CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 20s. North winds around 10 mph shifting to the west after midnight.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. West winds

5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Southwest winds 5 to

15 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the upper 30s.

.SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 50s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 30s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 50s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The City of Valley City hosted a COVID-19 Response briefing Wednesday evening, at City Hall, closed to the public in observance of Social Distancing, providing accurate information.

Each organization provided updates and information pertaining to recent developments in the COVID-19 community response.

On hand were officials from City-County Health District, South Central Human Service Center, and Local Government:

City-County Health District, Administrator, Theresa Will said, the agency continues to serve clients by appointment, along with Homecare workers seeing clients.

She added at City/County Health District  has performed 67 COVID-19 tests, with two positives, who were tested outside Barnes County.

She said with symptoms two of those now, are the number to be tested.

She urged everybody to keep a contact journal, if in contact with people within six feet for more than ten minutes.  The agency continues to do fit testing of masks for essential care workers.  She encourages that people wear masks in public.  They also continue to partner with community resources.  The phone number is 845-8518.

She said Barnes County is well supplied with Person Protective Equipment.

Valley City Site Director for South Central Human Service Center Chelsea Modin outlined services provided, and pointed to social isolation that is occurring during the pandemic, and stress related to job loss, and disruption of routine. She encourages contact with friends, with skype, or other on line social media available, including virtual tours.  She added that those asking for triage, will be asked a series of questions, in order to determine the course of support.  The phone number is 701-253-6300.

Bill Carlblom – Barnes County Commission Chairman, Bill Carlsblom reminded citizens that the June 9 elections will be mail-in only.  Those needing assistance can call the county courthouse to make an appointment.  He said the sheriff’s office’s biggest concerns of lack of social distancing.

He added that with county rural roads, many are baricaided, and to leave those barriciades in place.  He added that the Barnes County Courthouse is not available on Friday’s, otherwise it is being staff, with no access to walk-ins, Call the courthouse with question or to set up an appointment to see a staff member.

Valley City Mayor Dave Carlsrud said, the perfect snow melt, as led to a good scenario in the water levels on the Sheyenne, and at Lake Ashtabula.  Unless a heavy rain event occurs the outlook for a non-flood event.

He reminded residents to fill out and submit the forms.

He noted stress on local business with restrictions, including on customers, noting business income is down, along with sales tax revenue. and urges residents to buy local in Valley City.  He pointed out that sales tax revenues go toward lowering property taxes.

He pointed out local assistance for businesses struggle with finances.

He added that North Dakota positive COVID-19 cases, continue to increase, and noted Cass and Clay Counties with high positives that poses a threat to those traveling there, and he recommends essential travel only.  Visit local businesses and then return home.

He recommends getting outside, and observe social distancing, even being outdoors.

He stresses the continuance of social distancing to slow the spread and flatten the curve of positive cases, as North Dakota has yet to see the apex of virus.

The briefing was shown live on CSi Cable 68, followed by replays and on CSi 10 The Replay Channel.

 

Bismarck   (CSi)  Governor Doug Burgum held his daily COVIC-19 Response News Briefing on Wednesday afternoon at the State Capital in Bismarck.  He was joined by Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer and Homeland Security Director Cody Schulz.

Health officials have announced 24 cases of COVID-19 cases,the largest single-day increase in cases of the coronavirus in North Dakota.

Governor Burgum said of those three individuals are under the age of 20.

NDDoH

Wed. Apr 15, 2020

11-a.m.

Positive COVID-19 Test Results
Results listed are from the previous day.

POSITIVE TEST RESULTS

  • Male age 10-19 from Cass County, community spread
  • Man in his 50s from Cass County, community spread
  • Woman in her 20s from Cass County, community spread
  • Man in his 50s from Cass County, close contact
  • Man in his 40s from Cass County, community spread
  • Woman in her 60s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Male age 10-19 from Cass County, under investigation
  • Man in his 20s from Cass County, community spread
  • Woman in her 70s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Man in his 40s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Man in his 30s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Woman in her 40s from Cass County, under investigation
  • Man in his 40s from Grand Forks County, community spread
  • Man in his 30s from Grand Forks County, under investigation
  • Woman in her 50s from Grand Forks County, community spread
  • Woman in her 30s from Grand Forks County, community spread
  • Man in his 40s from Grand Forks County, community spread
  • Man in his 20s from Grand Forks County, community spread
  • Man in his 40s from Grand Forks County, community spread
  • Male age 10-19 from Grand Forks County, under investigation
  • Man in his 40s from McKenzie County, close contact
  • Man in his 40s from McLean County, under investigation
  • Man in his 40s from Mountrail County, under investigation
  • Man in his 20s from Mountrail County, under investigation

 400 tests are backlog, at the state lab, due to technical issues.

Categories: Travel, Possible Travel, Community Spread, Close Contact, Household Contact, Under Investigation

 

BY THE NUMBERS

11,317 – Total Tested (+401 individuals from yesterday)

10,952 – Negative (+377 individuals from yesterday)

365 – Positive (+24 individuals from yesterday)

44 – Hospitalized (+2 individuals from yesterday)

13 – Currently Hospitalized (+0 individuals from yesterday)

142 – Recovered (+4 individuals from yesterday)

9 – Death (+0 individual from yesterday)

 

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Burgum spoke about the business restrictions previously implemented to slow the spread of COVID-19.  He said the restrictions set to expire on April 20, 2020 have been extended ten days, to April 30, 2020.    because the state is not safely in a position to lift them.  He pointed out the number of positive cases on the rise.  The April 30 date, may or may not  be extended.

A Grand Forks wind turbine manufacturing facility halted production after an outbreak among employees there. LM Wind Power declined to say when or how many workers have tested positive. The company says it has temporarily halted production to disinfect and clean the facility that employs about 900 workers.

Burgum said the restrictions in place have helped in keeping the positive numbers relatively low including social distancing, and good hygiene practices, staying home if sick, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding social gatherings of more than ten people, and other practices, including limiting or halting visitations to healthcare facilities and nursing homes. It also includes restrictions limiting business access.

The North Dakota Smart approach to reopening businesses and other facilities, include, widespread rapid testing, robust contact tracing, protections for the most vulnerable, and being prepared for a second spike in positive cases, plus other protections in the work places, including employees wearing masks.

A new blood testing, using a finger prick looks to be more accurate in testing for those currently infected, and indicates past positives in individuals.

With a commerce update, concerning ND Smart Restart was North Dakota  Commerce Commissioner Michelle Kommer.  Highlights included a background of what has been accomplished to support businesses.  She updated the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and how to access it. For businesses, the Payroll Protection Program has so far issued 8,232 loans.

She reminded business to access NDResponse.gov for more information, on loans and other commerce related information, including links to resources.  Plus SBA.com.  She said ndchamber.com is also available to businesses.

Burgum added that the March state revenues showed revenues in tax collections were ahead of projections.

With water and flood protections he pointed out that the state is monitoring the flood update.

Homeland Security Director Cody Schulz., noted flooding concerns, and an increase in flood insurance policies issued, an 18 percent increase, this year. He pointed out Wednesday’ road closures due to water either closing or creating water over the roadway.

He pointed out that the Jamestown and Pipestem Dam releases have been increased as snow melt from the north continues to enter the reservoirs.

Burgum pointed out the website, behavioralhealth.nd.gov is a good source of support, including for people struggling with emotions and information concerning suicide prevention.  The National Suicide Prevention support phone number is 1-800-273-8255.

With unemployment, over 51,000 regular claims have  been filed, between March 16, 2020 and Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in addition to claims under the pandemic unemployment.  Burgum says those approved for pandemic jobless claims are starting to be paid out, in addition to regular unemployment claims.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)   The Jamestown City Fire Department was called to a  dumpster fire Wednesday, April 15, at 1:19-p.m. behind Tractor Supply Co. in Southwest Jamestown.

Lt. Sheldon Mohr says four city fire units and 18 firefighters were on the scene about 30 minutes.

He says the probable cause of the fire was smoking materials with damage to the dumpster estimated at about $1,000.

Jamestown   (CSi)  The Jamestown Rural Fire Department was called out about  1:17 p.m. Wednesday, to 8600 35th Street Southeast, on the paved road that leads to Cavendish,  Farms.

Rural Fire Chief, Brian Paulson said a road maintainer came off gravel by Cavendish with a low blade that threw sparks in the ditch, causing spot fires that spread for about a mile.

No appreciable damage was reported.

Four units and eight firefighters were on the scene, about 30 minutes.

Valley  City  (CSi)  Rich Schueneman is conducting a write-in campaign for the unexpired term on the Valley City Park Board in the June 9th election.

Other candidates for the Park Board on the ballot are Ross Powell, and Jordyn Heck, running for the four year term.

Schueneman is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Resource Manager at Baldhill Dam and Lake Ashtabula since 2000, with the Corps of Engineers for more than 27 years.

Previously, He served as the Director of the Valley City Parks and Recreation District and was a Valley City Commissioner for two terms from 1994 to 2002 and also served one term on the Valley City Public School Board from 2015 to 2018.

Valley City  (CSi)   A classic vehicle cruise will be held on Central Avenue in Valley City Friday night Friday April 17, 2020, starting at 6:30-p.m.

Everyone is welcome to join the cruise, with RV’s, tractors, motorcycles or any vehicle.

Bridge City Cruisers spokesman Myron Vanbruggen says the cruise is  a great way to take the blues out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and  a way to support local food establishments.

Jamestown  (CSi) The Jamestown Community Prayer meeting will be  online. Those wishing to participate is asked to email Jamestowncpm@gmail.com and  download the free Zoo app at https://zoom.us/ . To join Saturday April 18, from 10 to 10:30 a.m., you will receive an invitation that you click on to participate.

BISMARCK  (AP)  Health officials have announced the largest single-day increase in cases of the coronavirus in North Dakota. The Department of Health said Wednesday it has confirmed 24 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the state’s total to 365. Thirteen of those infected are hospitalized. The state’s coronavirus death toll remains unchanged at nine. Meanwhile, a Grand Forks wind turbine manufacturing facility halted production after an outbreak among employees there. LM Wind Power declined to say when or how many workers have tested positive. The company says it has temporarily halted production to disinfect and clean the facility that employs about 900 workers.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in a house damaged by fire. KFGO reports officers were called to the home for a welfare check about 8 p.m. Tuesday and discovered the man’s body. Police say there was fire damage to the interior, but did not say to what extent. The Grand Forks Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are assisting police with the investigation.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A top state oil regulator estimates that North Dakota producers have idled thousands of wells as the U.S. oil industry crashed during the coronavirus outbreak. State Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms said Tuesday that companies have shut in 4,600 wells since the start of March. The Bismarck Tribune reports the idled wells account of about 260,000 barrels per day of oil. Operators are temporarily idling wells that produce smaller quantities of oil, in addition to wells that flare large amounts of natural gas. Helms says oil industry estimates indicate even more rigs will stop drilling for oil in North Dakota. He says the rig count could bottom out at 50% to 75% below pre-pandemic levels. On Tuesday, 33 rigs were active in North Dakota.

In sports…

Bismarck   The North Dakota High School Activities Board of Directors met on Tuesday, April 14 via conference call.

Highlights of the April 14 NDHSAA Board of Directors Meeting included:

The Board of Directors voted to extend the indefinite suspension of Spring Sports in accordance with Governor Burgum’s Executive Order 2020-10 requiring the closure of all public and non-public K-12 school facilities indefinitely, as well as Federal social distancing guidelines. Winter Basketball State Tournaments and Fine Arts contests also remain suspended indefinitely. The Board of Directors will re-evaluate on May 1, 2020 with the resumption of Spring Sports, Winter Basketball State Tournaments, and Fine Arts Contests to be considered only if a return to in-person K-12 instruction is imminent.

In world and national news…

BERLIN (AP) — Germany plans to let smaller shops reopen next week after a weeks-long coronavirus shutdown and to start reopening schools in early May, but Europe’s biggest economy is keeping strict social distancing rules in place for now. After much-anticipated talks Wednesday with Germany’s 16 state governors, Chancellor Angela Merkel set out a plan for the first steps of a cautious restart of public life — following countries including neighboring Austria and Denmark in launching a slow loosening of restrictions. New infections in Germany have slowed in recent weeks, but Merkel cautioned that the country has achieved only “a fragile intermediate success” so far and “we don’t have much room for maneuver.”

 

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said state residents will be required to wear face coverings when they are out and coming in close contact with other people. The new mandate will require a mask or face covering on busy streets, public transit or any situation where people cannot maintain six feet of social distancing. The mandate takes effect Friday. Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged a cautious and deliberative approach to reviving the economy.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve is noting what most Americans are already acutely aware of: Economic activity contracted sharply and abruptly cross all regions of the country in recent weeks as the country locked down to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The Fed said that the hardest hit industries have been leisure and hospitality and retail sales, outside of essential goods like food. The nationwide look at the impact of the coronavirus came from the Fed’s beige book, compiled from information supplied by the Fed’s 12 regional banks. That information will be used when the Fed holds its next meeting, scheduled for April 28-29.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks Wednesday were  swinging back down  after more signs piled up of the economic damage being caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Markets have been stuck cycling between fear and budding optimism in recent weeks as investors try to guess how long and deep the looming recession will be, and several dismal economic reports highlighted the downside. Energy stocks plunged after the price of oil touched another 18-year low, and shares of banks fell after they had to set aside billions in preparation for a wave of loan defaults. The S&P 500 was down 1.6% in afternoon trading.

 

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit’s fiscal future faces a new daunting foe in the coronavirus. The city barely survived the 2008 economic meltdown and was humbled by a 2013 bankruptcy. Now, the state-forced shutdown of its three casinos, auto plants and other businesses to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus is projected to cost Detroit $348 million in taxes and other revenue over the next year and a half. Mayor Mike Duggan on Tuesday announced some layoffs, pay cuts for other employees and and a reduction in some services. He warned that Detroit could be subject to a return to state oversight if action isn’t taken quickly.

 

(AP)  France reported a decrease in numbers of COVID-19 patients at hospitals for the first time since the virus outbreak began in the country. National health agency chief Jerome Salomon says there were about 500 fewer people infected with the virus at hospitals than the day before. Numbers of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units dropped for the seventh straight day, he added. The overall death toll from the disease in France has risen to 17,167, including 10,643 at hospitals and 6,524 in nursing homes.