Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Jul 17

CSi Weather…

Forecast…

REST OF TODAY…Increasing clouds. Highs in the lower 90s. South winds

around 5 mph increasing to around 20 mph. Heat index 95 to 100.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms in the

evening. Some thunderstorms may be severe in the evening. Locally

heavy rainfall possible in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s.

Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the west around 5 mph

after midnight.  Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. North winds 5 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 60. Northwest winds

5 to 10 mph.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs around 80. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

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

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

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 80.

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

and thunderstorms. Lows around 60.

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

thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and

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

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. A 20 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s.

 

Bismarck  (NDDoH)  North Dakota health officials say active cases of COVID-19 hit a new high in the state Thursday. According to the North Dakota Department of Health, the state has 783 confirmed active cases of the disease in the state. That’s up 66 from the previous day.

 

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Posted Jul 16, 2020

11-a.m.

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

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

• A woman in her 60s from Mountrail County with underlying health conditions.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

• Benson County – 2
• Burleigh County – 22
• Cass County – 26
• Cavalier County – 3
• Emmons County – 2
• Grand Forks County – 8
• McHenry County – 1
• McKenzie County – 2
• Morton County – 4
• Mountrail County – 5
• Ramsey County – 1
• Richland County – 1
• Sheridan County – 1
• Sioux County – 2
• Stark County – 5
• Stutsman County – 2
• Stutsman Total 71
• Recovered 62
• Walsh County – 1
• Ward County – 5
• Williams County – 11

 

BY THE NUMBERS

242,778 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+4,195 total tests from yesterday)

128,056 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,492 unique individuals from yesterday)

123,388 – Total Negative (+1,389 unique individuals from yesterday)

4,668 – Total Positive (+104 unique individuals from yesterday)

After investigation it was found that a previously reported case from Williams County was from out of state.
2.5% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

285 – Total Hospitalized (+1 individual from yesterday)

38 – Currently Hospitalized (-4 individuals from yesterday)

3,796 – Total Recovered (+36 individuals from yesterday)

89 – 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  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District will work in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Health, the North Dakota National Guard, and local health and safety partners to facilitate a Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing event which will be open to the general public on Thursday, July 23 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Outdoor drive-up testing will take place through the north entrance of the STUTSMAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS. While this event is open to the general public; we highly encourage those of statistically higher rate of infection by age, which includes those ages 20-39 years old, to attend the free event and get tested.

Appointments are not required but those who wish to receive a test are strongly encouraged to complete the online screening questionnaire in advance, which can be found here: https://testreg.nd.gov/.  Completing the online screening questionnaire does not guarantee you a test.  If you pre- registered prior to the event in June, you will not need to register again.

Additional details:

• There will be 600 tests available, first come first serve.  Once the tests are gone, the event will be over.
• There is no cost for the test and health insurance is not processed.
• Proof of residency will not be required.
• The testing process itself takes approximately 15 minutes. Wait time in line may be longer.
• Those with a positive result will be notified by phone within 24 – 72 hours.
• Those with a negative result will be notified by the state notification system within 5 – 7 days.
• Testing will be conducted using oral swabs. Antibody testing will not be conducted at this event.
• Drive-up testing only.  Stay in your vehicle to be tested.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/ Executive Board meeting was held Thursday at 11:30-a.m., via Zoom to observe social distancing.

Those in attendance: Board members, Paulette Ritter, Frank Balak,   Tena Lawrence, and Taylor Barnes.

Tena Lawrence chaired the meeting in the absence of President Matthew Woods.

Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING BUSINESS:

Under New Business:

Discussed was a Contract for Apogee Attractions, and a feasibility study for the planned Buffalo City Park.  The tourist attraction is based on a buffalo theme potentially expanding Frontier Village.

Brian Lunde has led the way for the development of preliminary plans for the project with private funding to be included.   Searle Swedlund said an I-94 traffic count was used to determine the cost to build and projected revenue.  He said a full analysis will be conducted as the next step in the development process.

Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund, says the attraction would be a tourism gateway for eastern North Dakota.

Tourism requested funds from Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) for $25,000 to conduct a feasibility study for the possible major cultural attraction in Jamestown.  JSDC will bring the request to the city and county for approval.  Searle said the development entities will meet with state officials concerning the financial support of the state.

The Tourism Grant Board, approved Tourism acting as fiscal agent for the next step in the Apogee project.

 

With Grant Requests, Frontier Village large projects were updated, including, materials for volunteer labor.

Also discussed was painting the large building.

Frontier Village  requested  $10,700 for repairs needed related to a survey of the property deficiencies by the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund and help from the City of Jamestown, with the work to be done this summer.  Searle Swedlund pointed out specific projects that are planned. Those include replacing a section of deck, and repairing other sections.  The cost is estimated at $5,000.  He added electrical issues will be reviewed by an electrician.  The slide in the play area was removed, and the toy horse area will need attention.  Gravel will be added in front of the Depot, replacement of railings will be done.  The plan will be presented to the NDIRF for review.  General painting will be performed with some of the work being performed by city staff as they become available.  Other funding is $12,090 from Stutsman County.

He pointed out that the General Store is in major disrepair, along with the church, and the depot.

The Grant/Executive Board agreed with Searle to table for a month.  He added that tourism needs to look at the value of buildings relative the visitors experience at the Village.

With the Grant Request Allocation the board voted to fund the full amount of the request at $10,700.

Then, the Board voted appropriating up to $5,000 to locate resources to put the plan together.

Searle noted that The Frontier Village’s 501c3 non-profit organization application is pending, with the board agreeing to a non-profit status within the reorganization of a Frontier Village Association Board of Directors.  He said The City of Jamestown is working with Tourism  for direction and support.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING BUSINESS ALSO INCLUDED:

No Declaration of Conflict of Interest was made.

The Financial Report was given by Treasurer Taylor Barnes and was approved by the Board.

During the Tourism Report Searle Swedlund addressed the deficit, and the water trail project is be worked on with Jamestown Parks and Recreation.

Ex-Officio Reports: None was given.

OLD BUSINESS

Draft of the  New Event Grant Guidelines was discussed, in the areas of:  Annual Event Guidelines,

New event and Event Enhancement, and Tournament and Races.  The Board voted to forward the draft to the full board for approval.

 

Jamestown   (JSDC Newsletter)  The JSDC Board of Directors approved $25,000 to Jamestown Tourism for a market and feasibility assessment for Buffalo City Park. The Park will be a cultural attraction in Jamestown that will highlight the story of the North American Bison and the heritage of North Dakota Industry creating new tax revenue for Jamestown. Searle Swedlund, Executive Director of Jamestown Tourism, reported that to date, independent funds (approximately $100,000) have been raised by private individuals and businesses to produce concepts for Buffalo City Park.

In other business:

On July 13, the JSDC Board of Directors approved a Flex PACE Interest Buydown Loan to Jamestown Gymnastic Club for their Raise the Roof Expansion and Remodel Project.

The expansion will include in-ground pits and trampolines, elevated ceiling height for uneven bars, a dedicated preschool area, and enough space for showteam practices, and will allow additional community members the opportunity for movement through gymnastic-like activities.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)   The Jamestown Arts Center, invites the community to participate in the 2020 Mini Art Hunt, starting July 25.

Arts Center Director Mindi Schmitz says, the Mini Art Hunt brings art to the people, and people to the parks.

Ten unique mini-artworks by artist Linda Roesch will be hiding throughout the Jamestown parks and Historic Sites.

Linda’s miniature paintings are 1.5″ x 1.5″ acrylics. Linda created these pieces inspired by our precious pollinators who have been in decline due to climate issues. This is Linda’s last year with The Arts Center, so grab one of these unique pieces while you can.

The hunt begins: Saturday, July 25, 2020  and ends when all 10 art works are found!  You can find clues at during the Buffalo Days on The Arts Center’s Facebook page.

CLUES: Three Sets of Visual Clues (photos) to each artwork’s hiding place will be made public on Saturday, July 25th at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. The first clues will be the most challenging with the final clues being the most revealing.

HUNTING: All artwork will be hidden in PLAIN SIGHT—You will not have to move, dig, or otherwise damage anything. Visual clues to the artwork hiding places will be posted on our Facebook page and available at The Arts Center’s booth in McElroy park during White Cloud Days.

FOUND: Finders keepers! This original piece of miniature artwork is yours to keep. Be sure to REPORT YOUR FIND. No one wants to be hunting for a piece that has already been found. Post a photo of yourself and your found treasure to our Facebook or Instagram page. Or contact the Arts Center office (701-251-2496 / info@jamestownarts.com) to report your find.

LIMIT: Please only one artwork per family (you are welcome to locate them all, but claim only one).

Mindi said the Downtown Arts Market continues on Thursday July 23, with The Flickertails, a local trio with over eight decades of shared music talent, with Jon Beyer on bass guitar, Jeremy Gray on drums, and Steve Kuykendall on lead guitar and vocals, playing classic rock and blues favorites.

Also on Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Mindi said the new exhibit is “A Walk in the Woods.”  The just ended exhibit is being transformed into a virtual tour, available though the Arts Center.

She added that the entry deadline for the Annual Art Show has been extended.

The Art Show runs from September 5 through October 9, at the Jamestown Arts Center.

 

Arts Center has returned to regular hours, Monday through Thursday, and on Saturdays.

Please wear face masks when entering the building and observe social distancing.

The interior is regular sanitized for the safety of visitors, and the staff.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Engineering Department informs motorists that beginning July 20, 2020 there will be road maintenance in the south-east Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #20-41. Affected residential roads will be marked for no parking on Friday July 17, 2020.

10th St SE from 2nd Ave to 12th Ave will also have work done and lanes may be closed.

Motorist’s should use extreme caution in these areas!

 

For more information, contact the Engineering department at 252-5900 or email

engineering@jamestownnd.gov

 

Bismarck  (CSi) – Visiting with family and friends over a meal in the community is something no one takes for granted anymore during this pandemic. Soon some older North Dakotans may have the option to dine in at senior centers and other senior nutrition program sites that decide to reopen and comply with North Dakota Smart Restart guidelines and recommendations from the North Dakota Department of Health’s Food and Lodging Division.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services shared reopening guidance late Wednesday with senior nutrition providers who receive Older Americans Act (OAA) nutrition program funding through the department for on-site group dining, home-delivered meals and other meal options. There are 170 senior meal sites across North Dakota.

Senior nutrition programs can decide when they will reopen congregate meal sites for on-site dining. Before reopening, providers must submit a reopening plan outlining how they will modify their operations to meet guidelines. The department’s Aging Services Division will review plans.

The department’s Aging Services Division Director Nancy Nikolas Maier, says, “Decisions to reopen will vary based on local needs and capacity. We are available to work with any providers interested in reopening on-site dining in accordance with the current guidance.  We recommended that nutrition service providers continue to provide other meal options for individuals, including home-delivered meals, pre-packed grab-and-go or curbside pick-up or frozen meal options until this state of emergency ends.”

Aging Services continues to consult with health department officials on any changes to the state’s risk level assessment and any needed adjustments to guidelines.

OAA-funded nutritional meals are available to individuals age 60 and older. Individuals have an opportunity to contribute to the cost of the meal; however, that is not required.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota prisons have implemented new safety measures after seven inmates and seven staffers were diagnosed with the coronavirus since the pandemic started. Only three staff have not yet recovered. There have been no related deaths. According to The Bismarck Tribune, the state’s top corrections officials made changes on Wednesday to include suspension of prison visitation, quarantining and testing before and after jail transports, and separating groups of inmates by wings and floors of housing. Department Director Leann Bertsch said antibody testing will begin this week and the North Dakota’s Department of Health is also looking into wastewater testing to track the virus in prisons.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The Fargo Police Department says its investigation did not find evidence to support a claim by a 19-year-old Black man that he was racially profiled and illegally searched. Larry Pope filed a complaint that said he was coming out of his girlfriend’s apartment building when two officers confronted him and searched his bag on June 22nd. KVRR-TV reports Sgt. Shane Aberle of the police department’s Office of Professional Standards reviewed GPS squad car data, messages between officers and traffic cam footage. Aberle recommended the case be closed. Fargo Police Chief David Todd agreed.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Bismarck man charged with felony sexual assault, a crime which could have sent him to prison for life, has been sentenced to six months behind bars on a lesser charge. The felony was reduced to misdemeanor sexual assault for 23-year-old Blaine Hardy. The victim told South Central District Judge Douglas Bahr during a sentencing hearing Thursday that she suffers emotionally on a daily basis as a result of the assault. Defense attorney Lloyd Suhr said the facts of the case support Hardy’s guilty plea. There was a point where the woman said no, even as “there was significant evidence of consent,” Suhr said.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s attorney general has ordered three unlicensed debt collectors to stop doing business in the state. Wayne Stenejem says the out-of-state companies violated North Dakota’s consumer fraud and debt collection laws by making harassing calls and false statements and using deceptive practices and threats. Cease-and-desist orders were issued against California-based IKS & Associates, New York-based Portfolio Recovery Management and Georgia-based Global Management Acquisition Firm and its officer Walter Hargrove. Stenehjem says all three have ignored communications from the state’s Consumer Protection Division.

 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of bankers suggests the economy remains weak in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states. The overall index for the region remained negative at 44.1 in July even though it improved from June’s 37.9. Any score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy, while a score above 50 suggests a growing economy, survey organizers say. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says weak agriculture crop prices, retail sales and layoffs have hurt the bankers’ economic confidence. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

 

In sports….

Valley City  The North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) Board of Directors, operating on ND Smart Restart guidance and ND Department of Public Instruction (DPI) K-12 Smart Restart guidelines, met Thursday, July 16 and unanimously voted to proceed with all fall sports and activities as scheduled. Opening dates for practice include:

Boys Soccer:        August 3

Football:                August 10

Boys Tennis:         August 10

Class A Girls Golf:  August 10

Cross Country:       August 10

Girls Swim/Dive:   August 17

Volleyball:              August 17

Student Congress:  September 1 (1st Competition Date)

School boards for member schools, along with their local public health units, will determine if its school(s) will sponsor sports and activities. NDHSAA staff and Board will continue to work closely with the North Dakota Department of Health, North Dakota DPI and the Governor’s Office as the 2020-21 academic year approaches. Guidelines for a return to competition will be shared with member schools late next week.

“With member schools having the option to provide in-person education for students, the NDHSAA believes it is important those schools also have the option to return to physical activity and competition,” NDHSAA Executive Director Matt Fetsch said. “Everyone’s health and safety is paramount in moving forward with activities and it will not come without disruption, however, providing these opportunities is essential to the physical and mental well-being of high school students.”

“On behalf of the entire NDHSAA Board I’d like to thank the Return to Competition Committee for their work and guidance during this unprecedented time,” NDHSAA Board President Travis Jordan said. “The role that sports and activities play in the lives of our youth is extremely important. Our students need connection now more than ever and the decision today grants yet another vehicle for that to occur. It will be extremely important that we continue to monitor the information and guidance from the North Dakota Department of Health and the Governor’s office to ensure we continue to keep the health and safety of our student athletes, coaches, and advisors as a top priority.”

. Further athletic and activity guidance will be reviewed by the Board of Directors at upcoming meetings. Once approved this information will be sent to member schools and posted on www.ndhsaanow.com.

Updates will be provided as they become available. The NDHSAA Board of Directors and staff would like to thank Premier Partner Farmers Union Insurance, Supporting Sponsor North Dakota Department of Transportation Vision Zero, and all member school administrators, student participants and patrons for their continued patience during this time.

 

Babe Ruth Baseball…

Valley City Royals 8 West Fargo Vets 4

Valley City Royals 13 West Fargo 6

 

Grand Forks  (CSi)    – One of Donny ’s most proud performances in his career is a third-place run with the World of Outlaws at River Cities Speedway in his home state of North Dakota.

Not with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, though. With the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models.

When the 10-time Sprint Car Series champion isn’t spending his weeks chasing another title, he trades his winged chariot for a fendered rocket. Which is exactly his plan this weekend.

With the Sprint Car Series’ next race not until Tues., July 21 at Lernerville Speedway for the $25,000-to-win Don Martin Memorial, Schatz, of Fargo, ND, is breaking out his self-owned #15 Rocket Chassis Late Model to run with the World of Outlaws Late Models at River Cities Speedways in Grand Forks, ND on Fri., July 17 and at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, ND on Sat., July 18.

“It’s really hard for me to go around home and go to local races during the week or off time and race a Sprint Car and say it is for fun, even though it is for fun, when you do it professionally,” Schatz said. “To do a Late Model is a completely different animal. I don’t do it professionally. I do it for fun. I do it on the side. It makes a lot more sense. It allows me to stay more connected to my local tracks here in North Dakota and Minnesota. It’s fun to stay connected to the local scene for me.”