CSi Weather…

 REST OF TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 BELOW. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH. WIND CHILL READINGS 15 BELOW TO 25 BELOW
ZERO.
.TUESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. SCATTERED FLURRIES IN THE MORNING. HIGHS
10 TO 15. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL
READINGS 5 BELOW TO 25 BELOW ZERO IN THE MORNING.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 10 TO 15 BELOW. NORTHWEST
WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 20 BELOW TO
30 BELOW ZERO AFTER MIDNIGHT.
.WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 10 TO 15.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 BELOW.
.THURSDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 15 TO 20.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS ZERO TO 5 ABOVE.
.FRIDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW. HIGHS 20 TO
25.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW. LOWS
10 TO 15.
.SATURDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW. HIGHS IN
THE MID 20S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW.
LOWS 15 TO 20.
.SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW. HIGHS 25 TO
30.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 15 TO 20.
.MONDAY…CLOUDY. HIGHS 25 TO 30.

ROAD REPORT NDDOT…5:45-P.M

 The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the
     North Dakota Highway Patrol remind motorists that a NO TRAVEL
     ADVISORY for eastern North Dakota,will REMAIN in effect
     OVERNIGHT.  This includes the cities of Devils Lake, Rolla,
     Langdon, Drayton, Grand Forks, Cooperstown, Jamestown, Valley
     City, Fargo, Wahpeton, and surrounding areas due to high winds
     causing near blizzard conditions with blowing snow, areas of near
     zero visibility; scattered snow drifts compacted snow and
     continuous ice on roadways. Motorists should not travel due to
     hazardous conditions which may make it unsafe to travel and
     should be advised that some roads may become BLOCKED overnight
     due to high winds creating heavy snow drifts especially in shelte
     red areas and at structures.
    
     A TRAVEL ALERT is still in effect for the cities of Williston,
     Minot,  McClusky, Steele, Napoleon, and surrounding areas due to
     blowing and drifting snow creating icy conditions and reduced
     visibility. Conditions are such that motorists can still travel
     Motorists are encouraged to reduce speeds and drive according to
     the conditions.

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A late-winter storm is causing travel problems throughout much of North Dakota and eastern South Dakota.
 
     Motorists in many areas are being advised not to travel or to use extreme caution when venturing out because of snow and blowing snow. Ice also is a problem in eastern South Dakota. Many schools in the two states are starting late or calling off classes for the day.
 
     The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for much of eastern North Dakota and for northeastern and east central South Dakota. Storm warnings and advisories are posted in other areas.
 
     Parts of eastern North Dakota could see more than half a foot of snow, and forecasters say the wind in northeastern South Dakota could gust to 60 mph.
 　

Jamestown City crews Monday were monitoring and plowing the snow Emergency Routes as necessary.

City crews will begin snow removal in the DOWNTOWN area beginning approximately at 11:00 p.m. tonight, Monday, March 18, 2013, and continue during the night.

Downtown merchants and all public/private schools are asked to have their sidewalks shoveled by 9 p.m. tonight.

Please push snow directly into the street and DONOT create piles of snow.

Snow removal in the RESIDENTIAL areas will begin at approximately 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

PLEASE NOTE:

The above schedule is contingent upon changing weather conditions and snow accumulation totals.

Valley City crews Monday are clearing emergency routes.

All crews will be out at midnight Monday evening to clear the remainder of the major routes.

Crews will start to remove snow in residential neighborhoods on Tuesday starting with the southeast section.

With the recent snowstorm, in Jamestown, Commercial Garbage Pickup will continue to be picked up, but containers not accessible will be skipped on Monday, March 18, 2013, and will be picked up on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, along with the regularly scheduled Tuesday routes.

 

Valley City, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Monday (Mar 18, 2013) at City Hall.

Commissioner Pedersen, and City Administrator Schelkoph were not present.

Approval of Consent Agenda items included…

A Game of Chance Raffle Permit for Disabled American Veterans.

 

An Electric, Heating and Plumbing license renewal for Ryan Mechanical, Inc., Wrigley Mechanical, Inc. and Keith’s Air Conditioning, Redlinger Bros. Plumbing & Heating Co., Moorhead Electric, Inc., Peterson Mechanical, Inc., John’s Refrigeration Electric Inc., Overn Electric LLC, Grotberg Electric Inc., Grotberg Electric Inc. dba Triten Mechanical, JR’s Plumbing & Heating Inc., SA Mechanical, Pederson Electric, Dakota Electric Construction Co., Bakkegard & Schell Inc., Sheyenne Mechanical LLC, Magnum Electric, Inc.

 A House Movers renewal to Carrington House Moving, Inc. and Liechty Homes Inc., and all license renews received through March 31, 2013

 

Public Forum: No one spoke

 

Resolutions

A Public Hearing was held to Determine Sufficiency of Protest for Paving Improvement District No. 102.

No written protests were received.

Follow the hearing commissioners approved a Resolution to Determine Sufficiency of Protest for Paving Improvement District No. 102.

Then, another Public Hearing was to Determine Sufficiency of Protest for Paving Improvement District No. 103.  Over 67% filed a written protest.

Mayor Werkhoven suggested a public meeting for further information.

 

Following the hearing, the city commission approved a Resolution to Determine Sufficiency of Protest for Paving Improvement District No. 103.

One area includes Prairie View, and the other Highland Park.

Commissioners approved for the Prairie View addition.

 

Commissioners then approved a Resolution accepting the bid and awarding a contract to Border States Paving in the amount of $431,623.09 for three ER sites and Safe Routes to School, Paving Improvement District No. 97.

 

New Business

The City Commission awarded the quote to Pine Country Nursery for Hyrdo-seeding 32 properties in the flood protection buyout in the amount of $38,536.65.

Trio Environmental Consulting was unable to make the meeting from Fargo, to discuss contract for police department fire range clean-up.

Chief Thompson said four companies bid, with three not able to perform the work until next fall. He suggested the bid be awarded in the amount of $89,600.

Commissioner approved.

 

Discussion concerned the 2013 Emergency Flood Plan.

Chad Peterson from KLJ said significant updates have been made for 2013.

Those include storm sewer plug improvements.

Another area includes near VCSU, where buyouts have occurred and can now have clay dikes, instead of HESCO barrier protection. Other changes include noting specific elevations of flood protection.

Commissioners  asked questions about the AMI system electrical meter telemetry.

Superintendent Stan Hansen explained the electrical load handling, saying the new telemetry will go from analog to digital. 

He said any radio frequency radiation is minimal and not harmful.

Security/privacy issues were brought up by Commissioner Luke, as to hackers knowing when usage was low, indicating when the property owner was away.

The City Commission decided to hold a public meeting on the issues.

City Commissioner Nielson moved to get a quote from Cooper Power.

The Commission voted to approve.

City Updates & Commission Comments

Fire Chief Retterath said the outdoor warning sirens upgrades are nearly completed and should be ready by spring.

He noted that the Sheyenne River has open water, and urges residents to use caution.

Commissioner Luke said the City Water Plant has received a certificate of compliance.

She said the library board is in the process of interviews.

Mayor Werkhoven noted the Hockey Jamboree in Valley City, that was successful, which brought dollars into Valley City and the utilization of tax dollars.  He pointed to a successful Winter Show…and explained the snow removal plans.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

 

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – Williston police have issued an arrest warrant for a man in the fatal shooting of another man outside a bar over the weekend.
 
     Authorities say 28-year-old Derrick Siegel, of Williston, died at a hospital after the shooting about 1 a.m. Saturday. Police Detective Cory Collings says 46-year-old Jonathan Horvath is wanted on warrants for reckless endangerment and murder.
 
     Collings says Horvath recently moved to the Williston area from Sandpoint, Idaho. He is described as a 5-foot-9, 170-pound white male with brown hair and green eyes. He has a tattoo of a spider and web on the left side of his neck.

 

 TIOGA, N.D. (AP) – Authorities say an alcohol-fueled dispute between roommates at an oil field crew camp in western North Dakota led to a fatal stabbing.
 
     Thirty-two-year-old Christopher King was stabbed to death early Sunday. Authorities arrested a man who drove King to a Tioga hospital, where King was pronounced dead.
 
     The 31-year-old suspect had not been formally charged as of Monday morning.  A bond hearing will be held later in the week.
 
     Both men had come to North Dakota from Michigan and were roommates at the Capital Lodge crew camp between Ray and Tioga. Williams County Sgt. Detective Caleb Fry says the men had been drinking in Tioga prior to the altercation, with occurred in their cabin. Fry says the weapon involved was a hunting knife.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A group of doctors from North Dakota’s largest city braved a blizzard warning to speak out against legislation that says a fertilized egg is a human being.
 
     The state House is expected this week to consider two so-called personhood bills, one that would make the proposal a state law and another that would add a new section to the state Constitution. Both measures passed the Senate.
 
     Dr. Stephanie Dahl, a Fargo infertility specialist, said Monday the measures could ban in vitro fertilization and force doctors to leave the state.
 
     Karla Rose Hanson, the organizer a group opposing the legislation, says the bills being considered this week are “even more extreme” than two other measures headed to the governor’s desk that are among the most restrictive abortion laws in the country.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Democrats say they’ve done some recalculating on a Republican-backed measure to restructure oil taxes in North Dakota.
 
     Democrats say the plan is radical and reckless and could cost the people of North Dakota more than $1.3 billion in the first five years. That’s double the cost of an initial analysis.
 
     Republican Sen. Dwight Cook of Mandan says Democrats aren’t looking at the bill in its entirety.
 
     The measure would cut the exemption for so-called stripper wells that’s costing North Dakota about $50 million annually. It also eliminates price triggers that would lessen state taxes for companies if the price of oil falls below a certain level.
 
     Backers say the state could see tax revenue decrease by at least $2 billion if oil falls below the current price trigger.

 

MAPLETON, N.D. (AP) – A Wild Card 2 ticket sold in the southeastern North Dakota town of Mapleton is a jackpot winner.
 
     North Dakota lottery officials say the ticket matched all five white balls and the Wild Card in Saturday’s drawing to win the $240,000 jackpot. It is the first Wild Card 2 jackpot won in North Dakota since August 2011.
 
     The winning numbers are 4, 17, 19, 31 and 32, and the Wild Card is the Queen of Spades.
 
     Wild Card 2 is played in North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Idaho. The jackpot goes to $200,000 for the next drawing, on Wednesday.
 
     Other lottery winners in Saturday drawings in North Dakota were a 2by2 ticket sold in Minot that won the $22,000 jackpot and a ticket sold in Manvel that won $10,000 in the Powerball.

 

 GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) – The number of drilling applications submitted to federal land managers in western North Dakota has grown so large that Bureau of Land Management officials in other states have been asked to shoulder some of the load.
 
     BLM employees in Great Falls are reviewing permits, verifying royalty amounts and working on mineral estate agreements to help their North Dakota colleagues dealing with the Bakken oil boom.
 
     The Great Falls Tribune reports the Dickinson BLM office is projected to review more than 800 applications this year.
 
     BLM Montana head Don Judice says the North Dakota office is unable to get the staff they need quickly due to budget concerns and recruitment efforts.
 
     Twenty-six BLM staffers from Montana, two from South Dakota and one from Utah are assisting the 27 Dickinson staffers.

 

In sports…

 GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The University of North Dakota men’s basketball team has accepted an at-large bid to the 32-team CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
 
     UND (16-16) is scheduled to play at Northern Iowa (18-14) in the first round on Tuesday.
 
     It will be the third straight CIT appearance for UND, which lost to Weber State in the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
 

 
     FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota State men’s basketball team missed out on the NCAA tournament and also the National Invitational Tournament, but the Bison are still getting some postseason action.
 
     NDSU will play in the 16-team College Basketball Invitational for a second straight season. The Bison (24-9) play at Western Michigan (20-12) in the first round on Wednesday.
 
     NDSU lost to South Dakota State in the championship game of the Summit League Tournament, falling one win short of reaching the NCAA tournament.
 

 

In world and national news..

 SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) – He was Oklahoma’s starting quarterback when the university won back-to-back national championships in the 1970s. Now, authorities say Steve Davis was one of the two men from Tulsa who died Sunday when a small plane crashed into a house in South Bend, Indiana. The owner of the plane was the other victim. His pastor says Davis “loved to fly.”

 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – Some Republicans in Congress are gearing up to oppose the nomination of Thomas Perez to be labor secretary. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama says the choice of Perez is “unfortunate and needlessly divisive.” He says Perez has “aggressively sought ways to allow the hiring of more illegal workers.” He’s been in charge of the Civil Rights Division at the Justice Department, where he has played a leading role in the decision to challenge voter ID laws in Texas and South Carolina that could restrict minority voting rights.
 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – The potential Democratic presidential candidates who support gay marriage now include Hillary Rodham Clinton. The former first lady and Secretary of State made the announcement in an online video released Monday by the gay rights advocacy group Human Rights Campaign. She says in the video that gays and lesbians are “full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship.”
 
     ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) – The lawyer for a woman accused of buying guns for a man who later ambushed firefighters at his burning home near Rochester, N.Y., isn’t denying that she bought them. Matthew Parrinello says Dawn Nguyen (wen) “definitely bought the guns.” But he says she’s not guilty of the charges against her — and he asks whether prosecutors will “be able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.” He spoke after his client entered a not-guilty plea in court Monday.
 
     BOSTON (AP) – A day before spring officially arrives, winter is giving New England a final, sloppy blow. Forecasters are predicting snow around the region through tomorrow. Up to 17 inches is predicted in north central Massachusetts and into northern Vermont. Lesser amounts are predicted along the coasts.