CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s. West winds

10 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. Northwest winds

around 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 20s.

.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 30s.

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

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow. Highs

in the lower 30s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 20s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 10.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 20s.

The end of the week may bring the best chance of precipitation we`ve had in weeks.

 

Update:

North Dakota health officials are confirming 366 new cases of the coronavirus, marking the fourth straight day that positive tests for COVID-19 have dropped and continuing a trend of falling positivity rates.

ND Covid Stats

Mon Dec 7, 2020

10:00-a.m.

Barnes County

New Positives:  9

Total Positives: 1127

Active:  102

Recovered:  1007

 

Stutsman County

 NEW DEATHS 1
Man in his 70s

TOTAL DEATHS 50

 

New Positives: 8

Total Positives: 2717

Active:  120

Recovered:   2547

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


BY THE NUMBERS

4,824 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,196,950 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

365 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

83,342 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

8.17% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

4,758 – Total Active Cases

-211 Individuals from Yesterday

563 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (462 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

77,562 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

304 – Currently Hospitalized

-1 – Individuals from yesterday

 

9 – New Deaths*** (1,022 total deaths since the pandemic began) 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Man in his 80s from Cass County.
  • Man in his 40s from Foster County.
  • Man in his 60s from McKenzie County.
  • Man in his 90s from Morton County.
  • Man in his 80s from Pierce County.
  • Man in his 90s from Pierce County.
  • Man in his 70s from Richland County.
  • Man in his 70s from Rolette County.
  • Man in his 70s from Stutsman County.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED MONDAY

  • Adams County – 3
  • Barnes County – 9
  • Benson County – 15
  • Bottineau County – 2
  • Burke County – 1
  • Burleigh County – 36
  • Cass County – 110
  • Cavalier County – 1
  • Dickey County – 1
  • Divide County – 1
  • Dunn County – 1
  • Foster County – 2
  • Grand Forks County – 38
  • Griggs County – 3
  • Kidder County – 2
  • McHenry County – 2
  • McKenzie County – 2
  • McLean County – 3
  • Mercer County – 1
  • Morton County – 11
  • Mountrail County – 4
  • Nelson County – 3
  • Pembina County – 3
  • Pierce County – 2
  • Ramsey County – 23
  • Ransom County – 3
  • Richland County – 8
  • Rolette County – 21
  • Sargent County – 1
  • Sioux County – 1
  • Stark County – 2
  • Stutsman County – 8
  • Towner County – 1
  • Traill County – 4
  • Walsh County – 3
  • Ward County – 18
  • Wells County – 1
  • Williams County – 15

 

* 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.

Bismarck  (CSi) – The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (ND DOCR) reports the death of an incarcerated individual who was COVID-19 positive. The individual, in his 60s, tested positive on November 16, was admitted to a Bismarck hospital due to progression of symptoms on November 25, and passed away on December 4.

This is the first COVID-19-related death of an individual under the custody of the ND DOCR. The Department will not be releasing this individual’s name or medical records in order to protect the private health information of the resident. We extend our condolences to the individual’s family.

The ND DOCR continues to provide routine surveillance COVID testing at all facilities, as well as additional testing when requested. All facilities will continue to implement sanitation and hygiene measures to limit potential exposure and mitigate the spread of coronavirus to residents and staff.

As of Friday, December 4, there were 37 active cases among ND DOCR residents and 24 active cases among ND DOCR staff. Total tests administered since March is over 18,000 for residents and nearly 17,000 for staff. For more data and information regarding COVID-19 within the ND DOCR, please visit https://www.docr.nd.gov/covid-19-information.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Mayor, Dwaine Heinrich urges residents to contact their state legislators, to vote for additional funding for the newly arrived Jamestown City Fire Department’s ladder truck.

On Monday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Mayor Heinrich pointed out that the state has been requested to fund one-third of the approximately $1-million for the truck.

He thanked  the community, including businesses, industries and individuals for past donations, as the city was looking for two-thirds of the purchase price to come from local funds, including donations.

He said more donations are need to reach paying the purchase price, otherwise, Jamestown tax payers will need to foot the balance, which will repay another city fund the money was temporarily borrowed  from for the upfront payment.

 

On another topic Mayor Heinrich said that with the local economy that local sales tax revenues have held up fairly well during the past months of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have met budgeted amounts.

He pointed that businesses have suffered reduced incomes during the pandemic.

He added that the Emergency Order in Jamestown remains in effect for the duration of the pandemic.

That includes such protocols as wearing face masks and physical distancing in public, along with people in retail and service businesses, plus wearing masks in all indoor and outdoor environments  where they are exposed to non-household members.   Businesses can mandate that face masks are required within the business which can be enforced by asking the customer to leave the business.

At this time there is not penalty in Jamestown for not following the Emergency Order.

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

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall.

All members were present, Council Members, Schloegel and  Buchanan joined by phone.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE: No One spoke.

 

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:  No items were discussed separately, and the agenda was passed.

 

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

  • Considered was the agreement for paying agent services for municipal bonds with Starion and authorizing the City Administrator and Mayor to enter into the agreement on behalf of the City. After hearing specifics of the agreement and the reason for requiring the agreement, (contract) from Starion representatives Rick Geloff and Legal Council Kirsten  Spira, including termination by either party, the City Council, voted unanimously to approve.

ORDINANCES:

  • A PUBLIC HEARING was held, concerning the request to change zoning of the East 7.7’ of Lot 3, and all of Lots 1 and 2 and one half of the vacated alley, Block 12, Lowry’s Subdivision, within the SE ¼ of Section 2, T139N, R64W, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from Ag, Urban Residential to C2, Commercial. The property is located at 2806 8th Ave SW. No one spoke at the hearing.

Following the Hearing, a SECOND READING: was heard to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map to change the zoning of the East 7.7’ of Lot 3, and all of Lots 1 and 2 and one half of the vacated alley, Block 12, Lowry’s Subdivision, within the SE ¼ of Section 2, T139N, R64W, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from Ag, Urban Residential to C2, Commercial. The property is located at 2806 8th Ave SW.

The Second Reading was passed by the City Council.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

  • The City Council Appointed Craig Olien, to serve as a member of the Jamestown Regional Airport Authority for a five year term to expire December 2025.

 

HIGHLIGHTS, AND MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Buchanan highlighted the arrival of the New City Fire Department, and praised the Christmas lighting around the city this holiday season.  That was echoed by Council Member Kamlitz.

Council Member Steele said the airport has received the new snow removal equipment.

Mayor Heinrich said residents are responding nicely to the mask mandate and masking up.

He said the however even though the numbers have turned around, as of Monday’s NDDoH report, 50 Stutsman County residents have passed away from COVID-19, which he said is a “shocking number.”

He asked residents to contact their state legislators to support the state for one third funding of the new City Fire Department’s ladder truck.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

  • The City Council approved and authorized entering into an agreement with the NDDES for a Public Assistance Subgrant Agreement for FEMA-4509-DR., for the COVID-19 reimbursement funding.

 

Considered was approving the Spiritwood Energy Park Association’s request for an awarded $8,600,000 Bank of North Dakota infrastructure loan through the City at 2% interest over 30 years to develop infrastructure at the Spiritwood Energy Park, including access road and utility construction to be reimbursed by the SEPA tenants through the JSDC. Mayor Heinrich said the dollars will be use for necessary improvements at The Spiritwood Energy Park, including for the proposed Greenhouse business and possibly others at the Park.  The City Council voted unanimously to approve.

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

 

Dave Carlsrud

Valley City  (Chamber)  Valley City Mayor Dave Carlsrud, has updated his regular ‘COVID News & Notes’ report:

Heartfelt:  A “Blue Christmas Tree” in Veterans Park on Main Street is decorated with blue lights in remembrance of community members who died this past year.  Those who carry grief with them in this season are invited to visit the tree, be sad, be grateful be prayerful, and remember those you loved. Sponsors are: The Barnes County Ministerial Association, Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, and Lerud-Schuldt-Mathias Funeral Home. Thank you all.

There seems to be more walkers and joggers out around town enjoying the nice weather. Please remember to face traffic when running or walking, wear bright colors and reflective gear for protection from distracted drivers.

Thank you to all you motorists who have been stopping for pedestrians at intersections.

COVID is really raising havoc around our country and our county. Our positive cases per 10K are about 100. This is pretty high so please protect yourself and others. Mask-UP in respect for those you are near.

That we are a relatively small community in a smaller county in a smaller state, we need to work together for success.  So, kudos to Valley City Public Works and NDDOT as the two partnered to clean the ditch plugged by erosion from Exit 290 south towards the Landfill. Great job everyone & thank you.

Religious Faiths recognize a number of holidays this time of the year. Some traditions include illuminated decorations. Light can help our behavioral health too so if you have a little urge to display some holiday lighting, please do. You may help someone feel better, maybe you as well.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Victory Lutheran Church in Jamestown announces the cancellation of this year’s Community Christmas Dinner.

The Church Statement says:  “It is with much thought and with concern for the health and safety of its volunteers and the community of Jamestown due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, Victory Lutheran Church has cancelled its 17th Annual Community Christmas Dinner.  Victory Lutheran has appreciated the efforts of the many volunteers the past 16 years who have made this dinner possible each year and look forward to serving the Community Christmas Dinner again next year.”

On line, visit: findvictory.org

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Medical Expense Assistance Program (MEAP) applications are scheduled to open Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 10:00 AM CST and will close at 5:00 pm on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 CST.

The MEAP is a new program designed for first responders and frontline healthcare workers and provides financial assistance for COVID-19 related expenses. Eligible applicants may qualify to receive funding up to $5,000.

“Healthcare workers and first responders are on the front lines of our fight against the coronavirus, and this program provides another measure of relief for those who become COVID-positive,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. “We’re deeply grateful for their tireless service and critical roles in saving lives and caring for our citizens during this pandemic.”

The North Dakota Legislative Budget Section reallocated federal CARES Act dollars on December 3, 2020, to the Department of Commerce for MEAP to provide medical expense assistance to support first responders and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of North Dakota is required by federal regulations to spend the dollars by the end of 2020.

To be eligible for MEAP, an applicant must:

  • be a first responder or frontline healthcare worker infected with COVID-19 (employee or volunteer) per Executive Orders 2020-12 and 2020-12.2, and
  • have received a positive COVID-19 medical diagnosis, and
  • have been denied a claim, or have not applied, for workers’ compensation benefits from WSI for COVID-19.

 

Applicants may be eligible for $1,000 award if they meet the above eligibility requirements. They may be eligible for an additional $4,000 if they did not have private health insurance coverage at the time they received treatment for COVID-19.

“Healthcare workers and first responders are on the front line of COVID-19 and Commerce understands the importance of supporting these workers,” Interim Commerce Commissioner, Shawn Kessel said. “We appreciate the North Dakota Emergency Commission and the Budget Section of the legislature for approving the funds necessary to create this program.”

Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding will be approved if the application meets all criteria and funding is available. Contact MEAP Hotline at meap@nd.gov or 701-328-6004 with questions.

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Authorities say a man whose body was found in a Grand Forks motel room over the weekend was the victim of a homicide. Police said Monday in a release that 55-year-old Jeffrey Shulzitski, of Grand Forks, suffered injuries that were consistent with “homicidal violence.” The statement said his death does not appear to be a random act and police do not believe there is any danger to the public. Officers discovered the body Saturday afternoon when they were called to the Budget Inn Express for a welfare check. Police say the investigation is ongoing and did not release further information.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota’s top law enforcement officer says a measure legalizing marijuana in the state is legal and a lawsuit challenging it should be tossed out. Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s office asked a judge in court filings Thursday to dismiss the lawsuit by Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom and Highway Patrol Superintendent Rick Miller. South Dakota in November became the first state to legalize recreational and medical pot on the same ballot, after supporters of the two measures joined forces and promoted them as a package deal.

In world and national news

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s top elections official has recertified the state’s election results after a recount confirmed once again that Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump in the state. Trump requested this recount, which is the third tally showing Biden won Georgia. State law allows a losing candidate to request a recount if the margin between the candidates is within 0.5%. Results certified by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger last month showed that Biden led by a margin of 12,670 votes, or 0.25% of the roughly 5 million ballots cast. An audit involving a hand count of the paper ballots also showed Biden won.

Update

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani is “doing very well” after testing positive for the coronavirus. Trump says he spoke with Giuliani on Monday and that he had “no temperature.” The 76-year-old former New York mayor was exhibiting some symptoms and was admitted Sunday to Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He is the latest in Trump’s inner circle to contract the disease that is now surging across the country. Giuliani has traveled extensively to battleground states in an effort to help Trump subvert his election loss to Joe Biden. On many occasions, Giuliani has met with officials for hours at a time without wearing a mask.

 

(AP) New COVID-19 cases are reaching record levels in South Carolina and a teacher group is asking districts to go back to all virtual teaching until this second spike in the virus can be flattened. The plea was given more emotional weight over the weekend after the death of 50-year-old third grade teacher Staci Blakely from COVID-19. Her family asked the school district to announce her death publicly to remind people how serious the disease can be, District Superintendent Greg Little said in a statement. Nearly a quarter of the state’s school districts are teaching in person every day.

 

HONOLULU (AP) — U.S. servicemen and women and National Park Service officials have gathered at Pearl Harbor to remember those killed in the attack. But elderly survivors stayed home to pay respects from afar of the coronavirus pandemic’s health risks. The U.S. military streamed the ceremony for survivors and others unable to attend in person. The USS Arizona ship bell rang at 7:55 a.m. That was the minute that the attack began 79 years ago. It was used to start a moment of silence. Military jets flew over the harbor in missing man formation. The Marines performing the rifle salute wore black masks during the ceremony to a small crowd.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The leader of a utility in Maine says a nor’easter over the weekend was “one of the biggest storms in terms of destruction in this century in the last 20 years.” Central Maine Power executive David Flangan says power won’t be fully restored for some customers in hard-hit areas until Wednesday night. The storm brought heavy snow, sleet, rain and powerful gusts that knocked out electricity to more than 225,000 customers Saturday and Sunday in Maine. It was the hardest-hit state in New England. Some utility polls were snapped and had to be replaced.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — The co-owner of a New York City bar accused of defying coronavirus restrictions is coming under fire from top officials on Monday after he was charged with running over a sheriff’s deputy with his car. Gov. Andrew Cuomo called Danny Presti a “coward” on Monday, while Mayor Bill de Blasio said he should face “very, very serious consequences.” Presti was arraigned Sunday on third-degree assault and other charges. The Staten Island man was expected to respond to the allegations at a news conference on Monday.