CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

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

showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s.

South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of rain showers

and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s. Southwest winds 5 to

15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. A 40 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain showers

and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s.

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

showers and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 50s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of rain showers

and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. A 20 percent chance of rain showers

and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain showers and

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 70s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s.

 

Jamestown  (JRMC)  On Thursday June 18, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. t, a COVID-19 mass testing event was put on by Central Valley Health, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Jamestown Area Ambulance and the North Dakota Department of Transportation along with the North Dakota National Guard.

Central Valley Health Unit Administrator Robin Iszler and Jamestown Regional Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Trisha Jungels said  the event had 566 tests performed.

 

COVID-19 Stats

NDDoH

Posted June 18, 2020

11:00-a.m.,

 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Man in his 60s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED THURSDAY

  • Barnes County  5
  • A male in his 70s, a female and male in their 30s, a female in her 40s, and a male in his 80s.
  • Barnes  County Total 16
  • Recovered cases  9
  • Cass County – 9
  • Grand Forks County – 6
  • Rolette County – 1
  • Sargent County – 1
  • Sioux County – 3
  • Stark County – 2
  • Ward County – 2


BY THE NUMBERS

144,282 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+4,193 total tests from yesterday)

 

90,654 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+980 unique individuals from yesterday)

87,461 – Total Negative (+953 unique individuals from yesterday)

3,193 – Total Positive (+29 unique individuals from yesterday)

After investigation it was found that two previously reported cases from Cass County were from out of state.

0.7% – Daily Positivity Rate**

208 – Total Hospitalized (+7 individuals from yesterday)

26 – Currently Hospitalized (+1 individuals from yesterday)

2,809 – Total Recovered (+53 individuals from yesterday)

75 – Total Deaths*** (+1 individuals from yesterday)

 

* Note that this does not include individuals from out of state and has been updated to reflect the most recent information discovered after cases were investigated.

**Because the serial tests completed and added to the total number of tests completed can result in new individuals who test positive, the daily positivity rate will be calculated using the total positives for the day by the daily number of tests completed instead of the daily number of unique individuals tested.

 

*** Number of individuals who tested positive and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19.

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.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The City of Jamestown discussed budget issues, Thursday morning at City Hall.

All City Council members were present.

Mayor Dwaine Heinrich said, he and City Administrator Sarah Hellekson met Wednesday and reviewed changes to the preliminary 2021 budget draft, including state funding revenue.

City Administrator Sarah Hellekson said, state revenue projects won’t be known until July this year, anticipated to be 20 percent lower for the 2021 city budget.

Revenues from permit fees are being estimated at this time.

Expenditures in the Police Department were reviewed, and the Street Department were noted and need to be addressed, relative to income to balance those budgets.  Budget cuts were also discussed.

Police Chief Scott Edinger said recruitment of new officers will mean less overtime pay to current officers in terms of expenditures.

Stutsman County IT Director Josh Smagge reported that IT support dollars, that have increased  costs to the city’s expenditure, which have increased by about 30-percent.

With the Public Buildings Site Fund, Mayor Heinrich said not enough funds were provided from the 5-mills allocated. He said transferring Mills from the General Fund to the Public Buildings Site Fund, would be acceptable, to maintain a sufficient balance in the General Fund.  There would be a projected increase in taxes of $200,000 to satisfy the Mill Levy.  Replacing the roof at the Civic Center was discussed and projected costs.

Administrator Hellekson pointed out, with health insurance, expenditures, the city employee share of the costs would not be affected, with the city picking up increases in the premiums, about $19,000 for the upcoming budget.  This would be a one time only provision.

Travel expenses will be held to a minimum,  for necessary attendance at conferences

With Civic Center expenditures, staff has met to reconfigure the calendar of events to pay workers.

Manager Pam Fosse said noted that more events are scheduled next year to increase revenues, that will also increase projected concessions income.  She said 2021 projected concession revenues are at $100,000.  She said the Pride of Dakota event will return in this year, plus a craft show, basketball tournaments and a car show to supplement revenue.

With the city fire department budget, new radio purchase  was eliminated, with the police department transferring their radios when it purchases new radios for replacement.

With Municipal Court, equipment purchases were eliminated.

With the Engineering Department budget, the consultant engineering fee will be higher, but not from the General Fund Budget.

The Forestry Department Budget has minor adjustments.

Ordinance recodification was pointed out with a substantial cost, as the process last was in 2012.

With budget dollars, administering Marcy’s Law, City Attorney Leo Ryan pointed out expansion of the law for victims/ witnesses services.  His law firm providing services, at a cost savings to the city.

The committee adjusted property tax revenue, and raised from $3 to $4 in the Storm Water Utility Fund.

These changes will come back to the committee and reviewed again.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Special session Thursday afternoon at City Hall. All members were present.

Resolutions:

Considered was ratifying the Temporary Moratorium Pertaining to Possession of Alcohol on Public Right of Way, giving the Mayor authority, under a recently approved Ordinance, during an Emergency Order, (currently in effect).

The City Council voted unanimously to approve.

Approved a Change Order to CC Steel LLC, for construction on Sanitary Sewer Main Improvements, Lift Station No. 20, for a net change in the contract price of $.00.

The meeting was shown on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal Committee, Building, Planning & Zoning Committee,  Civic Center & Promotion Committee, Police & Fire Committee, Public Works Committee met Thursday afternoon at City Hall.  All members were present.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE

The committee recommends  renewing the Jamestown Tourism Enterprise Agreement, which expires December 31, 2020.

The committee recommends renewing the Jamestown Tourism land lease, which expires December 31, 2020.

Considered was the request from Sabirs Buffalo Grille for an On-Off Sale alcoholic beverage license for the period beginning July 1, 2020.  Mayor Heinrich moved to send the request to the City Attorney, pertaining to his review, concerning a restaurant having an off-sale license, currently not allowed, under a current Ordinance, and not being a retail establishment.

General Manager, Jim Boyd said the request stems from needing addition revenue streams, following the COVID-19 state restrictions.  He said the off-sale will accommodate those wanting to take wine tasting samples off premises.  The committee recommends sending the request to the City Attorney for an opinion.

The committee recommends approving the 2021 contract for the Jamestown Community Correction (JCC) Program, which has been budgeted for. Sara Froelich said, the contract starts immediately through 2021.

Considered was recommending to request approval of a five (5) year extension to the Jamestown Renaissance Zone District incentives from the ND Department of Commerce.  City Assessor, Jamison Veil said the current agreement expires in August this year.

The city has the option of extending the agreement, and if so, begin the application process.  He said 25 projects have been approved in the past, from 45 applications.

The committee recommends, the city request the extension.

INFORMATIONAL: A Public Hearing is scheduled for the July 6, 2020, City Council meeting relative to a five (5) year extension of the Renaissance Zone District incentives.

INFORMATIONAL: A Public Hearing is scheduled for the July 6, 2020, City Council meeting relative to a five (5) year extension of the Renaissance Zone District incentives a requirement for the application.

The committee recommends approving updating fees for abandoned and impounded vehicle up to $45 per day.  Police Chief Scott Edinger said, the Resolution language was updated.

Considered was a request to allow chickens to be kept within City Limits at 603 21st Ave NE.  The person making the request was not at the meeting but intends to be at the next City Council meeting.  The committee recommends sending the request to the next City Council meeting, with no recommendation.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

The committee recommends  introducing the first reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map to change the zoning of LANDS IN JAMESTOWN, S31, T140, R63, NE 1/4 NE 1/4 SE 1/4 31-140-63 KNOWN AS PARCEL B 10 ACRES, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota rezoned from M2 (General Industrial and Manufacturing District) & R1 (One-Family Residential District) to strictly M2. The property is located at 2400 10th St SE, Southeast of the newly relocated Jamestown Rural Fire Department.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

Consider was authorizing termination of the contract with Honeywell International Inc., at the Jamestown Civic Center. Manger Pam Fosse said, reports by the company were not actual data, on when the boilers and air handlers were operated.  She said they were not operated in September of last year, and report indicated that they were.  She said she can obtain the information through her computer, and save the city dollars.  City Attorney Leo Ryan said the city will send the company a notice of termination, which was recommended by the committee.

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE

The Fire department ladder truck vehicle update was given.  Mayor Heinrich said with Fire Chief Reuther being quarantined, and announcement on the status will be forthcoming in the next week or so.

Considered the Stutsman County Drug Task Force vacant position.   Police Chief Edinger recommended delaying the process, to November this year, pending current and future staffing of the police department, in order to recommend an officer for the position.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL: Quotes will be received and opened at 1:15 PM, June 23, 2020, at City Hall for the sandbag levee removal  placed on the June 23, 2020 Final Meeting agenda for consideration.

On another topic, Police Chief Edinger said, there are issues with the five traffic signals on First Avenue being disabled, with confusion on the part of some drivers with the flashing red lights at the intersections, and the steady red light at the intersection with at the library at 3rd Street.  He said at 3rd Street, motorists have been observed to not stop at the steaady red light.   He said when the traffic lanes are reduced to two lanes, one in each direction, from the present four lanes, two in each direction, it may keep drivers from pulling out into the intersection at the flashing red light after stopping to see their way clear to proceed.  He said improving the sight lanes at the intersections will also help.

INFORMATIONAL: Recycling collection update.  Recycle North Dakota, Manager Ralph Freibel has sent information to the city that  there currently are no problems in the collections, or divers handling the collections.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Due to project work on the  Safe Routes to School Project,

beginning Thursday, June 18, 2020, 2nd Ave SE between 2nd St SE & 3rd St SE is closed.

Access to Parking Lot west of the Middle school should use the alley.

This construction work will continue for four weeks.

Motorist’s should use extreme caution in this area.

Bismarck  (Gov. Burgum’s Office)   The North Dakota Emergency Commission Thursday voted unanimously to direct over $406 million in federal funding to the state’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, with the majority of the money again going to support economic recovery.

North Dakota received $1.25 billion from the Coronavirus Relief Fund as part of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed. The $406.1 million approved Thursday follows the commission’s vote in May to use $524.2 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars, bringing the total used to roughly $930 million and leaving $320 million available.

The six-member Emergency Commission consists of four legislative leaders – House Majority Leader Chet Pollert of Carrington, Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner of Dickinson, House Appropriations Chairman Jeff Delzer of Underwood and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ray Holmberg of Grand Forks – along with Secretary of State Al Jaeger and Burgum as chairman.

Burgum thanked legislators for their strong collaboration and input and also expressed his appreciation for North Dakota citizens who, by practicing individual responsibility and social distancing to slow the spread of coronavirus and reduce health care impacts, allowed the commission to direct 75 percent of the federal monies toward economic support.

Burgum says, “This federal funding is being distributed in a way that provides the greatest positive impact to North Dakota citizens, businesses and all levels of state and local government.  We’re grateful to the legislators, agency leaders and citizens who have worked hard to ensure that these funds can be used to minimize the negative impact of COVID-19 and facilitate economic recovery, saving both lives and livelihoods.”

 

The $406.1 million includes $200 million to support the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, on top of the $110 million allocated last month to keep the fund solvent.

 

Nearly $113 million will be used to provide economic support for businesses, including $69 million for the new North Dakota Economic Resiliency Grant Program. The program will provide grants of up to $50,000 per business for investments in protective equipment, supplies and other improvements to reduce contact and attract customers and employees, promoting a safe return to the marketplace and improving consumer confidence. The Department of Commerce will be releasing more details about the program, pending Budget Section approval.

 

Commissioners also approved $33 million for an orphan well plugging and site reclamation program that is projected to maintain 300 to 550 oil and gas service sector jobs as the industry continues to recover.

 

More than $61 million will go toward continuation of government services, including telework, cybersecurity, transition to digital services and personal protective equipment. The remaining $32 million of the $406.1 million will support public health and safety efforts. The funding includes a total of nearly $4 million for cities, counties and park districts.

 

In other action, commission members approved $2.1 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding through the CARES Act to support the North Dakota Department of Human Services’ COVID Emergency Rent Bridge program, which provides temporary rental assistance to eligible renters who are experiencing a loss of household income due to COVID-19. The state Department of Health also was authorized to receive $17.7 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support epidemiology and lab functions to help contain and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

 

In total, North Dakota has received $4.7 billion in COVID-19-related federal funding, including the $1.25 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds, $1.9 billion in Small Business Administration funding to support businesses, $946 million from the Federal Reserve for direct assistance to individuals and families, and about $600 million from other federal programs.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Bond has been set at $1 million cash for a Minot man accused of murder. Twenty-five-year-old Duell Clifton is charged in district court with felony murder and tampering with evidence in the death of 22-year-old Alytreus Clifton. Authorities have not identified the relationship between the Cliftons, but the Minot Daily News reports there is a 2018 record of marriage for the two.Minot police say they received a request to do a welfare check at a southeast Minot residence June 8. Their investigation led to a residence in Faith, South Dakota where the victim was found dead. Duell Clifton was arrested in South Dakota and was returned to North Dakota to face the charges against him.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states suggests the economy remains weak in those areas as the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect the region. The overall economic index for the region more than doubled to 37.9 in June from May’s 12.5, but it remained at a weak level. Survey organizers say any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy, while a score above 50 suggests a growing economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said crop prices remain low, and more than one-third of the bankers survey expect that to be a significant challenge over the next year.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party leaders are calling for a special legislative session to determine how to spend the rest of the federal coronavirus relief aid sent to the state. But, Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has rejected the push for the special session. The state received $1.25 billion through the federal CARES Act economic rescue package. The state’s Emergency Commission and the Legislature’s 43-member Budget Section last month approved spending more than $524 million of the amount. The Emergency Commission is to meet Thursday to decide on spending another big chunk _ more than $400 million. The Budget Section meets next week.

In world and national news…

(AP)The daily number of deaths from COVID-19 in the United States has been falling, but experts warn the trend may reverse as states reopen and people drop their guards. An Associated Press analysis finds that deaths have fallen from about 960 per day two weeks ago to about 680 now. Experts cite several factors, including lessons learned in the early days of the pandemic and the lasting impact of social distancing. Deaths per day are slowly starting to rise again in some states that opened early.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that Americans are deeply unhappy about the state of their country. The survey also reveals that a majority think President Donald Trump is exacerbating tensions in a moment of national crisis. With less than five months until Election Day, the poll offers few bright spots for Trump, who is confronting a historic pandemic, a sharp economic decline and national outrage over police brutality. Most Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction, including 63% of Republicans. Close to two-thirds of Americans say Trump is making America more divided.

 

(AP)  In just about any other year, Juneteenth, the holiday celebrating the day in 1865 that all enslaved black people learned they had been freed from bondage, would be marked by African American families across the nation with a cookout, a parade or a community festival. But Juneteenth 2020 will be a day of protest Friday in many places. Celebrations held from coast to coast will include marches and demonstrations of civil disobedience. And like the nationwide protests that followed the recent police involved deaths of black men and women in Minnesota, Kentucky and Georgia, Juneteenth celebrations are likely to be remarkably more multiracial this year.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she is ordering the removal from the Capitol of portraits honoring four previous House speakers who served in the Confederacy. In a letter Thursday to the House clerk, Pelosi directed the immediate removal of portraits depicting former speakers. They are Robert Hunter of Virginia, James Orr of South Carolina and Howell Cobb and Charles Crisp, both of Georgia. Pelosi says that “there is no room in the hallowed halls of Congress or in any place of honor for memorializing men who embody the violent bigotry and grotesque racism of the Confederacy.″

 

SEATTLE (AP) — The largest labor group in the Seattle area has expelled the city’s police union, saying the guild representing officers failed to address racism within its ranks. The vote Wednesday night by the King County Labor Council to exclude the Seattle Police Officers Guild comes after weeks of protests in the city over police brutality and racism following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. It’s also significant as the labor council is politically influential. Local elected leaders are reluctant to go against the umbrella group of more than 150 unions and 100,00 workers.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Supreme Court says Chicago can keep all records of complaints about police officers no matter how old they are. The court ruled 6-1 on Thursday that state law trumps a provision of the police union’s contract with the city that calls for records more than five years old to be destroyed. The ruling, which upheld a lower court’s decision, is a major victory for police reform advocates, who say the records are crucial to any effort to monitor officers with a history of complaints. The president of the police union says the union may appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.