CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows zero to 5 above. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs 10 to 15. West winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 5 to 10 above. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 20s. Southwest winds 15 to

20 mph.

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

.THURSDAY…Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow. Highs in the

mid 20s.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow.

Lows 5 to 10 above.

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs 15 to 20.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 10.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 10.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 20s.

 

For Wednesday through the end of the week a parade of weak waves

in the form of cold fronts, will keep chances for precipitation across

the area.

Amounts will be light, a few tenths of an inch of snow

(so a heavy dusting) with each passage.

The weekend looks about normal for temperature with another

inconsequential wave Saturday night – otherwise dry.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Public works informs motorists that due to City utility repairs, 1st Avenue is closed to through traffic from 1st Street South to 4th Street North. Traffic will be diverted to 2nd Street East and 2nd Street SW.

This section of 1st Avenue will continue to be closed until repairs are completed. Please watch for signage & use alternate routes.

Intermittent water outages may occur within 200 block of 1st Avenue North Monday, February 3, 2020 until approximately 5:00 pm.
Motorist’s should use  extreme caution in this area.
PLEASE NOTE:
The above schedule is contingent upon weather conditions.
PLEASE CALL THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT 252-5131 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall.

Council Member Phillips was present via telephone conference call.

  • HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:
  • (Individuals may address the City Council about any item not contained on the agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the hearing. If the full 15 minutes are not needed, the City Council will continue with the agenda. The City Council will take no official action on items discussed at the hearing, with the exception of referral to staff or Committee.)
  • Steve Reidburn spoke about a permit denial he applied for concerning a house, to place a roof over a deck, indicating a $5,000 fee, saying a replot was required, and a variance was denied.

 

NO ITEMS WERE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO CONSIDER SEPARATELY and were passed.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

  • Approved was the issuance of bonds by Cass County, North Dakota on behalf of Essentia Health and its affiliates under the Municipal Industrial Development Act and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Jamestown.
  • The action will provide Cass County with the ability to re-issue bonds at a lower interest rate, with a joint powers agreement the affiliates, Jamestown being a part of the original joint powers agreement and the issuance of bonds. Wahepton and Valley City have previously approved. Essentia assumes all financial responsibility for the bonds.
  • The City council authorized the City Administrator to sign and submit a SRF Clean Water application to the ND State Health Department and ND Public Finance Authority for the 2019 Watermain Improvements Project 19-61. Interstate Engineer’s Darrell Hournbuckle said the project is close to $2-million, in conjunction with excessive ground water.

Considered was the proposal from New Phase Energy for continuation of the study for utilization of biogas.  Hournbuckle explained said the amount of gas coming into the system from the Waste Water Treatment Plant that has been metered was not in the amount that was expected. At this time other purchasers are now being looked at including Great River Energy, and applying for loans. New Phase Energy is requesting to use $15,000 from a pool of money provided from the City of Jamestown amounting to $50,000. The City Council approved a proposal, to submit a grant application for dollars.

The City Council then…

Authorized New Phase Energy to prepare applications for grants for the utilization of biogas to assist in funding the project, and authorize the City Administrator to sign the grant applications.

Authorized New Phase Energy to prepare and the City Administrator to sign and submit a SRF application to the ND State Health Department and ND Public Finance Authority for the biogas project.

After consideration the City Council approved a Resolution to authorize, direct and establish storage fees for abandoned and impounded vehicles, at $45 per day.

The City Council, approved a Resolution to approve the City Prosecutor’s request to enter into an Agency Access Agreement with the State of North Dakota for electronic online access to the ND Criminal Justice Information Sharing (ND CJIS) Portal.

ORDINANCES:

The Council approved the introducing the First Reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact Sections of the City Code pertaining to the Building Code and Plumbing Code.

 

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Phillips said ideas are proceeding on the plans to update Frontier Village, and requested public comment and ideas.

She pointed out for citizens to fill out and hand in 2020 Census forms.

City Council Member, David Steele, said he attended the Chamber’s  Annual Banquet, and congratulated the award winners.

Council Member Buchanan said the recent Battle of the Badges Blood drive competition on was won by law enforcement.

Mayor Heinrich said, he’s heard positive comments on the city’s snow removal under difficult conditions.

He pointed out agencies that have been in Jamestown at public meetings to update and explain the flood watch.  He said at the meeting last Wednesday evening, no questions were asked by the public.

OTHER BUSINESS:

The City Council approved the request from Knights of Columbus for gaming site authorizations for the Jamestown Civic Center on February 22, 2020, and, for the Gladstone Inn & Suites on April 18, 2020.

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

 

(AP)  Officials in McKenzie County are turning to drones to make better decisions about when to restrict traffic on the region’s gravel roads in the heart of North Dakota’s oil patch. Pilots from ISight RVP Services will fly drones over the county’s roads after rainy weather beginning this spring. The aircraft’s cameras will pick up images of the road conditions. The Bismarck Tribune reports the project’s supporters say it should make closure decisions more strategic. The Grand Forks-based company plans to establish an office in Watford City with two pilots and two assistants who will begin using the drones in May.

(AP)  Minnesota utility regulators have approved a revised environmental review for a proposed $2.6 billion pipeline. The state Public Utilities Commission voted 3-1 to approve the environmental impact statement for Enbridge’s Line 3 project in northern Minnesota, saying it adequately addressed the impact of a potential spill in the Lake Superior watershed. The new pipeline would replace Enbridge’s Line 3, which was built in the 1960s. Enbridge says the old line needs replacing because it’s increasingly prone to corrosion and cracking and can run at only about half its original capacity. Environmental and tribal activists have urged regulators to kill the project.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A survey report suggests the economy continues to grow in nine Midwest and Plains states. The Mid-America Business Conditions index jumped to 57.2 in January from 50.6 in December. The survey was conducted before much of the bad news was reported about the coronavirus outbreak that originated in China. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the outbreak could harm the regional economy in the weeks ahead. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota. Survey organizers say any index score above 50 suggests growth. A score below that suggests decline.

 

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana game farm is under quarantine after an elk tested positive for chronic wasting disease. The brain wasting disease hasn’t been identified in domestic deer or elk in Montana since 1999. The testing that discovered the illness is required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Herd Certification Program. The elk appeared healthy and was slaughtered for meat. The illness was discovered in testing. Montana law requires CWD positive game farm herds to be quarantined for five years or killed and tested. State veterinarian Marty Zaluski says they’ll investigate to determine the source of the infection.

In sports…

Jamestown   (UJ)   University of Jamestown is hosting a Family Fun Night on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 5:30 – 9 p.m. in the Harold Newman Arena. The event will feature carnival games, free food, and autographs from Jimmie Athletes.

Jimmie Booster Club Director, Jim Klemann say, “The Jimmie Booster Club and Jimmie Athletics are proud to once again host Family Fun Night. This event has become a great Jimmie tradition and is something our campus and student-athletes look forward to every year.”

The event is free for attendees 13 and under, $3 for ages 14-18 and 60+, and $4 for adults. Admission includes access to the Jimmie Women’s and Men’s Basketball games, who will be taking on Mount Marty College.

UJ Athletic Director, Sean Johnson addd, “This is one of our favorite events of the year in Jimmie Athletics. It’s a great opportunity for our local youth to meet our student-athletes up close and personal, and it’s fun for everyone involved.”

The Women’s game begins at 6 p.m., followed by the Men’s game at 8 p.m.

Jamestown  (NDSU Ext Service)  Trace Christ of Wimbledon, from the Bows, Bullets, & Bullseyes 4-H club competed at the Northwest District 4-H Archery Match in Minot on February 1st.  He placed 13th  with a score of 272 out of a field of 40 Senior Freestyle archers.

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Closing arguments in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial are unfolding Monday more for history than to sway votes. The four hours of arguments provide one final chance to influence public opinion and set the record ahead of his expected acquittal in the GOP-led Senate. The chamber is expected to take the final impeachment votes on Wednesday. House managers opened with a plea from Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado who said: “We cannot and should not leave our common sense at the door.” Trump’s defense countered that the “fast-track” impeachment case against the president was flawed, rushed and nothing short of an effort to undo the 2016 election and shape the next one.

 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More than two years have passed since the first presidential announcement, nearly $1 billion has been spent and numerous candidates have already come and gone. And yet the Democrats’ turbulent 2020 primary season officially begins Monday. By day’s end, tens of thousands of Iowa Democrats will have decided the results of their presidential caucus in the contest to challenge President Donald Trump. Democrats enter the first contest with uncertainty and deepening intraparty resentment. The top four candidates are Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, the Iowa Democratic Party will report three sets of results from its presidential caucuses. And there’s no guarantee that all three will show the same winner. Each set of results represents a different stage of voting in the caucus process. The new rules for Monday’s contest were mandated by the Democratic National Committee in a bid to make the process more transparent. The Associated Press will report all three results but will only declare a winner in Iowa based on the number of state delegates won by each candidate.

 

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More than 100 supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg have crowded into the backroom of his West Des Moines, Iowa, headquarters before heading out to knock on doors as the hours tick down to Iowa’s caucuses. The former South Bend, Indiana, mayor popped in Monday to thank the precinct-level volunteers. Buttigieg says his campaign and volunteers are exactly where they need to be “to astonish the political world.” Buttigieg is among a pack at the top of the field in Iowa. Anthony Elarth traveled from Seattle to help train Buttigieg’s volunteers in Iowa. Elarth says volunteers engaging voters at their doors “want to have a conversation, not a debate.”

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — With Democratic presidential candidates in Iowa for its kickoff caucuses, Michael Bloomberg is going his own way. The billionaire former New York City mayor is in California rallying supporters, as he bypasses early voting states like Iowa in favor of bigger, delegate-rich states to come. Bloomberg started his day in a coffee shop in Sacramento, where he urged voters to go to the polls. Early voting starts Monday in California in advance of the state’s March 3 primary.

 

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Senate has blocked one of Gov. Ralph Northam’s top gun-control bills, making it another measure the Democratic governor supports that may not pass the legislature. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Monday against a bill that would make it a felony to “recklessly leave a loaded, unsecured firearm” in a way that endangers a minor. The legislation is one of eight gun measures that the governor has urged lawmakers to adopt. Virginia has become ground zero in the nation’s raging debate over gun control and mass shootings as a new Democratic majority has pledged to put strict new limits in place.

 

BEIJING (AP) — China has opened a new hospital built in 10 days, infused cash into tumbling financial markets and further restricted people’s movement in sweeping new steps to contain a rapidly spreading virus and its escalating impact. Japanese officials were deciding whether to quarantine more than 3,000 people on a cruise ship that carried a passenger who tested positive for the virus. Chinese health authorities reported 361 deaths and 17,205 confirmed cases on Monday. Other countries are continuing evacuations and restricting the entry of Chinese or people who have recently traveled in the country. In the province at the epicenter of the outbreak, a specialized 1,000-bed hospital started treating patients and a second hospital with 1,500 beds is to open within days.