CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Sunny. Not as cold. Highs in the lower 40s. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 20s. South winds around 10 mph.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s. Southwest winds

10 to 15 mph increasing to west 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain and

snow in the evening. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest winds 20 to

25 mph. Gusts up to 40 mph in the evening.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. Northwest winds

15 to 20 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows 15 to 20.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session Thursday evening via telephone conferencing, and not in person at City Hall.

Considered was a Resolution for additional emergency measures to lessen the spread of COVID-19.

Mayor Heinrich said the Draft Resolution tightens the original Temporary Emergency Order to mandate the general public to wear face masks in public along with people in retail and service businesses, including  all indoor and outdoor environments where they are exposed to non-household members and where social distancing of six feet or more cannot be assured

Some of the exemptions include while eating and drinking in public places, worship services, healthcare workers, athletic events, and activities, and those with medical conditions where wearing a face mask will not be required.

The Resolution does not include a penalty.

Council Member Schloegel said the Resolution needs to be amended to include a penalty.

Mayor Heinrich said businesses can mandate that face masks are required within the business which can be enforced by asking the customer to leave the business.  He added the state may have to pass any penalty requirement.

He said since the Temporary Emergency Order when into effect earlier this month he has seen more face mask wearing in Jamestown.

Police Chief Edinger said penalties may not be constitutional. However police will investigate the reason the person is not wearing a mask.

Council Member Steele said he leaves a place of business if a person is not wearing a mask.

He pointed out that his family will not gather together in person, for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and that any person entering a home outside of the immediate family unit would have to mask up along with that family in the home.

Meals would need to be served in separate rooms, to mitigate the spread of the virus from a person outside the family unit.

He said individuals need to better understand how COVID-19 is spread from person to person.

He added if masking up is not improved, then further action by resolution may be required.

Assistant City Attorney Abby Gerioux said a penalty is not appropriate in this resolution.

Schloegel said this Resolution mandate is better than the previous Resolution, of wearing  face masks in public.  He said  public discussion such as Thursday’s meeting is good information for the public to hear.

The City Council unanimously approved the Resolution, for additional emergency measures, mandating the wearing of face masks, but without penalty.

Jamestown and Stutsman County officials from emergency services and healthcare support the city in mandating stronger COVID-prevention measures.  Those include, Central Valley Health District, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, and Jamestown Area Ambulance Service.

Also on Thursday’s agenda.

RESOLUTIONS:

A PUBLIC HEARING: Concerning the special assessment list for the Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #19-41. No one spoke.

Following the Public Hearing, the City Council approved the special assessments for Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #19-41, in the total amount of $2,471,130.46, less the City Share of $427,974.38, with the balance of $2,043,156.08 to be assessed to benefited properties within the district.

Another  PUBLIC HEARING  Concerned an ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 4 of Appendix C, and to enact Section 5.4.4 of Appendix C of the City Code of the City of Jamestown, ND, pertaining to Planned Unit Development District (PUD), as amended by the Planning Commission on October 9, 2020.  No one spoke.

 

SECOND READING: OF AN ORDINANCE: to amend and re-enact Section 4 – Establishment of Districts, and to enact Section 5.4.4. Planned Unit Development District, all of Appendix C of the City Code, as amended, by the Planning Commission on October 9, 2020, was approved.

The meeting audio from was live from a phone conference, on CSi Cable 67,  followed by replays.

More information with the mask mandate in stories at CSi NewsNow.com

NDDoH COVID-19 Stats

Thurs. Nov. 12,  2020

11am .

Barnes

New Positives   31

Total Positives  587

Active Cases 130

Recovered  455

 

Stutsman

New Positives 128

Total Positives 1772

Active 504

Recovered 1246

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


Please note that the high number of daily tests and positives reflects 5,600 tests reported to us yesterday that were part of a backlog experienced by the third-party lab.   

 

Also note that the abnormally high fluctuations in active cases, recovered and hospitalized are a result of the system catching up from the software issue experienced on Monday. The system is currently caught up.


BY THE NUMBERS

14,462 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

973,331 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

1,801 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

57,373 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

13.86% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

10,421 – Total Active Cases

-1,235 Individuals from Yesterday

3,024 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (927 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

48,055 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

294 – Currently Hospitalized

+40 – Individuals from yesterday

 

11 – New Deaths*** (697 total deaths since the pandemic began) 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Man in his 20s from Benson County.
  • Man in his 90s from Cass County.
  • Man in his 50s from Cass County.
  • Woman in her 90s from Kidder County.
  • Man in his 80s from LaMoure County.
  • Man in his 80s from Mercer County.
  • Woman in her 90s from Morton County.
  • Woman in her 90s from Morton County.
  • Woman in her 80s from Nelson County.
  • Man in his 90s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 90s from Williams County.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

  • Adams County – 4
  • Barnes County – 31
  • Benson County – 6
  • Bottineau County – 9
  • Bowman County – 3
  • Burke County – 8
  • Burleigh County – 228
  • Cass County – 404
  • Cavalier County – 10
  • Dickey County – 21
  • Dunn County – 3
  • Eddy County – 6
  • Emmons County – 4
  • Foster County – 18
  • Golden Valley County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 110
  • Grant County – 5
  • Griggs County – 6
  • Hettinger County – 3
  • Kidder County – 3
  • LaMoure County – 8
  • Logan County – 3
  • McHenry County – 11
  • McIntosh County – 6
  • McKenzie County – 10
  • McLean County – 17
  • Mercer County – 36
  • Morton County – 81
  • Mountrail County – 15
  • Nelson County – 5
  • Oliver County – 6
  • Pembina County – 12
  • Pierce County – 12
  • Ramsey County – 25
  • Ransom County – 4
  • Renville County – 4
  • Richland County – 33
  • Rolette County – 58
  • Sargent County – 7
  • Sioux County – 6
  • Slope County – 1
  • Stark County – 25
  • Steele County – 5
  • Stutsman County – 128
  • Towner County – 8
  • Traill County – 36
  • Walsh County – 58
  • Ward County – 267
  • Wells County – 4
  • Williams County – 27

 

* 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. There is a lag in the time deaths are reported to the NDDoH.
**** 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 (JRMC) — JRMC activated its Surge Plan Wednesday, as the hospital is close to inpatient capacity.

This means that JRMC is caring for a lot of patients – sick ones.

If the spread continues at this rate, JRMC may have to increase its space from a 25-bed facility to one that can accommodate as many as 64.

JRMC President & CEO Mike Delfs, says, “As a legendary team, we will continue to safely care for every patient – COVID or not.  However, this is a remarkable step, one that will put additional strain on our teams and the healthcare community.”

The objective of the surge plan is to create of additional staffed and supported inpatient beds. The surge plan can accommodate up to 64 patients in the 25-bed critical access hospital.

Delfs adds, “We’re not to the point where we will stop elective surgeries, however, that may occur in the coming days and weeks,” Delfs said. “Some surgeries may need to be rescheduled. The public can expect individualized communication from our team.”

The good news is – the community can help.

  • mask
  • wash hands
  • physically distance

These preventative measures support individuals, families as well as our businesses, schools and healthcare workers, Delfs said.

Learn more about how JRMC is keeping people safe at www.jrmcnd.com/covid-safety.

For more information, visit www.jrmcnd.com or call (701) 952-1050.

 

Jamestown (CVHD) Central Valley Health District will be holding it’s free COVID-19 testing indoors at the Jamestown Civic Center:

  • Friday Nov 13,  10am to noon
  • Indoors – use Main Level doors or North ground-level door
  • Face coverings are required.
  • PRE-REGISTER if not done in past

Those seeking to be tested should enter the building through the north entrance.   Testing will occur every Friday until further notice.

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.

Follow Central Valley Health District on Facebook for current and up-to-date information on local response information.

Testing will take place inside the Civic Center.  Parking available in the east Business Center lot and the west Civic Center lot.

Questions regarding testing; please contact Central Valley Health at 252-8130.

 

Bismarck  A North Dakota Lucky for Life® player won a prize of a lifetime with a FOR LIFE win!

The lottery reports the is from Jamestown, who chose to remain anonymous.

Monday night’s draw won big by matching five white balls, winning $25,000 a year FOR LIFE! The winning numbers were 22, 24, 33, 42, 45 and the Lucky Ball was 5.

The lucky ticket was sold at Neighborhood Grocery and Gas, 1014 17th St. SW, in Jamestown. The player with the winning ticket will have the option to receive an annuity payment of $25,000 a year for life (minimum of 20 years) or a lump sum cash payment of $390,000. No one has contacted the Lottery office to claim the prize.

 

Jamestown  (Chamber)  The chamber Young Professionals of Jamestown and the Chamber Ambassadors recently recognized Jamestown Regional Medical Center Family Birthplace as the November Business of the Month Award recipient for their outstanding customer service and continued commitment to the community.

The nomination stated, “I am nominating JRMC family birthday place because of the excellent care I received while there. Given my terrible circumstances, I felt nothing short of loved, cared for, and heard. The RNs that took care of me and my sleeping angel were BEYOND fantastic. This was uncharted territory for myself and my family but Tara and Deb along with Dr. Mandy Sorlie and Renee Lunde gave us hope and understanding. We cannot thank JRMC birthplace enough for their listening ears, crying shoulders, and great care.”

 

The Young Professionals of Jamestown honor businesses that provide superior customer service, exhibit community spirit and provide a positive economic impact to the community.  This award provides recognition throughout the month with a plaque and a recognition banner for the month. Monthly award winners will be considered for the Business of the Year to be awarded in January of 2021.  Business of the Month award nomination forms are available at the Chamber office and online at www.jamestownchamber.com .  Call 701-252-4830 for more information.

Valley City  (CSi)  The Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation, Executive Director, Andrea Nelson, in a news release, says:   The Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation is excited to launch our 2020 Mission Appeal with a goal to raise $75,000. Donations will allow us to maintain dedicated staff time and continue to work with local charities, to build philanthropy, and to hold a Community Grant Round.

Serving the Community

Over the last five years, the combined efforts of our commitment to local charities along with the generosity of our community have had a profound impact on the Sheyenne River Valley.

Charitable organizations utilize our administrative services as a way to accept grant funds, tax deductible donations, special projects and more. Donor Advised Fund, Pass Through Funds and Grant Rounds have allocated $349,750 to local charities through the Community Foundation.

Donors rely on our knowledge of community needs and opportunities to invest in programs and organizations that make a difference in our area. With over $537,000 managed through Donor Advised and Agency Endowment Funds, local charities will yield the benefits of this generosity in perpetuity.

Nonprofit Capacity Building program allows staff to provide direct mentoring and capacity building to local charities. This in return strengthens their mission and establishes a strong foundation for them to build upon. We have dedicated 463 hours to over 20 local charities.

Organizations receive help finding additional financial resources to maximize their funding potential and leverage additional support.

Community Grant Round

Our Community Grant Round is a grant program for local charitable organizations. Funds are awarded to those that demonstrate the ability to address unmet needs or initiatives. This year we were able to award $24,700 among nine nonprofits in Barnes County with a total project impact of $393,072. With many organizations canceling fundraising activities, we expect the need to be much greater this year.

Your Financial Support is Needed

Your generosity is greatly appreciated and we ask that you make a gift. To learn more about our 2020-2021 Mission Appeal or to make a donation visit our website: https://valleycitynd.org/pages/2020MissionAppeal or call our office at 701.490.1596.”

The Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization that brings together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support a wide variety of nonprofit organizations in Barnes, Ransom, and Griggs Counties.

 

Bismarck  (NDDOT)  The next Click It Or Ticket Campaign is about to get underway.

The NDDOT reports that, in 2020, individuals were not wearing a seat belt in nearly 64% of the motor vehicle fatalities where seat belts were present in the vehicle.

Seat belts save lives and are the single most effective way to prevent injury and death in a motor vehicle crash. Law enforcement across the state will have extra patrols from Nov. 16-29 for the Click It or Ticket campaign enforcing the state seat belt law.

All vehicle occupants should take personal responsibility when traveling and always buckle up. Every trip. Every time.

“Be sure to always wear your seat belt,” said Devils Lake Police Chief Joe Knowski. “It’s one of the most important safety features in your vehicle and it could save your life.”

This campaign is part of the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.

Visit the North Dakota Crash Memorial Wall to view memorials built on the hope of preventing another death on North Dakota roads.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming will use federal coronavirus relief funding to help petroleum companies move ahead with oil and gas drilling projects stalled by the pandemic and plug idle wells. North Dakota already is using Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding for well plugging and cleanup. Together, the two major oil-producing states will spend as much as $81 million in CARES Act funding to help the struggling oil and gas industry. Proponents point out the pandemic has reduced travel, lowering demand for gasoline and jet fuel. The funding also has qualified support from land stewardship advocates who seldom side with petroleum companies.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota regulators have granted a stack of important approvals for Enbridge Energy’s planned Line 3 pipeline replacement across northern Minnesota. The decisions set the long-delayed $2.6 billion project on the road toward beginning construction soon. The approvals from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Department of Natural Resources clear the way for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to issue the remaining federal permits, though further steps remain after that. Environmental and tribal groups have been fighting the project for years, but Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge says the replacement pipeline will move oil more safely and create thousands of jobs.

In sports…

Thursday

High School Volleyball

Loser out match in the East Region Tournament:

Valley City def Fargo North (25-22, 10-25, 25-16, 18-25, 15-13) The Hi-Liners go to the State Qualifying match Saturday morning, and will play Fargo Shanley, at 10-a.m., at West Fargo High School.

Linton/Hazelton/Moffit/Braddock def Oakes 3-0

(30-28, 28-26, 25-22)

Oakes season ends

Carrington def South Border 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-15) moving to the Region 3 title match on Saturday at Neuman Arena in Jamestown at 12-noon.

 

Semifinal round of the West Region Tournament.

Jamestown 3, Mandan 0

Jamestown def Mandan 25 16 25 17  25 14

Jamestown the third seed Blue Jays clinch a state tournament birth .

Also on Thursday

Grand Forks Red River def. Fargo South, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20

West Fargo def. Fargo Shanley, 25-18, 25-18, 25-17

Fargo Davies def. West Fargo Sheyenne, 25-18, 24-26, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13

Saturday’s Matches

10am – Valley City vs. Fargo Shanley (State qualifier)

2pm – Grand Forks Red River vs. West Fargo Sheyenne (State qualifier)

6pm – Fargo Davies vs. West Fargo (Championship)

 

NFL-COLTS/TITANS

Rivers sharp while Colts muzzle Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Indianapolis and Tennessee share the AFC South lead at 6-3 following the Colts’ 34-17 win over the Titans in Nashville.

Philip Rivers completed 29 of his 39 passes for 308 yards and a touchdown as the Colts handed the Titans their third loss in four games since a 5-0 start. Indianapolis entered the game leading the NFL in fewest yards allowed before limiting Tennessee to 294 total yards, about 90 below its season average.

Derrick Henry ran for 103 yards on 19 carries for the Titans, who didn’t score after halftime. Ryan Tannehill was just 15 of 27 for 147 yards and a TD.

The Colts now own the tiebreaker against the Titans and will host Tennessee on Nov. 29.

NFL-RATINGS

NFL ratings slip

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL was not expected to be immune from the ratings declines that have hit all sports this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and presidential election.

But the declines are not as bad as some feared at the beginning of the season.

Games are averaging 15.1 million television and digital viewers according to the league and Nielsen. That is a 6% decline from last year.

Despite the decreases, all but four of the top 30 shows since the season began have been NFL games.

PGA-MASTERS

Casey has clubhouse lead at wet Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Paul Casey seems to have shed the memory of his disappointing performance at the Masters 19 months ago.

The 43-year-old Englishman is is the clubhouse leader at Augusta after shooting a 7-under 65 in the opening round. Casey made an early exit at last year’s Masters, shooting 86 and 82 to fall well below the cut line.

Casey got on a roll with an eagle at the par-5 second hole. He tacked on five more birdies to match his lowest score ever at the Masters, grabbing a two-shot lead over Webb Simpson and Xander Schauffele (ZAN’-dur SHAWF’-lee).

Tiger Woods is at minus-4 as he seeks a record-tying sixth Masters title. It matched his lowest start ever at the Masters, and it was his first bogey-free round in a major since the opening round of the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine.

Play had to be suspended by darkness caused by a three-hour rain delay in the morning. Justin Thomas was on the course at 5 under through 10 holes when he and 43 other players were forced to leave the course.

MLB-NEWS

Abreu, Freeman are MVPs

NEW YORK (AP) — A pair of first basemen have come away with baseball’s MVP awards.

The American League MVP is White Sox first baseman José Abreu (ah-BRAY’-oo), who came away with 21 of 30 first-place votes to edge Indians third baseman José Ramírez and Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu.

Abreu led the majors with 60 RBIs and 148 total bases, and topped the AL with 76 hits and a .617 slugging percentage. The 33-year-old Abreu batted .317 with 19 home runs, connecting six times in a three-game series against the Cubs in late August.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is the National League MVP, claiming 28 of 30 first-place votes to beat out Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts and Padres third baseman Manny Machado.

Freeman had a strong season after contracting COVID-19 just before the season began in July, batting .341 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs while playing all 60 games. He topped the majors with 23 doubles and 51 runs scored in helping the Braves win the NL East.

In other MLB news:

— The White Sox are sticking with new manager Tony La Russa for now, saying they understand the “seriousness” of his latest drunken driving case. The club said in a statement Thursday that it will “have more to say” once the case is resolved. The Hall of Fame manager was arrested on misdemeanor DUI charges in February, when he blew out a tire in a collision with a curb, according to an affidavit filed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. He has pleaded not guilty.

— Braves’ assistant general manager Perry Minasian has been named the Angels’ general manager, replacing Billy Eppler. Minasian spent the past three years in the Braves’ front office, including the past two seasons as their vice president of baseball operations. The 40-year-old Minasian has been in baseball since he was an 8-year-old batboy for the Rangers, where his father, Zack, was the team’s clubhouse manager.

COLLEGE SPORTS-CORONAVIRUS

Pitt-Tech, Tech-Rice postponed

UNDATED (AP)— Pittsburgh’s scheduled football game at Georgia Tech has been postponed after the Panthers were forced to pause team activities due to COVID-19 protocols. The ACC said both teams were having COVID-19 issues that have caused the game to be moved from this Saturday to Dec. 12.

A pair of Conference USA games have been postponed as well. Louisiana Tech was slated to take on Rice and UAB was supposed to face North Texas. Those games are off the schedule due to COVID-19 issues with La Tech and UAB.

More than 50 games across major college football have been postponed or canceled since late August. That includes 10 scheduled for this weekend and 10 last weekend.

In other college sports news involving the pandemic:

— Mississippi State starting safety Marcus Murphy says on social media that he will opt out the rest of this season. Murphy currently is fourth on the team in tackles through four games. He did not specify his reasons for opting out or his plans in Thursday’s post on his verified Twitter account.

— Oregon State says one football player has tested positive for COVID-19 and three others have been isolated. The player tested positive on Monday, and the result was confirmed by another test. All of the players impacted must remain in isolation for at least 10 days.

— UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley is considering delaying the start of his team’s season. The program has suspended all activities for two weeks after a positive coronavirus test by one player. Hurley hopes the team will play its first two games on Nov. 25 and 27. But contracts for those games have not been signed and Hurley says ramping up practice after two weeks off will be difficult.

— The Ivy League has become the first Division I conference this year to cancel all winter sports, including men’s and women’s basketball. The decision came 13 days before the scheduled start of the college basketball season.

— The Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team doesn’t have enough athletes to safely compete this season. The school says six of the 12 players opted out of playing because of concerns about the novel coronavirus. Another player can’t return to campus from out of the country because of travel limitations.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-IOWA-LAWSUIT

Suit filed against Ferentz

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A lawyer for 13 Black former Iowa football players says he has filed a lawsuit alleging his clients suffered racial discrimination under longtime coach Kirk Ferentz.

The plaintiffs include former star running back Akrum Wadley and career receptions leader Kevonte Martin-Manley. A news release from the attorney says the players suffered “serious and pervasive discriminatory treatment and harassment.”

They allege they were demeaned with racial slurs, forced to abandon Black hairstyles, fashion and culture to fit the “Iowa Way” promoted by Ferentz, and retaliated against for speaking out, according to the release.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Plans finalized to have 40 teams in Mohegan “Bubbleville”

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Final plans have been announced for 11 days of college basketball this month inside a modified bubble at the Mohegan Sun resort casino in Connecticut.

The event has been dubbed “Bubbleville” and will include 40 teams playing 45 games in tournaments that were either relocated or created to be played at the resort between Nov. 25 and Dec 5.

Each team will be tested upon arrival and will have its own secured floor in the resort’s 34-story tower hotels along with meeting and catered dining areas.

Schools involved include men’s second-ranked Baylor, third-ranked Villanova, fourth-ranked Virginia, No. 18 Arizona State and No. 20 Oregon.

The women’s programs competing are scheduled to include third-ranked UConn, fifth-ranked Louisville and No. 6 Mississippi State.

SPORTS BETTING-NCAA

NCAA voices concern over prop bets on college athletes

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — An NCAA vice president is voicing concern over sports betting on the performance of individual student-athletes and suggesting that gambling regulators consider restrictions on such wagers to protect the integrity of the games.

Naima Stevenson-Starks has expressed concern about so-called proposition bets involving college athletes. They involve whether a given player will or won’t surpass a certain threshold during a game, like whether a quarterback will throw for three touchdowns or whether a running back will rush for 100 yards. Such bets are far more common on NFL games than college games, but NFL players don’t attend class with people who could be betting on their performance.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-OBIT-SCHLARMAN

Kentucky O-line coach John Schlarman dies of cancer at 45

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky offensive line coach John Schlarman has died at age 45 after a two-year fight with cancer.

The school announced Schlarman’s death from bile duct cancer in a news release Thursday. He was diagnosed in the summer of 2018 but continued to coach throughout treatment.

Schlarman was most recently on the sideline for Kentucky’s 34-7 upset at Tennessee on Oct. 17 and received a game ball from head coach Mark Stoops.

In world and national news…

BEIJING (AP) — China has become one of the last major countries to congratulate U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, who is expected to make few changes to U.S. policy toward Beijing on trade, technology and other conflicts that have soured relations. China, along with Russia, avoided joining the throng that congratulated Biden last weekend after he and running mate Kamala Harris secured enough Electoral College votes in the Nov. 3 election to win the White House. A foreign ministry spokesman said: “We respect the choice of the American people. We congratulate Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris.”

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has publicly disengaged from the battle against the coronavirus at a time when the disease is tearing across the United States at an alarming pace. Trump, fresh off his reelection loss to President-elect Joe Biden, remains angry that an announcement about progress on developing a COVID-19 vaccine came after Election Day. And aides say the president has shown little interest in the growing crisis even as new cases are skyrocketing and hospitals in parts of the country report their intensive care units are nearing capacity. Public health experts worry that Trump’s refusal to take aggressive action will only worsen the effects of the virus.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — After refusing to acknowledge President Donald Trump’s loss in last week’s election, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is heading overseas on a trip to Europe and the Middle East, to countries where leaders have all congratulated former vice president Joe Biden for his victory. The trip is aimed at shoring up the outgoing Trump administration’s policies and will include visits to Israeli settlements in the West Bank that have been avoided by previous secretaries of state. Fresh from declaring that he’s prepared for a smooth transition to a second Trump administration, Pompeo will leave Friday for what may be his diplomatic swan song, traveling to France, Turkey, Georgia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

 

ONEONTA, N.Y. (AP) — The 75-foot (23-meter) Norway spruce that will anchor New York City’s holiday festivities as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has been cut down in upstate New York and will soon be headed to Manhattan. The tree was donated by Al Dick of Daddy Al’s General Store in Oneonta. It was cut down Thursday and will be erected at Rockefeller Center on Saturday. Officials with Tishman Speyer, the owners of Rockefeller Center, say details about the tree-lighting ceremony will be released in the coming days. Tishman Speyer CEO Rob Speyer says the tree is “particularly vital” this year.

 

TOKYO (AP) — Global shares are mostly lower as rising cases of coronavirus infections in the U.S., Europe and Asia add to worries that economies will once again be hamstrung by pandemic restrictions on travel and businesses. Benchmarks in Europe fell in early Friday trading. Shares in Japan, Australia and China finished lower. Reports of surging COVID-19 cases have had a sobering effect on markets that had advanced on expectations that pro-business policies will continue after last week’s U.S. elections. U.S. shares were set to drift higher as future prices were rising, in a reversal from the drop earlier in the week.