Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Aug 3

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

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

thunderstorms.  Highs in the upper 70s. South winds around 5 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows in the upper 50s.

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

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s.

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

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

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s.

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

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

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60s.

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

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

 

Update

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Fire Department was called out just after 11:30-a.m. Monday to 710 4th Avenue, Southeast.

The report indicated smoke coming from the foundation of the home.

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther says, a fire in an unattended bon fire was put out by a neighbor.  There were no injuries, and no structure was damaged.

Four City Fire Units and 21 fire fighters were on the scene  about 12 minutes.

 

North Dakota health officials say the number of active coronavirus cases in the state remains above 1,000. The state Department of Health on Monday reported 1,090 active cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. That’s up 12 from Sunday but down slightly from a new daily high set on Saturday.  Monday was the ninth straight day that active cases of the coronavirus in North Dakota remained above 1,000. Cases first surpassed 1,000 on July 26, North Dakota reported 127 newly confirmed cases on Monday, raising the state’s total to 6,785 since the pandemic started. The number of deaths remained at 105.

NDDoH

COVID 19 Stats

Posted  Mon. Aug 3, 2020

11:00 a.m.

Categories: Coronavirus

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED MONDAY

• Barnes County  1
• Barnes Total  34
• Barnes Active 4
• Barnes Recovered  30
• Bottineau County – 1
• Burke County – 3
• Burleigh County – 19
• Cass County – 12
• Dunn County – 1
• Emmons County – 1
• Foster County – 2
• Grand Forks County – 11
• Logan County – 1
• McHenry County – 1
• McIntosh County – 2
• McLean County – 2
• Morton County – 9
• Mountrail County – 4
• Nelson County – 1
• Ramsey County – 4
• Richland County – 1
• Rolette County – 1
• Sargent County – 1
• Sioux County – 1
• Stark County – 21
• Steele County – 1
• Stutsman County  3
• Stutsman Total 118
• Stutsman Active 23
• Stutsman Recovered 93
• Traill County – 4
• Ward County – 14
• Wells County – 2
• Williams County – 3

BY THE NUMBERS

324,901 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+4,723 total tests from yesterday)

158,751 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,728 unique individuals from yesterday)

151,966 – Total Negative (+1,603 unique individuals from yesterday)

6,785 – Total Positive (+127 unique individuals from yesterday)

Two cases from Cass County were removed from the total upon clarification of the results from the reporting lab.

2.7% – Daily Positivity Rate**

379 – Total Hospitalized (+2 individual from yesterday)

46 – Currently Hospitalized (-4 individuals from yesterday)

5,590 – Total Recovered (+113 individuals from yesterday)

105 – Total Deaths*** (+0 individual from yesterday)

* Note that this does not include individuals from out of state and has been updated to reflect the most recent information discovered after cases were investigated.

**Because the serial tests completed and added to the total number of tests completed can result in new individuals who test positive, the daily positivity rate will be calculated using the total positives for the day by the daily number of tests completed instead of the daily number of unique individuals tested.

*** Number of individuals who tested positive and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall. All member were present, Buchanan joined the meeting by phone.

PUBLIC HEARING:

A HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Individuals may address the City Council about any item not contained on the agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the hearing. If the full 15 minutes are not needed, the City Council will continue with the agenda. The City Council will take no official action on items discussed at the hearing, with the exception of referral to staff or Committee.)  No one spoke.

NO CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS WERE DISCUSSED SEPARATELY…

To provide more time to discuss controversial or disputed issues, the Council will consider the items on the consent agenda together at the beginning of the public meeting. These items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. If a member of the City Council or public requests to be heard on one of these items, the Council will remove the item from the consent agenda and consider that item individually.

APPROVED WAS CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS PRINTED.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD… Concerning the special assessments on the 2019 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #19-11. No One Spoke.

 

Following the Public Hearing, the City Council approved the special assessments on 2019 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #19-11, in the total amount of $67,074.21, with the City Share-Departments at $37,622.02, and benefited properties to be assessed in the amount of $29,452.19.

ORDINANCES:

A FIRST READING of an Ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the General and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021.

 

FIRST READING: An ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the Revenue and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021.

 

FIRST READING: Concerning an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the Distict Map to change the zoning of Auditor’s Lot 27-12, located in the Northwest Quarter Section 27, Township 140 North, Range 64 West of the fifth principal meridian, Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from A-1 and C-2 to M-2. The property is located at 8126 34th St SE.

A PUBLIC HEARING was held, concerning the request to change zoning of LANDS IN JAMESTOWN, S31, T140, R63, NE 1/4 NE 1/4 SE 1/4 31-140-63 KNOWN AS PARCEL B 10 ACRES, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, rezoned from M2 & R1 to strictly M2.

No One Spoke

A SECOND READING of an Ordinance No. 1536, to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map to change the zoning of LANDS IN JAMESTOWN, S31, T140, R63, NE 1/4 NE 1/4 SE 1/4 31-140-63 KNOWN AS PARCEL B 10 ACRES, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, rezoned from M2 (General Industrial and Manufacturing District) & R1 (One-Family Residential District) to strictly M2. The property is located at 2400 10th St SE.  The City Council voted to approve.

APPOINTMENTS:

Appointed was Paulette Ritter to serve as a member of the Planning Commission for a five year term to expire August 2025.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Steele said he has been meeting with public works department members.

He said, the Airline boardings at Jamestown Regional Airport  have returned to pre-pandemic schedules.  Airport on field improvements have started.

Council Member Buchanan said Jamestown Police officer, John Glentne has retired after 42 years of service, and he was highly praised by Buchanan.

Mayor Heinrich passed along praise to the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce on the Get, Give Grow economic stimulus promotion to benefit Stutsman County businesses, who may have struggled financial during the business downturn during the pandemic, while offering $25 girft cards, worth $50 in purchases.   The Chamber office has more information for any business wishing to participate in the campaign.

He also encourages residents to return 2020 census forms if they have not already done so.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Passed was a Resolution to approve the Major Subdivision, Final plat of LD Concrete Addition, being within the City of Jamestown, Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota, Lands in Jamestown, S31, T140, R63, NE 1/4 NE 1/4 SE 1/4 31-140-63 known as Parcel B 10 Acres. The property is located at 2400 10th St SE.

Considered was a request from Sabir’s Buffalo Grill for an On-Off Sale liquor license at 103 1st Avenue South for the period ending June 30, 2021.

Currently restaurant licenses do not allow an on-sale off- sale.  Mayor Heinrich said the city attorney has reviewed the legality and has approved.

The City Council approved the request at which time the establishment will relinquish its restaurant liquor license.

The City Council approved upgrading the server and software for the City’s outdoor warning sirens, which serves as the community’s outdoor warning system, at a cost of $12,170, $10,431.43 to be paid by the City Public Building Site Fund, and $1,738.57 to be paid by Stutsman County.

Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist said the system was installed 20 years ago, and paid for with a federal grant. He said the current software is antiquated, and needs to be updated, so if the system fails it will be still be operational. He said the system is used for a multitude of purposes, including severe weather warnings.

The City Council discussed accepting the SRF Consulting Group, Inc. quote to conduct the five-year land use transportation plan assessment at a maximum of $13,819, to be paid from the General Fund.

Mayor Heinrich referred the issue to Building, Zoning and Planning Committee at the August meeting, pending additional information.

To consider Change Order No. 1, to Scherbenske Inc., for 2020 State Hospital Water Line Replacement District 20-62 at no change in cost to extend the completion 27 days to still be operational this fall with cleanup spring of 2021.  The City Council approved as recommended by the City Engineer, and Consulting Engineer.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays.

 

North Dakota Emergency Commission approves nearly $320M in third round of COVID-19 relief

Package includes $59M for cities and counties, $97M for health programs, $100M to keep Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund solvent

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Emergency Commission today unanimously approved a third tranche of federal funding to support the state’s COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, directing nearly $320 million to cities and counties, public health services, unemployment insurance and other programs.

North Dakota received $1.25 billion from the Coronavirus Relief Fund as part of the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The $319.7 million approved today is what remained of the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars after votes by the Emergency Commission to allocate $406.1 million in June and $524.2 million in May, with approval from the Legislature’s Budget Section.

Cities and counties will receive $59 million, on top of the $20 million for local public health units. The $59 million will be paid out as a reimbursement for law enforcement payroll based on each jurisdiction’s number of law enforcement officers and actual payroll costs from March through September. Public safety payroll is considered an allowable expense to distribution of Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars. An estimated $33.5 million will go to cities and $25.4 million to counties.

“As local governments experience declining revenues during the COVID-19 pandemic, this substantial support will help cities and counties limit property tax increases by delivering the relief to them before their 2021 budgets are finalized,” said Gov. Doug Burgum, who chairs the Emergency Commission. “We’re grateful for the partnership of our legislative leaders and local political subdivisions in developing this consistent approach, and we strongly encourage North Dakotans to continue taking steps to slow the spread of coronavirus to save lives and livelihoods: practice social distancing, wear a mask when appropriate and wash your hands frequently.”

The six-member Emergency Commission consists of four legislative leaders – House Majority Leader Chet Pollert of Carrington, Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner of Dickinson, House Appropriations Chairman Jeff Delzer of Underwood and Senate Appropriations Chairman Ray Holmberg of Grand Forks – along with Secretary of State Al Jaeger and Burgum as chairman.

The third round of funding includes $100 million for the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, bringing to $410 million the total amount of federal aid allocated to the fund to maintain solvency and replenish the fund to support out-of-work North Dakotans and minimize the impact to employer tax rates. The $100 million is estimated to restore the trust fund to pre-pandemic levels, Office of Management and Budget Director Joe Morrissette said.

The North Dakota Department of Health will receive $96.6 million, including nearly $63 million for an enhanced testing campaign covering K-12, the North Dakota University System (NDUS), additional contact tracing, public awareness and education efforts, private lab contracts and reinforcing the state’s medical cache. Nearly $31.6 million was approved as a contingency if other federal dollars are unable to cover the cost of testing, lab supplies and contact tracing.

Other allocations include:

• $23.3 million for the Office of the Adjutant General for support of statewide testing sites and other expenses.
• $17.4 million for the North Dakota University System, including $13.6 million for HVAC modifications to improve air quality in campus buildings and $1 million for personal protective equipment, thermometers and other protective supplies.
• $13.3 million for the Department of Human Services, including $12 million to continue to the Childcare Emergency Operations Grant through December.
• $5 million for tribal colleges, trade schools and private colleges.
• $5.2 million for other state agencies, including $2 million through the Department of Agriculture to support food bank programs.

A total of $445 million in requests were received for the $319.7 million available, Morrissette said, noting that the recommended allocations are focused primarily on public health and safety.

Burgum expressed his gratitude for the strong collaboration and input from legislators as well as the state agencies and North Dakota citizens whose responsible actions have slowed the spread of coronavirus and reduced health care impacts in North Dakota, allowing the state to direct the majority of its federal relief funds to economic support for individuals and businesses.

For more information on North Dakota’s COVID-19 response, visit www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus or www.ndresponse.gov.

 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new survey of business leaders released Monday suggests the economy continues to recover in nine Midwest and Plains states, but businesses are still cutting jobs amid the ongoing impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the economy still remains weaker than before the virus outbreak began. The overall index for the region improved to 57.4 in July from June’s 50.3. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth. A score below 50 suggests decline. The monthly survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota, which has seen an uptick in coronavirus infections in recent weeks, is bracing to host hundreds of thousands of bikers for the 80th edition of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. More than 250,000 people are expected to attend the Aug. 7 to Aug. 16 rally in western South Dakota, which could make it the biggest event anywhere since the coronavirus pandemic started. The event will offer businesses that depend on the rally a chance to make up losses after the downturn in tourism spending. But many of Sturgis’ roughly 7,000 residents are leery about the brimming bars and bacchanalia coming their way and say it shouldn’t go on during a pandemic.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A U.S. Department of Interior opinion rolling back an Obama-era memo stating that mineral rights under the original Missouri River bed should belong to the Three Affiliated Tribes was put on hold by a federal judge Friday until arguments can be heard in the case. The memo filed May 26 by Daniel Jorjani, solicitor for the department, said a historical review shows the state is the legal owner of submerged lands beneath the river where it flows through the Fort Berthold Reservation. The tribes argue that three previous federal opinions dating back to 1936 have confirmed their ownership of the Missouri River riverbed, including a 2017 memo by former solicitor Hilary Tompkins.

In sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Seven St. Louis Cardinals players and six staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, causing Major League Baseball to postpone the team’s four-game series at Detroit. The series was to have been played at Comerica Park from Tuesday through Thursday. St. Louis has been in quarantine since Thursday in Milwaukee, where the Cardinals’ series last weekend was postponed, and the team is being tested daily. The Cardinals are the second team sidelined by the novel coronavirus since the season started July 23. The Miami Marlins are set to resume play Tuesday in Baltimore.

In world and national news…

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Isaias is forecast to return to hurricane strength early as it approaches the Carolinas, where residents are being warned to brace for flooding rains and storm surge. Isaias remained a tropical storm with winds of 70 mph on Monday morning, where the storm remained more than 200 miles south-southwest of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Officials in Myrtle Beach ordered swimmers out of the water Monday while downtown Charleston braced for potential flooding. In North Carolina, officials were wrapping up evacuations of Ocracoke Island, which took a beating from Hurricane Dorian last year. The National Hurricane Service said Monday morning that the storm is growing stronger again as it moves toward the Carolinas with maximum sustained winds around 70 mph.

NEW YORK (AP) — A Manhattan prosecutor trying to get President Donald Trump’s tax returns told a judge that he was justified in demanding them, citing public reports of “extensive and protracted criminal conduct at the Trump Organization.” Trump’s lawyers last month said the grand jury subpoena for the tax returns was issued in bad faith and amounted to harassment of the president. Manhattan District Attorney District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., is seeking eight years of the Republican president’s personal and corporate tax records, but has disclosed little about what prompted him to request the records, other than part of the investigation is related to payoffs made to women to keep them quiet about alleged affairs with Trump.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has fired the chair of the Tennessee Valley Authority, criticizing the federal-owned corporation for hiring foreign workers. Trump said Monday at the White House that he was formally removing chair Skip Thompson and another member of the board and threatened to remove other board members if they keep hiring foreign labor. The TVA is a federally owned corporation created in 1933 to provide flood control, electricity generation, fertilizer manufacturing and economic development to the Tennessee Valley. The region covers most of Tennessee and parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

(AP)  The results of nationwide antibody tests conducted on nearly 65,000 Italians indicate that close to 2.5% of the population has had the coronavirus. Health officials said Monday that nearly 1.5 million Italians have had the virus, or six times the number of confirmed cases in Italy’s official virus tally. Dr. Franco Locatelli, a key scientific adviser to the government, said the huge geographic variability in the results showed that Italy’s strict, three-month nationwide lockdown was critical to sparing parts of the country the devastation experienced in the north. Some 7% residents in hard-hit Lombardy had the virus compared to 0.3% in Sicily.