Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Aug 15

CSi Weather…

 TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S. NORTHWEST WINDS
10 TO 20 MPH.
.THURSDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S. NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. WEST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
.FRIDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 70S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S. NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
.SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S.
LOWS IN THE MID 50S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S. HIGHS IN THE MID 80S.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S.
.WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF
THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S.

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Fire Department was called out about 2:50-p.m., on Wednesday (Aug 15, 2012) to 1005 14^th Avenue, Southwest, to a shed fire.

Lt. Sheldon Mohr says the fire started in two trashcans next to the shed and spread to, and caught the shed on fire.

He says the cause was improperly disposed of ashes from a fire pit.

The shed in the backyard of the property was extensively damaged, no other structures were involved.

No injuries reported.

Three units of the Jamestown City Fire Department were on the scene, for about 30 minutes, with 19 city fire fighters.

 

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP & KCSi-T.V. News)   —  A Jamestown man on trial for allegedly killing a Somali immigrant is expected to take the stand in his own defense.
The defense lawyer for 34-year-old Leron Howard, Steven Mottinger told jurors, Wednesday, that his client will take the stand and talk about the night 18-year-old Abdi Ali Ahmed died.

Howard has pleaded not guilty in the April 30, 2011 death of Ahmed, who was beaten and stabbed before his body was dumped in a ditch near Spiritwood.

Mottinger said in opening statements that his client did not intend to kill Ahmed and will ask jurors to find him guilty of manslaughter.

Mottinger also said his client bore some responsibility in the death.

Wednesday, jurors were shown  photos from the crime scene,  a ditch off a gravel road, near Spiritwood, where Ahmed’s body was found.

Called as a witness, Stutsman County Sheriff Deputy, Jason Falk testified that photos showed Ahmed received two stab wounds to the abdomen, with Ahmed’s forearms showing cuts received in a defensive effort.

Other witnesses on the stand testified that early morning, on April 30, 2011, Ahmed and Howard were together at The Corner Bar and a house party in Jamestown.

Witness testimony continues Thursday.
22-year-old Janelle Cave of Jamestown was found guilty, in February of this year,  of manslaughter and criminal conspiracy charges in the case.

As part of her sentence she is required to testify in Howard’s trial.

Murder and criminal conspiracy are Class AA felonies, and are punishable by life in prison without parole.

Manslaughter is a Class B felony and punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Manslaughter is described as recklessly causing the death of another individual.

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — Informational topics were discussed and updated at the Stutsman Development Corporation, Board of Directors meeting.

On Wednesday’s (Aug 15, 2012) Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, JSDC Office Coordinator, DeAnn Brunner said, three companies have shown interest in the Spiritwood Energy Park Association (SEPA).

SEPA is the Industrial Park located near Great River Energy’s Spiritwood Station coal-fired generating plant and the Cargill Malt.

At this time, JSDC is not releasing the names of any of the prospective companies, due to confidentiality agreements. She said the most likely possibility was a large natural gas and water user that relied heavily on rail transportation.

The project may actually become the first at the SEPA Industrial Park, as a decision and possible groundbreaking may take place this fall, prior to the planned December 2012 groundbreaking for the Dakota Spirit AgEnergy plant.

Dakota Spirit AgEnergy is currently awaiting approval from the Environmental Protection Agency, for the a hybrid ethanol plant with a planned 75-million gallon per-year capacity.

The SEPA industrial park is partnering with the JSDC and Great River Energy and includes a rail loop providing access to the BNSF Railway mainline.

Businesses in the park could receive waste steam from the Spiritwood Station generating plant once it comes online.

　

Bismarck, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Aug 15, 2012) —  The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, reports, statewide, airline boardings for the month of July set another all-time record and are up 11% from last July numbers.

Aviation Planner, Kyle Wanner says,  “With increased passengers at our airports comes the ability to attract additional airline service to more destinations. Our state is one of the few in the nation that is seeing airline expansion and profitability.”

 He adds, more passenger seats are becoming available as new airlines and flights are brought into the state’s aviation system.

This growth in service is a direct result of the large increase in passenger numbers and the hard work of airport personnel and community members who have persevered in securing additional service.

Jamestown boardings in July this year were 218 compared to 521 in July of 2011, down 58-percent.

　

Valley City N.D. (KCSi-T.V. News Aug 15, 2012) – Governor Jack Dalrymple, Wednesday, joined Valley City Mayor Bob Werkhoven, State Engineer Todd Sando and other local and state officials in dedicating Valley City’s new water treatment plant, citing its state-of-the-art technology and advanced capabilities for enhancing water quality for local residents.

The nearly $21 million renovation and new addition was unveiled for the public during a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony.

The state provided more than $20 million in grants and loans for the project.

The State Water Commission provided more than $15 million in grants and the North Dakota Department of Health provided $4.6 million in forgiven and 1 percent loans through the North Dakota Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

An additional $800,000 was provided through State and Tribal Assistance Grants.

Dalrymple said, “This new state-of-the-art water treatment plant is an impressive addition to Valley City’s infrastructure and will have advanced capabilities for meeting the future municipal water needs of the community. The state is proud to support this project and to partner with the city to bring enhanced water quality and services to Valley City residents.”

Prior to the ceremony, Dalrymple joined the North Dakota Water Education Foundation in touring the new plant.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A 50-year-old Texas man has been charged with setting the fire that destroyed the Lone Steer Motel in Steele.

Allen Thomas could spend up to 10 years in prison if he’s convicted on the arson charge.

Thomas is from Houston. He’s being held in the McLean County jail in Washburn.

 

 

A district court judge has set bond at $1 million cash for Thomas.  The Bismarck Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/MzcoCC) that  Thomas appeared Wednesday via interactive television from the McLean County Courthouse.

The hearing was held at the Burleigh County Courthouse.

Steele Police Chief David Feland says Thomas is being held in McLean County because the jails in nearby Burleigh and Morton counties were both full.

State authorities and the federal Bureau of Tobacco, Alcohol,

Firearms and Explosives are investigating the Sunday morning fire.

The federal agency estimates the damage at $1.5 million.

No one was reported injured. The fire displaced about two dozen

people.

 

TIOGA, N.D. (AP) – An Amtrak train in western North Dakota is
operating normally again following a crash earlier this week that
left one man dead.
     The crash happened Monday morning east of Tioga when 62-year-old truck driver Marvin Bell attempted to cross the track and collided with an oncoming truck.

Bell, of Parshall, was killed and about 30 cars were derailed.
The crash halted operation as officials conducted an investigation and cleanup of the sight.

The track was back to full operation by Tuesday night.
BNSF Railway spokeswoman says the train was carrying a variety of freight.

She says the company is completing a full investigation of the incident.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A North Dakota man has been sentenced to 17
years in prison for possessing and receiving child pornography.
     U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon says 46-year-old Howard Fjeld
(fehld) of Grand Forks pleaded guilty to the charges in April.

He was sentenced on Tuesday to prison and a lifetime of supervised
release.
     Authorities found nearly 1,200 image files and nine videos of
children engaged in sexually explicit conduct on Fjeld’s computer.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) – W FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Fargo police believe the theft of an
expensive puppy from a mall pet shop was planned out beforehand.

     Surveillance video shows a woman walking quickly out of the West
Acres pet store and getting into a waiting car.

     Police Lt. Joel Vettel says the theft of the Lhasa Apso is a
felony because the nine-week-old puppy is valued at more than $500.

     The woman suspected of taking the dog spent about six minutes
checking out the pet store before an employee allowed her to hold
the dog.
     Vettel says the woman asked the employee to get something. When
the worker left, the woman walked quickly out of the mail.

A  getaway driver was waiting.

The theft happened Aug. 2.

Police are asking for the public’s help in finding the dog.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s top health official and a
supporter of medical marijuana are sparring about whether pot has
health benefits.
     Health officer Terry Dwelle says the federal Food and Drug
Administration hasn’t approved marijuana as a medicine.
     Dwelle says there’s increased heart attack risk for someone who
smokes marijuana, and the smoke itself has cancer-causing elements.
     Fargo state legislator Steve Zaiser is chairman of the North
Dakota medical marijuana campaign.
     He says there’s plenty of medical literature about marijuana
benefits for chemotherapy patients and people who suffer from
lymphoma.
     Zaiser says people don’t have to smoke much marijuana to get
pain relief, and it shouldn’t be compared to cigarettes.
     Secretary of State Al Jaeger is reviewing a medical marijuana
ballot initiative.

He’ll decide later whether it goes on the ballot.

 

MINOT< ND  (AP)  —  Ward County commissioners are asking voters
to decide whether the county should impose a  1/2-percent sales tax.

The commissioners voted Wednesday to put the question on the
November ballot.

The tax would finance almost $40 million worth of construction.

The list includes a county office building, an expansion of the
Ward County jail, courthouse renovations and public works projects.

 If voters endorse the sales tax, it will take effect Jan. 1. It has an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2022.

Ward County is seeking to become the fifth North Dakota county
to levy a sales tax. Cass, Steele, Walsh and Williams counties already do.

More than a hundred North Dakota cities levy a local sales tax.
    

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A New York company wants $1 million in
North Dakota taxpayer aid to explore a proposal for mobile plants
that turn natural gas into farm fertilizer.
     The state Industrial Commission will consider the request next
week.
     About a third of the natural gas produced in North Dakota is
burned off and wasted because the pipeline networks needed to move
the gas haven’t been built yet.
     Natural gas is a byproduct of oil production. State officials
are expecting big increases in natural gas output in the future.
     Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring is a member of the
Industrial Commission.
     He says project could reduce the amount of wasted gas while
providing much-needed and lower-cost fertilizer for farmers.

      
     WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – Mail volume in the boom town of Williston
is rising with oil activity.
     The U.S. Postal Service is working to keep up with the influx of people in the area.
     Postal Service spokesman Pete Nowacki says the Williston branch has 2,650 existing post office boxes.

He says about 1,000 more post office boxes are planned.

     Nowacki says the number of parcels have doubled in the past
year.

He says there has been a 12 percent increase in the number of
letters and a 10 percent increase on the number of magazines, large
envelopes and newspapers that come through the Williston post
office.

 

In world and national news…

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – President Barack Obama says the latest criticism from Republicans Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan is “dishonest.”

Romney and Ryan have accused Obama of raiding more than $700 billion from the Medicare trust fund to help pay for his health care overhaul.

Obama told a crowd in Iowa Wednesday that he has “strengthened Medicare.”

 He says his Republican rivals are throwing everything at the wall to see if this sticks.”
     
     WASHINGTON (AP) – The FBI says it doesn’t know what prompted
today’s shooting at the Washington headquarters of a conservative
Christian lobbying group.

 Authorities say an armed man walked into the building and was confronted by a security guard — whom he shot in the arm before the guard and others wrestled him to the ground.
The man was taken into custody by the FBI and is being interviewed.
Authorities haven’t identified him.

The shooting took place at the headquarters of the Family Research Council. It advocates conservative positions on social issues and strongly opposes gay marriage and abortion.
     
     TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) – A month-long nationwide manhunt is over.
Authorities have arrested an Ohio man at a motel near Akron.

Nathan Summerfield was wanted on a murder charge in the death of his
sometime-girlfriend during a North Carolina vacation earlier this
summer.

Police say he returned the woman’s children to their Ohio home town and drove off.
     
     SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) – A jury has found a California man
guilty of murdering five people who had fatal heart attacks after
he deliberately started a blaze that ballooned into a massive
wildfire.

Jurors in San Bernardino Wednesday found Rickie Fowler guilty
of setting a fire in the foothills above San Bernardino in 2003
that burned nine days and torched 1,000 buildings.

Prosecutors charged Fowler with the murders of five men who died from heart attacks after their homes burned to the ground or as they rushed to
evacuate.
     
     LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Air Force says an unmanned experimental
aircraft suffered a control failure Tuesday during an attempt to
fly at six times the speed of sound.

It’s part of an effort by the Pentagon to test hypersonic technologies in hopes of being able to deliver strikes around the world within minutes.