Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Dec 31

CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…Increasing clouds. Highs in the upper 20s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. Southwest winds around 10 mph shifting to the west after midnight.

.NEW YEARS DAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 30. West winds 5 to

10 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 10 to 15. Southwest winds

5 to 10 mph.

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

10 to 15 mph.

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

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

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

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

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

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

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown city crews began plowing residential areas at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday December 30, 2020. Crews continued to work during the night with the downtown district beginning at 11:00 p.m.
City Ordinance Section 25-10 requires that a property owner keeps the sidewalk adjoining the property clear of snow and ice. Do not deposit snow or ice on the City street after the City plow has cleared the street. These violations are Class B Misdemeanors under the general penalty and will result in a fine.
PLEASE NOTE:
The above schedule is contingent upon changing weather conditions and snow accumulation totals.

Be aware of snow wind rows in streets, until picked up by the snow removal crews.

 

North Dakota health officials say the number of hospitalizations due to complications from the coronavirus has dipped below 100 for the first time in more than three months. Health officials said Wednesday the number of people receiving treatment in medical facilities dropped by 19 in the last day, for a total of 96. The hospitalizations were last in double figures on Sept. 24 and topped 300 for more than a week in mid-November. The state’s hospital tracker shows there were 31 staffed intensive care unit beds and 327 staffed inpatient beds available throughout North Dakota as of Tuesday. The update showed 375 new COVID-19 cases in the last day, out of 8,944 tests. That’s a positivity rate of 4.74%.

NDDoH

Wed. Dec. 30, 2020

Barnes County

New Positives:  6

Total Positives: 1233

Active: 21

Recovered: 1186

 

Stutsman County

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

New Positives:  20

Total Positives:  3119

Active:  116

Recovered: 2933

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

 

• Due to the increase in antigen screening across the state and the increase in negative result reporting, beginning today, the total tests and percent positivity will include both antigen and PCR results.
• There will not be a daily news release or updated website/dashboard on New Year’s Day – Friday, January 1. Normal updates will resume on Saturday. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!

 

BY THE NUMBERS

8,944 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,343,600 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

Now includes PCR and antigen.

375 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

256 – PCR Tests | 119 – antigen tests
92,201 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

4.74% – Daily Positivity Rate**

Now includes PCR and antigen.

 

1,821 – Total Active Cases

+120 Individuals from yesterday

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

89,099 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

96 – Currently Hospitalized

-19 – Individuals from yesterday

 

6 – New Deaths since yesterday*** (1,282 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

• Woman in her 80s from Burleigh County.
• Man in his 80s from Burleigh County.
• Woman in her 90s from Logan County.
• Woman in her 100s from McLean County.
• Woman in her 60s from McLean County.
• Man in his 60s from Ward County.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY

• Barnes County – 6
• Benson County – 13
• Billings County – 1
• Bottineau County – 1
• Bowman County – 2
• Burke County – 2
• Burleigh County – 35
• Cass County – 72
• Cavalier County – 1
• Dickey County – 17
• Dunn County – 2
• Emmons County – 2
• Foster County – 1
• Golden Valley County – 1
• Grand Forks County – 20
• Kidder County – 1
• LaMoure County – 3
• Logan County – 1
• McKenzie County – 2
• McLean County – 2
• Mercer County – 6
• Morton County – 15
• Mountrail County – 6
• Nelson County – 2
• Pierce County – 1
• Ramsey County – 10
• Ransom County – 10
• Renville County – 1
• Richland County – 12
• Rolette County – 21
• Sargent County – 2
• Sioux County – 2
• Stark County – 20
• Steele County – 1
• Stutsman County – 20
• Towner County – 3
• Traill County – 2
• Walsh County – 10
• Ward County – 24
• Wells County – 2
• Williams County – 20

 

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

**Individuals (PCR or antigen) 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 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, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Department of Health has reported two suspected severe allergic reactions to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The two people had no history of anaphylactic reactions. The incidents were unrelated. Neither person was hospitalized, and the two have since recovered. The allergic reactions occurred during a 15-minute post-vaccine observation period recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. State health officials said anaphylactic reactions after being vaccinated are rare. For other vaccines, they occur at a rate of one per 1 million doses.

GRAFTON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin health system said Wednesday that 500 doses of coronavirus vaccine that had to be discarded after they were left unrefrigerated now appear to have been deliberately spoiled by an employee. Aurora Medical Center first reported on the spoiled doses on Saturday, and said they had been accidentally left out overnight by an employee at Aurora Medical Center in Grafton. In a statement late Wednesday, Aurora said the employee involved “today acknowledged that they intentionally removed the vaccine from refrigeration.” Aurora’s statement said they had fired the employee and referred the matter to authorities for further investigation. Their statement said nothing about a possible motive for the action.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Michigan man has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in North Dakota to a federal drug charge. The Bismarck Tribune reports Michael Sinnawi, was arrested in August 2019 at a Bismarck motel. He and two other men were in possession of 450 oxycodone pills and $45,000 in cash. Police also found four cellphones in the room, and text messages on the phones showed that they were selling the pills. The two other men arrested in the case, including Sinnawi’s father, are scheduled for change of plea and sentencing hearings on Feb. 22.

 

HILL CITY, Minn. (AP) — Authorities say man who died while working on a pipeline project in northern Minnesota was run over by a large forklift. The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office has preliminarily ruled that the death of Jorge Villafuerte III at the Enbridge Energy Line 3 construction site was an accident. It happened in the predawn hours of Dec. 18 while Villafuerte was checking a list of materials while standing behind an industrial forklift. As the forklift started backing up, a co-worker jumped out of the way but Villafuerte was struck by the rear passenger tire, according. The 45-year-old Villafuerte was dead by the time emergency responders arrived at about 7:17 a.m.. The Star Tribune reports that he leaves behind nine children.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two strategic U.S. bombers have flown over the Persian Gulf in response to what U.S. officials say are worrying signs that Iran may be planning attacks against American or allied targets in the Middle East in the coming days. The B-52 bomber mission, flown round trip from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, was the second of its kind this month. The missions reflect growing concern in Washington, in the final weeks of President Donald Trump’s administration, that Iran will order further military retaliation for the U.S. government’s killing last Jan. 3 of top Iranian military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

In sports…

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=

Hazen 77, Stanley 59

Medina-Pingree-Buchanan 53, Carrington 50

New Salem-Almont 61, Max 24

Thompson 70, Oak Grove Lutheran 50

Tiospa Zina Tribal, S.D. 75, Tri-State 48

Trenton 52, Kenmare 50

Velva 81, Shiloh Christian 51

Wahpeton 80, Grand Forks Red River 65

 

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=

Bismarck Legacy 78, Williston 27

Bowman County 63, Hazen 36

Carrington 63, Benson County 57

Des Lacs-Burlington 54, Tgu-towner 21

Dunseith 60, Bishop Ryan 57

Flasher 45, Richardton-Taylor 22

Grand Forks Red River 79, Wahpeton 44

Linton-HMB 74, Beach 47

Our Redeemer’s 76, Stanley 28

Thompson 72, Grand Forks Central 40

Tri-State 61, Tiospa Zina Tribal, S.D. 41

Velva 56, Shiloh Christian 49

 

HOCKEY

BOY’S

Jamestown 6 Williston 3

GIRL’S

Jamestown 6 Williston 1

 

UNDATED (AP) — What a difference a day made for the Miami Heat, but the day was highlighted by a trailblazing coach.

Becky Hammon made history by becoming the first woman to serve as head coach in an NBA game.

Hammon took over when Gregg Popovich was ejected in the second quarter of the Spurs’ 121-107 loss to the Lakers. As he exited the court, Popovich pointed a finger at Hammon and had a succinct message for his assistant coach: “You got ’em.”

Lakers forward LeBron James spoiled the historic moment by delivering 26 points, eight assists and five rebounds on his 36th birthday.

In Miami, Goran Dragic (DRAH’-gihch) scored 26 points off the bench and the Heat bounced back from Tuesday’s 47-point loss to Milwaukee by downing the Bucks, 119-108.

Tyler Herro delivered 21 points and grabbed a career-best 15 rebounds for Miami, which trailed by 14 early in the second half and rallied to get a split of the two-game, two-night series.

The Bucks led 84-73 early in the third quarter before the Heat dominated the rest of the way. Milwaukee hit 16 3-pointers just a night after torching Miami for an NBA-record 29.

The Bucks wasted a triple-double by Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh), who finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

Also on the NBA schedule:

— Jaylen Brown poured in 18 of his career-high 42 points in the second quarter of the Celtics’ 126-107 rout of the Grizzlies. Jayson Tatum scored 16 points and Brown matched a career best with seven 3-pointers on 10 attempts.

— Kevin Durant dropped in 33 points to lead seven Nets in double-figures in a 145-141 downing of the Hawks. Kyrie Irving finished with 27 points and Joe Harris added 23 as Brooklyn handed Atlanta its first loss of the season.

— Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard scored 28 points in his return from a two-game injury absence, guiding the Clippers to a 128-105 rout of the Trail Blazers. Paul George added 23 points to the Clippers’ second straight lopsided victory.

— LaMelo Ball scored 22 points and Miles Bridges had 20 with 16 rebounds in the Hornets’ 118-99 blowout over the Mavericks. Terry Rozier provided 18 points, including a pair of 3-pointers early in a 14-0 run that gave Charlotte a 25-point lead in the second half.

NFL-NEWS

Browns’ COVID-19 list grows

UNDATED (AP) — The Cleveland Browns’ number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow as they prepare for a huge game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Browns have added a player and an assistant coach to the COVID-19 list, though the team declined to identify them.

The team closed its facility for a few hours on Wednesday after being informed of the test results and held virtual meetings.

The Browns already had nine players on the list, including their top four wide receivers. Those players and some others are eligible to return Thursday as long as they test negative.

Cleveland will make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 if they beat the Steelers, who will rest starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The NFL is monitoring the Browns’ situation to determine whether the game needs to be moved. And the NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, said the league is investigating the rise in cases within the Browns.

In other NFL news:

— The 49ers have signed Robbie Gould to a renegotiated contract that keeps him on the team through 2022. Gould also was placed on the COVID-19 list Wednesday and will miss the season finale against Seattle.

— The Packers have claimed veteran defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison off waivers from the Seahawks, two days after he was released by Seattle. Harrison played six games with the Seahawks this season but was inactive for last Sunday’s win over the Rams.

— The Chiefs plan to rest the majority of their starters against the Chargers on Sunday with the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye already secured. Chiefs coach Andy Reid declined to say which starters would sit, though he did indicate veteran Chad Henne (HEN’-ee) will start at quarterback.

— Colts coach Frank Reich says left tackle Anthony Castonzo will have season-ending surgery on his right ankle. Reich did not say who would take Castonzo’s spot in the starting lineup Sunday against Jacksonville.

— Jaguars coach Doug Marron says they will be without starting quarterback Gardner Minshew and running back James Robinson for their season finale. Mike Glennon will be under center when Jacksonville tries to break a team-record, 14-game losing streak Sunday against the Colts.

— Rookie running back La’Mical Perine is the first Jet to test positive for the coronavirus. Coach Adam Gase said Wednesday the team is conducting contact tracing among the other players and team staff.

— New York State is making an exception to its ban on large gathering to allow about 6,700 fans to attend a Buffalo Bills home playoff game as long as all test negative beforehand. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the football team staff will only allow fans with negative tests to enter the stadium, where they will be seated distanced apart. Fans must wear masks once they leave their vehicles in parking lots until they return to their vehicles, and will be asked to leave if they take off their masks. The game will be played on Jan. 9 or 10.

T25 MEN’S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULE

Baylor still perfect

UNDATED (AP) — Baylor won its final tuneup before resuming its Big 12 men’s basketball schedule.

The second-ranked Bears used a balanced attack to hammer Alcorn State, 105-76 and improve to 8-0.

Macio Teague (MAY’-see-oh teeg) led six Bears in double figures with 18 points, while Jared Butler added 17 on 6 of 8 shooting. Baylor also received 47 points from its bench, with Jordan Turner and Zach Loveday each scoring 10.

The game was tied at 12 before the Bears went on a 17-2 run in less than five minutes. Baylor also scored 26 first-half points on 14 Alcorn State turnovers.

In other top-25 action:

— Santiago Vescovi (vehs-KOH’-vee) scored 15 points and Yves Pons (panz) and Jaden Springer each added 13 as seventh-ranked Tennessee clobbered No. 12 Missouri, 73-53 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams. The 7-0 Volunteers shot 50% from the field and were selective with their attempts, going 5 of 7 from beyond the arc.

— No. 23 Virginia earned a 66-57 win against Notre Dame as Kihei (KEE’-hay) Clark had 19 points and five assists. Jay Huff scored 15 points and Sam Hauser added 13 with 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

— Justin Ahrens came off the bench to shoot 6-for-9 from 3-point range and finish with 18 points in No. 25 Ohio State’s 90-54 thumping of Nebraska. Freshman Zed Key added 14 points on 5-for-5 shooting, and Duane Washington Jr. chipped in 13 points in the Buckeyes’ third win in four games.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWLS

Sooners, Badgers get bowl wins

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma continues to have success on the Dallas Cowboys’ home field.

The eighth-ranked Sooners captured the Cotton Bowl with a convincing 55-20 pounding of Florida.

Spencer Rattler threw for three touchdowns and ran for another score, 11 days after helping the Sooners win the Big 12 title in the same stadium. Oklahoma racked up 684 total yards, with Rhamondre Stevenson rushing for 186.

Florida’s first possession ended with Tre Norwood’s 45-yard interception return for a touchdown. That was the first of three picks thrown by Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Kyle Trask in the first quarter, after only five all season.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin won its bowl game by rallying against Wake Forest.

Graham Mertz accounted for three touchdowns and the Badgers turned four second-half interceptions into 21 points to beat the Demon Deacons, 42-28 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Mertz threw for 130 yards and ran for two short touchdowns as Wisconsin finished the season on a high note.

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman was intercepted on four straight possessions, the first of which set up the go-ahead TD.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-NEWS

Coastal Carolina’s Jamey Chadwell is AP coach of the year

UNDATED (AP) — Coastal Carolina’s Jamey Chadwell is The Associated Press college football coach of the year.

The ninth-ranked Chanticleers went 11-1 this year, winning 11 straight before losing to Liberty in overtime at the Cure Bowl.

Chadwell received 16 first-place votes and 88 points from the AP Top 25 panel. Indiana’s Tom Allen finished second and Cincinnati’s Luke Fickell was third.

Chadwell is the first Sun Belt Conference coach to win the AP award, which was established in 1988.

In other college football news:

— Southern California safety Talanoa Hufanga is headed to the NFL after a standout junior season. Hufanga was a first-team AP All-American and the Pac-12′s Defensive Player of the Year this season for the No. 21 Trojans. He led USC with 62 tackles and four interceptions while adding three sacks, 5 1/2 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

— Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott will be unavailable for the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State due to coronavirus issues. The school said Wednesday that Elliott won’t travel with the team to New Orleans while he’s in COVID-19 protocols. It did not say if he had tested positive. Elliott’s offense led the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring and passing yards this season.

NHL-NEWS

Caps ink Chara

UNDATED (AP) — Longtime Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara (zuh-DAY’-noh CHAH’-rah) has signed with the Washington Capitals in a stunning move less than a week before most NHL teams open training camp.

Chara agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $795,000. The 43-year-old defenseman posted on Instagram that the Bruins have decided to move forward with younger players.

The 6-foot-9 Chara is a seven-time All-Star who won the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman in 2009. He led the Bruins to the Cup in 2011 and trips to the final in 2013 and 2019.

Also around the NHL:

— The Coyotes have signed veteran forward Derick Brassard to a one-year contract. The 33-year-old Brassard had 10 goals and 22 assists in 66 games with the Islanders last season.

MLB-NEWS

White Sox, Engel avoid arbitration

UNDATED (AP) — The Chicago White Sox and outfielder Adam Engel have avoided salary arbitration by working out a one-year, $1.375 million contract.

The 29-year-old Engel hit .295 with three homers and 12 RBIs last season.

ATP-QUERREY-INVESTIGATION

Querrey handed suspended fine for COVID-19 violation

LONDON (AP) — American tennis player Sam Querrey was handed a suspended $20,000 fine by the ATP tour on Wednesday for breaching coronavirus protocols at the St. Petersburg Open in October.

However, the fine will be lifted if the 33-year-old Querrey doesn’t commit any further violations of health and safety protocols related to COVID-19 during a six-month probationary period.

HORSE RACING-TIZ THE LAW

Belmont winner is retired

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law has been suddenly retired on the advice of a veterinarian after an X-ray revealed bone bruising in the colt’s front leg.

Tiz the Law had six wins in nine career starts and earnings of $2,735,300, according to Equibase. He retired on the same day his trainer, Barclay Tagg, turned 83.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has all but shut the door on President Donald Trump’s push for $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks. The Republican leader says Congress has provided enough pandemic aid and he’s blocked another attempt by Democrats to force a vote. McConnell is unwilling to budge, despite political pressure from Trump and even some fellow GOP senators. Trump wants the recent $600 checks increased threefold. But McConnell is dismissing the idea of “survival checks” in a House-passed bill, saying the money would go to plenty of American households that don’t need it.

 

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — This New Year’s Eve is being celebrated like no other. Pandemic restrictions are limiting crowds in many places as people bid farewell to a year they’d prefer to forget. Australia is among the first nations to ring in the New Year due to its proximity to the International Date Line. One million people would usually crowd the Sydney Harbor to watch the annual fireworks that center on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. But this year authorities are advising revelers to watch the fireworks on television. New Zealand, Taiwan and other places with successes against the virus are celebrating like usual.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican senator says he’ll object when Congress meets next week to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the election. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri says he’ll protest the Electoral College certification because “some states, including notably Pennsylvania” didn’t follow their election laws. A Biden spokeswoman is dismissing Hawley’s move as “antics” that will have no bearing on Biden being sworn in on Jan. 20. Hawley isn’t giving specifics or evidence in the statement he released announcing his intentions. Hawley’s move is likely to force votes in the House and Senate that would delay the certification of Biden’s win, but not change the outcome.

 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump is cutting short his Florida holiday vacation and will be returning to Washington on Thursday, a day earlier than originally expected. The White House has offered no explanation for the change. It was announced hours after Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said that he will raise objections next week when Congress meets to affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November election. The challenge in Congress is a futile effort to remain in power that Trump has been pushing following the failure of scores of legal challenges by his campaign to the election outcome.

 

TOKYO (AP) — Trading in Tokyo is closed for the New Year’s holidays, while the handful of bourses that remained open in Asia and Europe is mixed. Benchmarks in France and Britain slipped in early Thursday trading. Trading was closed in Tokyo and South Korea as well as Germany. Australia’s S&P/ASX fell while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and the Shanghai Composite gained. Global markets will be closed New Year’s Day Friday. Focus has been on the continuing vaccine development around the globe, with China’s Sinopharm becoming the latest to release encouraging results. Investors are optimistic about more vaccines gaining approval in coming weeks.

 

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A winter storm moving across parts of Texas and Oklahoma could dump up to 18 inches of snow in places before moving eastward and possibly spawning tornadoes. The National Weather Service says 12 to 18 inches of snow in southwestern Texas is possible by Thursday. Some snow is also expected in northwest Arkansas. Forecasts say the storm then will move eastward, creating a threat of tornadoes across Louisiana and southern Mississippi on New Year’s Eve as the colder temperatures are met with moisture and warmer air. The storm produced what forecaster Jeremy Grams said was likely a brief tornado in Corsicana, Texas, on Wednesday.

 

TOKYO (AP) — Tokyo’s governor says Japan’s capital is seeing an alarming surge in coronavirus cases. Gov. Yuriko Koike urged people to spend the New Year’s holiday with their family, switching to English to say, “stay home.” She asked people to skip countdown ceremonies, and expressed concern people were out shopping in crowded stores. Japan has not imposed a lockdown but instead made requests for social distancing and mask wearing. Japan has had more than 230,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 3,000 deaths. Sixty-five of the deaths came on Wednesday, the health ministry said Thursday. Government-backed discounts for travel have been discontinued after infections started climbing.