Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Dec 15

CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…Partly sunny. Highs 20 to 25. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 10 to 15. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of snow in the morning. Highs in the mid 30s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 15. West winds 5 to

10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. South winds 5 to

15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20.

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Highs in

the lower 30s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above.

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

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

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

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows in the upper 20s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 40.

 

 

Jamestown  (JPD Maj Justin Blinsky)  Jamestown Police report that on Saturday December 12, 2020, at approximately 10:09 p.m.,, the Jamestown Police Department was dispatched to a 911 hang up call at 408 Business Loop West (Two Rivers Inn West Motel). Dispatch attempted to call the phone number back and the individual who answered the phone reported it to have been a misdial. Officers responded to verify there was no emergency. It was determined the individuals involved were in a relationship and were having an argument, but no physical violence occurred. It was determined no crime had been committed, at that time. Officers left the location.

Later at 10-22-p.m. the Jamestown Police Department was dispatched back to 408 Business Loop West (Two Rivers Inn West Motel) to investigate a report of a Domestic Assault which had just occurred. The female victim called 911 to report she had just been punched in the face by a male suspect, who she is in a domestic relationship with and the phone call was abruptly disconnected. It was determined the individuals involved in this incident were the same individuals involved in the earlier incident. Officers responded to the location.

Upon arrival, Officers contacted a male suspect, who opened the door to the lobby area of the motel, which he is living in. The male suspect was asked to step into the motel office, but he refused and attempted to close the door on officers. Due to exigent circumstances, Officers stopped the door from being closed as the male turned and began running to a side door. Officers attempted to stop the suspect. He turned around as he reached the side door and presented a large kitchen knife toward Officers.
After displaying the knife, the male tripped over the doorway and fell, landing outside on the pavement of the parking lot. The knife became dislodged from his hand. An Officer attempted to retrieve the knife, but the suspect was able to roll over and gain control of it again. Officers gave the male suspect commands to drop the knife or he would be tased. The suspect refused to comply with those commands. After several additional commands to drop the knife were given, the suspect told the Officers they would have to shoot him and he attempted to get up from the ground. An Officer successfully deployed his Taser, but the knife could not be taken from the male suspect. The suspect was given additional commands to drop the knife but refused and attempted to get off the ground a second time. An Officer successfully Tased the suspect a second time, which caused the knife to become loose in the suspect’s hand. Officers were able to gain control over the knife and the male was taken into custody.

The male suspect has been identified as 50-year-old Daniel Edwin Kostecky of Jamestown. Kostecky was arrested on suspicion of Simple Assault (Domestic Violence) and Terrorizing. He was initially transported to Jamestown Regional Medical Center for medical evaluation and later transported to another facility for further evaluation. Formal Charges are pending with the Stutsman County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The Jamestown Police Department was assisted by the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office and Jamestown Area Ambulance. This incident remains under investigation.

NDDoH

ND Covid Stats

Mon Dec 14, 2020

11:00-a.m.

 

Barnes County

New Positives:  0

Total Positives: 1177

Active:  50

Recovered: 1105

 

Stutsman County

New Positives: 8

Total Positives:  2882

Active: 144

Recovered: 2672

 

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

The team continues to work on a solution and is hoping to have all of the pages up soon. For now, you’ll find the first page of the dashboard on the website.

A couple of things to note:

• The NDDoH is following the guidance from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) – the independent professional body that determines case definitions for the country. CSTE guidance and the CDC indicate that someone who has a positive antigen test for COVID-19 should be considered a probable case. Probable cases receive the same level of case investigation and follow-up as cases confirmed using a PCR test.
• PCR tests and antigen tests are displayed separately on the first page of the dashboard and are broken out into daily and cumulative totals on the second page. For the rest of the graphs and maps, totals include both PCR tests and antigen tests combined.
• Antigen tests are not taken into account in the percent positivity. Some testing facilities are not reporting all antigen testing. As a result, we do not know the total number of negatives and total tests completed to be able to calculate a positivity rate.
• Positive antigen tests have been added to the totals. The past positive antigen tests and 12 deaths reported yesterday are reflected on the dashboard on the actual day they were resulted. So, the daily new positives reported today are the PCR tests and antigen tests reported from yesterday, as is usually done.

BY THE NUMBERS

3,603 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,233,700 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

201 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

188 – PCR Tests | 13 antigen tests
88,067 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

5.68% – Daily Positivity Rate** 

 

3,592 – Total Active Cases

-100 Individuals from Yesterday

383 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (361 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

83,318 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

277 – Currently Hospitalized

+7 – Individuals from yesterday

 

5 – New Deaths*** (1,157 total deaths since the pandemic began)

 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID

• Man in his 70s from Adams County.
• Man in his 90s from Burleigh County.
• Man in his 80s from Burleigh County.
• Man in his 60s from Morton County.
• Woman in her 60s from Sioux County.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED MONDAY

• Benson County – 1
• Burleigh County – 49
• Cass County – 41
• Cavalier County – 1
• Golden Valley County – 1
• Grand Forks County – 6
• LaMoure County – 1
• Logan County – 2
• McKenzie County – 1
• McLean County – 3
• Mercer County – 1
• Morton County – 20
• Mountrail County – 1
• Pembina County – 3
• Pierce County – 15
• Ramsey County – 4
• Ransom County – 1
• Renville County – 1
• Richland County – 2
• Rolette County – 4
• Sargent County – 3
• Sioux County – 3
• Stark County – 5
• Stutsman County – 8
• Towner County – 1
• Traill County – 5
• Ward County – 17
• Williams County – 1

 

* Note that this includes PCR tests and does not include individuals from out of state.

**Individuals who tested positive divided by the total number of people tested who have not previously tested positive (susceptible encounters). Antigen tests (positive or negative) are not included in the calculation.

*** Number of individuals who tested positive with a PCR or antigen test and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19. Please remember that deaths are reported as they’re reported to us by the facility or through the official death record (up to 10-day delay).

 

**** The actual date individuals are officially out of isolation and no longer contagious.

*****Daily positive numbers include people who tested with a PCR or antigen test. 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  (JSND)  Job Service North Dakota has partnered with ID.me to provide simple and secure online identity proofing. ID.me will be integrated within UI ICE Thursday, Dec. 17.

New claim filers and unemployment insurance claimants who use UI ICE or Job Service’s automated telephone system to certify that they are eligible for weekly benefits will be directed to an ID.me login where they go through a one-time identity proofing process. They will need to present an email address, social security number, Photo ID (including Driver’s License, Passport, Passport Card or State ID) and be using either a mobile phone with a camera or a computer. ID.me representatives will be available via video call to help troubleshoot.

The identification verification process may take up to 48 hours to complete from the point ID.me successfully verifies an identity.

Job Service North Dakota is asking all Unemployment Insurance claimants to log on to UI ICE before Sunday, Dec. 20 to begin the one-time verification process so that it will not delay your claim certifications or payments. Individuals will be able to begin the process on Thursday, Dec 17.  Those individuals with existing, active claims that are regularly waiting to go through the ID.me verification until they certify their eligibility could see a 24-to 48-hour delay in the receipt of their weekly benefit payment.

The process for users is four easy steps:

1. Click “Verify with ID.me”
   2. Create an ID.me account
   3. Secure your account
   4. Verify your identity

ID.me’s next-generation identity platform provides identity proofing, authentication, and group affiliation verification for government and businesses across sectors. It brings best-in-class identity and fraud capabilities into a comprehensive, easy-to-deploy solution. This partnership will strengthen Job Service North Dakota’s cyber security. ID.me uses stronger encryption than many financial institutions and is certified by the US Government to enable citizens to access sensitive information from federal agencies.

ID.me meets the highest federal standards for online identity proofing and authentication, without compromising access for hard-to-identify groups. ID.me’s technology is used by more than 22 million individuals and 350 partners, including federal and state agencies, healthcare organizations, financial institutions, retailers, and nonprofits.

Jamestown  (NDFU)  – Mark Watne of Velva was reelected to an eighth year as North Dakota Farmers Union president at the organization’s 94^th annual state convention, broadcast virtually from Jamestown on Friday, Dec. 11, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his message to delegates, Watne touched upon the resiliency of farmers and what they have learned from past experiences, farm bills and ag policies. He says, “Remember when trade was the answer? But to get that trade, we’re going to price [commodities] low,” he recalled farmers were told and shared statistics that show the U.S. world market share of corn, soybeans and wheat is lower today than 20 years ago.  We’re not really winning the trade war… and the lower prices are causing farmers worldwide to suffer.

Many ag economists and politicians continue to repeat the mythical idea that lower crop prices will increase trade. We have to rethink this process. Knowing what we know today should open the door to an agriculture future that is focused on diverse family farms and ranch operations with a fair and free market.”

To achieve fairer markets and improve farm income, Farmers Union delegates adopted six policy resolutions and initiatives focused on:

• Strengthening biofuel markets;
• Implementing a farmer-focused approach to climate change;
• Improving the farm bill safety net;
• Improving food security and deconsolidating America’s food supply chain;
• Restoring competition to the livestock industry; and
• Supporting state legislation that directs Legacy Fund earnings toward infrastructure expansion, such as competitively-priced, high-speed broadband in rural areas; and expanded livestock processing in the state.

Sen. John Hoeven and former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp also addressed delegates virtually during the convention, sharing ideas and initiatives they are working on to further family farm and ranch agriculture.

Valley City  (VCSU) Valley City State University will hold a virtual commencement ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 17, to honor its graduating class during the 2020 summer and fall semesters. VCSU will recognize 95 graduates – 81 will receive bachelor’s degrees and 14 will receive master’s degrees.

The VCSU virtual ceremony will play on the university’s YouTube channel at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17.

VCSU President, Dr. Alan LaFave says, “Although we wish we could honor our graduates with an in-person ceremony, we trust that this virtual ceremony will provide a way to recognize their accomplishments. We are also inviting all the graduates back to campus to participate in our next in-person commencement ceremony.”

Graduating senior Brady Matheny (Lisbon, N.D.) will deliver the undergraduate reflection, and the faculty reflection will be presented by Lee Kruger, associate professor of English.

A Kudoboard, a digital message board, has been set up to convey well-wishes and congratulations to the winter 2020 graduates. Please visit the Kudoboard site to leave a message or welcome the new graduates to the VCSU alumni family. Parents, families, and friends of graduates are also welcome to leave messages.

You can access the Kudoboard here.

In sports…

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The football game between rivals Minnesota and Wisconsin will be played after all. Big Ten officials announced Sunday that the contest that was called off last month due to concern over COVID-19 cases within the Gophers program is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. It would be the 130th meeting between the teams, which is the longest-running uninterrupted series in Football Bowl Subdivision history and is the most-played rivalry in FBS history. Wisconsin and Minnesota have played every year since 1907. Wisconsin leads the all-time series 61-60-8 and the teams have traded road wins in the last two matchups.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rank-and-file Democrats appear increasingly resigned to having to drop a demand for fiscal relief for states and local governments in a new COVID-19 relief package. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continues to press for help for struggling states and localities, whose budgets have been thrown out of balance by the pandemic. But top Democratic allies of President-elect Joe Biden came out in support of a $748 billion plan offered by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and hinted they won’t insist on state and local aid now. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has signaled he’s willing to drop liability protections for businesses if Democrats drop that demand.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds more U.S. hospitals are gearing up to vaccinate their workers, and federal health officials are reviewing a second COVID-19 shot. About 400 hospitals and other health care facilities will get their first shipments of the Pfizer vaccine on Tuesday. The expansion comes one day after the nation’s death toll surpassed a staggering 300,000. State officials are rationing the first shots to front-line health workers and nursing home residents. In Washington, D.C, the Food and Drug Administration is set to publish its analysis of a second potential COVID-19 vaccine, developed by drugmaker Moderna. If cleared, U.S. officials predict they will have supplies to give 20,000 first injections by year’s end.

 

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Joe Biden on winning the U.S. presidential election after weeks of holding out. Putin’s message to Biden on Tuesday came a day after the Electoral College confirmed Biden as the nation’s next president. The Russian president is one of the last world leaders to congratulate Biden. The Kremlin maintained Putin was holding off on doing so until the election results were officially confirmed. In his message, Putin wished Biden “every success” and expressed confidence that “Russia and the U.S., which bear special responsibility for global security and stability can, despite the differences, really contribute to solving many problems and challenges that the world is currently facing.”

 

ATLANTA (AP) — As Republicans try to brand Georgia’s Democratic candidates as puppets who would ensure a leftist takeover of the Senate, Democrats believe they have a helpful counter to the exaggerated attacks: President-elect Joe Biden. Biden is the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Georgia since 1992. Biden will return to the state Tuesday to campaign alongside Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock ahead of the Jan. 5 runoff elections that will determine Senate control. Democrats see Biden as well suited to make his party’s case in Georgia, an emerging battleground where a Democratic victory statewide still requires support from moderates and perhaps even Republican-leaning independents.

 

NEW DELHI (AP) — With Americans, Britons and Canadians rolling up their sleeves to receive coronavirus vaccines, the route out of the pandemic now seems clear to many in the West, even if the rollout will take many months. But for poorer countries, the road will be far longer and rougher. An ambitious initiative known as COVAX was created to ensure the entire world has access to COVID-19 vaccines. But it has secured only a fraction of the 2 billion doses it hopes to buy over the next year, has yet to confirm any actual deals to ship out vaccines and is short on cash. The virus has exposed vast inequities between countries. Now some experts say the chances that coronavirus shots will be shared fairly between rich nations and the rest are fading fast.

 

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A Nigerian online newspaper says the country’s Boko Haram jihadist rebels have claimed responsibility for the abduction of hundreds of students in an attack on a boys’ school in northern Katsina State. Missing are 333 students from the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State after gunmen with assault rifles attacked their school Friday night. The Daily Nigerian reported that it received an audio message from Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau saying that his group abducted the schoolboys because Western education is against the tenets of Islam. The government said a joint rescue operation by Nigeria’s police, air force and army after the military has engaged in gunfights with the attackers after locating their hideout in the Zango/Paula forest.

 

Shares have opened higher in Europe after a lackluster day in Asia as investors wait to see if Congress can break a logjam on delivering more aid to people, businesses and local governments affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 fell Tuesday after Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced a suspension of a travel promotion program that has helped businesses but also is thought to have helped spark a resurgence of coronavirus outbreaks. Overnight, the S&P 500 slipped 0.4% after gaining as much as 0.9% earlier. The index is coming off its worst weekly performance since Halloween, and extended its losing streak to four consecutive trading days. Treasury yields rose.