CSi Weather…

…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MUCH OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA…

The National Weather Service in Bismarck has issued a Fire
Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from Sunday afternoon through Monday evening.

* WINDS…Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph on
Sunday, becoming northwest with gusts up to 50 mph on Monday.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 20 percent.

* AFFECTED AREA…Mainly southwestern and central North Dakota on
Sunday, spreading to most of western and central North Dakota on
Monday.

* IMPACTS…Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become
difficult to control or suppress.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

 

Forecast…

.FRIDAY NIGHT… Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of light rain in the evening, then slight chance of light rain and snow after midnight, in the Valley City area.   Lows 30 to 35. North winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.  Lows in the upper 20s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of rain and snow in the morning, then slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 40s. North winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northwest around 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest

winds 5 to 15 mph.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 60s. South winds 5 to

10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s.

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

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

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

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

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

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.

 

Fire weather concerns become the highlight as we start the upcoming week.

On Sunday  temperatures climbing to well above average, along with dry air pushing in. This will set the stage for potentially critical fire weather conditions, especially over the southwest where the lowest humidity values will occur.

 

Concerns for critical fire weather conditions spread over much of the area on Monday, with low humidity values over many locations and gusty winds as the low swings a cold frontcomes  through. Latest guidance has become more aggressive with the timing of this frontal passage, which has also made the high temperature forecast rather tricky. Ahead of the front, highs are expected to push into the 70s over most locations, cooler though still well above average behind the front. A few showers may be possible over the northwest/north central, though this may cause more harm than good by aiding in the mixing of some higher winds aloft to the surface. Cold air is ushered in overnight behind the front.

On Tuesday, much cooler temperatures expected across the area, but with that said humidity values still remain quite low, especially over the south. Northwest winds behind the front will combine with this, and produce possibly another day of fire weather concerns.

Gradual warming trend is then expected to close out the work week.

 

(City of Jamestown)   Friday, March 26, 2021; there is a temporary water outage and road closure on the 300 Block of 7th Ave SE & 3rd St SE (from 7th Ave SE to 5th Ave SE) and on 4th St SE (from 7th Ave SE to 5th Ave SE). This will take place from 12:00 PM until approximately 5:00 PM.

Motorists will need to use alternate routes.
Motorists should use extreme caution in this area.

 

(CSi)  Stutsman County Emergency Manger Jerry Bergquist reminds residents that with the lack of snow cover, Stutsman County residents need to be reminded of the open burning ordinance that limits when burning can be safely carried out.  The ordinance is in effect 365 days a year.  However, it restricts burning only when the Fire Danger Rating for Stutsman County is in the “VERY HIGH” or “EXTREME” categories or if a “RED FLAG WARNING” has been issued by the National Weather Service.

Because of the continued dry conditions, Stutsman County will most likely be placed in either the “VERY HIGH” or “EXTREME” fire danger categories.  If this occurs, the ordinance dictates that NO burning is permitted within Stutsman County. This includes starting, conducting, allowing, maintaining, or soliciting any open burn activities.

Violations of the open burning ordinance will be enforced.  A violation is a Class B misdemeanor, for which a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail, a fine of $1,500.00 or both may be imposed.

This ordinance is in effect in all of Stutsman County including its incorporated cities that do not have their own open burning ordinances.  The ordinance does not include the City of Jamestown which has its own ordinances relating to burning.

The daily Fire Danger Rating can be found either by going to the Stutsman County website at www.co.stutsman.nd.us and clicking on the green “Fire Danger” icon at the top of the page, or by calling the Stutsman County Communications Center at 701-252-1000.  A full version of the burn ordinance can also be found at the website under Departments, choose Zoning, and click on “Burn Ban Ordinance” on the left-hand side of the page.

Because of the dry conditions, expect a series of days where burning may be restricted until the countryside greens up.  For more information contact the Stutsman County Emergency Manager’s Office at 701-252-9093.

Valley City  (CSi)  The Barnes County Commission has extended the burn ban for Barnes County now through April 7

The ban includes the burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage pits, construction debris, fallen trees as well as crop residue, sloughs, campfires and bonfires.

Barnes County Emergency Manager Sue Lloyd said residents can use grills and fire pits so long as there is an adult present and monitoring them and the adult ensures the fire pit and grill are completely extinguished.

 

NDDoH

COVID Stats

11am

Fri., Mar. 26,2021

Barnes:

New Positives 0

Total Positives 1319

Active 6

Recovered 1282

Stutsman:

New Positives 1

Total Positives 3323

Active 5

Recovered 3239

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
217,336 Residents who received at least one dose of vaccine
368,591 Total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered
6,153 Total Tests from yesterday*
1,775,808 Total tests completed since the pandemic began
184 Positive Individuals from yesterday*****
93 PCR Tests
91 Antigen Tests
102,382 Total positive individuals since the pandemic began
4.07% Daily Positivity Rate**
960 Total Active Cases
+72 Change in active cases from yesterday
110 Individuals with a recovery date of yesterday****
99,956 Total recovered since the pandemic began
16 Currently hospitalized
-5 Change in hospitalizations from yesterday
+1 New death(s) 
1,466 Total deaths since the pandemic began

 
INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19
Man in his 90s from Cass County
 

NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY BY COUNTY
Adams 0 Grant 1 Ransom 0
Barnes 0 Griggs 0 Renville 0
Benson 0 Hettinger 0 Richland 4
Billings 0 Kidder 2 Rolette 1
Bottineau 2 LaMoure 1 Sargent 0
Bowman 0 Logan 0 Sheridan 0
Burke 0 McHenry 1 Sioux 0
Burleigh 12 McIntosh 1 Slope 0
Cass 102 McKenzie 3 Stark 11
Cavalier 1 McLean 2 Steele 0
Dickey 0 Mercer 2 Stutsman 1
Divide 0 Morton 3 Towner 0
Dunn 0 Mountrail 0 Traill 1
Eddy 0 Nelson 3 Walsh 3
Emmons 0 Oliver 0 Ward 10
Foster 0 Pembina 2 Wells 2
Golden Valley 1 Pierce 0 Williams 1
Grand Forks 9 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.

Previously

 

Jamestown  (CVHD) Stutsman County tops 10,723 COVID-19 vaccinations given as of March 25, 2021. Central Valley Health District (CVHD) has administered 4,525 Moderna vaccinations and 1,880 Pfizer vaccinations as of [March 26]. To date, 38.8% of North Dakota residents have been vaccinated with at least once dose of the COVID vaccine, according to the Department of Health’s dashboard. Vaccinations continue to be given in the county by the enrolled providers including public health, pharmacies, congregate living agencies, and other healthcare facilities.

CVHD Unit Administrator, Robin Iszler says, “Vaccination efforts continue throughout the community. We continue to receive increased allocations of vaccine and we anticipates that anyone wanting to be vaccinated should be able to do so by the end of April.”

CVHD encourages anyone wishing to receive a vaccination to sign up for the first available appointment offered to them. CVHD currently has open vaccination appointments available for registration the week  of March 29, and they are posted on their website at www.centralvalleyhealth.org.

Participants who cannot register themselves are encouraged to call CVHD at 252-8130 for assistance.

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District reports that on April 1, 2021 COVID VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE for the following priority groups:
. All Stutsman and Logan County residents (16 and older – Pfizer / 18 and older – Moderna) are eligible to register for a COVID-19 vaccination.

Appointments are required and are first come, first serve. Once the clinics are full, they will be closed for registration.

To register for an appointment, visit our website www.centralvalleyhealth.org and click the “COVID-19” tab.

 

Jamestown (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District this week will have COVID-19 Testing

  • Monday March 29
  • Weds March 31

at the Jamestown Civic Center from 11-a.m. to 12 noon, using the Rapid Testing, BinaxNow.

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

 

NDDoH  Don’t forget: North Dakota’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout will reach all citizens age 16+ on Monday, March 29, when the state begins Phase 2! Many areas have already begun Phase 2. Find available COVID-19 vaccine appointments near you: health.nd.gov/covidvaccineloNDDoH  Don’t forget: North Dakota’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout will reach all citizens age 16+ on Monday, March 29, when the state begins Phase 2! Many areas have already begun Phase 2. Find available COVID-19 vaccine appointments near you: health.nd.gov/covidvaccinelo

 

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District will be holding vaccination Clinics:

CLINIC FULL

Date:  Monday, March 29      

Time:  1:00pm – 4:00pm

………….

What: 1st Dose COVID Vaccination Clinic

Vaccine Type: Moderna (18 years and older)

Location:  Jamestown Civic Center Exchequer Room (North Entrance)

Date:  Thursday, April 1

Time:  9:00am – 2:00pm

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

…………………

AVAILABLE 2nd DOSE CLINICS:

*Review the due date on the back of your CDC COVID vaccination record card prior to registering.

* 2nd dose clinics ONLY.  If you register as a first dose, your appointment will be canceled.

 

…………….

What: 2nd Dose COVID Vaccination Clinic

Vaccine Type: Moderna

Date:  Thursday, April 1

Time:  9:00am – 2:00pm

Location:  Jamestown Civic Center Exchequer Room

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

.Appointments are required and are first come, first serve. Once the clinics are full, they will be closed for registration.
.
.To register for an appointment, visit our website www.centralvalleyhealth.org and click the “COVID-19” tab.

 

 

Valley City  (CCHD)  City/ County Health in Valley City will hold the next Vaccination Clinic on Thursday, April, 1 2021 from 9-a.m., to 10:45-a.m. at CCHD.

The First dose of Moderna Vaccine will be given to those who pre-register with CCHD.

 

 

 

Valley City  (NDDOT) Construction is scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 30, on four bridges along Interstate 94 through Valley City from exit 290 to 292.

This project consists of replacing the bridge rails and concrete slabs connecting the roadway to the bridge.

The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph and minimum delays are expected.

During construction, there will be a 13-foot width restriction in place for east and westbound traffic.

The project is expected to be complete later this fall.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation would like to remind motorists to slow down and use caution throughout the work zone. For more information about construction projects and road conditions throughout North Dakota, call 511 or visit the ND Roads map at https://travel.dot.nd.gov/.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Republican-led Legislature has moved to allow booze sales on Sunday mornings. The House voted to 49-41 Friday to allow alcohol sales seven days a week beginning at 8 a.m. Bars and restaurants can’t serve alcohol from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sundays, while liquor stores can’t sell alcohol until noon. The Senate narrowly approved the measure last month. It now goes to GOP Gov. Doug Burgum. If signed, the change would take effect Aug. 1. The measure’s fiscal note estimates Sunday morning alcohol sales could raise $312,000 over the next two-year budget cycle in tax revenue for the state.

 

In sports…

Jamestown  (CSi)  Hillcrest Golf Course will open to the public on Monday March 29, at noon.

All 18 holes will be available to play and open to carts. The driving range and putting green will also be available for use.

The Pro Shop hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to start the season.

For memberships and tee times  go  online at www.jamestownparksandrec.com, or call  701-252-4320.

ST. LOUIS  (UND)  – The Missouri Valley Football Conference has postponed the North Dakota-Youngstown State football game (Saturday, March 27) at Stambaugh Stadium in Youngstown, Ohio, due to a positive COVID-19 test and subsequent contact tracing in UND’s Tier 1 personnel, which consists of student-athletes, coaches, managers and staff.

The game will be rescheduled for Saturday, April 17, and will be played in Youngstown, Ohio.  Start time will be announced at a later date.

Valley Football athletically related activities will take place only to the extent permitted by local environments and applicable national, state, local and institutional guidelines in order to safeguard the health and safety of participants, staff and fans.

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Star-Tribune)  – Mike Bell, who served as Twins manager Rocco Baldelli’s bench coach during the 2020 season, died of kidney cancer on Friday. He was 46.

Bell, the son and brother of MLB managers, was on what he hoped would be a similar career path, having spent a decade in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ organization as a minor-league manager and player-development executive before accepting the Twins’ job in late 2019.

As the bench coach, Bell “became absolutely invaluable to what we do,” Baldelli said earlier this week. “I feel fortunate, I really do feel lucky, that I’ve had the opportunity to work with [him].”

Bell was the brother of Reds manager David Bell, whose team trains near his brother’s home in Arizona. He is the son of Buddy Bell, a longtime major-league third baseman who managed the Tigers, Rockies and Royals; and the grandson of Gus Bell, who played 15 years as an outfielder for the Pirates, Reds, Mets and Braves.

Bell fell sick in January, and an examination discovered a tumor in his kidney that was removed, along with part of his liver, during surgery in early February. Bell remained at his home in the Phoenix area while the Twins gathered for spring training, and Baldelli said he and other members of his staff kept in touch with their missing coach, who offered input on the makeup of the team.

“The Minnesota Twins are devastated by the loss of Mike Bell,” the team said in a statement. “In his short time with our club, Mike had an indelibly positive impact — not only on the quality of our team on the field, but most importantly upon everyone whom he met.

“The Twins join the baseball world in mourning Mike’s untimely passing; our thoughts and best wishes are with his wife, Kelly, his three children, Luke, Mikayla and Madeline, and the entire Bell family during this difficult time.”

Bell played in 19 major league games for Cincinnati in 2000. He retired as a player in 2005.

The Twins game Friday night against Atlanta at Hammond Stadium will be played, at the request of the Bell family.

 

In world and national news…

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Authorities and a gun store owner say the suspect in the Colorado supermarket shooting bought a firearm at a local gun store after passing a background check. Boulder’s police chief told reporters Friday that the suspect also had a second weapon that wasn’t believed to have been used the attack that killed 10 people. The owner of Eagles Nest Armory said in a statement that the gun store is cooperating with authorities. The police chief says investigators are working to determine the motive for the shooting, but they don’t know yet why the suspect chose the store in Boulder or what led to the rampage Monday.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is threatening to sue the federal government if it doesn’t lift its pandemic ban on cruise lines using U.S. ports. Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Attorney General Ashley Moody said Friday that the state is being harmed economically by the industry’s U.S. shutdown. They said cruises are being operated safely around the globe with restrictions and protocols and no new coronavirus outbreaks have been tied to a ship. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shut down the industry a year ago after several outbreaks early in the pandemic were tied to cruise ships. It did not respond to an email seeking comment.

 

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Authorities in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula have complained about tourists not wearing face masks, as Mexico braces for a surge of Easter Week visitors. Federal authorities have closed the Chichén Itzá Maya ruin site during Easter week to avoid the possible spread of the coronavirus. The acting police chief of the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo patrolled the streets of the resort of Tulum, reminding people to wear their masks and complaining about how few people did. And for the second year in a row, Latin America’s most famous re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ will be held without spectators in Mexico City.

 

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese officials have briefed diplomats in Beijing on the research into the origin of COVID-19, ahead of the expected release of a long-awaited report from the World Health Organization. The briefing appeared to be an attempt by China to get out its view on the report, which has become enmeshed in a diplomatic spat. The U.S. and others have raised questions about Chinese influence and the independence of the findings, and China has accused critics of politicizing a scientific study. The expert who led a WHO team on a visit to the city in China where COVID-19 cases were first reported says the nearly 400-page report is in the process of being fact-checked and translated.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is including rivals Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China among the invitees to the first big climate talks of his administration, an event the U.S. hopes will help shape, speed up and deepen global efforts to cut climate-wrecking fossil fuel pollution, administration officials told The Associated Press. The president is seeking to revive a U.S.-convened forum of the world’s major economies on climate that George W. Bush and Barack Obama both used and Donald Trump let languish. Leaders of some of the world’s top climate-change sufferers, do-gooders and backsliders round out the rest of the 40 invitations being delivered Friday. It will be held April 22 and 23.

 

DETROIT (AP) — A judge has rejected a last-minute effort to extend Monday’s deadline to register for a share of the $641 million Flint water lawsuit settlement. Judge Judith Levy says she won’t upset a 60-day deadline that was baked into a settlement. The deal involves residents who were exposed to lead-contaminated water, the city of Flint, the state of Michigan and other parties. The judge told lawyers, “Get all hands on deck and get the job done.” More than 33,000 registration forms were received as of last Monday. Residents don’t need a lawyer to sign up. They can send a form by mail or register online.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tapped the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard to be the House’s first African American sergeant-at-arms. Maj. Gen. William Walker will lead House security measures as Congress is still dealing with the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and figuring out how to keep lawmakers safe moving forward. Walker was closely involved with the security that day as he sent troops to back up overwhelmed Capitol Police. Walker will replace Paul Irving, who resigned immediately after the insurrection. Walker’s appointment comes as the House is ramping up its investigations into the insurrection.