CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. LOWS ZERO TO 5 ABOVE. EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.FRIDAY…CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA..A 30 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 20S. SOUTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA…A 20 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA. LOWS 10 TO 15. EAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH IN THE EVENING BECOMING LIGHT.
.SATURDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 10.
.SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S. LOWS 10 TO 15.
.MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 10.
HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S.

 

Bismarck, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Mar 21, 2013) — The National Weather Service has updated the flood outlook including the Sheyenne River Basin, for the next three months.

The forecast indicates that the risk of major flooding is low.

The outlook shows around a 50 percent chance for the Sheyenne River in Lisbon reaching 14 feet, with a 50 percent chance the Sheyenne will reach 12.5 feet in Valley City this spring.

 The March 21, 2013 survey of the upper Sheyenne basin indicates 2 to 4 inches moisture content in the  snow pack.

The drawdown of Lake Ashtabula  presently has a water release of  500 cfs, with the drawdown goal an elevation of 1257.

The drawndown is expected to be completed by the end of March.

The pool elevation on March 22, 2013 was just above 1258 feet, with the normal  Lake Ashtabula summer elevation of 1266 feet.

The weather service says, it’s a good chance that overland flooding will occur, in the spring of 2013,along the Sheyenne River in Eddy County.

The report shows the James River Basin thus far has retained most of its snow, with very little melt having occurred.

In the northern most areas, very little progress has been made in the “ripening,” of the snowpack with conditions currently more similar to what is commonly seen in January and February, than what is normal for this close to April.

The Corps of Engineers expects this spring to be a high-flow year, but lower than the releases of 2009, 10, and 11.

Combined releases from Jamestown and Pipestem Dams are expected to be on the low end of between 750 cubic feet per second and 1,200 cfs.

The forecast depends on the rate of snowpack melt, and spring rains.

Early spring releases will be predominantly from Jamestown Dam, at about 650 cfs from Jamestown Dam and 100 cfs from Pipestem Dam until about June 1, 2013.

Then it’s anticipated that Jamestown Dam will be at summer operatal levels, and the release from Pipestem Dam may increased to about 350 cfs.

Army Corps of Engineers, Pipestem Dam, Manager, Bob Martin says if a fast spring melt, occurs, he does not expect flooding problems at this time, saying the projections are “well within the capacity of the dams.”

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The North Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the two Wisconsin resident injured in a one vehicle rollover at 12:05 p.m., on Wednesday (Mar 20, 2013), on I-94 eastbound, 1 ¾ miles west of Exit 281, in Barnes County.

The report says the car operated by 23 year old Tiffany Przbycien, of Amery, Wisconsin, drove through a portion of the ice covered roadway, as she lost control of the vehicle, and it began to spin, going into the median and rolling over, coming to rest across the westbound lanes facing south on it’s wheels.

The driver and her passenger, 22 year old Kyle Truckey, of Thorp, Wisconsin, were both ejected, and suffered life-threatening injuries.

They were taken to Mercy Hospital in Valley City by the Barnes County Ambulance Service.

The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office, Sanborn Fire Department and the Valley City Fire Department.

The crash remains under investigation.

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Mar 21, 2013) — Jamestown Regional Airport Manager, Matthew Leitner has invited those interested to an April 10, 2013 meeting to discuss anticipated large-scale growth at the airport.

Leitner says the invitation is directed to “Fellow aviators, aircraft owners, future aircraft owners, future aviators, and airport aficionados.

Leitner says Jamestown Regional Airport Authority is eagerly anticipating large-scale growth, with respect to general aviation operations at the regional airport.

He adds, the Regional Airport Authority is aggressively pursuing the construction of t-hangars.

Those interested in finding out more about the plan is invited to a planning session at Jamestown Regional Airport’s, administrative office, on April 10th at 6-p.m.

Food and beverages will be served.

Any preliminary questions can be directed to Matt Leitner at Jamestown Regional Airport, at 701-252-6466, or E-Mail

jmsairport@daket.com or fax 701-252-2919.

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Council’s Fire Committee at City Hall, Thursday (Mar 21, 2013 heard a presentation about firefighter recruitment, from City Fire Chief, Jim Reuther.

The Jamestown Fire Department is hosting a “Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment Presentation” on March

26th, 2013 at the main fire station at 7:00pm.

He said the City Fire Department roster is (4) firefighters short of the full roster of (38).

He said, a spouse or signifcant other is invited to attend, as the decision should be made as a family.

Qualifications include being at least 21 years of age, and a resident of Jamestown.

The fire department over the past few years has found it hard to recruit new volunteer firefighters; and Jamestown is not the only fire department that is experiencing the decrease in volunteer firefighters.

(See story at CsiNewsNow.com under Jamestown News. Chief Reuther also our guest on the Fri. Mar 22, 2013 Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2.)

 

The Public Works Committee, recommends approval of an application for a charge account at the City Solid Waste Disposal Facility from ProTec Roofing, Inc.

The committee recommends approval of a request from Jamestown Middle School Omega House relating to the annual storm drain stenciling project.

The committee discussed a proposal from Apex Engineering regarding Capacity Analysis of existing Wastewater Treatment Facilities in regards to possible further gray water use by GRE. Mayor Andersen said the proposal came in recently, and the committee and City Engineer Schwartzkopf have not had an opportunity to review.

The committee sent the proposal to the City Council without recommendation.

Geotechnical Services proposal relating to the retaining wall reconstruction at in the Frontier Fort area was discussed.

The committee recommends sending the proposal to the City Council without recommendation, pending review and input from City Engineer Schwartzkopf.

Bids were discussed for the NEW ELEVATED WATER STORAGE RESERVOIR for the City of Jamestown.

Two bids were received, a third bid contained an irregularity in that it did not include a contractors license.

City Attorney Dalsted suggested moving the bid awarding to the City Council without recommendation, pending his contacting the Secretary of State’s Office, concerning the status of the contractor’s license.

 

The committee recommends June 3 – 8, 2013 for Annual City Wide Clean-up Week, in Jamestown as recommended by the Jamestown City Street Department. Harold Sad said the dates enable the city to hire additional workers.

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

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) —  The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Local & Regional Issues committee invites the public to a Legislative Forum, Friday April 5, 2013 at City Hall from 5:30 – 7:30-p.m.

The District 12 & 29 legislators will each give summaries from this year’s session and will answer questions submitted to the moderator.

Following that session the public has the opportunity to have a one on one conversation with the legislators.

Questions for the legislators may be sent in advance to Felicia@jamestownchamber.com . For more information visit our website at www.jamestownchamber.com

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s House has amended an anti-abortion bill in an effort to kill a three-year, $1.2 million federal sex education grant for North Dakota State University.
 
     The House voted 57-35 Thursday to include the amendment in a measure aimed at outlawing abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that point.
 
     Fargo Rep. Bette Grande sponsored the amendment to halt NDSU’s grant, which provides funding for voluntary sex education to Fargo-area teens with parental consent.
 
     The grant was frozen after attorneys questioned whether it would violate a state law that forbids government funding to people or groups that encourage abortion.
 
     North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem ruled last month that the school could legally accept the grant.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s House has defeated a measure aimed at lowering tax rates for oil companies in exchange for closing loopholes.
 
     Lawmakers voted 87-6 Thursday to kill the bill.
 
     Democrats blasted the measure, saying it would have cost North Dakotans more than $1.3 billion in the first five years.
 
     Republican Sen. Dwight Cook of Mandan says the measure was an attempt to bring tax certainty to the oil industry and the state, while closing loopholes and adding drilling incentives.
 
     Cook’s proposal would have cut the exemption for so-called stripper wells that the state Tax Department says is costing North Dakota about $50 million in revenue each year. It also eliminated price triggers that would lessen state taxes for companies if the price of oil falls below a certain level. 

 

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – City and county officials have pleaded for permanent flood protection as residents along the Red River in Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, Minn., were told to prepare for one of the top five crests in their history.
 
     The latest National Weather Service outlook includes a 50 percent chance that the river would top 38 feet later this spring, which would surpass the fifth-highest crest of 37.34 feet in 1969.
 
     Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker says the city will “do whatever’s necessary” to protect residents, but believes the only solution is a proposed $2 billion diversion channel.
 
     Fargo is asking for help from volunteers to make 500,000 sandbags to add to a reserve of 750,000 bags. The city plans to place 1.1 million bags and the county 500,000 bags to protect structures.

 

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) – Recent snowfall has increased the chances of a 2-foot rise on Devils Lake this summer.
 
     The National Weather Service says the chance is now about 90 percent, up from about 50 percent earlier this month.
 
     The latest flood outlook from the weather service says there is about a 25 percent chance the lake will surpass its record elevation of 1,454.3 feet above sea level, set in June 2011. A levee system protects the city of Devils Lake from a much higher elevation.
 
     The lake on Thursday was at 1,451.5 feet.

 

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – The Stark County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident in which someone placed a severed calf’s head atop a sign on a rural road just north of Dickinson.
 
     The head was put atop a “private property” sign on Howard Newton’s ranch. The landowner says he doesn’t know how or why the head was put on his sign. He says he tends horses but doesn’t own any cattle.
 
     Sheriff’s Capt. Dean Franchuk says there have been no reports of missing cattle in the area.

 

  FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Board of Higher Education says it stands behind Chancellor Hamid Shirvani, who has come under fire from some legislators, students and others for his management style.
 
     Board members in a special meeting Thursday approved a resolution of support by a 5-3 vote. A couple of board members voted against the idea because they thought it oversimplified the issue.
 
     Following the vote, state Sen. Tony Grindberg, who sponsored an amendment to buy out Shirvani’s contract, told the board that discussions by Shirvani and board president Duaine Espegard about firing some college presidents “started this toxic environment.”
 
     Espegard responded that he hasn’t heard anything from Shirvani about taking action against any of the presidents and added, “It isn’t coming from the board, I know that for sure.”

 

 GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The University of North Dakota has named a new provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
 
     UND President Robert Kelley announced Thursday that Thomas M. DiLorenzo will start the job May 1. He replaces Paul LeBel, who last year announced his decision to step down from the provost position in 2013. 
 
     DiLorenzo is currently the associate vice president for Innovation, Commercialization, and Entrepreneurship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
 
     Kelley says DiLorenzo is an innovative leader who will do well leading UND’s academic division.
 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Nearly 100 North Dakota National Guard soldiers who served a year in Afghanistan and lost two of their comrades are returning home.
 
     The members of the 818th Engineer Company have been going through the demobilization process at Fort Bliss, Texas, since March 12. They are scheduled to fly into Bismarck on Friday. The Guard says a formal welcome home ceremony will be held in about three months.
 
     The 818th is based in Williston with a detachment in Hazen. The soldiers served as combat engineers in Afghanistan, clearing roadside bombs.
 
     Sgt. 1st Class Darren Linde, of Devils Lake, and Spc. Tyler Orgaard, of Bismarck, died in the line of duty on Dec. 3. A third soldier, Spc. Ian Placek, of Bismarck, was wounded.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s two U.S. senators say the military has no plans to base cargo aircraft at the Air National Guard base in Fargo.
 
     That will leave the 119th Wing without a flying mission. The wing retired its F-16 fighter jets in 2007, and a Lear jet mission is scheduled to end Sept. 30. The 119th also has a drone mission.
 
     Sens. John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp both say they are disappointed with the military’s decision regarding the C-27J Spartan cargo aircraft. A spokesman for Hoeven says the wing is still in line for an intelligence mission, however.

In sports…

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota lawmaker wants to make sure the Minnesota-North Dakota men’s college hockey rivalry continues after the Gophers leave the WCHA.
 
     Rep. Ryan Winkler, D-Minneapolis, introduced a bill Thursday that would pay the University of Minnesota $800,000 in any year that Minnesota plays North Dakota at least once. It wouldn’t matter which team wins.
 
     Winkler says his bill is a little bit in jest. But he points out he’s on a higher education committee with jurisdiction over university funding.
 
     Minnesota is leaving the WCHA to join the Big Ten’s new hockey league while North Dakota is joining the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. They won’t play again in the regular season for at least two years.
 
     Winkler says that’s no reason to end one of the great rivalries in college hockey.

 

In world and national news…

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) – Syrian TV says at least 14 people have been killed and more than 40 wounded in a suicide bomb attack inside a mosque in Damascus. The victims included a top Sunni Muslim preacher and longtime supporter of President Bashar Assad. He represented one of the few remaining pillars of support for Assad among the minority sect that has risen up against him.
 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – A senior U.S. official says the U.S. now has strong indications that chemical weapons were not used in the attack in Syria Tuesday. Officials won’t entirely rule out the possibility. But this official says additional intelligence-gathering has led the U.S. to believe more strongly that it was not a weaponized chemical attack. The U.S. and allies have been looking into allegations by the Syrian regime that rebels carried out a chemical weapons attack in northern Aleppo province. Rebels blame regime forces.
 
     JERUSALEM (AP) – On a day that included a visit to the West Bank, President Barack Obama has told Israeli college students in Jerusalem that their country is going to have to compromise, in order to achieve lasting security. Obama declared again that Israeli expansion of housing settlements in disputed territory hurts the chances for fruitful negotiations with the Palestinians. But he didn’t say, as he has in the past, that those settlements must be stopped.
 
     COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – An Ohio Supreme Court justice is appointing a retired judge from elsewhere in Ohio to oversee a grand jury looking into new charges stemming from the rape of a 16-year-old girl by two high school football players in Steubenville. The request for outside supervision followed a stream of online postings alleging that there was a cover-up to hide the involvement of others.
 
     MAYPEARL, Texas (AP) – A Texas sheriff says he doesn’t expect any charges to be filed against a man who opened fire on two heavily armed teenagers from Oklahoma during an attempted home invasion on his ranch. The two teens died yesterday afternoon. A sheriff says officials think both teens died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds — but that the homeowner had fired two deer rifles and struck one of the teens.