Wayne Byers Show – Morning – May 27

CSi Weather…

.TODAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. West winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northwest around 15 mph in the afternoon.

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 50. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 10 to

15 mph increasing to around 20 mph in the afternoon.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. North

winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. North winds 5 to

10 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

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

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the upper 50s.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the morning. Highs in the lower 80s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 60s.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s.

 

After the warm up, below normal temps through late week with a significant warming trend beginning over the weekend into next week. Saturday will see high temps in the mid 70s west and upper 60 east, but well into the 80s Mon and Tue, approaching 90 at many locations.

Mostly dry conditions are expected.

 

 

(CSi)  CVHD held is final weekly Stutsman County health news briefing Tuesday, May 26 at 2:30pm  The meeting airs live with replays on CSi 67 and CSi 10 (Wed).   View it here at CSiNewsNOW.com or go to the CSi LiveStream at Facebook.

Presenters included Central Valley Health District, Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department, and the City of Jamestown.

Central Valley Health District. Administrator Robin Iszler said, as of Tuesday afternoon there have been 18 positive testings in Stutsman County, with a total of 2305 tests.

There are no scheduled mass testings in the county at this time. They anticipate testings at group homes and long term care facilities over the next weeks and months.  Local nursing homes, and the Anne Carlsen Center, and the State Hospital have had surveillance testing, which will continue.

Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser said, the Sheriff’s Office remains open to calls for service, and those wishing more information can call the office, or dispatch at 701-252-1000.

He said deputies arriving on scene will be wearing face masks and gloves, and in some instances a full protective gown if necessary.

 

Jamestown Police Department Assistant Chief Justin Blinsky said, the Police Department remains open for service calls.  He encourages the public to monitor and observe CDC and State Health Department guidelines including observing social distance, an wearing of face masks in public.  He added the police department appreciates the public’s cooperation during the time of the pandemic.

 

City of Jamestown, Mayor Heinrich also appreciates the public cooperation in observing guidelines concerning social distancing, and other guidelines.   He said the Emergency Operations Center, officials continue to meet daily.  He also thanked the local media including CSi Cable for their assistance for making the CVHD meetings available to the public.

He said the moratorium to allow liquor off sales to restaurants offering curb side and walk up sale of meals will continue until the September 1, 2020 city council meeting.  He added to make this permanent requires  looking at the type of liquor license that is held.

He added that serving of food on sidewalks will be given more consideration, including establishing an agreement with the  NDDOT being that Jamestown is on a major highway.

He said  making the moratorium, and sidewalk serving of food permanent, will require City Council action, in the form of an Ordinance.

He pointed out that Jamestown City Hall remains closed to walk ups and to call for an appointment for a face to face meeting or needing to conduct business, at 701-252-5900.

A date for an opening of city hall is yet to be determined.  City Council meetings at City Hall are now open to the public, with screenings, at the door, and social distancing  will  be observed.

Sanford Health, Jamestown Clinic, Director Jon Lillijord said screenings remain at the door, at both Jamestown Clinics, to ask questions, and all patients arriving at the clinic are asked to wear a face mask.  One visitor per patient is now allowed to accompany the patient, and they should also wear a mask.  Additional chairs will be added to the waiting room.  There is a separate waiting area for those with respiratory issues, such as a cough.  Thorough cleaning continues of all areas.

Appointments for regular care are still being accepted, including speech and hearing services.

Jamestown Regional Medical Center, was unable to be present due to technical issues.

This will be the final Tuesday press conference. Robin said there have been 21 News Briefings to the public since March this year.  The next press conference to be determined based on need.  Robin noted, that media releases will be forthcoming, and if the situation warrants, that the video news briefing will be brought back.

 

 

Bismarck (CSi)   Governor Doug Burgum resumed his daily COVID-19 News Briefing Tuesday afternoon at the State Capital in Bismarck.  He was joined by North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) Division of Microbiology Director Dr. Christie Massen.

 

North Dakota health officials reported 43 new cases of COVID-19, including 38 in the state’s most populous county that contains Fargo. Statewide, there were 2,422 confirmed cases as of Tuesday. Cass County has recorded 1,580 of the confirmed cases.

NDDoH

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 – 11:11am

Categories: Coronavirus

LAB EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION

The lab experienced a recent malfunction on two pieces of lab equipment. Out of an abundance of caution, 82 positive results will be considered inconclusive and the individuals have been asked to retest. All the facilities involved have been notified. The issue was caught quickly and early; the malfunction has been corrected and has not impacted lab processing.

 

The retests will run over the next couple of days – an update will be provided in future news releases and more information will be provided at the news conference on Tuesday. For now, the previous results remain in the total positive count and will be adjusted after the results are in. More to come.

 

Total Retests Complete: 65

Positive: 1

Negative: 64

1 individual declined testing and is self-isolate at home

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

• Cass County – 38
• Grand Forks County – 3
• Rolette County – 1
• Walsh County – 1

BY THE NUMBERS

85,479 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+976 total tests from yesterday)

 

66,854 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+504 unique individuals from yesterday)

64,432 – Total Negative (+539 unique individuals from yesterday)

2,422 – Total Positive (43 unique individuals from yesterday)
Updated to reflect the change the reversal in positives due to the equipment malfunction in the lab.  

4.4% – Daily Positivity Rate**

156 – Total Hospitalized (+2 individuals from yesterday)

He said the ND Hospital Capacity is at just two percent.

 

40 – Currently Hospitalized (-1 individuals from yesterday)

1,701 – Total Recovered (+150 individuals from yesterday)

54 – Total Deaths (+0 individual from yesterday)

Addressing the lab testing issues over the past few  days,  two new lab testing equipment pieces  have been added, for a total of 15 testing machines in service operating 24/7.

North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) Division of Microbiology Director Dr. Christie Massen, said the asymptomatic case rate, is at 30-percent.  She explained that false positive testings do occur, which are difficult to identify, and inconclusive results are retested.

She said if sick, to stay home, and all should wear at face mask when going out in public.

Burgum addressed the issue of opioid  addition, and noted the opioid overdose resources available through the State of North Dakota, including the availability of NARCAN to assist anyone experiencing an opioid overdose.  Recovering Talk is available at 1-844-44TALK2

He said the SAFER Grants are available to fire departments, for recruitment and other needs of full time and volunteer fire departments. The application deadline is Wednesday  May 27, 2020, through FEMA.

He pointed out that May 26, 2020 is the anniversary of Jamestown native, Peggy Lee’s birth, adding that she was the fifth North Dakotan inducted into the Theodore Roosevelt, Rough Rider Hall of Fame.

He said with the launch of  SpaceX  at 3:30-p.m., Wednesday, the state will make a decision around noon on Wednesday, if the governor’s news briefing will be held at the time or pushed back to later if the launch occurs at 3:30-p.m., so North Dakotans may view the launch.   Coverage of the launch will be on CSi Cable 82.2 the NASA Channel.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Most North Dakota state government offices are set to reopen to the public next week in a limited capacity and a month after businesses in the state restarted with precautions amid the coronavirus outbreak. The state also will use $23.8 million of federal coronavirus aid to update computer systems and purchase laptops for employees who remain at home. Gov. Doug Burgum amended an executive order Friday that will allow state offices to operate at a maximum 50% capacity.  Burgum said some 7,000 state employees at about 1,600 facilities across North Dakota have been part of a “remote workforce” since mid-March.

 

Valley City (CSi)   City County Health District in Valley City will hold the next COVID-19 News Briefing on Wednesday evening  at 5:30-p.m.

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

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.

Schedule speakers include: City County Health District Administrator Theresa Will

Valley City Fire Chief Scott Magnuson,

Barnes County Food Pantry, Director, Pat Hansen

Barnes County Commission President, Bill Carlblom

Valley City Mayor, Dave Carlsrud.

 

Jamestown  (Chamber)     Members of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Davoni’s, a new restaurant in Jamestown. This business is located at 113 1^st St. W in Jamestown.

Businesses qualify for a ribbon-cutting ceremony if they open, move, remodel, are under new ownership or change their name. For more information, contact Emily Bivens by emailing: director@jamestownchamber.com or call the chamber at 701-252-4830.

 

Jamestown  (JFD)  Jamestown City Fire Chief, Jim Reuther, says, Beginning Tuesday, May 26, 2020, firefighters will be flow testing fire hydrants in the SE part of Jamestown. This will last for about the next 3weeks. Please use extreme caution in this area.
The Fire Department flows about a third of the City’s hydrants each year. The testing provides the department with the flow pressure and volume of water from each hydrant. Additionally, it reveals hydrants with mechanical problems. Flow testing is one of the ways the department uses to ensure hydrants are operable and give the proper water flow during an emergency.

Valley City  Barnes County has announced that spring road restrictions will be lifted on all asphalt county roadways, with the exception of Barnes County 17’s (Old #1).

Restrictions will remain in place on Barnes County and Township gravel roads until further notice.  Remember Barnes County 17’s (Old #1) will remain closed to all truck traffic until further notice.

Fargo (KFGO) – A fire and a several hour stand-off between Fargo police and a man holed up in his third floor apartment at 1618 East Gateway Circle early Wednesday led to his arrest.

Officers were called to the scene around midnight on a report of a disturbance. The man inside, was alone and yelling and threatening police and others according to Sgt. Travis Moser who said it appeared the man had mental health issues.

Officers attempted to talk the man out for about 90 minutes but he refused and then started “destroying” the apartment. Police backed off and waited outside for a half hour, hoping the man would calm down. Moser says the man then started the apartment unit on fire. An officer outside could see flames inside and the hallway filled with smoke so police forced their way in as firefighters were called to put out the fire.

The man had already barricaded himself in a bathroom and refused to give up. Police used a pepper ball gun and pepper spray but the man still refused to surrender. Moser says after another half hour, the man started ripping the sheet rock off the bathroom walls in an attempt to get into a neighbors apartment. At that point, police broke down the door and took the man into custody.

27 year old Matthew Griffin,  was taken to the hospital to be checked for exposure to the pepper spray before being booked into jail on a charge of endangerment by fire. Several officers were also exposed to the pepper spray vapor but were not hurt.

Damage to apartment is estimated at several thousand dollars.

Fargo  (KFGO) – One person has died in a house fire in south Fargo. Firefighters were called to 1123 S. University Dr. at around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Fire Chief Steve Dirksen, says, “Upon arrival, fire crews encountered smoke and a small amount of fire in the house.  The fire was quickly extinguished by our crews.”

Dirksen says the fire appeared to be concentrated in more than one area of the home. The Fargo Fire Marshal, Fargo police and the ATF will investigate the cause.

The victim’s identity was not immediately released.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A presidential task force charged with addressing an epidemic of missing and slain Native Americans is resuming listening sessions. The task force held a handful of sessions in person before the coronavirus hit. It’s now turning to teleconferences and webinars to update tribes on its work and get feedback, starting Wednesday. The group says it will meet a November deadline to submit a report to the White House. The task force is reviewing cold cases in Indian Country to find ways to improve investigations and respond more quickly to reports of missing Native Americans.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Four Minneapolis police officers who were involved in the arrest of a black man who died in police custody were fired Tuesday. The firings come a day after a bystander’s video showed the man pleading that he could not breathe as a white officer knelt on his neck and kept his knee there for several minutes after the man stopped moving. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced the terminations on Twitter, and said the firings were the “right call.” Monday’s death of George Floyd was under investigation by the FBI and state law enforcement authorities. It drew comparisons to the case of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man who died in 2014 in New York after being placed in a police chokehold.

In sports…

VIRUS IN SPORTS…

Jamestown  (CSi)  Babe Ruth baseball season starts  Thursday  May 28, hosting Dickinson in a 2-p.m., double header at Jack Brown Stadium.

The opening games for Jamestown were originally scheduled to take place this Friday but have since been moved up 24 hours. Jamestown Area Youth Baseball Association director Brad Nold said fans attending the games will be asked to adhere to local social distancing guidelines.

Recent updates to Jamestown’s schedule in place of an American Legion baseball season include increasing from  11 doubleheaders to 13.

Jack Brown stadium is scheduled to host six doubleheaders. The annual Phil Brown Classic is on July 10-12 and the Class A Senior Babe Ruth West Region tournament begins July 28.

Jamestown Class A Senior Babe Ruth Schedule

(REVISED)

(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

May 28: Dickinson AA, 2 / 4 p.m.

June 3: Fargo, 5:30 / 7:30 p.m.

UNDATED (AP) —The NHL will abandon the rest of the regular season and go straight into the playoffs with 24 teams instead of 16 if it is able to resume play.

The decision, announced Tuesday by Commissioner Gary Bettman, is not a guarantee that games are coming back. The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association must still figure out health and safety protocols and solve other issues, including where to play.

Still, ironing out the format represents significant progress since global sports were largely shut down in March as the coronavirus outbreak turned into a pandemic. Bettman has said the goal has always been to play again and award the Stanley Cup, but details remain uncertain.

Instead of limiting the Cup chase to the usual 16 teams that qualify for the playoffs, the league and players agreed to expand the field to 24 of its 31 teams because of the unusual circumstances.

The top four teams in each conference ranked by points percentage will play separate round-robin tournaments to determine seeding. The remaining 16 teams will be seeded by conference.

Games are expected to be played in two hub cities and Bettman said and 10 are in the running: Chicago, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh and Minneapolis/St. Paul in the U.S. and Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NFL-ROSS

Dolphins owner says there will be a 2020 season

MIAMI (AP) — Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross says there definitely will be an NFL season in 2020.

In an interview on CNBC, Ross says the question is whether there will be fans in the stadiums.

The NFL has said it expects to play a full schedule beginning Sept. 10 but is preparing contingency plans in case the coronavirus pandemic makes venue changes or games without fans necessary.

Ross says the NFL’s flexibility will allow the league to start on time. He says the country needs sports entertainment.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-BASEBALL

Players call MLB economic proposal `extremely disappointing’

NEW YORK (AP) — A rookie at the major league minimum would make a higher percentage of his salary than multimillionaire stars like Mike Trout or Gerrit Cole under a sliding-scale proposal by big league teams that players found “extremely disappointing.”

Major League Baseball made the proposal to the players’ union on Tuesday during a digital meeting rather than the 50-50 revenue-sharing plan that owners initially approved for their negotiators on May 11. In addition, the union said “the sides also remain far apart on health and safety protocols” aimed at starting the pandemic-delayed season around the Fourth of July.

Salaries in the major leagues range from $563,500 at the minimum to $36 million each for Trout, the three-time MVP outfielder on the Los Angeles Angels, and Cole, the pitcher signed by the New York Yankees as a free agent. According to a study by The AP, 369 of 899 players have salaries of $600,000 or less, according to the rosters frozen in March.

In other MLB news:

The Oakland Athletics are placing their scouts and selected other front office employees on furlough and cutting the salaries of other executives as part of a cost-cutting move in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A person familiar with the plans said Tuesday that the furloughs will begin next week, although the team’s amateur scouts are expected to stay on through the draft June 10-11. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the moves.

The furloughs will apply to professional and amateur scouts and other front office employees on the business side. The A’s will continue to pay the health care, 401K and pension costs for their employees.

WORLD TEAMTENNIS-FANS

World TeamTennis hoping to play before fans within weeks

UNDATED (AP) — World TeamTennis says it is planning to allow up to 500 spectators at outdoor matches during its three-week season from July 12 to Aug. 2 at a resort in West Virginia.

All tennis events sanctioned by the ATP, WTA and International Tennis Federation are on hold at least until late July because of the coronavirus pandemic. But World TeamTennis is not affiliated with those tours and no ATP or WTA ranking points are available for its matches.

World TeamTennis is increasing its prize money to $5 million. That is $1.5 million more than for its 2019 season.

NASCAR-BUSCH-MASKS

Kyle Busch supports wearing a mask in public

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch says he supports wearing a mask in public so “we all can take care of our neighbor” amid the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a rare instance of the two-time NASCAR champion wading into a social issue.

Busch entered the debate after images from short tracks over the weekend showed packed grandstands with little social distancing and few people wearing masks.

He retweeted a photo from South Alabama Speedway in Ozark, Alabama, and added his own message. Busch applauded fans for supporting their local short tracks but suggested mandatory masks for admission for “healthier practices.”

The reigning Cup Series champion rarely speaks on non-racing issues.

In other developments related to the coronavirus:

—Iowa State athletic director Jaime Pollard is telling Cyclones fans that football home games will be played at no more than 50% capacity at Jack Trice Stadium, pending a change in state and local health guidelines. That means no more than 30,000 fans. About 22,000 season tickets have been renewed, leaving about 8,000 seats to be filled.

— Formula One carmaker McLaren says 1,200 jobs will be lost across its entire group’s operations because of the coronavirus outbreak. It was not immediately clear how the cuts would affect the group’s F1 operation. The sport has yet to start its 2020 season amid the pandemic. The cuts represent about a quarter of the group’s workforce.

— New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted that as long as the NFL’s Giants and Jets and the NHL’s Devils follow health and medical protocols, they could open training camps or even hold competition. The NFL’s preseason and training camps wouldn’t begin until midsummer — teams are doing virtual workouts in place of the usual on-field activities because of the coronavirus pandemic.

— The top men’s soccer league in Ukraine will resume Saturday in empty stadiums after a suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Ukrainian Premier League says it has received approval from the country’s health ministry to restart. No games have been played since March 15.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS-BRIBERY

Prosecutors say guilty plea coming in college bribery case

UNDATED (AP) — A Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty to bribing Georgetown University’s former tennis coach to get his daughter admitted as a fake athletic recruit.

Robert Repella pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 10 months in prison and a $40,000 fine.

Charging documents released Tuesday say Repella paid Georgetown tennis coach Gordon Ernst $50,000 in 2017 to get his daughter admitted as an athlete.

Repella is the 55th person to be charged in the nationwide college admissions bribery scandal.

NBA-WIZARDS-WALL

Wall says he’s fully recovered

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards point guard John Wall says he’s fully recovered after two operations that sidelined him for the past 1½ years. He also says he is “itching” to get back on the court next season.

The five-time All-Star has not played in an NBA game since December 2018. Surgery for bone spurs in his left heel ended that season and while he was working his way back from that, he tore his left Achilles tendon and needed another operation in 2019.

That held Wall out for all the current season, which was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He spoke during a video call to discuss his relief program to help pay rent for people in the nation’s capital affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

BAFFERT-HORSE DRUG TESTS

Reports: 2 horses trained by Bob Baffert fail drug tests

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Published reports say that two horses from the barn of two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert have tested positive for a banned substance.

The New York Times and Louisville Courier-Journal have cited unidentified sources in reporting the positive tests occurred during the recent meet at Oaklawn in Arkansas.

The Times says one of the horses to test positive for lidocaine was Charlatan, considered a top contender for the Belmont Stakes in June.

Baffert says he’s disappointed the Arkansas Racing Commission has violated its rules about confidentiality until the stewards have weighed in with a ruling.

In world and national news…

(AP)  Only about half of Americans say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine if the scientists working furiously to create one succeed. Another 31% simply aren’t sure, while 1 in 5 say they’d refuse. That’s according to a survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Worldwide, about a dozen vaccine candidates are in early stages of testing in people or poised to begin. The findings released Wednesday show the public has a lot of questions. U.S. health officials insist safety is the top priority as the leading vaccine candidates move into larger studies.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is shifting its attention to a more modest overhaul of small business coronavirus aid, although it remains deadlocked on a larger relief bill. The House this week is expected to pass legislation that would give small employers more time to take advantage of federal subsidies for payroll and other costs. The Senate is considering a similar proposal. Lawmakers are trying to help restaurants, stores and other small businesses as they struggle during the pandemic. Many businesses that are reopening are seeing sharply reduced revenue, increasing the urgency in Washington to act.

 

BRUSSELS (AP) — The EU Commission is proposing a 750 billion-euro ($825 billion) recovery fund to help the bloc’s economy through the deep recession induced by the coronavirus pandemic. Paolo Gentiloni, who is the official in charge of economic affairs at the EU’s executive body, confirmed the size of the fund in a tweet on Wednesday. He described it as a turning point for Europe during an unprecedented crisis. However, the 27-nation EU remains deeply divided over what conditions should be attached to the funds, and Wednesday’s proposal from the EU’s executive arm is likely to set off weeks of wrangling.

 

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea has reported its highest number of new coronavirus infections in weeks and India reported another record single-day jump of more than 6,000 cases, as the pandemic expands its grip across much of the globe. Optimism over reopening economies from business shutdowns to fight the virus spurred a rally on Wall Street even as the official U.S. death toll approaches 100,000. Outbreaks are still climbing in much of the Americas, even as countries in Asia and much of Europe make steady progress in containing the pandemic. The 40 new cases reported Wednesday in South Korea was the biggest daily jump in nearly 50 days and raised alarm as millions of children were returning to school.

 

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California’s churches, mosques and synagogue may get the nod to reopen their doors sooner than expected under new state guidelines. On Monday, the public health department released a framework for counties deciding whether to allow churches to restart in-person services. The guidelines suggest masks should be worn, temperatures taken, and services shortened. Sharing prayer books or prayer rugs or using the collection plate are discouraged in the name of social distancing. Churches are the latest focus of efforts to restart California life since it was shuttered by a March stay-at-home order designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

 

Global stock markets are mixed as U.S.-Chinese tension over Hong Kong vies with optimism about recovering from the coronavirus pandemic. London and Frankfurt opened higher while Shanghai and Hong Kong declined after the White House said a proposed national security law might threaten Hong Kong’s status as a financial center. U.S. stock futures rose amid hopes for economic recovery. On Tuesday, the benchmark S&P 500 index rose to its highest level in nearly three months. Investors are shifting their focus to how various nations are adapting to getting back to business while trying to keep new virus cases in check.