CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the mid 20s. South winds around 5 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows around 10. Southeast
winds around 5 mph.
.FRIDAY…Cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in the afternoon.
Highs around 30. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow in the Jamestown area, 30 percent in the Valley City area. Lows
around 20. South winds around 10 mph.
.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain and
freezing rain in the afternoon  in the Jamestown area. Highs in the mid 30s.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of light
freezing rain and snow in the evening. Lows around 20.
.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 10 to 15.
.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs around 30.
.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 10.
.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 15 to 20.
.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

 

A dusting to a few tenths of an inch of snowfall  Friday afternoon.

Western/central North Dakota will then be in the warm sector Friday resulting in highs mainly between 30F and 43F.

A clipper type cold front will follow for late Friday night/Saturday morning as brisk northwest winds (15 mph to 30 mph) and a chance for light snow/patchy blowing snow ensue.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Wednesday evening at City Hall.  Monday’s meeting was postponed due to the snow storm.    Council Member Gumke was not present at Wednesday’s meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED SEPARATELY:

Item B: A Resolution to approve the sale of Lot 5, Block 4, I-94 Business Park Addition to Buffalo City Diesel in the amount of $68,389.20, was approved, with additional language of complying with the business incentive law.

Item D. Resolution to approve entering into an agreement with Jamestown Community Correction Program was tabled.

Item F. Resolution to approve the request from Jonny B’s to be allowed to install an electrical outlet in the public parking lot in the 200 Block of 2nd Ave SE and development of an agreement to be drafted by the City Attorney’s Office.  The item was approved with the amended language.

Item H. Resolution to set the rate for security fees for police officers at $35.00 per hour with $32.00 per hour being paid to the officer and the remaining $3.00 to cover City payroll expenses.

The Resolution was approved.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

A PUBLIC HEARING was held, concerning 2018 Safe Routes to School Sidewalk District #18-21.

Following the Public Hearing, the protests have been found to be  insufficient to bar proceeding with 2018 Safe Routes to School Sidewalk District

Then the  Resolution to authorize the City Engineer to develop detailed plans, specifications and estimates for 2018 Safe Routes to School Sidewalk District was approved.

 

A PUBLIC HEARING was held,  concerning the special assessments on the 2017 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #17-11.   No one appeared for the hearing.

 

The City Council  approved the special assessments on 2017 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #17-11, in the total amount of $19,181.86, with the City Share-Departments at $13,362.77, and benefited properties to be assessed in the amount of $5,819.59.

 

Approved entering into an engineering services agreement with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for the River Cleaning Project. Travis Dillman said the basic fee is $27,000.

The project cost is $300,000 with the city’s share at $150,000.  The balance of the funding is from the State Division of Emergency Services, and state funds.  He said more funding is needed in the future.

He said the start is planned for this summer.

 

ORDINANCES:

A PUBLIC HEARING was held,  concerning an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map to change the zoning of All Except the S90’ of Lot 1 Replat & Except Parcel A, Block 1, Residence Park 2nd Addition, from R-1 (One Family Residential District) to R-2 (One to Six Families Residential District).  Located on First Avenue, North. No one spoke at the hearing.

Council member Buchanan had concerns about R-2 zoning when other zoning adjacent is R-1.

He asked the Ordinance be either denied, or tabled.

The former Bethel Four Acres Nursing home has been vacant and number of years, and is proposed to be used for workforce boarding housing for Browning Honey employees in Jamestown.  No major renovations are planned for the building.

Council Members voted 3-1  to  approve with Council Member Buchanan voting in opposition.

 

A SECOND READING  of the  Ordinance was held, and approved. Council Members voted 3-1  to  approve with Council Member Buchanan voting in opposition.

 

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:

Frontier Village Board President Nellie Degen asked the City Council reconsider the public access to Frontier Village and keep the gates to the village closed, during the off season.

 

Jamestown City Attorney Leo Ryan has issued a memo regarding legal documents concerning the access road through Frontier Village, and it remaining un-gated at all times.

According to Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen  legal documentation  outlines the land lease agreement the city has with Frontier Village.

A February 14, 2018  letter from the city attorneys to the National Buffalo Museum stated that the 2003 platt lease from the city to Frontier Village, designates Louis L’Amour Lane… and a maintenance road… as public right of way.

The Frontier Village board voted recently to ask the city to be allowed to close the gates to the village during the off season for security reasons, and insurance liability issues.

Mayor Andersen said the topic will be further addressed at the March 22nd Public Works Committee meeting.

On another topic, JRVLS Director Joe Rector has issues with former library employees becoming board members, as a conflict of interest, and perceived lack of objectivity.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

Board member appointments were discussed.

Appointed Darlene Jung to serve as a member of the James River Library Board for a three year term to expire March 2021.

 

Appointed Charlotte Freeburg, to serve as the joint City/County member of the James River Library Board for a three year term to expire March 2021.

 

Appointed  LeRoy Gross to serve as the City employee representative and Dan Buchanan as the City Council representative on the Pension Committee for one year terms to expire March 2019.

 

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Buchanan said defective or inappropriate recycling carts have been distributed in town.  Mayor Andersen said the shape in cold weather may be the reason.

Buchanan said the distribution may better be delayed.

He suggested the recycler keep the community better informed.

As reported at CSiNewsNow.com residential recycling pick up will start the week of April 2nd this year.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

 

Approved plans and specifications and authorize the advertisement for bids for the retaining wall at the Frontier Village.

 

Approved  recognizing Ear For Mylee as an other public spirited organization and authorize the issuance of a raffle permit.

 

Approval of the requests for street closings and/or permits to allow alcoholic beverages in fenced areas for the St. Patrick’s Day Run, on March 17, 2018, for the following: All Vets Club; Buffalo Lanes, Inc.; Corner Bar; Cork and Barrel, Inc.(Elk’s location); Middles LLC d/b/a Fred’s Den; Frontier Fort Bar & Grill; Jonny B’s Brickhouse; Knights of Columbus; Office Bar & Lounge; Shady’s; and Wonder Bar Sports Bar.  Growler beverage may be taken off premises if properly sealed.

 

The Council approved the request from Cory Kunerth d/b/a XLT Taxi for a taxi license, contingent on his passing a background check. The taxi service will …not…receive a subsidy to operate.

 

They approved the First Amendment to Services Agreement for the Red River Corridor Fund.

Mayor Andersen said the fund is a consortium of entities to provide collateral for business loans.

 

Approved a Resolution authorizing City Administrator Sarah Helleckson to execute  and file an application on behalf of the city, with the State Health Department for a construction loan and furnish information and accept a loan offer and receive payment of loan funds.

 

Approved a Supplemental Resolution for Definitive Improvement Warrant Series, for a Street Improvement District.

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

 

 

Jamestown   (CSi)  The 62nd Southeast Central Regional Science & Engineering Fair will be hosted in Jamestown by the Gladstone Inn & Suites on Friday March 9th.  Projects will be on display in the meeting room.

Students at the fair will be from: Ashley, Ellendale, Kidder County Steele, Kidder County Tappen and Litchville-Marion.

The awards ceremony will be at 4 – p.m.

The top 16 projects in the junior and senior high divisions will advance to the North Dakota State Science & Engineering Fair in Grand Forks April 5-6.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Fargo Veterans Administration office is planning a Town Hall Meeting, and Claims Clinic for Thursday March 15th, at the Fargo VA’s Medical Center, at 201 Elm Street North, 3rd floor auditorium.

The Claims Clinic will be from 4:30-p.m., to 5:30-p.m., with the Town Hall from 5:30-p.m., to 6:30-p.m.

At the Claims Clinic, VA health care and benefit professionals will be on hand to answer questions.

Veterans can submit claims for compensation benefits and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits.  Secure electronic access to veteran benefit records will be available, an participants can aske questions on compensation claims and available benefits.

On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Stutsman County Veteran’s Service Officer, David Bratton said, the Town Hall is free and open to both veterans and the public.

The purpose of the Town Hall is to share information, hear feedback, and answer questions about VA Health Care and benefits.

All veterans and their family members, and any organization or individual who works with or on behalf of veterans is encouraged to attend the Town Hall.

A reminder, David Bratton can be contacted at his LEC basement office Monday-Friday 8-a.m., to noon and 1-p.m., and 5-p.m. Call 701-252-9043.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A new emergency shelter in Bismarck opened just in time to keep about 30 people warm in this week’s storm.The Missouri Slope Areawide United Way opened the shelter a few days early in part of the Sunrise Apartments building in downtown Bismarck because of the storm, the Bismarck Tribune reported .”With it being one of the snowiest nights, we were happy to meet the need,” said Jena Gullo, executive director of the Missouri Slope Areawide United Way.The United Way secured space in the downtown apartments for a temporary housing solution until July, while Bismarck officials work toward a permanent shelter. The agency has been filling the emergency housing gap since Ruth Meier’s Hospitality House closed the area’s lone emergency men’s shelter in October.The new shelter can house a maximum of 68 people. Women and children are housed in four rooms in a secured wing of the apartment building. There are ten apartments for men.Those seeking shelter can stay for free up to 30 days as long as they’re working on goals leading to self-sufficiency. They also must help with chores and cannot consume drugs or alcohol. After 30 days, clients must pay 30 percent of their income.The shelter will provide case management and serve meals to residents three days a week.”We’re going to be able to provide more support that people need to get out of their homeless situation,” Gullo said. “If we don’t address the root causes of homelessness, our numbers are just going to increase. Our goal is to get our numbers to continue to decrease so that people are out on their own.” 
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Congressman Kevin Cramer says he accompanied his ailing son from Bismarck to a Minnesota hospital. Cramer says in a Facebook post that his 35-year-old son, Isaac Cramer, was transferred on Tuesday to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he was being evaluated by a “transplant team.” Cramer told The Associated Press earlier that his son is suffering from “failing liver and kidneys” and was taken to Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck on Feb. 23.
FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has announced the agenda for U.S. Secretary Sonny Perdue’s visit to North Dakota on Friday, March 9.Senator Heidi Heitkamp, Congressman Kevin Cramer and Governor Doug Burgum will also be in attendance. The upcoming visit fulfills a commitment Hoeven secured from Secretary Perdue to come to North Dakota to hear from the state’s farmers, ranchers, commodity groups and agriculture researchers.In the morning, the senator and secretary will tour the Red River Valley Agriculture Research Center in Fargo followed by a roundtable with agriculture producers and commodity groups at the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Agricultural Experiment Station (AES). Hoeven and Secretary Perdue will hold a media availability following the roundtable.Hoeven and Secretary Perdue will then attend a Collegiate Farm Bureau luncheon and meet with students pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields. Later, Hoeven and Secretary Perdue will tour a sugar beet processing facility in Moorhead.Tour of Red River Valley Agriculture Research CenterSenator Hoeven and Secretary Perdue will tour the Red River Valley Agriculture Research Center to see ongoing research efforts which are being conducted under U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Research Service (ARS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). 

Commodity Group Roundtable

Senator Hoeven will host a roundtable with Secretary Perdue and representatives from North Dakota’s agriculture industry, including agriculture producers, crop and livestock associations, North Dakota Farm Bureau, North Dakota Farmers Union and Farm Credit Services.

 

 

Collegiate Farm Bureau Luncheon

Senator Hoeven and Secretary Perdue will have lunch with students pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields and discuss new opportunities in agriculture.

 

Sugar Beet Processing Facility Tour

Senator Hoeven and Secretary Perdue will tour American Crystal Sugar Company’s sugar beet processing facility in Moorhead, Minn., where the senator will outline the importance of the sugar industry to North Dakota’s economy and the benefits of the sugar program.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Plains farm aid nonprofit Farm Rescue is accepting applications for spring crop-planting assistance. Farm Rescue provides free physical labor for farmers and ranchers dealing with an injury, illness or a natural disaster. It was launched in North Dakota in 2006 and has since expanded to South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana and Nebraska. Its services include crop planting and harvesting, haying, and hay and grain hauling. It has helped more than 525 farm families through the years.

 

In sports…

Sioux City, IA  (uj.edu)  The UJ Jimmies Women’s basketball team on Wednesday made their seventh straight and 11th overall appearance at the NAIA National Championship, taking on Cardinal Stritch of Wisconsin  heading to the national tournament for the 17th straight season and 22nd time overall, a member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

On Wednesday in Sioux City, Iowa, the Jimmies defeated Cardinal Stritch 65-51.  The win a record 30th for a season for UJ Women’s Basketball.

The Jimmies play Indiana Institute of Technology, at 8:30-a.m. Friday in “Sweet 16,” play for the sixth time in seven years.

The Jimmies play Indiana Institute of Technology, at 8:30-a.m. Friday in “Sweet 16,” play for the sixth time in seven years.   Indiana Tech defeated 23rd-ranked Bryan (Tenn.) 76-60 in the tournament’s opening game Wednesday morning.

 

 

In world and national news…

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Florida school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz has been formally charged with 17 counts of first-degree murder, which could mean a death sentence if he’s convicted.

A grand jury in Fort Lauderdale returned the indictment Wednesday against the 19-year-old Cruz for the Valentine’s Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in which 17 people died and 16 were wounded.

The indictment also charges Cruz with 17 counts of attempted murder.

Cruz’s public defender has said he’ll plead guilty if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table, which would mean a life prison sentence. The Broward County state attorney hasn’t announced a decision on the death penalty.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says Mexico, Canada, and other countries may be exempted from President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs under national security “carve-outs.”

Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tells reporters that the exemptions would be on a “case by case” and a “country by country” basis.

The openness to country exemptions is a reversal from the policy articulated by the White House just days ago that there would be no exceptions to Trump’s plan to put in place 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum.

Sanders says Trump will finalize the tariffs later this week. The plan has roiled markets and drawn consternation from American allies, Republican free-trade advocates, and the business community.

 

 

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Demonstrators blocked traffic on a busy street but were peaceful as they protested U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to sue California over laws that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Sacramento police say nobody was arrested in connection with the protests Wednesday outside a hotel where Sessions spoke to California law enforcement officials.

Several Democratic elected officials joined demonstrators and spoke to the crowd with a bullhorn. They were drowned out sometimes by protesters with louder speakers angling for a more aggressive confrontation with Sessions.

A line of police and private security guards blocked access to the hotel.

Protesters say they wanted to send a message to Sessions that Californians support immigrants and won’t cooperate with immigration policies they view as racist.

 

 

 

LONDON (AP) — British police say they believe a Russian former spy and his daughter were poisoned with a nerve agent.

Metropolitan Police counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley said Wednesday the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia on Sunday is being treated as attempted murder.

He says police believe they were specifically targeted.

They are in critical condition in a hospital.

Rowley says a police officer who treated them when they collapsed in Salisbury on Sunday is also in serious condition.

Chief medical officer Sally Davies said the poisoning posed a “low risk” to the general public.