Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Sept. 8

CSi Weather…

…FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM CDT /1 AM MDT/ TO 9 AM CDT
/8 AM MDT/ WEDNESDAY…

* WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 expected.

* WHERE…Portions of north central, northwest, south central,
southeast and southwest North Dakota. Portions of north central, northwest and west central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota.

* WHEN…From 2 AM CDT /1 AM MDT/ to 9 AM CDT /8 AM MDT/
Wednesday.

* IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
plumbing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent
freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should
be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have
in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-
ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

 

Forecast …

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Widespread frost after midnight. Lows in

the lower 30s. North winds around 5 mph shifting to the west

after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Areas of frost in the morning. Highs in the

upper 50s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the upper 30s. Southwest winds

5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Southwest winds 5 to

10 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain showers in the

morning, then chance of rain showers and slight chance of

thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of

precipitation 30 percent.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers and slight

chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of rain

showers after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of

precipitation 30 percent.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of rain

showers. Highs in the lower 70s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

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

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

A warming trend will also feature this week, returning to the 60s and 70s the second half of the week. Cloud cover and precipitation may keep some areas of the south and east on the cooler side of that range through Saturday.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his weekly news briefing Tuesday afternoon, at the state capital in Bismarck.

The number of active COVID-19 cases have dropped for two straight days, including 301 fewer cases in the last day. Active cases in the state reached a record number of 2,653 on Sunday. That has been reduced by 389 in the last two days, for a total of 2,264. Hospitalizations have dropped by five in the last day, to 63, and for the second straight day there were no new deaths. The COVID Tracking Project reports that North Dakota ranks first in the country in the number of new cases in the last two weeks.

NDDoH

COVID -19 Stats.

Tues. Sept. 8, 2020

Posted 11-a.m.

BY THE NUMBERS

1,431 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

508,555 – Total tests completed since pandemic began

75 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

13,872 – Total positive individuals since pandemic began

5.24% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

2,264 – Total Active Cases

-301 Individuals from yesterday

206 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday****

11,452 – Total recovered since pandemic began

63 – Currently Hospitalized

-5 individuals from yesterday

0 – New Deaths*** (156 total deaths since the pandemic began)

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TUESDAY

• Barnes County
• New Positives 4
• Total Positives 157
• Active  Cases 54
• Recovered 103
• Burleigh County – 22
• Cass County – 16
• Emmons County – 1
• Grand Forks County – 1
• Hettinger County – 1
• McHenry County – 2
• McLean County – 1
• Mercer County – 2
• Morton County – 8
• Mountrail County – 1
• Ransom County – 1
• Sioux County – 1
• Stark County
• Stutsman County
• New Positives 3
• Total Positives 355
• Acitve 154
• Recovered 198
• Ward County – 8
• Williams County – 2

 

* 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.

******Totals may be adjusted as individuals are found to live out of state, in another county, or as other information is found during investigation.

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 reviewed the county by county changes in the Risk Levels, made on Friday September 4, 2020, with no additional changes announced on Tuesday.

 

Stutsman, McKenzie and Cass Counties are being watched for possible changes to yellow moderate, by next week, when the next announcement is made on risk levels, trending with higher positive cases.

He urged extra precautions for those who may be in contact with those in long term care facilities.

 

He again outlined #NDSmart guidelines, including wear face masks and social distancing, and to be empathic toward those wearing face masks, such as health care workers and teachers.

He said social responsibility wearing face masks helps lessen the spread of the virus, over government mandates to wear face masks.

 

With COVID-19 testing, Burgum said, over the Labor Day weekend, testing events lessened.

He plans to implement higher testing events over weekends.  He said, North Dakota has the second highest rate of testing in the nation performing COVID-19 tests.

Static testing will continue on College and University campuses.

 

Burgum pointed out that September is National Suicide Prevention month, adding the 24 hour help line is 1-800-273-TALK. Also the behavior health web sight has more information.

Burgum’s next scheduled news briefing is Monday September 14, at 3:30-p.m.

In other state news updates:

Caring for friends or family members who have disabilities or chronic or terminal illnesses can be exhausting.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services and a coalition of partners who advise the agency on the implementation of a federal respite care grant announced a public awareness campaign Tuesday to inform unpaid family caregivers about resources and services that can help them take care of themselves while they care for others.

Aging Services Division Director Nancy Nikolas Maier, says “We know that family caregivers benefit from short breaks from their caregiving responsibilities – what we call ‘respite’ – as well as other support services. By supporting caregivers, we can help adults and children with special needs continue to live at home.  The department has offered programs for years that can pay for a substitute caregiver that the family and individual choose. These programs also offer training, support, some specific care-related supplies, and can help connect individuals and families to other available resources and help in their communities. Our challenge is that most people aren’t aware of the available services.”

 

North Dakotans can learn more and be connected to respite care programs and other related service and supports by contacting the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Link toll free at 855-462-5465, 711(TTY), by email at carechoice@nd.gov or online at www.carechoice.nd.gov.

The federal Administration for Community Living awarded the North Dakota Department of Human Services a $200,000 Lifespan Respite Care grant in 2017 to strengthen community respite care and support services for family caregivers of individuals of all ages with special needs. The department administers the grant in partnership with the North Dakota Respite Care Coalition and AARP.

 

Update

Valley City  City County Health in Valley City is hosting another COVID-19 drive thru testing Wednesday, September 9, 2020, from 3-p.m., to 5-p.m. at the VCSU Lokken Stadium parking lot.

Pre-register on line at testreg.nd.gov

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.   All members were present.  Council Member Buchanan joined by phone.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:   A resident  from Southeast Jamestown complained about Campers and or RV’s parking on streets, saying the view from her window is blocked.  She added that it has been several years, since that her street was swept by the city.

 

(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.)

 

PROJECT PUBLIC HEARING:

 

This public hearing is being held because the City of Jamestown has used Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the State of North Dakota, Division of Community Services (DCS). CDBG funds are intended to provide decent housing, suitable living environments and economic opportunities, principally for very low and low income persons through rehabilitation and preservation, economic/job development and public facilities improvements. The project in Jamestown, ND was $100,000 Main Street Façade Improvements, Project 4455-SL18-MS.

 

The City of Jamestown is  asking for comments on this project and other community development and housing needs, including the needs of very low and low income persons, as well as other needs in the community that might be addressed through the CDBG program, and the performance of the City of Jamestown in carrying out its community development responsibilities related to the $100,000.00 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Project No. 4455-SL18-MS for the Main Street Façade Improvements, and to obtain citizen views and to respond to proposals and questions. Written comments have also been asked for. Oral and written comments will be considered in deciding whether these monies were used for the purpose intended by this project.

 

COMMENTS:

Tracey Redland from South Central Regional Council attended on the phone.

 

The hearing was then closed.

 

NO CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS WERE ADDRESSED SEPARATELY, AND WERE PASSED.

 

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.

 

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

Considered was the bid for the James River Phase 3 Riverbank Restoration Project. Five bids were received, with four opened. One bid contained irregularities, according to City Attorney Leo Ryan, who said the bid from RTS Shearing was defective, and suggested it not be opened, and was likely an oversight.    A representative from RTS Shearing, explained the company’s legal position, and asked the city to waive provisions and oversight at issue and open the bid.

Mayor Heinrich said he feels the city should comply with the City Attorney’s opinion.

The Council voted to award the bid to Park Construction in the amount of $853,709.25.

 

Considered was the purchase of the recycling vactor truck from Sanitation Products of Fargo, in the amount of $517,895.

The purchase price will come from the Equipment Replacement Fund, which would expend a large amount in the fund. Council Member Steele said, the city will see long term savings, in the cost, over the next 10 years, of use. The city council voted to approve.

 

Approved was:

A Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $3,170,000 Wastewater Treatment Revenue Bond, Series 2020B.  A portion of the cost will be assessed to Cavendish Farms.

A Resolution to approve Payment No. 3 & Final, to Braun Intertec Corporation, on Jamestown Sanitary Landfill SW-213, Tier 2 Sampling Project, Title V Air Quality Permit, (CWSRF Project No. 380808-08), in the amount of $5,011.24.

A Resolution to approve Payment No. 9, to Scherbenske, Inc., for construction on 2019 Watermain Replacement Project, in the amount of $14,675.00.

 

ORDINANCES:

A FIRST READING was heard To consider introducing an ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 4 – Establishment of Districts, and to enact Section 5.4.4, Uses Permitted – Planned Unit Development (new section), all of Appendix C of the City Code as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. (No second required on a first reading).

 

A PUBLIC HEARING: Concerning request to change 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. No one spoke, and the hearing was closed.

 

SECOND READING was heard: Ordinance No. 1539, , to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District 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.  The Council voted to pass the Ordinance.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

Appointed was David Schloegel to serve as the City Council representative on the James River Valley Library System Board.

 

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Steele, and Mayor Heinrich addressed the spike in the COVIC-19 positivity rate.

The Mayor added that he feels a vaccine will come sooner as later, however, he urges residents to be vigilant, in wearing masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizing.

He said he’s heard that those who have tested positive and not staying in 14 days quarantine.

He urges anyone that knows of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and not self-isolating for the 14 days, to notify local or state health department officials.

 

He pointed out that the Jamestown Shriners are providing dollars, and equipment as volunteers are working on replacing the Christmas lights, on the evergreen trees, on Mill Hill.

 

He added the 2020 census filing deadline is coming soon, and urges those not filling out a form either on line, by mail, or through a census taker, to do so as soon as possible.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Approved was recognizing  Blue Jay Booster Club as an other public spirited organization to hold a raffle.

 

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

.

Jamestown (CSi)  Jamestown Mayor, Dwaine Heinrich says, the city is yet to hear confirmation of the contacts being signed between the NDDOT and the contractor, under the agreement with the Main Street Road Diet plan.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, he said the city is also awaiting paving markings to be placed on First Avenue, outlining, the traffic flow patterns, to give motorists direction on how the final project will direct traffic, with new driving and turning lanes.  He added that pedestrian crossing signs will also be erected, however, the beacon installation will be coming later.

On another topic, Mayor Heinrich pointed out an increase in the daily State Health Department report of Stutsman County positive COVID-19 numbers.

He said with Stutsman County spiking in COVID-19 positive cases, it should serve as “a wakeup call,” to residents concerning complacency about catching the virus, and to observe safe practices, including wearing face masks, observing social distancing, and frequent hand washing.

The mayor also pointed out that due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, that parts have been delayed for the on order City Fire Department ladder truck, still at the factory.  He said the anticipated delivery date to Jamestown is in October this year.

He reminded residents to file census forms, and the importance to the city of an accurate count, concerning the distribution state funding to Jamestown, and state legislature representation.

He commented on the recent announcement of a greenhouse business agreeing to locate at the Spiritwood Energy Park, and it being and combination of Agriculture and Energy, on the planned 30 acres of land.  He added that the business is estimated to create 120 direct jobs, and about an equal amount  of indirect jobs, such as in the trucking industry.  He said once in full operation the facility should send six to seven loads of vegetables to markets, each day.

On another topic Mayor Heinrich pointed out that  the Jamestown Shriners are moving head with replacing the Christmas lights on the evergreen trees, along Mill Hill, at a cost of about $30,000 plus volunteer hours and equipment assistance.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Tourism is offering grants to nonprofit agencies in Stutsman County for projects that will grow or enhance visitor experiences and increase the impact of tourism in the local economy.

The 2020 Visitor’s Promotion Capital Construction Fund purpose is to create economic benefits including overnight stays, create facilities that do not exist in the area, and/or create experiences that enhance the time visitors spend in Jamestown. Funds can be used for building new visitor attractions, expansions, creating new experience or supporting services for visitors. Funds cannot be used for marketing or ongoing operating expenses.

Opportunities to apply for these funds will be awarded twice per year. Applications for the fall process are due October 1, 2020, and agencies awarded funding will have one year after the announcement to use these funds. Applications for the spring process will be due March 1, 2021.

More details about the grant program and applications can be requested by emailing office@DiscoverJamestownND.com.  Applications must be received at Jamestown Tourism, 404 Louis L’Amour Ln, Jamestown, ND no later than 5 p.m. October 1, 2020. For more information, contact Searle Swedlund at 701-251-9145.

Bismarck  (NDHP)  The North Dakota Highway Patrol conducted high visibility enforcement (HVE) over LaborDay weekend from Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7 throughout the state. HVE is a traffic safety method designed to deter and change unlawful traffic behavior. HVE combines high visibility and proactive law enforcement that targets specific traffic safety issues. The targeted traffic behaviors this year were impaired driving, speeding, right-of-way, and seatbelt violations. During this four-day Labor Day weekend HVE period, troopers conducted 1,534 traffic stops focusing on these violations. Over the four days, 22 drivers were arrested for impaired driving. A total of 95 criminal arrests were made. The privilege of driving in our state means making the choice of responsible driving every trip. Responsible driving means never driving impaired or exceeding the speed limit as well as obeying right-of-way rules and wearing a seatbelt. Together, responsible drivers can help us achieve Vision Zero, a future with zero fatalities and zero serious crashes on North Dakota’s roadways.

 

In sports….

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A strong bighorn sheep population and record demand has wildlife officials increasing the number of hunting licenses in North Dakota this year. The Game and Fish Department has allocated six bighorn licenses for the upcoming season, up one from last year and double the number issued two years ago, the Bismarck Tribune reported. The number of licenses is based on a summer population survey which showed a 22% increase in rams. This year a record of nearly 17,000 people applied for licenses, which are distributed through a lottery drawing. The bighorn season opens Oct. 30 and runs through the end of the year.

In world and national news….

MIAMI (AP) — The millions of American youngsters returning to online classes on Tuesday are facing technical glitches and other headaches that have plagued remote learning since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The problems are testing the patience of students and teachers alike and forcing parents to juggle full-time jobs with side gigs as a teacher’s aide and technical support person for their children. Summer breaks gave school districts time to iron out the kinks that cropped up when the spread of coronavirus forced them to cobble together a remote learning plan. But the new school year already has brought back some of the same issues that disrupted online classes in the spring.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Obesity seems to put people at higher risk for getting very sick if they’re infected with the coronavirus, and doctors are trying to figure out why. Excess weight already increases the likelihood of chronic health problems like diabetes that can make it more likely to get severely ill from the new coronavirus. But there’s evidence that obesity itself raises the risk of getting very sick. Scientists think the way obesity affects the immune system may be one reason. They also note that excess fat can make breathing more difficult, and COVID-19 can damage the lungs.

 

SHAVER LAKE, Calif. (AP) — Helicopters are rescuing more people from the California wildfires as flames chew through bone-dry terrain after a scorching Labor Day weekend. The latest rescues come after a dramatic weekend airlift of more than 200 people. The California National Guard says three early morning helicopter flights pulled another 35 people from the Sierra National Forest. California has already set a record with 2 million acres (809,000 hectares) burned this year. And the worst part of the wildfire season is just beginning. The state’s largest utility turned off power to 172,000 customers to try to prevent more blazes.

 

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s secretary of state said Tuesday that his office is investigating double voting in the June primary. That would mean people submitted absentee ballots but also voted in person. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said his office has identified about 1,000 cases of potential double voting across 100 counties statewide. The investigation is ongoing and his office plans to hand over its findings to the state attorney general and local district attorneys for possible prosecution, he said. Those 1,000 people cast two ballots, Raffensperger said. It was not immediately clear whether the outcome of any races may have been affected.

 

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The report that U.S. President Donald Trump made crude, disparaging remarks about Nelson Mandela has drawn an angry response from South Africa’s ruling party and others. According to a book written by Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, Trump said that Mandela, who guided South Africa in its transition from a racist apartheid government to a democracy, was a terrible leader. Cohen wrote that after Mandela’s death in 2013, Trump said: “Mandela (expletive) the whole country up … he was no leader.” The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Mandela is widely revered by all racial groups in South Africa and generally has a glowing international reputation as a skilled statesman. The comments could also affect the U.S. presidential election in November.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate will vote on a trimmed-down Republican coronavirus relief package, though it has a slim chance of passage in the face of Democrats’ insistence for more sweeping aid. He says the GOP will introduce a new targeted proposal, focused on healthcare, education, and economic issues. McConnell is under pressure from GOP senators in tough reelection races. Those senators are eager to show constituents they are working to ease the pandemic’s strain on jobs and businesses. But many Senate Republicans are resisting more spending. Talks between top Democrats and the Trump administration broke off last month.