CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers in the evening, then mostly clear after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of showers 40 percent.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s. Northeast

winds around 5 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. Northeast winds

5 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the upper 20s.

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

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

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain

showers. Highs in the mid 50s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers in the

evening, then slight chance of rain showers and snow showers

after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. Chance of precipitation

30 percent.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Slight chance of rain showers possibly

mixed with snow showers in the morning, then slight chance of

rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s. Chance of

precipitation 20 percent.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s.

 

Flood updates and water level updates  for the …

Sheyenne River Level Through Valley City

Lake Ashtabula Level

James River level through Jamestown.

Jamestown Dam

National Weather Service 

Water amounts in the snow pack

The Latest Flood Warnings from The National Weather Service

https://ndresponse.gov/flood-region

Fire Danger Map for North Dakota

 

Jamestown (CSi) The Stutsman COVID-19 Response meeting was held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30-p.m

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.

Representatives given presentations included:  Central Valley Health District, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, and Two Rivers Activity Center, along with The University of Jamestown.

Central Valley Health District, Administrator, Robin Iszler said, Stutsman County reported that 12 positive cases have been recorded, three have been released, leaving 9 active cases that are being followed up by CVHD tracing.  1596 people have been tested as of Tuesday afternoon.  She said they will be no public testing in Stutsman County, still concentrating on congregate living facilities.

Face masks that have been donated are available for distribution by calling the office.

Two Rivers Activity Director, Amy Walters  said TRAC will be complying with the state of ND Smart Restart guidelines for fitness centers as well as recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. TRAC will open at noon May 6 to members only under the following guidelines to enhance the safety of members and staff. May membership fees will not be charged. Monthly billing will resume June 1. Memberships will be allowed to remain on suspend due to concerns regarding COVID-19 through Aug. 31, 2020. Those who would like to keep their membership on suspend are asked to email trac@jamestownparksandrec.com by May 31.

TRAC’s hours of operations, available to members only, are as follows:

Monday – Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, closed

She urges those using the parks to not congregate in large groups, so the parks may remain open to the public.

More information at CSiNewsNow.com concerning TRAC Parks and Recreation facilities open and those currently unavailable.  Any questions call TRAC at 701-952-8722.

Karen Crane from UJ. Explained more about the Tour of Thanks on Wednes day May 6, with the line up at 6:45-p.m., in the parking lot of the Reiland Fine Arts Center.

From Jamestown Regional Medical Center, President and COO Mike Delfs said, during the North Dakota Smart Restart the public should maintain social distancing, and frequent has washing with soap and water, and use face masks in public, all helping to slow the virus.

At the hospital all that enter are screened with questions, and temperatures are taken.

Call ahead if accessing the Emergency Department, especially with respiratory issues, to prepare the staff for when you arrive.

He added that JRMC has so far performed 135 tests, using NDDoH guidelines.

He reiterated that the hospital is available for regular services.

He said anyone in the community feeling they have COVID-19 symptoms to also contact their healthcare provider.

The next meeting is planned for Friday May 8, at 2:30-p.m.

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.

 

Bismarck  (NDDoH)  the North Dakota Department of Health reports 41 new positive cases of COVID-19 since Monday. On addition case was in Stutsman County bring the total positive cases to 12 as of Tuesday morning.

NDDoH

Tuesday May 5, 2020  11-a.m.

Categories: Coronavirus

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TUESDAY

  • Burke County – 2
  • Burleigh County – 9
  • Cass County – 13
  • Grand Forks County – 1
  • Mercer County – 3
  • Morton County – 9
  • Pembina County – 1
  • Stutsman County – 1
  • Stutsman Total 12
  • Williams County – 2

 

BY THE NUMBERS

36,421 – Total Tested (+1,667 individuals from yesterday)

35,155 – Total Negative (+1,626 individuals from yesterday)

1,266 – Total Positive (+41 individuals from yesterday)

95 – Total Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

31 – Currently Hospitalized (+0 individuals from yesterday)

559 – Total Recovered (+19 individuals from yesterday)

25 – Total Deaths (+0 individual from yesterday)

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum’s daily news briefings are reduced to three times a week, briefings are at 3:30-p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday.   The daily COVID-19 numbers will be released at 11-a.m. each day, and the state will continue to provide the media with daily news releases.

Valley City  (CSI)  City/County Health in Valley City hosts another COVID-19 News Briefing, Wednesday evening at 5:30-p.m., at City Hall in Valley City.

The meeting airs live with replays on CSi TV 10 -The Replay Channel & CSi 68.   To view the briefing online, view it here at CSiNewsNOW.com or go to the CSi LiveStream at Facebook.

Officials from City-County Health District, Valley City Public Schools and City Government are expected to speak. Speakers will include:

  • Theresa Will – Administrator for City-County Health District
  • Joshua Johnson – Superintended for Valley City Public Schools
  • Dave Carlsrud – Valley City Mayor

Each organization will provide updates and information pertaining to recent developments in the COVID-19 community response. All officials will be available following the briefing for questions from media partners.

The meeting airs live with replays on CSi TV 10 -The Replay Channel & CSi 68.   To view the briefing online, view it here at CSiNewsNOW.com or go to the CSi LiveStream at Facebook.

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.

All members were present.

All in attendance observed social distancing.

 

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

 

Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $2,292,417.29

Electrician, Plumber and/or Mechanical Contractor licenses for

Kemen Plumbing & Heating, Inc

Tyler’s Electric, LLC

Approve raffle permit for Appaloosa Horse Club

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS No one spoke

PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing was held to Rezone for public use the VCSU Center for the Arts

Following the Public Hearing the City Commission, approved the first reading of an Ordinance Rezoning West ½ of Lot 10, East 74.25’ of Lots 11 & 12, Lots 13 and 14 less the North 105’, and Lot 15 of Block 3, Andrus & Sifton’s Addition for VCSU Center for the Arts

ORDINANCES

Approved was the second and final reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Block 3, Plecity Mobile Home Park Addition.

Approved the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1054, the 2020 Infrastructure Funding Ordinance. City Attorney Martineck said, $250,000 is earmarked for properties annexed into Valley City.

 

RESOLUTIONS

Approved was a Resolution Approving Plat of Waterfront Meadows.  City Attorney Martineck  said The new Subdivision is south of I-94.  He said all agreements between the parties have been signed. Commissioner Powell abstained voting, due to a conflict of interest.

Commissioners rejected accepting Bid and Awarding Contract to Strata Corporation for UGP-2-999(051) – Streetscape Phase II., and to rebid in October 2020.  The local share was $750,000 above the anticipated costs, due to extra work  needed for the project.

Approved was a Resolution Approving Renaissance Zone Development Plan for 2020 – 2025.  The renewal has received a do pass from the Renaissance Zone Board, and is includes a cap of $350,000, starting in July 2020, an increase from $250,000.

NEW BUSINESS

Approved Recommendations from Renaissance Zone Authority Board for 5 year income tax exemption and 5 year property tax exemption up to $250,000 for the following projects

VC-123 at 461 12 ½ Street NE

VC-124 at 441 12 ½ Street NE

VC-125 at 554 Legacy Lane

City Commissioners, approved a  Parade Application for VCHS Class of 2020 on May 13, 2020 at 6:30 PM on Central Avenue from Hanna Field to Main Street.  Mayor Carlsrud voted in opposition.

Approved was  a Recommendation from Visitors Committee for a Food & Beverage grant in an amount not to exceed $42,079 for Kayak & Bike Kiosk Project from Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway.

 

Considered was an Agreement between City and Bridgetown Builders Inc. for development of Waterfront Meadows Subdivision.   City Attorney Martineck said the plat and ordinance have been approved.

The City Commission approved the Agreement, and Martineck recommends approval. Commission Powell abstained in voting to due conflict of interest.

 

Approved was an Engineering Agreement with KLJ for Water, Sewer and Roadway Extension to Waterfront Meadows in an amount not to exceed $20,500.

 

The City Commission approved an Amendment to Agreement for Permanent Flood Protection Phase IV – Preliminary Engineering for CLOMR.

 

Approved was a bid for cable in conduit from Resco in the amount of $11,070 for 5th Avenue NW lighting project. Electrical Superintendent Senf has recommended approval.

 

The City Commission voted to end 2020 Spring Flood declaration, that went into effect on March 3, 2020. City Auditor Richter said expenses amounted to $35,000, for a water pump..

 

The City Commission approved the Annual Gaming Site Authorization for Thundering Saints, Inc. at Boomer’s Corner Keg for July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

Commissioners approved an employment contract with City Administrator appointee Gwendolyn Crawford. Commissioner Bishop questioned if the City Commission approved moving forward at a salary of $82,000.  Commissioner Powell said the Commission originally approved moving ahead at $80,000 with negotiations.

Commissioners voted in favor with a 3-2 vote with Commissioners Bishop and Erickson voting in opposition.

The City Commission approved waiving an application fee for alcohol licenses, for the next six months  for those business closed by state mandate the past few weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to slow the spread of the virus.

 

CITY UPDATES &COMMISSION REPORTS

City Auditor, Richter said the city is looking at reopening City Hall to the public within the next two weeks, with an eye on if the positive COVID-19 cases spike between now and then.

She indicated plexiglass will keep the staff and public separated.

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

 

Dave Carlsrud

Valley City  (Chamber)   the Valley city Area Chamber of Commerce has forwarded a message from Mayor Carlsrud to Valley City Residents:

Good job with your Social Distancing everyone.  That we have been Blessed with fewer positive tests than some other places is indicative you are doing the right things.

ND Smart Restart is now under way J.  About six weeks ago we were quite afraid of COVID-19, it seemed death was almost a certainty.  The virus is still very dangerous, but Social Distancing is working so now we have more freedom.  With more freedom, more discipline will be needed to make wise choices. Keep up your good work.

It is likely you all have had something in your lives postponed or cancelled.  From K-12 to Higher Ed. distance learning is a new experience.  Though there are times of disappointment, missing your friends and changes in relationships, those things are educational too.  While this spring isn’t what we all planned, the lessons we will have learned, will always be remembered.  Embrace them.

Census 2020 – BE COUNTED

He said, I have no artistic abilities so I am continually amazed at the beautiful chalk art around town.  Thank you “chalk art” artists J

We will have another 5:30 Press Briefing Wednesday and our guest will be VCPSSuperintendent Josh Johnson.  Please join us.

Charlie Brown said, “One of the best gifts you can give people is thanking them for being part of your life”.

Pray

Blessings and Be Safe

 

Jamestown  (JPD)  Jamestown Police is warning Jamestown residents of a new convicted high risk sex offender living in Jamestown.

Alexander Michael Emmons resides at 1530 6th Avenue, SW, Buffalo Motel, Number 18, Jamestown, ND

He currently has no vehicle.

Emmons is a 26 year old white male, five feet ten inches tall, weighing 205 pounds, with brown eyes, an brown hair.

He’s been assigned a high risk assessment by the North Dakota risk level committee, of the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Offense:  Gross sexual imposition, when Emmons was 19 years old, involving a 14 year old girl, even though she repeatedly told him to stop.

Disposition:  One year, One Day, 328 days suspended, 36 days credit, 5 years supervised probation.

Emmons is not wanted by police at this time and has served the sentence imposed by the court.

This notification is meant for public safety and not to increase fear in the community, nor should this information be used to threaten, assault, or intimidate the offender.

Any attempts to harass, intimidate or threaten these offenders, their families, landlords, or employers will be turned over for prosecution.

Printed handouts of the demographics of Emmons are available at the Jamestown Police Department.

More information on registered sex offenders is available at the North Dakota Attorney General’s web site: www.sexoffender.nd.gov

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department has  developed guidelines for reopening facilities.

Now open are:

All Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department parks, trails and open spaces. Community members are encouraged to use parks at their own risk, to practice social distancing and good hygiene.

Hillcrest Golf Course

 

Temporarily unavailable are:

Wilson Arena and The Bunker.

All recreation and athletic programs, including swim lessons, lap swim, youth basketball league, exercise classes, dance classes and teen programs.

All JPRD facility rentals are unavailable.

The Bollinger Tennis Courts will also be reopening shortly; guidelines for use will be announced soon.

 

Jamestown  (NDFU)   – North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne made the following statement Tuesday on a letter sent to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, urging a federal investigation into national price fixing by meat packers in the cattle industry. The letter was led by N.D. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and signed by his counterparts in Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

 

“We appreciate Attorney General Stenehjem’s lead role in calling for a Department of Justice investigation into price fixing in the beef industry. In all the years that Farmers Union has called for stronger antitrust enforcement, we have rarely seen such obvious market abuses.

 

“Four meat packing companies control more than 80% of beef processing in the United States. They’re posting record profits, while ranchers are suffering significant market price losses. The situation definitely smells rotten, and it not only hurts ranchers, but consumers, too.

 

“This investigation is the first step in a long process toward restoring ranchers’ markets. We will continue to work hard to ensure fair markets, establish truth in labeling, and expand access to local and in-state processing. Until we crack down on the packers, cattle producers in the U.S. will never earn a fair market price for what they produce.”

 

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota Powerball player has quickly claimed a $1 million prize. The winner from New Town matched five white balls for $1 million in last Wednesday’s drawing. The winner won with a quick pick ticket. The winner chose to remain anonymous and had no immediate plans for the prize winnings. Jason’s Super Foods in New Town will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning Powerball ticket.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An analysis by legislative lawyers suggests Gov. Doug Burgum may have overstepped his authority by imposing regulatory restrictions on business allowed to reopen amid the coronavirus outbreak. The memo released Tuesday afternoon by the nonpartisan Legislative Council raises the question of whether health officials and occupational licensing boards should have placed the restrictions, and not the governor. Burgum said in a statement that “every action taken by our administration has been squarely focused on saving the lives and livelihoods of North Dakota citizens.”

In world and national news…

PHOENIX (AP) — President Donald Trump is making himself Exhibit A in his determination to move past the coronavirus crisis, even as COVID-19 continues to spread. He’s in Arizona, taking a tour of a face mask factory in his first trip out of Washington in more than a month. Trump told reporters that he would be willing to wear a mask during the visit “if it’s a mask environment.” He also says “the people of our country should think of themselves as warriors” as the country begins to reopen. The trip comes as an Associated Press analysis Tuesday found infection rates rising even as states start to lift their lockdowns.

An Associated Press analysis shows that some of the least-populated states with relatively few coronavirus cases received an out-sized proportion of the $150 billion in federal money that was designed to address virus-related expenses. When measured against the number of positive coronavirus tests, the gaps are extreme. The small states’ haul included more than $2 million per positive test in Hawaii, Wyoming and Montana, and nearly $3.4 million per test in Alaska. By comparison, New York, by far the hardest-hit state, received about $24,000 per positive coronavirus test. States are now lobbying Congress for another round of help.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is moving forward on the next coronavirus aid measure. It’s a sweeping $800 billion-plus package that is expected to be unveiled soon. Democrats say key to any plan to reopen the economy is robust testing for the virus. They are also expected to propose another round of direct cash aid for anxious Americans, funds for states to prevent layoffs and more money to shore up businesses in the stay-home economy. Pelosi is pushing the package even as the House stays closed, due to the health risks of returning to Washington, while the Senate reopens in the pandemic. Republicans are resisting new outlays as President Donald Trump encourages states to reopen and Americans to return to work.

(AP) A group of U.S. senators is seeking an investigation into the Department of Veterans Affairs’ oversight of homes for aging veterans amid a spate of coronavirus deaths at the state-run homes. The senators on Tuesday asked the Government Accountability Office to look into the VA and states’ roles in ensuring veterans get proper care at the homes. They also want to know whether the agency or states have a system to “capture real time spikes in mortality rates.” Their request comes as outrage builds over the death of more than 70 veterans sickened by the coronavirus at a home in Massachusetts.

(AP)  U.S. meat supplies are dwindling due to coronavirus-related production shutdowns. As a result, some stores like Costco and restaurants like Wendy’s are limiting sales. U.S. beef and pork processing capacity is down 40% from last year. On Monday night, nearly 20% of U.S. Wendy’s didn’t have beef available on their online menus, according to an analysis by Stephens, an investment bank. Wendy’s confirms it’s seeing temporary shortages. Meat production plants are gradually reopening. In the meantime, some alternative meat companies like Impossible Foods are hoping to fill the void. Impossible says its soy-based burger will go on sale at 1,700 Kroger stores this week.

 

(AP)  Stocks Tuesday closed higher on Wall Street but gave up about half of their early gains in a late-afternoon bout of selling. The S&P 500 rose 0.9% Tuesday after being up 2% earlier. Overseas markets also rose as more countries relaxed restrictions on businesses and stay-at-home orders, raising hopes for a recovery from the historic plunge sweeping the global economy. Crude oil closed sharply higher, continuing its mini-rally after falling to record lows late last month. Lockdowns and travel restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus have caused demand for energy to crash and led to widespread job losses.

 

An Associated Press analysis finds that taking the New York metropolitan area’s progress against the coronavirus out of the equation shows the rest of the U.S. moving in the wrong direction, with the infection rate rising even as states move to lift their lockdowns. Scientists warn those numbers will only increase as states from Texas to Florida start to ease their own lockdowns. Meanwhile, Britain’s official coronavirus death total surpassed that of Italy to become the highest in Europe and second-highest in the world behind the United States.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A government scientist says he was ousted from his job after raising concerns that the Trump administration wanted to “flood” coronavirus hot spots like New York and New Jersey with a malaria drug, despite little scientific evidence it helped. Rick Bright filed a complaint Tuesday with the Office of Special Counsel, a government agency responsible for whistleblower complaints. He’s the former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. Bright alleges he was removed from his job and reassigned to a lesser role because he resisted political pressure to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug favored by Trump.

 

(AP)  A leading epidemiologist whose work heavily influenced Britain’s lockdown measures has resigned from his position as a government adviser after a newspaper revealed he broke social distancing rules. Professor Neil Ferguson says he “made an error of judgment” and regrets “any undermining of the clear messages around the continued need for social distancing.” His statement came after the Telegraph reported he had allowed his married lover to visit him at home during the lockdown.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. trade deficit rose in March as the coronavirus outbreak battered America’s trade with the world. The gap between what the United States sells and what it buys abroad rose 11.6% in March to $44.4 billion from $39.8 billion in February. U.S. exports fell 9.6% to $187.7 billion, and imports fell 6.2% to $232.2 billion. Total trade — exports plus imports — came in at $419.9 billion in March, down 7.8% from February and 11.4% from March 2019. The politically sensitive deficit in the trade of goods with China fell 21.3% to $15.5 billion in March as exports rose slightly and imports fell. The coronavirus and the lockdowns and travel restrictions meant to contain it have hammered the world economy and paralyzed global trade.