CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. Light winds becoming southeast up to 5 mph in the afternoon.

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. A 20 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. South winds

around 5 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny with a 50 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Southwest winds 5 to

10 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area.  Lows around 60. North winds around 10 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. North winds

10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the lower 50s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s.

.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. A 20 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s.

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

and thunderstorms in the morning. Highs around 80.

NDDOH

COVID-19 Stats

Posted July 29, 2020

11-a.m.

Results listed are from the previous day.

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 80s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
  • Man in his 80s from Burleigh County with no underlying health conditions.


Results listed are from the previous day.

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 80s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
  • Man in his 80s from Burleigh County with no underlying health conditions.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

  • Burleigh County – 27
  • Cass County – 10
  • Dickey County – 1
  • Foster County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 2
  • Griggs County – 2
  • Logan County – 1
  • McHenry County – 2
  • McKenzie County – 5
  • McLean County – 1
  • Morton County – 9
  • Mountrail County – 5
  • Nelson County – 2
  • Ramsey County – 3
  • Rolette County – 1
  • Sioux County – 2
  • Stark County – 1
  • Stutsman County – 2
  • Stutsman Total Positives 101
  • Stutsman Recovered 78
  • Traill County – 3
  • Ward County – 6
  • Williams County – 3


BY THE NUMBERS

300,971 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+3,458 total tests from yesterday)

151,083 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,037 unique individuals from yesterday)

144,856 – Total Negative (+951 unique individuals from yesterday)

6,227 – Total Positive (+89 unique individuals from yesterday)

After investigation it was discovered that previously reported cases from Cass County and Dickey County were from out of state and a case from Cass County was found to be inconclusive.  

2.6% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

351 – Total Hospitalized (+8 individual from yesterday)

39 – Currently Hospitalized (+4 individuals from yesterday)

5,087 – Total Recovered (+130 individuals from yesterday)

102 – 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.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission’s Budget Committee met for the second time, Wednesday morning at City Hall, continue discussing the first draft of 2021 Budget

All Commission members were present, in addition to City Administrator Gwen Crawford, and Finance Director, Avis Richter.

 

Highlights:

 

Avis pointed out the changes in the Preliminary 2021 budget.  Decreases and increases taken into account, the mill levy is 2.37 mills, or $43,000 over the zero mill increase.  Reductions for the budgert in the public works share of health insurance has a $23,000 reduction.

Clothing for city employees with the city logo has been added to the budget.

With the Auditor’s Department it was noted that the Administrative Assistance is now a full time position, to provide additional assistance to all departments.  The position will increase the employee salary increases.

With the City Assessor’s Office, software and maintenance items were small changes to the budget.

With the City Engineer’s  position $7,040 was included for expenditures.

City Attorney/HR position, subscription increases were noted.

With Valley City Fire Department, Fire Chief Scott Magnuson, requested an increase in the full time paid position salaries, included in the Cost of Living increases.

Other items included postage for inspection follow ups .

He said for heating the fire hall, the gas furnace will be converted to natural gas from electric, as a cost savings.  Some electric heat will be retained.

The generator will be updated, with grant funds applied for.

A homeland security grant paid for cameras and installation.

He said with pagers and radios, state changes will necessitate equipment change overs, first wih turck radios then officers radios, at around $29,000 including the rebate.

With the city fire hall building addition, funding will come in part from Barnes County.

Over the last three years $30,000 per year has been set aside in the city budget, toward construction costs.

Rent proceeds from the rural fire department will be included toward cost for the new addition, at $30,000.

Replacement of two sirens is estimated at $42,000 under emergency services for louder sirens.

With the Police Department, Chief Phil Hatcher said an additional amount for an SRO  (School Security Officer) was adjusted to include an incentive to remain an SRO, and makes up for missing a salary step increase a few years ago.

The cost for two patrol rifles was put into the budget, as was veterinary and animal control items.

The drug task force budget was increased with another officer located in Valley City.

Other requests included minor building improvements, at $15,000 for window replacement.

With equipment replacement protective gear needs include batons, gas masks, and other ballistic equipment needs, with funding at $3500.  A vehicle replacement other than patrol units was requested.

With economic development, sales taxes income was discussed,  Jennifer Feist said $60-million in on line sales taxes have been collected statewide the past two year.  In North Dakota sales taxes in general are down, stemming from the downtown from the COVID-19 slowdown. She requested $33,000 from the city sales tax, in annual funding for Valley City/Barnes County development.

Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive, Kay Vinje requested $12,000 in funding, noting an increase in membership.  She said the Chamber’s and Economic Development’s VC Strong Campaign supported additional sales in Valley City.

With City/County Health, Administrator, Theresa Will broke down the percentage of services in the funding, requesting a five percent increase at the city’s cost  total share of  the costs at $29,538.

Before the recess of the meeting Avis Richter said the mill levy increase is now at 2.85 mills at $51,504.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

The next meeting is planned for Thursday July 30, 2020, at 7-a.m., at City Hall.

Valley City  (CHI) On Wednesday July 29, 2020 CHI Mercy Hospital issued a statement regarding the visitation policy:

“We understand how much it means to patients to have their loved ones with them during their hospitalization and outpatient visits. We at CHI Mercy Health want to keep the community informed of what our current visitation policies are.

All patients, visitors and support persons presenting to CHI Mercy Health will enter at Main Entrance Door #1 and will be screened at the front desk prior to entering facility. Patients, visitors and support persons will be required to wear a mask or face covering while in to the hospital. All visitors will check in and check out at the front desk and must go directly to hospital department and be in a patient’s room. Visitors may stay as long as they like but if they choose to leave the building they will not be allowed back in. This is designed to keep the numbers of people actually entering the hospital to a minimum.

Social distancing, masking, and hand sanitizing requirements will be maintained in all hospital departments. Any visitor who cannot manage the guidelines will be asked to leave the facility and if accompanying a patient, be asked to wait in his/her vehicle. CHI Mercy Health respects the rights of all community members; because of the services we provide, our first duty is to the safety and care of patients and staff. We will actively defend this duty and are confident that everyone visiting our facility will understand and do the same. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

CHI Mercy Health’s visitation restrictions effective July 27, 2020 are as follows:
· Visitors are asked to stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
· All visitors are required to wear a face covering and will be screened at the front desk prior to entry.
· No visitors under the age of 18 (exceptions may be made at the discretion of the care team).
· All visitors will use the Main Entrance (Door #1) and will check in and check out at the front desk.
· PCU patients may have one visitor per day. This includes Acute, Observation, and Swingbed patients.
· Patient and visitor must remain masked during visitation.
· An additional visitor will be allowed at the time of discharge.
· Swingbed patients may have additional visitors outside (must maintain social distancing).
· Emergency Department, Surgery, Pain, and Ambulatory Care patients may be accompanied by one healthy adult (must remain in patient’s room).
· Compassionate care visitation – limited to two visitors at a time in the facility.
· Pediatric patients or adult patients requiring a care giver may have one support person with them at all times.
· Delivery drivers must be masked.
Please log onto CHI Mercy Health Website for COVID-19 updates.”

St. Paul  (USACE)   U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is seeking comments on the draft master plan and environmental assessment for Lake Ashtabula, near Valley City, North Dakota, and Homme Reservoir, near Park River, North Dakota.

The Corps recently completed its draft master plan and is now seeking comments prior to finalizing it. The plan, last updated in 2006 for Ashtabula and Homme in 1970, focuses on what could and should happen over the life of the two reservoirs but is flexible enough to adapt to unforeseen or changing conditions. The plan also includes all lands — fee, easement or other interest — acquired for the project to support operations and authorized missions. This plan will also guide and articulate the Corps’ responsibilities pursuant to applicable federal laws, policies and regulations.

This plan involves a federal project that requires a review of environmental effects under the National Environmental Policy Act. A final determination on the draft environmental assessment will be made following a 30-day public review period. A copy of the draft environmental assessment can be viewed and downloaded from the St. Paul District website at: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Home/Public-Notices/.

The public review and comment period on the draft master plan and environmental assessment begins today, July 29 and ends Aug. 28. Questions on the project or the environmental assessment should be directed to Dillan Laaker at (309) 794-5636 or at Dillan.J.Laaker@usace.army.mil. Please address all correspondence on this project, including formal comments on the environmental assessment, to District Commander, Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, ATTN: Regional Planning and Environment Division North, 180 Fifth Street East, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1638.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Beginning Monday, August 3rd, 2020 at 7:00 AM through Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 at 7:00 PM. West bound lane on 10th Street SE will be closed between 3rd Ave SE and 4th Ave SE, for water and sewer line work. Construction signing will be put into place by the contractor.

This construction work will continue thru August 4th, 2020.

Motorist’s should use extreme caution in this area.

Jamestown  (Chamber)  Members of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Inspired Healthcare, a new business and Chamber member. This business is located at 110 9th St. SW Suite #2 in Jamestown. They provide psychiatric medication, management and supportive therapy. You can reach them at 952-9600.

Businesses qualify for a ribbon-cutting ceremony if they open, move, remodel, are under new ownership or change their name.  For more information, contact Emily Bivens by emailing: director@jamestownchamber.com or call the chamber at 701-252-4830.

 

Valley City  (Chamber)  Summer Nights On Central, 2020,  is the last Thursday in July and the last two Thursday’s in August, with free admission.

Shopping Happy Hour 4-p.m., to 6-p.m.

Vendors Open At 5:30-p.m.

Concerts from 6-p.m., to 9-p.m.

Entertainment:

July 30:  Rhyme or Reason

August 20: National touring artists Tripwire, with music in a variety of genres.

August 27: National touring artist Slamabama with music in a variety of genres.

Wrist Bands Required for those 21 and over.

Food and Beverage Vendors brought to you by  Valley City Eagles Club.

Sponsored by Puklich, BEK, Sanford Health, Dacotah Bank, Grotberg Electric, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Dakota.

On line visit: ValleyCityND.org

E-Mail: summernightsvc@gmail.com

Phone:  701-490-3530.

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 30th:    OPEN MIC NIGHT With: Intrigue
Poets, writers, musicians, comedians, solos, duos, and any and all performers are welcome to share your talent with the community at our monthly open mic night. There will be a sign up sheet at the stage. Please limit your piece to 10 minutes.  Facilitated by local musician Steve Kuykendall.

Arts Center Director, Mindi Schmitz says,  “We want this to be as safe as it is enjoyable. So, things will be different this year. For instance, 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). Social distancing will be observed. Masks will be strongly encouraged. We will also Facebook live the performances for those that still prefer / need to stay isolated.

She adds that the Arts Market plans may have to be adjusted if  Arts Center measures are not respected. The community’s  efforts to be as safe and responsible as possible when attending is greatly appreciated and will allow this loved summer event to continue.

 

Click here to view full summer schedule.

 

Jamestown (NDFU) N­orth Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) announced Wednesday that it will break ground this fall on a new youth camp facility on 19 acres of land at the Jamestown Reservoir.

NDFU President Mark Watne, says, “The location and topography are perfect for what we need to have a presence in the eastern part of the state for our youth camping program.”

The organization currently owns a youth camp in western North Dakota on the Heart Butte Reservoir (Lake Tschida) near Glen Ullin. Watne adds, “We aren’t able to accommodate all of the youth at Heart Butte, so we’ve been forced to rent various camp facilities over the years, but that will change with this new site.”

In a normal year, more than 1,200 kids attend Farmers Union Camp from June to August.

Bri Sorensen, NDFU education director, points out, “Kids in grades 3-6 and 7-12 attend three- and four-day camps, where they experience everything you’d expect at summer camp – outdoor fun in the sun and water, games, sports, dress-up nights, singing around the campfire and more. But they also gain valuable leadership and team building skills, study a specific topic such as this year’s ‘cultures around the world,’ and learn how cooperatives operate and function.”

The camp could potentially be operational by next summer, Sorensen said. Local contractors will be building a state-of-the-art lodge with an indoor gymnasium, STEM classroom, game room and co-op store, in addition to a dormitory building, storage garage, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, softball field and other features.

Sorenson says, “Farmers Union Camp has a rich history in our state.Sorensen. From 1937 when we held our first camp on the shores of Spiritwood Lake to now, 83 years later, we’ve had thousands of North Dakotans who have been to Farmers Union Camp. We’re hoping some will want to partner on specific elements of this facility, in terms of naming rights and donations, to give the next generation of campers an unforgettable experience.”

Jamestown  (CSi)   Mosquito fogging operations in Jamestown will take place on Thursday July 3o between 8:30 P.M. to 12:30 A.M. in the SE quadrant of Jamestown.

Parents are advised to keep children out of the streets and away from the fogging machines.

Motorist’s should use extreme caution in this area.

All fogging operations are contingent upon weather conditions.

For more information visit jamestownnd.org, click on Departments/ Vector Control or call 701-320-5503

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A health official says the rise of coronavirus infections in Bismarck and surrounding area likely stems from multiple Fourth of July gatherings and citizens’ failure to take precautions. Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Director Renae Moch says there appears to be a lax attitude toward the virus and a belief that precautions such as wearing a mask don’t help. Cases in Burleigh County and neighboring Morton County have tripled this month and account for about a third of the 1,038 active cases reported Wednesday. Gov. Doug Burgum on Tuesday announced a task force to investigate the spread of the coronavirus in the area.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Census workers begin door knocking Thursday at North Dakota households that have not responded to a questionnaire by mail, online or by phone. The state’s response rate to the 2020 census is nearly 62%, which means about 157,000 households will get an in-person visit. U.S. Census Bureau workers carry an identification badge, are trained on physical distancing and are required to wear masks. Interviews take about 10 minutes and can be done 6 feet apart. Census data helps determine how much federal money is directed to the state to help fund schools, hospitals and roads, among other things.

In sports…

Wednesday…

Sr. Babe Ruth East Divisional Baseball Tournament at Jack Williams Stadium in Fargo.

West Fargo 2  Valley City Royals 0

Valley City Plays Devils Lake in the Loser Out Game at 1-p.m. Thursday.

If the Royals win they play at 7-p.m. Thursday

 

Senior Babe Ruth Class A West Region baseball tournament

Jamestown Eagles 2  Bismarck Capitals 1 (8-innngs)

Eagles in a walk off win.

Jamestown will play in next week’s  Senior Babe Ruth Class A state tournament starting August 4 in Valley City.

 

Family Activity Tickets will NEED to be ORDERED IN ADVANCE.  Tickets will need to be paid at time of order with cash or check.  Family Activity Tickets ordered Monday through Wednesday can be picked up on Friday.  Orders placed on Thursday and Friday can be picked up the following Wednesday.

ACTIVITY TICKET SALES SET FOR AUGUST 3rd

Jamestown High School will be selling activity season tickets beginning on August 3rd for drama productions and all home sporting events except for the holiday tournaments and play-off tournaments. The tickets can be purchased at the high school office, the Central Office, 207 2nd Avenue Southeast or by contacting the activity director.

Activity tickets, which include football, basketball, hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, track, volleyball, softball and Drama, are sold at a cost of $30.00 for students, $60.00 for adults, and $150.00 for a family pass.

Tickets for individual events can be purchased at the door.  The cost is $4.00 for students, $6.00 for adults, and $4.00 for college students with College I.D.

Anyone 65 years of age or older may obtain a Golden Age Activity ticket at no charge at the Central Office, located at 207 2nd Avenue Southeast.  Life time passes issued before 1996 are still valid.

The District does not sell individual sport or activity season tickets.

MLB-SCHEDULE

— The Twins were 3-0 winners over the Cardinals behind Rich Hill, who gave up just two hits over five innings. Four relievers completed the combined three-hitter in Minnesota’s fourth victory in five games this season. Eddie Rosario smacked a solo homer for the Twins.

UNDATED (AP) — The Dodgers and Astros kept their tempers in check just a night after a brushback pitch caused both benches to empty.

This one lasted 13 innings as Edwin Rios belted a two-run homer to send the Dodgers past the Astros, 4-2. Los Angeles went ahead on an RBI double by Mookie Betts in the top of the 11th, but Carlos Correa’s run-scoring single extended the game.

Corey Seager also homered for the Dodgers.

Before the game Major League Baseball announced that LA reliever Joe Kelly was hit with an eight-game suspension for brushing back Alex Bregman near the head and taunting Correa in Tuesday’s game.

The game marked the first time the teams had met since it was revealed Houston stole signs en route to a 2017 World Series title over the Dodgers. LA manager Dave Roberts was suspended for Wednesday’s game and Astros manager Dusty Baker was fined.

Kelly elected to appeal and can continue to play.

— Dylan Moore hit a three-run homer and Kyle Seager had three RBIs in the Mariners’ 10-7 defeat of the Angels. Seager’s sacrifice fly broke a 7-7 deadlock in the seventh inning. Shohei Ohtani (shoh-hay oh-TAH’-nee) clubbed a three-run blast for Los Angeles, which also got home runs from Justin Upton and Brian Goodwin.

— Homers by D.J. LeMahieu (leh-MAY’-hyoo), Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge powered the Yankees to a 9-3 rout of the Orioles. LeMahieu provided four of New York’s eight hits to support Gerrit Cole, who won hits second straight start since signing with the Yankees last winter. Cole had a 7-1 lead until Dwight Smith’s two-run homer ended his night in the seventh inning.

— Adam Eaton delivered a go-ahead, RBI single in the 10th inning before the Nationals completed a tidy 4-0 win against the Blue Jays. Asdrubal (as-DROO’-bul) Cabrera added a bases-loaded triple to cap the scoring in a game in which Toronto was the home team in Washington. Max Scherzer received a no-decision after limiting the Jays to three hits while striking out 10 over 7 1/3 innings.

— The White Sox also scored four times in their final at-bat, doing it in the ninth to beat the Indians, 4-0. Rookie Luis Robert hit a two-run single in the ninth as Chicago snapped a three-game losing streak and salvaged one game in the series. Cleveland closer Brad Hand was tagged for three runs after Kevin Plesac struck out a career-high 11 while scattering three hits.

— Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff allowed one hit and struck out 10 while working into the seventh inning of a 3-0 shutout of the Pirates. Woodruff retired 19 of 21 batters, allowing a swinging bunt single to Phil Evans in the first. Ben Gamel gave Woodruff all the support he would need with a third-inning two-run homer

— The Reds outscored the Cubs, 12-7 as Mike Moustakas (moos-TAH’-kahs) and Nick Senzel homered in their returns from a COVID-19 scare. Nick Castellanos added a grand slam in helping Cincinnati halt a four-game slide. Sonny Gray extended his major league record to 35 consecutive starts allowing six hits or less, yielding up only Ian Happ’s double and fanning 11 as he pitched into the seventh inning.

— Freddie Freeman was productive in the Braves’ 7-4 victory against the Rays, going 4-for-5 with a two-run homer and three RBIs. Freeman snapped a 4-4 tie with an RBI single in Atlanta’s three-run sixth. Darren O’Day blew a lead but got the victory after Mike Soroka left with a 2-1 lead in the sixth.

— The Red Sox ended a four-game losing streak by rallying against the Mets’ shaky bullpen in a 6-5 win at New York. Mitch Moreland provided a tiebreaking, RBI single in the eighth before Christian Vazquez following his solo blast with a two-run single later in the inning. Brandon Workman allowed a ninth-inning run before getting Robinson Cano to line out with the bases loaded to end it.

 

— Mike Yastrzemski (yah-STREHM’-skee) homered twice, including a walk-off homer in the ninth inning to complete the Giants’ comeback from a 6-2 deficit in a 7-6 triumph over the Padres. San Francisco tied it when Donovan Solano crushed a three-run homer in the eighth against his former team. Alex Dickerson also went deep and Solano finished with four RBIs.

— The Rockies capped a 4-1 road trip as German (hehr-MAHN’) Márquez struck out eight over six impressive innings of their 5-1 victory at Oakland. Charlie Blackmon delivered an insurance run with an RBI double in the eighth, then reached on an error in the ninth that led to a pair of runs. Garrett Hampson hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the fourth to back Márquez.

— Joey Gallo slammed a tying, two-run homer in the eighth before the Rangers scored three more times in the inning to beat the Diamondbacks, 7-4. The Rangers loaded the bases with two out after the homer before Elvis Andrus hit a two-run single and Nick Solak added an RBI single. Todd Frazier hit his first homer and had two doubles for the Rangers, whose five-run inning accounted for only one run fewer than it had scored combined in their first four games in the new $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof.

 

— JaCoby Jones hit a tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning to send the Tigers past the Royals, 5-4. Tigers relievers held Kansas City without a baserunner for four innings, one night after tossing six shutout innings. Jonathan Schoop (skohp) also homered after the Royals took a 4-0 lead.

MLB-NEWS

Phillies staffer tests positive for COVID-19

UNDATED (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies general manager Matt Klentak says one team employee who works in the visiting clubhouse has tested positive for the coronavirus. But he says all Phillies players and on-field staff tested negative for a second straight day. The Phillies’ four-game, home-and-home series against the New York Yankees was postponed this week following a coronavirus outbreak among the Miami Marlins, who played in Philadelphia last weekend. The Phillies are scheduled to host Toronto this weekend in a series that was supposed to be on the road but switched because the Blue Jays’ temporary ballpark in Buffalo isn’t ready.

In other MLB news:

— Nationals outfielder Juan Soto is still waiting to be cleared to play by the city government after getting the OK from Major League Baseball to return from the COVID-19 injured list. Manager Dave Martinez said the Nationals hope their 21-year-old slugger will be allowed to work out with the team starting Saturday and play in their first game after that, which is next Tuesday at home against the Mets.

— The Indians have placed starting catcher Roberto Pérez on the 10-day injured list with a sore throwing shoulder. Pérez hurt his right shoulder while making an off-balance throw in Friday’s season opener. A Gold Glove winner in 2019, Pérez has played since but the shoulder has continued to bother him.

— Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas (MY’-koh-las) will have season-ending surgery to repair a tendon in his strained right forearm. The 31-year-old missed spring training with the injury, but he ramped up his activity after the virus shutdown and pitched four innings for the Cardinals in an exhibition game last week.

— Nick Markakis (mahr-KAY’-kihs) is returning to the Braves, three weeks after announcing he was opting out of the season due to his concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The veteran outfielder said he changed his mind about sitting out after watching his teammates play the first five games. The 36-year-old Markakis says he has the full support of his family, including his three children, in his decision to return.

— The Astros have acquired right-hander Hector Velázquez from the Orioles for a player to be named. The deal comes after the AL champion Astros learned that reigning Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander will be out a while with a strained forearm. Velázquez went 1-4 with a 5.43 ERA with Boston last year before coming to the Orioles via a waiver claim in March.

— Former National League batting champion and four-time All-Star Jose Reyes has formally retired, two years after playing his final major league game. Reyes hit .283 with 145 homers, 719 RBIs and 517 stolen bases.

— Former Red Sox manager John McNamara has died at age 88. McNamara managed Boston to within one strike of a World Series victory in 1986 before an unprecedented collapse on the field extended the team’s championship drought into the new millennium. He was 1,167–1,242 over parts of 19 seasons while managing six big league clubs.

NBA-NEWS

Davis, Williamson ready for re-opening night

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson are ready for re-opening night.

Davis practiced Wednesday for the first time since getting poked in an eye during the Los Angeles Lakers’ scrimmage opener last week. He said the plan is for him to play when the Lakers face the Los Angeles Clippers in the first seeding game for both teams on Thursday.

The Pelicans said Williamson will be a game-time decision for New Orleans’ Thursday opener against Utah. Williamson missed nearly two weeks because he left for a family emergency and then had to quarantine for four days upon his return.

NFL-NEWS

Tua gets green light

UNDATED (AP) — The Dolphins say rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (TOO’-ah tuhng-ah-vy-LOH’-ah) passed his physical when he reported to training camp. He will practice without restrictions as he begins his bid to overtake veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting job. The all-clear will allow Tagovailoa to practice for the first time since a career-threatening hip injury ended his Alabama career in mid-November.

In other NFL news:

— Chiefs running back Damien Williams is opting out of playing the upcoming season. Williams’ strong postseason helped Kansas City to its first Super Bowl championship in 50 years.

— Veteran cornerback Maurice Canady and undrafted rookie receiver Stephen Guidry have opted out of playing for the Dallas Cowboys this season because of the coronavirus pandemic. Canady signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys after splitting the 2019 season between the Jets and Baltimore. The Ravens drafted Canady in the sixth round in 2016.

— A person familiar with the situation says Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower has decided to opt out of the 2020 season. Two other people told the AP that starting right tackle Marcus Cannon and fullback Danny Vitale have also chosen to sit out the season, citing health concerns.

— The Falcons have placed fullback Keith Smith and safety Jamal Carter on the team’s reserve/COVID-19 list.

— The Eagles have placed three-time Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson, linebacker Nathan Gerry, and tackle Jordan Mailata on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

— Giants left tackle Nate Solder has opted out of the 2020 NFL season because of the coronavirus pandemic. He cited his son’s ongoing fight with cancer, the recent birth of a baby boy and his own history with cancer for his decision.

— Guard Drew Forbes and tackle Drake Dorbeck are the first two Browns players who have chosen to opt out for the 2020 NFL season because of the coronavirus.

— General manager John Lynch has agreed to a new five-year contract with the 49ers that will keep him locked up through the 2024 season. The new deal for Lynch comes about six weeks after coach Kyle Shanahan replaced his original six-year deal signed in 2017 with a new six-year contract that takes him through 2025. Lynch was named executive of the year last season by the Pro Football Writers Association of America for helping the Niners reach the Super Bowl last season.

PGA-US OPEN-NO FANS

US Open without qualifying now will be played without fans

UNDATED (AP) — The USGA says no fans will be allowed for the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in New York Sept. 17-20 because of health and safety concerns about COVID-19.

The U.S. Open already has been moved from its traditional Father’s Day finish. The pandemic caused the cancellation of more than 100 qualifiers .

VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE SPORTS

Big West Conference postpones fall sports

UNDATED (AP) — The Big West Conference is postponing all fall sports through the end of the calendar year.

The conference will determine later if conducting fall sports in the spring would be feasible. The decision does not impact basketball, which is scheduled to begin on Nov. 10.

The Division I conference has 11 members, with all but one based in California.

In other news related to the COVID-19 pandemic:

— Austin’s public health authority said the city was “caught a little off guard” by the recent announcement by Texas that the school planned to allow 50% stadium capacity at Longhorns football games this fall. Travis County Interim Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott spoke with county commissioners Tuesday, and said it’s hard to imagine allowing a crowd of any size watch a game. Texas is scheduled to host South Florida on Sept. 5 and the Big 12 has held out hope it can play a 12-game regular season. The state of Texas has seen record numbers of new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the month of July.

— Notre Dame will play in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season as part of a plan to play 10 league games and start the week of Sept. 7, alterations brought on by the pandemic. The ACC’s university presidents approved the plan for an 11-game schedule, including one nonconference game, and for pushing back the league championship game from Dec. 5 to either Dec. 12 or 19. Notre Dame will play in a football conference for the first time in the 133-year history of the program if the season is played.

— The NCAA is allowing all major college football teams to begin their seasons as early as Aug. 29. The association confirmed that the football oversight committee had requested a blanket waiver to permit any school to push up the start of its season to the so-called Week Zero.

NHL-BLACKHAWKS

Blackhawks ban Native American headdresses at home games

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks are banning headdresses at home games as part of their pledge to honor the Native American community.

The NHL team says it consulted with Native American partners to establish new policies and initiatives. The Blackhawks will further integrate Native American culture and storytelling into game presentation and community involvement.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-SOUTH CAROLINA

Lawson staying at SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s top scorer and rebounder AJ Lawson has announced that he is withdrawing from the NBA and returning to school for his junior season.

The 6-foot-6 guard from Toronto started all 31 games last year, averaging team highs with 13.4 points and 3.7 rebounds. Lawson put his name in the draft pool in April without hiring an agent, giving him the option to return.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-OBIT-HENSON

Former Illinois, New Mexico St coach Lou Henson dies at 88

HAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Former New Mexico and Illinois men’s basketball coach Lou Henson died Sunday at age 88 and was buried on Wednesday.

Henson took New Mexico State and Illinois to the Final Four during a 21-year career that included nearly 800 victories and a feud with fellow Big Ten coach Bob Knight. Henson left the game as the winningest coach at both Illinois and New Mexico State, and still ranks fifth all-time among Big Ten coaches with 214 conference wins and 423 total.

AUSTRALIA-ABUSE COMPLAINTS

Gymnastics Australia asks human rights group to probe abuse

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Complaints by at least 20 former Australian gymnasts about physical and mental abuse during their careers has prompted Gymnastics Australia to ask a human rights group to investigate.

The gymnasts include Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medalists but the identities of the athletes were not disclosed.

They recently spoke of a toxic culture within the sport and have used social media platforms to detail fat-shaming and other forms of abuse.

The Australian Human Rights Commission will examine the sport’s culture and practices in Australia.

In world and national news…

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The biggest, most sophisticated Mars rover ever built is on its way to the red planet. NASA’s Perseverance blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, atop an Atlas V rocket Thursday morning. It’s the first step in an ambitious project to bring the first Martian rock samples back to Earth to be analyzed for evidence of ancient life. The six-wheeled rover will drill down and collect tiny geological samples that will eventually be retrieved and brought home in about a decade. China and the United Arab Emirates also have spacecraft en route to Mars, after launching last week. They are all due to arrive at Mars in February.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government is poised to deliver a double-dose of sobering news — on the devastation the coronavirus caused the U.S. economy last quarter and the damage it continues to inflict on the job market. The pandemic is believed to have caused the economy to shrink during the April-June period at an annual rate exceeding 30%. That would easily shatter the existing record for a quarterly contraction, a 10% drop in 1958. The virus forced millions of employers to cut jobs as consumers stopped shopping and traveling, and hotels, restaurants, movie theaters and small businesses closed their doors.

 

BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets have sunk after the U.S. Federal Reserve warned the coronavirus pandemic may threaten the fragile economic recovery. The drop in stocks accelerated in Europe after Germany said its economy shrank by 10% in the second quarter from the previous three-month period. That is the steepest drop on record for Germany. U.S. GDP data is due later Thursday, while the Europe-wide figures will be released Friday. After losses in Asia, European stock indexes and Wall Street futures are down. Lower interest rates and investor optimism about a possible coronavirus vaccine have recently helped global markets recoup most of this year’s losses. But analysts say the recovery might not be sustained amid uncertain economic activity.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Capitol officials have issued broad new mask requirements after a Republican member of Congress tested positive for the coronavirus. The member, Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert, often shunned wearing masks and was known to vote without one. Pelosi announced Wednesday evening that all members will be required to wear a mask when voting on the House floor. Several hours later, the House sergeant-at-arms and the Capitol’s top physician issued an order that everyone in House office buildings will have to wear masks inside, with few exceptions. That mandate goes into effect at 8 a.m. Thursday.

 

ATLANTA (AP) — When John Lewis is mourned, revered and celebrated at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, he returns to a sacred place in civil rights history. At his funeral Thursday, the arc of Lewis’ life and civil rights legacy will once again tie into the history of Ebenezer’s former pastor Martin Luther King Jr., a close ally whom Lewis called his leader. Lewis discovered King’s sermons while scanning the radio dial as a 15-year-year old boy growing up in rural Alabama. King continued to inspire Lewis’ civil rights work for the next 65 years. Lewis died July 17 at age 80.

 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Isaias is battering Puerto Rico with high winds and heavy rains as it heads to the U.S. mainland. Isaias on Thursday was located about 100 miles west southwest of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and about 160 miles southeast of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving west northwest at 21 mph. Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach said Isaias broke the record as the earliest ninth Atlantic named storm. Klotzbach tweeted that the previous record was Irene on August 7, 2005.