CSi Weather…

…HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST FRIDAY…INCLUDING THE JAMESTOWN AREA.

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST FRIDAY…INCLUDING THE VALLEY CITY AREA.

Forecast…

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area. Patchy blowing and drifting snow. Very windy. Lows 15 to 20. Northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts to around 55 mph.

.FRIDAY…Cloudy, windy.  A 20 percent chance of light snow in the

morning. Highs in the mid 20s. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 45 mph.

Patchy blowing and drifting snow in the morning.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 15. Northwest winds

5 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs around 30. Northwest winds 5 to

15 mph.

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

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Highs around 30.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of snow after

midnight. Lows 15 to 20.

.MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent

chance of snow. Highs in the upper 20s.

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

evening. Lows around 15.

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

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

 

Bismarck (NDHP) The North Dakota Highway Patrol is urging all motorists to travel with care. High winds are occurring across the state.
During these conditions, high-profile, long-load type, and permitted over dimensional vehicles have restricted travel. North Dakota law restricts movement for these vehicles when wind or other conditions may cause the vehicle or attachment to swerve, whip, sway, or fail to follow in the path of the towing vehicle.
Federal regulations direct the operators of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) to reduce speeds when hazardous conditions such as snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust or smoke adversely affect visibility or traction. These same regulations direct CMV drivers to cease operations altogether if conditions become sufficiently dangerous.
Motorists can access road and weather information by visiting NDRoads at https://travel.dot.nd.gov/. The map has a feature that displays windspeeds reported by the National Weather Service.

Jamestown (JPD) Jamestown Police reports that on Thursday on January 14, 2021, at approximately 2:22-p.m.,, a Jamestown Police Officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on the 800 block of 4 Ave NE in Jamestown.

Assistant Police Chief, Maj. Justin Blinsky reports that the vehicle was a 2009 Ford Focus owned by a Jamestown resident. The vehicle immediately fled from officers driving in a reckless manner. The male driver of the vehicle was later determined to be wanted on a warrant and had a passenger in the vehicle with him. The vehicle fled from officers through northeast Jamestown before leaving the city limits on Stutsman County Road 40. The vehicle drove on several county gravel roads in northeast Stutsman County. The vehicle entered the town of Spiritwood, ND. At approximately 2:40-p.m., the fleeing vehicle drove through several private yards,before striking a utility trailer and coming to a stop. The male driver exited the vehicle and ran from officers on foot. He was taken into custody a short distance away from the vehicle. The 35-year-old female passenger immediately gave up to officers. She was briefly detained and questioned by officers, before being released.

The male driver was taken into custody and has been identified as 45-year-old Gary Frederick Zinck, Jr. of Jamestown. Zinck has been arrested on suspicion of Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police, Felony Reckless Endangerment, and on a Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Warrant of Arrest. Zinck was also cited for Possession of Marijuana

.The Jamestown Police Department was assisted by the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office and the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation into this incident continues and other charges are possible

Jamestown  (CVHD)   – Central Valley Health District (CVHD) would like to provide an update regarding COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Stutsman and Logan counties. This week, CVHD finished vaccinating those in priority group Phase 1A, including healthcare workers, first responders, and long term care staff and residents. Priority groups were determined by the North Dakota COVID-19 Vaccination Ethics Committee.

Despite changes with vaccination distribution changes nationally, North Dakota has not changed its distribution plan at this time. Robin Iszler, Unit Administrator, stated “vaccine doses continue to be very limited. North Dakota receives approximately 10,000 doses per week to be split up throughout the state.” CVHD is working with area clinics and pharmacies in our community to distribute the vaccine.

To date, 1,448 doses have been administered in Stutsman County. Central Valley Health has administered 678 doses. To view the North Dakota vaccine dashboard, visit https://www.health.nd.gov/covid19vaccine/dashboard.
CVHD has now began to transition into the next priority group, Phase 1B, specifically those persons age 75 and older. We encourage individuals 75 and older interested in the COVID vaccine to get complete our Phase 1A/1B Vaccination Interest Survey located on our website www.centralvalleyhealth.org. Completing the survey does not register participants for an appointment, rather collects information for participants to be contacted with upcoming vaccine clinic information.

Robin adds, “We know that there is a lot of interest in the vaccine and we encourage the public to continue to be patient while waiting for your turn to be vaccinated.”

For the most up-to-date information on the COVID vaccine, follow Central Valley Health on Facebook.
Stutsman/Logan County Vaccination Interest Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VaccineInterestCVHD

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The elderly and people with underlying health conditions in North Dakota are beginning to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine doses as the state enters the second phase of vaccine priority groups, health officials said. Sanford Health Bismarck on Thursday began vaccinating some of its first patients eligible for the next phase. Jim Wheeler received his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a Sanford vaccination clinic and called it “a piece of cake.” Sanford Health Fargo is scheduled to begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine Friday. Fargo Cass Public Health officials say they’re expecting to begin distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday.

NDDoH

COVID 19 Stats

Thurs. Jan 14,  2021

11-a.m.

Barnes County

New Positives:  2

Total Positives: 1268 (Revised)

Active:  18

Recovered:  1220

 

Stutsman County

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

New Positives:  5

Total Positives:  3204

Active:  46

Recovered:  3086

More updates anticipated from NDoH

 

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

BY THE NUMBERS

9,471 – Total Tests from yesterday*

1,435,657 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

248 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

179 – PCR Tests | 69 – Antigen Tests
95,378 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

3.00% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

1,764 – Total Active Cases

+15 Individuals from yesterday.  

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

92,249 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

78 – Currently Hospitalized

+6 – Individuals from yesterday.

 

8 – New Deaths*** (1,365 total deaths since the pandemic began)

 

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 70s from Burleigh County.
  • Man in his 70s from Cass County.
  • Man in his 90s from Cass County.
  • Man in his 90s from Emmons County.
  • Man in his 70s from Pembina County.
  • Woman in her 70s from Sargent County.
  • Man in his 60s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 80s from Ward County.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED THURSDAY

  • Adams County – 4
  • Barnes County – 2
  • Bowman County – 6
  • Burke County – 3
  • Burleigh County – 35
  • Cass County – 54
  • Dickey County – 1
  • Eddy County – 1
  • Golden Valley County – 14
  • Grand Forks County – 19
  • McKenzie County – 2
  • McLean County – 3
  • Morton County – 12
  • Mountrail County – 1
  • Nelson County – 4
  • Pierce County – 2
  • Ramsey County – 6
  • Richland County – 9
  • Rolette County – 1
  • Sioux County – 2
  • Stark County – 20
  • Stutsman County – 5
  • Traill County – 3
  • Walsh County – 8
  • Ward County – 19
  • Williams County – 12

 

* 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.

 

 

Valley City  (CCHD)  Free COVID-19 testing events continue for VCSU and Valley City community members from 1-2-p.m. at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, “The Bubble,” with rapid testing BinaxNow tests.

The next testing is on Friday Jan. 15.

These are WALK-In Testing events indoors.  Park vehicles, and then enter through the west entrance.  Handicap parking spaces and access available at the east entrance.  Preregister at testreg.nd.gov.  Only one time only registration is necessary.

Face masks are required while waiting in line at the test site, along with physical distancing required..

Those who need assistance can use the west door.

Bismark  (NDDoH)  The North Dakota State Health Department reports that on Friday January 15, 2021 at noon, there will be a COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall meeting, to be live streamed.

Health Department experts will be live to answer questions.

Submit questions in advance to: http://health.nd.gov/expertquestion

Access to the live stream information at the State Health Department web site.

Bismarck (ND Aeronautics Commission)   North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports finished calendar year 2020 with a statewide total of

572,093 airline passenger boardings. This is a decrease of 619,476 passengers or an 52% decrease from

2019 and is the lowest passenger count that the state has recorded since calendar year 2003.

North Dakota passenger numbers have been adversely affected since the beginning of the pandemic when

the state experienced an immediate 95% percent decline in passenger numbers during the month of April.

Since that time, the state has been trending in a positive direction and has recovered to approximately

50% of pre-pandemic levels.

The recent growth in demand has encouraged airlines to begin slowly adding back flights and seat capacity to our airports. Today, North Dakota still has a high level of air service availability based upon historical

standards as the state’s airports still provide the public with 10 non-stop destinations (three are seasonal).

All eight of the commercial service airports in North Dakota also continue to provide their communities with reliable jet service.

Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, says, “Our airports rose to the challenge that this past year brought for the aviation industry which resulted in

significant negative impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our airports never closed and they quickly worked to implement recommended mitigations to help ensure that a safe environment exists for those who need to travel. They were also able to accommodate emergency related personnel and products to efficiently enter and depart our state. As we look forward to 2021, I remain optimistic that airline passenger numbers will continue their current positive trend towards recovery.

The reports shows that 2020 Boardings at Jamestown Regional Airport were 5,655, compared to 11,175 in 2019, a decrease of almost 50 percent.

In December of 2020, Jamestown Regional Airport boarded  604 passengers, compared to 1119 in December of 2019.

 

Jamestown  (Chamber)    Members of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Jamestown Gymnastics Club. The Jamestown Gymnastics Club recently completed a large renovation project. The Club had been saving funds for the project for more than ten years, and they are excited to be opening in the new space. This business is located at 1310 10th Ave. NE in Jamestown. You can reach them at 701-252-7446.

Businesses qualify for a ribbon-cutting ceremony if they open, move, remodel, are under new ownership or change their name.  For more information, contact Emily Bivens by emailing: director@jamestownchamber.com or call the chamber at 701-252-4830.

 

Carrington  (CSi)  Carrington Mayor Tom Erdmann says the City is accepting applications to fill the position of Police Chief, followed by initiating the hiring process.

At the city meeting, this month, the city accepted the resignation of  Police Chief Nathan Kruse.

Mayor Erdmann says Carrington has hired an officer, who is currently going through academy training, plus another officer who recently completed their academy training.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The City of Jamestown is currently accepting applications for the following:
• 2 open positions on the James River Valley Library System Board – 3 year term to 2024.
Anyone interested in serving on the above committees/boards should complete an “Application for Appointment”. The application may be obtained in person at City Hall, 102 3rd Ave SE, Jamestown, ND, by calling 701-252-5900 or online at jamestownnd.org and select government tab/city committees to download the form.

The application should be returned by February 16, 2021 to:
City of Jamestown
Attn: Appointments
102 3rd Avenue SE
Jamestown, ND 58401-4205

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A North Central District Court judge has denied a defense request to lower bond for a Minot man charged with fatally shooting his wife. Erik Rod’s attorney told Judge Gary Lee during Wednesday’s court proceeding that the shooting was an accident and it was not “premeditated” or “done in cold blood.” The prosecution has argued that the shooting was not accidental. Connie Rod died at the hospital days after the May 21 shooting. Erik Rod was arrested in August and charged with felony murder and felony reckless endangerment in his wife’s death. He’s being held on $250,000 bond at the Ward County Jail.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Republican North Dakota lawmaker wants to prohibit businesses from banning cash as a payment. Rep. Ben Koppelman says cashless transactions create economic barriers for some residents. The legislation would bar businesses from refusing to accept cash from someone making an in-person purchase. Koppelman, says not everyone has a bank account or credit or debit cards. There is no federal law mandating that businesses or individuals accept paper currency or coins for payment. But states may develop their own laws. Some other states and municipalities already ban cashless businesses.

BACKUS, Minn. (AP) — Authorities arrested two people accused of chaining themselves together inside a piece of pipe to protest construction of the Enbridge Energy Line 3 oil pipeline replacement in northern Minnesota. Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch says the incident took place about 10:30 a.m. Thursday in McKinley Township, west of the town of Backus. He says the protesters were taken into custody without incident and face charges of trespassing and obstructing. About a dozen protesters showed up at the site. One man was arrested for refusing to leave the area and one woman was arrested for violating conditions of release. Line 3 starts in Alberta, Canada, and clips a corner of North Dakota before crossing northern Minnesota en route to Enbridge’s terminal in Superior, Wisconsin.

In sports…

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Conference officials say the Summit League men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be held without fans and moved to a smaller venue in Sioux Falls because of the COVID-19 concerns. The tournament is scheduled March 6-9. It has been originally slated for the Denny Sanford Premier Center, which seats about 12,000, and now will be held at the 3,250-seat Sanford Pentagon. Conference commissioner Tom Douple says that while the move is disappointing, the welfare of all those involved is the highest priority.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials say the number of National Guard troops coming to Washington by Inauguration Day has grown to 26,000. Some will be armed. The FBI has warned that armed protests by violent supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump are being planned in all 50 state capitals and in Washington in the days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Between the pandemic and the security threat, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is flat-out asking people not to come to the city for the inauguration.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial could begin at 1 p.m. on Inauguration Day. That would be just as Democrat Joe Biden takes the oath of office, which is typically held a bit after 12 noon. The trial timing is not yet set for the Senate, but it is linked to when the House delivers the article of impeachment. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet said when that will be. Whatever the schedule for Jan. 20, it will mark an extraordinary end to the defeated president’s tenure as his successor takes over the White House. Trump was impeached Wednesday by the House over the violent siege of the Capitol and faces a single charge of “incitement of insurrection.”

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Prosecutors say a Delaware man photographed carrying a Confederate flag during a deadly riot in the U.S. Capitol has been arrested after authorities used the image to help identify him. Federal prosecutors say Kevin Seefried, who was seen carrying the flag, was arrested along with his son Hunter Seefried. Prosecutors say both entered the Senate building through a broken window. They were charged with unlawfully entering a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and degradation of government property. Court documents say the men were identified after a coworker of Hunter Seefried’s told the FBI that he had bragged about being in the Capitol with his father.

 

(AP)  Amid the chaos that erupted on Jan. 6 at the Capitol, five people from different walks of life lost their lives. Two who died violently were military veterans who wound up on opposite sides of an insurrection. The others suffered medical emergencies. They came from different parts of the nation and different backgrounds but were united in their belief that a presidency on its last legs should be saved. Some bolstered the bizarre QAnon conspiracy theory holding that President Donald Trump was waging a secret war against cannibalistic child sex traffickers.

 

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden’s coronavirus action plan aims to bring new urgency to the nation’s vaccination campaign coupled with another round of economic relief for hunkered-down Americans. The Biden plan being unveiled Thursday comes as a divided nation remains caught in the grip of the pandemic’s most dangerous wave yet. More than 385,000 people have died in the U.S. Biden hopes his multipronged strategy will put the country on the path to recovery by the end of his administration’s first 100 days. Biden is expected to ask Congress for another round of $2,000 economic stimulus checks for Americans.

 

(AP) The rapid expansion of COVID-19 vaccinations to senior citizens across the U.S. has led to bottlenecks, system crashes and hard feelings in many states because of overwhelming demand for the shots. Mississippi’s Health Department stopped taking new appointments the same day it began accepting them because of a “monumental surge” in requests. People had to wait hours to book appointments through a state website or a toll-free number Tuesday and Wednesday, and many were booted off the site because of technical problems and had to start over. California counties are begging for more vaccine to reach millions of its senior citizens.