Zoning, and click on “Burn Ban Ordinance” on the left-hand side of the page.Because of the dry conditions, expect a series of days where burning will be restricted until the countryside greens-up. For more information contact the Stutsman County Emergency Manager’s Office at 701-252-9093

Burn Ban Map

Water on some roads and dry grass  has created difficulties for some rural fire departments this spring, as they face challenges of getting to the fires with inundated roads.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Hugo’s  Family Marketplace in Jamestown closed between Monday evening  and Tuesday morning for a deep cleaning, and disinfection by a professional service following an employee who tested positive for COVID-19.

In addition to increased cleaning and sanitizing, they have been cleaning all services nightly.

Hugo’s Communications Director, Lisa Swanson says, “The Hugo’s team member tested positive for COVID-19 and is now quarantined at home.”

The individual and any other Hugo’s team member who is required to self-isolate will be paid for their time away from work.

She adds,“In conjunction with the North Dakota Department of Health, close contacts have been notified and were asked to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of contact. We have been communicating with the North Dakota Department of Health and are following all of their directives.”

Hugo’s has taken several steps to ensure the safety of their employees and public, implementing guided isles and markers indicating six feet apart.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Stutsman  COVID-19  Response Public Health Joint Briefing with Jamestown & Stutsman County representatives was held on Tuesday April 21 at 2:30, with the participants in a virtual format to observe self distancing.   The meeting airs live with replays on CSi TV 10 -The Replay Channel & CSi 67.   To view the briefing online, view it here at CSiNewsNOW.com or go to the CSi LiveStream at Facebook.

At the meeting were:  Representatives from Central Valley Health District, and  Eventide Senior Living, Center in Jamestown, spoke.

Central Valley Health District Administrator, Robin Iszler opened the briefing by saying, Stutsman County has two recent additions to the positive cases category, bringing the total to three. Those individuals were infected by community spread.  She said more COVID- 19 positives are likely in the community, being asymptomatic, people who have the virus, but not showing symptoms.  She said as of Tuesday 283 people were tested, 25 in Logan County.  With reopening, CVHD has not received any direction from the state.

She also reminded viewers about social distancing, wearing face masks, and regular hand washing to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

She said while in public settings, such as in stores, an individual is likely to be infected with COVID-19 if they are within six feet of a COVID-19 positive person, within 15 continuous minutes.

From Eventide, Toni said its been six weeks since the building occupants have been limited to essential staff, and residents are tested for the virus twice a day.  Staff are screened in before their shifts,  and are wearing surgical face masks, and would switch to N-95 masks if a person tests positive, which are fit tested.  The staff is told to stay home if they are sick.

Outside healthcare providers are seen via teleconference.  Outside healthcare providers are seen via teleconference.

Procedures are updated regularly, from the State Health Department.

Executive Director, Doug Panchot said as of Tuesday Eventide Jamestown has recorded zero positive cases.   Residents can visit with families virtually. He the staff is retrained regularly.

No visitors are allowed, with the exception of those residents at end of life. He said the staff engages with residents and family, daily.  Residents through technology participate with outside activities.

The meeting airs live with replays on CSi TV 10 -The Replay Channel & CSi 67.   To view the briefing online, view it here at CSiNewsNOW.com or go to the CSi LiveStream at Facebook.

The next Stutsman County briefing is planned for Friday, April 24, 2020 at 2:30-p.m.

Bismarck   (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his daily COVID-19 News Briefing, Tuesday afternoon, from the state capital in Bismarck.  Also speaking were Commissioner Michelle Kommer and Department of Human Services (DHS) Executive Director Chris Jones to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota.

 

(Note due to technical difficulties, the NDDoH was unable to provide video.  Audio was provided by KFYR Radio in Bismarck)

 

With updates on testing from the State Health Department:

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 – 11:18am

Categories: Coronavirus

COUNTIES WITH POSITIVE CASES

  • Cass County – 10
  • Grand Forks County – 5
  • Morton County – 1
  • Mountrail County – 1
  • Sioux County – 1

 

BY THE NUMBERS

14,987 – Total Tested (+240 individuals from yesterday)

14,343 – Negative (+223 individuals from yesterday)

644 – Positive (+18 individuals from yesterday)

* Please note that a previously reported positive case from Cass County was from out of state and was removed from our positive total.

54 – Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

17 – Currently Hospitalized (+0 individuals from yesterday)

214 – Recovered (+25 individuals from yesterday)

13 – Deaths (+0 individual from yesterday)

 

Department of Human Services (DHS) Executive Director Chris Jones  discussed the COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota.

He said when care givers become positive with the virus, DHS will be working more closely with those providers.  He pointed out the agency will be working with transferring residents, that are positive.

Tuesday  Burgum and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) in partnership with ProudCrowd, announced that the Care19 app is now available for Android users to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in North Dakota.

Care19 was recently launched to help the NDDoH reduce the spread of COVID-19 by more efficiently and effectively identifying individuals who may have had contact with people who have tested positive. This app is completely voluntary and developed with a privacy-first mindset. The information collected is not associated with a phone number or any personal information.

Care19 will become a hub of key information in the state as continued enhancements will include infection statistics, a symptom checker, a test site finder and more. ProwdCrowd continues to improve the app and the latest version updates include:

With Step by step reopening: Burgum introduced ND Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer.  She said, the commerce department is working with businesses on reopening, forming working groups of businesses closed by executive order.  She said the state will determine a time to reopen concerning when it’s safe, in not continuing to spread the virus.

With unemployment, the latest claim numbers are 1329, and 470 pandemic claims.

Since March 16, 2020 to Tuesday, a total of 53,773 claims have been made.

An executive order was signed giving local health officers more authority responding to COVID-19 positive individuals regarding isolation or quarantining.

He said 1100 individuals are being supported in the area of behavioral health.

A North Dakota company is working with universities and a medical school on using unmanned aerial vehicles in the fight against the coronavirus. SkySkopes, based in Grand Forks, has launched demonstrations to show a variety of ways in which its drones could be used in the pandemic.

In other news…

Burgum  called an emergency meeting to discuss ways to aid the state’s oil producers that are wracked by falling oil prices due to meager demand amid the coronavirus outbreak. The three-member, all-Republican North Dakota Industrial Commission headed by Burgum discussed options Tuesday. The Republican governor has said one option is to consider classifying oil and natural gas produced at a loss a “waste.” By doing so, producers would not be penalized under state rules for cutting production. The price of U.S. benchmark crude that would be delivered in May fell to historic lows Monday.

Valley City  (CSi) The Valley City Commission met Tuesday, April 21, via Microsoft Teams.

Board Members may attend from alternate locations to minimize group size and contact, as recommended by state and federal government officials due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16. Members of the public may view the meeting online. The meetings can be seen live followed by replays on CSi Cable 68.

New Business

Approved was  $500,000 funding from Bank of ND for the I-94 Regional Development Corridor water and sanitary sewer line extension project. City Auditor Richter the funds are to be used for the extension of Valley Plains Equipment. Annexation and other items need to be approved, including Tax Increment Financing  and then address the funding.  If not used the funding will be de-obligated.
City Updates & Commission Reports

KLJ gave project updates, and bids to be received on the next phase of the StreetScape project.

City Assessor Sandy Hansen thanked city officials to allow her to work from home.

She is consulting with other City Assessors, on how to carry out regular business, including drive by assessments she’s planning.

Commission Magnuson said Valley City residents are for the most part observing safety measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and urged them continuing to do so.

Mayor Carlsrud said to visit with family members by various on line opportunities.

He thanked city employees for carrying with work, some working from home and others still working at City Hall, which remains closed to the public.

He urges resident to stay vigilant in observing social distancing, including when participating in outdoors activities.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Strong winds fueled a fire that destroyed two mobile homes in Minot. All occupants of the homes got out safely Monday. Officials say someone in one of the homes was cooking lunch when the fire started at Jefferson Mobile Home Park Monday. Three engines, one ladder truck, and one command vehicle responded to the call about 12:40 p.m. Authorities say the fire had quickly spread to an adjacent mobile home. The fire was contained in about 30 minutes with firefighters staying on scene to put out hot spots. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An investigation has found no wrongdoing of an agency that allegedly violated state law. North Dakota Auditor Joshua Gallion released a report last year that said the Department of Commerce violated the law on bidding uncompetitive contracts for the state’s “Be Legendary” logo and associated “rebranding” effort for the state. The agency promotes tourism and economic development. The logo sparked criticism when the contract for it was awarded to a Minnesota firm headed by a woman who once worked for Gov. Doug Burgum’s old Fargo software business. Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer says she did not find any criminal violations.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s top oil regulator says nearly a third of the state’s wells have been idled and crude production has slid by more than 20% in recent days amid the COVID-19 outbreak. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms told the North Dakota Industrial Commission tuesday that some 5,000 wells have been shut down in recent weeks, accounting for about 300,000 barrels of lost oil daily. Helms estimated the state has lost up to 60,000 barrels of oil production in “the last 24 hours” as oil prices crashed. Gov. Doug Burgum has called it a potential “economic Armageddon for North Dakota.”

PLYMOUTH, Minn. (AP) — Prosecutors say a western Minnesota man admits he killed a 19-year-old woman, dismembered her in his garage and disposed of the body parts in dumpsters outside his apartment. Ethan Broad, of Moorhead, was charged Monday in Clay County court with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony. Bail was set at $1 million. According to the complaint, the 27-year-old Broad killed Dystynee Avery, cut up her body with a saw, put the remains into garbage bags and dumped them in bins near his apartment. Broad told police he killed and dismembered Avery in self-defense.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States” because of the coronavirus. It’s a return to a divisive issue at a time of national crisis. But he offered no details about which immigration programs might be affected by the order. Due the to the pandemic, almost all visa processing by the State Department already has been suspended for weeks. Travel to the U.S. has been restricted from much of the globe, including China, Europe, Mexico and Canada. And Trump has used the virus to effectively end asylum at U.S. borders, something Congress, the courts and international law hadn’t previously allowed.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said hospitals in parts of New York will be able to conduct outpatient elective surgeries again. The governor also pledged to consider regional differences when re-opening the state’s outbreak-stalled economy. Cuomo is heading to the White House as he seeks help with coronavirus testing. And New York City is planning to stockpile medical equipment and supplies to meet its own needs in any potential future coronavirus surge, rather than looking to federal authorities or global markets. Meanwhile, elective surgeries will be allowed in parts of the state where the outbreak is not so severe.

 

(AP) The British government is providing funding for two clinical trials of potential vaccines for the new coronavirus, and one of the trials is slated to begin this week. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at the government’s daily press briefing that the U.K. is at the “forefront of the global effort” to find a vaccine and will provide financial assistance to the “promising projects” being conducted at Oxford University and Imperial College London. Oxford’s vaccine will be trialed on people beginning Thursday. Hancock also said the government will invest in manufacturing capacity in the event either, or both, vaccines work.

 

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Officials in Louisiana arrested a pastor accused of driving a bus at a man protesting the pastor’s continued defiance of orders to stay at home to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Police in the city of Central say Life Tabernacle Church pastor Tony Spell turned himself in Tuesday on charges of aggravated assault and improper backing. A police official said earlier that Spell had driven a church bus in reverse in the direction of a protester. Spell, who was released on bond, already faces misdemeanor charges for repeatedly holding services. About 70 of his church members showed up at the jail to show support.

 

(AP)  A malaria drug widely touted by President Donald Trump for treating the new coronavirus showed no benefit in a large new study. Researchers reported there were more than twice as many deaths among patients getting hydroxychloroquine than usual care. The analysis involved 368 men with COVID-19 in U.S. veterans hospitals. Although it was not a rigorous experiment, it is the biggest report of results so far for the drug, with or without the antibiotic azithromycin, against the coronavirus. The analysis was posted on an online site for researchers, but has not been reviewed by other scientists.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators have OK’d the first coronavirus test that allows people to take their own sample at home. The test from LabCorp will initially only be available to health care workers and first responders under a doctor’s orders. The sample will still have to be sent back to LabCorp for processing. Home collection of samples could help expand testing options in most states. The company Tuesday said the test kits will begin shipping in the coming weeks. It will not be available in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new bipartisan Senate report s backing up the assessment Russia interfered in the 2016 election to sow chaos in the United States. The heavily redacted report released Tuesday endorses the core conclusions of the intelligence community’s assessment that Russia interfered in the election and that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed the interference. Senators warned that it could happen again this presidential election year. President Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned the assessment, which was also confirmed by former special counsel Robert Mueller last year. Mueller concluded that Russian interference was “sweeping and systematic,” but he did not find a criminal conspiracy with the Trump campaign.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are falling in midday trading on Wall Street and the collapse in oil prices is deepening as the economic carnage caused by the coronavirus pandemic turns markets upside down. The S&P 500 was down 3.2% and headed toward its second straight day of losses Tuesday. Markets across Europe and Asia had similar drops. Oil prices continued their collapse as traders survey a global economy incapacitated by the virus, which doesn’t need as much fuel to burn. Treasury yields fell, meaning investors are willing to get paid even less to get the safety of owning a U.S. government bond.