Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Dec 18

CSi Weather…

.REST O TODAY… Clearing. Highs around 30. Temperatures falling into the upper teens in the afternoon. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph.

 

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Colder. Lows 5 to 10 above. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts to around 25 mph shifting to the

south after midnight.

.SATURDAY…Increasing clouds. Highs in the upper 30s. Southwest

winds 10 to 20 mph.

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

winds 15 to 20 mph.

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

10 to 15 mph.

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

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs around 40.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 20s.

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

in the lower 30s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in

the evening. Lows 5 to 10 above.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows near zero.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

Impacts to the region sometime early next week ahead of Christmas, most likely during the Tuesday/early Wednesday time period.

Much colder temperatures for Wed and Thu (Christmas Eve).

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota health officials are reporting a rise in infections and deaths due to complications from COVID-19, but a drop in hospitalizations.  The 10 new deaths confirmed Thursday bring the statewide death toll from the virus to 1,204. The state’s death count is the fourth highest per capita at 157 deaths per 100,000 people. The state said there were 148 people hospitalized with COVID-19 on Thursday, a decrease of 12. There have been more than 89,000 positive tests since the start of the pandemic, including 381 reported on Thursday.

 

NDDoH

ND Covid Stats

Thurs. Dec 17, 2020

11:00-a.m.

 

Barnes County

New Positives:  12

Total Positives: 1194

Active:  41

Recovered:  41

 

Stutsman County

New Positives: 17

Total Positives:  2927

Active:  130

Recovered: 2730

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

BY THE NUMBERS

7,176 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,249,401 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

381 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

323 – PCR Tests | 58 antigen tests
89,064 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

4.97% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

2,984 – Total Active Cases

+28 Individuals from Yesterday

340 – Individuals Recovered from Yesterday (335 with a recovery date of yesterday****)

84,875 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

148 – Currently Hospitalized

-12 – Individuals from yesterday

 

10 – New Deaths*** (1,204 total deaths since the pandemic began)

 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID

• Man in his 60s from Burleigh County.
• Woman in her 90s from Burleigh County.
• Man in his 70s from McLean County.
• Man in his 50s from Richland County.
• Man in his 60s from Richland County.
• Woman in her 80s from Stark County.
• Woman in her 90s from Stark County.
• Man in his 70s from Traill County.
• Man in his 90s from Ward County.
• Woman in her 70s from Wells County.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY

• Adams County – 1
• Barnes County – 12
• Benson County – 5
• Bowman County – 2
• Burleigh County – 36
• Cass County – 89
• Dickey County – 8
• Dunn County – 2
• Emmons County – 3
• Foster County – 3
• Golden Valley County – 2
• Grand Forks County – 28
• Hettinger County – 1
• Kidder County – 1
• LaMoure County – 1
• Logan County – 1
• McHenry County – 1
• McKenzie County – 9
• McLean County – 2
• Mercer County – 6
• Morton County – 14
• Mountrail County – 4
• Oliver County – 2
• Pembina County – 3
• Ramsey County – 10
• Richland County – 17
• Rolette County – 30
• Sargent County – 2
• Sheridan County – 1
• Sioux County – 8
• Stark County – 2
• Stutsman County – 17
• Towner County – 6
• Traill County – 7
• Walsh County – 4
• Ward County – 19
• Williams County – 22

 

* 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.

 

Valley City (CCHD)  The COVID-19 testing site in Valley City is now every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1pm to 2pm  at the VCSU Fieldhouse, “Bubble.”

Theresa Will says BiNAX rapid test being offered on Wednesday’s and Friday’s is accurate.

Face masks are required waiting in line at the test site. Those who need assistance should use the east entrance, others can use the west door. Register online at testreg.nd.gov. No need to registered more than one time.

She also says, the first Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in Barnes County will be available the week of December 21, 2020, to be administered first to healthcare workers.

In January of early February the vaccine is anticipated to be available to the general public.

She says a few individuals will be  susceptible to an allergic reaction to the COVID-10 vaccines.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Committees met in joint session Thursday afternoon at City Hall.  All members were present.

Due to the pandemic, physical access to City Hall is restricted. The Council Chambers is currently limited to 8 occupants. The lobby is limited to 10. Masks are required. You may access an agenda at www.JamestownND.gov or by emailing info@JamestownND.gov.

Access the meeting remotely through Microsoft Teams.

 

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

 

Considered was accepting the proposal from SRF Consulting for Planning and Zoning Technical Services for 2021 in an amount not to exceed $60,000.   The Committee recommends approval..

Considered the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Abatement applications for 909 9th Ave NE, 58401.  City Assessor Jamison Veil said the property owner said the property was over evaluated, and had the property reassessed, and the committee recommended approving each abatement after the properties were re-evaluated.  For 2018, $147,000, for 2019 152,000, for 2020 $154,000.

Also recommended for  approved was the 2019 and 2020 Abatement applications for 518 14th St NE, 58401. Jamison Veil said his office approved the abatements, as requested, for reductions.

The committee is  recommending the City Council accepting the updated Special Assessment Policy and to publish notice of a public hearing to be held at the February 1, 2021, City Council meeting. The changes were detailed by City Administrator Hellekson, while others remained in the original policy and were recommended by the committee for approval.

Recommended for approval was the request from Andrea Huus, owner of Blazer Inc d.b.a. Shady’s, which is a separate entity from the Gladstone Inn and Suites, but located within the Gladstone Inn and Suites, to alter the on/off-sale liquor license to on-sale liquor license only as of January 1, 2021 through the remainder of the licensing year, June 30, 2021, since the hotel has been closed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.  The off-sale was used for patrons to bring drinks to their rooms.

 

(To be addressed at the 17th Spcl Council Mtg to follow)

Considered the request from the ND Department of Human Services to approve an MOU between the Jamestown Police Department and the South Central Human Services Center for the collection of abandoned property, unknown substances or illicit/controlled substances, and authorize the Police Chief to enter into the agreement on behalf of the City. Assistant Police Chief, Major Justin Blinsky said the agreement is so each party is aware of the policy in effect.  He said the police department has no concerns about approving the MOU, and the committee recommends approval.

 

INFORMATIONAL: The appointment applications for Stutsman County Weed Board (city resident), Civil Service Commission, Fire Code Board of Appeals, and Board of Adjustment will be placed on the January 4, 2021, city council agenda.

 

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

 

Considered was the request from Paul Goehner for annexation of property located at 2806 8th Ave SW, Jamestown, ND, legally described as LOWRY’S SUB DIV, BLOCK 12, Lot 1 – 2, ACRES 1, & THE EAST 7.7′ OF LOT 3, & 1/2 OF THE VACATED ALLEY ADJACENT TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE SAID LOTS 1, 2, & EAST 7.7′ OF LOT 3 (CERTIFICATE OF SURVEY #0230635), within the SE1/4 of Section 2, T139N, R64W, Woodbury Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota.   Zoning Administrator Tom Blackmore was on hand, with no questions asked, and the committee recommends approving the request.

Considered the request from Commonwealth for a license agreement pertaining to the city-owned parking lot located at 116 3rd St SW Jamestown, ND.  Tom Blackmore as City Building Inspector said the request pertains to the set back, and requested an 11 foot set back of no-build  in the parking lot in the license agreement.   Mayor Heinrich’s concern is that a clause be included, if in the future, a building is no longer at the property, and will then not be in force.  The committee recommends the request be reviewed and forwarded to the city council.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

 

Considered recommending the City Council approve the changes to the Frontier Village vendor leases, authorize the City Attorney to modify the leases, and authorize the City Administrator to enter into the agreements.  The committee recommends the city attorney review the modified  vendor leases, authorization agreement.

 

INFORMATIONAL: Community calendar distribution this week from Jamestown Tourism.

Director Searle Swedlund said the calendar was distributed, Thursday to the city and other entities in Jamestown, for the public to pick up.

 

INFORMATIONAL: Civic Center January 2021 events scheduled. Mansger Pam Fosse said there have been an increase in rescheduled events that were previously postponed.

 

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

 

INFORMATIONAL: Police department and municipal court general update, training, COVID-19 protocols and precautions observed, and implemented. Major Blinsky explained that virtual trainings are being added, for certifications.  In Municipal Court proceedings are in person with physical distancing being observed.  He said the police officers are still masked and observing physical distancing, added that officers will be receiving COVID-19 vaccinations when available.

INFORMATIONAL: City Fire Chief Jim Reuther with the Fire Department update, inspections, training, COVID-19 protocols and precautions observed, and implemented. He said fire fighters continue with training with the new Ladder Truck 1 with the manufacturer representative in town to oversee the training.  He added that the fire fighters will receive the vaccine when it becomes available.

 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

 

The committee is recommending the City Council approve and authorize entering into Supplemental Agreement No. 1, as a part of the September 8, 2016, agreement between the City and Interstate Engineering to close Cell 3B Jamestown Sanitary Landfill. ( To be addressed at the Spcl Council Mtg to follow).

 

The committee recommends the City Council approve the verbiage for the engraved pavers for the Main Street Road Diet Project, the pavers and installation to be paid by the NDDOT, and the engraving to be paid by the Jamestown Downtown Association with grant funds.  The committee members have received specific information on the plan.  The JDA is asking for city approval.

Searle Swedlund said the pavers will note historical aspects of Jamestown including people from the past and still living.  He said there are plans to be a booklet published to further tell the stories.

 

The committee recommend approving the following pertaining to the 2021 Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District No. 21-41:

1. To create the district.
2. To direct the preparation of a preliminary engineering report concerning the district.
3. To approve the preliminary engineering report on the district.
4. To declare it necessary to construct the district and direct the City Administrator to publish notice

of a public hearing concerning the district.

 

Discussed and considered was the State Transportation Improvement Projects List (STIP List) and recommend a final prioritized list to the City Council for approval at the January 4, 2021, City Council meeting.  Interstate Engineering’s Travis Dillman said on the priority list in concreting the base of Mill Hill starting at the Dairy Queen location.  In the future the railroad viaduct may be address to improve traffic flows, and needs to involve the railroad in discussions.

The committee recommends approving the prioritization list.

 

The committee further discussed  the high volume of wood waste, as requested by this committee at the October 22, 2020 meeting.  Suggested was increasing the price of disposal, to offset costs of handling the disposal at the landfill.  Also discussed was grinding processes of the disposed of material.  The committee made no recommendation, and will further discuss options in the future.

The committee recommends the City Council award the quote for 2021 Chemicals for the City of Jamestown water treatment and wastewater collection and treatment, to Marc Chemical of Fargo, ND, as outlined  (for bacteria enzymes in the amount of $131.50 per 25-pound container, and to Hawkins Water Treatment of Fargo, ND, for chlorine at $748 per one-ton cylinder, hydrofluosilicic acid at $4.65 per gallon, and sulfur dioxide at $1,284 per one-ton cylinder.)  (To be on the following Spcl Council Mtg).

Recommended by committee is that the City Council award the quote for 2021 Lime to Killoran Trucking of Buffalo, ND, in the amount of $166.07 per ton, at an estimated annual amount of 1,900 tons of lime for an estimated annual cost of $315,533. (To be addressed at the Spcl Council Mtg to follow).

The committee recommends approving Change Order No. 2, to CC Steel, LLC, for construction on Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Improvements 20-31 (Lift Station No. 20), for a net increase in the contract price of $8,250.00, and the completion time to March 1, 2021.

Recommended by the committee was  the Final Balancing Change Order (Change Order No. 4) to Scherbenske Inc., for a decrease of $65,377.09 for the 2020 Watermain Improvement Project (J19-00-088, City Project 20-61).

 

The committee recommends the approval of a final loan application under the Drinking Water Act to fund the 2020 Watermain Improvement Project (J19-00-088, City Project 20-61) and authorize the City Administrator to execute and file the application with the ND Department of Environmental Quality on behalf of the City. (On the Spcl Council Mtg to follow).

 

The committee is  recommending using up to $500,000 Municipal Infrastructure Funds (Prairie Dog Funds) to finance the Stormwater Project 21-71 (UJ Stormwater). (Also on the  Spcl Council Mtg to follow).  The design is currently in process in conjunction with the UJ Taylor Stadium reconstruction project.  Mayor Heinrich said the $2.5-million from the state funding has been received by the city, adding the funds in this case will lessen the Special Assessments that otherwise would have been incurred by residents.   The reconstruction project is a cooperative venture between the Jamestown Public School District and the University of Jamestown.

INFORMATIONAL: City Engineer project updates including improvements to various sewer lift stations.  The river banks stabilization project is proceeding as scheduled.  Travis Dillman noted recent water main breaks, that have been repaired.

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

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session on Thursday evening at City Hall.

All members were present.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED BY VOICE VOTE WITH OUT OPPOSITION:

 

(To provide more time to discuss controversial or disputed issues, the Council will consider the items on the consent agenda together at the beginning of the public meeting. These items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. If a member of the City Council or public requests to be heard on one of these items, the Council will remove the item from the consent agenda and consider that item individually.)

 

Items recommended for approval at the committee meetings held prior on Thursday.

 

• A Resolution to accept the quote and authorize the City Administrator and Mayor to enter into an agreement for 2021 Chemicals for the City of Jamestown water treatment and wastewater collection and treatment, to Marc Chemical of Fargo, ND, for bacteria enzymes in the amount of $131.50 per 25-pound container, and to Hawkins Water Treatment of Fargo, ND, for chlorine at $748 per one-ton cylinder, hydrofluosilicic acid at $4.65 per gallon, and sulfur dioxide at $1,284 per one-ton cylinder.
• A Resolution to accept the quote and authorizing the City Administrator and Mayor to enter into an agreement for 2021 Lime to Killoran Trucking of Buffalo, ND, in the amount of $166.07 per ton, at an estimated annual amount of 1,900 tons of lime for an estimated annual cost of $315,533.
• A Resolution to approve the request from Andrea Huus, owner of Blazer Inc d.b.a. Shady’s, which is a separate entity from the Gladstone Inn and Suites, but located within the Gladstone Inn and Suites, to alter the on/off-sale liquor license to on-sale liquor license only as of January 1, 2021 through the remainder of the licensing year, June 30, 2021, since the hotel has been closed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
• A Resolution to approve the Supplemental Agreement No. 1, as a part of the September 8, 2016, agreement between the City and Interstate Engineering to close Cell 3B Jamestown Sanitary Landfill and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to enter into the agreement.
• A Resolution to approve the final loan application under the Drinking Water Act to fund the 2020 Watermain Improvement Project (J19-00-088, City Project 20-61) and authorize the City Administrator to execute and file the application with the ND Department of Environmental Quality on behalf of the City.

 

• Item F was removed for further discussion by Council Member Buchanan, aResolution to approve up to $500,000 Municipal Infrastructure Funds (Prairie Dog Funds) to finance the Stormwater Project 21-71 (UJ Stormwater). He said that the approval of 25 percent of the Praire Dog Funds is acting in haste for a project still in progress, adding the other infrastructure projects should be considered.

 

• Mayor Heinrich said the half million dollars is less that 25 percent. He said the UJ Place project was in his opinion not subsidized by the city. He added that Taylor Stadium will be used by others in the committee as a joint use facility, and he does not see the funding as subsidizing UJ.

 

• Council Member Steele said the storm water rerouting is a project that would have to be performed at a later date, and is not a stadium project.

 

• A motion to approve passed 4-1 with Council Member Buchanan voting in opposition.

 

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

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Arts Center suggests giving the Gift of Art for Christmas.

On Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Director Mindi Schmitz said again this Saturday from 10-a.m. to 2-p.m. the Arts Center invites the community to meet Artist in Residence, Linda Roesch as she talks about her inspiration behind the art work created during her time in Jamestown, working with Jamestown Public Schools since 2017.

Original Art and Studio prints are for sale through the Arts Center, with dozen on display in the gallery.

Also ask about commissioning a portrait of your special, person, pet or place.

The Arts Center also has gift certificates available to purchase, for memberships, art classes, and art purchases.

As always Mindi said when at the Arts Center, wear a face mask and observe social distancing.

Other classes coming up with Lisa Lang The Happy Mermaid include Editing Photos with Lightroom or Photoshop, January 9, 2021 from 1:30-p.m., to 4:30-p.m.  The class is for those wanting to learn how to use Adobe Lightroom, to organize digital files and edit photos.  If you have a lap top computer bring it along with you to class, along with some digital photos for editing.

Coming up on January 16, 2021 there will be photo learning opportunities for middle school and high school students.

Contact the Jamestown Arts Center, for more information and to sign up of classes, at 701-251-2496.

On line visit: jamestownarts.com

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Please note that due to the Christmas & New Year’s Holidays, the Jamestown Baling Facility and Recycling Center will be CLOSED on Friday, December 25, 2020 and Friday, January 1, 2021. The Baling Facility will be closing at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 24, 2020 for Christmas Eve.

The Baling Facility and Recycling Center will resume regular hours on Monday, December 28, 2020.

Baling Facility Open: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and monthly on the second Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to11:00 a.m.
There will be no changes in garbage & recycling collections.
For further information you can contact the Baling Facility at 701-252-5223
and the Recycling Center at 701-320-9218.

WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) — A Southeast District judge has found a school bus driver not guilty of charges resulting from a crash with a train that sent five children to the hospital. Seventy-year-old Michael Skroch was charged with aggravated reckless driving following an investigation by the North Dakota State Patrol. A bus driven by Skroch was hit by the train at a crossing in Lidgerwood in December 2019 causing it to flip on its side. Skroch said he didn’t see the approaching train. The crash injured five of the 18 children on the bus, including one child who suffered a broken back.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s taxable sales and purchases for the third quarter of 2020 decreased 19.5% percent over the same time period the previous year. Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger said taxable sales and purchases for July, August and September totaled $4.72 billion. Rauschenberger said the report released Thursday reflects a similar drop reported in the second quarter. He said the drop “is due to economic disruptions related to the coronavirus and decreasing oil prices.”

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The president of North Dakota State University has issued a personal apology and outlined plans to address recent hate speech incidents and improve the racial climate on campus. In a message to the university community, President Dean Bresciani said it’s important to aggressively speak out against bigotry, racism, and prejudice. A group of NDSU students were recently discovered to be using a slur against Black people on a messaging app, officials said. Bresciani also said two other instances of “potential hate speech” were discovered and brought to the school’s attention. He did not elaborate.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota taxpayers are on the hook for legal expenses in Gov. Doug Burgum’s failed attempt to fill a legislative seat won by a man who died before taking office. Billing records obtained late Wednesday by The Associated Press after an open records request say the Republican governor’s office is claiming more than $12,000 in attorney fees and court costs. The North Dakota Supreme Court in a unanimous ruling last month said Burgum does not have the authority to appoint someone to the state House seat. Burgum had backed the now-deceased winning candidate against an incumbent member of his own party known as a staunch protector of public money.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Bismarck orthodontist Dr. John Warford has been appointed to the North Dakota Board of Higher Education. Gov. Doug Burgum announced Thursday that Warford will serve out the term of Joseph Wetch Jr., who resigned from the board in August. The term expires in June 2024. Warford served as mayor of Bismarck from 2002 to 2014. He was dean of the Gary Tharaldson School of Business at the University of Mary in Bismarck from 2014 to 2017. The higher education board oversees the state’s 11 public colleges and universities.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge has thrown out the lawsuit of an Arizona man who claimed North Dakota law enforcement officers injured him and violated his civil rights during the Dakota Access pipeline protests. U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor ruled that 24-year-old Marcus Mitchell placed himself where he knew less-than-lethal weapons were being used and failed to show that law enforcement officers treated him any differently than anyone else at the protests. Mitchell claimed he was subjected to “excessive violence” by officers who fired beanbag rounds in January 2017 at unarmed protesters, including himself. He sought unspecified money damages.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new monthly survey of bankers suggests the economy is improving in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states. But Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said the region still has about 95,000 fewer jobs than it did before the pandemic began, and it will take many months of growth to erase all the job losses. The overall index for the region improved to 51.6 in December from November’s 46.8. Any score above 50 suggests a growing economy while a score below 50 suggests a shrinking economy. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

In sports…

Thursday…

GIRL’S HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY

Jamestown 3  Devils Lake 0

 

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Lance Jones had 18 points, seven assists and five steals as Southern Illinois rolled past North Dakota 85-64. Gertautas Urbonavicius led the Fighting Hawks with 13 points.

 

SIOUX CITY, Iowa  (UJ) — Kalli Hegerle (JR/West Fargo, N.D.) and Anna Holen (JR/LaMoure, N.D.) of the University of Jamestown volleyball team were named to the Great Plains Athletic Conference volleyball first team Thursday as the conference announced its postseason honors.

UJ head coach Jon Hegerle was also selected as Coach of the Year following the Jimmies’ 18-1 overall record, which included a 15-1 conference mark and the 2020 GPAC title.

In addition, Sydney Ellingson (SR/Langdon, N.D.), Corina Huff (SR/Breezy Point, Minn.), and Jackie Meiklejohn (JR/Dickey, N.D.) earned second-team honors, while Jayla Ritter (JR/Forest Lake, Minn.) and Taylor Sabinash (JR/Kensal, N.D.) nabbed honorable mention nods.

Hegerle had 176 kills from her right side position and hit .289 on the season. She also was credited with 51 total blocks.

Holen, an outside hitter, led UJ with 195 kills and was second on the team with 294 digs. She was a second-team selection a year ago.

Ellingson posted a team-high 328 digs from her libero position and had a .900 serving percentage. She also earned second-team honors in 2019.

Huff recorded 80 total blocks, a team-best. She also had 136 kills while hitting .261 as a middle blocker. She repeated as a second-team selection as well.

Meiklejohn passed out 467 assists, averaging 6.97 assists per set. Her .971 serving percentage was best on the team.

Ritter, a middle blocker, was second on the team with 70 total blocks and had 117 kills to go along with a .259 hitting percentage.

Sabinash hit .283 with 135 kills and had 41 total blocks as a right side hitter.

The GPAC Postseason Tournament will be played April 3, 7, and 10, 2021, and the NAIA Opening Round is set for April 17. The NAIA National Tournament will be held in Sioux City April 27-May 1 at the Tyson Events Center.

2020 GPAC Volleyball All-Conference Teams

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s a hurry up and wait moment on Capitol Hill as congressional negotiators on a must-pass, almost $1 trillion COVID-19 economic relief package struggle through a handful of remaining snags. The holdups mean a weekend session appears virtually certain, and a top lawmaker warned that a government shutdown this weekend can’t be ruled out. All sides appear hopeful the wrangling won’t derail the legislation. The central elements of the hard-fought aid compromise appear in place: more than $300 billion in aid to businesses; a $300-per-week bonus federal jobless benefit and renewal of soon-to-expire state benefits; $600 direct payments to individuals; vaccine distribution funds; and money for renters, schools, the Postal Service and people needing food aid.

 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — One in every five state and federal prisoners in the United States has tested positive for the coronavirus, a rate more than four times higher than the general population. In some states, more than half of prisoners have been infected, according to data collected by The Associated Press and The Marshall Project. As the pandemic enters its 10th month — and as the first Americans begin to receive a long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine — at least 275,000 prisoners have been infected and more than 1,700 have died. New cases in prisons this week reached their highest level since testing began in the spring, far outstripping previous peaks in April and August.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration helped bring about vaccinations against the coronavirus earlier than even some of his own officials had hoped for. But the president has been largely absent from the effort to sell the American public on what aides hope will be a key part of his legacy. Five days into the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history, Trump has held no public events about the rollout. He hasn’t been inoculated. And he’s tweeted only twice about the shot. Vice President Mike Pence has taken center stage, touring a vaccine production facility this week. Pence is set to receive a dose on live television Friday morning.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — All fingers are pointing to Russia as the source of a punishing hack of U.S. government agencies. But President Donald Trump has long been wary of blaming Moscow for cyberattacks and has been silent. The lack of any statement seeking to hold Russia responsible casts doubt on the likelihood of a swift response to the attacks and suggests any retaliation will be left in the hands of President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration. The new administration could have a menu of choices to select from in responding. They include criminal charges, sanctions or retaliations in cyberspace. Biden issued a statement Thursday saying cybersecurity would be a top priority.

 

BEIJING (AP) — Global stocks and U.S. futures are mostly lower after Wall Street hit a new high on optimism over economic stimulus and coronavirus vaccine development despite a spike in U.S. unemployment claims. Markets in Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Frankfurt declined while London opened higher. Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index rose 0.6% overnight after the U.S. government reported the highest level of unemployment claims since September. Investors hope legislators in Washington will agree on a new economic aid package to replace unemployment benefits that are expiring. Progress in developing and distributing vaccines has helped buoy optimism that the U.S. economy might start to recover next year.

 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has begun construction at its underground nuclear facility at Fordo amid tensions with the U.S. over its atomic program. That’s according to satellite images obtained Friday by The Associated Press. Those images from Maxar Technologies show Iran has cleared and dug out a site potentially for a building at Fordo’s northwest corner. That’s where analysts previously identified a cluster of buildings as providing support and research and development there. Iran has not publicly acknowledged the construction. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the International Atomic Energy Agency.