Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Oct 6

CSi Weather…

 

 

 

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Tues Oct 6, 2020

Posted 11-a.m.

Barnes

New Positives  4

Total Positives 259

Active Cases 35

Recovered 224

 

Stutsman

New Positives  12

Total Positives  558

Active Cases 51

Recovered 503

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

BY THE NUMBERS

6,103 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

673,003 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

503 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

24,364 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

8.69% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

3,692 Total Active Cases

-1 Individuals from yesterday

500 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (309 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

20,392 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

116 – Curren­tly Hospitalized

+4 – Individuals from yesterday

3 – New Deaths*** (280 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

• Man in his 70s from Rolette County with underlying health conditions.
• Woman in her 80s from Stark County with underlying health conditions.
• Man in his 90s from Stark County with underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

• Adams County – 2
• Barnes County – 4
• Benson County – 4
• Billings County – 1
• Bottineau County – 1
• Bowman County – 4
• Burke County – 1
• Burleigh County – 102
• Cass County – 81
• Cavalier County – 1
• Dickey County – 5
• Divide County – 2
• Dunn County – 1
• Eddy County – 4
• Emmons County – 6
• Foster County – 2
• Golden Valley County – 1
• Grand Forks County – 22
• Grant County – 1
• Hettinger County – 1
• LaMoure County – 4
• Logan County – 1
• McHenry County – 7
• McIntosh County – 3
• McKenzie County – 9
• McLean County – 9
• Mercer County – 6
• Morton County – 25
• Mountrail County – 14
• Nelson County – 17
• Oliver County – 1
• Pembina County – 4
• Ramsey County – 11
• Ransom County – 1
• Renville Count – 2
• Richland County – 2
• Rolette County – 10
• Sargent County – 1
• Sioux County – 1
• Stark County – 24
• Stutsman County – 12
• Towner County – 5
• Traill County – 1
• Walsh County – 9
• Ward County – 48
• Wells County – 5
• Williams County – 25

 

* 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.

**Individuals who tested positive divided by the total number of people tested who have not previously tested positive (susceptible encounters).

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

Jamestown  (CSi)  Central Valley Health District will be offering free drive-up COVID-19 testing this week on Wednesday, October 7, rather than the normal Friday event.  Drive-up testing will occur on from 10am to noon at the Jamestown Civic Center.  Central Valley Health will resume its normal Friday testing next week on October 16 at the Civic Center.  Testing will occur every Friday until further notice.  Follow Central Valley Health District on Facebook for current and up-to-date information on local response information.

Those who wish to receive a test are required to complete the online screening questionnaire in advance, which can be found here: https://testreg.nd.gov/.  If you have completely pre-registration in the past, you do not have to do it again.

On Wednesday, from 9:00AM-1:00PM; 2nd St NE (road over viaduct) to 3rd Ave NE; 2nd Ave NE (in front of Civic Center) from 2ND St NE to 3rd St NE; also 2nd Ave N from 1st St W to 3rd St NE will be closed for Covid-19 testing.
There will be signs put in place for entrance to the Depot as well as where to enter for testing.
Testing at the Civic Center will resume to Fridays on October 16 through December 18, 2020.
Motorists should use extreme caution in this area.
Questions regarding testing; please contact Central Valley Health at 252-8130.

Valley City (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Approved Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Approved Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $1,514,647.38

PUBLIC COMMENTS  No one spoke

Attorney General’s “A Citizen’s Guide to North Dakota Open Records & Open Meetings Laws” *A member of the public does not have the right to speak to the governing body at an open meeting. The public is only entitled to see and hear what happens at a meeting, and to record or broadcast those observations.  No personal attacks to persons present or not

No inflammatory language used during time that you have the platform

5 minute maximum or as directed by the chair

Thank you for participating in City Government.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

Regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 116 Central Avenue N.

Following the Public Hearing, Commissioners approved  Special Assessments as recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for  Paving Improvement District No. 116 Central Avenue N.

Another Public Hearing regarded Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Storm Sewer Improvement District No. 50 near the Winter Show Road.  Finance Director Richter said several property owners appeared by Zoom, at the Assessment Commission meeting.

Following the Public Hearing the City Commission approved Special Assessments as recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for Storm Improvement District No. 50.  Commissioners Bishop and Erickson voted opposed.

ORDINANCE

Approved was the second and final reading of an Ordinance, adopting 2021 City Budget.

RESOLUTION

Approved was a Resolution to advertise for bids for a farm lease.  City Asssessor Hansen said the acreage has drainage issues.

Fee schedule regarding building permit fees, was approved.

NEW BUSINESS

Considered was a Visitors Committee recommendation for Image Enhancement Grant for Micaiah’s Studio of Ballet & LivFit Fitness LLC in the amount up to $955 for exterior signage.  MaryLee Nielson said the Visitors Committee recommended approval unanimously.

Considered was the Final Review and Acceptance for Permanent Flood protection Phase 2, located on East Main Street.   KLJ recommends approval, and the City Commission voted to approve.

Approved by City Commissioners,  was the Final Review and Acceptance for Permanent Flood protection Phase 2, located on East Main Street.   KLJ recommends approval, and the City Commission voted to approve.

Also recommended was Accepting Certificate of Substantial Completion for Permanent Flood Protection Phase 2A & 3.

Approved was upgrading the Video Conferencing System in the Chambers.   City Attorney Martineck suggested using some of the CARES ACT dollars toward the purchase of the new equipment upgrades.

The estimated cost is $10,000 for the equipment and $10,000 for labor.

Moving forward with the Fire Hall addition, and financing options was discussed.  Commissioner Bishop said more equipment storage space is needed.  Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said, a rough drawing has been made of plans at this time.  The City Commission will approved each step of the addition plan. The GSA is estimating the costs at around $487,000.  The City Commission on Tuesday evening, voted to move forward with developing plans, as they come forward.

The City Commission discussed the Crestwood Hillside slide.    KLJ provided a map of the area, and said that public works has had to make utility adjustments over the years due to the slide.  Documents have been prepared, for mitigation options, and forwarded to the state.  City Commissioners on Tuesday evening, took no action.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT CITY UPDATES &COMMISSION REPORTS

Flood protocols are in place, but Gwen Crawford said protocols are being developed in case of other emergencies, such as water main breaks.

City Attorney Martineck said city building inspector, and city engineer positions have been advertised.

City Auditor Richter said, on Monday October 12 at 5-p.m., the City Commission will hold a Special Meeting, to hold a Public Hearing, concerning community block grant funding for improvements on a downtown building.

Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said during this fire prevention week, fire fighters have been visiting schools, with educational information.

Police Chief Hatcher said the annual Battle of the Badges blood drive will be Tuesday and Wednesday October 13 and 14 at Stoudt-Ross Ford in Valley City.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Stutsman County Commission on Tuesday, moved  to approve Jessica Alonge as interim Stutsman County Auditor and COO Tuesday.

Former Auditor and COO Nicole Meland resigned the position with her last day October 2.

In addition, county commissioners approved a motion  to advertise the for the Auditor/COO position and reassign some responsibilities to other county personnel without the need for additional staff.

 

Jamestown  (Chamber)  Members of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee and the Young Professionals of Jamestown presented the Customer Service Award for October to Anna Stansbery of Southwood Veterinary Clinic for her outstanding customer service.  The chamber honors individuals who demonstrate a consistent commitment to delivering products or services that satisfy customers by exceeding their requirements or expectations.

 

Her nominations said, “On Saturday, June 13th I went to my dad’s house in Edgeley to visit. When I got to his house the feed shed had been left open and his three horses had been in there eating. When a horse eats too much grain, it can overload and can get colic and laminitis. Dad’s horses mean the world to him. He uses two of them as a team to pull the grandkids, and many other kids in Edgeley, in his buggy. When I discovered my dad’s horses, I called Southwood Emergency after-hours number. Anna Stansbery answered and said she was up getting ready for work and asked if she could call me back. When she called back, she said that if I could bring them in right away, she’d find a way to fit them into her schedule, so she could get them started on mineral oil and charcoal right away to stop the feed absorption. She explained that the timing of this was critical. Anna could have easily declined to take on the additional work and turned us away. She did this despite the fact that I am far from the most valuable customer at the clinic. The horses would have suffered permanent injury if she hadn’t taken the time to treat them that day. She treated me like the most valuable customer. As of now, dad’s horses are healthy and happy and he’ll be able to give the grandkids rides for years to come. Thank you, Anna.”

 

Congratulations to Anna, who along with all the other monthly winners, will be recognized at the Chamber’s annual banquet in January 2021.  Customer Service Award nomination forms are available at the Chamber office and on their website at www.jamestownchamber.com or call 701-252-4830.

Bismarck  (CSi)  – State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler says North Dakota’s public and nonpublic schools will be getting shipments of cloth masks soon to help inhibit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Photo:   Richelle Redmond, of the North Dakota Department of Health (maroon and gray shirt), and Janet Schmidt of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (denim jacket) pack face masks at a warehouse in south Bismarck.

 

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, the state Department of Health, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are providing cloth masks for students and faculty.

North Dakota is receiving almost 160,000 masks. The allocation is based on North Dakota’s number of students from low-income families. The emphasis is on first providing masks to students who come from low-income households, and/or who are at higher risk.

Gov. Doug Burgum announced last week that students and adults in schools who have been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19 do not have to quarantine, if both the close contact and the infected person were both wearing masks properly when they were in contact.

Baesler said “Mask use among students, teachers, administrators and school support personnel not only promotes public health, it can reduce the number of quarantines necessary if there are close contacts with someone who is infected with the virus.”

Shipments of large masks, for use for adults and students in grades 7-12, are being distributed beginning this week. Smaller masks, which are intended for students in grades K-6, will be distributed once they arrive in North Dakota.

The masks are being sent to public school districts, which will be responsible for sharing them with nonpublic schools in their communities.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Former North Dakota congressman Mark Andrews has died at age 94. The Republican was virtually unbeatable after being appointed to the U.S. House in 1963. He served eight more terms as a congressman and a term in the U.S. Senate before an upset defeat in 1986. Andrews surprised some Republicans with his criticism of some of President Ronald Reagan’s economic policies, once saying that “people in North Dakota didn’t elect me to be a rubber stamp.”

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — Public school officials in Mandan are investigating after a “Trump 2020” flag that included a profane message was put up in a classroom. Superintendent Mike Bitz says school officials are talking with the students involved Tuesday, the first day back in class following the incident Friday. Bitz says the flag violated the district’s academic freedom policy which states teachers need administrative approval before presenting a controversial topic in class. He says elections always are a controversial issue.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers’ administration has issued a new order limiting the size of public indoor gatherings to stem the spread of COVID-19. Wisconsin has become one of the worst hot spots for the disease over the last month as colleges and schools reopened and fatigue over wearing masks and social distancing has grown. The order issued Tuesday limits public indoor gatherings to 25% of the room or building’s capacity. Gatherings in indoor spaces without an occupancy limit are limited to 10 people. The order takes effect Friday and runs through Nov. 6. Evers’ attorney says he’s confident the restrictions will withstand any legal challenge.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Election officials have scrapped plans to use the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers’ stadiums as early voting sites. The city of Milwaukee’s election commission had planned to use Fiserv Forum and Miller Park between Oct. 20 and Nov. 1. Voters could have voted early in person or returned absentee ballots they received in the mail at the stadiums. The commission said Tuesday it would not hold early voting at the stadiums after all, citing a recent court ruling that could open the door to legal challenges. It’s unclear what ruling the commission is referencing. City election officials said their state counterparts told them early voting sites had to have been designated by June 12 and the Fiserv and Miller Park plans weren’t implemented until Sept. 1.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is back at the White House after staging a dramatic return from the military hospital where he has been receiving an unprecedented level of care for COVID-19. His doctor says he spent a restful night and is showing no new symptoms. After arriving back at the White House, he immediately ignited a new controversy by declaring that despite his illness the nation should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans. That was Monday evening. On Tuesday he underscored his controversial message by repeating his previous comparison of COVID-19 to the seasonal flu.

 

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — President Donald Trump’s supporters are not shocked that he caught COVID-19. Some are praising him because he managed to dodge it so long and think it might help his reelection. Very few think he needs to reevaluate his approach to the deadly virus. Although COVID-19 has killed more than 200,000 Americans, Trump supporters in several key states said they see the virus as a part of life. Many appeared to be taking a cue from the president’s airy message on Twitter telling people not to fear the virus.

 

 

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Delta is getting bigger fast and speeding up as it takes aim at Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It’s now a Category 4 hurricane with top winds of 140 mph (225 kph). Forecasters now expect Delta to slam into beach resorts from Tulum to Cozumel with an extremely dangerous storm surge of up to 11 feet (3.3 meters) and even higher waves. And once it leaves Mexico, it’s expected to regain Category 4 status over the Gulf as it approaches the U.S. coast, where landfall around Friday would be followed by heavy rainfall across the southeastern United States.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A U.S. government watchdog agency is faulting the Trump administration’s handling of a COVID-19 relief effort that awarded energy companies breaks on payments for oil and gas extracted from public lands in Western states in more than 500 cases. The Government Accountability Office said Tuesday that haphazard rules for the program left the administration unable to say how much relief was given or if it benefited taxpayers. The Bureau of Land Management gave breaks on royalty payments from companies in at least five states due to workforce problems or other issues after the pandemic shut down much of the economy. The Trump administration also gave breaks to companies that extract oil in the Gulf of Mexico but has refused to release details on that program.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has announced plans to sharply limit visas issued to skilled workers from overseas. Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor officials said Tuesday that new rules will be issued soon to restrict the use of what’s known as the H-1B program. Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said the new rules would affect about one-third of the applications for visas that allow people with college degrees to work in professional positions in the U.S. Cuccinelli says the program has been abused to allow companies to displace American workers with less expensive employees from overseas.

 

(AP)  A white police officer has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a Black man following a reported disturbance at a convenience store in a small East Texas town. The Texas Rangers say Jonathan Price was walking away from Wolfe City Police Officer Shaun Lucas Saturday night when Lucas opened fire, killing Price. The 22-year-old police officer was booked Monday into the Hunt County Jail. Bail is set at $1 million. It’s unclear if Lucas has a lawyer who can comment on his behalf. Family and friends of the 31-year-old Price say he was intervening in a domestic disturbance when he was shot.