Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Dec. 16

CSi Weather.

.TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows near zero. West winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northeast after midnight.

.FRIDAY…Cloudy. Slight chance of snow in the morning, then snow likely in the afternoon. Snow accumulation around 2 inches. Highs 10 to 15. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60 percent in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 40 percent chance of snow in the

evening in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area. Lows around 5 below. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs 5 to 10 above. West winds 5 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows around 5 below.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 15 to 20.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 5 below.

.TUESDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs 10 to 15.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows near zero.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs 10 to 15.

On the chances for snow, although how much snow still remains uncertain. Friday brings snow totals of 1 to 4 inches, with perhaps some locally higher amounts.

Those traveling or with outdoor plans Friday through Friday night will want to keep an eye on the latest forecast and any potential winter weather advisories.

Temperatures will remain cold on Friday, with highs similar to

Thursday. Friday night into Saturday morning could see widespread

lows below zero, and perhaps some dangerous wind chills.

The state of Minnesota recorded its first ever tornado in the month of December, Tuesday, causing damages.  More information as the daylight occurs on Thursday.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say at least five people died when a powerful storm system swept across the Great Plains and Midwest, spawning hurricane-force winds and likely tornadoes in Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota. Officials in Kansas say a 65-year-old man was killed Wednesday night when a 40-foot tree fell on him outside his home in southeastern Minnesota. The Iowa State Patrol says a semitrailer was struck by high winds and rolled onto its side in eastern Iowa, killing the driver. The Kansas Highway Patrol says three people died in traffic accidents due to blowing dust. More than 20 unconfirmed tornadoes were reported Wednesday, mostly in eastern Nebraska and Iowa. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses remain without power Thursday.

 

 

Jamestown  (JPD)  A News Release from Jamestown  Police stated that on December 15th, 2021, at approximately 6:57 p.m., a Jamestown Police Officer was requested by a Mental Health professional to respond with them to a residence located in the 1200 block of 3rd Ave SW, to conduct a welfare check. The Mental Health Professional wanted an officer present, as there were safety concerns about how the individual may react. One family member also responded to the location to assist in the Welfare Check.

 

The responding family member had access to the apartment and after entering, an argument ensued between the family member and the male they had concerns about. The male subject escalated to physically striking his family member in the neck and face, which was witnessed by the officer. The officer immediately intervened to stop the assault.

 

The male subject briefly stopped the assault. After a few seconds, the male subject again went back after the family member attacking them a second time. The officer again intervened to stop the assault. The male subject began swinging his hands/fists at the officer’s face, striking the officer. The officer was able to gain control of the subject and with the assistance of other responding officers, the subject was taken into custody.

 

The male subject was identified as 29-year-old Seth Nicholas Burkle of Jamestown. Burkle was arrested on suspicion of Simple Assault-Domestic Violence and Assault on a Peace Officer. He was transported to the Stutsman County Correctional Center, where he awaits formal charges.

The Officer who was assaulted was evaluated and released from the Jamestown Regional Medical Center with minor lacerations and bruising to the face.

 

COVID-19 Stats

Thurs Dec. 16, 2021

10:20 -a.m.

Barnes

New Positives: 12

Total Positives: 2159

Active: 43

Recovered:  2074

Breakthrough Incidents Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 365

 

Stutsman

New Positives: 12

Total Positives: 5063

Active: 73

Recovered: 4890

Breakthrough Incidents Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 424

 

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s committees met in joint session Thursday afternoon at City Hall.  All members were present.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE

Considered an antenna license agreement at the request of the American Family Association, Inc., for the right to install, operate and maintain an antenna and related facilities without interference with city’s infrastructure, or maintenance and repair requirements, which current agreement expires December 31, 2021, and direct the city attorney to draft an agreement.  The renewal agreement was recommended by the committee for approval.

Considered the antenna license agreement with Sprint (T-Mobile), for the right to install, operate and maintain an antenna and related facilities without interference with city’s infrastructure, or maintenance and repair requirements, which current agreement expires December 31, 2021.

City Administrator Hellekson said she has not had contact by the company representative to respond to the issue.

The committee recommends not taking action, until further information is provided.

Discussed designating a local North Dakota Cares steering committee for the Jamestown community per the October 2018 City Council resolution, to help improve understanding of the needs and services for military service members, veterans, and their families.  Mayor Heinrich said he needs additional information on the specifics of the program.  The committee will send this item to the City Council January meeting pending addition information.

The committee recommends approval of an updated agreement between the City of Jamestown and Aqua-Pure, for chemicals beginning January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022, with the option to extend annually.  The company also tests the city’s water supply, monthly.

Considered the North Dakota State and Political Subdivisions Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding with a settlement reached with a nationwide agreement with Johnson & Johnson.  Assistant City Attorney  Abby Gerioux said the total of the settlement nationwide is $3-Billion Dollars.  Each state established an entity  to receive the funds to establish a program to remediate the opiod crisis concerns, and distribute the funds.

The committee recommends approval of entering into the MOU with the ND State and Political Subdivisions, and have the mayor sign the agreement.

The vote was 4-1 with Council Member Buchanan voting opposed.

Mayor Heinrich then called for a Special City Council meeting next week, before signing the agreement, because the vote was not unanimous.

The committee recommends accepting the proposal from SRF Consulting for Planning and Zoning Technical Services for 2022 in an amount not to exceed $20,000.

The committee discussed the franchise agreements for a proposed non-exclusive franchise in the city with Midcontinent Communications, Daktel Communications, and Cable Services Inc., for the right to construct, maintain, and operate within and upon, in and under, the streets, alleys, and public grounds of the city, a telecommunication system for public and private use in the city.  Mayor Heinrich said the agreements require each franchise televising Jamestown City Council Meetings.   Mayor Heinrich suggested a “pool coverage”  so each franchise can carry the meetings. (Cable Services in Jamestown televises City Council and Committee meetings live on CSi Cable channel 67 followed by replays, and provides video recordings to the city upon request.)  Council member Steele said there are other options for the public it access the meetings, and not necessarily  being available on a T.V. Channel, such as You Tube.

The committee recommends placing the agreements on the January 3, 2022 City Council  meeting during the Second Reading.

INFORMATIONAL: A public hearing and second reading is scheduled at the January 3, 2022, city council meeting, concerning an ordinance, introduced by Council Member Buchanan, for the franchise agreement for a proposed non-exclusive franchise in the city with Midcontinent Communications for the right to construct, maintain, and operate within and upon, in and under, the streets, alleys, and public grounds of the city, a telecommunication system for public and private use in the city.

 

INFORMATIONAL: The appointment applications for the Board of Adjustments, Jamestown Regional Airport Authority, Special Assessment Commission and Civil Service Commission will be considered at the January 3, 2022, City Council meeting.

INFORMATIONAL: Stutsman County Redistricting Board December 16, 2021 meeting update was presented by Mayor Heinrich.  he pointed out  that Stutsman County does not have  Districts, and no attention was needed.

 

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Considered approval of a special use permit for Lots 5 & 6, Lubeck’s Addition. The property is located at 1512 Business Loop East (Unit A & B).

Zoning Administrator Tom Blackmore said new recommendations have been added by the City Planning & Zoning Committee.  Mayor Heinrich said  the property now looks like, “A junk yard,” with vehicles in disrepair located there now.  Blackmore does not recommend approving a special use permit be granted for the location.  Property owner Brian Hanson said the vehicles on the lot now are planned to be refurbished for resale.  He said, he takes in impounded vehicles, and noted a lack of help to clean up the area, saying 80 vehicles have been hauled there since last summer.  He plans to erect a fence, and more vehicles are being regularly brought there, and many are being sold.   Council Member Steele said that type of facility is not appropriate with its appearance, within city limits.

Council Member Buchanan moved to table the request pending additional information to the January committee meeting, which was approved by the committee.

The committee recommends approval of the Minor Subdivision, Preliminary/Final Plat of Christensen Addition, Replat of Lot 9, Block 1 of Prairie Park Addition Within NW ¼ Section 35, T140N, R64W, City of Jamestown, North Dakota. The property is located at 1516 10th St SW.

INFORMATIONAL: A public hearing and second reading is scheduled at the January 3, 2022, city council meeting, concerning an ordinance, introduced by Council Member Kamlitz, to repeal the current Appendix C and to enact the reformatted Appendix C of the City Code of the City of Jamestown, ND, pertaining to Zoning Regulations.

 

INFORMATIONAL: A public hearing and second reading is scheduled at the January 3, 2022, city council meeting, concerning an ordinance, introduced by Council Member Steele, to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map to change the zoning of the South One-Half (S ½) of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 12, Township 139 North, Range 64 West of the Fifth P.M., except that portion thereof presently existing as highway right of way, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota from C-2 & Ag (General Commercial District & Agricultural District) to M-1 (Limited Industrial and Manufacturing District). The property is located at 3790 Hwy 281 SE.

 

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL: Update was presented on  Frontier Village from Jamestown Tourism Director Searle Swedlund.

He outlined donations from visitors, and rentals.  He said repairs and maintenance this year has improved,  including painting of buildings.  He looks to the future to address deferred  maintenance issues, asking for the support from the City of Jamestown.

He pointed out that historical items have be cataloged.

He said he looks for the Frontier Village to support historical topics, a part of which is the upcoming Railroad Parkette, and Homesteading Parkette.

In the future, establish sustainable revenue, and continue to show the North Dakota experience.    He said a branding project has been established, with input from a local and visitors survey.

 

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE

No items for discussion.

 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

The committee recommended approval of the tree shredding agreement with Hanson Auto Crushing & Trucking, Inc., expiring December 31, 2025, to shred trees and yard waste debris at the landfill and transfer station at least once annually at a rate of $30 per ton.

Recommended authorizing the advertisement for bids for the purchase of One (1) New Single Axle Truck with Single-Arm Automated Packer or Equivalent, Sanitation Department. The unit would be used as a backup, or for commercial pickups.

Recommended was approval of the proposed agreement with LKA Engineers, Inc., to develop Fire Station Generator Project plans and specifications to be distributed to bidders under the NDDES grant project, for full electrical engineering services including furnishing and installation of the engine-generator and service entrance rated automatic transfer switch, reviewing shop drawing submittals, and conducting site visits as necessary for quality control and final inspection, but does not include bid process administration fees, for a total fixed fee of $7,800, as part of the FEMA mitigation grant project. The total cost of the project is $100,000 with a 25-percent local cost.

Recommended approval of the plans and specifications and authorizing the advertisement of bids for the Water Treatment Plant Ceilings, Lighting, and Mechanical Upgrades Project.

Considered the following pertaining to the 2022 Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District No. 22-41:

To create the district.

To direct the preparation of a preliminary engineering report concerning the district.

To approve the preliminary engineering report on the district.

To declare it necessary to construct the district and direct the City Administrator to publish notice of a public hearing concerning the district.

 

INFORMATIONAL:   City Engineer Travis Dillman presented project updates.  Highlights included a water main replacement project, which has been completed.  Another is the Highway 20 mill and overlay set for 2022, along with roofing projects.

INFORMATIONAL: Recycling collection update.  A reminder that garbage is being put into recycling bins,  at 13- percent of what is collected, compared to a 10-percent as an average.

INFORMATIONAL: Garbage collection update.  The City Baler is now observing the winter schedule open the second Saturday each month.

Baling Facility Open:

Monday – Friday 8-a.m. to 3:30-p.m.

Second Saturday each month from 8-a.m. to 11:30-a.m.

Jan 8

Feb 12

For further information contact the Jamestown Sanitation Department at Sanitation@JamestownND.gov or 701-252-5223.

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

 

Jamestown Vaccination Clinics:

Friday, December 17, 2021

Vaccine Available: Influenza, COVID — PFIZER, MODERNA, JOHNSON & JOHNSON

Event Time: 9:00 – 11:30am

Event Location: Central Valley Health District

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 

 

Monday, December 20, 2021

Vaccine Available: COVID — PFIZER, MODERNA, JOHNSON & JOHNSON

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.

 

 

 

Vaccination clinics at the Buffalo Mall in SW Jamestown are being held on:

Fridays:  at Buffalo Mall from 9:00 – 11:30am
Sundays: at Buffalo Mall from 12:00 – 5:00pm

The clinics are open to anyone 12 years of age and older no appointment is needed, however you can preregister at https://www.ndvax.org.

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

Wednesdays: S&R Truck Plaza from 12:00 – 7:00pm

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

 

 

Bismarck  (CSi) North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports posted 83,429 airline passenger boardings during the recent month of November. This amounts to a 95% increase from November 2020 and a 12.5% decrease from the November 2019 pre-pandemic airline boarding counts. Additional travel demand seen during the Thanksgiving weekend was reminiscent of pre-pandemic levels in North Dakota and throughout the rest of the country. The mild winter weather has also helped to ensure that airline flights have been able to proceed with minimal disruptions.

 

All of the commercial service airports throughout North Dakota have shown an incredible recovery in passenger demand throughout 2021 and some have even eclipsed pre-pandemic demand. The Jamestown and Devils Lake airports have both experienced a full recovery and North Dakota’s largest commercial service airport in Fargo’s Hector International airport just set its best November on record with 37,911 passenger enplanements. This is .2% higher than the previously best November on record for the airport that was set in 2019 and helps to showcase how close North Dakota is to coming to achieve afull recovery in the airline passenger market.

 

North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, Executive Director, Kyle Wanner says,“It’s wonderful to once again see certain airports experience pre-pandemic levels of passengers as the traveling public continues to look to aviation as a safe and comfortable way to bring friends and family together. This year, our airports and airlines are working particularly hard to accommodate passengers during this busy holiday travel season. We hope to end the year on a high note that provides for positive travel experiences and a continuation of the recovery in passenger demand.”

In November 2021, Jamestown Regional Airport reported,  993 boardings compared to 399 in November 2020 an increase of 14.8 percent, and 865 in November 2019 (Pre pandemic).

Through November of 2021 the Jamestown boardings were 9,929 compared to 5,051 in 2020 and increase of 96-percent.

 

Washington  (FAA)  – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award an estimated $18.9 million to North Dakota’s 53 airports from funding made available by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The money can be invested in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections and roadway projects. This is the first of five annual rounds of funding North Dakota airports will receive.

Jamestown Regional Airport is awarded $1,007,247.

Other following commercial airports in North Dakotathat are estimated to receive funding during the first year of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:

Bismarck Municipal Airport in Bismarck: $2,602,478

Dickinson–Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport in Dickinson: $1,015,455

Grand Forks International Airport in Grand Forks: $1,467,085

Hector International Airport in Fargo: $3,766,182

Minot International Airport in Minot: $1,739,746

Williston Basin International Airport in Williston: $1,243,753

 

 

 

Valley City  (CSi)    The Valley City School Board this month approved an increase in the Substitute elementary teachers salary ,up to $140 dollars per day.

Valley City school board vice president Natalie Wintch said “We really value our substitute teachers.”

She added that the substitute teachers will receive free lunch on their teaching days.

 

 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new monthly survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states shows the economy remains strong in the region, but some bankers said they are worried about how inflation will affect farmers. The overall economic index slipped from November’s 67.7 to 66.7 in December but any score above 50 suggests growth. The report released Thursday said high inflation is a concern as land costs and the price of supplies farmers need are expected to keep growing next year. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

 

In world and national news…

DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (AP) — Several tightknit communities of the South and Midwest are turning to the somber task of burying their dead after tornadoes killed dozens of people across eight states. The fierce storms that started Friday night tore a path of destruction from Arkansas to Illinois and also through much of Kentucky and parts of Tennessee. In western Kentucky, a funeral home that lost two of its own employees in the storms is also preparing to help the family members of others who died. Kentucky’s governor has pledged $5,000 to each of the victims’ families to help with burial expenses.

 

REDDING, Calif. (AP) — Heavy snow, blizzard conditions and stuck vehicles have prompted authorities to impose a shutdown of a portion of the West Coast’s major interstate that links California with Oregon. California officials Wednesday afternoon closed Interstate 5 north of the city of Redding as the latest of back-to-back storms slammed the region. The Oregon Department of Transportation tweeted Wednesday evening that it closed southbound I-5 lanes starting at the city of Ashland. A California Department of Transportation spokesperson said Thursday that there is no estimated time for reopening the highway as crews assess it, remove hazardous trees and restore power lines.

 

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The remaining members of a U.S.-based missionary group who were kidnapped two months ago have been freed. That’s according to the group and to Haitian police. The spokesman for Haiti’s National Police confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the remaining hostages had been released, but did not immediately provide additional details. Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries issued a statement saying that the 12 remaining hostages “are FREE!” The missionaries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Oct. 16. There are five children in the group of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian, including an 8-month-old. Their Haitian driver also was abducted.

 

MILAN (AP) — US Naval officials say a support site in Naples, Italy, has been put on lockdown after reports of gunfire on the premises. Base spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Comer said Thursday that the Naples support site was put on lockdown around 6:25 p.m. (1725GMT) after “reports of audible gunfire.” The reports were still being verified. There were no reports of wounded and no suspect has been identified.