Wayne Byers Show – Morning – May 8

CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of rain after midnight in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area. Lows in the upper 30s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY…Rain likely in the morning, then rain possibly mixed

with snow in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. Northeast winds

15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with chance of rain possibly

mixed with snow in the evening, then partly cloudy with slight

chance of snow after midnight. Lows in the upper 20s. North winds

10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 35 mph in the evening. Chance of

precipitation 40 percent.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s. North winds 10 to

15 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 20s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 50.

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

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain showers and snow

showers in the morning, then chance of rain showers in the

afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s. Chance of precipitation

40 percent.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain

showers. Lows in the upper 30s.

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

showers. Highs in the upper 50s.

 

The northern James River Valley may see some impacts of rain and snow.

A weather advisory is expected from late tonight into early Saturday

afternoon.

 

Later in the day, and possibly early Saturday evening, the Clipper

will bring a mix of rain and snow to south central ND, but little

if any accumulations are expected. Another clipper following

quickly on the heels of the first, will bring a chance of light

rain and snow to western ND late Saturday night.

 

Beyond the Saturday night clipper, that tracks through western

North Dakota, the extended period looks to be mainly dry and cold

through mid week. Highs will be mainly in the 40s and 50s with

overnight lows below freezing.

 

By Wednesday and Thursday  temperatures are expected to moderate.

A chance of showers late Tuesday through Wednesday.

 

Valley City (CSi) The release at Bald Hill Dam in Valley City was ramped up to 2200 cfs, due to this week’s rainfall, of between an inch and an inch and a half.

The additional moisture has stepped up the runoff into Lake Ashtabula where the level jumped two feet after the rain and runoff, at 1266.57 feet, about a half foot above the conservation pool for the summer.

 

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

 

 

Bismarck  (NDDoH)   The North Dakota Department of Health, Thursday

At 11:03 a.m., released the Coronavirus Stats.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED THURSDAY

• Benson County – 2
• Cass County – 23
• Grand Forks County – 4
• McKenzie County – 2
• Pembina County – 1
• Pierce County – 1
• Ramsey County – 2
• Richland County – 1
• Rolette County – 1
• Sargent County – 1
• Stark County – 3
• Traill County – 1
• Walsh  County – 1
• Ward County – 1
• Williams County – 5

 

BY THE NUMBERS

40,867 – Total Tested (+2,235 individuals from yesterday)

39,496 – Total Negative (+2,187 individuals from yesterday)

1,371 – Total Positive (+49 individuals from yesterday)

Please note that after investigation it was determined that a previously reported case from Mountrail County was from out of state.

2.1% – Daily Positive Rate of Completed Tests

102 – Total Hospitalized (+5 individuals from yesterday)

35 – Currently Hospitalized (+3 individuals from yesterday)

601 – Total Recovered (+19 individuals from yesterday)

31 – Total Deaths (+0 individual from yesterday)

Jamestown  (JPS)  Jamestown Public Schools is pleased to announce that Jamestown High School will be holding a graduation ceremony on May 24, 2020.  This was made possible based upon guidance from Governor Doug Burgum and the recent receipt of the ND Smart Restart High School Graduation Ceremony Guidance from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

While accommodations will include limits on guests, the event will be livecast to ensure that all people interested in supporting the Class of 2020 in this capstone achievement will be able to do so.

Specific guidelines will be sent out directly to graduates and families and will be posted on the school district’s website after consultation with Central Valley Health, emergency services, and city officials.

Valley City  (CSi)  The release at Bald Hill Dam in Valley City was ramped up to 2200 cfs, due to this week’s rainfall, of between an inch and an inch and a half.

The additional moisture has stepped up the runoff into Lake Ashtabula where the level jumped two feet after the rain and runoff, at 1266.57 feet, about a half foot above the conservation pool for the summer.

 

Jamestown, (CSi)  The Jamestown Branch of the North Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be open for limited in person access, by appointment only starting Monday May 11, in accordance with state guidelines.

Chamber Executive Emily Bivens says services will be somewhat limited at the DMV, and anyone wanting to take care of business in person should call for information on the types of registrations taking priority, and make an appointment at 701 952-0852.    Titling and large truck registrations take priority followed by passenger vehicles.  The DMV will also have a drop box outside the building to drop off vehicle registrations applications, and after they are processed they can be picked up, or mailed.

She also pointed out that the Chamber Office on Monday May 11, will also be available to walk-ins, but by appointment only, by calling 701-252-4830.  The office can also be reached for other business by phone or E-Mail jamestownchamber.com

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City/Barnes County Library will offer curbside pick up beginning June 1.

That’s in addition to E- books and on line material that’s available, accessible through the library’s web site” vcbclibrary.org including E-books and audio books, and other digital offerings.

 Jamestown  (CSi) 5-7-20  The Jamestown Police Department warns residents of a convicted sex offender who has relocated in Jamestown.

Leroy John Hanson now lives at 117 1st Street West, Number 2, Jamestown, ND

Hanson is a 56 year old White Male five feet seven inches tall weighing 210 pounds with blue eyes and red hair.

He has 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,  in 2004 involving  with a 14 year old girl.

Conviction: April 2004, Ward County District Court.

Disposition:  10 years with 5 years suspended.

He is currently on GPS Monitoring.

Hanson is not currently wanted by police and has served the sentence imposed by the court. This and other notifications are meant for public safety and not to increase fear in the community. Anyone who uses the information to threaten, assault, and intimidate the offender will be turned over for prosecution.

Hanson is currently on probation with North Dakota Parole and Probation.

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

Jamestown (CSi)   Central Valley Health District, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Jamestown Public Schools, and South Central Human Service Center are scheduled presenters at the Friday May 8, 2020 Stutsman COVID-19 Response News Briefing.  The presentations are made through a virtual platform, in observance of social distancing.

Each representative will give updates on their agency, along with information on staying safe during the pandemic.

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.

 

 

Jamestown  (uj.edu)   Sharon Cox, MFA, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Art, will retire after 28 years of service to University of Jamestown.

Cox joined University of Jamestown in the fall of 1992 to teach art and journalism after teaching previously at Lynchburg College in Virginia, Jackson State University in Mississippi, and Mercer University in Georgia.

Provost, Dr. Paul Olson says, “Summarizing Sharon’s career and time in Jamestown is a monumental task.  She has taught innumerable art courses, put on countless art shows, painted everything from Dine and Bid backdrops to the World’s Largest Buffalo, written “Art Voices” weekly for the Jamestown Sun since 1992—which she will continue to do—and been a champion for the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse.”

Cox was named the Professor of the Year for 1997. “Most importantly,” Dr. Olson continued, “Sharon has been an advocate, counselor, and mentor for not only all of her art majors, but for dozens if not hundreds of UJ students and alumni.”

Jamestown  (CSi)   As businesses across North Dakota begin reopening with Governor Burgum’s loosening of Covid-19 related restrictions, The Arts Center is in planning for a safe reopening June 1.

Arts Center Director, Mindi Schmitz  says, “Our primary concern is for the public’s safety and for our employees and their families. At this time The Arts Center is doing a deep cleaning of all surfaces within our two facilities. We’ve also completed a Spring cleanup of the Hansen Arts Park. We want to make sure we open our doors to the community as safely as possible June 1.”

 

The City Council approved the request from the Jamestown Fine Arts Association, Inc., d/b/a/ The Arts Center, for a street closing on 2nd St SW from 1st Ave to the alley, every Thursday in June, July and August from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, for the weekly Downtown Arts Market and request a waiver of the street closing fees. The approval is pending restrictions in place at that time concerning social distancing.

 

May 8 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Zoom session

Here is a unique way to document this crazy time… Explore the creative process of a daily sketchbook journal. Linda Roesch will guide you through the observation of the world around you with an artistic interpretation. You could think of this as Plein Air painting only inside… look out your window (since we can’t spend a lot of time outside at this time).  Considering what most catches your eye? What do you want to remember or reflect on at a later date? Focusing on creating a “whole composition,” and let’s not forget the background.

Linda will be using Zoom to conduct this safe and socially distanced session. *A beginners watercolor kit will be provided. Students will need sketchbook of choice (size does not matter) pencil, erasers, extra coloring supplies like crayons, colored pencil or markers.

 

Virtual Art Lessons with Linda Roesch

 

April 3 @ 8:00 am – May 30 @ 11:00 pm

While we are all confined to our homes and children are not able to go to school or Arts After School… Our artist in residence, Linda Roesch, has put several of her art lessons on streaming video for easy access. These lessons are free and can be watched whenever you like.

 

 

April 27 @ 3:00 pm – May 27 @ 4:00 pm

Virtual Setting

With everything shut down, we are bringing kids the opportunity to join Linda Roesch for some creative fun! Linda will be several virtual art classes designed for learning from home on Zoom.

• One hour lessons from 3:00 – 4:00 pm
  •    Designed for students in grades 3, 4, 5 & 6
  •    Safe, social distance learning using Zoom
  •    Just $5 per session
  •    Pre-registration is required

April 27 & 29: Watercolor Monsters
Students will be creating their own unique monsters using wet into wet watercolor techniques. First sketching out the design… thinking about features monsters have (bulging eyes, tail, scales, fur, spots, wings, horn, etc.)—They are easy to draw, so there are no mistakes! Linda will guide students through the painting process. Then how to use crayon, colored pencil, market, oil pastels (whatever you have available) to add additional details over the dried watercolor painting. *A beginners watercolor kit will be provided. Students will need a tray or cookie sheet, pencil, erasers, extra coloring supplies like crayons, colored pencil or markers.

May 4 & 6: Daily Sketchbook Journaling
Explore the creative process of a daily sketchbook journal… learn to observe the world around you with an artistic interpretation. What catches your eye? What do you want to remember later? Focus on creating a “whole composition,” and don’t forget the background. Then share completed works with the class.

May 11, 13 & 15: Stop Motion Animation
Learn the techniques needed to create your own animated short film. Then move on to filming and presentation of your film. Linda will guide the class through the writing of their script, designing and building their film set, camera use, lighting techniques and setting the scene. The class will conclude with the viewing and critique of the films. *Students need to have a smart phone, digital camera or tablet for this course.

May 18, 20 & 22: Found Objects Creations
Explore the wonder of 3D worlds!  Linda will demonstrate how to construct a miniature habitat using various found and recycled objects. Then we will start building together. Learn about the famous architect Gaudi, then construct your own buildings. Explore the concept of an Earthship, discuss challenges and sketch an interior and exterior.  * Students will need small toys or trinkets, dirt, rocks, sand, flour, aquarium rocks, small recycled bottles or containers (make-up caps, essential oil bottles, medicine bottles, etc) paper, cardboard…. anything they can cut, paint or reuse for making their scene; and a hot glue and glue gun (at least 3 clear plastic bottles 20oz or 1.5L size).

May 25 & 27: Plein Air Painting (at a socially safe distance)
Enjoy the warmer weather and capture what you see in front of you. Plan to meet in the Hansen Arts Park (if weather allows) and paint while keeping a safe social distance from others. Learn techniques for quick outdoor painting and what makes a good composition. Study the details like line, color, shape and think about making your scene interesting for the viewer. * Students will need pencil, erasers, extra coloring supplies like crayons, colored pencil or markers. If weather does not allow for outdoor painting, Linda will do a Zoom lesson and students should have a phone or tablet available for this option.

 

May 14 @ 6:30 pm – May 21 @ 8:00 pm

At Hansen Arts Studio

Wood carving with the local Woodchippers…  Experienced carvers and curious beginners are all welcome to drop in a get carving. The more experienced members of the Woodchippers group will help get beginners started. The group meets every Thursday evening, except Holiday weeks. This is a free activity and open to all skill levels..

Buffalo City Photography Club

The local band of photo enthusiasts will be meeting the third Tuesday of each month 6:30 pm at the Hansen Arts Studio. Topics are focused primarily for DSLR camera users. Beginners and experts alike are both welcome. The club features a different speaker each month to help develop your photography skills. This workshop is free.

May 29 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Hansen Arts Park 122 1st Avenue S
Jamestown, ND 58401 United States

Enjoy the warmer weather and capture what you see in front of you. Plan to meet in the Hansen Arts Park (if weather allows) and paint while keeping a safe social distance from others.

Learn techniques for quick outdoor painting and what makes a good composition. Study the details like line, color, shape and think about making your scene interesting for the viewer. * A beginners watercolor kit will be provided. If weather does not allow for outdoor painting, Linda will do a Zoom lesson and students should have a phone or tablet available for this option.

Bismarck  – Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement Thursday after Great River Energy (GRE), a not-for-profit wholesale electric power cooperative providing power in Minnesota and Wisconsin, announced plans to retire its 1,151-megawatt (MW) coal generating power plant, Coal Creek Station, in Underwood, N.D., during the second half of 2022.

“While this news is disappointing, Lt. Gov. Sanford and I are more determined than ever to find a path forward for Coal Creek Station that preserves high-paying jobs and keeps North Dakota’s most efficient and updated coal-fired plant on the grid to ensure baseload power capacity for our state and the region,” Burgum said. “We remain committed to bringing stakeholders to the table to evaluate all options and find opportunity in this uncertainty. We appreciate GRE’s 40-year history of positive economic impact on the energy and agriculture industries in North Dakota and look forward to collaborative opportunities in the future.”

Coal Creek Station has been in operation since 1979 and has 260 employees. GRE announced that the reduced power generation will be replaced with 1,100 MW of wind energy purchases by the end of 2023, 600 MW of which have been approved for wind projects, mostly located in Minnesota.

The Governor’s Office has been actively engaged in conversations with GRE to transfer or sell Coal Creek Station to third party operators. In a press release Thursday, GRE expressed its willingness to consider opportunities to sell the plant prior to the planned retirement in the second half of 2022.

J.C. Butler, CEO of North American Coal, the operator of the Falkirk Mine near Underwood, ND, which is the lignite supplier to Coal Creek Station, issued a statement Thursday stating that North American Coal is actively engaged in the exploration of options to allow for the transfer of the plant to one or more third parties, which would preserve jobs at both Coal Creek Station and the Falkirk Mine, which employs 480 people.

The State of North Dakota has been an active public partner with private lignite industry partners, by supporting lignite research and clean coal technologies over the years, contributing $30 million from the Lignite Research Fund since 2017 to lignite research projects with a total value of over $92 million, including value-added projects, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) and rare earth studies.

Great River Energy has announced that it would convert its Spiritwood Station plant at the Energy Park from lignite coal to natural gas.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Officials say they’ve identified several COVID-19 hot spots in and around Fargo, which is North Dakota’s biggest city and which has had more confirmed cases of the disease than any other community in the state. With the rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the Fargo area continuing to dwarf the rest of the state, Gov. Doug Burgum is calling on local representatives to help slow the spread. He has promised resources to help with testing and other measures he believes will keep people healthy _ and businesses open. Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, a member of the newly created Red River Valley COVID-19 Task Force, said Thursday that he believes the city and county can “test our way out of this.”

FARGO, N.D. (KFGO-AM) — Fargo police say a man was arrested on a possible reckless endangerment charge after he was found pounding on the door to the Cass County Jail not far from his burning car. Authorities say the car fire was reported about 9:30 p.m. Thursday. KFGO reports a short time later, the driver was pounding on the jail door, telling officers he was high on methamphetamine, his car was on fire and he was running from police. The 38-year-old man with no permanent address was arrested. He was taken to the hospital and then to jail.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Police say a man armed with a machete during an attempted robbery of a Fargo smoke shop fought with an employee and punched an officer in the face. Authorities say police were called to multiple reports of a disturbance in the middle of a street about 7 p.m. Wednesday. KFGO reports the 20-year-old suspect attempted to rob Smoke 4 Less in Fargo and pulled out the machete when an employee confronted him. Police say the suspect fought with the employee and later punched an officer who responded to the scene. The man was arrested when other officers arrived.

 

In sports…

INFORUM  Grant Nelson of Devils Lake has been named the winner of the North Dakota High School Coaches Association POWERade senior athlete of the year award in Class A boys basketball.

Nelson, a 6-foot-10 guard/forward who has committed to play at North Dakota State, averaged 25 points, 18 rebounds and six blocked shots per game last season. He had nine games with at least 20 rebounds and was his team’s top 3-point shooter.

Boden Skunberg of Jamestown, who has also committed to play at NDSU, was the West Region senior athlete of the year and also earned North Dakota Gatorade player of the year honors.

Skunberg and Nelson, both unanimous Class A all-state first-team selections by the state’s media, have also been selected to play in the annual North Dakota Lions all-star basketball series this summer, tentatively scheduled to be held July 13 at Bismarck Legacy High School and July 14 at West Fargo High School. The series matches Class A’s top seniors against Class B’s top seniors.

On Tuesday, Devils Lake’s Jessica Mertens was named the North Dakota High School Coaches Association POWERade senior athlete of the year in Class A girls basketball.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SPORTS

IndyCar to open delayed season in Texas

UNDATED (AP) — IndyCar has gotten the green flag to finally start its season in Texas.

The race will be run June 6 without spectators at Texas Motor Speedway.

IndyCar President Jay Frye says IndyCar worked closely with track and public health officials on a plan to “ensure the safety of our event participants.”

The June season opener will be on a condensed schedule with practice, qualifying and the race taking place on the same day. There will be strict access guidelines limiting the number of personnel on site, with health screening system administered to all participants and personal protection equipment provided to everyone entering the facility. Social distancing protocols will be in place.

In other developments related to the coronavirus pandemic:

— The head of China’s football association says teams will implement temporary player pay cuts of 30% to 50% to help teams manage losses from the coronavirus outbreak. The official (Chen Xuyuan) also told state broadcaster CCTV that matches would be resumed on a staggered schedule but gave no specific dates.

— Sporting events in Oregon are likely to be without large crowds likely through at least the end of September because of the new coronavirus. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced steps the state is taking in its reopening next week. Brown asked those planning large gatherings to cancel or significantly modify plans for anything scheduled in September.

— The NFL has set protocols for reopening team facilities and has told the 32 teams to have them in place by May 15. Commissioner Roger Goodell mapped out several phases of protocols in a memo obtained by The Associated Press. The first phase to deal with the coronavirus pandemic would involve a limited number of non-player personnel. The individual clubs would decide which employees could return to the facility and when, once the buildings reopen. No players would be permitted in the facility except to continue therapy and rehabilitation for injuries that were underway when facilities were ordered closed in late March.

— The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of a handful of NBA teams planning to reopen their training facilities today for individual player workouts. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the team has worked with health officials to ensure players and coaches are safe.

— NBA teams have been asked to help the Mayo Clinic with a study that could help researchers come closer to finding a solution to the coronavirus problem. Mayo Clinic officials need volunteers for a study largely centered around antibodies. Teams were told that the study would help doctors understand the prevalence of COVID-19 among infected individuals who were asymptomatic or experienced only mild symptoms.

— Fans will be allowed to enter baseball stadiums today for games in Taiwan for the first time this season. It is part of a gradual easing of restrictions amid the pandemic. The China Professional Baseball League said up to 1,000 people would be permitted to enter ballparks after an agreement between the league and Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center.

— New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio doesn’t see games returning to Yankee Stadium or Citi Field very quickly, at least not with fans. De Blasio says bigger events are going to be one of the last things that will really fit the equation as the country restarts. He says the perfect time to reopen big events is when the new coronavirus has been “beaten back to next to nothing.”

— WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman expects professional boxing to return without spectators and with judges officiating by video from home. Sulaiman said the World Boxing Council has produced a protocol for fights during the coronavirus pandemic that limit, for instance, a four-fight card to about 40-50 people at a venue.

— More than 30 workers have accepted voluntary severance packages from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. It’s part of the organization’s attempt to trim up to 20% of its expenses in response to shortfalls caused by COVID-19. Furloughs and involuntary layoffs are expected to begin next week.

— The televised match involving Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and two of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks is raising $10 million for COVID-19 relief. Turner Sports is producing the May 24 event that will be simulcast on its networks, including TNT and TBS. Woods and Peyton Manning will take on Mickelson and Tom Brady at Medalist Golf Club.

CFL-COMMISSIONER-CANCELLATION

CFL commissioner: Canceling season most likely scenario

OTTAWA (AP) — Canadian Football League Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said the most likely scenario is to cancel the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ambrosie made the admission for the first time while testifying Thursday to a House of Commons standing committee on finance.

News broke last week that the CFL had requested up to $150 million Canadian in assistance from the federal government. During his testimony, Ambrosie said the league’s future is “very much in jeopardy.”

BOSTON (AP) — The northeastern U.S. is about to get a cold spring farewell from winter’s bad boy, the polar vortex, which could bring rare May snowfall and record-low temperatures to some areas over the Mother’s Day weekend. The National Weather Service says a low pressure system off the coast of southern New England is pulling cold air down from the north. Current forecasts call for perhaps as much as 2 inches of snow in the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts on Friday into Saturday, and rain with flakes possible in the Boston area. Massachusetts hasn’t had measurable snow in May since 2002.