Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Aug 6

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the lower 60s. East winds around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent .

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. East winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 50 percent in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and

thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the lower 60s. East winds

around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent in the Jamestown area, 40 percent in the Valley City area.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 80s. Southwest winds

around 10 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Isolated showers in the afternoon. Highs

in the mid 80s. Chance of showers 20 percent.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy with scattered showers. Lows in the

lower 60s. Chance of showers 40 percent.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Scattered showers in the morning, then

isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the

lower 80s. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Isolated showers in the evening.

Lows around 60. Chance of showers 20 percent.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 80.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

 

Scattered thunderstorms are possible Saturday and Saturday night
as a system moves across the northern plains. A few of these
storms may be severe, mainly along and south of Interstate 94.
Hail to 1 inch, winds to 60 mph, and locally heavy rain will be
possible threats with stronger storms.

The North Dakota Department of Health dashboard is updated daily by 11 am and includes cases reported through the previous day. The investigations are ongoing and information on the website is likely to change as cases are investigated. The information contained in this dashboard is the most up to date and will be different than previous news releases. This dashboard supersedes information from previous news releases or social media postings.

Check out our other dashboards: The COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, NDUS Dashboard.

 

COVID- 19 stats:

Thurs. Aug. 5,  2021

10:30- a.m.

Barnes

New Positives  1

Total Positives 1436

Active 7

Recovered: 1397

 

Stutsman

New Positives 4

Total Positives 3581

Active 13

Recovered  3484

 

 

(CCHD)  City/County Health reports, that testing continues to be important. If you have any symptoms, it is important to be tested. If you have symptoms and need to be tested at other times contact your clinic.

Administrator Theresa Will says testing has moved inside City County Health, at the CCHD location.  415 2nd Ave NE, from 12:30-p.m., to 1:30-p.m, with  the Quick test will be administered by staff members inside their offices in Valley City, on Mondays and Fridays.

Reminder

Walk in Vaccination Clinics available, 9-a.m. to 4:30-p.m., Monday through Friday.

Vaccines available,  Pfizer, Moderna, available most days.

Vaccination available for those 12 years of age and older.

Call 845-8518 to make an appointment.

Pre-register for all clinics.

 

 

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District reminds residents that there will be no  COVID testing the week  of August 9, in Jamestown.

Unit Administrator Robin Iszler says testing will resume the week of August 16  on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, at the Jamestown Civic Center, Exchequor Room, from 11-a.m. to noon.

Call CVHD at 701-252-8130 to register.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Stutman County Commission met in Special Session Tuesday, August 3,  to discuss further, the proposed James River Valley Library System budget for 2022.

After hearing a presentation  made by County Commissioner, Joan Morris, no decision  was reached.

Morris said the Stutsman County Library duplicates services offered at the nearby Alfred Dickey Public Library.

JRLVS Director, Joe  Rector said the Stutsman County Library offered services not available at the Alfred Dickey Library such as the seed library,  along with an extensive collection of books not duplicated at Alfred Dickey.  He said, those services could not be moved to the Alfred Dickey location because of space constraints.

Morris said she opposed the cost of staffing the Stutsman County Library, and using the space for storage and supplies for the bookmobile. Morris estimated the cost savings to the library system at about $80,00.

JRLVS Director, Joe Rector pointed out that to accomplish Morris’ plan would require laying off one full-time person and reducing hours for two other positions.

Stutsman County Commission,  Chairman, Mark Klose said the discussions on Tuesday were to gather information for making a budget decision.

 

Valley City  (CSi)   The Valley City Police Department is partnering  with local vehicle dealerships to help to deter  crimes.

Starting on August 16, Stoudt-Ross Ford, Miller Motors, and Puklich Chevrolet in Valley City will be offering engraving services for vehicle catalytic converters free of charge for 90 days.  Call to make an appointment at these businesses and better protect your vehicles against the stealing of the converters.  The dealerships will engrave the catalytic converter with a personal vehicle identification number that will identify the part of your vehicle.  This will deter will help deter crime and  give a point of reference in identifying the stolen items.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The 2021 Sheyenne Riverfest is set for Aug. 6-8 in Valley City and Fort Ransom State Park.
The annual event includes a variety of river-related activities on or near the Sheyenne River. Organizers are hoping to set a world record for canoe and kayak launches on the Sheyenne River during this year’s Riverfest.

Raffle tickets to win a kayak or other prizes are available to purchase at local sponsors and the Rosebud Visitor Center in Valley City.  Tickets are $5 or 5/$20.  The Drawing is at 5-p.m. Saturday.

Prizes include:  Kayaks from Moore Engineering/Not in my House, Hand Crafted Paddle, made by Scott Tichy, Sheyenne River Framed Print, from Dutton’s Valley Gallery, Fire Pit from Valley Plains Equipment, Gift cards from Hungry Pelican, Epworth Holy Grounds, Brockopp Brewing.

Activities on Saturday, Aug. 7, include the canoe and kayak launch, pontoon rides, fishing activities a Cornhole Tournament, and more. For more information and the complete schedule of events visit https://valleycitynd.org/tourism_riverfest.php

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Stutsman County Memorial Museum invites the community to its Ice Cream Social on Sunday August, 8.

On Thursday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, spokesperson Roger Cain said the event will be held from 2-p.m. to 4-p.m. at the  1883 Stutsman County Courthouse,  and is free to the public. The social  will be held both inside and outside the 1883 Courthouse. In the event of rain, the event will be held just inside.  No sing-a-long  will be held this year.

Roger added that  “Murder at the Museum” events are still be held this year.  Call 701-252-6741 to schedule a time and date.

He said, the Museum has added new items to the displays this year.

The Stutsman County Memorial Museum is open weekdays, from 10 a.m., to 5-p.m. and weekends from 1-p.m. to 5-p.m.  Online  visit stutsmanmuseum.org or call (701) 252-6741 for more information.

 

 

Valley City  (Chamber)  Summer Afternoon’s at the Pioneer Park Amphitheater  in Valley City, offers entertainment.  All programs start at 4-p.m.,  with FREE ADMISSION.  Food and drink will be served at all shows.

Next up on the schedule is  Shakespeare in The Park, on Sunday August 8. 

Enjoy portions of dramatic readings of some of Shakespeare’s  greatest works.

Sunday September 12, Standup Comedy Show, Featuring Valley City’s own Spencer Dobson, along with a troupe

comedians to join him.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be rescheduled.

Sponsored by Bridges Arts Council.

This project is supported in part  by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — An oil company operating in western North Dakota that waited more than five months to report a pipeline spill that discharged more than 29 million gallons of wastewater has agreed to pay more than $35 million in civil and criminal fines. The U.S. Department of Justice said the 2014 spill is the largest inland oil drilling spill of produced water, which is a waste product of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The spill from the 96-mile underground pipeline contaminated more than 30 miles of Missouri River tributaries as well as land and groundwater. Summit admitted in court documents that it knowingly failed to share all relevant information regarding the volume and duration of the spill.

 

 

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — The wife of one of four people killed in an attack at a North Dakota property management firm has testified at trial that comments she made about having her husband “taken out” if he ever cheated on her were made in jest. Forty-seven-year-old Chad Isaak, of Washburn, is accused of killing RJR Maintenance and Management co-owner Robert Fakler and employees Adam Fuehrer, William Cobb and Lois Cobb. The defense questioned Fakler’s widow, Jackie, on Thursday about her husband’s alleged affair. She acknowledged that she had once joked about having him “taken out” if he did but testified that was before she learned from homicide investigators that he may have been cheating.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota agriculture officials are warning producers to monitor their livestock after the first case of anthrax was confirmed earlier this week. The disease was reported in cattle in a Kidder County beef herd. Officials say producers in the county and surrounding areas should check with their veterinarians to see if they should start vaccinating their cattle for anthrax. Anthrax vaccines are readily available, but it takes about a week to establish immunity, and the vaccine must be administered annually. Anthrax is caused by bacterial spores that can lie dormant in the ground until they are activated by heavy rains, flooding or drought. Two cases of anthrax were reported in North Dakota in 2020.

 

OGEMA, Minn. (AP) — Opponents of Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 oil pipeline that’s being replaced across northern Minnesota are taking a novel legal approach to try to halt construction — they are suing on behalf of wild rice. Wild rice is the lead plaintiff in a complaint filed Wednesday in White Earth Nation Tribal Court. The lawsuit, which names the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources among the defendants, is only the second “rights of nature” case to be filed in the U.S., according to Frank Bibeau, a lawyer for the White Earth tribe. The DNR said it is reviewing the lawsuit and had no further comment.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Department of Human Services has launched a new division that focuses on supporting early childhood. The Early Childhood Division will align programs and resources dealing with early childhood experience and child care. Human Services Executive Director Chris Jones says the division’s focus is so important because 95% of brain development occurs before age 5. Jones says the new division will help ensure that more North Dakota children enter kindergarten ready to learn, and that more early child care providers participate in a quality rating improvement system.

 

In sports…

OLYMPICS

Plenty of medals up for grabs

TOKYO (AP) — Friday’s U.S. medal grab at the Tokyo Games began with beach volleyball.

Americans April Ross and Alix Klineman beat an Australian duo, 21-15, 21-16 for the championship. It’s Ross’ third medal in as many Olympics, to go with the silver she won in London and a bronze from Brazil. Klineman is a first-time Olympian.

Also at the Tokyo Games:

— The U.S. women’s basketball team is one win away from its seventh consecutive gold medal following a 79-59 thumping of Serbia. Brittney Griner had 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Americans, who trailed 4-3 before going on a 20-4 run. The U.S has won 54 consecutive Olympic games dating back to the 1992 semifinals in Barcelona.

— American Nelly Korda will carry a three-stroke lead heading into the final round of the women’s golf event. Korda finished with 12 straight pars for a 2-under 69 that leaves her 15 under for the tournament.

— The number of Games-related COVID-19 infections has risen to 387 as Tokyo records more than 5,000 cases in one day for the first time during the pandemic. No athletes or residents of the Olympic Village are among the new cases.

— The International Olympic Committee says it has removed two Belarus team coaches from the Olympics, four days after they were involved in trying to send sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya back to Belarus. The IOC linked them to taking Tsimanouskaya in a car to the airport to put her on a plane to Belarus. Tsimanouskaya had criticized team coaches on social media and is now in Poland on a humanitarian visa.

— The statue of a life-sized sumo wrestler that may have spooked the horses has been knocked out of the Olympic equestrian ring. The statue and a nearby patch of cherry trees that riders thought might be scaring the animals during the individual jumping event were among the obstacles swapped out for the start of the team competition.

— Cycling’s governing body says it suspended a German cycling official through the rest of the year for using a racial slur during the Olympic men’s trial race. Patrick Moster, the national cycling federation sports director, used the slur while a German rider chased opponents from Algeria and Eritrea during the July 28 race. The comment was heard on TV broadcasts.

MLB…

— The Twins beat the Astros, 5-3 behind Griffin Jax, who allowed three hits and one run in a career-high 5 1/3 innings for his first career victory as a starter. Andrelton (AN’-drul-tuhn) Simmons drove in two runs to help Minnesota build a 5-1 lead. Yordan (yohr-DAHN’) Alvarez belted a two-run homer in the ninth for the Astros, whose lead in the AL West is 4 1/2 games over the Athletics.

— Austin Riley unloaded a two-run homer while the Braves erupted for six runs in the eighth inning to beat St. Louis, 8-4. Ehire Adrianza (AY’-ray ah-dree-AHN’-zah) drove in the go-ahead run with the first of four straight bases-loaded walks, helping Atlanta get within 1 1/2 games of the NL East lead. Wade LeBlanc was denied his first victory in over a year after leaving the game with a 3-2 lead after six innings.

 

UNDATED (AP) — The New York Mets had a comfortable lead in the National League East just over a week ago. Not anymore.

The Phillies are within a half-game of the division lead after putting together a four-run ninth to complete a four-game sweep of Washington, 7-6. The Nationals led 5-3 until J.T. Realmuto and Rhys Hoskins hit two-run doubles in the ninth to send the Phils to their fifth win in a row.

Bryce Harper homered in the second against his former team, but the Phillies wasted an early 2-0 lead and trailed 5-2 following Juan Soto’s three-run blast in the fifth.

In Miami, the Marlins scored three times in the bottom of the eighth to break a 1-1 tie and beat the Mets, 4-2. Jorge Alfaro ended the deadlock with an RBI single off Jeurys Familia before Lewis Brinson followed with a two-run double.

Miami took three of four from the NL East leaders, who have dropped six of eight overall heading into a big weekend series against the second-place Phillies.

Elsewhere in the majors:

 

— The Giants erased a 4-0 deficit in the ninth inning before Kris Bryant doubled in the winning run in the 10th to give them a 5-4 triumph over the Diamondbacks. The Giants collected five hits in the ninth after managing just three over eight frames against Arizona starter Merrill Kelly. LaMonte (lah-MAHNT’) Wade Jr’s two-run single tied it for San Francisco, which leads the NL West by four games over the Dodgers.

— Eugenio (ay-oo-HEH’-nee-oh) Suárez and Joey Votto (VAH’-toh) each hit three-run homers during a six-run second that powered the Reds past the Pirates, 7-4. Jonathan India also went deep and pitcher Sonny Gray helped himself with two hits as second-place Cincinnati moved within seven games of the NL Central-leading Brewers. Gray gave up six hits and four runs with two walks and seven strikeouts in five innings.

— Trevor Story hit two home runs, including a go-ahead, two-run drive in the fifth inning of the Rockies’ 6-5 downing of the Cubs. Sam Hilliard and Connor Joe also homered and Brendan Rodgers extended his hitting streak to 12 games with two singles for Colorado.

— The Red Sox lost for the sixth time in seven games as Victor Reyes tripled twice and collected three RBIs in the Tigers’ 8-1 rout of Boston. Tarik Skubal (TAR’-ihk SKOO’-bul) was sharp over five shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out four. Jonathan Schoop contributed two hits and two RBIs for Detroit, which dropped the Bosox 1 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading Rays.

— Bo Bichette and Ross Stripling led the Blue Jays to a 3-0 win over the Indians. Bichette hit a two-run homer in the fourth and added an RBI single in the sixth. Stripling gave up three hits and struck out six over six innings to win his second consecutive appearance since a four-start winless streak.

— Joey Gallo hit his first homer as a Yankee, a go-ahead three-run blast in the seventh inning of their 5-3 victory over the Mariners. Gallo entered 2-for-24 in six games with New York before going 3-for-4 with two runs scored. His 26th homer helped the Yankees win for the sixth time in seven games and move a season-high 10 games over .500 at 59-49.

— Daniel Lynch and four relievers combined on a six-hitter as the Royals nipped the White Sox, 3-2. Lynch limited the AL Central leaders to a run and four hits over five-plus innings. Kansas City went ahead for good when Emmanuel Rivera’s line drive was misplayed into a two-run double five batters into the top of the first.

 

— The Angels were 5-0 winners over the Rangers as Dylan Bundy pitched three-hit ball over 6 1/3 innings in his second appearance since returning to the rotation. Bundy had a 6.78 ERA when he was sent to the bullpen in late June. Adam Eaton homered, and José Iglesias added a two-run single as Los Angeles took the four-game series from last-place Texas after losing the opener.

MLB-NEWS

Hamels signs with Dodgers

UNDATED (AP) — Cole Hamels is reviving his major league career.

The four-time All-Star has signed a prorated one-year, $3.05 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers through the end of the season, adding more depth to a pitching staff that has been racked with injuries.

The left-hander will earn about $1 million from the deal, signed with less than two months less in the season. There are $200,000 bonuses for each start and every relief appearance of 3 1/3 innings or more, up to a total of 15 each.

He agreed to accept an optional assignment to the minors, and the team agreed to recall him no later than Sept. 2.

Hamels has thrown just 52 major league pitches and made just one appearance since the end of 2019, allowing three runs over 3 1/3 innings for the Braves in a 5-1 loss in Baltimore last September.

In other MLB news:

— Trevor Bauer’s leave has been extended through August 13. Bauer was placed on seven days’ paid leave July 2 under the joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy adopted by MLB and the players’ union in 2015. MLB and the union have agreed to four extensions.

— Catcher Gary Sánchez became the latest Yankee to test positive for the coronavirus. Manager Aaron Boone said the positive result for Sánchez came from a rapid test and the Yankees were awaiting the results of a PCR test. Starting pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Gerrit Cole were sidelined by COVID-19 earlier in the week.

— Former major league All-Star and flame thrower J.R. Richard has died at 71. Richard spent 10 years with the Astros before his career was cut short by a stroke in 1980. He twice led the National League in strikeouts, was the league’s ERA champ in 1979 and was 107-71 with a 3.15 earned run average.

— The Indians have agreed to a 15-year lease extension at Progressive Field, pending legislative approval. The deal will keep them at their downtown ballpark through 2036 and theoretically end speculation the franchise would relocate. The Indians are partnering with the city, county and state to spend $435 million in renovations on the ballpark, which opened in 1994.

NBA-NEWS

AP source: All-Star Randle agrees to extension with Knicks

UNDATED (AP) — The New York Knicks have locked Julius Randle into an extension after he was named the NBA’s most improved player.

A person with knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that the All-Star forward has agreed to a four-year, $117 million, four-year extension that takes effect following next season. The added years bring his contract’s total value to five years and $140 million.

Randle earned the new deal by leading the Knicks to the playoffs in his best season. He set a career high by scoring 24.1 points per game and matched his high by averaging 10.2 rebounds in his seventh season. Randle also set career highs with 6.0 assists per game and his 41% shooting on 3-pointers.

In other NBA news:

— The Hawks have signed first-round draft pick Jalen Johnson, the former Duke standout was the No. 20 overall pick in the draft last week. Johnson played only 13 games as a freshman at Duke last season, averaging averaged 11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds.

— The Nets have signed former LSU guard Cam Thomas, who was the 27th player taken in last month’s draft. Thomas spent one year with the Tigers, starting 29 games and averaging 23 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 34 minutes.

— The Raptors have announced that front office executive Masai Ujiri is remaining with the team. The team did not elaborate, but ESPN reported his new title is vice chairman and president of the club after serving as president of basketball operations.

NFL-NEWS

NFL kicks off preseason…Cousins activated

UNDATED (AP) — The Steelers followed a stumbling first half with a strong final 30 minutes to beat the Dallas Cowboys 16-3, the first NFL preseason game in two years.

Matthew Sexton’s 36-yard punt return early in the third quarter jump-started the Steelers, and the Cowboys never challenged after it.

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has been activated from the COVID-19 reserve list. He completed the NFL’s required five-day quarantine for unvaccinated players deemed a high-risk close contact with an infected person. The Vikings also activated Nate Stanley to bring their quarterback cadre close to full strength after a tenuous stretch of training camp practices. Rookie Kellen Mond tested positive and remains on the reserve list away from the team.

In other NFL news:

— Three of the four Dolphins players who had been on the COVID-19 reserve list have been removed from it. Coming off the list are tight ends Cethan Carter and Adam Shaheen and receiver Preston Williams. Tight end Mike Gesicki remains on the list.

 

TENNIS-FEDERER WITHDRAWALS

Federer out of Toronto, Cincinnati tournaments

UNDATED (AP) — Roger Federer has pulled out of the upcoming hard-court tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati because of lingering issues with his surgically repaired knee.

The withdrawals announced Thursday shed doubt on his status for the U.S. Open, which begins on August 30. Federer turns 40 on Sunday and hasn’t competed since losing in the Wimbledon quarterfinals to Hubert Hurkacz (HUR’-kahts) on July 8.

Also in tennis. Rafael Nadal was ousted in his second match at the Citi Open in Washington, falling in three sets to 50th-ranked Lloyd Harris of South Africa. Nadal skipped Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics as he tries to recover from a left foot injury.

PGA-ST. JUDE INVITATIONAL

English has St. Jude lead

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Harris English matched his lowest score in taking the first-round lead in the PGA’s FedEx St. Jude Invitational.

English fired an 8-under 62 to build a two-shot advantage over Jim Herman, Carlos Ortiz, Ian Poulter and Matthew Wolff.

Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and Marc Leishman are another shot back at 65. DeChambeau returned to competition after missing the Tokyo Olympics because of a positive test for COVID-19.

SOCCER-EUROPE

Barcelona says it’s parting with Messi

UNDATED (AP) — Barcelona has announced that Lionel Messi will not stay with the club.

The clubs says the Spanish league’s financial regulations made it impossible to sign the Argentina star to a new contract.

Messi is leaving after 17 successful seasons in which he propelled the Catalan club to glory, helping it win numerous domestic and international titles since debuting as a teenager.

Meanwhile, Manchester City has broken the British transfer fee record to sign midfielder Jack Grealish (GRAY’-lihsh) from Aston Villa. The defending Premier League champs paid a fee of 100 million pounds, or $139 millio

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy likely enjoyed a burst of job growth last month as it bounced back with surprising vigor from last year’s coronavirus shutdown. That despite an uptick in COVID-19 cases and a shortage of available workers. The Labor Department’s July jobs report Friday is expected to show that the United States added more than 860,000 jobs in July, topping June’s 850,000, according to a survey of economists by the data firm FactSet. The rollout of vaccines has encouraged businesses to reopen and consumers to return to shops, restaurants and bars they’d shunned for months after the pandemic struck.

 

BEIJING (AP) — Global stock markets are mixed as investors wait for U.S. jobs data for an update on how coronavirus flareups are affecting the world’s biggest economy. London opened flat while Frankfurt gained in early trading. Shanghai declined, Tokyo rose and Hong Kong was unchanged. Wall Street futures were little changed as investors awaited Labor Department data on July hiring for signs of how renewed anti-disease controls might affect hiring and wages. The benchmark S&P 500 index gained Thursday after investors were encouraged by a decline in U.S. unemployment claims.

 

GREENVILLE, Calif. (AP) — People in the tiny mountain town of Greenville are mourning after California’s largest fire incinerated much of the downtown. Authorities say at least 100 homes in and around the Sierra Nevada community burned as the wind-driven Dixie Fire exploded Wednesday and Thursday. However, fire officials say the winds should calm heading into the weekend. Another fire south of the blaze has destroyed some 40 homes and other buildings. So far, no deaths or injuries are reported. The fires are among 100 burning in more than a dozen Western states hit by sweltering drought conditions.

NEW YORK (AP) — The latest move by New York City to control the coronavirus pandemic is renewing uncertainty among some business owners. Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that New York City would be the first major U.S. city to require anyone dining indoors at a restaurant, working out at a gym or grabbing a cocktail at a bar to show proof they’ve been inoculated from COVID-19. Enforcement of the new rules would fall on restaurants and other business owners to check for violations. The development in the nation’s most populous city is being closely watched by other communities.

 

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Thousands of people have fled wildfires burning out of control in Greece and Turkey. A protracted heat wave has turned forests into tinderboxes and flames have threaten populated areas, electricity installations and historic sites. On the Greek island of Evia, the coast guard mounted a major operation to evacuate hundreds of people by sea overnight and into Friday. Dozens of other villages and neighborhoods were emptied in the southern Peloponnese region and just north of the Greek capital as blazes raced through pine forests. In neighboring Turkey, wildfires described as the worst in decades have swept through swaths of the southern coast for the past 10 days, killing eight people.

 

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea’s state TV has reported heavy rains in the northeast have destroyed or flooded 1,170 houses and forced 5,000 residents to evacuate to safety. Thursday’s TV broadcast said this week’s downpour in South Hamgyong Province inundated or washed away hundreds of acres of farmlands and destroyed many bridges. Footage showed houses submerged up to their red-brick roofs, a severed bridge and a swollen river. Summer rains in North Korea often cause serious damage in the impoverished country, and come amid growing concerns about North Korea’s food security. Leader Kim Jong Un said in June that the food situation was becoming tense and mentioned the worse-ever crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S.-led sanctions and last year’s massive typhoon and flooding.