CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 90s. South winds 10 to 20 mph. Heat index 90 to 95.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs around 90. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. A 50 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s.

.INDEPENDENCE DAY…Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with showers likely and chance of

thunderstorms in the evening, then partly cloudy with chance of

showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s.

Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 60 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers and

 

Thunderstorms are forecast daily through the period Thursday through Tuesday.

 

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats Posted Wed.. July 1, 2020

11-am

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Man in his 90s from Stark County with underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY

  • Burleigh County – 9
  • Cass County – 15
  • Dunn County – 1
  • Grand Forks – 2
  • Mercer County – 1
  • Stark County – 2
  • Steele County – 1
  • Traill County – 2
  • Walsh County – 1
  • Williams County – 5


BY THE NUMBERS

184,792 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+2,505 total tests from yesterday)

 

107,226 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,104 unique individuals from yesterday)

103,611 – Total Negative (+1,065 unique individuals from yesterday)

3,615 – Total Positive (+39 unique individuals from yesterday)

1.6% – Daily Positivity Rate**

234 – Total Hospitalized (+4 individual from yesterday)

20 – Currently Hospitalized (-5 individuals from yesterday)

3,210 – Total Recovered (+15 individuals from yesterday)

80 – Total Deaths*** (+1 individual 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)  Jamestown Police is warning residents of a convicted sex offender who had changed his Jamestown address.

Brandon Scott Schafer now lives at 1609 16th Street SW, Number 1A.

His vehicles are a red 2000 Ford Explorer, ND license, 433CCN

A maroon 1997 Ford Mustang ND license 011BRR

A maroon 2001 Chevy Silverado, ND license 680CNF

Schafer is a 30 year old white male, six feet tall weighing 140 pounds with Hazel eyes and Brown 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: Luring a Minor by Computer, having sexually explicit conversations with two girls 13 and 14 years old.  He met the 13 year old and had intercourse with her.

Conviction Date: July 2012 in Ransom County District Court.

Disposition: One year, one day, balance suspended for five years, 84 days credit, five years supervised probation.

Offense:  Gross Sexual Imposition.  He began having sexually explicit  conversations with two girls, age 13 and 14 on Facebook.  He met the 13 year old and had intercourse with her.

Conviction Date: July, 2012 Ransom County, ND District Court.

Disposition: One year, one day, balance suspended for five years, 84 days credit, five years supervised probation.

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

Schafer 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 Schafer 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

Valley City  (CSi)  With the recent significant rain fall, and another significant rain fall event in the forecast this Sunday July 5,  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is adjusting the releases from Baldhill Dam.

Inflows are expected to increase to 3,000 cfs within the next days as the Lake Ashtabula level rises from water flowing  in from  the upper Sheyenne River Basin, with expectations of a pool level on the lake to increase by about a foot.

Outflows from Baldhill Dam will be increased to 2,400 cfs, which is expected to raise the level on the Sheyenne River through Valley City to 11 and a half feet.

Property owners at Lake Ashtabula should keep an eye on the rising lake level.

Washington, DC   Senator Kevin Cramer’s office reports that SkyWest Airlines will continue service to Jamestown and Devils Lake through 2023.

Senator Cramer’s office states….

“SkyWest is required to provide the communities of Devils Lake and Jamestown with air service of 12 round trips per week to Denver International Airport using a 50-seat aircraft.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) selected SkyWest Airlines, Inc. to provide Essential Air Service (EAS) for the two cities for the next three years from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2023.

James River Correctional Center

Bismarck (CSi)   – The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR) is utilizing a phased strategy approach to resume visitation at its facilities. The Youth Correctional Center (YCC) began outdoor visitation June 27 and Missouri River Correctional Center (MRCC) is set to begin outdoor visitation July 3. James River Correctional Center (JRCC) and North Dakota State Penitentiary (NDSP) are finalizing plans to resume visitation.

YCC family visits allow for two adults per visitation. Each cottage will have a 60-minute visitation period on Saturdays and Sundays as follows:

  • Hickory Cottage 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Pine Cottage 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Brown Cottage 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Social distancing etiquette will remain in place for youth and their visitors, tables will be sprayed down with disinfectant between visitations, and hand sanitizer will be available.

“Family visits are a critical component to the successful transition of any of our youth back into the community,” said Tim Tausend, Director of YCC. “We are maximizing our mitigation efforts to ensure kids and their families can meet face to face in a safe environment.”

MRCC visitation will allow for one adult per visitation. Each resident will be allowed a 60-minute visitation. Visitations will be held Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.. The outdoor visitation will be clearly marked and contain two hard plastic chairs six feet apart with a sanitation bucket that will include disinfectant and hand sanitizer. Seating will be disinfected between visits.

“The coronavirus pandemic has been ever-evolving and the care and safety of our employees and the people we serve must come first,” said Shannon Davison, Deputy Warden of Transitional Facilities. “As we continue to mitigate the coronavirus, we recognize that visitation is vitally important to our residents and their families as it provides an opportunity for human connection and strengthens family bonds. As we move forward with visitation opportunities, we will assess risk utilizing a phased approach to ensure the safety of our employees, residents, visitors, and the public.”

All visitors and residents from MRCC and youth from YCC will be issued masks; visitors will have their temperature taken and asked screening form questions. Anyone who has a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater or who answers yes to any of the questions on the screening questionnaire will not be permitted. Families wishing to visit at YCC may contact the Juvenile Correctional Institute Case Manager for the designated Cottage of whom they wish to visit. Those wishing to visit at MRCC may call the MRCC Control Center at 701-328-9699.

Jamestown  (Tourism)  The Frontier Village invites the community to the FREE Movie Night to be held each Friday, July 3, 17,(Kickoff to Buffalo Days 24,) and August 7.

Shows begin at 8-p.m. at the Amphitheater.

Parking is on the north side of Frontier Village.

Bring your own snacks, drinks, blankets and bug spray.

Call Jamestown Tourism for movie titles at 701-251-9145.

Corona Virus Safety:

Masks are encouraged. but not required.

Spread out:  Keep groups six feet apart.

If you feel sick or have a fever, stay home.

Jamestown  (JDA)  This year’s 4th of July Kiddie Bike Parade in Jamestown will have a different look.

Jamestown Downtown Association President, Lynn Lambrecht says, on Saturday July 4 at 9:30-am participants will register in the city parking lot, at First Street and First Avenue North that will be blocked off as possible to give them room to distance.  Prizes and awards will be done before the parade starts.

There will be  NO gathering after and root beer floats will be drive-by.

The parade is open to all kids 12 and under.

Parents can walk alongside their child in the parade.

No motorized bikes or scooters will be allowed and helmets are required.

Patriotic decorations are encouraged.

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Transfer Station, Public Works and City Hall offices will be closed Friday, July 3rd for the Independence Day Holiday observance. Friday’s garbage will be picked up with the  Thursday Jul 2 garbage. Garbage should be put out by 7-am

(CSi)  Jamestown Public Works informs residents that  due to the Independence Day (Fourth of July) Holiday, the Baling Facility and Recycling Center will be CLOSED:

  • Friday July 3
  • Saturday July 4

The Baling Facility and Recycling Center will be OPEN regular hours on Monday July 6, 2020.

Update

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Bismarck police are investigating a shooting after a wounded individual was dropped off at the hospital early Wednesday. Authorities say the person who was injured had a gunshot wound to his upper thigh. He was treated at Sanford Hospital after he was dropped off about 3 a.m. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Police haven’t been specific about how the gunshot wound occurred and are asking for the public’s help if anyone heard or saw the shooting.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Police have made an arrest in a stabbing outside a bar in Fargo. Authorities say the 21-year-old female suspect stabbed another woman outside the Empire Tavern Tuesday about 4 p.m. The victim was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be OK. KFGO reports the suspect, a Fargo woman, was booked into the Cass County Jail on possible charges of aggravated assault and giving false information to police.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of business leaders released Wednesday suggests the economy has begun to recover as businesses reopened in the past month in nine Midwest and Plains states. But Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said the region’s economy remains weaker than before the coronavirus outbreak began. And business leaders expect the economy to continue improving over the next six months. The region’s overall index jumped into positive territory at 50.3 in June from May’s 43.5. Any score above 50 suggests growth, while scores below 50 suggest decline. The monthly survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

In sports:

Valley City (CSi)  –The Barnes County Veteran Service Office in cooperation with North Dakota Department of Fish and Game would like to announce the 2020 Camp Grafton Disabled Veteran Deer Hunt for Veterans who are 50% disabled or greater. The Disabled Veteran Deer Hunt will take place on Monday, November 16th and Tuesday, November 17th at Camp Grafton, ND. Applications are due by October 16, 2020  and are available from any County or Tribal Veteran Service Office.

*PLEASE NOTE: This is a shotgun with slug only hunt, no rifles will be allowed or provided this year.*

In world and national news…

NEW YORK (AP) — Arizona recorded more coronavirus deaths, infections and emergency-room admissions in a single day than ever before in a rapidly deepening crisis Wednesday across the Sunbelt that sent a shudder through other parts of the country and led a number of states to put their reopening plans on hold. Coronavirus cases continued to increase in hard-hit states like Arizona and Florida where expanding outbreaks have shifted the pandemic’s epicenters to the South and the West ahead of the July Fourth holiday. On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence planned to visit Arizona, where cases have spiked after stay-at-home orders expired in mid-May.

 

LONDON (AP) — Some public health experts are criticizing the U.S. for securing a large supply of the only drug licensed so far to treat COVID-19. The U.S. government announced this week that it had an agreement with Gilead Sciences to make the bulk of their production of remdesivir available to Americans for the next three months. A senior lecturer at the University of Sussex called the U.S. agreement “disappointing news.” Until now, the California-based Gilead had donated treatment courses to the U.S. and other countries. That ended Tuesday and Gilead has set the price for the drug going forward. Gilead is allowing generic makers to supply the drug to poor or middle-income countries.

(AP) Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech are reporting encouraging signs from its very early testing of a possible COVID-19 vaccine. Preliminary results released Wednesday from 45 volunteers showed hoped-for immune reactions in two of the tested doses. Side effects were typical for vaccines, mostly injection-site pain and fever. The companies are testing four somewhat similar vaccine candidates. They aim to move the most promising shot into large-scale studies later this summer. About 15 potential COVID-19 vaccines are in various stages of human testing around the world, with no guarantee any will pan out.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Public health experts say there is little evidence that the protests that erupted after George Floyd’s death caused a significant increase in coronavirus infections. If the protests had driven an explosion in cases, experts say, the jumps would have started to become apparent within two weeks — and perhaps as early as five days. But that didn’t happen in many cities with the largest protests. The Associated Press reviewed trends in daily reported cases in 22 U.S. cities with protests. It found post-protest increases in several cities, but experts say other factors were more likely the main drivers.

 

SEATTLE (AP) — Police in Seattle have cleared out protesters and torn down their camping sites in the city’s so-called occupied protest zone after the mayor ordered it cleared. Officers used their bicycles Wednesday morning to herd dozens of protesters so the officers could carry out the order imposed after two fatal shootings at the site in less than two weeks. Seattle police say 32 people were arrested at the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest zone. The protesters dispersed several hours after police launched their operation at 5 a.m. The zone was set up following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of Black activists from across the U.S. will hold a virtual convention at the end of the summer to produce a new political agenda that builds on the protests that followed George Floyd’s death. Organizers of the gathering shared their plans with The Associated Press on Wednesday ahead of an official announcement. The 2020 Black National Convention will take place Aug. 28 via a live broadcast. It will feature a series of conversations, performances and other events meant to develop a set of demands before the November election.

 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A federal control board that oversees Puerto Rico’s finances has approved a new budget that largely suspends austerity measures and government cuts for one year as the U.S. territory struggles to recover from hurricanes, earthquakes and the pandemic. The $10 billion budget was approved Wednesday after the board rejected a different one that Gov. Wanda Vázquez recently submitted and contained numerous incentives and spending increases that critics say were unrealistic. Puerto Rico’s 2021 consolidated fiscal year budget is 10% bigger than last year’s, mainly because it anticipates a 17% increase in federal funds. The majority of spending targets health care, education and government pension payments. Areas including housing and agriculture will see cuts.