Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Nov 17

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Southeast winds around 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs around 50. South winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. West

winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. West winds 10 to

15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

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

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

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

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs around 40.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 20s.

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

 

ND COVID-19 Stats

Tues. Nov 17, 2020

9:30-a.m.

Barnes County:

New Positives   9

Total Positives  759

Active Cases 169

Recovered  585

 

Stutsman

2 new deaths

Woman in her 80s

Man in his 80’s

TOTAL DEATHS 31

New Positives  65

Total Positives 2079

Active 5467

Recovered 1581

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

BY THE NUMBERS

8,749 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,022,763 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

1,091 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

65,967 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

13.66% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

10,022 – Total Active Cases

-878 Individuals from Yesterday

1,934 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (1,175 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

55,176 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

304 – Currently Hospitalized

-28 – Individuals from yesterday

 

26 – New Deaths*** (769 total deaths since the pandemic began) 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

• Man in his 90s from Burleigh County.
• Man in his 80s from Burleigh County.
• Man in his 90s from Burleigh County.
• Woman in her 80s from Burleigh County.
• Man in his 70s from Cass County.
• Woman in her 50s from Cass County.
• Woman in her 80s from Cass County.
• Man in his 60s from Grant County.
• Man in his 80s from Logan County.
• Woman in her 90s from Morton County.
• Woman in her 80s from Morton County.
• Woman in her 80s from Pembina County.
• Man in his 90s from Richland County.
• Man in his 70s from Richland County.
• Man in his 60s from Rolette County.
• Man in his 80s from Stark County.
• Man in his 80s from Stutsman County.
• Woman in her 80s from Stutsman County.
• Woman in her 80s from Ward County.
• Man in his 80s from Ward County.
• Woman in her 100s from Ward County.
• Man in his 80s from Ward County.
• Man in his 70s from Ward County.
• Woman in her 70s from Ward County.
• Man in his 50s from Ward County.
• Woman in her 70s from Ward County.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

• Adams County – 3
• Barnes County – 9
• Benson County – 4
• Bottineau County – 9
• Burke County – 7
• Burleigh County – 131
• Cass County – 205
• Cavalier County – 7
• Divide County – 3
• Dunn County – 2
• Eddy County – 7
• Emmons County – 4
• Foster County – 9
• Grand Forks County – 117
• Grant County – 3
• Griggs County – 4
• Hettinger County – 5
• Kidder County – 5
• LaMoure County – 2
• McHenry County – 11
• McIntosh County – 1
• McKenzie County – 9
• McLean County – 9
• Mercer County – 8
• Morton County – 49
• Mountrail County – 13
• Nelson County – 6
• Oliver County – 1
• Pembina County – 13
• Pierce County – 3
• Ramsey County – 30
• Ransom County – 8
• Renville County – 3
• Richland County – 17
• Rolette County – 40
• Sargent County – 6
• Sheridan County – 1
• Sioux County – 6
• Stark County – 24
• Stutsman County – 65
• Towner County – 3
• Traill County – 2
• Walsh County – 37
• Ward County – 145
• Wells County – 2
• Williams County – 43

 

* 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  (JRVLS)  Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Jamestown, community, effective Tuesday, November 17th, both James River Valley Library locations will move to curbside pickup until further notice. Alfred Dickey Public Library and

 

 

 

the Stutsman County Library will be closed to the public for the safety of patrons and staff.

• The curbside pickup service will be available at ADPL Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to  6 p.m. and SCL from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Call ADPL at 252-2990 or SCL at 252-1531 to arrange pick up.
• All exterior book drops will remain open.
• Our online services, including ebooks and audiobooks, continue to be available to library card holders .

Learn more about the online services at www.jrvls.org

The James River Valley Library System is located in Jamestown, ND, and consists of the Alfred Dickey Branch, the Stutsman County Branch, and the Bookmobile. They serve all of Stutsman County by providing access to free library services and materials.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Violations of North Dakota’s mask mandate carry a possible fine of up to $1,000. But many law enforcement leaders say issuing a citation for failing to wear a face covering is a last resort and that education is the priority. Gov. Doug Burgum encouraged law enforcement to prioritize education when he imposed the mandate last Friday after months of refraining from an order. He also issued an executive order limiting capacity for bars, restaurants and event venues and suspended prep sports and extracurricular activities. Bismarck Police Chief Dave Draovitch says officers will respond to calls about violations, but won’t actively be looking for people or businesses that have not complied with the mandate.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom.  Members of the Public are not permitted in the City Commission Chambers due to COVID-19, and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16.  All members were present.

The Shop Small Proclamation was read by Mayor Carlsrud.

He proclaimed November 28 as Small Business Saturday.  Valley City activities will be spread out this year during the pandemic to stay safe.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

No Items were on the Agenda.

Public Comments No One Spoke.

ORDINANCE

Approved the first reading of an Ordinance creating and enacting a section of the Valley City Municipal Code regarding a penalty for violation of City emergency orders. City Attorney Martineck said the emergency ordinance, will now include a penalty of a fine of a maximum $1,000 under an infraction with citations at the discretion of local authorities.  The action is in line with the State of North Dakota, with prosecutions in District Court, with fine collected at the local level.

Approve the first reading an Ordinance Amending and Re-enacting sections of the Valley City Municipal Code, related to removal of stumps and renewal of licenses. City Attorney Martineck said the changes including removing stumps within three weeks of removal, with a penalty of not having licenses renewed if in violation.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Approved was Small Projects Funding for 2020 – $20,000. Economic Development Director, Jennifer Feist said the dollars are to be funded from economic development.

Approved was Resource Development Specialist – Funding Increase – $4,000. Jennifer Feist said this is the last of three years, for the position, with a return on investments, significant.

Approved an R&R Coordinator – Funding Increase – $10,000/year for two years. Jennifer Feist said recruiting and retention  has improved through the program, with a large part of the program consisting of training.

Overhead costs necessitate the increase, including health insurance benefits.  The program was initiated after the closing of the Valley City Job Service office a few years ago.

She added public information is forthcoming on sign ups for the ERG Hospitality grants, with applications being accepted later this week.

Approve was Accepting Project No. UGP-SU-2-990(057), PCN 22043-CPR-Streetscape Phase I – Central Ave N.  KLJ the final review of the project has been made, with tests completed on the traffic signals, pending approval by the NDDOT.

Considered  Accepting Project No. SU-SS-2-990(053)057, PCN 21095 – Storm Sewer Improvement District No. 50 on Winter Show road, and was also reviewed, and is pending NDDOT approval.

Discussion then centered around the City Engineer Selection Committee Final Report. City Administrator, Gwen Crawford, said three firms were interviewed via Zoom, with each firmed asked the same questions.  She said the score sheets from the interview indicated that KLJ and Moore Engineering were ranked number one.

The position is a consultant to projects.  Commissioner Magnuson said the high cost of funding the position of $100,000, passed on to tax payers, is cost prohibitive.  He added that the position includes, inspections and issuing building permits, to which he said there is a better way of going about establishing the job description, dividing the responsibilities.

Some commissioners noted that KLJ would be in conflict as the City Engineering firm, and also bidding on projects.

The City Commissioners moved to approve the final report, seconded by Mayor Carlsrud and approved on a  3-2 vote with Commissioners Bishop and Erickson voting in oppositions.

 

Discussed was the Mask Plan Emergency Order, concerning requests for events, under the Order’s guidelines.  Administrator Crawford suggested rather than a committee formed, and then bringing recommendations  to the commissioners, to have approval of events be reviewed by the commission at regular meetings to vote on proposed events, under the guidelines of the Emergency Order.

Mayor Carlsrud, added that the penalty phase has now been approved.

Mayor Carlsrud suggested a separate discussion be held prior to coming before the commission.

The consensus of the commission is to match the state’s emergency order guidelines by drafting an Ordinance to be ratified by the commission.

The City Commission will review the Emergency Order in line with state mandates at the December City Commission meeting.

 

Mayor Carlsrud reviewed the request from City County Health to establish an educational campaign through the media concerning wearing face masks.  The total cost is $11,000 with $5,000 earmarked for paid advertising.

The city will contact the state for any available funding.

He said with the state’s new guidelines under the face mask mandate that the situation needs to be further reviewed before taking action.

 

Discussion of Valley City Liquor Licenses was led by  Commissioner Magnuson, who said due to new state mandates reducing the hours of operations and capacity in bars and restaurants, owners have indicated that fees be adjusted for liquor licenses. Off-Sale establishments are not affected.

A motion was made to forego and second half of the liquor license fee, not affecting off sales businesses.

The commissioners voted to forgive half of the next installment of liquor license fees, not including off sale  businesses.

 

City Commissioners approved the Preliminary Engineering Reimbursement Agreement with NDDOT (Project No. NHU-2-094(175)928, West I-94 Business Loop hill slide).  City Administrator Crawford said the city’s share of the cost is 10 percent, with costs to be determined.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve.

 

The City Commissioners approved a Tobacco Permit for Loves Travel Stop & Country Stores, Inc. Finance Director Richter said 14 tobacco license holders in Valley City is limited to 14 and the business is the 14^th license holder.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Gwen Crawford said the metal recycling spot will be relocated to across from the landfill, adding a recycling education campaign will be started as to what items can or can not be recycled.

She added that city employee evaluations will now be made on the anniversary date of employment.

CITY UPDATES &COMMISSION REPORTS

Police Chief Hatcher said,stagnant vehicles and the clean up of properties, concerns are being addressed.

Commission Gulmon thanked City County Health on all their work on helping to keep the community safe, and slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Mayor Carlsrud thanked the community on their efforts to slow the spread of the virus, including wearing face masks, and taking other safe actions.  He asked residents to follow guidelines concerning safe Thanksgiving celebrations to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Fire Department was called to 124 1st Street East at 8-a.m., Tuesday, the Schubert’s building in Downtown Jamestown.

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther, says, the inside hallway in the upper floor apartments had a smell, that was determined to have come  from a malfunctioning boiler in the basement, which traveled within the building, as the boiler released, ‘off-gas.”  Assistant Police Chief, Justin Blinsky told Reuther that five building occupants, on the second floor, were evacuated as a precaution, as authorities, obtained the number of occupants of the building from the property manager.

Bismarck  (CSi)   The North Dakota Aeronautic Commission reports, Jamestown airline boardings in October this year were put at 429 , down from 896 in October 2019, down about 52 percent.

Year to date through October 2020 there were 4652  Jamestown boardings compared to 9191 through October 2019, down about 49-percent.

During the month of October, North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports posted a total of 47,574 passenger boardings which amounts to 47% of the passengers that the airports experienced during the same month last year. This is also the highest monthly demand in airline passengers that North Dakota has experienced since the pandemic began last Spring.

North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, Executive Director, Kyle Wanner, says, “The positive trend in passenger numbers over the last few months is an encouraging sign that travelers are beginning to once again look at aviation as a safe and cost-effective mode of transportation.  Domestic airline fares in our state are currently averaging around a 10-year low which has greatly helped to spur passenger demand.  Additionally, the recent news of the successful COVID-19 vaccine trials has helped to provide hope that the recovery in air passenger demand will continue into the near future.

Jamestown  (CSi) – The National Buffalo Museum is teaming up with Valley City Meat Supply to donate just over 500 pounds of ground bison to food banks in Jamestown and Valley City.

The museum’s Executive Director, Ilana Xinos, said, “We are thrilled to be in a position to make this donation, especially so close to the holiday season, and we couldn’t have done it without Valley City Meat Supply who did not even hesitate to say yes when we approached them with this idea.” According to Xinos, this project is one way the museum can give back to the local community while also achieving its mission of advocating for the restoration of the North American bison through education and outreach. Dave Carter, Executive Director of the National Bison Association, said, “The museum’s mission is to advocate for the restoration of the American bison. That includes not only restoring the animal to the grasslands, but also restoring bison meat to the American diet. This is a great service to help bring this deliciously healthy meat to people in need throughout the community.” Eating bison meat plays an important role in continuing to restore the species. The bulk of the bison population in North America are part of commercial bison herds. Public parks and preserves do not have the amount of land needed for bison to thrive in large numbers.

 

Thanksgiving is not just for turkeys this year. The museum urges families to think about adding bison to their Thanksgiving menu. Xinos adds, “You won’t be disappointed – it is a delicious and healthy meat”

The National Buffalo Museum’s mission is to advocate for the restoration of the North American bison through education and outreach. For more information, contact Ilana Xinos at 701-252-8648 or director@buffalomuseum.com.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The City of Jamestown announces, open positions on various city committees/boards.

The City of Jamestown is currently accepting applications for the following:

1 open position on the Board of Adjustment – 3 year term to 2024.

1 open position on the Civil Service Commission – 5 year term to 2026.

1 open position on the County Weed Board – 4 year term to 2024.

1 open position on the Fire Code Board of Appeals – 3 year term to 2023.

 

Anyone interested in serving on the above committees/boards should complete an “Application for Appointment”. The application may be obtained in person at City Hall, 102 3rd Ave SE, Jamestown, ND, by calling 701-252-5900 or online at jamestownnd.org and select government tab/city committees to download the form.

The application should be returned by December 16, 2020 to:

City of Jamestown

Attn: Appointments

102 3rd Avenue SE

Jamestown, ND 58401-4205

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — Police say they’ve made an arrest in the death of a man who was struck and killed standing next to his parked vehicle in Mandan. The 42-year-old victim from Bismarck was pronounced dead at the scene Tuesday morning. The driver who struck the man is a 19-year-old Mandan man. Police say the driver is in the Burleigh Morton Detention Center on a probable charge of criminal vehicular homicide. The North Dakota Highway Patrol assisted the Mandan Police Department .

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota regulators say the state’s oil production increased slightly in September from the month prior. The Department of Mineral Resources says the state produced an average of 1.22 million barrels of oil daily in September. That’s up from 1.16 million barrels a day in August. North Dakota also produced 2.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day in August, up from 2.6 billion cubic feet in July. There were 15,377 wells producing in September, up from 15,149 in August. There were 14 drill rigs operating Tuesday, an increase of five from the September average.

In sports…

Jamestown  (UJ) With another change in the Jimmies football schedule, Saturday’s Jimmie football game against Doane that was scheduled to be played Bismarck’s  MDU Resources Community Bowl  has been canceled due to COVID issues on the Doane football team. The game will not be rescheduled.

Sioux City, Iowa –  (GPAC) The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and Hauff Mid-America Sports are proud to announce the following basketball players-of-the-week for contests played Nov. 9-15, 2020. Hauff Mid-America Sports is the presenting sponsor of the 2019-2020 GPAC Players-of-the-Week and Players and Coaches-of-the-Year awards program.

Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Basketball Players-of-the-Week

 

Women – Kennedy Benne, Briar Cliff University (Guard)

Briar Cliff guard Kennedy Benne is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports women’s basketball player-of-the-week.  Benne, a freshman from Oakland, Nebraska, started her collegiate career with a bang. She filled up the stat sheet in a pair of wins, averaging 18 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 steals and a pair of assists. She had 22 points in a win over Dakota Wesleyan, going 8-of-11 from the field including 3-of-4 from long range.

 

Men – Mason Walters, University of Jamestown (Forward)

Mason Walters of the University of Jamestown is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports men’s basketball player-of-the-week.  Walters, a sophomore from Jamestown, North Dakota, had two double-doubles for Jamestown last week. He averaged 24.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 5 assists as the Jimmies split a pair of games. He finished with 22 points and 17 boards on 9-of-11 shooting in the Jimmies’ 85-73 win over GPAC preseason favorite Morningside.

Also Announced:

Jackie Meiklejohn of the University of Jamestown is this week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Volleyball Setter-of-the-Week. Meiklejohn, a junior, from Dickey, North Dakota, recorded a pair of double-doubles in helping Jamestown to a pair of wins last week. She had 25 assists and 14 digs in a sweep of Morningside followed with 30 assists and 12 digs in Jamestown’s five-set victory over Northwestern for the GPAC regular season title.

Minneapolis  (Twins) To protect the health and well-being of the club’s fans, partners, players, staff, employees and communities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Twins today announced they have cancelled the 2021 Winter Caravan and TwinsFest, both originally scheduled for January. The Twins will instead bring fans a series of specially-designed virtual experiences throughout the offseason; details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Club President & CEO Dave St. Peter, says  “An offseason without our longstanding and beloved fan events is certainly tough to digest, but our top priority is, and always will be, the health and safety of Twins Territory.  With COVID-19 certain to be present at some level in January 2021, we feel it is the prudent, responsible and correct decision to cancel our events that would have otherwise brought together large groups of people in confined, indoor spaces. As we’ve all done so much in these unprecedented times, we will adapt. We’re excited to roll out some unique, fun ways for Twins fans to safely engage with the back-to-back American League Central champions this winter, and we’re already looking forward to the 2022 return of Winter Caravan and TwinsFest.”

The Twins Winter Caravan had been held annually for each of the last 60 years, while TwinsFest – the largest annual fundraiser for the Minnesota Twins Community Fund – began in 1989. The Twins’ full plans for digital offseason fan engagement opportunities is forthcoming.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller is announcing plans to reduce U.S. troop levels in Iraq and Afghanistan. He says the decision fulfills President Donald Trump’s pledge to bring forces home when conditions were met that kept the U.S. and its allies safe, even though Republicans and U.S. allies warn against a rash withdrawal. The new plan will accelerate troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan in Trump’s final days in office, despite arguments from senior military officials in favor of a slower, more methodical pullout. Trump has refused to concede his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, who takes office Jan. 20, just five days after the troop withdrawals are slated to finish.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Leaders of the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association and American Nurses Association say the Trump administration must share critical COVID-19 information with President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team “to save countless lives.” The groups said in a letter sent to the White House on Tuesday that the Biden team needs information on medication and testing supplies, personal protective equipment, ventilators, hospital bed capacity and workforce availability. The letter says the information is essential “so that there is no lapse in our ability to care for patients.” It was signed by American Hospital Association President Richard Pollack, American Medical Association CEO Dr. James Madara and acting nurses association CEO Debbie Dawson Hatmaker.

Two COVID-19 vaccines might be nearing the finish line, but scientists say it’s critical that enough people volunteer to help finish studying other candidates. Moderna and competitor Pfizer recently announced preliminary results showing their vaccines appear to be strongly effective. More vaccine types will be needed to meet global demand. And different types may work better in different people, something only testing can tell. Most vaccines in late-stage testing around the world target the “spike” protein on the coronavirus surface but they’re made using a variety of technologies, some of them brand new. Still, some countries are sticking with older vaccine approaches.

 

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s top elections official says a random audit of a sample of the state’s new voting machines found no evidence of hacking or tampering. According to a news release, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger last week asked Alabama-based testing laboratory Pro V&V to do the audit. The new election system the state bought last year from Dominion Voting Systems for more than $100 million includes touchscreen voting machines that print paper ballots which are read and tabulated by scanners. The audit was done on a random sample of voting machines from six counties. The equipment tested included the touchscreen voting machines, precinct scanners and absentee ballot scanners.

 

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani has entered a federal courthouse in Pennsylvania to cheers across the street from several dozen Trump supporters. The hearing in Williamsport on the Trump campaign’s federal lawsuit seeking to prevent Pennsylvania officials from certifying the vote results is getting underway Tuesday after a judge denied the campaign’s request for a delay. Online court records show Giuliani has not entered an appearance in federal court since 1992, the year before he was elected New York City mayor. Even if Pennsylvania’s election results are overturned, it would not open an avenue to a second term for Trump.

 

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The final Wisconsin county has submitted its canvassed vote totals to the state elections commission, starting the clock for President Donald Trump to file for a recount as he has promised supporters he would. The canvassed totals show Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump by about 20,600 votes, which is about six-tenths of a point margin — close enough for Trump to file for a recount. Trump has until 5 p.m. on Wednesday to submit the $7.9 million estimated cost for a statewide recount and other required paperwork. Trump could also file for a recount only in select counties, which would reduce the cost.