CSi Weather…

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST
WEDNESDAY…INCLUDES BARNES COUNTY.

* WHAT…Snow. Snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches.

* WHERE…Portions of central, north central, northwest and west
central Minnesota and northeast and southeast North Dakota.

* WHEN…Until 6 AM CST Wednesday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow
could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
will impact the evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

The latest road conditions for North Dakota can be found at
dot.nd.gov/travel and for Minnesota at 511mn.org, or by calling

 

Forecast …

TUESDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Snow in the evening. Patchy blowing and

drifting snow through the night. Snow accumulation around 1 inch.

Storm total 2 to 4 inches. Lows 10 to 15. Northwest winds 15 to

20 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Decreasing clouds. Highs around 20. West winds 5 to

15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above. South winds

5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. South winds

10 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 15.

.NEW YEARS DAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 5 to 10 above.

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

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows in the lower 20s.

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

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

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

 

Valley City  (CSi)  Valley City street crews will begin removing snow from streets on Wednesday December 30.

The plans starts snow removal in downtown Valley City after midnight Wednesday morning, starting first with emergency routes.

Following that, crews  remove snow in residential areas starting in the southwest section of the city and continuing to work clockwise throughout the city until snow removal is completed.

Use caution where the snow removal equipment is working.

 

The rate of positive tests for COVID-19 in North Dakota rose to nearly 13% in the last day after hovering between about 3% and 5% during the Christmas holiday. State health officials said Tuesday there were 294 new cases of the coronavirus in the last day, out of a total of 1,530 examinations. A total of 91,829 people have tested positive since the start of the pandemic. Six new deaths were confirmed in the last 24 hours, lifting the total number of fatalities to 1,276. The COVID Tracking Project reports that death count is fourth highest per capita nationwide at 167 deaths per 100,000 people.

NDDoH

Tues. Dec 29, 2020

Barnes County

New Positives:  1

Total Positives: 1228

Active: 19

Recovered: 1182

 

Stutsman County

Antigen tests (BinaxNOW, etc.) were added to the website beginning Dec. 9.

New Positives:  29

Total Positives:  3099

Active:  114

Recovered: 2915

 

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

BY THE NUMBERS

1,530 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,301,140 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

294 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

178 – PCR Tests | 116 – antigen tests
91,829 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

12.70% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

1,701 – Total Active Cases

-177 Individuals from yesterday

292 – with a recovery date of yesterday****

88,854 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

115 – Currently Hospitalized

+7 – Individuals from yesterday

 

6 – New Deaths since yesterday*** (1,276 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 80s from Bottineau County.
  • Woman in her 70s from Cass County.
  • Man in his 60s from Rolette County.
  • Woman in her 50s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 60s from Ward County.
  • Woman in her 60s from Williams County.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TUESDDAY

  • Barnes County – 1
  • Benson County – 5
  • Bottineau County – 1
  • Burke County – 2
  • Burleigh County – 21
  • Cass County – 71
  • Dickey County – 7
  • Eddy County – 1
  • Emmons County – 1
  • Foster County – 1
  • Golden Valley County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 20
  • Griggs County – 2
  • LaMoure County – 2
  • McHenry County – 2
  • McIntosh County – 1
  • McKenzie County – 3
  • McLean County – 1
  • Mercer County – 1
  • Morton County – 11
  • Pembina County – 1
  • Pierce County – 3
  • Ramsey County – 8
  • Ransom County – 2
  • Renville County – 3
  • Richland County – 4
  • Rolette County – 7
  • Sargent County – 1
  • Sioux County – 3
  • Slope County – 1
  • Stark County – 9
  • Steele County – 1
  • Stutsman County – 29
  • Towner County – 4
  • Traill County – 6
  • Walsh County – 11
  • Ward County – 35
  • Wells County – 1
  • Williams County – 10

 

* 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.

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District reports they will hold COVID 19 testing   from 10 am to 12 noon at the Jamestown Civic Center,  using the Rapid Testing, BinaxNow  again Wed., Dec. 30.

By screening with rapid antigen tests, event attendees will be able to receive their test results within 15 minutes via text notification. The test also is less invasive than a PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) test in that it uses a nasal swab to collect a sample from the lower part of the nostril.

If a person tests positive, they should isolate at home immediately and a case investigator will be in touch with them within 24 hours. If the screening yields a negative result, individuals should continue to monitor for symptoms.

Interested individuals should fill out an online survey at testreg.nd.gov for faster registration.

For more information about rapid antigen tests and North Dakota’s screening strategies, visit https://www.health.nd.gov/rapid-antigen-screening

 

Dave Carlsrud

Valley City  (Chamber 12-29-20) Valley City Mayor Dave Carlsrud is again communicating to the community through his regular messages.

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a Blessed and safe “longer weekend”. The weather cooperated, well, “most of the time”.  The Sunday morning snow was a pretty white, it brightened the city and was soft on which to walk. J Decorative lighting even looks more vivid. The snow provides some insulating qualities and should help limit the depth of the frost.

 

Thanks to all of you who have been battling to reduce the COVID numbers in our area.  Barnes County and North Dakota have made great strides though many places around the United States have numbers on the increase. Congratulations on your progress; beware of complacency as it can wreck all you have accomplished.

 

We celebrated Christmas at our house and while the “reason for the season” is the birth of Jesus, we were without our immediate family. We have always gathered with family at Christmas, but with the COVID, this year it was Sue, our dog, our cat and me. I am grateful for the good company and for the ability to communicate with many family members. I hope you had some experiences for which you can be grateful this year as well.

 

This week is New Years; enjoy while using your best judgment.

 

“Never let yesterday use up too much of today.”                               

(Will Rogers)                                                  

 

Blessings, Pray, Be Safe and Be Kind,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

 

Update…

Jamestown (CSi) Stutsman County Sheriff, Chad Kaiser said Tuesday that the pickup reported stolen and remained on the ice cover at Jamestown Reservoir sank while authorities attempted to remove it.

The vehicle sank in between 15 and 30 feet of water near Pelican Point, as the vehicle came across a pressure ridge on the ice cover.

Previously…

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Police reports that multiple charges are pending against a Jamestown man, stemming from a pursuit on Monday morning, that concluded when a vehicle ended up on Jamestown Reservoir ice.

Assistant Police Chief, Major Justin Blinsky says, 19 year old Jon Schuldheisz, was arrested and taken into custody by Jamestown Police, with the assistance of anglers on the reservoir.

Schuldheisz was taken to Jamestown Regional Medical Center for a medical evaluation and then to the Stutsman County Correctional Center, being held on Monday, pending formal charges.

Blinsky reports that the incident started at 1:44 a.m., Monday when residents reported a stolen pickup. The vehicle was spotted by an individual familiar with the vehicle, being aware it had been stolen in the area of the 1000 block of 4th Street Northwest. He fled officers in the pickup and the pursuit was discontinued because the driver was traveling in an extremely reckless manner at high speed.

Shortly after the vehicle was spotted again headed north out of Jamestown on U.S. Highway 52 when another pursuit was engaged. The vehicle turned east in the vicinity of Pelican Point and crashed. The driver was able to continue onto the ice of the Jamestown Reservoir where the vehicle came to a stop.

Schuldheisz fled east on foot and was apprehended.

The vehicle remained on the ice Monday afternoon as authorities looked at how to safely remove it from the reservoir. The ice cover was estimated at up to 8 inches thick, and variable.

The Jamestown Police Department was assisted by the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Area Ambulance, and North Dakota Highway Patrol,

In sports

 

Valley City  (VCSU)  The Valley City State University men’s basketball game scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 2, has been postponed. VCSU’s opponent, Yellowstone Christian College, has postponed the game until a later date.

The Women’s game versus Yellowstone Christian College has been canceled.

VCSU’s next action is now Sunday, Jan. 3, at VCSU against Oak Hills Christian College. Tip off is at 3 p.m.
The Viking men are off to a 7-1 start this season and received votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. The Vikings have won their last seven games.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s push for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks stalled out Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked a swift vote proposed by Democrats. Republican senators are deeply split over new spending. The GOP leader signaled an alternative approach — linking Trump’s demand for aid with restrictions the president wants on tech companies. McConnell says the Senate will “begin a process” to address the issues. But the next steps are highly uncertain. The House approved the larger checks and a number of GOP senators now want them, too. On Tuesday, two Georgia Republican senators in runoff elections Jan. 5, David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, said they support Trump’s plan.

(AP)  American Airlines flew a commercial flight using a Boeing 737 Max on Tuesday, the first one in U.S. skies since Max planes were grounded after two deadly crashes. American flight 718 left Miami International Airport with about 100 passengers, according to an airline spokeswoman, and landed Tuesday afternoon at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration approved changes that Boeing made to an automated flight-control system implicated in crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people in all. In both crashes, the system pushed the nose down repeatedly based on faulty sensor readings, and pilots were unable to regain control.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Alabama, long one of the unhealthiest and most impoverished states in America, has emerged as one of its most alarming coronavirus hot spots. Its hospitals are in crisis as the virus rages out of control in a region with high rates of obesity, high blood pressure and other conditions that can make COVID-19 even more dangerous. Access to health care was limited even before the outbreak. And public resistance to masks and other precautions is stubborn. The virus has killed more than 335,000 people across the U.S., including over 4,700 in Alabama. Places such as California and Tennessee have also been hit especially hard in recent weeks.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City is closing the books on its bloodiest year after a long time of being known as the safest big city in America. The city recorded 447 killings in 2020 as of Tuesday. That’s an increase of over 40% from last year and the largest number since 2011. The number of people shot has also more than doubled last year’s total. Police brass blame challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic and bail reforms that put criminals back on the streets. But the city’s crime spike parallels an uptick across the U.S. And leaders note other large cities had greater rates of killing this year.

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Newly released records show an officer on the scene of last week’s fatal shooting of Andre Hill did not observe any threats before a fellow officer fired at him. Internal affairs reports released Tuesday show that Columbus Officer Amy Detwiler was with Officer Adam Coy when the Dec. 22 shooting happened. The records show Detwiler heard Coy say Hill had a gun in his hand but Detwiler did not see a gun. No gun was found. Body cam video shows Hill, who is Black, walking toward the officers with a cell phone in his left hand and his right hand not visible. The city fired Coy, who is white, on Tuesday, accusing him of incompetence and “gross neglect of duty,” among other charges.

 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — After decades of debate, legislators in Maryland finally seem ready to repeal the state song. “Maryland, My Maryland” was written in 1861 as a call to arms for the Confederacy. It refers to President Abraham Lincoln as a despot and urges defiance to the “Northern scum.” Poet James Ryder Randall was among many Marylanders who sided against the Union. The lyrics were set to the traditional seasonal tune of “O Tannenbaum,” and it was adopted as the state song in 1939. House Speaker Adrienne Jones says it no longer represents what Maryland stands for, especially given the nationwide protests against racial injustice.

 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A strong winter storm has begun making its way across the Upper Midwest, creating treacherous travel conditions and spurring warnings urging people to stay off the roads. The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings for parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Illinois. By Tuesday morning, snow was so heavy in western Nebraska that Interstates 80 and 76 closed in both directions for several hours after numerous accidents. Authorities in Omaha, Nebraska, and in the Kansas City area also reported several accidents blamed on slippery roads.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is lashing out at congressional Republicans after the House easily voted to override his veto of a defense policy bill. More than 100 Republicans, including Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, a member of GOP leadership, joined with Democrats Monday to approve the override, which would be the first of Trump’s presidency. The Senate is expected to consider the measure later this week. Trump slammed GOP lawmakers on Twitter, charging that “Weak and tired Republican ‘leadership’ will allow the bad Defense Bill to pass.″ The $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act affirms a 3% pay raise for U.S. troops, improvements for military housing and more.

 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal regulators say the railroad industry has installed an automatic braking system on nearly 58,000 miles of track where it is required ahead of a yearend deadline. Federal Railroad Administration chief Ronald Batory said Tuesday that railroads worked together over the past 12 years to develop and install the long-awaited technology known as positive train control. The roughly $15 billion braking system is aimed at reducing human error by automatically stopping trains in certain situations like when it’s in danger of colliding, derailing because of excessive speed, entering track under maintenance or traveling the wrong direction because of switching mistakes.