CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms after midnight in Jamestown.  30-percent in Valley City. Lows in the upper 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds around 5 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms

in the afternoon in the Jamestown area, 30 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the lower 90s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Showers likely and chance of

thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of

precipitation 60 percent in the Jamestown area, 80 – percent in the Valley City area.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Slight chance of showers and

thunderstorms after midnight. Lows around 60.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny with slight chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs around 80.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Slight chance of rain showers and

thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 50s.

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

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

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Chance of showers and

thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny with chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Highs in the lower 80s.

 

Isolated thunderstorms are possible across the southern James
River valley Wednesday afternoon. Severe weather is not expected.

Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible across portions
of western and central North Dakota Friday afternoon through
Friday night.

 

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Posted Jul 15, 2020

11-a.m.

COVID-19 Test Results
Results listed are from the previous day.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNEDAY

  • Burleigh County – 9
  • Cass County – 19
  • Grand Forks County – 1
  • Hettinger County – 1
  • Kidder County – 1
  • McKenzie County – 4
  • Morton County – 1
  • Mountrail County – 15
  • Ramsey County – 1
  • Sioux County – 1
  • Stark County – 4
  • Walsh County – 5
  • Ward County – 2
  • Wells County – 1
  • Williams County – 7


BY THE NUMBERS

238,586 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+3,093 total tests from yesterday)

 

126,564 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,531 unique individuals from yesterday)

121,999 – Total Negative (+1,459 unique individuals from yesterday)

4,565 – Total Positive (+72 unique individuals from yesterday)

2.3% – Daily Positivity Rate**

284 – Total Hospitalized (+4 individual from yesterday)

42 – Currently Hospitalized (+0 individuals from yesterday)

3,760 – Total Recovered (+75 individuals from yesterday)

88 – Total Deaths*** (+0 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.

Valley City  (CSi)  Beginning July 16 the intersection of 5th Avenue Northwest and 6th Street Northwest will be closed., until underground utility work is complete.

2nd Street Northwest will remain open during  the closure. The current detour route will remain in effect. The detour runs from Main Street to 9th Avenue NW and then back to 5th Avenue NW via 12th Street NW.

Updated maps e posted on the City of Valley City’s webpage http://www.valleycity.us/engineers/ when they are taking affect.  Contact KLJ at (701)-845-4980.

Valley City  (VCPW)  Valley City Public works will spray mosquitoes on Thursday, July 16, weather permitting,  starting about 8-p.m. and Friday July 17 in the morning, weather permitting.

Parents are advised to keep children and pets out of the streets and away from the spray machines. Motorists are urged to use caution when traveling in the area of the operation. If there are any questions, call Public Works at 845-0380.

Bismarck  (CSi)  The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission reports, airline passenger levels in North Dakota and throughout the rest of the country continue their slow recovery from the historically low passenger numbers that were seen in the previous two months.  The lower passenger demand is directly attributed concerns related to the COVID-19 virus.

The June 2020 boardings at Jamestown Regional Airport were 251 compared to 957 in June of 2019, down 73 percent.

The Year to Date Jamestown boardings were in 2020 are at 2882, compared to 5134 in 2019 down 44-percent.

North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports during the month of June posted a total of 24,313 passengers boardings which amounts to 24% of the passengers that the airports experienced during the same month last year.  This is higher than the 5% passenger volume experienced in April or the 14% that was seen in May.

 

During the first half of calendar year 2020, North Dakota’s commercial service airports have provided a total of 309,217 passenger boardings.  This is a decline of 270,864 passengers or a 47% decrease from this same time period in 2019.

 

North Dakota Aeronautics Commission  Executive Director, Kyle Wanner says, “We have now had two consecutive months of passenger growth since the month of April; however, our passengers counts are still only at 24% of pre-crisis levels. Concerns regarding further spread of COVID-19 currently limits the upside of the airline industry and its ability to attract additional demand.  Airports in North Dakota and throughout the country are working hard on a daily basis to implement recommended practices to help ensure a safe environment for those who either want or need to utilize air transportation.”

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board meeting agenda for Thursday July 16 includes funding for the planned Buffalo City Park at Frontier Village.

On the agenda is discussion for a Contract for Apogee Attractions and a feasibility study for the planned Buffalo City Park attraction is based on a buffalo theme potentially expanding Frontier Village.

Also on the agenda is a grant request for repairs at Frontier Village that are needed related to a survey of the property by the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund and help from the City of Jamestown, with the work to be done this summer.

 

The Board will also consider the Draft of the New Event Grant Guidelines in the areas of:  Annual Event Guidelines, including New event and Event Enhancement, and Tournament and Races events.

The meeting will be held virtually utilizing the Zoom platform, to observe social distancing.

Jamestown (CSi)  Stutsman County Veterans Service Officer, David Bratton reports the availability of VA Services, and his office.

On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, David said with VA facilities, including the Jamestown Clinic, regular hours are available, however, when entering wear a face mask, and answer screening questions.

The Stutsman County Veterans Service Office is open, but the office in the lower level of the Law Enforcement Center is locked down, for the safety of law enforcement, and dispatch center employees.  Anyone needing to meet in person with David may call 701-252-9043 and he’ll make arrangements to meet in the lobby.

He said a public meeting location is being sought with the LEC lower level meeting room part of the lockdown.  Meetings include the veterans gatherings for support including talking with  a combat veteran for support.   Call David’s office with any location available and more information at 252-9043.

He added that due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Burleigh County veterans van is not available until further notice.

He said with mental health issues, the Veterans Crisis Line is available for support by calling

1-800-273-8255.

His office has more information about accessing additional information on veterans Emergency Care, along with information on the VA suspending debt collections through the end of this year, due to the pandemic.

 

Jamestown   (CSi)  The Jamestown United Way plans to  hold a golf tournament toward its fundraising goal.

“This Putts for U” will be held on Friday, July 24 at Jamestown Country Club.

The tournament will be 21 years of age and older.At last report spaces were available for teams of 4 at $50 per person, or $200 per team. A promotion is available to share their Facebook post to golf for free. like their Facebook page here

Call 701-952-UWAY(8929) for more information.

Bismarck  (CSi) – Job Service North Dakota reminds claimants that Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) ends the week of July 25, 2020. In addition, the work registration and job search requirements waived by Governor Doug Burgum in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic are being restored, effective July 26, 2020.

WORK SEARCH AND JOB REGISTRATION

Beginning the week of July 26, 2020, claimants who are coded as not returning to their employer after a temporary layoff will be required to search for work and register for employment with Job Service North Dakota or the employment service within the state they reside.

Claimants who are not returning to their employer will be required to complete three work search activities each week. These activities include items such as employer contacts by telephone, internet, and in-person visits.  Claimants will also be required to register for work on Job Service website at jobsnd.com/job-seeker-begin-your-job-search.

The requirement of work search and registration applies to all claim types, both state and federal.  However, if the claimant is a union member who receives jobs via a hiring hall or is an employee who is returning to the employer who temporarily laid the individual off, the claimant will not be required to search for work or register.  These individuals must be available for recall to the union or employer immediately when work is available and begins.  Failure to return to the union or employer when work is offered will result in a stop on the claim and claimants may be denied benefits from the point of refusal.

PUA claimants who are self-employed and not normally eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits will be required to complete a waiver of work search form and submit it to Job Service.  This waiver will be available to self-employed individuals who have not resumed normal business activities.  Due to the nature of self-employment, these individuals will not be required to complete a work search or register for employment unless they have no intent to resume business operations.

FPUC SCHEDULED TO END

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) provided an additional $600 per week to claimants who lost work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FPUC was passed as part of the CARES Act. The program provides federal reimbursement to states for payment of an additional $600 per week to claimants. The Act states that the program ends July 31, but benefits must be discontinued the week ending July 25, 2020 because that is the last full week, which runs Sunday to Saturday, in July.  By law Job Service cannot pay partial week benefits. As a result, only payment requests for weeks ending on or before July 25 can include the additional $600. State unemployment benefits will continue to be paid after this date, however the benefit payment will no longer include the additional $600/week.

Other provisions of the federal act do not expire until December 26, 2020. This includes Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which provides an extra 13 weeks of benefits to persons who exhaust traditional benefits, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides up to 46 weeks of benefits to persons who are self-employed or who would not otherwise qualify for state benefits.

For more information on eligibility requirements, available benefits, and questions about the unemployment process, visit the Job Service North Dakota website, www.jobsnd.com.

Bismarck  (CSi) Scout Energy Management, LLC notified the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) Wednesday of a crude oil spill on a well pad they operate in Billings County.

The incident occurred about eight miles northeast of Fairfield on Tuesday, July 14. The cause of the spill was an open valve on a recirculation pump due to human error.

Scout Energy Management, LLC estimates that approximately 180 barrels of crude oil were released impacting rangeland.

Personnel from the NDDEQ are inspecting the site and will continue to monitor the investigation and remediation.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Felony charges of kidnapping and burglary have been dismissed for a Bismarck man who agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges of threatening and assaulting his ex-girlfriend. Carlos Mendez Jr. will spend just a few more days in jail after he was given credit for 115 days behind bars. The 34-year-old victim told police her ex-boyfriend held a knife to her at her home last March and threatened to kill her. He then made her drive to another residence and struck her multiple times as they drove. The 32-year-old Mendez pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of domestic violence, criminal mischief and violating a protection

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A man accused of killing the husband of his co-defendent near Bismarck last winter wants to be tried separately from the woman. An attorney for Earl Howard argued at a hearing in Burleigh County Tuesday that the criminal background of his client and Nikkisue Entzel are different and that trying them together would be unfair and could lead to a mistrial. Howard is charged with murder, arson and conspiracy in the death of Chad Entzel, whose body was found Jan. 2 after a house fire. An autopsy showed Entzel died of gunshot wounds. Authorities say Entzel and Howard were in a relationship and plotted the victim’s death with plans to cash in on a life insurance policy.

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart will require customers to wear face coverings at all of its namesake and Sam’s Club stores, making it the largest retailer to introduce such a policy that has otherwise proven difficult to enforce without state and federal requirements.

The company said the policy will go into effect on Monday July 20, 2020 to allow time to inform customers. About 65% of its more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is already some form of government mandate on face coverings. Walmart joins a growing but still short list of retailers, including most recently Best Buy, to require masks at all of its stores.

Update…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal appeals court has temporarily halted a judge’s order that the Dakota Access Pipeline be shut down in three weeks. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Tuesday issued an “administrative stay” of the judge’s order. But The Bismarck Tribune reports that the appeals court said its order “should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits” of the case. The stay will remain in place until the appeals court rules on whether developer Energy Transfer can keep oil flowing while the court decides its appeal of the shutdown order.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Attorneys for George Floyd’s family have filed a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers charged in his death. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Minnesota alleges that the officers violated Floyd’s rights when they restrained him and that the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism and impunity to flourish in its police force. Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin and the three other officers face criminal charges.

 

In world and national news…

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump’s lawyers say they will consider challenging a subpoena for his tax records by criminal prosecutors on grounds that it’s a fishing expedition and a form of harassment. The statement was made to a Manhattan federal judge Wednesday in papers filed after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a state prosecutor seeking the records. Lawyers for the president noted that the Supreme Court said they can raise arguments that the subpoenas seek too much information or are designed to harass, manipulate or retaliate against him. Lawyers for the prosecutor wrote in the letter that Trump’s lawyers are asking for more than they are allowed.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says he has tested positive for the coronavirus and is isolating at home. The first-term Republican governor made the announcement during a virtual news conference Wednesday. The 48-year-old Stitt has backed one of the country’s most aggressive reopening plans, has resisted any statewide mandate on masks and rarely wears one himself. Stitt attended President Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa last month, which health experts say likely contributed to a surge in coronavirus cases there. Stitt says he’s confident he didn’t catch the virus at the Trump rally, which took place nearly a month ago. He started feeling symptoms on Tuesday.

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida has passed the 300,000 mark of confirmed coronavirus cases and is reporting a daily death toll of more than 100 for the third time in the past week. State health officials reported 10,181 new confirmed cases Wednesday, bringing Florida’s total to almost 302,000 since the outbreak began in the state March 1. Florida’s rolling seven-day average for deaths is now 92 per day, triple the 31 posted a month ago just before the toll began creeping up and then exploding last week. As of Tuesday, Florida had the No. 2 death rate in country, slightly behind Texas, which has 25% more residents.

 

(AP)  The cost of bringing students back to classrooms is proving a major stumbling block to safely reopening schools across the U.S. In the debate raging from the White House to local school boards about bringing students back, health concerns are getting most of the attention. But school and union officials say cost is a major concern. There’s a list of new expenses, including adding teachers, bus drivers, custodians and nurses, plus buying protective gear. Schools are trying to figure out how to reopen amid uncertainty over how to pay for it. They’re pushing Congress to foot the bill, but whether it will is not clear.

 

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta police have charged a suspect with felony murder and aggravated assault in a shooting that killed an 8-year-old girl near the site of an earlier police shooting. Police said Wednesday that they issued warrants a day earlier for 19-year-old Julian Conley in the slaying of Secoriea Turner. Conley’s attorney, Jackie Patterson, said Conley was peacefully protesting and witnessed the shooting but did not open fire himself. Secoriea was fatally shot on the Fourth of July while riding in an SUV with her mother and another adult near the Wendy’s restaurant where Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old Black man, was killed by a white police officer on June 12.