CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 60s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 90s. South winds 5 to10 mph. Heat index 90 to 95.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 60s. South winds5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 80s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 60s.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 60.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear with a 30 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows around 60.

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

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

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.

 

There is a chance for thunderstorms Wednesday night. Severe weather is not
expected.

There is a chance for thunderstorms Thursday into the weekend.
Confidence remains low on whether severe weather is possible
late this week into the weekend.

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his weekly COVID-19 News Briefing Wednesday afternoon at the state capital in Bismarck.  Burgum was  joined by State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, State Contact Tracing Administrator Vern Dosch and NDDoH Immunizations Program Manager Molly Howell.

Burgum said the recently launched health.nd.gov#MaskupND campaign has received several photos of people wearing their masks, including healthcare workers.

He said the public needs to continue to be vigilant, as the positive testing cases are on the increase in North Dakota as he related the latest State Health Department.  400,000 tests have been given since the start of the pandemic.

He discussed the latest numbers posted on Wednesday.

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Wed. Aug 19, 2020

11:45 -a.m.

Stutsman 1 New Positive

Stutsman  131 Total Positives

Stutsman 10 Active

Stutsman 38 Recovered

 

Barnes 1-New Positive

Barnes 48 Total Positives

Barnes Active 10

Barnes Recovered 38

COVID-19 Test Results
The results listed are from the previous day. Additional data can be found on the NDDoH website.

Thanks for your patience with the delay as we experienced a network issue this morning. Good news! We’ve refreshed our website dashboard and the daily report to make more data publicly available. Did we remove a number in our listing below that interested you? Check out the website for those numbers and more, including additional county-level data, then click the feedback button on the website to let us know what you think. As with any new technology upgrade, there’s sure to be minor setbacks so we thank you in advance for your patience while we perfect the dashboard with you in mind.

BY THE NUMBERS

4,862 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

406,733 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

188 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday

Two individuals from Cass County were from out of state.

8,968 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

3.87% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

1,209 – Total Active Cases

+40 Individuals from Tuesday

87 – Individuals Recovered from Tuesday

7,629 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

49 – Currently Hospitalized

+2 individuals from Tuesday


2 – New Deaths*** (130 total deaths since the pandemic began)


INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 70s from McLean County with underlying health conditions.
  • Woman in her 90s from Grand Forks County with underlying health conditions.


COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY

  • Adams County – 1
  • Barnes County – 1
  • Benson County – 1
  • Bottineau County – 1
  • Bowman County – 3
  • Burke County – 1
  • Burleigh County – 42
  • Cass County – 36
  • Dunn County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 21
  • Griggs County – 1
  • Kidder County – 1
  • McHenry County – 1
  • McIntosh County – 1
  • McLean County – 3
  • Morton County – 11
  • Pierce County – 2
  • Ransom County – 2
  • Richland County – 2
  • Rolette County – 3
  • Sioux County – 2
  • Stark County – 16
  • Stutsman County – 1
  • Walsh County – 6
  • Ward County – 20
  • Wells County – 2
  • Williams County – 6

 

* 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.

He said long term care facilities with a COVID-19 case, has the likelihood of spreading the virus to other residents, in close contact in the facility, who are at high risk, and many with underlying health conditions.  He urges those visiting those long term care facilities to make sure they are not infected with COVID-19.

Burgum pointed out the NDDoH web site’s new dashboard to access information.

The goal is to have testing available everyday in the Bismarck Mandan area by next week, the so called “hot spot,” with large numbers of positive case numbers.

The age group 20-29 year olds are being targeted by the COVID-19 Task Force, with information/education information.  He added that Stark County has had a surge in positive numbers, and is be watched.

Burgum said the -K-12 Response Team  is ready to respond in case of spikes in virus numbers, with students returning to school, some going back this week.

State School Superintendent Kirsten Baseler said the Department of Public Instruction is collaborating with the State Health Department, supporting a healthy return to learning.

She said the goal is to protect students and staff from the virus, including  experiences never previously encountered.  She said person health information is being protect, and only give to those that need to know.

She said local public school boards and health teams are working together, in developing back to school plans, and to continue flatten the curve.

Burgum said college students need to be tested within five days of returning to the campus, with testing sites available in the state.

He pointed out the new Care-19 Alert using blue tooth technology.

State Contact Tracing Administrator Vern Dosch, followed a video on the new contact tracing technology.  He said that the app has been an important tool in contact tracing, with a digital list of contacts.

NDDoH Immunizations Program Manager Molly Howell, explained isolation and quarantine  terminologies.   Those testing positive with COVID-19 need to stay home in isolation for ten days.  Those asymptomatic should stay in isolation for ten days.  A close contact to positive cases should stay home, in quarantine for 14 days, including staying out of the public.  Those individuals will tested again in quarantine,  and need to stay guaranteed for the full 14 days.  Household contacts may have to quarantined for up to 24 days.

Burgum said Interim Health Department Officer,  Dr. Andrew Stahl has resigned the position, to go into private medical practice in the Bismarck Mandan area. Stahl accepted the interim position on June 1, this year.   Burgum said an interim health officer, and permanent Health Department Officer are being search for.

The next COVID-19 News Briefing is planned for Wednesday, August 26 at 3:30-p.m.

 

Jamestown  (JPS)  Jamestown Public School District would like to offer your students a meal option for the days they are not on campus and in need of meals on those days.  These meals will be charged according to eligibility status—the same price as in school meals.  Meals will be available for pick up on:

  • A days – Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00 PM  (Students attending M/T)
  • B days – Fridays from 3:30-5:00 PM (Students attending Th/F and Virtual Academy-JVA)

Breakfast and lunch meals will all be sent at one time for all three days.  Student will be receiving three breakfast and three lunch meals picked up for those days not in school.  Meals will be perishable so must be properly stored in cooler or freezer—prepare as directed.

We ask that you sign up for these meals by August 24th if possible so we can properly prepare meals for the first pick up days:

  • Friday August 28th B day students.
  • September 1st A day students.

Pick up sites:

  • Middle school – back door of cafeteria
  • High School – cafeteria

If you have chosen the virtual academy we can certainly make accommodations as necessary.  This would include virtual academy elementary students that would want meals as well.

This option is available to all K-12 students based on our instructional phases and meal service needs

Program sign up online or by calling Food Service Department at 701-252-1950 ext.2115

 

Valley City  (CSi)  Music in the Park in Valley City on Wednesday Aug 19 will have entertainment by Kroshus & Krew performing at 7:15-p.m., at the City Park Bandshell.

A freewill offering is taken to support the  continued bandshell work.  Bring along your lawn chair or blanket. In case of rain the program will be moved to the Valley City Eagles Club.

 

 

Jamestown  (Chamber)    Members of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Jamestown Rural Fire Department. Their new location at 1209 9th St. SE in Jamestown. Congratulations to the district volunteers that have worked so hard to make this facility a reality.

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.

Fergus Falls, MN   Otter Tail Power Company continues doing all it can to assist customers facing financial hardships—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company takes its role as an essential service provider seriously. “We know how much customers depend on us every day and that some may be struggling to pay their electric bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Customer Care and Relations Manager Ron Spangler. “We encourage customers to reach out to us if they’re having trouble making payments so we can work together to make a plan.”
To address specific customer needs or requests, the company has been proactively reaching out to customers who are behind on their electric bills to offer next steps and suggest resources for potential support from state and local agencies. Anyone who’s concerned about paying their electric bill or can’t pay their bill in full should call the company directly to discuss options for payment arrangements.
Otter Tail Power Company also warns its customers that scams are prevalent. “Scammers are looking to take advantage of what may be a hard time for many people and businesses,” said Spangler. “We’ll call our customers to provide an account update or to discuss payment options, but we’ll never ask for account information or require immediate payment. And we’re always willing to talk with customers about payment options.” Customers who receive suspicious contact—especially if the caller is requiring urgent payment or encouraging payment in a way that’s not typical—should ignore it and call Otter Tail Power Company at 800-257-4044.
Otter Tail Power Company appreciates its customers’ partnership as the company works to safely and reliably provide affordable electricity. For more information about payment options and how to avoid scams, visit otpco.com.

In sports….

Braves outfielder Nick Markakis (mahr-KAY’-kihs) has been placed on the 10-day injured list after potentially being exposed to COVID-19. Markakis initially opted out of the shortened season because of concerns about the coronavirus. He rejoined the Braves a couple of weeks ago and provided a boost to an injury plagued lineup, batting .353 with six RBIs in 11 games.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Cincinnati Reds put outfielder Nick Senzel on the injured list and reinstated third baseman Mike Moustakas to face his former team before a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. The Reds also chose infielder Robel Garcia as their 29th man for the doubleheader, which was caused by a postponement of the series opener Tuesday night. The Reds had two games postponed over the weekend because of a positive COVID-19 test and Major League Baseball wanted to provide them with an additional day for testing.

— The Titans won’t have fans at their home opener on Sept. 20 against Jacksonville because of the coronavirus pandemic. Nashville’s Major League Soccer team also won’t have any fans at home games in September.

The Georgia Bulldog are planning to have fans between the hedges this season. Mirroring other schools in the Southeastern Conference, the school announced a ticket plan that would allow 20-25% capacity at 92,746-seat Sanford Stadium. That translates to crowds of about 18,500 to 23,000 for Georgia’s four home games. Athletic director Greg McGarity stressed that all arrangements are tentative amid the coronavirus pandemic. In recent weeks, Georgia has become one of the nation’s hot spots. The Bulldogs are offering single-game tickets in hopes of accommodating as many season-ticket holders as possible for games against Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.

In world and national news…

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Kamala Harris is poised to make history as the first Black woman to accept a spot on a major party’s presidential ticket. It’s a moment intended to galvanize Democratic voters heading into the fall campaign against President Donald Trump. Wednesday night’s speech will be her second at the Democratic National Convention. But the stakes are higher than ever before as Harris tries to unite the party behind its presidential candidate, Joe Biden, while also introducing herself to a national audience who may be tuning into the campaign for the first time.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Barack Obama will deliver his live address to the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Obama is among the headliners on the convention’s third night and is expected to speak ahead of Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s running mate. Harris and Obama are both barrier-breaking figures, he as the nation’s first Black president and Harris as the first Black woman on a major party ticket. Obama is expected to make the case that the cornerstone of American democracy is at stake. Obama is also expected to make a personal appeal on behalf of his former vice president.

 

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders and others from the liberal wing of the Democratic Party are calling on Democrats from key Midwestern states to work together to not only defeat President Donald Trump, but to forge ahead with a progressive agenda. They spoke Wednesday to activists from five Midwestern states during a virtual meeting coinciding with the third day of the Democratic National Convention. Trump narrowly won two of the states, Wisconsin and Michigan, and just barely lost a third, Minnesota. Democrats from South Dakota and North Dakota also participated on the call, which attracted around 250 viewers at any given time.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says President Donald Trump’s postmaster general has no intention of restoring mail equipment or paying overtime hours he cut despite public outcry the changes are undermining service before Election Day. Pelosi says she told Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in phone call that his decision to temporarily pause any further mail service changes is “wholly insufficient.” She says DeJoy “frankly admitted” he had no intention of replacing the sorting machines, blue mailboxes and mail infrastructure and no plans for adequate overtime. The House is pushing ahead with a vote Saturday on legislation on the Postal Service.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumers lifted their spending in May and June but businesses remained cautious because of the tremendous uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook. That’s according to discussions by Federal Reserve officials at a policy meeting last month. The Fed officials said the nascent economic recovery faces several risks. Those include another outbreak of the coronavirus and that the U.S. government would pull back on the financial relief it had provided to households, businesses and state and local governments.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI lawyer has pleaded guilty to altering a document related to the secret surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser during the Russia investigation. Kevin Clinesmith entered his plea via audioconference in Washington’s federal court on Wednesday. Clinesmith is the first current or former official to be charged in a special Justice Department review of the investigation into ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Attorney General William Barr appointed John Durham, the U.S. attorney in Connecticut, to scrutinize decisions made by officials during that probe.

 

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The number of people in Florida confirmed to have died from the new coronavirus has surpassed 10,000. Florida reported 174 deaths on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths to at least 10,067. That’s the fifth highest death toll in the nation. Meanwhile, Florida’s largest teacher’s union argued with attorneys for the state of Florida during a hearing over whether schools should reopen during the pandemic. The Florida Education Association sued state officials to stop brick-and-mortar schools from physically reopening, arguing it is unsafe to do so until the spread of the coronavirus is under control.