Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Aug 21

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area, then mostly clear after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the west after midnight.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. Northwest winds 5 to

10 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s. Northeast

winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the southeast after midnight.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds 5 to

10 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. A 30 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s.

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

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.

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

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers

and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s.

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

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

showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s.

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

thunderstorms in the morning. Highs in the upper 70s.

From around mid afternoon into early Friday evening there is a chance of strong to severe thunderstorms. Main hazards from these storms will be quarter to ping pong size hail and 60 mph winds.

There is a chance of thunderstorms on Sunday, with perhaps an
isolated strong to severe storm possible. Otherwise, the
probability for widespread hazardous weather is low.

 

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Fri. Aug 21, 2020

Posted 11-a.m.

 

Stutsman 1 New Positive

Stutsman Positives 135

Stutsman Active 7

Stutsman Recovered 125

 

Barnes 3 New Positives

Barnes Positives 51

Barnes Active 11

Barnes Recovered 40

 

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

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

7,033 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

421,501 – Total tests completed since pandemic began

232 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday

9,474 – Total positive individuals since pandemic began

3.30% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

1,501 – Total Active Cases

+107 Individuals from yesterday

84 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday****

7,841 – Total recovered since pandemic began

54 – Currently Hospitalized

+9 individuals from yesterday

2 – New Deaths*** (132 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

• Woman in her 70s from Burke County with underlying health conditions.
• Woman in her 50s from Benson County with underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED FRIDAY

• Barnes County – 3
• Benson County – 5
• Bowman County – 1
• Burleigh County – 73
• Cass County – 20
• Dunn County – 1
• Foster County – 1
• Grand Forks County – 45
• Grant County – 1
• LaMoure County – 1
• McIntosh County – 1
• McKenzie County – 2
• McLean County – 3
• Mercer County – 1
• Morton County – 18
• Mountrail County – 3
• Pierce County – 1
• Ramsey County – 3
• Ransom County – 2
• Richland County – 2
• Rolette County – 4
• Stark County – 8
• Steele County – 1
• Stutsman County – 1
• Traill County – 2
• Walsh County – 5
• Ward County – 20
• Wells County – 1
• Williams County – 3

 

* 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.
**** The daily numbers are the actual date individuals are officially out of isolation and no longer contagious. The number you get by subtracting today’s number from yesterday’s number is the overall change in what has been reported to us.

 

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

 

Jamestown  (Chamber)   Members of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Brock Romine State Farm. This new business is open at 324 2^nd Ave SW in Jamestown.  You can reach them at 701-952-8900.

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.

The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee is pleased to announce the 13^th and last winner of Yard of the Week Program for 2020.  Darlene Kropp of 215 19^th Ave. NE in Jamestown, has received this award.  Congratulations to her on this beautiful yard and thank you to her for her efforts to help beautify Jamestown. Congratulations for a job well done! Darlene will receive a gift certificate from our award aponsor Menards in Jamestown.

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

 

Valley City  (VCPS)  Valley City Public Schools Superintendent Josh Johnson  remindes parents, concerning  protocols that need to be followed by parents, guardians and students in the upcoming school year.

Q: How was it decided that students could be spaced three feet apart instead of six feet?
A:  The guidance that we have received from our local health team, NDDoH, and the CDC/American Academy of Pediatrics has advised us to space students six feet apart, when feasible. Our efforts will be made to space students as far apart as possible; however, in some instances that will not be feasible in some classrooms, hallways, etc. We will require all students to be spaced a minimum of three feet apart according to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. We believe that the risk of bringing students back for in-person learning and potentially being within six feet, is far better than the risk of having our students continue to learn at home in Plan C or D. This is based upon our current case count in Barnes County and is subject to change based upon positive cases, infection rates, and new guidance.

Q: Why was it decided that students can remove face masks when seated in the classroom?
A:  There will be few opportunities in the school day that will allow students to remove face masks and they will include; sitting in desk, eating lunch, and being outside of the school (outdoor classrooms, recess, etc.). We made our decisions regarding face masks following the guidance from our local health team based upon the current case counts in our county. Anyone (student or staff member) may choose to wear their face mask all day long in the schools. This guidance will be subject to change based upon recommendations from local health officials.

The only modifications that were made to our District Reopening Plan, since August 10th, were made within the Activities Plan. AD Mike Schultz shared these changes in a communication sent to parents/families on Thursday, August 20th. In the future, we will highlight changes for you when providing a preliminary and approved document.

The school districts protocol guidance comes from the North Dakota Department of Health, Center for Disease Control (CDC), and American Academy of Pediatrics. Please read the specific guidance regarding physical distancing and face masks as it applies to our district plan. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

The first day of school on Monday, August 31.

Josh Johnson

Superintendent

Valley City Public Schools

 

Bismarck  (CSi)   The North Dakota Department of Human Services announced a new SNAP Access Enhancement Grant program Friday to increase access to food assistance by ensuring North Dakota grocery stores and other qualifying food retailers are equipped to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card payments for food purchases.

The grant funding, which was approved by the legislature’s Budget Section late last week and by the North Dakota Emergency Commission Aug. 3, comes after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved North Dakota’s request to allow online food purchases by SNAP households. North Dakota joined USDA’s online purchasing program Aug. 12, 2020.

The SNAP EBT online food purchasing program started as a federal pilot project involving a few states and two approved national food retailers: Walmart and Amazon. The pandemic has accelerated the nationwide rollout, and North Dakota is among the most recent states to provide another purchasing option for SNAP clients who can already buy food from USDA-approved food retailers who use store-based or mobile point-of-sale devices.

Michele Gee, the DHS Director for Economic Assistance, said the department has been working closely with USDA and the North Dakota Grocer’s Association to increase access to safe and convenient online purchasing options.  Sh says, “We want to prevent hunger by supporting a safer option to in-store shopping for individuals at higher risk of coronavirus complications who are limiting their outings and exposure to others in the community who may be asymptomatic.”

The SNAP Access Enhancement Grants are for any approved SNAP retailer who could benefit from help with the cost of the equipment and systems needed to accept and correctly process SNAP/EBT card purchases, whether online, in store and when groceries are delivered. They can also be used to help retailers get set up as an approved SNAP retailer, as a precursor to approval for the online purchasing program.

The grants will reimburse applicants for the cost of eligible expenses incurred, up to $25,000. The application form and details about eligible expenses, documentation requirements and the reimbursement process are online at https://www.nd.gov/dhs/info/covid-19/snap-access-grant.html.

SNAP benefits can only be used to pay for food. They cannot be used to purchase non-food items or to pay for delivery fees or other associated charges. One of the primary requirements of the systems and equipment that need to be used for online purchasing is that they are able to ensure that non-food items cannot be purchased with a SNAP EBT card.

North Dakota approved $750,000 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funding to support the grocery retailer grant program. A portion of the funding will be prioritized to help smaller grocery retailers to help ensure broad access across North Dakota.

Information about the SNAP Access Enhancement Grant and other resources and information for service providers and individuals and families can be found in the coronavirus section of the department’s website at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/covid-19/index.html.

Background on the federal USDA SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot is online at www.fns.usda.gov/snap/online-purchasing-pilot.

SNAP typically assists about 23,000 low-income North Dakota households with their nutritional needs by providing $68 million in federal SNAP benefits annually. On average, the monthly SNAP benefit per household is about $350 in North Dakota.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Fargo selection committee has picked a new police chief. David Zibolski was among three finalists for the job. The candidates were given the chance to present a 90-day action plan outlining the steps they would take initially if given the chance. The Fargo Police Chief Selection Committee interviewed the three on topics that ranged from handling protests and rioting to improving morale in the department. Committee members say a priority for the new chief is implementing the use of body cameras for all officers. It’s something Zibolski did as police chief in Beloit, Wisconsin. His selection will need to be approved by the Fargo City Commission.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A company that operates electronic pull tab machines in North Dakota has agreed to dismiss its lawsuit against state officials who suspended its gaming license. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem ordered in July that nearly 500 machines built by Powerhouse Gaming be shut down because the company failed to show it had purchased a software license for each device. Powerhouse Gaming sued, alleging it was unfairly targeted, and sought monetary damages and a restraining order that would allow it to continue operating. The terms of the dismissal are not included in court documents, nor is the status of Powerhouse’s ability to operate in North Dakota.

In world and national news….

BOSTON (AP) — Breaking their silence for the first time since their arrest, “Full House” star Lori Loughlin and fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli apologized Friday for using their wealth and privilege to bribe their daughters’ way into college before a judge sentenced each of them to prison. Loughlin was ordered to serve two months behind bars while Giannulli was sentenced to five months after they pleaded guilty in May to paying $500,000 in bribes to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California as crew recruits. Neither was a rower. Both Loughlin and Giannulli expressed remorse in statements at separate hearings.

 

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Wildfires that have claimed at least six lives and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes are still raging in California. Three major collections of fires are threatening tens of thousands of homes in the San Francisco Bay Area and central California. More evacuations are expected as hot and gusty weather extends into Friday. State fire officials say at least four civilians have died in the fire areas, as well as a Pacific Gas & Electric worker and a helicopter pilot. Statewide more than 12,000 firefighters are battling blazes, with engines on the way from as far away as New Jersey and Maryland.

 

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — Authorities say six people have been hospitalized and four people are missing after an explosion at a Texas port when a dredging vessel hit a natural gas pipeline in the water. The U.S. Coast Guard said the four missing people are crew members on the dredging vessel Waymon L Boyd. The explosion happened at about 8 a.m. Friday in the Port of Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi Fire Department Chief Robert Rocha said that upon arrival, firefighters “encountered heavy fire and smoke conditions.” By late Friday morning, the supply line feeding fire had been shut off and the fire was going out.

 

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A number of federal buildings in Portland have been closed and the FBI is investigating after a car bomb threat was made. The FBI said in a statement Friday that investigators are working to determine whether the threat is credible. Two law enforcement officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly. They said the threat was received Thursday and warned of the intention to use a car bomb to target federal property. Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Oregon’s largest city nightly since the May police killing of George Floyd. It wasn’t clear if the threat was related to the protests.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Pentagon reports concludes that the use of National Guard reconnaissance planes in four U.S. cities to monitor the widespread protests earlier this year didn’t violate rules against the military collecting intelligence on Americans. The investigation by the Air Force inspector general found that the planes were used to gather information about crowd size, crowd flows and fires but they did not monitor individuals. The probe was ordered by Defense Secretary Mark Esper in response to questions about whether the military illegally conducted surveillance of American citizens during the unrest after the death of George Floyd.

 

BOSTON (AP) — “Full House” star Lori Loughlin will be sentenced to two months in prison after a judge accepted her plea deal with prosecutors for paying $500,000 in bribes to cheat the college admissions process. Her husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, was sentenced earlier Friday to five months behind bars for his role in the college admissions bribery scheme. They pleaded guilty in May to paying half a million dollars to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California as crew recruits even though neither is a rower. Giannulli told the judge he takes full responsibility for his conduct and regrets the harm it is caused his family.

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A former California police officer who became known as the Golden State Killer told victims he’s “truly sorry” before he was sentenced to life imprisonment for a decade-long string of rapes and murders across a wide swath of California. Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael Bowman on Friday said 74-year-old Joseph James DeAngelo will die in prison for his guilty pleas to 13 murders and 13 rape-related charges between 1975 and 1986. DeAngelo also publicly admitted dozens more sexual assaults for which the statute of limitations had expired.