CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph. Heat index 90 to 95.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. A 40 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area. Lows in the lower 70s. Southeast winds 10 to 20 mph.

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

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. South winds

10 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows around 70.

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

thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms

in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear with a 20 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows around 60.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 60.

.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.

There is a chance of thunderstorms Friday and Friday night. Some
storms may be severe with heavy rain later in the day Friday and
Friday night.

Chances for thunderstorms continue on Saturday. Some may be
strong to severe.

 

Flood updates and water level updates  for the …

Sheyenne River Level Through Valley City

Lake Ashtabula Level

James River level through Jamestown.

Jamestown Dam

National Weather Service 

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his Weekly COVID-19 News Briefing Wednesday afternoon at the State Capital in Bismarck. He was  joined by North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott and state Chief Health Strategist Dr. Joshua Wynne.

Burgum said the state’s goal continues to be to save lives and livelihoods, and to stay in a position so as not to have to roll back the state’s reopening of businesses.

The North Dakota Department of Health on Wednesday, July 22, reported a single-day record of 160 new cases of COVID-19.

He said, the numbers released on Wednesday were recalculated, to reflect the accurate counts, due to a batch of tests that needed to be recounted, and put into the combined Monday and Tuesday mix.

NDDoH COVID-19 Stats

Posted Wed. Jul. 22, 2020

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

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Man in his 70s from Burleigh County with underlying health conditions.
  • Woman in her 90s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY

  • Barnes County – 1
  • Barnes Total 28
  • Recovered 26
  • Benson County – 5
  • Bowman County – 2
  • Burke County – 3
  • Burleigh County – 39
  • Cass County – 42
  • Cavalier County – 1
  • Eddy County – 1
  • Emmons County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 6
  • Kidder County – 1
  • McKenzie County – 2
  • McLean County – 2
  • Mercer County – 1
  • Morton County – 12
  • Mountrail County – 4
  • Oliver County – 1
  • Ransom County – 1
  • Richland County – 4
  • Sargent County – 1
  • Sioux County – 1
  • Stark County – 2
  • Stutsman County – 8
  • From a single location and part of ongoing group testing.
  • The location has not been disclosed.
  • Stutsman Total 84
  • Recovered 67
  • Walsh County – 2
  • Ward County – 5
  • Wells County – 1
  • Williams County – 11


BY THE NUMBERS

270,943 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+4,259 total tests from yesterday)

139,266 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,973 unique individuals from yesterday)

133,899 – Total Negative (+1,813 unique individuals from yesterday)

5,367 – Total Positive (+160 unique individuals from yesterday)

3.8% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

317 – Total Hospitalized (+8 individual from yesterday)

52 – Currently Hospitalized (+6 individuals from yesterday)

4,407 – Total Recovered (+88 individuals from yesterday)

96 – Total Deaths*** (+2 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.

Burgum said serial testing of long term care facility residents and staff  help slow the spread of the virus, specifically retesting staff regularly, and determining if any are asymptomatic, and passing the virus to others in the facility.

With the use of face masks, Burgum said guidelines remain in place to wear face masks at locations including business that have individuals in close contact with customers.  He said North Dakota will not mandate the wearing of masks.   He said wearing masks do make a difference in slowing the spread of the virus.  He said local school districts will make the decision on face mask wearing.

With Higher Education, North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott said, August 24 State University students will return to campus.  He said students should wear face masks, and practice safe measures, like social distancing, and frequent hand washing

State Chief Health Strategist Dr. Joshua Wynne, said a testing strategy of students has been developed.  Common sense like  wearing face masks, and practicing safe measures, like social distancing, and frequent hand washing, is necessary.

Identifying  and isolating students that test positive, and to locate those individuals that are asymptomatic, and isolating them is of utmost importance, in not spreading the virus.

The Economic Resiliency Grant Program is helping businesses restore consumer confidence and reduces the spread of COVID-19.  Business can apply for up to $50,000 in a grant. NDresponse.gov has more information.

Burgum pointed out that he and  state Superintendent Kirsten Baesler Tuesday hosted the fourth annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education, highlighting the progress being made in North Dakota toward personalized, competency-based learning, the role that technology can play in those efforts, and the opportunity for innovation amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

More than 1,300 educators, administrators, school board members, legislators, parents and other stakeholders registered to participate virtually in the summit, which was livestreamed from the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck with nationally recognized speakers joining from across the United States and Canada. Locally led breakout sessions also allowed participants to learn about best practices and innovation in the classroom, and engage in the conversation surrounding a safe restart to school this coming fall.

Burgum asks North Dakotans to thank those wearing face masks in protecting not only themselves, but also others from being infected with the COVID-19 virus, and to stay North Dakota Smart.

 

 

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District will work in partnership with the ND Dept of Health, the ND 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 pm to 6 pm

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

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce has set entertainment for this year’s Summer Nights on Central.  6-p.m., to 9-p.m., each evening.

July 23rd…32 Below

July 30th…8the Hour

August 20th…Tripwire

August 27th…Slamabama

Sponsorship opportunities available, contact the Valley City Chamber for more information.

summernightsvc@gmail.com, valleycitynd.org/summernights

Jamestown   (CSi)  The Arts Center is  excited to hold the Downtown Arts Market in Jamestown this summer at 5:30 pm to 8:30-p.m, in the Hansen Arts Park, each Thursday evening through August.

July 23rd:    The Flickertails
With: The Backporch Band
A local trio with over eight decades of shared musical talent, The Flickertail Band is made up of Jon Beyer on bass guitar, Jeremy Gray on drums and Steve Kuykendall on lead guitar and vocals. They play many of your classic rock and blues favorites.

Please observe social distancing and face masks are encouraged.

There will not be vendors or artisans. This prevents the hand-to-contact and allows the street to be opened up for additional seating area (bring your lawn chair).

Jamestown  (CSi)  The court session to be held at the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse, refurbished courtroom is slated for Tuesday July 28.

On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, 1883 Stutsman County Site Supervisor, Steven Reidburn said, this will be the first court proceeding at the old courtroom in 40, when the present courthouse was opened.

The July 14 court session was not held due to the case being settled out of court.

The 1883 courthouse has been designated for court proceedings, because the space is larger than the present courtroom, in the new courthouse to allow for social distancing.  Spectators at the old courthouse will be allowed to observe in the balcony.

Steve added that Saturday July 25 entertainment during Buffalo Days will be Terry and Linda Schwartz, replacing D.W. Grothe who had to cancel due to health issues.

The concert is at 1-p.m. on the north lawn of the 1883 courthouse.  Please observe social distancing, wear face masks,  and bring along your own chairs and refreshments.  This is the only entertainment this summer at the 1883 Courthouse due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the 1883 Courthouse is open for either guided, or self tours, Wednesdays through Sundays from 10-a.m. to 5-p.m.  Please use hand sanitizer before entering and then leaving the building, observe social distancing.   Only 15 people are allowed in the old courthouse at a time, during the pandemic.

He said visitor numbers have increased, starting slowly in June with the numbers increasing in July.

Out of area visitors this summer so far were from, Arizona, Utah, Washington State, Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota.

The government history exhibit is attracting additional interest, with artifacts including office equipment  and other items from many years ago….the only exhibit of its type currently available in the United States.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Supporters of amending North Dakota’s constitution to legalize recreational marijuana say they will try again to collect enough signatures to get the issue on the ballot. The group had a year to gather and submit at least 26,904 valid signatures of North Dakota voters to Secretary of State Al Jaeger. The final deadline was Wednesday. Petitioners missed earlier deadlines to make this year’s June and November ballots but continued to collect signatures in hopes of a June 2022 vote. Chairwoman Jody Vetter told The Bismarck Tribune the group gathered just shy of 24,000 signatures and wouldn’t be submitting petitions. But Vetter says supporters are planning to start again with an identical proposal for 2022.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s 11 colleges and universities are awaiting Gov. Doug Burgum’s plans to reopen classes this fall amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic. Burgum was expected to release the guidance Wednesday, a week after he said K-12 schools may reopen this fall for face-to-face learning with precautions. University system spokeswoman Billie Jo Lorius said all colleges and universities already have indicated they would reopen this fall. The state Board of Higher Education has scheduled a meeting Thursday to discuss the governor’s directives. The guidance comes as the number of deaths in the state approached triple-digits and a record number of hospitalizations.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Two people have been arrested following a 5-hour-long standoff with police in Grand Forks. Authorities say the incident began about 9 p.m. Tuesday when a man wanted for questioning in a possible kidnapping ran from police. The 33-year-old Grand Forks man was tracked to a house and was believed to be armed. Tactical officers were called to the scene and area residents were told to shelter in place. KFGO says the man eventually surrendered and was arrested on three unrelated warrants. Another man in the house was also arrested on a warrant. Lt. Derik Zimmel says firearms were found in the house where the man was holed up.

GLYNDON, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Clay County. Sheriff’s officials say a Glyndon police officer tried to stop a vehicle for an equipment violation about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, but the driver sped away and a chase began. Authorities say the officer fired at the fleeing vehicle during the chase, but they did not further explain. No one was injured in the incident.

In sports…

Jamestown  (JRMC)  — Jamestown Regional Medical Center and local athletes are teaming up to support great care for local sports teams.

The JRMC Foundation and members of the Jamestown Outlaws, girls fast-pitch softball players ages 8-18, are selling “bunt” cakes in support of athletic equipment at Jamestown High School.

The JRMC Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Team has served as the Official Sports Medicine Team of the Jamestown High School Blue Jays since 2012.

This Game Ready equipment supports natural healing through compression and cold therapies. It reduces pain, swelling, muscle spasms, enhances lymphatic function, and encourages oxygenated blood flow.

Already, donors supported the purchase of a Game Ready device for the JRMC Rehabilitation Department. This new equipment would reside at Jamestown High School.

“This equipment is important because it allows for faster recovery after injury and competition to stay in the game” said Jay Determan, athletic trainer. “It is used to for many athletes such as any throwing athletes, swimmers, ball players, wrestlers, and athletes of all seasons.  We expect to be able to utilize this with anyone. Our JRMC Physical Therapy Team uses it every week. We’ve witnessed how this is makes THE difference in the lives of our athletes.”

The Game Ready equipment costs $3,500 and would be available to athletes as soon as this fall.

“It’s rare that a physical therapy department would have this in not one but two locations,” said Pat Walter, PA-C. Walter works in the JRMC Orthopedics Department. Walter is also a coach for the 16 & under Jamestown Outlaw team. “This is what makes JRMC a destination for healthcare in our region.”

Walter and the sports medicine team are also offering sports physicals this year – a first on the JRMC campus.

The physicals cost $30 and take about 30 minutes.

“Because of the pandemic, we know not everyone needs sports physicals this year. However we want to be available for the students who do. We’re proud to be the only organization in the region to offer comprehensive orthopedics care,” Walter said.

The mini “bunt” cakes are available for sale online or at any Outlaw game. Nothing Bundt Cakes prepares them out of the organization’s commercial kitchen in Fargo.

“This important to the Jamestown Outlaws because we use the equipment too,” said Paula Marker, Jamestown Fast-pitch Softball board member and Physical Therapist at JRMC. “This will make a huge difference to our athletes and others.”

Each cake costs $5 or a dozen buntlettes are available for $25. Also supporting the cause are sponsors Orriginals, and  Gun & Reel Sports.

“Seeing athletes and medical professionals work together is heart-warming,” said JRMC Foundation Director Lisa Jackson. “This is what makes JRMC legendary. The people our caregivers treat are not just patients; they are neighbors and friends.”

To order a “bunt” cake, visit jrmcnd.com/bunt-cakes-for-care. To schedule a sports physical, visit jrmcnd.com/sports-physical. “Bunt” cake orders are due Monday, Aug. 3. Walk-up orders as well as contact-free pickup is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. To learn more, call (701) 952-1050.

Minneapolis  (The Athletic)  Minnesota Timberwolves Owner Glen Taylor is exploring a sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Taylor said in a statement on Tuesday that he has retained The Raine Group, a global merchant bank, to explore a potential sale of the team.

“I was recently approached by The Raine Group to discuss the future of our franchise,” he wrote. “From the time I bought the team in 1994, I have always wanted what’s best for our fans and will entertain opportunities on the evolution of the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership structure.”

Taylor told The Athletic that he will not sell the team to a group that wants to move it out of Minneapolis.

“People have inquired who are interested but they want to move the team,” he said. “They are not a candidate. We’ve made that very clear.”

Sportico, which first reported Taylor’s interest in selling the Wolves, says he’s seeking “at least $1.2 billion” for the franchise. The website also reported that a deal for the team could be agreed to within a month, although Taylor told The Athletic that nothing is imminent.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many groups have expressed interest in buying the Wolves, although former Minnesota star Kevin Garnett wrote on social media that he is part of one of them.

“I’m part of one of the groups trying,” Garnett wrote on Instagram, with fingers crossed and folded hands prayer emojis. “Lawd please let my group get this.”

Garnett shared more thoughts on Twitter, this time about his love for Minneapolis as an organization and as a city.

In regard to the timing of the sale, Taylor told The Athletic that he feels good about where the Wolves are now after a period of uncertainty following Flip Saunders’ death. He said a combination of factors — the desire of some limited partners to move on, his age (79) and work with other companies he owns, the uncertainty of the economy due to the coronavirus — helped lead him to the decision.

In world and national news…

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge has declined to order the release of roughly 300 migrant parents and children held in U.S. family detention centers. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg made that decision Wednesday despite what he called immigration authorities’ “shortcomings” in controlling the coronavirus. Lawyers for the families had asked U.S. Boasberg to issue a preliminary injunction forcing the release of the families because they fear being infected by the coronavirus. More than 3,700 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. Boasberg said ICE had shown it’s adopting guidance to provide masks, disinfect surfaces, and isolate people if necessary.

 

(AP)  A Canadian court has invalidated the country’s Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States. In a ruling issued Wednesday Federal Court Justice Ann Marie McDonald ruled elements of the law underpinning the agreement violate Canadian constitutional guarantees of life, liberty and security. Last fall three Canadian human rights groups filed suit against the government on behalf of four individuals arguing that the Canadian government has no guarantee that immigrants returned to the United States under the agreement will be safe because of the Trump administration’s treatment of refugees and immigrants. The agreement has been used by tens of thousands of migrants to flee the United States to seek what they see as safety in Canada.

 

HOUSTON (AP) — The Trump administration is detaining immigrant children as young as 1 in hotels before deporting them to their home countries. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show a private contractor hired by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is taking children to three Hampton Inns in Arizona and Texas under restrictive border policies implemented during the coronavirus pandemic. The hotels have been used nearly 200 times, while more than 10,000 beds for children sit empty at government shelters. Lawyers and advocates say the practice exposes children to the risk of trauma. Federal immigration authorities say the contractors caring for the kids are “non-law enforcement staff members trained to work with minors.”

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is just starting to negotiate new legislation to renew coronavirus aid. But the biggest obstacles to a deal are already coming into view. The Democratic House passed a whopping $3.5 trillion coronavirus response bill more than two months ago and is demanding robust funding to help state and local governments. Republicans want to keep the bill closer to $1 trillion and are insisting on new legal protections for schools, businesses, and charities that are trying to reopen. It’s up to top congressional leaders to bridge the gaps as they negotiate with President Donald Trump’s White House.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Laboratories across the U.S. are buckling under a surge of coronavirus tests, creating long processing delays that experts say are actually undercutting the pandemic response. The bottlenecks are creating problems for workers kept off the job while awaiting results, nursing homes struggling to keep the virus out and for the labs themselves, dealing with a crushing workload. That comes as cases are rising in most U.S. states, with particular hot spots developing across the South and West. Worldwide, the count of people infected with the coronavirus passed a staggering 15 million people, with some 618,000 killed by the pandemic.

 

(AP) Florida added nearly 10,000 new confirmed cases Wednesday, bringing the total since March 1 to almost 380,000. Florida recorded more than 100 new coronavirus deaths for the seventh time in two weeks, pushing its death toll from the pandemic to nearly 5,500. The state health department reported 138 more deaths, bringing Florida’s weekly average to 118 a day, equal with Texas for the worst current seven-day average in the nation. A month ago, Florida was averaging 33 deaths a day. The percentage positive tests has remained at about 18% the last two weeks, quadruple about 4% in June.

 

BOSTON (AP) — A new poll finds very few Americans think schools should return to normal operations this fall, even as President Donald Trump pushes for a full reopening. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that only about 1 in 10 Americans say daycare centers, preschools and K-12 schools should start the school year like any other. Most think mask requirements and other safety measures are necessary to restart in-person instruction, and roughly 3 in 10 say that teaching kids in classrooms shouldn’t happen at all. Trump claims there is wide support for a full reopening, arguing that Democrats oppose doing so for political reasons.