Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Apr 19

CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 20s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TUESDAY…Partly sunny. Slight chance of snow in the morning, then slight chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph increasing to around 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s. Northwest

winds 5 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Northwest

winds 10 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the upper 20s.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 60s.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain in the

afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s.

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

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the upper 20s.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain and snow in

the morning. Highs in the mid 50s.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Police reports a rollover crash Monday at 2:24 pm at the intersection of 13^th Street Northeast and 6^th Ave Northeast.

One Vehicle was involved.  Jamestown Area Ambulance Service was called to the scene.

More information when the police report is available.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Rural Fire Department was called to a grass fire about 3-p.m., Monday that quickly spread at 3622 78th Avenue, Southeast.

The fire started in a farmyard then to about 10 – 16 acres of pasture.

Some barn siding was damaged in the fire.

Eight Rural Fire Department units and 20 firefighters were on the scene about 30 minutes.

 

NDDoH

COVID-19 Stats

Mon. Apr. 19, 2021

11:00 am

Barnes

New Positives 1

Total Positives: 1364

Active: 10

Recovered 1323

 

Stutsman:

New Positives: 0

Total Positives: 3416

Active:  25

Recovered: 3311

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
268,938	Residents who received at least one dose of vaccine
504,929	Total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered
1,118	Total Tests from yesterday*
1,876,350	Total tests completed since the pandemic began
51	Positive Individuals from yesterday*****
29	PCR Tests
22	Antigen Tests
105,805	Total positive individuals since the pandemic began
6.01%	Daily Positivity Rate**
1,004	Total Active Cases
-55	Change in active cases from yesterday
98	Individuals with a recovery date of yesterday****
103,322	Total recovered since the pandemic began
35	Currently hospitalized
0	Change in hospitalizations from yesterday
1	New death(s) since 4/16
1,479	Total deaths since the pandemic began
INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19 (SINCE 4/16)
Man in his 80s from Burleigh County
NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED MONDAY BY COUNTY
Adams		0	Grant	0	Ransom	0
Barnes		1	Griggs	0	Renville	0
Benson		0	Hettinger	0	Richland	2
Billings		0	Kidder	0	Rolette	0
Bottineau		0	LaMoure	0	Sargent	0
Bowman		0	Logan	0	Sheridan	0
Burke		0	McHenry	0	Sioux	1
Burleigh		6	McIntosh	0	Slope	0
Cass		13	McKenzie	4	Stark	2
Cavalier		0	McLean	0	Steele	1
Dickey		0	Mercer	0	Stutsman	0
Divide		0	Morton	5	Towner	0
Dunn		0	Mountrail	0	Traill	0
Eddy		0	Nelson	1	Walsh	2
Emmons		1	Oliver	0	Ward	4
Foster		0	Pembina	0	Wells	0
Golden Valley		0	Pierce	0	Williams	3
Grand Forks		5	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 (JPD) – The Jamestown Police Department and Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office responded to calls for service, during the Saturday April 17, 2021 Runnin O’ The Green in Jamestown.

Jamestown Assistant Police Chief, Major Justin Blinsky reports police responded to 69 calls in a within 12 hours between of 2-p.m.Saturday  to 2-a.m. Sunday.

He says, some of the calls for service were directly related to the event and some were not.

Unlawful possession of alcoholic beverages, 16
(having/consuming alcohol outside of licensed liquor establishments)

Traffic Stops (wide range of infractions and some B Misdemeanor violations), 13

Aided Cases (calls which require police assistance, but do not have a criminal component) 5

foot patrol (calls where officers are walking through establishments/areas to be visible and act as a deterrent), 5

Drunkenness
(calls dealing with intoxicated individuals who are not capable of caring for themselves due to their intoxication levels), 4

Disorderly Conduct, 3

Local Ordinance violations 3

Suspicious activity
(calls where individuals are in areas or doing some activity which may be directly related to criminal activity)  3

Welfare Checks 2

Suicide Threatened 2

Trespassing 2

Disturbance Call (caller was annoyed by the noise created by the individuals on the run and made a comment about having a firearm and “taking care of things”) 1

Suspected Narcotics, 1

1 Warrant Arrest, 1

Theft of Motor Vehicle, 1

Assist Ambulance 1

Aggravated Domestic Assault 1

 K-9 activity 1

Information report 1 found property

 Missing person 1
(not related to the event, but subject was found safe)

Civil Matter 1
(dispute over property)

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal, Building, Planning & Zoning, and Civic Center and Promotion Committees, met Monday at City Hall.  Council Member Buchanan joined by phone, Council Member Steele and Mayor Heinrich attended in person, as did Council Member Kamlitz . Council Member Schloegel was not present.

In other news, on Tuesday, the  Stutsman County Commission unanimously approved their share of $120,000 for the next planning steps of the Buffalo City Park.

 

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

The committee recommends approving the request from JSDC to move forward on the pathway to success for Buffalo City Park by providing up to $600,000 from Economic Development Incentive  Funds, with the City Share to be $480,000, at 80-percent, the Stutsman County share is 20 percent of the $600,000 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

 

The committee recommends approving  the 2019 and 2020 Abatement applications for 909 8th Ave NE, 58401, as stated by City Assessor, Jamison Veil.

The committee recommends the request from the Bank of North Dakota in connection with the loan made to Eagle Flats Apartments LLC by First Community Credit Union and approve the Mayor, City Administrator, and City Attorney to sign the Escrow Agreement, the Interest Buydown Agreement and the Opinion of Counsel upon review by the city attorney.  Mayor Heinrich said this is a Flexpace loan, with no obligation to the city.

The committee recommends, extending the COVID-19 Leave Policy beyond June 30, 2021.  Mayor Heinrich said he feels the extension should be given to those who are medically able  have received the COVId-19 vaccine. Counci Meber Steele concurred.  The committee voted  unanimously to extend, subject to review at any time, to an October date.

Considered an ordinance to amend and re-enact a Section of the City Code pertaining to the sale and possession of alcohol on a public right-of-way directly adjacent to the location of an on-sale license holder within the city limits of Jamestown. The committee moved the item to the May City Council meeting without recommendation, after further Review

Then committee recommends approving  the request from The Arts Center to act as the government grantee applicant for a community art project funded by this grant, in the anticipated amount of $25,000.  No city funds are involved.

The committee recommends the allocation of State of ND CARES Act reimbursements in the amount of $25,000 toward infrastructure and building repairs and improvements at the city-owned Frontier Village site to be paid from the ND Cares act funds.

The committee recommends the City Council schedule a public hearing to be held at the June 7, 2021, at the  Regular City Council meeting, at the Library Board’s request to establish a James River Valley Library Building Fund for the purpose of construction, addition, alteration, purchasing land or purchasing a building to be used as a public library according to the policies as established by the Library Board of Directors.  Mayor Heinrich said approval is only to establish the Building Fund, and no city funds will be allocated.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Considered the Major Subdivision, Preliminary Plat of St. James Second Addition to Calvary Cemetery, a portion of Block 16 of Southwood Second Addition, City of Jamestown, North Dakota. The property is located at 1513 17th St SW.  The committee recommends approval.

Considered the Minor Subdivision, Preliminary Plat of Lux Addition, Replat of Lot 4, Block 1 of Trillium First Addition and a Metes and Bounds Parcel of Vacated Block 21 of McGinnis’ Second Addition and Second Street SE within the Southeast Quarter of Section 25, T140N, R64W, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota. The property is located at 907 2nd St SE. The committee recommends  approval.

Considered the Future Land Use Plan Amendment for Auditor’s Lot 27-11, Midway Township (Part of Proposed Country Ready Mix Subdivision), within the Northwest Quarter and Northeast Quarter of Section 27, T140N, R64W, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota from Agricultural District to Industrial.  The committee recommends approval.

 

The committee recommends introducing the first reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 by amending the District Map to change the zoning of Auditor’s Lot 27-11, Midway Township (Part of Proposed Country Ready Mix Subdivision), within the Northwest Quarter and Northeast Quarter of Section 27, T140N, R64W, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from Ag (Agriculture) to M-2 (General Industrial & Manufacturing District). The property is located at 8144 34th St SE.

The recommends approving  the Future Land Use Plan Amendment for Part of the Southwest Quarter and part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 27 (Proposed Loose Bypass Subdivision), Township 140N, R64W of the Fifth Principal Meridian, Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota, Extraterritorial Lands of the City of Jamestown, from Agricultural/Rural Open Space District to Community & Regional Commercial and Rural Residential.

 

Rural Residential

Proposed Loose Bypass Subdivsion

Block 3, Lots 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 & 9

Block 4, Lots 6 & 8

Community & Regional Commercial

Proposed Loose Bypass Subdivision

Block 1, Lot 1

Block 2, Lots 1 & 2

Block 3, Lots 1, 2 & 5

Block 4, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7

Block 5, Lots 1, 2, 3 & 4

 

Considered introducing the first reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 by amending the District Map to change the zoning of Part of the Southwest Quarter and part of the Southeast Quarter of Section 27 (Proposed Loose Bypass Subdivision), Township 140N, R64W of the Fifth Principal Meridian, Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota, Extraterritorial Lands of the City of Jamestown, from A-1 (Agricultural/Rural Open Space) & C-2 (General Commercial) to C-2 (General Commercial) and from A-1 (Agricultural/Rural Open Space) to A-1 (Agricultural/Rural Open Space). The property is located at 81st Ave & 35th St SE.

 

From A-1 (Agricultural District) & C-2 (General Commercial) to C-2 (General Commercial)

Proposed Loose Bypass Subdivision

Block 1, Lot 1

Block 2, Lots 1 & 2

Block 3, Lots 1, 2 & 5

Block 4, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7

Block 5, Lots 1, 2, 3 & 4

From A-1 (Agricultural District) to A-1 (Agricultural District)

Proposed Loose Bypass Subdivision

Block 3, Lots 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 & 9

Block 4, Lots 6 & 8

 

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

The committee recommends approving the request from Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country for a one-year extension to the 2016 Beverage Agreement and reduction in payments to the Civic Center due to the unforeseen Covid-19 interruptions in operations.

 

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays.

 

Update…

Jamestown  (CSi)  On Friday, April 16th, 2021 a sobriety checkpoint was held in Stutsman County, near Jamestown.
During the sobriety checkpoint, 105 vehicles went through the checkpoint and two drivers were evaluated for impairment, no arrests were made. Saturation patrols resulted in three arrests for driving under the influence and three arrests for drug related violations. The North Dakota Highway Patrol is committed to taking impaired drivers and illegal drugs off of North Dakota roadways as we work together to reach Vision Zero: zero fatalities and serious crashes on North Dakota roadways.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall.

Commissioner Bishop was not present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Approve Raffle Permit for

Valley City Education Association

Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce

Express Wrestling

 

Approved Block Off Street Request for the Valley City Are Chamber of Commerce for the Rally in the Valley Event held on June 19th 2021 beginning from 6AM to 5 PM.

 

Public Comments   No One spoke.

 

ORDINANCE

Approved the  First Reading of Ordinance No. 1077, an Ordinance amending and reenacting VCMC section 8-01-02 re contractor license renewal date. City Attorney Martineck the items allows the Auditors Office to review the paperwork.

 

Approved the  First Reading of Ordinance No. 1078, an Ordinance to Create and enact Section 15-01-12.1 re Tax Assessment of Unpaid Utility Charges. City Administrator Crawford said the action if approved it would not go into effect  until January 1, 2022.

 

 

Approved the Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1076, an Ordinance to amend and reenact section 7-04-04 of the Valley City Municipal Code related to numbers on buildings. City Attorney Martineck said no changes from the First Reading and is consistent with the state building code.

 

Approved the  First Reading of Ordinance 1075, an Ordinance Amending and Reenacting Sections of Titles 7 and 11 of the Valley City Municipal Code Related to Building Permits and Zoning Code Violations.

 

RESOLUTION

 

Approved a Resolution Approving the Plat of Hyland Park Estates, with a planned apartment complex.  City Attorney Martineck  said planning and zoning  has reviewed the plat, and recommends approval of the plat.  Items addressed at Monday’s meeting included the storm water management plan, pending how many units will be built, including  the number of retention ponds, along with dedication of open space, and sidewalks to be installed, or omitted.  The Plat was approved for a 36 unit apartment complex, with conditions, as outlined at the meeting, some to be negotiated with the developer.  Some issues are contained in Code. Commissioner Erickson voted in opposition.

 

 

Approved a Resolution Declaring Sufficiency of Protest for Paving Improvement District No. 122 (Main Street Seal Coat). Finance Director Richter explained the funding including a portion to be special assessted.

 

Approve Resolution 2290, A Resolution Approving Plat of Ingstad North Valley Subdivision. City Attorney Martineck said three homestead lots have been approved by planning and zoning.

 

Approved a Resolution 2291, A Resolution Approving Petition for Vacation of Undeveloped Portion of 11th Ave SE. City Attorney Martineck said planning and zoning approved the vacation.

 

 

Approved  a Resolution Approving replat of Lot 1 Block 3 Waterfront Meadows Addition. City Attorney Martineck said approval is recommended without conditions.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Approved  a Valley City Barnes County Development Corporation request for $25,000. Director Jennifer Feist said the dollars will be used to secure architectural services, regarding redevelopment of a structure.

 

Approved  a Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit for Mark Ertelt Benefit at The Labor Club South Parking Lot, May 1st, 2021 from 2 PM to 2 AM. Finance Director Richter said Police Chief Hatcher has approved the 2-a.m. end time, and handling an overfill crowd outdoors.

 

Approved a Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit for Celebration of Small Business at City Lights Parking Lot, July 23, 2021 from 6 PM to 12 Midnight.

 

Approved a Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit from The Clubhouse Lounge LLC for the Garrett McFadgen Benefit at the ND Wintershow, May 3, 2021 from 6 PM to 9 PM.

 

Approved  Housing Incentives. Commission Gulmon said  housing is a key to adding employment, and retaining workers.  He pointed out sources for dollars to be expended, including an allocation from Prairie Dog funds, in adjustable percentages, at a minimum of 10 percent, and subject to review, and other sources.

 

Approved was an Application for Property Tax Exemption for Improvements to Residential Building at 218 7th Ave NW.  City Assessor Hansen it’s a five year exemption on the improvements, only.

 

Approved a Submission of a Loan Application to RDFC (Rural Development Finance Corporation) for the Partial Financing of the Addition to the Fire hall. Finance Director Richter said it’s a low interest loan..

 

Approved an Administration of City of Valley City’s local sales, use and gross receipts taxes by the  State Tax Commissioner for 2021-2023 biennium.   Finance Director Richter said this is a renewal of the contract entered into every two years and billed by the state on a monthly basis,

 

Approve a Contract with NDDOT for Facilitating Installation of Small Cell Wireless Facilities in DOT Right of Way. City Attorney Martineck said the Final Reading will come before the next Commission meeting, and assures the city maintains infrastructure  if the utility leaves the location

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Gwen Crawford indicated issues with residents improperly depositing wood chips on site.

She added that additional signage will be installed directing people to the proper dumping location of the wood chips.

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS

Police Chief Phil Hatcher said there is an opening for a police officer, as a current officer has taken a position with the National Guard.  He said the city ordinance  for summer parking on streets is 72 hours.

Mayor Carlsrud said to talk to neighbors if having conflicts to reach a resolution to issues.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

 

Valley City (Chamber)  On April 19, 2021 Valley City Mayor Dave Carlsrud has issued a new message to the community.

Hi Folks,

THANK YOU to all people who have been “front line workers” during the battles with COVID-19. A few occupations where people are exposed to the COVID are: clergy, healthcare, law enforcement and education. If you meet people who serve in those or like professions, please say “thank you”.

“If you see someone without a smile, give him or her yours”

We have had people contact city employees and commissioners about issues with their neighbors. One of the questions I try to ask is, “have you visited with your neighbor about the issue”? Very often they have not! Seminars on “Conflict Resolution” tell us “communication resolves conflict”. We don’t have to be friends we just have to talk with each other.  Whenever resolution can be reached without a third party, it will be better. If civil issues go to court,  generally both parties lose. A friend of mine says, “The answer is usually somewhere in the middle”. Be neighborly, who knows, visiting could begin a good relationship.

Watch for the “Longest Table Pilot Project” to be followed by the “Longest Table Project”, “Summer Nights on Central” and “Rally in the Valley” coming soon. For further information contact Andrea Nelson @ foundation@hellovalley.com or Trinity Nelson @ vdgoffice@hellovalley.com

Last week we talked about Missouri River Energy Services (MRES). Have you thought about what our energy mix is? Valley City’s energy is 93% Carbon Free! Our carbon footprint has been reduced by nearly 50% since 2005. Please see the attached chart below.

Though nearing the end of the session, there are still some legislative bills that could affect you. Communicate with your legislators if you have questions. See: https://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/67-2021/regular to track bills.

“What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.”                                                       (Dwight D. Eisenhower)   

Blessings, Be Kind, Be Respectful and Pray

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

Jamestown  (Kiwanis Club)  With the help of the community, Jamestown Kiwanis has packaged more than 1 million meals for hungry families, rang bells for Salvation Army, supported student scholarships and delivered gifts to families in need at Christmas.

Kiwanis Club President, Searle Swedlund says, “Kids need Kiwanis, especially after the year of our pandemic. And Kiwanis needs the community’s support.”

To help finance its service projects, Jamestown Kiwanis holds its Pancake Day fundraiser once a year. The club raised about $9,500 in 2019. The club canceled Pancake Day in 2020 due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The 2021  Pancake Day is set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, May 3, at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children, $24 for family and preschool and under are free. If purchased in advance, bulk tickets are available for as little as $4 per person.

Kiwanis Pancake Day Co-Chair, Toni Wegenast says, “Like other nonprofits and service clubs, Kiwanis’ canceled event left a void in the community. Now more than ever, we hope the community will support this cause and give back to organizations that really need it. Wegenast, Kiwanis Pancake Day is a great way to safely spend time with family and also support area nonprofits.”

She says, again this year, Hugo’s Family Marketplace is sponsoring the event. That means every dollar raised is returned to the community.

To ensure the safety of all guests, Kiwanis is limiting seating to 50% capacity and also offering an option for to-go meals.

Searle points out, “Our mission is kids,” Swedlund said. “Offering these COVID-friendly options ensures they all stay safe.”

 

Bismarck  (CSi)– Gov. Doug Burgum Monday signed House Bill 1435, which will cover the cost of health insurance for surviving spouses and dependents of emergency responders who die in the line of duty.

Joining Burgum at the official bill signing were Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, representatives of law enforcement, firefighters and other emergency responders, state legislators and Mandy Holte, wife of Grand Forks Police Officer Cody Holte, who was killed in the line of duty on May 27, 2020.

“House Bill 1435 acknowledges the incredible sacrifices made by the family members of our courageous law enforcement officers, firefighters and other emergency responders every time their loved one walks out the door to go work,” Burgum said. “Now, along with thanking them with our words, we can show our gratitude with our actions. This bill ensures that the families of those emergency responders who make the ultimate sacrifice will have their health insurance costs covered. Just as emergency responders protect and care for the health, safety and well-being of our communities, we can show we care by taking this one burden off of their plate when the unthinkable happens.”

House Bill 1435 requires the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System (NDPERS) board to offer health and pharmacy insurance coverage at no cost to the surviving spouse and dependents of an emergency responder who dies in the line of duty. Under the bill, “emergency responder” includes a peace officer, member of a correctional facility staff, emergency medical services personnel or firefighter who is employed by the state, a political subdivision of the state or an institution under the control of the state Board of Higher Education. The bill has a retroactive application date of Jan. 1, 2010.

The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 75-18 in the House and 43-4 in the Senate. It was introduced by Rep. Zachary Ista of Grand Forks and co-sponsored by Reps. Mary Adams, Ron Guggisberg, Pat Heinert, Mike Lefor, Corey Mock, Emily O’Brien, Matt Ruby and Steve Vetter and Sens. JoNell Bakke, Curt Kreun and Scott Meyer.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Gov. Doug Burgum has signed bipartisan legislation that will cover the cost of health insurance for the surviving spouses and children of emergency responders killed in the line of duty. The bill is sponsored by Grand Forks Democrat Rep. Zac Ista. It covers law enforcement, corrections officers, firefighters and other public-employed emergency workers. Ista says 17 other states, including neighboring Minnesota, offer similar benefits to surviving families. The legislation is retroactive to 2010. Burgum says five law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty since that time, and more than 60 have been killed since statehood.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A prosecutor says Derek Chauvin “had to know” he was squeezing the life out of George Floyd as the Black man cried out over and over that he couldn’t breathe. Closing arguments began at Chauvin’s murder trial with the prosecution hoping to convince the jury that Chauvin squeezed the life from George Floyd as he and two other officers pinned him to the street for 9 minutes, 29 seconds, outside a corner market. Chauvin removed his COVID-19 mask in front of the jury for one of the very few times during the trial as his lawyer, Eric Nelson, reminded jurors that Chauvin is presumed innocent and saying the state didn’t prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutors say Chauvin’s actions were reckless, unreasonable and warrant conviction.

In world and national news…

(AP) Alaska prison authorities say inmates who have been fully vaccinated will be able to receive visitors starting this week. The Department of Corrections says visitation will begin Wednesday by appointment statewide, except for at facilities in Anchorage and Ketchikan after spikes in coronavirus cases. No physical contact will be allowed, and face masks must be worn. Lobbies at corrections institutions will also reopen to visitors for business such as refilling prisoners’ commissary accounts. That will also be by appointment. Corrections Commissioner Nancy Dahlstrom says, “We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as we gradually restore our facilities to their pre-COVID operations.”

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will not hear a case out of Pennsylvania related to the 2020 election, a dispute that had lingered while similar election challenges had already been rejected by the justices. The high court directed a lower court to dismiss the case as moot. The justices had in February, after President Joe Biden’s inauguration, rejected a handful of cases related to the 2020 election. In the case the court rejected Monday, however, the court had called for additional briefing that was not complete until the end of March. The case involved a federal court challenge to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision requiring election officials to receive and count mailed-in ballots that arrived up to three days after the election.

 

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is threatening to sue his predecessor, Ehud Olmert, for defamation. Netanyahu is reportedly seeking over $300,000 in damages if Olmert does not apologize for saying the Israeli leader’s family suffers from mental illness. A Netanyahu family spokesman confirmed Monday that they had sent Olmert a letter warning of the possible defamation lawsuit. Olmert showed no signs of backing down on Monday. He told an Israeli TV station: “The time has come to tell this family: that’s enough.” Olmert stepped down in 2009 before he was indicted on corruption charges that later sent him to prison. Netanyahu currently is on trial for corruption charges.

 

CUT OFF, La. (AP) — U.S. Coast Guard says the search for crew members who disappeared when a lift boat capsized off Louisiana will be suspended at sunset Monday. The Coast Guard does not expect to find more survivors from the vessel. The grim news comes after days of searching for the missing workers from the oil industry lift boat Seacor Power, which capsized Tuesday during a fierce storm in the Gulf of Mexico south of Port Fourchon. Six of the 19 workers on the boat were rescued within hours of the wreck; five more bodies were found in the water. Eight remain missing.

 

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A former employee who fatally shot eight people at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis never appeared before a judge for a hearing under Indiana’s “red flag” law. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Monday that authorities believed they had done what they needed to by seizing the pump-action shotgun from Brandon Scott Hole in March 2020. They responded to the home after his mother called police to say her son might commit “suicide by cop.” Mears said if they had invoked the red flag law and lost, they would have had to return the gun to Hole, and “that’s not something we were willing to do.”

 

(AP)  Stocks were broadly lower in afternoon trading on Monday, easing off of their latest record highs from last week. Most of investors’ attention will turn to earnings, as the busiest time for quarterly results will be this week and next. The S&P 500 index was down 0.6%. Earnings are front and center, as investors look to justify the recent rise in stock prices with the profits needed to keep the market fueled in this recovery. On average analysts are expecting profits across the S&P 500 to be up 24% from a year earlier, according to FactSet.