Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Mar 25

CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain after midnight in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area. Lows in the mid 30s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of rain in the afternoon in the Jamestown area, 30 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the lower 50s. South winds around 10 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon.

FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of light rain in the

evening, then slight chance of light rain and snow after

midnight. Lows 25 to 30. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 50. Northwest winds 5 to

15 mph.

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

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 20s.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.

 

Near critical fire weather conditions are possible Thursday afternoon

and early evening across central and eastern North Dakota.

Rain may mix or change to snow during the morning or night periods

Friday through Saturday, with minimal impacts expected at this

time.

COVID Stats 11am

Weds Mar 25, 2021

Barnes:

New Positives  1

Total Positives 1319

Active 6

Recovered 1282

 

Stutsman:

New Positives  1

Total Positives 3322

Active 6

Recovered 3236

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

 

Please note that from now on the daily news release will be sent Monday – Friday. The NDDoH dashboard will continue to be updated daily.

 

BY THE NUMBERS
213,350	Residents who received at least one dose of vaccine
358,900	Total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered
9,034	Total Tests from yesterday*
1,769,590	Total tests completed since the pandemic began
199	Positive Individuals from yesterday*****
103	PCR Tests
96	Antigen Tests
102,198	Total positive individuals since the pandemic began
3.17%	Daily Positivity Rate**
888	Total Active Cases
+94	Change in active cases from yesterday
97	Individuals with a recovery date of yesterday****
99,845	Total recovered since the pandemic began
21	Currently hospitalized
+2	Change in hospitalizations from yesterday
+1	New death(s)
1,465	Total deaths since the pandemic began
INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19
Man in his 80s from Cass County
NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED THURSDAY BY COUNTY
Adams		0	Grant	0	Ransom	2
Barnes		1	Griggs	0	Renville	0
Benson		0	Hettinger	0	Richland	7
Billings		0	Kidder	0	Rolette	1
Bottineau		0	LaMoure	1	Sargent	4
Bowman		0	Logan	0	Sheridan	0
Burke		0	McHenry	0	Sioux	0
Burleigh		15	McIntosh	0	Slope	1
Cass		93	McKenzie	3	Stark	12
Cavalier		2	McLean	0	Steele	0
Dickey		1	Mercer	5	Stutsman	1
Divide		1	Morton	3	Towner	0
Dunn		0	Mountrail	1	Traill	1
Eddy		0	Nelson	0	Walsh	0
Emmons		0	Oliver	0	Ward	3
Foster		0	Pembina	2	Wells	0
Golden Valley		2	Pierce	0	Williams	10
Grand Forks		27	Ramsey	0

 

* 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.

 

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District will be holding vaccination Clinics March 26, 2021, for those scheduled to have a second dose of Moderna Vaccine.

Second Dose

On Friday March 26, 2021 the second dose of Moderna Vaccine will be given from 7-a.m. to 1-p.m. at the Jamestown Civic Center Exchequer Room.

Check the back of your CDC vaccination card from your first dose to confirm the date of your second dose of either vaccine.

Upcoming:

First Dose Clinics…

Pfizer Vaccine, those 16 years and older.

Monday March 29, 2021, 1-p.m., to 4-p.m.

Jamestown Civic Center, Exchequor Room, North Entrance.

 

Second Dose Clinics…

Moderna Vaccine (Review the due date on the back of your CDC COVID Vaccination record card, prior to registering (If you register for a first doze your appointment will be cancelled)

Monday March 29, 2021 1-p.m., to 4-p.m.

Jamestown Civic Center, Exchequor Room, North Entrance.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  Free COVID-19 testing events for the VCSU and Valley City communities will be held this week from 1-2 p.m. at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, “The Bubble”. Rapid and conventional testing will be offered again on  Friday March 26.

An additional testing event will take place for VCSU students, faculty and staff only on March 23 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This will be rapid testing only and preregistration is required at the NDDOH site.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s, Police & Fire, and  Public Works Committees met in Joint Session Thursday evening at City Hall, also available on the Teams platform.  Mayor Heinrich was not present.

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE

Discussed was the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the community.

Council Member Buchanan read a statement from Central Valley Health District that said  the total of COVID-19 vaccination doses given to individuals  in Stutsman County as of March 24, 2021 were 10,723.

The latest total of positive cases was 3,322 since the beginning of the pandemic.  COVID-19 testing is expected through this summer.  There may be a booster COVID-19 vaccine required this fall, not known at this time.

Council Member Steele noted increases in positive cases in surrounding states, plus in Colorado where Jamestown United Express flights connect.  He said community members for the most part are continuing to practice safe protocols.

INFORMATIONAL: Police department and municipal court general update, training, COVID-19 protocols and precautions observed, and implemented.

Assistance Police Chief Major Justin Blinsky said District Court is again holding court, with court notice being served by police. He added that the police are investigating compliance with the city’s Junk Ordinance. He added an increase of reports of suspicious activity in the city, and urges anyone to report if they see anything suspicious.

 

INFORMATIONAL: Fire Department update, inspections, training, COVID-19 protocols and precautions observed, and implemented.

Fire Chief Jim Reuther said monthly trainings and meetings are being restarted, with 80-percent of firefighters having received the COVID-19 vaccines.

In cautions those using fire pits, to use caution and follow the Ordinances in Jamestown, and Stutsman County.

He added that inspections are continuing.

 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

The committee recommends approval of a Change Order to Scherbenske, Inc., for construction on 2020 State Hospital Water Line District 20-62, for a net increase in the contract price of $27,590.09.  KLJ reported an issue that required extra excavation, with the line under I-94.

The committee approved recommending bid award for Seal Coat, Patching, Construction & Reconstruction District 21-41, and  the bid award for Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District 21-11.

 

The committee recommends  extending the hours at the City Baler for a clean-up / drop-off week in May 10-14, 2021. Clean up week in Jamestown this year will that week, however curbside pick up will not be held this year.  Those items can be taken to the baler that Monday-Friday from 8-a.m. to 6-p.m., and regular Saturday hours.  No charge to city residents that bring the items to the baler for the items up to 500 pounds per month.  It was noted that in past years, prohibited items were found in the piles at resident locations.  Printing costs outlining the regulations were put at $50,000.

This year’s Citywide cleanup was not included in the 2021 budget for cost cutting, with it estimated to cost $367,000.  Council Member Buchanan moved to send to the Council at the April 5, meeting without recommendation, extending the hours at the City Baler that week, which was recommended for approval.

For those not able to bring the items to the baler,  considered was a bulk pickup pilot program beginning June 1, 2021 at a cost of $5 per item for residents not able to bring items to the baler on a year ‘round basis.  The items being picked up and stickered, will be set on the curb with a pick up time arranged.  The pilot program will run on limited basis with reports on the program coming to the Public Works Committee, for review. The committee recommends approval.

 

INFORMATIONAL: Red River Valley Water Supply Project update, was presented at a recent meeting, with AE2S officials. Projected costs were estimated, but specific costs were not established.

 

INFORMATIONAL: City Engineer project updates included mill and overlay projects added to the STIP list for 2022.  Noted was the temporary pavement markings have been reinstalled, along the Road Diet project route through Jamestown.

The meeting was show live on CSi Cable 67, followed be replays.

 

(CSi)  – Gov. Doug Burgum Thursday announced that Great River Energy (GRE) is in exclusive negotiations to sell Coal Creek Station and GRE’s high-voltage, direct current transmission system. If such a sale occurs, the buyer would continue to operate Coal Creek Station and GRE would not shut it down.

Last May, GRE, a not-for-profit wholesale electric power cooperative providing power in Minnesota and Wisconsin, announced plans to retire Coal Creek Station, a 1,151-megawatt (MW) coal generating power plant in Underwood, N.D., during the second half of 2022.

 

Since then, the Burgum-Sanford administration has worked diligently with GRE and potential buyers to assist in finding solutions for the plant to continue operating, with Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford taking a critical lead role in the efforts. Coal Creek Station has been in operation since 1979 and has 240 employees. North American Coal’s nearby Falkirk Mine, the lignite coal supplier to Coal Creek Station, employs approximately 450 people.

Burgum says, “This is wonderful news for Coal Creek Station’s employees, their local communities and the entire state of North Dakota.  Great River Energy has had a positive impact on North Dakota’s energy and agriculture industries for more than 40 years and has always been a great corporate citizen. They are continuing that record as we work on solutions for Coal Creek Station’s future. We’re deeply grateful to Lt. Gov. Sanford, GRE, the Legislature, our state’s congressional delegation and everyone involved in creating a viable path forward for Coal Creek Station and our lignite coal industry.”

After conducting a national search to identify and engage potential buyers of Coal Creek Station and the high-voltage transmission line, GRE has entered exclusive negotiations with one potential buyer who is proposing to buy the plant and the line. The interested party plans to pursue carbon capture and sequestration, which was a major factor in GRE’s decision to negotiate exclusively with the party. Carbon capture and sequestration is the process of capturing carbon dioxide from power plants or industrial processes and injecting it into deep underground rock formations that trap the gas and prevent it from escaping into the atmosphere.

Burgum has signed Senate Bill 2152, which provides a sales tax exemption for carbon dioxide used for secure geologic storage – providing an incentive to continue developing North Dakota’s abundant lignite coal resources in an environmentally sound manner.

Under the Burgum-Sanford administration, North Dakota became the first state in the nation to receive approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate geologic storage of carbon dioxide. The EPA granted this primary regulatory authority, or primacy, in April 2018, capping an effort that began in 2009 under then-Gov. John Hoeven after the North Dakota Legislature gave the state Industrial Commission’s Oil and Gas Division regulatory authority over carbon storage.

Last month, Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions announced the world’s largest carbon capture and storage project, a pipeline network that would capture more than 10 million tons of carbon dioxide annually from ethanol plants in four states and transport it to North Dakota for underground storage. Tharaldson Ethanol near Casselton, N.D., is among the partners in the $2 billion project.

Sanford says, “Building on the work of past governors and legislatures, we’ve created a tax and regulatory environment that makes North Dakota an attractive place for companies to conduct responsible and sustainable energy development, and those efforts continue to pay dividends with today’s positive news. After,” Sanford said. ““GRE made the difficult decision to stop operating Coal Creek Station or sell it, the cooperative has worked tirelessly to find a buyer for the plant and line. Although negotiations on the transaction are still in process, we plan to continue working with both parties to help complete a sale for continued operations at Coal Creek Station.”

The State of North Dakota has been an active public partner with private lignite industry partners, by supporting lignite research and clean coal technologies over the years, contributing $40.6 million from the Lignite Research Fund since 2017 to lignite research projects with a total value of over $130 million, including value-added projects, carbon capture utilization and storage and rare earth studies.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Bismarck police arrested a 15-year-old they say robbed two gas stations Wednesday night.

According to police, the minor used a BB gun to demand money from employees at the Kum & Go on Rosser Ave and the Arco Gas Station on 6th Street.

Combined the minor took over $1,000 from the businesses.

Officers were able to locate the minor on 2nd Street when he ran. An electronic stun device was used to take the 15-year-old into custody.

Update

Bismarck (NDHP) The North Dakota Highway Patrol has released more information concerning on Tuesday March 23, at approximately 10:45 am a Department of Transportation employee reported to Law Enforcement they had found a suspicious object while performing maintenance on Hwy 1804 near mile marker 45 in Emmons County. The update released on Thursday,said, the preliminary analysis of the object found on March 23, indicates the object was an explosive device commonly known as a pipe bomb. The device was not found in or near any structures. The origin of the device is currently under investigation. After being rendered safe by the Bismarck Bomb Squad, the device was turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for examination.

If you have information about the device, contact the North Dakota Highway Patrol at 844-474-NDHP (6347) or 701-328-2447. The public can also submit anonymous tips via text message to tip 411. To submit, open a text message and enter 847411 (tip411) in the “To” field. In the body of the text, enter NDHP, type a space, and add your tip. Submissions are also accepted via the NDHP website: https://www.nd.gov/ndhp/tip411.

WEST FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Police say two men are in custody for a shooting in West Fargo that injured a juvenile. The two men from Fargo, both 20, have been arrested on a possible charge of attempted murder. Police Chief Denis Otterness says the shooting Sunday night at a residence was the result of an altercation that happened earlier that day. Police say the juvenile who was shot is in stable condition. The minor’s age and gender are not being released. Otterness says police continue to look for additional persons of interest believed to be involved in the shooting.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Republican-led Senate has killed legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. Only 10 of the chamber’s 47 senators voted for the measure Thursday. The bill sailed through the GOP-led House last month with a 85-8 vote for approval. Backers of the legislation said they were to get ahead of citizen-initiated efforts to legalize marijuana in the state The bill mirrored much of the state’s medical marijuana program, which the 2017 Legislature implemented after voters approved it in 2016.

 

Fargo  (VA)  The Fargo VA Health Care System will host a COVID-19 Telephone Town Hall on Monday March 29 from 11-a.m. to 12 noon.

To participate call 1-872-701-0185, then enter code, 40401685#

All Veterans, their family members and any organization or individual who works with or on behalf of, veterans is encouraged to participate.

The COVID-19 Telephone Town Hall is hosted by the Fargo VA Health Care System, Director, Dr. Bret Weintraub.  The purpose of the Town Hall is to share information about the Fargo VA’s current COVID-19 operations and precautions, hear feedback, and answer questions.

For more information call the Fargo VA HCS Public Affairs Office a 701-239-3724.

 

Bismarck  (NDDOT)   – A statewide campaign against underage drinking begins April 1 as a part of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Law enforcement across the state will conduct compliance checks and shoulder taps from April 1 to May 23 in an effort to prevent life altering consequences caused by consuming alcohol underage. Persons under 21 found to be consuming or in possession of alcohol could face fines and end up in court. No matter the age, driving under the influence is not only illegal, but dangerous.

Valley City Police Chief, Phil Hatcher says, “Consuming alcohol underage is illegal and choosing to drive while under the influence can result in a lifetime of consequences.” It’s vital underage drivers understand the importance of taking personal responsibility and refraining from risk-taking behavior.”

Alcohol and drug-related crashes are 100% preventable. Many lives would be saved in North Dakota each year if every driver consistently makes the choice to always drive sober, designate a sober driver or use a ride-hailing service.

Preliminary crash fatalities in 2021 are trending higher than previous years with 21 fatalities to date, making this campaign a vital part of the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.

Visit the North Dakota Crash Memorial Wall to view memorials built on the hope of preventing another death on North Dakota roads.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Senate has passed a bill that sets up the process for filling the seat of a victorious candidate who dies or resigns before taking office. A similar scenario last fall resulted in a clash between the governor and lawmakers. Republican House candidate David Andahl died Oct. 5 and then won one of two open seats in District 8. Gov. Doug Burgum, who in the primary supported Andahl and another candidate over longtime Republican lawmaker Jeff Delzer, tried to appoint Wade Boeshans to fill the spot. That move was rebuffed when the state Supreme Court said a Republican district committee should pick the replacement. The bill sent to the governor mirrors the court’s ruling.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Fargo birdseed production company has reached a settlement with a federal agency that investigated a severe and life-altering injury to an employee. The probe by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration stemmed from an incident in August when a Red River Commodities employee suffered multiple lacerations and the partial amputation of his leg when caught in an operating grain bin auger. OSHA cited the company with numerous violations of the agency’s grain handling, confined space, machine safety and electrical safety regulations. Inspectors also found that the company did not sufficiently train workers to recognize hazards and take proper safety measures. In addition to implementing new training and safety protocols, the company must pay a $225,000 penalty.

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  – On Saturday, March 20, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) was notified of a crude oil spill in Divide County about 16 miles southeast of Crosby. The spill resulted from a pipe valve failure at a site operated by Summit Midstream Partners, LP.

Approximately 532 barrels of oil were released, of which 400 barrels have since been recovered. Fortunately, the spill was contained to the site.

Personnel from the NDDEQ are inspecting the site and will continue to monitor the investigation and remediation.

 

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A state agency has chosen to leave millions of pounds of illegally dumped, radioactive fracking waste in an Eastern Oregon landfill. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the Oregon Department of Energy’s decision Wednesday comes just over a year after it issued a notice of violation to Chemical Waste Management. The company operates Oregon’s only hazardous waste landfill, outside of the Columbia River town of Arlington. An investigation found CWM had dumped 1,284 tons of radioactive waste in the landfill over three years. Oregon law prohibits the establishment of a radioactive waste disposal facility. The state Department of Energy says removing the waste “would pose a greater risk to landfill workers than leaving the waste in place.”

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has opened his first formal news conference with a nod toward the improving picture on battling the coronavirus, but he was immediately pressed on thorny issues, like immigration and voting rights, now testing his administration. Biden doubled his original goal on COVID-19 vaccines by pledging that the nation will administer 200 million doses by the end of his first 100 days in office. The administration had met Biden’s initial goal of 100 million doses earlier this month — before even his 60th day in office — as the president pushes to defeat a pandemic that has killed more than 545,000 Americans and devastated the nation’s economy.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says it’s his “expectation” that he’ll run for reelection in 2024. Biden is 78 and already the oldest president to hold office. He would be 82 at the start of a second term. Biden was asked at the first news conference of his presidency whether he thought he could face a rematch against Donald Trump. Biden scoffed at the question. “Oh, I don’t even think about it,” Biden said. “I have no idea.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are vowing action on several of their top priorities in April. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Thursday that the Senate will move to strengthen hate crime laws to include Asian Americans and will act to restore voting rights protections to combat minority voter suppression. Schumer also said the Senate “must take action” on gun control legislation after two mass shootings this month, including one in Georgia that left six Asian American women dead. Schumer says he believes the American people are ready for “big, bold comprehensive change.” But the prospects of those bills becoming law is distant as Republicans are broadly oppose them.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are lambasting three Big Tech CEOs for allowing hate speech and disinformation to thrive on their social media platforms, signaling congressional interest in stepping up heavy scrutiny of the powerful tech industry and contemplating new legislation. Experts, however, are questioning the usefulness of hearings such as these. They note that these hearings tend to be highly partisan, long and often focus largely on optics rather than substantial policy. In addition, as former Facebook Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos notes on Twitter, Congress might get better answers by calling lower-level executives with actual responsibility for particular moderation decisions.

 

DALLAS (AP) — Congress is looking into the cause of last month’s power blackouts across Texas. A House panel heard Wednesday from officials who oversee the state’s energy industry and electric grid. Bill Magness is the outgoing CEO of grid operator the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. He says that because of a loss of generating capacity, the grid operator had no choice but to order rolling outages to prevent an even more disastrous and longer blackout. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner says Texas policymakers wrongly assumed that a severe winter storm in 2011 was an anomaly. The outages caused millions of Texans to lose power and heat during subfreezing temperatures.