Wayne Byers Show – Evening – July 17

CSi Weather…

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 380 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 100 AM CDT SATURDAY
FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

BARNES CASS DICKEY
GRIGGS LAMOURE LOGANMCINTOSH RANSOM RICHLAND
SARGENT STEELE STUTSMAN TRAILL

Forecast…

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms in the
evening, then partly cloudy after midnight. Some thunderstorms
may be severe in the evening. Locally heavy rainfall possible in
the evening. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph
with gusts to around 30 mph shifting to the northwest 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.

North Dakota health officials have reported a new high for coronavirus cases confirmed statewide in a single day. The Department of Health on Friday reported 124 additional COVID-19 cases in 23 counties, raising the statewide total to 4,792. The Bismarck Tribune reports the previous record for newly confirmed cases was 108 on Monday

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Fri. July 17, 2020

Posted 11-a.m.

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

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

• Woman in her 80s from Morton County. Underlying health conditions are still unknown.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED FRIDAY

Barnes -1

Barnes Total 26

Recovered 23

• Benson County – 4
• Burleigh County – 25
• Cass County – 37
• Cavalier County – 2
• Dunn County – 1
• Golden Valley County – 1
• Grand Forks County – 11
• McKenzie County – 1
• Mercer County – 3
• Morton County – 4
• Mountrail County – 1
• Pembina County – 1
• Ransom County – 1
• Richland County – 1
• Sargent County – 1
• Sioux County – 3
• Stark County – 3
• Stutsman County – 1
• Stutsman Total 72
• Recoverd 64
• Traill County – 1
• Walsh County – 1
• Ward County – 13
• Williams County – 8

BY THE NUMBERS

246,903 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+4,135 total tests from yesterday)

129,475 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,419 unique individuals from yesterday)

124,683 – Total Negative (+1,295 unique individuals from yesterday)

4,792 – Total Positive (+124 unique individuals from yesterday)

3.0% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

290 – Total Hospitalized (+5 individual from yesterday)

36 – Currently Hospitalized (-2 individuals from yesterday)

3,903 – Total Recovered (+107 individuals from yesterday)

90 – 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.

On Friday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Central Valley Health District Unit Administrator, Robin Iszler said, 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.

Robin said regular COVID-19 testing is available by appointment at Central Valley Health District on Friday’s by calling 252-8130.

Other locations for testing including, also by appointment, in Jamestown, Sanford Clinic Medalis, Essentia, and Jamestown Regional Medical Center, when visiting the Emergency Department.

She pointed out that since COVID-19 testing began at the outset of the pandemic, as of Friday 11,000 tests have been performed in Stutsman County.

Daily updates on COVID-19 statistics are available at CSiNewsNow.com

Jamestown  (JPD)  Jamestown Police is warning Jamestown Residents regarding a new convicted sex offender who is residing within the city of Jamestown.

Glenn Roy Halton resides at 438 2^nd Street SW Number 2, Jamestown, ND

He currently has no vehicle.

He is a 45 year old black male, six feet tall, weighing 253 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

Halton has been assigned a high risk assessment by the North Dakota risk level committee of the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.

Offense:  Corruption of a minor.  Halton was at a party where he met a drunk 17 year old girl. He talked the girl into having a sex act with him.

Conviction Date: December, 1999 in Burleigh County, ND District Court.

Disposition: 5 years with 2 years suspended.

Offensive:  Gross Sexual Imposition. Concerning intercourse on three occasions with a 14 year old girl, on the last occasion reported as a runaway, and she was located in Halton’s motel room.

Conviction Date: June 1994 in Ward County, ND District Court.

Disposition: 10 years, 6 years suspended.

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

Halton 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 Glenn Roy Halton 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  (VCBC Library)  The Valley City Barnes County Public Library, is updated residents on access to the library.

The News Release States:
The safety of patrons and staff of the Valley City Barnes County Public Library are the highest priority of the Board of Directors. Therefore, the Board established a 4-stage plan in March 2020 to deal with the current COVID-19 pandemic and create criteria for reopening safely. It also established an executive committee which meets weekly and inform the decisions of the board.
The board is acutely aware that the VCBC Public library is not just about lending books but also about access to WIFI, technology and programs. Therefore, the VCBC public library created virtually programming and started curbside pick-up on June 1st. Unfortunately, this step does not allow for patrons to use the computers. We, as a board, are aware this is an essential need in our community and have been discussing how to create access while minimizing risk for both patrons and our staff.
Unfortunately, the design of the building does not lend itself for easy physical distancing between patrons and staff. The latest data shows repeated and extended contact with people increases the change of spreading the infection. The board understands the need for access to services but also needs to balance the need to reduce the risk of infection and ensure the safety of our staff.

Therefore, the Board decided on July 17th board meeting to move to limited reopening. The board established the following rules to ensure safety of both patrons and staff. These rules are based on the recommendations of the CDC and the American Library Association and have been discussed and endorsed by Theresa Will of the City County Health Department in Valley City
· Entry is by appointment only. Patrons can use computers and/or browse the collection and select materials including papers and magazines.

Appointment can be made by calling the VCBC Public Library (701-845-3821)
· Entry is through the south main entrance only. Other entrances will remain closed for patrons.
· Appointments are available from 12-5 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 12-7 pm on Tuesday and Thursdays.
· Only 5 patrons are allowed in the building at any given time to ensure proper physical distancing
· Patrons are allowed in the building for 30 minutes at the time (limiting time reduces the chance of infection).
· No patrons under 15 years old allowed in the building.
· Patrons are asked to perform a self-check for COVID-19 symptoms upon entering. Self-check information will be posted on all entrances.
· Patrons and staff are required to wear mask. This decision is made because the impossibility to separate staff and patrons by physical barriers. In addition, a review of 172 studies studying the effect of wearing masks shows that wearing mask significantly reduced the change of infection. Patrons are not allowed to enter the building without a mask.
· Patrons are required to use hand sanitizer upon entering the building
· Computer stations and surfaces are sanitized after each use. The staff has established a cleaning and disinfection protocol.
· Computer stations are separated by sneeze guard
Unfortunately, some of the preventative measures for infection control have been politized. We have heard your message on giving patrons access to the public library. What we are asking in return is support for the rules described above. Failure by patrons to follow the rules will increase the change of infection and may force the board to close the library to patrons again making it necessary to go back to curbside only or closure. Infection of a patron or staff member will require a two-week quarantine for all staff to prevent future spread of this disease.

Sincerely,
Hilde van Gijssel,
President Board of Directors
Valley City Barnes County Public Library

Further information:
The library will be continuing curbside service. We recognize not all patrons may feel comfortable coming into the building, even with the above precautions in place. We are aware we have patrons who, for various reasons, are not going out in public at this time. We respect your decision and want to make sure you can still access library materials.

The July 1st updated checkout limits will remain in place; 5 items total per patron and 20 total items per family. Patrons can reserve 5 items and the 3 DVDs limit has not changed. Late fees will continue to be suspended for DVDs.

Please return all items in the drive-up book return so they can go into 48-hour quarantine. Returning items in the building will create more work for staff.

The library will continue to remain closed on Saturdays.

All library programming will remain virtual until further notice.

Jamestown  (Chamber)  The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce City Beautification Committee is pleased to announce the 8^th winner of Yard of the Week Program for 2020.  Alonna & Garrett LaPlant of 600 17^th St. NW,  in Jamestown, have received this award.  Congratulations to them on this beautiful yard and thank you to them for their efforts to help beautify Jamestown. Congratulations for a job well done! Alonna & Garrett will receive a gift certificate from our award aponsor Menards in Jamestown.

 

The Yard of the Week program has been established to recognize those within the community that take pride in the appearance of their yard and do their part to beautify the community. The program began June 1st and ends August 28^th. Yards will be selected each week from nominations received. Nominated yards must be visible from the street.

 

To nominate a yard for the Yard of the Week program, please contact the Chamber at 701-252-4830.  The completed forms require a valid phone number so we can contact the perspective winner. Forms are also available on our website at www.jamestownchamber.com.  Forms can be emailed to director@jamestownchamber.com. All single family residences within Jamestown are eligible for the program.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  Barnes County On The Move sponsors “Let’s Walk, Valley City,” on Monday July 20, from 5-p.m. to 8-p.m.

Described as a walking, biking, blading, running event around the Jefferson Mile and surrounding neighborhood.

Participants will be able to enjoy live music and tasty snacks, along with free frozen fruit slush, apples, carrots, chocolate milk, and popcorn.

Jump rope and frisbees will be freebies along the route.  Sign up for prizes, gift certificates for bikes, tennis shoes and yard games, along the way.

Dogs are welcome, and social distancing is encouraged.  More information at www.citycountyhealth.org/on-the-move

On Facebook, www.facebook.com/barnesonthemove

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota oil and gas production plunged about 30 percent May, as oil companies idled wells and halted drilling plans after prices collapsed due to the coronavirus. The Department of Mineral Resources reported Friday the state produced an average of 858,000 in May, down from 1.2 million barrels in April. North Dakota’s natural gas production also fell from 81.3 billion cubic feet in April to 59.7 billion cubic feet in May. The May tallies are the latest figures available and represent the sharpest monthly drop on record. There were 12,809 wells producing in May, down from 15,474 in April.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota spent a record amount of cash for a program that rewarded some state government workers for job performance. Records show about $626,500 in “performance bonus pay” was given to about 6% of the state’s employees. Most of the money was paid at the end of the fiscal year that ended June 30, and just weeks after Gov. Doug Burgum said the state was in a financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic. Records show Burgum authorized performance bonuses for some of his staffers but before the pandemic. The program is drawing increased criticism from lawmakers and the union that represents state employees.

 

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.

In world and national news…

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — The FBI says two of its agents were shot and wounded Friday at an apartment complex in a Phoenix suburb while executing a warrant for a bank robbery suspect who was found dead. The FBI said in a statement that one injured agent was treated at the scene in Mesa for minor injuries and the other was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that weren’t life-threatening. The FBI statement said the suspect was “found deceased” but didn’t provide any information on how the suspect died or other circumstances of the incident. No identities were released and the statement said no additional information was available.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas is giving public schools permission to keep campuses closed for more than 5 million students well into the fall as the state scrambles to contain one of the largest resurgences of the coronavirus in the U.S. The changes announced Friday come a day after Texas set a single-day record for virus deaths with 129 and reported more than 10,000 confirmed new cases for a third consecutive day. Under the new guidelines, Texas schools could hold online-only instruction for up to the first eight weeks of the school year. That potentially pushes a return to campus in some cities until November.

 

(AP) Most Chicago children would return to the classroom two days a week and spend the other three days learning remotely under an early proposal. Chicago Public Schools officials called the hybrid approach a preliminary framework and asked parents, students and staff of nation’s third-largest school district to weigh in. A final decision about in-person instruction for fall classes won’t come until late August, with classes set to begin Sept. 8. Mayor Lori Lightfoot says “we have to be ready for any possibility.”

 

CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker says Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan “must resign” if allegations of corruption are true against the fellow Democrat long considered the state’s most powerful lawmaker. The U.S. Attorney’s office says electric utility ComEd has agreed to pay $200 million to resolve a federal criminal investigation into a long-running bribery scheme that implicates Madigan. Federal prosecutors announced Friday that ComEd had admitted that it arranged jobs, subcontracted work and made monetary payments related to those jobs. That elected official is identified as “Public Official A” in the release. A deferred prosecution agreement for ComEd filed in federal court states that “Public Official A” is the Illinois House speaker.

 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A freshman Kansas congressman facing felony criminal charges over previously listing a UPS Inc. postal box as his residence on a state voter registration form has been forced to temporarily give up his House committee assignments. Republican Rep. Steve Watkins said Friday that he is “temporarily and voluntarily” leaving the three committees on which he serves. But the House Republican conference’s rules require members facing a potential felony conviction to leave their committee posts. He is accused of voting illegally in a Topeka City Council race in November 2019 and providing false information to a sheriff’s deputy who was investigating whether he broke state election laws.