Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Nov. 22

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 20s. Temperature rising overnight. South winds 10 to 20 mph.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. South winds around 10 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly cloudy. Colder. Highs around 30. Northwest

winds around 20 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above.

.THANKSGIVING DAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 40.

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

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Highs around 40.

 

 

 

Jamestown  (City)   On Tuesday, November 23, 2021; there will be a road closure on the 400 block of 3rd Ave NE for utility work. The closure will start at approximately 8:00 am and last until approximately 3:00 pm.

Construction signing will be put in place by the City Street Department.

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

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)      Alex Schweitzer, President of Schweitzer Consulting, LLC and former head of the North Dakota State Hospital System, has been selected as the President of the Bison World Fund, a non-profit corporation that will be used to structure an investment from the state’s $8.3 billion legacy fund.

Developer, Brian Lunde reports that upon his selection, Schweitzer announced that the Bison World Fund will unveil its master plan on November 30, 2021 to the public and to local and state elected officials.  He says, “We are ready to start the project tomorrow.  We just need the State Investment Board to quickly develop a process to  review this opportunity under our new in-state investing law. We can start bidding key elements of this theme park now and break ground next Spring.”

Eide Bailly, one of the nation’s leading accounting and business advisory firms, recently completed financial forecasts showing that the planned tourism attraction will be a highly profitable investment for the state.  The five-year projected returns show an average annual return to the state of between $6.8 and $7.8 million or 11 %, exceeding the current average performance of the legacy fund.

North Dakota’s tourism director, Sara Otte Coleman said that Bison World will add a “destination attraction” and “will put us on the map” following her visit to the proposed site in August.  A formal market study showed that the state-owned land adjacent to I-94 is a “highly desirable location” for a new tourism attraction due to its “easy access and excellent visibility.” The study also found that the site enables the state to generate a profitable financial return on non-producing state land.

Apogee Attractions, a leading national theme park design firm, recently completed the comprehensive master plan following a detailed planning process. The firm has also agreed to serve as the developer and operator of the facility upon investment from the legacy fund. Mr. Robert McTyre, founder of Apogee Attractions and former Walt Disney Attractions executive, will present the plans over a three-day period beginning November 30, 2021 in Jamestown.

JSDC CEO, Connie Ova says,   “We have completed all the ground work required to make this project a great investment for the people of North Dakota.  The plans are done, the financial analysis is completed, the operator is in place and the investment structure has been formed.”  The JSDC board of directors earlier this year authorized up to $600,000 to complete the planning process for this state investment.

 

 

 

COVID-19 Stats

Mon. Nov. 22,  2021

10:20 -a.m.

Barnes

New Positives:  4

Total Positives: 2008

Active: 34

Recovered:  1933

Breakthrough Incidents Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 295

 

Stutsman

New Positives: 4

Total Positives: 4724

Active: 81

Recovered: 4542

Breakthrough Incidents Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 332

ND Case Rate

NEW CASES REPORTED MONDAY, NOV. 22: 165

ACTIVE CASES: 2,841

DAILY POSITIVITY RATE: 13.2%

TOTAL KNOWN CASES THROUGHOUT PANDEMIC: 158,707

TOTAL RECOVERED THROUGHOUT PANDEMIC: 154,014ACTIVE

HOSPITALIZATIONS: 163

DEATHS REPORTED MONDAY: 2

TOTAL DEATHS: 1,852

 

 

 

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District reminds residents that COVID testing is  on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, at the Jamestown Civic Center, Exchequor Room, from 11-a.m. to 1-pm.  No testing on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021.

Call CVHD at 701-252-8130 to register.

 

 

 

 

Valley City  (Chamber  11-22-21)  The latest message to Valley City residents, form Mayor Dave Carlsrud.

Thanksgiving is Thursday. Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the harvest and Blessings of the past year. Please express your gratitude with family and friends.

Thanks to all of you who cleaned your sidewalks following the snow we had. It appears some hire snow removal and that is fine though some are leaving a pile of snow on the neighbor’s sidewalk. Please be good neighbors and have your contractor sweep/push excess snow off the sidewalk. Thank you.

Small Business Saturday is THIS Saturday. The weather forecast is promising so make plans to visit some small businesses and “hang out” with folks uptown for a while.

Last week was American Education Week. When you see educators who are teaching our children and grandchildren, please tell them “thank you”.

It is time for “Santa, Cops and Kids”. Please contact the VCPD for further information.

For saving opportunities, see Bright Energy Solutions offered through our Electrical Dept. and MRES; www.brightenergysolutions.com

The best mitigation for COVID is vaccination. For we older folks who had vaccinations early, data shows it is important we have the booster. Me being vaccinated help protect my family, friends and myself.

Thank you to contributors again this week.

“There is more to life than just being a passenger.”     (Amelia Earhart)

Blessings, Respect Others, Be Kind and Pray,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

 

 

 

Jamestown  (Chamber)       Members of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting ceremony for T Mobile at their new location. They are located at 809 26^th Street Southwest. For more information call Anthony at 701-658-8173.

For more information about ribbon cuttings, contact Emily Bivens by emailing: director@jamestownchamber.com or call the chamber at 701-252-4830.

 

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City State University Choirs will present its 20th annual Christmas at St. Catherine’s concert, on Thursday December 2, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, at historic St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, 540 3rd Ave. NE in Valley City. Admission to the concert is free, but donations to support the work of the choirs are appreciated.

The VCSU Concert Choir and University Singers will present both traditional and contemporary holiday choral music under the direction of Kathryn Rolf. The choirs will be joined in the concert by the VCSU Brass Ensemble, led by Ken Jimenez, performing arrangements of traditional carols and holiday brass music.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Supreme Court has rejected a petition by a Bismarck man convicted of killing his wife to alter the parole eligibility dates of his life sentence. Fifty-eight-year-old Russell Craig was sentenced to life after pleading guilty in the fatal stabbing of Pamela Craig-Johnson in 2006. The sentence included the possibility of parole. The Supreme Court has affirmed a district court’s ruling that denied Craig’s claim for post-conviction relief. The court said any issues that might allow such relief had already been brought up or should have been brought up at earlier proceedings.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department has unveiled a plan to bring landowners, conservation groups, scientists, and others together to restore native grasslands. The agency says North Dakota has lost more than 70% of its native prairie, which is essential for wildlife, pollinators, ranching operations and communities. The so-called Meadowlark Initiative allows producers to plant marginal cropland back to diverse native perennial grasslands for grazing. Funding is available to establish the grass and to install grazing infrastructure, such as fencing and water. Producers also are eligible to receive rental payments for the first three years as the land transitions from cropland to grazing land

 

In sports…

Valley City  (VCSU)    – Fifteen Valley City State University football athletes have been named First Team or Second Team All-Conference, the North Star Athletic Association announced Monday

The Vikings had nine players earn First Team All-Conference, including five on offense and four on defense. That was the most First Team selections among all conference schools. The Vikings had six players earn Second Team All-Conference – three each on offense and defense. Valley City State also had four players named Honorable Mention All-Conference.

VCSU finished the season with an 8-2 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play. The Vikings took second in the NSAA standings. VCSU was ranked as high as No. 15 in the country at one point and finished the season receiving votes in the final NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.

All-Conference awards are voted on by the conference coaches.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive linemen Marshaun Jones and Riley Gerhardt, linebacker Jahidi West and defensive back Jerrod Williamson both earned First Team All-Conference for VCSU’s defense.

Jones and Gerhardt headlined VCSU’s dominant defensive line, which led the North Star in both sacks (35) and tackles for loss (74). Gerhardt had team-highs of 81 tackles, 10 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Jones finished the year with 44 tackles, including 15.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.

Jahidi West led the NAIA with eight interceptions, helping VCSU’s defense to a nation-best 21 interceptions this season. West added 45 tackles and seven passes broken up. Williamson established himself as one of the best defensive backs in the conference, finishing with 46 tackles, three interceptions and eight passes broken up.

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Running back Justice Bice, tight end Jorun Hamre and offensive linemen Sammy Trejo, Nick Radunz and Troy Dietz were all named First Team All-Conference for the Viking offense.

Bice racked up 794 yards and five touchdowns in the running game, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. He also caught 35 passes for 437 yards and three more touchdowns. Hamre caught 22 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. With Trejo, Dietz and Radunz earning First Team All-Conference, the Vikings seemingly had the top offensive line unit in the conference.

Hamre, Trejo and Dietz were all repeats as First Team All-Conference selections. Bice and Radunz both earned their honor this year in their first full season at VCSU.

SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
Defensive lineman Garrett Pemelton, linebacker Sal Avila and defensive back Martin Jones were all named Second Team All-Conference for the Viking defense, which led the conference in allowing just 12.9 points per game. Offensively, quarterback Jalen Pfeifer and receivers Benjamin Dumond and Michael Cornelious earned Second Team All-Conference. The trio connected on 90 passes this season for 1,201 yards and 12 touchdowns.

HONORABLE MENTION
Four Vikings were named Honorable Mention All-Conference, including linebacker Dustin Kasowski, defensive back Anthony Russell, receiver Jacob Gottenborg and offensive lineman Joseph Salas.

CHAMPION OF CHARACTER
Quarterback/holder Avery Thorsgard was named VCSU’s Champions of Character representative for the 2021 season.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III received a stern talking-to from a Las Vegas judge but was allowed to remain on house arrest with a continuous alcohol monitor on one ankle and a GPS monitor on the other following a fatal crash he’s accused of causing by driving drunk. The judge told Ruggs and his lawyers on Monday that she was “comfortable with a higher level of monitoring” after a hearing about a delay in Ruggs providing a remote breath-alcohol test with a hand-held device Nov. 13. Ruggs faces felony DUI charges that carry mandatory prison time if he’s convicted. The Raiders released Ruggs just hours after the crash.

In world and national news…

WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — Police say the suspect in a deadly Christmas parade crash in suburban Milwaukee was in a domestic disturbance just minutes before he killed five people and injured 48. Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said Monday there is no evidence of terrorism in the event. He says police were preparing five charges of intentional homicide against Darrell Brooks, 39, of Milwaukee. Thompson identified those killed as four women ages 71, 52, 52 and 79, and an 81-year-old man. Members of the “Dancing Grannies” club were among those killed, as was an employee of Citizens Bank..

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Jurors have indicated they may be having trouble reaching a unanimous verdict on several allegations in the trial of white nationalists accused of conspiring to commit racially motivated violence at the deadly “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville. The federal jury is being asked to decide whether white supremacists and white nationalist organizations are responsible for violence during two days of demonstrations in 2017. Jurors will also decide if the defendants are liable for compensatory and punitive damages for nine people who filed a lawsuit after they were injured. On Monday, jurors asked Judge Norman Moon if they are unable to come to a unanimous decision on the lawsuit’s first three claims if they still need to decide on the other three claims.

 

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Disney has paused its policy requiring Florida-based employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine following new laws passed by the state’s legislature last week that limit employers’ power to require vaccinations. The company informed employees in a memo sent Friday that it paused the requirement due to the state legislature’s action during a special session last week. The company also cited an appeal court’s temporary delay of federal vaccination guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The company said in a statement that more than 90% of Florida-based Disney employees are fully vaccinated. Employees who aren’t fully vaccinated will be required to wear face coverings and observe social distancing.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Target will no longer open its stores on Thanksgiving Day, making permanent a shift to the unofficial start of the holiday season that was suspended during the pandemic. To limit crowds in stores, retailers last year were forced to turn what had become a weekend shopping blitz into an extended event with holiday sales beginning as early as October. That forced shift turned out to be a good move. U.S. holiday sales in November and December rose 8.2% from the previous year, and the National Retail Federation predicts that this year could shatter that record, growing between 8.5% and 10.5%.

 

(AP)  Former President Barack Obama’s foundation announced that it has received a $100 million donation from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, which it says is the largest individual contribution it has received to date. Separately, New York University Langone Health said it has received a $166 million gift from Bezos and his family. The Obama foundation said in a statement that the gift from Bezos was also given in honor of John Lewis, the congressman and civil rights icon, who died last year. As part of the gift, the foundation said Bezos has asked for the plaza at the Obama Presidential Center, under construction in Chicago’s South Side, to be named after Lewis.

 

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Closing arguments are underway in the trial of the three white men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery last year in Georgia. A prosecutor told jurors Monday that the men charged in the fatal shooting had no cause to chase Arbery when they saw him in their neighborhood. She said they pursued him solely because he was “a Black man running down their street.” A defense attorney for the man who fired the fatal gunshots said Arbery was killed as he violently resisted a legal effort to detain him to answer questions about burglaries. The arguments unfolded before a disproportionately white jury after 10 days of testimony.