CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 40. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. West winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to northwest 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

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

winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the evening.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 40s. Northwest winds 10 to

20 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s.

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

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

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

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 20.

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

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

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

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration has paved the way for children ages 5 to 11 to get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The agency authorized the kid-size doses on Friday. But there’s one more regulatory hurdle. Next week, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will discuss which youngsters should get vaccinated.

The CDC director will have the final say.

In the meantime, Pfizer plans to begin shipping millions of vials of the pediatric vaccine to doctor’s offices, pharmacies and other vaccination sites. The kid-size doses are just a third of the amount given to teens and adults.

 

 

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:

 

COVID-19 Stats

Fri. Oct. 29, 2021

10:30 -a.m.

Barnes

New Positives: 4

Total Positives: 1874

Active: 61

Recovered:  1765

Breakthrough Incidents Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 221

 

Stutsman

New Positives: 20

Total Positives: 4437

Active: 84

Recovered: 4250

Breakthrough Incidence Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 244

 

 

 

Drive up clinics at the Buffalo mall are being held on Sundays and Mondays.  The event takes place from 1 pm to 6 pm in the Buffalo Mall parking lot located at 2400 8th Ave SW in Jamestown.  The clinics are open to anyone 12 years of age and older no appointment is needed you can preregister at https://www.ndvax.org.

For more information, please call CVHD at 252-8130.

More information on Buffalo Mall Vaccination Clinics. and S&R Truck Plaza Clinics, in Jamestown.

 

 

Central Valley Health District Regularly Scheduled Vaccination Clinics And Locations

The Schedule subject to changes depending if the listed vaccination clinic is full. Contact CVHD at 252-8130.

Monday, November 1, 2021

Vaccine Available: Influenza, COVID – PFIZER, MODERNA

Event Time: 9:00 – 11:30am

Event Location: Central Valley Health District

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

 

 

 

Valley City (CCHD)  City County Health in Valley City announces their COVID-19 testing days and site location in Valley City.

Testing is at the REC Center at 140 4th Street Southwest.

Testing will be 12:30-2:30 Mon, Weds, and Fridays.

There are opportunities for vaccinations, both for annual influenza and for the COVID vaccine.  Call 845-8518 to make an appointment.

Valley City  (CCHD)  Next week, a decision is expected to be made on distributing the Pfizer vaccine for children 5-11 years old.

City County Health in Valley City reports that when a decision is made by the FDA, the local health district will decide on the distribution in schools in Barnes County.

State Immunization Manager Molly Howell, says North Dakota placed an order for 18,000 doses of the pediatric Pfizer vaccine, which will then be distributed to 214 health care facilities statewide.

The pediatric Pfizer vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds has a lower dosage compared to the COVID-19 vaccine for people 12 and up — about one-third as strong. The pediatric Pfizer vaccine is two shots given three weeks apart. Clinical trial data among children ages 5 to 11, which was released by Pfizer, showed the pediatric vaccine had a 90.7% efficacy rate in preventing symptomatic COVID-19.

 

 

St. Paul, Minn. (USACE)   –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, plans to drawdown or lower levels of two North Dakota reservoirs, Lake Ashtabula behind Baldhill Dam, near Valley City, and Homme Lake behind Homme Reservoir, near Park River, starting in November.

Both drawdowns normally occur annually in the fall and winter to allow room for spring runoff. Drought conditions have improved significantly since mid-August with above average fall precipitation, which will allow these drawdowns to proceed as normal.

The annual drawdown at Lake Ashtabula is typically scheduled to occur from October through February; however, because of drought conditions this year, it was delayed one month. It will be lowered approximately 3.5 feet from its current level. A discharge of roughly 30 to 150 cubic feet per second, or cfs, is expected during the drawdown.

Homme Lake will be lowered approximately 3 feet from its current level throughout the month of November with a discharge of approximately 20 cfs.

The Corps will closely monitor snowpack throughout the winter and make adjustments as necessary.

Current and historical lake levels and releases can be accessed www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil or https://water.usace.army.mil. All Corps reservoirs are operated in accordance with detailed water control manuals to ensure the system performs as designed.

 

 

Jamestown  (Tourism)   Halloween Weekend activities:

Friday October 29

United Way Drive Through at McElroy Park

 

Saturday October 20

Boo Bash at TRAC 10-a.m. to 12 noon

 

Sunday October 31, Halloween

Elks Spooktacular, Elks Club, 1-p.m. to 4:30-p.m.

Drive Through Trick of Treat, Jamestown Rural Fire Department 3-p.m. to 5-p.m.

Trick or Treat, Frontier Village 4-p.m. to 6-p.m. (Park outside the gate)

Drive Through Trick or Treat, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. 4:30-p.m. to 6:30-p.m.

Trunk of Treat Victory Lutheran Church 5:30-p.m. to 7-p.m.

Valley City   Valley City Parks and Recreation announces that the Valley City Halloween activities have expanded this year.

VCPR will have a drive–thru trunk or treat, movie showing, and costume fun run/walk. Please make sure to wear your costume to all the events!

The events kick–off on Friday night, October 29, 29th from 5:30pm–7pm. VCPR staff along with area business/organizations will be at the Gaukler Family Wellness Center (733 8th Ave. SW Valley City) parking lot for the drive–thru trunk or treat. Each group will have a themed booth with treats and/or prizes for each youth in the car. Trunk or Treaters will get to see their favorite superheroes and cartoon characters along the route, at Cartoon Alley.
After community members will head over to the Valley City Rec Center (140 4th St. SW Valley City). At 7:15pm on Friday, October 29 Valley City Parks and Recreation will be showing the movie Monster House. Popcorn and water will be provided by VCPR staff at the event. No lawn chairs are permitted, but items like blankets and beanbags for the floor are welcome. Bleachers will also be pulled out, so feel free to bring your stadium chair.
Then,  Saturday morning  October 30 at 9am there will be a Costume fun run/walk. Participants will start at the Valley City Community Outdoor Pool (870 2nd Ave. NE Valley City) and wind their way along a two–mile route that hits some favorite VCPR spots like Chautauqua Park, Hi–Line Park, and Charlie Brown Field before making their way to the finish line back at the pool. Participants will get a water, apple slices, and a t–shirt at finish. In order to guarantee shirt size and get the early bird discounted price of $10, participants must pre–register at vcparks.com by Monday, October 18. After October 18, shirt size is no longer guaranteed, and the cost is $15.
Throughout the weekend, VCPR will be taking food pantry donations. There will be drop–off sites at all three events along with at the Gaukler Family Wellness Center from Thursday, October –Sunday, October 31. Examples of non–perishable items that can be given include can goods, boxed foods, health products, and toiletries. No expired items will be accepted.
VCPR appreciates their sponsors for their donations to help make this weekend happen for the community.  They say Thank you to the Valley City Eagles Club, On the Move, Dakota Plains, North Dakota Fraternal Order of Police, LaValle Flooring, and Bob’s Excavating. Thank you also to the area businesses/organizations  at the Trunk or Treat giving out treats and prizes to all the youth.  Any questions regarding the events, please call 701–845–3294 or email  amyp@vcparks.com
Puklich Chevrolet Buick GMC in Valley City will hold their 4th annual Spook Out Cancer Event with a Drive-Thru Trunk or Treating event at their dealership located at 721 West Main Street in Valley City on Friday, October 29th from 5:00pm-7:00pm to raise money for breast cancer awareness.

 

 

Valley City  (CSi)  A VCSU Public Planetarium Show, will be held on Saturday October 30, at  1-p.m.,  free and open to all, at the Rhodes Science Center Room 309 (3rd Floor.  Elevator available)

A “LIVE Nigh Sky” is the presentation, by   Barnes County Museum Curator/Director Wes Anderson, showing off what he does moonlighting at his OTHER job as VCSU Planetarium Director.  Wes started with the planetarium in 1994 as a student and has been teaching the Planetarium Science Class on campus since Fall 2002.  We will look at basic constellations with some history, mythology, science, wit, and wisdom as only Wes can provide.  It is free and open to the public.  About 40 minutes (or however longwinded he becomes).  Suitable for all ages…mostly.

For more information, contact Kelly at 701-845-7452

VCSU Planetarium is located at  101 College St SW, Valley City, ND 58072

 

 

Jamestown  (City)  Starting Monday, November 1, 2021; there will be a road closure on 2nd Ave SW, from 2nd St SW to 3rd St SW. This closure is expected to last until approximately November 16, 2021, or until the utility work is finished.

Construction signing will be put in place by the Contractor.

Motorists should use extreme caution in this area and take alternate routes during this time, if possible.

 

 

Jamestown  (NDHP) – Colonel Brandon Solberg announces the promotion of Trooper Michelle Romans to Sergeant.

Romans joined the North Dakota Highway Patrol after receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Jamestown College in 2012. She attended the Highway Patrol Academy, graduating in June 2014. Following graduation, Trooper Romans was stationed in Williston as a traffic enforcement trooper from June 2014 until December 2015; she then transferred to Jamestown as a traffic enforcement trooper, where she currently serves.

Sgt.Romans will serve as a regional sergeant in Williston, effective October 30, 2021.

 

 

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Ten states are suing to block President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors. Attorneys general filed the lawsuit in a Missouri federal district court Friday. The states that are suing are Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Florida filed a separate lawsuit Thursday. The latest lawsuit argues that the Biden administration overstepped its authority in requiring federal contractors to make their employees get the coronavirus vaccine. The states are asking a federal judge to block the Biden administration from enforcing the mandate.

 

 

 

Bismarck  (OCT. 29, 2021) – Gov. Doug Burgum Friday issued an executive order convening a special session of the North Dakota Legislature on Nov. 8 to address legislative redistricting, tax relief and strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce, economic development and other priorities.
Burgum made the announcement during a press conference at the Capitol with House Majority Leader Chet Pollert and Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner. It follows weeks of discussions and negotiations with legislative leaders on the scope of a special session and issues to be addressed, including allocation of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). On Thursday, House and Senate appropriators agreed on an ARPA investment plan to submit to the full Legislature.

Burgum said, “Working with legislative leaders, we’ve identified common ground on many priorities that can help modernize our infrastructure, support workforce initiatives, grow and diversify our economy and improve the efficiency of government services, making our state more competitive and creating long-term cost savings for North Dakota citizens .This special session will give lawmakers the time and flexibility they need to complete legislative redistricting and make wise investments that provide a high return for taxpayers without growing government.”

Wardner said, “I want to thank the Governor for calling a special session because it makes it much easier for us as leaders to navigate that session.  This is one-time spending. This is not growing government. This will be spending that will take things off the table so that as we go forward … we will not have to levy taxes in order to get these things done.”
Chet Pollert added, “The infrastructure bill will help us get those things going faster so that we’re into a construction season instead of waiting until 2023,”  specifically highlighting a $150 million proposal for infrastructure to bring natural gas service from western to eastern North Dakota.
State law requires the Legislature to convene for legislative redistricting after each decennial census. The 2020 census figures needed for redistricting were released in August.

In addition to redistricting, the governor’s order calls for the special session to address funding sources for statewide infrastructure and capital projects that were approved by the Legislature last spring, as well as natural gas infrastructure; statewide workforce programs; economic development opportunities; road, water and deferred maintenance needs; and income tax relief.

The state has just over $1 billion in ARPA State Fiscal Relief funds and $113 million in ARPA Coronavirus Capital Projects funds, for a total of $1.12 billion. Lawmakers authorized $423 million in appropriations last spring for transportation infrastructure and capital projects if federal funding could be identified, and Burgum is recommending they reauthorize those appropriations using ARPA dollars.

For the remaining $697 million in ARPA funds, Burgum outlined his recommendations in his Accelerate ND plan released Sept. 30. Since then, interim legislative appropriations committees have been meeting to work through those and other proposals.

Burgum also has recommended using approximately half of the state’s $413 million excess ending fund balance from the 2019-21 biennium to provide an individual income tax credit of up to $500 per filed return, per year, for 2021 and 2022 for North Dakota resident taxpayers.
Burgum said, “We strongly urge the Legislature to consider this proposal, which would provide meaningful tax relief to an estimated 350,000 North Dakotans whose hard work and resiliency has kept our economy strong through the pandemic.  Our reserve funds are full, and general fund revenues are already running $60 million ahead of forecast through just the first three months of this biennium. We can afford to – and we should want to – provide this tax relief to our hardworking citizens.”

In addition, the governor has proposed investing $100 million of the excess funds to further drive economic development and research through existing state programs, and $100 million as a cash infusion into the state’s pension fund to address the fund’s estimated $1.6 billion unfunded liability, which negatively affects local bond ratings and increases borrowing costs at all levels of government.
Approved by Congress in March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act allocated a total of $3.2 billion to North Dakota. Approximately $1.85 billion was dedicated to economic impact payments to individuals and program grants to specific entities, while $242 million is going directly to cities and counties.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence agencies say they likely won’t ever be able to conclude whether COVID-19 spread by animal-to-human transmission or leaked from a lab. The Director of National Intelligence issued a paper Friday that elaborates on findings released in August of a 90-day review ordered by President Joe Biden. That review said that U.S. intelligence agencies were divided on the origins of the virus but that analysts do not believe the virus was developed as a bioweapon and most agencies believe the virus was not genetically engineered. The U.S. blames a lack of cooperation from China.

 

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration says petroleum industry regulators for the first time will analyze greenhouse gas emissions from federal oil and gas lease sales on a national scale. The announcement came as officials released a report saying fossil fuel extraction from federal lands produced more than 1 billion tons of greenhouse gases last year. That’s about one-fifth of all energy related emissions. President Joe Biden campaigned on promises to end new drilling on public lands to help address climate change. But his attempt to suspend new lease sales was blocked by a federal judge in Louisiana.

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has suddenly canceled his trip to the United Nations Climate Change Conference. In a brief statement Friday, Newsom’s office cited unspecified family obligations. Newsom had planned to highlight his administration’s climate change actions at next week’s conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Those policies include a proposed ban on the sale of all new gas-powered cars in California by 2035. The Democrat had planned to lead a California delegation that included his wife, 15 state lawmakers and some of the state’s top environmental regulators. Now Democratic Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis will lead the delegation. A Newsom spokeswoman said the governor will participate in the conference virtually.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Attorney General Letitia James has formally announced that she is running for governor. Friday’s move had been widely anticipated. James’ office investigated allegations that former Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed numerous women. Her bombshell report prompted Cuomo’s resignation. The 62-year-old James is expected to be a strong challenger for the Democratic nomination against Gov. Kathy Hochul, who had been Cuomo’s lieutenant governor. James has also been known nationally for her frequent legal tussles with former President Donald Trump. She’s the first woman elected as New York’s attorney general and the first Black person to serve in the role.

 

CLARKSVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — A New York sheriff is defending his decision to file a complaint against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo that accuses the Democrat of a misdemeanor sex crime. The filing took prosecutors and the accuser’s attorney by surprise when Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple filed the complaint with a local court on Thursday. Cuomo resigned in August amid a sexual harassment scandal. The Democrat denies the allegations.