CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Patchy smoke in the evening. Lows in the upper 50s. East winds around 5 mph.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely

in the evening, then chance of showers and thunderstorms after

midnight. Lows in the upper 50s. East winds 5 to 10 mph shifting

to the west after midnight. Chance of precipitation 60 percent in the Jamestown area 70 percent in the Valley City area.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northwest winds 10 to

20 mph.

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

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

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

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of rain showers

and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Rain showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows in

the mid 50s. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain showers

and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain

showers and thunderstorms. Lows around 50.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of rain showers

and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s.

 

Thunderstorms are possible Wednesday night. Although widespread severe weather is not expected, a few storms could be strong to
severe. Hail to the size of quarters and thunderstorm wind gusts
to 60 mph will be possible with the strongest storms.

There is a chance of thunderstorms Thursday. These storms could
become strong to severe.

 

Sheyenne River Level Through Valley City

Lake Ashtabula Level

James River level through Jamestown.

Jamestown Dam

National Weather Service 

Water amounts in the snow pack

The Latest Flood Warnings from The National Weather Service

https://ndresponse.gov/flood-region

Fire Danger Map for North Dakota

 

Bismarck (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his weekly COVID-19 News Briefing Wednesday afternoon at the State Capital in Bismarck. He was joined by North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer.

He related the strategic goals in fighting the pandemic including protecting the most vulnerable individuals.

He said hospitals and staffing in North Dakota now better understands, through therapeutics, to fight the disease.

He said the state continues to address health and economic issues, “lives and livelihoods.”

Back to school issues are continuing to addressed.

Burgum pointed out that 56 percent of the individuals who tested positive were asymptomatic.

He encourages residents to MaskUp, and wear masks at all times in the public settings, “our path to freedom, from the disease.”

He noted that social distancing is vitally important in addition to mask wearing.

Burgum is not adjusting the state’s risk level, still in the low category, with the criteria to be reviewed, for relevancy, on a county by county basis.

He  says the risk levels for COVID-19 hotspots in the state could be elevated beginning next week if the pandemic continues to worsen. The  announcement came as active coronavirus cases in North Dakota rose to another new daily high, led by the Bismarck metropolitan area. Burgum said he wasn’t prepared to amend the state’s “low” risk level under his ND Smart Restart Plan, which provides coronavirus-related protocols for everything schools and businesses to family gatherings.

He passed along the latest COVID-19 statistic, issued on Wednesday morning.

Active coronavirus cases in North Dakota have risen to another new daily high on Wednesday. Health officials says the number of active cases was 1,784 on Wednesday, an increase of 103 from the previous high set Tuesday.  North Dakota’s death toll remained at 138 as of Wednesday. North Dakota remained in the “low” risk level under Gov. Doug Burgum’s ND Smart Restart Plan, which provides coronavirus-related protocols. North Dakota health officials reported 238 new positive COVID-19 cases, including 64 cases in Burleigh County and 12 in neighboring Morton County. The counties have been state’s hot spot for the virus.

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Wed. Aug. 26, 2020

Posted 11-a.m.

 

Barnes

New Positives 3

Total Positives 63

Active Cases 16

Recovered 47

 

Stutsman

New Positives 10

Total Positives 152

Active Cases 20

Recovered 129

 

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

BY THE NUMBERS

4,446 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

442,896 – Total tests completed since pandemic began

238 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday

10,467 – Total positive individuals since pandemic began

5.35% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

1,784 – Total Active Cases

+103 Individuals from yesterday

135 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday****

8,545 – Total recovered since pandemic began

53 – Currently Hospitalized

+3 individuals from yesterday


0 – New Deaths*** (138 total deaths since the pandemic began)


COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY

  • Barnes County – 3
  • Benson County – 4
  • Burleigh County – 64
  • Cass County – 29
  • Cavalier County – 1
  • Dickey County – 2
  • Dunn County – 3
  • Eddy County – 2
  • Emmons County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 8
  • Hettinger County – 2
  • Kidder County – 1
  • McHenry County – 1
  • McKenzie County – 6
  • McLean County – 8
  • Mercer County – 2
  • Morton County – 12
  • Mountrail County – 2
  • Oliver County – 2
  • Pembina County – 1
  • Pierce County – 2
  • Ramsey County – 6
  • Ransom County – 2
  • Renville County – 1
  • Rolette County – 5
  • Sargent County – 1
  • Sioux County – 7
  • Stark County – 4
  • Stutsman County – 10
  • Traill County – 1
  • Walsh County – 3
  • Ward County – 23
  • Wells County – 1
  • Williams County – 18

 

* 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.

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

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

Burgum said North Dakota is applying as a recipient for FEMA funding, under the Lost Wages Assistance program, to supplement those whose jobs were affected during the pandemic, as individuals provide certified information.

The program would supplement individuals over a three week period in August.

Benefits may be going out in September.

Burgum said, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross has announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding $2.2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to six EDA Economic Development District organizations across North Dakota to update economic development plans and fortify programs to assist communities in responding to the coronavirus pandemic

He said, “We appreciate the Trump administration’s investment in North Dakota to support our ongoing economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Our economic development organizations play an integral role in creating opportunities for North Dakota workers, and these CARES Act grants will bolster our continuing efforts to save lives and livelihoods.”

Among those recipients include, South Central Dakota Regional Council, in Jamestown, North Dakota, will receive a $236,460 EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to respond to the coronavirus pandemic by providing technical assistance and capacity-building for member organizations, local businesses, and other local stakeholders and coordinating a pandemic recovery and resiliency plan.

North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer said over 3,000 Economic Resiliency Grant (ERG) applications have been filed in North Dakota, and are under review.  She cited examples of North Dakota businesses that have benefited  from the dollars granted in the program.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) recently expanded the current call center to enhance customer experience and decrease phone call wait times for Driver License customers.

The call center expansion helps to ensure NDDOT customers receive prompt service and meet driver license renewal deadlines.

All renewals for driver licenses, which expired March 1 or later, have been extended and will follow a phased schedule. The deadline for vehicle registrations remains August 31.

The renewal schedule for driver license is as follows:

  • Licenses which expired in March, April or May 2020 must be renewed no later than September 30, 2020.
  • Licenses which expired in June 2020 must be renewed no later than October 31, 2020.
  • Licenses which expired, or will expire, in July, August, September or October 2020 must be renewed no later than November 30, 2020.
  • Licenses which expire in November and December 2020 must be renewed no later than December 31, 2020.

NDDOT will continue to serve the citizens by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, visit our website at dot.nd.gov or call 1-855-633-6835.

Burgum said the new Parents Lead resource encourages parents and caregivers to provide a space for their child to talk about their questions and concerns, be honest about what to expect and lead by example.  Visit  www.parentslead.org for this information and more.

The next News Briefing is planned, for Wednesday September 2, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.

 

In other state news, the North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that the Democratic nominee for insurance commissioner can’t be placed on the November ballot.

In a unanimous opinion Wednesday, the high court upheld a lower court ruling that concluded Travisia Martin hasn’t lived in the state long enough to hold the office. The North Dakota Constitution requires statewide officials to be a resident of the state for five years prior to an election for statewide office. North Dakota’s Republican Party cited Martin’s November 2016 vote in Nevada as evidence of her ineligibility to hold office. Democrats endorsed Martin to run against incumbent Jon Godfread.

 

Update..Cancellation

Valley City  (Chamber)  Valley City’s final Summer Nights on Central street concert scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2020 has been canceled.

The decision based on the impact of COVID-19 on volunteers along with concern for the safety and well-being of the community. The Summer Nights on Central organization and the Valley City Chamber of Commerce look forward to resuming the series under better circumstances next year

 

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.

August 27th:    OPEN MIC NIGHT
With: Sugargliders
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.

Valley City  The Barnes County Commission has signed an order, that all grass and weeds along Barnes County roads must be mowed on or before October 1st, 2020, by the landowner or operator-as required by the North Dakota Century Code 63-05-02. Mowing along the slope and ditch bottom must have a maximum stubble height of 4 inches. The width of cut shall be as such that no weeds or grasses will extend higher than the shoulder of the road.

Hay bales must be removed by October 1st or they will be disposed of so they will not create a snow problem.

Failure to comply with this order will result in the cost of mowing or hay bale removal being charged to the Barnes County Landowner. By order of the Barnes County Commission.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled that the Democratic nominee for insurance commissioner can’t be placed on the November ballot. In a unanimous opinion Wednesday, the high court upheld a lower court ruling that concluded Travisia Martin hasn’t lived in the state long enough to hold the office. The North Dakota Constitution requires statewide officials to be a resident of the state for five years prior to an election for statewide office. North Dakota’s Republican Party cited Martin’s November 2016 vote in Nevada as evidence of her ineligibility to hold office. Democrats endorsed Martin to run against incumbent Jon Godfread.

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Police say they found a large amount of methamphetamine in the vehicle of a Minot man who led officers on a high-speed chase in northwestern North Dakota. The pursuit started in Berthold on Highway 2 after the driver sped away from a traffic stop for a minor offense Tuesday. Authorities say the suspect at times drove into the oncoming traffic lane before the chase ended in Burlington. The driver and a female passenger fled from the vehicle along a river bank. The woman was arrested. The driver was still at large Wednesday afternoon.

In sports…

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — All three NBA playoff games scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed, with players around the league choosing to boycott in their strongest statement yet against racial injustice. Called off: Games between Milwaukee and Orlando, Houston and Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland. The NBA said all three games would be rescheduled, yet did not say when. The dramatic series of moves began when the Bucks — the NBA’s team from Wisconsin, a state rocked in recent days by the shooting by police officers of Jacob Blake, a Black man — didn’t take the floor for their game against the Magic.

In world and national news..

(AP) The National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Laura has become “an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane” packing 140 mph winds. Forecasters warn of “catastrophic” storm surge, extreme winds, and flash floods as Laura is expected to strike somewhere along the Louisiana-Texas border Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Laura’s well-formed eye was 200 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Port Arthur, Texas, early Wednesday afternoon. Forecasters expect up to 20 feet of storm surge. Hurricane experts say they have no doubt that Laura will cause billions of dollars in damage.

 

LaFITTE, Louisiana (AP) — Thousands of Gulf Coast residents fled inland from an approaching storm deemed “unsurvivable” by forecasters, heeding warnings from leaders in two states, but leaving some without help as available space in hotels and shelters filled quickly. Evacuees arrived as far as Ennis, Texas, a city south of Dallas that’s roughly 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the coast, as the approaching Hurricane Laura grew in power hours before its expected landfall. Leaders in both Texas and Louisiana urged residents to flee in the final hours before landfall made it too dangerous to travel.

 

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — A white, 17-year-old police admirer has been arrested after the killing of two people during a third night of protests in Kenosha over the police shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake. Kyle Rittenhouse, of Antioch, Illinois, was taken into custody Wednesday in Illinois on suspicion of first-degree intentional homicide. Antioch is about 15 miles from Kenosha. Two people were killed Tuesday night in an attack carried out by a young white man who was caught on cellphone video opening fire in the middle of the street with a semi-automatic rifle.

 

DENVER (AP) — A court document says a man accused of firing his gun during a Denver protest in May made anti-police statements before shooting into the sky toward police and television helicopters. Felix Missael Alva of Aurora was arrested Monday and charged with having a gun while being in the United States illegally. According to an arrest affidavit, Alva made the statements to a plainclothes detective on May 30 before firing between six and 10 shots. A Jeep he was riding in then sped away. Alva was represented in court by a lawyer from the federal public defender’s office, which doesn’t comment on cases.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will nominate acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf for the top spot in the agency. The president made the announcement in a tweet Tuesday. He said Wolf has done an “outstanding” job running DHS as the agency plays a major role in the key Trump policy areas of immigration and law enforcement. Wolf is the fifth person to lead DHS under the Trump administration. He was named acting secretary in November 2019 after Trump ousted his predecessor. Congress’ Government Accountability Office has determined that Wolf isn’t legally entitled to hold the acting post because his appointment violated succession rules. That decision has prompted legal challenges to policy changes made under his leadership.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Donald Trump accepts the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in a speech Thursday night from the White House, his daughter Ivanka Trump will introduce him and focus on what he’s done to help working families. That’s according to two people with direct knowledge of Ivanka Trump’s plans. She’s expected to offer personal insights into the Republican president’s decision-making and draw contrasts between her father and Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Ivanka Trump will also introduce her businessman father as the “people’s president” in keeping with a weeklong effort by convention organizers to humanize him.

 

(AP) Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris plans a Thursday speech condemning President Donald Trump for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and she’ll give it just hours before Trump is set to accept renomination for a second term. Joe Biden’s campaign tells The Associated Press that Harris will detail a “profound failure of leadership” from Trump and highlight Biden’s proposals to control the virus and confront the economic fallout. With Trump planning an evening address from the White House lawn, Harris’ afternoon remarks from Washington will be the Democrats’ main counter to the president on the final day of the Republicans’ convention. Trump was himself Republicans’ main counter to Biden last week ahead of the Democratic nominee’s convention address.