CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny. Slight chance of thunderstorms andisolated rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s.

Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent in the Jamestown area, 20 percent in the Valley City area.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and slight

chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 40s. Southeast winds

around 5 mph shifting to the northeast after midnight. Chance of

precipitation 40 percent in the Jamestown area 50 percent in the Valley City area.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. 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. Northeast winds 5 to

10 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent in the Jamestown area 60 percent in the Valley City area.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows in the upper 30s. North

winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the east after midnight.

.SUNDAY…Increasing clouds. Highs in the mid 60s. South winds

5 to 10 mph increasing to around 15 mph in the afternoon.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy

after midnight. Lows in the lower 40s.

.MONDAY…Increasing clouds. Highs in the upper 60s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with chance of rain showers and

slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 40s. Chance of

precipitation 30 percent.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny with chance of rain showers and slight

chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 60s. Chance of

precipitation 50 percent.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy

after midnight. Lows around 40.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

The fire danger index Friday morning is in the Moderate category

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Fire Department was called to an apartment building at 8:29 am, Friday, at 819 Second Avenue, Southwest in unit number 4.

Lt. Sheldon Mohr says the resident set groceries on the kitchen counter and activated the toaster, which led to light fire damage, and moderate smoke damage.

He said the smoke alarm in the building alerted other residents, as the occupant extinguished the fire.

Five city fire units, and 22 firefighters were on the scene about a half hour.

 

Jamestown  (NDHP) The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports  a Driscoll Man was arrested Thursday evening after a vehicle pursuit west of Jamestown.

A trooper attempted to stop a Ford F-150 pickup for speeding at around 6:30 on I-94 near Jamestown.

A pursuit ensued when the vehicle failed to stop. During pursuit, it was learned that the vehicle was stolen. Speeds reached upwards of 85 mph, continuing east on I-94 before the rear tire went flat on the pickup.

28-year-old Jacob Leno of Driscoll exited the vehicle and resisted arrest before being placed in handcuffs.

Leno was charged with driving under the influence, driving under suspension, fleeing, resisting arrest, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and two outstanding warrants.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council  Finance & Legal Committee Building, Planning & Zoning Committee  Civic Center & Promotion Committee  Fire & Police Committee  Public Works Committee met in Joint Session Thursday evening at City Hall, by telephone conference call.  All members were present.

 

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL: Fire department vehicle update. Mayor Heinrich said the action plan called for the state paying one third the costs, the city one third, and one third from business and industry contributions.

< Similar Truck

He said a truck was on hold for delivery until August.  He said the coronavirus pandemic has also delayed delivery.  He added that the city has very firm commitments of $250,000 from business and industry commitments. He recommends the city verify the purchase of the ladder truck.

He said funding will also come from the Fire Department’s equipment replacement fund, to be replaced, rather than a financing package.  Fire Chief Jim Reuther said, the ladder truck is in the process of being built, and the manufacturer was unable to hold the truck any longer, past May 1, 2020.  He said utilizing funds from the Equipment Replacement is not a problem at this time.  There will still be a balance in that fund, as the $250,000 is replaced.

A lease package was reviewed.

Then the committee considered the purchase of the fire department vehicle, which was recommended.

 

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL: Jamestown Community Corrections presentation by Sarah Frohlich.

She said  at this time the agency does not have a current agreement, and she’s looking for an agreement for  2020-21.  She works with Jamestown Municipal Court and community service designations.   JCC bills the city for services, with the city paying a flat fee the goal for a new agreement.

No action was taken by the committee.

 

Removed by request of the JSDC was the JSDC request to recommend the City Council approve $214,285.76 as the Community Match for the Flex PACE Affordable Housing Program for Eagle Flats, LLC in the event the existing PILT agreement with the City of Jamestown would not qualify or be modified to qualify as the community match, $171,428.61 (80%) to be paid by the City from the City Sales Tax Fund and $42,857.15 (20%) from the County.

 

Considered was the request from ND Department of Transportation to recommend the City Council approve the Wireless Telecommunication Facilities on NDDOT Right of Way Within LPA Jurisdiction Agreement.  The committee recommends tabling until the May meeting, pending additional information.

 

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

 

Considered was the request for an extension on the building demolition at 202 Business Loop West.

The building formerly housing the Jamestown Salvation Army Thrift store.

The building needs asbestos removal and the delay is also because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee recommends the extension.

 

Considered recommending the first reading of an ordinance to AMEND AND RE-ENACT Section 3, Appendix B, and to ENACT Section 5.1, Appendix B, of the City Code pertaining to subdivision definitions and authority to authorize lot combinations.

 

Considered recommending the first reading of an ordinance to ENACT Section 12.1, Appendix C, of the City Code to allow the Zoning Administrator to issue building permits over interior lots lines in the City of Jamestown.

The committee recommends approval of the First Reading of both Ordinances.

(Items 1, 2 & 3 are scheduled on the 5pm, 4/23/2020 Special City Council meeting agenda.)

 

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No items at this time.

 

INFORMATIONAL: The second reading of an Ordinance to establish residency qualification for employees, is scheduled at the May 4, 2020, City Council meeting.

 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL: ND Department of Environmental Quality 2019 Safe Drinking Water Act Award of Compliance, was read by Council member Brubakken.

 

Considered were the bids received for Seal Coat, Patching, Construction & Reconstruction District 20-41.

 

Considered the bids received for the 2020 Watermain Improvement District 20-61.  The bid was moved to the May City Council meeting without recommendation..

 

Considered the bids received for the State Hospital Water Line District 20-62.

The City Council at the following meeting will act those items.

 

Recommended was the approval of the Resolution of Governing Body of Applicant for a loan application under the Clean Water Act to fund the Bio-Gas Project at the Waste Water Treatment Plant and authorize the City Administrator to execute and file the application with the ND Department of Environmental Quality on behalf of the City.

 

 

INFORMATIONAL: City Engineer project updates were given to committee members without discussion at the meeting.

INFORMATIONAL: Recycling collection update.  Alley collection will resume.

 

INFORMATIONAL: Garbage collection update.   Alley collection will resume April 27.

The City wide clean up was cancelled.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 67

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council Met in Special Session Thursday evening by conference call.  All members were present.

RESOLUTIONS:

Approved was the purchase of the aerial fire truck on hold through May 10, 2020 at Heiman Fire Equipment, as recommended by committee, and the City Attorney draft the specific language, in the Resolution, as recommended at the Committee meeting, held previous to the Council meeting.

 

Awarded the bid for Seal Coat, Patching, Construction & Reconstruction District 20-41, to Scherbnske, in the amount of $1,961,147.50.

 

Awarded the bid for the State Hospital Water Line.

 

Rejected the bid for Sanitary Sewer Main Lift Station Engine Generator, and to re-advertise.

 

Approved the request for an extension on the building demolition at 202 Business Loop West. Melland Building.

 

Approved the hiring for the Operations Director position. Council Member Brubakken recommended the position be offered Syed Ahmad. The position oversees, the Waste Water Treatment, and collection, and the landfill and sanitation collection. A $1,000 moving expense was included in the approval.

 

ORDINANCES:

A FIRST READING: Concerning an ordinance to AMEND AND RE-ENACT Section 3, Appendix B, and to ENACT Section 5.1, Appendix B, of the City Code pertaining to subdivision definitions and authority to authorize lot combinations. No action was required.

 

A FIRST READING: Concerning an ordinance to ENACT Section 12.1, Appendix C, of the City Code to allow the Zoning Administrator to issue building permits over interior lots lines in the City of Jamestown. No action was required.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 67.

Jamestown  (Chamber)   The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce  is  inviting the community to a celebration of Frontline workers.

Citizens are encouraged to stand on their front step or yard and make as much noise as they can …between 6-p.m., and 6:30-p.m., only, Friday evenings,  in appreciation of these great workers in our community. For those that don’t live right in town, we are inviting them to hop in their car and drive by our essential businesses and honk their horns.

We hope that this simple act leads to more comradery in our community, and grows into multiple ways to show support such as sending thank you notes to our frontline workers. We also hope that this event can occur every Friday during this difficult time.

We ask that the Jamestown Community remain smart during this event and still practice social distancing.

Jamestown (CSi) Join the Jamestown Fun Cruise on Saturday April 25 from 1pm until finished.

Nursing Home Cruises, to be announced. Drive any vehicle in the cruise to all nursing homes in Jamestown, and Main Street as well.

Please obey social distancing guidelines.

Also, that day the Buffalo Mall parking lot will be hosting: Bison Six Theater Popcorn available from 1-p.m., to 8-p.m.

Sweet Dreams Mini Donuts 1-8-p.m.

J&L Concessions 1-p.m., to 8-p.m.

Promotional assistance provided by i3G Media.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Next week, April 27- May 1 is Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week,

and on Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Stutsman County Emergency Manager and 9-1-1-Coordinator Jerry Bergquist said the purpose of the event is remind residents of the various type of severe weather possibilities, in the summer, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and more.

During next week’s awareness activities, on Wednesday April 29, about 11:15-a.m., the outdoor warning sirens will be activated for three minutes, as each siren is evaluated that it’s working properly.

He said that during the testing the typical warning venues during an actual severe weather event will not be activated by the National Weather Service, but will be during an actual sever weather event. On April 29, the internal notification procedures will be tested, and reviewed.

Jerry encourages that people sign up for the Stutsman Alerts notifications, powered by Everbridge.

Sign up through the Stutsman County website, and select the weather warnings you want to be notified about.

He added that those living in mobile homes should arrange for another location to go to in the event of a tornado warning.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Public Works informs residents that city crews will begin flushing fire hydrants in the SE areas beginning Monday, APRIL 27, 2020 and will continue the work throughout the City during normal working hours until completed.

Please be aware of the possibility of lowered water pressure when flushing of hydrants occurs in the various areas.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his daily COVID-19 News Briefing Thursday afternoon at the State Capital in Bismarck.  He was joined by Sen. John Hoeven to provide an update on the latest federal actions related to the public health emergency.

 

April 23, 2020

11-a.m

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

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID

  • Woman in her 80s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.

 

COUNTIES WITH POSITIVE CASES

  • Burke County – 1
  • Burleigh County – 2
  • Cass County – 18
  • Grand Forks County – 8
  • Mountrail County – 2
  • Richland County – 1

 

BY THE NUMBERS

16,330 – Total Tested (+741 individuals from yesterday)

15,621 – Negative (+711 individuals from yesterday)

709 – Positive (+32 individuals from yesterday)

**Please note: After investigation, two previous cases from Cass County were found to reside out of state and were removed from the total number. 

65 – Hospitalized (+3 individuals from yesterday)

18 – Currently Hospitalized (-5 individuals from yesterday)

269 – Recovered (+40 individuals from yesterday)

15 – Death (+1 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.

 

Governor Burgum said North Dakota has received guidance that it can use the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to help cover the surging costs of unemployment insurance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

North Dakota has received $1.25 billion from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was created through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27.

 

Under guidance provided by the U.S. Treasury Department late Wednesday, states can use the CARES Act funding to cover expenses associated with economic support provided in connection with the COVID-19 crisis, including unemployment insurance costs that aren’t otherwise reimbursed by the federal government.

 

Burgum noted that Job Service North Dakota has already received more than 60,000 unemployment claims since March 16 – roughly three years’ worth of claims – and has paid out $105.8 million since that date, including $51.3 million from the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and $54.5 million from the federally funded Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program.

 

Burgum said, “Allowing states to utilize CARES Act funding to cover unemployment insurance expenses will help employers avoid huge increases in unemployment insurance premiums as they reopen and the economy gets back on track. We’re deeply grateful to Sen. Hoeven, Sen. Cramer and Congressman Armstrong, as well as President Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, for their efforts to secure this important flexibility.”

 

At the governor’s press briefing Thursday, Senator John Hoeven spoke about how he worked directly with the Administration at Burgum’s request, including raising the issue directly with President Trump and Secretary Mnuchin in phone calls and with Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia during a conference call last week with North Dakota business leaders.

 

For more information on the state’s COVID-19 response, visit www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus or www.ndresponse.gov

 

The North Dakota Department of Health’s Coronavirus website has been updated to improve navigation and provide new resources. The changes follow:

 

North Dakota Medicaid is hosting a webinar on Friday, April 24, from 1 to 2 p.m. Central Time to provide an update to providers, partners and other stakeholders on its response to the pandemic and answer any Medicaid-related questions pertaining to medical services and COVID-19.

The webinar will be available through Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/2VuRo8B or by phone at 701-328-0950, conference ID code 429118138#. Attendees can join from any computer or mobile device. The webinar will be recorded and available for later viewing on the department’s website at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/covid-19/program-policy.html.

The meeting will begin with an update on the impact of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on the Medicaid program. North Dakota Medicaid officials will provide an update on the federal disaster Medicaid state plan amendments recently approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other meeting topics include the impact of North Dakota’s hospital and nursing home surge plan on Medicaid and a simplified enrollment process for qualified service providers who provide home and community-based services to older adults and people with disabilities. Results from a recent COVID-19 Medicaid provider survey will also be shared.

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations, including auxiliary aids to participate, can contact Stacey Koehly at 701-328-4807, toll-free 800-755-2604, 711 (TTY) or skoehly@nd.gov.

North Dakota voters will be receiving their ballots by mail for the June 9th primary election. County commissions in all of the 53 counties have authorized Vote by Mail for the election as a measure to reduce the public’s risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Governor Doug Burgum signed Executive Order 2020-13 on March 26, 2020 strongly encouraging counties to use Vote by Mail for the June 9, 2020 election. The executive order suspends the requirement for counties to have at least one physical polling location. In response, every county has decided to administer the primary election by Vote by Mail only. Reservation counties have worked with tribal governments in their county to secure agreements to support Vote by Mail. This means no polling locations will be open for the primary election and all ballots will be issued through the mail.

All eligible voters will be receiving an application in the mail from the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office. If you do not receive an application by May 11th, contact your county auditor. The voter will complete their application and mail it to the county auditor using a postage-paid envelope. Once the auditor’s office receives the application and verifies the information is filled in correctly and has been signed, a ballot will be sent.

Voters can return their ballots by mail to the county auditor’s office or deposit the ballot at a secure mail ballot drop box location. Each county will have a secure ballot drop box; contact the county auditor regarding the location. Voted ballots need to be returned by mail by June 8th or at the secure drop box by 4 p.m. on June 9th, primary election day.

An ExpressVote assistive voting device will be available for voters needing assistance with their ballot. Contact your county auditor to make an appointment, as most county courthouse have restricted public access.

 

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring Thursday issued guidance for ag-related businesses to ensure continuation of the food supply chain, while maintaining a healthy workforce.

“The role of agriculture is clear,” Goehring said. “Ag-related businesses are critical and essential to providing for our most basic needs. I encourage producers to take the proper precautions and mitigate risk to ensure their operations continue to run smoothly.”

The guidance documents issued include best practices to protect against COVID-19 and recommendations for:

  • Farmers markets
  • Farm deliveries
  • Dairies
  • Processing, manufacturing, agribusiness and agricultural operations
  • Continuity of business plans

To view the guidance documents and for more information on COVID-19 and agriculture, visit www.nd.gov/ndda/covid-19.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Minot assisted living facility is suing North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and the state Health Department over an executive order that prohibits the use of an in-house beauty salon for its residents. Somerset Court says the executive order issued last month in response to the coronavirus is “without sufficient justification or rationale.” It’s the first such lawsuit filed against the state related to COVID-19 executive orders.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Central Valley Health District, will host the next Stutsman County  COVID-19 Response news briefing on Friday April 24, at 2:30-p.m.

Presenters will include:  Central Valley Health District, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, and Sanford Health in Jamestown.

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.

FARGO, N.D. (KFGO-AM) — Six people have been injured in a fire at an apartment building in Fargo, including one man who jumped from a third-floor balcony to escape. Firefighters responded to the building near the Red River Lanes bowling alley about 7:30 p.m. Thursday and found smoke pouring from at least two of the three floors. KFGO reports firefighters rescued two people from a second-story balcony and others needed assistance exiting the building because of heavy smoke and fire. Two people were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. The others were treated at the scene. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to one unit on the first floor. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Minot assisted living facility is suing North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and the state Health Department over an executive order that prohibits the use of an in-house beauty salon for its residents. Somerset Court says the executive order issued last month in response to the coronavirus is “without sufficient justification or rationale.” It’s the first such lawsuit filed against the state related to COVID-19 executive orders.

In sports…

NFL-DRAFT

Burrow goes to Bengals with top pick…Redskins take Young

UNDATED (AP) — Joe Burrow’s the one.

The Cincinnati Bengals have taken the LSU quarterback with the first selection in the NFL draft. It’s the third straight year in which the reigning Heisman Trophy winner was taken first overall in the draft.

Burrow just led the Tigers to the national championship in a record-setting season. He completed an outstanding 76.3% of his passes for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Burrow played his last two seasons at LSU after transferring from Ohio State. He joins a team that went 2-14 in 2019 under first-year head coach Zac Taylor. The Bengals scored 279 points last season, third worst in the league.

The Buckeyes produced the No. 2 second as defensive end Chase Young was taken by the Redskins. Young made life miserable for quarterbacks as a junior last season, recording 16 ½ sacks and 21 tackles for loss.

The Lions grabbed the highest-rated cornerback in this year’s draft by taking Ohio State All-American Jeff Okudah (oh-KOO’-duh) with the third selection. He is the highest-drafted cornerback since Shawn Springs was selected from the same school by Seattle in the 1997 draft.

The first offensive tackle in a strong group went off the board fourth overall when the Giants selected Georgia’s Andrew Thomas. He started 41 games for the Bulldogs in three seasons, the last 26 at left tackle.

The Dolphins took Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (TOO’-uh tuhng-ah-vy-LOH’-ah) with the fifth choice. Tagovailoa threw 76 touchdown passes in 24 starts the past two seasons, but a dislocated and fractured hip ended his 2019 season in mid-November.

Oregon’s Justin Herbert became the third quarterback selected, going sixth overall to the Chargers.

The Panthers selected Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown with the seventh selection.

Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons was taken by the Cardinals after he surprisingly fell to the No. 8 pick.

The Jaguars went for a cornerback with the ninth choice, taking Florida cornerback CJ Henderson.

The Browns used the 10th pick to take offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, who allowed one sack in 39 games for Alabama.

Not since the draft became a televised event in 1980 has it been stripped to the basics like this one. Scouts and general managers are working from their homes as a safeguard against the coronavirus. Prospects are homebound as well, giving Commissioner Roger Goodell no one to hug after each of the 32 first-round selections are made. Goodell is overseeing the festivities from his basement.

The draft was scheduled to be held in Las Vegas before the pandemic turned it into a virtual selection show. The league announced during the first round that Vegas will host the draft in 2022.

In other NFL news:

— The Bills have picked up the fifth-year contract option on cornerback Tre’Davious White, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. White’s salary will bump up to about $10 million, based on an average of the top 32 salaries at his position. White was taken in the first round of the 2017 draft and tied for the league lead with six interceptions.

— Kicker Zane Gonzalez has signed a one-year contract to stay with the Cardinals. The 24-year-old Gonzalez was a restricted free agent and was offered a one-year tender in March. He was 31 of 35 on field goals last season and 34 of 35 on extra points.

NCAA-ATHLETE COMPENSATION

NCAA moves toward allowing athletes to be paid sponsors

UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA is moving closer to allowing Division I college athletes to earn money from endorsements and sponsorship deals they can strike on their own.

Recommendations that would permit athletes to earn money for their names, images and likeness are being reviewed this week. A decision could come as soon as next week. The issue has dominated college sports for several years. California recently passed a law clearing the way for athlete compensation, prompting the NCAA to take a fresh look at its regulations.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-NEWS

Gonzaga junior Kispert makes himself available for NBA draft

UNDATED (AP) — Gonzaga star Corey Kispert has entered his name in the NBA draft but has left open the possibility of returning for his senior season. Kispert announced Thursday on Twitter that he doesn’t plan on hiring an agent, which would allow him to return to the Bulldogs.

Kispert was a finalist for the Julius Erving small forward of the year award last season. He averaged nearly 14 points per game last season and led t

In other college basketball news:

— Michigan guard Franz Wagner says he is returning for his sophomore season. Wagner started 27 games last season, averaging 11.6 points and leading the team in steals. The 6-foot-9 German missed the first four games because of a fractured wrist. Isaiah Livers is testing the NBA draft waters, but Wagner decided not to go that route. Michigan also announced that forward Austin Davis had surgery on Monday on his right shoulder and is expected to recover fully. He could be ready to return in early October.

— Purdue graduate transfer Matt Haarms has chosen Brigham Young over Kentucky and Texas Tech. He will be eligible to play basketball immediately. Haarms was one of the top transfers after announcing he was leaving the Boilermakers after his junior season. He narrowed his choices to BYU, Kentucky and Texas Tech earlier this week. The 7-foot-3 center from Amsterdam averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per game while shooting 63% last season.

MLB-DODGERS-SCULLY HOSPITALIZED

92-year-old Vin Scully hospitalized after fall at home

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Retired Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully has been hospitalized after falling at his Los Angeles-area home.

The team says the 92-year-old fell Tuesday and was taken to the hospital for observation. Scully is resting comfortably and is expected to be released soon.

Scully jokes that he won’t be doing anymore “head-first sliding,” which he never liked.

He retired after the 2016 season, ending a 67-year run in the Dodgers’ broadcast booths.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS

NASCAR teams can restart car preparations

UNDATED (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says NASCAR teams can work in their race shops if they maintain social distancing guidelines, clearing a potential hurdle to resuming the season in coming weeks.

Cooper extended the state’s stay-at-home order through May 8 Thursday and said he would gradually open it in three phases, adding he’s still considering NASCAR’s request to run the Coca-Cola 600 as scheduled on May 24 without spectators.

For any racing to be done, the North Carolina-based teams need access to their shops to prep the cars.

The governors of both Florida and Texas have already said NASCAR is welcome to race in their states without fans. South Carolina and Georgia are gradually easing restrictions.

In other developments related to the coronavirus pandemic:

— Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck is taking an unpaid week, along with about 200 other leaders in the university system in response to the budget crunch caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. President Joan Gabel announced the furloughs earlier this month. Fleck confirmed Thursday on a video conference call with reporters he’s taking part. Fleck’s 2020 salary is $4.6 million.

— Colorado athletic director Rick George said he and 11 head coaches will take pay cuts for the upcoming fiscal year in light of the budget impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The salaries for George along with football coach Karl Dorrell, men’s basketball coach Tad Boyle and women’s basketball coach JR Payne will be reduced by 10%. The other eight varsity head coaches will have their salaries reduced by 5%.

— The European track and field championships in Paris have been canceled. Local organizers and the French track federation say the biennial event scheduled for late August could not be postponed for one year. They cited uncertainty about the sport’s 2021 calendar and the French economy.

— German soccer could resume on May 9 if regional politicians sign off on the league’s plan. The state governors of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia have said the date would be acceptable, but other state officials have signaled they would prefer the middle or end of May. League CEO Christian Seifert says “if the state governors and the federal government decide that this day is May 9, then we would be ready on May 9.” Seifert says games could be held with a limit of 213 people in the stadium and up to 109 in the surrounding area.

— Churchill Downs will recognize the first Saturday in May with a “Kentucky Derby at Home” online party and will be broadcast on NBC. The day will be highlighted by a virtual Derby featuring 13 former Triple Crown winners in an effort to raise $2 million for COVID-19 relief. The 146th Kentucky Derby was postponed from May 2 to Sept. 5 because of public health concerns about pandemic, the first time horse racing’s marquee event won’t run on its traditional day since 1945.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will be holding a signing ceremony Friday for a bill providing a nearly $500 billion infusion of coronavirus spending. It’s aimed at rushing new relief to employers and hospitals buckling under the strain of a pandemic that has claimed almost 50,000 American lives and one in six U.S. jobs. Congress approved the spending almost unanimously on Thursday. House lawmakers gathered in Washington for the first time since March 27, adopting stricter social distancing rules while aiming to prove they can do their work despite the COVID-19 crisis. Easy passage of the measure belies a potentially bumpier path ahead for future legislation.

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that that the operators of a South Dakota meatpacking plant where about 800 workers contracted the coronavirus implement a strict social distancing policy and find ways to overcome language barriers. The CDC released a memo Thursday that specifically addresses the situation at the Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls but that also may give an indication of the broader recommendations the agency is working on for meat processing plants nationwide. Virginia-based Smithfield closed the plant indefinitely because of the outbreak amid complaints that it wasn’t doing enough to protect its workers. The company has not indicated when it might reopen the plant.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The World Health Organization is warning that the battle against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa could be set back by 20 years as countries focus energy and resources on containing the coronavirus. The WHO says new projections indicate that in a worst-case scenario, 769,000 people could die of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa this year as campaigns to combat it are interrupted. That’s more than double the deaths in the last detailed count two years ago and would be the worst figures for the region since 2000. The WHO’s Africa regional director says that “We must not turn back the clock.”

 

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s health minister has compared the city of Istanbul to Wuhan — the Chinese city where the novel coronavirus first emerged — as epicenter of infections in Turkey. He said the spread of COVID-19 in Turkey’s largest city was brought under control through contact tracing executed by a team of experts. The country ranks seventh in the world in the number of confirmed infections, surpassing Iran and China, according to Johns Hopkins University. Turkey’s government has refrained from imposing a total lockdown, fearing its negative impact on the economy. It has opted instead for weekend curfews and other piecemeal measures.

 

BAALBEK, Lebanon (AP) — Authorities have closed entrances to a Palestinian refugee camp in eastern Lebanon after four more people tested positive for the coronavirus. The new cases have heightened concerns over the virus spreading among the population of overcrowded refugee camps and settlements. The four infected with the virus are relatives of a woman who tested positive earlier this week and are isolating inside their home. A statement Friday from the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said so far they were not in need of hospitalization.

AP- Spain has reported for the first time since the beginning of its coronavirus outbreak that more people are being diagnosed as cured than those falling sick. Almost 2,800 new infections were confirmed on Friday, while about 3,100 people overcame the infection. Health officials from Spain’s 17 regions and the central government were to meet later on Friday with proposals on how to roll back the six-week lockdown. Authorities have said that future steps will be incremental and depend on how regions meet certain health criteria. Spain recorded 367 new deaths on Friday, bringing its total to about 22,500.

 

BERLIN (AP) — Youth groups are staging a long-planned global climate demonstration online because of restrictions on public protests during the coronavirus pandemic. The student group Fridays for Future is using a livestream event on Friday to urge world leaders to act against global warming. The group’s past rallies drew hundreds of thousands onto the streets worldwide. Some groups have found creative ways to hold limited demonstrations despite national lockdowns. In Berlin, activists placed thousands of protest placards in front of the German parliament. Teenage Swedish activist Greta Thunberg said Wednesday that the climate crisis “may not be as immediate as the corona crisis but we need to tackle this now otherwise it will be irreversible.”