Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Jan 2

 

CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 10 BELOW. LIGHT WINDS
BECOMING SOUTH 5 TO 10 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. WIND CHILLS AROUND
25 BELOW.
.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. NOT AS COLD. LOWS AROUND 10 BELOW.
TEMPERATURES RISING INTO THE UPPER SINGLE DIGITS AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH. WIND CHILLS AROUND 30 BELOW.
.FRIDAY…PARTLY SUNNY IN THE MORNING…THEN CLOUDY WITH A
30 PERCENT CHANCE OF LIGHT FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLY MIXED WITH
SLEET IN THE AFTERNOON. PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IN THE
AFTERNOON. NOT AS COLD. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S. SOUTHWEST WINDS
15 TO 20 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF SNOW POSSIBLY MIXED WITH
SLEET IN THE EVENING…THEN CHANCE OF SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. AREAS
OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW THROUGH THE NIGHT. BREEZY. LOWS ZERO
TO 5 ABOVE. NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 25 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION
40 PERCENT.
.SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.
COLDER. HIGHS 5 TO 10 ABOVE. NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 20 MPH.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW
IN THE EVENING. LOWS AROUND 15 BELOW.
.SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. BREEZY. HIGHS AROUND
15 BELOW. LOWS AROUND 25 BELOW.
.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 20 BELOW.
HIGHS AROUND 5 BELOW.
.TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND
15 BELOW. HIGHS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.

A LIGHT WINTRY MIX OF SLEET…FREEZING RAIN…AND SNOW IS
 FORECAST AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT SWEEPING ACROSS THE STATE FRIDAY.
 A CHANGEOVER TO ALL SNOW BEHIND THE FRONT WILL COMBINE WITH NORTH
 WINDS TO 35 MPH TO CAUSE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW FRIDAY
 NIGHT. TOTAL SNOWFALL WILL BE AROUND AN INCH.
 
 DANGEROUSLY COLD ARCTIC AIR WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE REGION ON
 SATURDAY. LOW TEMPERATURES TO 30 BELOW WITH WIND CHILLS TO 60
 BELOW ZERO ARE FORECAST SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
 

Valley City (CSi) – Faith Lutheran Church officials in Valley City report that a settlement with their insurance company has been reached, after a deliberately-set fire caused more than $1 million in damage to the church’s building.

Faith Lutheran Church Council President Tory Hart said the settlement from Farmers Union Insurance in Valley City, along with community donations, will cover the damage to the building.

The fire occurred on October 21, 2013 reported about 3:30 a.m.

Following an investigation, authorities term the cause as arson.

Since the fire,the congregation of more than 800 people has been holding services in an empty building on Winter Show Road which used to house the local U.S. Department of Agriculture office.

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Health officials in the Dakotas say they’re seeing cases of H1N1 flu – the same strain that caused a pandemic four years ago. State Epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger says the best protection is a flu shot.

There have been 165 verified cases of the flu in North Dakota since September 1st. Burleigh and Cass Counties, are showing higher rates of verified flu cases.

Central Valley Health District, reports seeing more people coming in and getting flu vaccinations.

So far this flu season there has been seven cases of the flu verified in Stutsman County and none in Logan County.

Flu vaccine available at Central Valley Health District will protect against three kinds of influenza viruses — one A (H1N1) virus, one A (H3N2) virus and one B virus. These are different types of flu viruses and are the ones that the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention have determined will be more prevalent this flu season.

 

Jamestown (CSi) The James River Family “Y” in Jamestown is offering five free visits, with a punch card promotion.

On the New Year’s Day edition of The Wayne Byers Show, on CSi Cable 2, the Y’s Executive Director, Frank Conlin said anyone regardless of age, or gender, may pick up the punch card at the Y and use any of the facility free, for five visits up to March 1, 2014.

He said is addition to picking up the punch cards at the front desk, the punch cards are being distributed to business to give out.

Conlin added that the Fitness on Demand program is available at the James River Family Y, the only Y in North Dakota, currently to offer the program.

It is a computer generated workout, presented on screen, with various levels of workouts available.

He said the recently implemented Battle Rope workout has become popular, with regulars participating.

Other Y programs include the popular Silver Sneakers through Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Silver Fit, through Medica. The Cardio Room and Weight Room are also available. Plus the Y offers Zumba, Pilates, Yoga and more.

Upcoming events include a youth basketball, and then Cabin Fever youth basketball tournaments at the Y, and Hanson Center.

In addition the Y offers swim classes at six levels plus life guard training, and CPR training.

Conlin pointed out that the next series of classes is getting underway.

Brochures are available at the front desk of the Y, and call for more information at 701-253-4101.

　

Valley City (CSi) A Public Meeting will be held to discuss potential modifications to the low-head dam on the Sheyenne River near Kathryn, North Dakota.

The Barnes County Water Resource District is hosting the open public informational meeting January 13, 2014 at 1:30p.m., at The Barnes County Highway Department office, Northwest of Valley City.

Discussion will center on talks with federal and state agencies regarding potential improvements that would also address dam safety and fish passage concerns with the existing dam.

Agency representatives will be on hand to discuss potential options and will receive ocal input and comments, before a decision is made on proceeding with a project.

For more information contact Linda McKenna at 701-845-5808.

 

Bismarck (CSi) The N.D. State Rehabilitation Council will meet on Fri., Jan. 10, 2014, from 1 to 4 p.m. (Central Time) by the means of eight video conference sites.

The public is invited to participate in the meeting from the Jamestown location:

The South Central Human Service Center, 520 Third St. N.W., Conference Room 124

Agenda items include updates from Vocational Rehabilitation staff on the council’s budget, annual report, order of selection, and reports from regional office administrators from Williston and Devils Lake. There will also be discussion on the committee’s roles and responsibilities, assignments for new members, and reports from committee chairs. A complete agenda is online at www.nd.gov/dhs/info/publicnotice/index.html.

Individuals who need accommodations to participate in the meeting can contact Vicki Magill at 701-328-8953, toll free 800-755-2745, ND Relay TTY 800-366-6888, or vmagill@nd.gov.

 

CASSELTON, N.D. (AP) – BNSF Railway has reopened the two lines at Casselton that were shut down Monday when a crude oil-carrying train derailed and caught fire.

There were actually two derailments. A westbound train carrying grain derailed first, and a portion of it fell onto an adjacent track carrying the eastbound oil train. Eighteen cars on the 106-car oil train derailed and several burned.

No one was hurt, but many of the 2,400 residents in nearby Casselton temporarily evacuated due to potentially unsafe air.

BNSF says one of the lines reopened at 3 a.m. Thursday and the second about 15 minutes later.

Traffic was rerouted on other lines while cleanup and repair work was done, but BNSF says some shipments moving through the corridor might be delayed up to 36 hours.

 The National Transportation Safety Board says a  preliminary analysis shows that the grain train was traveling 28 mph before derailing while using emergency brakes.  The oil train was going 42 mph when it hit the derailed grain train car on it’s track.  Board member Robert Sumwalt says  investigators were able to look at video from the end of one of the locomotives.

A broken axle has been found and will be studied to see if it played a role in the derailment and crash on Monday. Sumwalt says it’s still the early stages of the investigation.

 Federal Railroad Administration data shows that Cass County  led North Dakota with 30 train derailments from January 2000 through October 2013, and nearly half of the county’s 37 overall train accidents were caused by track defects.

 

Bismarck (CSi) In the face of fiscal constraints imposed by defense budget cuts through sequestration and, later, a federal government shutdown, the North Dakota National Guard this year upheld its commitment to being “Always Ready, Always There.” Soldiers and Airmen in tandem with their support network of families and employers showed their adaptability in a year riddled with obstacles, including the loss of the North Dakota Air National Guard’s manned flying mission. Despite those challenges, Guardsmen across the state garnered accolades, completed and came home from successful overseas missions and remained poised to respond to potential emergencies within North Dakota.

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, says, “This past year was filled with challenges as well as opportunities for the North Dakota National Guard. Our Soldiers and Airmen once again demonstrated that they are the best in the nation, even when faced with adversity. Whether deployed overseas, protecting the homeland or assisting our communities, our Guard members, as well as their families, serve with pride and distinction.”

Government Shutdown
NDNG full-time federal employees went through sequestration in the spring, which enacted a series of cuts, including those to defense spending. Soldiers and Airmen contended with a number of furlough days from mid-May until the 2014 fiscal year on Oct. 1. On that date, the federal government was shut down for 16 days. For North Dakota, the shutdown resulted in furloughing about 500 federal technicians for less than a week until the Pay our Military Act brought most full-time employees back to work. The government shutdown also resulted in the NDNG cancelling October drill across the state.

End of an Era
Members of the North Dakota Air National Guard saw the “End of an Era” as its last C-21 Lear Jet aircraft left Fargo in late August. The departure signified the end of the unit’s manned flying missions that began in 1947. In September, the Happy Hooligans held ceremonies to observe the organization’s transition to a new intelligence mission. A number of squadrons were re-designated in preparation for the new mission, including the 119th Maintenance Group, which was re-designated as the 119th Intelligence Group. The 177th Airlift Squadron was re-designated as the 177th Intelligence Squadron. The Airlift Squadron flew the C-21s while the Maintenance Group kept the aircraft operational.

Retired Maj. Gen. Alexander Macdonald, who commanded the Happy Hooligans for 13 years and went on to become the state’s first Air Guard adjutant general, shared recollections from his 45 years of service while commemorating the C-21’s departure during an August ceremony.

He says, “We stand here today at the end of an era and the beginning of new life for the North Dakota Air National Guard. “Whatever the future holds, the Hooligans will be at the top. We will not give up the traditions (of excellence) we’ve established over the last 66 years.”

New Chapters
The NDNG wrote new chapters in its history of excellence, as Airmen and Soldiers this year continued to serve on overseas deployments and stateside missions. After a nearly three-month hiatus from overseas deployments for the North Dakota Air National Guard, nearly 30 members from the 119th Security Forces Squadron left in late March for a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. A number of individual Airmen also were mobilized overseas throughout the year.

After being placed on alert in late 2012 for a potential mission to Afghanistan, Soldiers of the Jamestown, N.D.,-based 817th Engineer Company (Sapper) in August learned that they would not be mobilized. North Dakota Army National Guard units continued to serve overseas, however, including the 191st Military Police Company with its mission in Cuba. More than 90 Soldiers with the 818th Engineer Company (Sapper) returned home in March. Additionally, two small units of fewer than 10 Soldiers deployed overseas; the 1919th Contracting Team served in Afghanistan and Qatar and Detachment 42, Operational Support Airlift in Afghanistan.

More than 200 additional Guardsmen are serving on stateside mobilizations, the bulk of which hail from the 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment and are taking part in a National Capital Region mission. Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Security and Support), out of Bismarck, N.D., continue to serve with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the southwest border of the United States in Texas.

Nearly 40 Soldiers with the Bismarck-based Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Regiment also departed in October for a yearlong international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. This month, families and friends attended an official send-off ceremony for about 40 members with the 814th Medical Company (Area Support), based in Bismarck, N.D. The Soldiers will soon depart for a yearlong mission to Afghanistan.

Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 4,000 Soldiers and more than 2,400 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. About 70 percent of all members serving today have joined since that time. Currently, more than 40 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas and more than 200 are on duty in Washington, D.C., and in Texas. With a total force of about 4,400 Guardsmen, the North Dakota National Guard remains ready for stateside response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that’s more than four times the national average.

Photos:
High-resolution photos highlighting 2013 at Flickr set: “2013 in Photos”

Videos
View videos from 2013 at www.youtube.com/NDNationalGuard, including year-end greetings and a year-in-review video at “ND Adjutant General 2013 Holiday Message” 

 

 PEMBINA, N.D. (AP) – A Minnesota man faces charges after allegedly trying to bring 12 grams of crystal methamphetamine across the U.S.-Canada border in northeastern North Dakota.
 
     U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say they arrested 35-year-old Seth King, of Detroit Lakes, Minn., on Dec. 27. Authorities say an inspection of his vehicle turned up 23 small plastic bags of crystal meth and one larger bag, along with drug paraphernalia.
 
     King was turned over to Pembina County authorities for prosecution. It was not immediately clear if he had obtained an attorney, and a working home telephone listing for him could not immediately be found.

 

 OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly economic report suggests supply managers surveyed in nine Midwestern and Plains states are optimistic about the regional economy over the next six months.
 
     The confidence index for the Mid-America Business Conditions Index jumped to 66.5 last month from 57.2 in November. However, the overall index rose just 2 points, to 53.2 from 51.2 in November.
 
     Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says businesses tied to agriculture continue to report softer economic conditions.
 
     The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth, while a score below that suggests decline.
 
     The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The acting director of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency has been named to the permanent post.
 
     Jolene Kline served as the agency’s acting executive director since the retirement of Mike Anderson in May.
 
     The North Dakota Industrial Commission named Kline to the post last month.
 
     Kline has worked for the agency since 1985.
 
    

 
     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Nearly 34,000 shoppers attended the four Pride of Dakota Holiday Showcases over the holiday season.
 
     The showcases were held in North Dakota’s four largest cities in November and early December. State Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says attendance set records at the Fargo, Grand Forks and Minot events, and the Bismarck showcase had a record number of participating vendors showing their North Dakota-made products.
 
     Goehring says total attendance fell 269 people short of last year’s record, largely because of bad weather during the Bismarck showcase.
 
     More than 500 companies are members of the Agriculture Department’s Pride of Dakota branding program.
 

 

　 WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – The Williams County Commission has substantially lowered a fine proposed against a company that operated an unlicensed recreational vehicle park for two years.
 
     The Williston commission had been considering a $1.2 million fine against Top Notch Services owners Johnny and Carmen Iovino but recently decided to lower the amount to $12,000.
 
     Commissioner David Montgomery says he wanted to get the attention of violators, and he thinks the case has done that.
 
     Authorities say the RV park at one point had 55 vehicles for employees of Top Notch Services, a grading company. Johnny Iovino says he didn’t intend to do anything wrong.

 

In sports…

  GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – Grand Forks natives and former University of North Dakota standouts Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux (LAM’-uh-roo) have been named to the women’s hockey team that will represent the U.S. at the Sochi Olympics next month in Russia. The sisters were also on the 2010 U.S. team that won silver in Vancouver.

  FARGO, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota State University standout cornerback Marcus Williams has accepted an invitation to play in the 89th East-West Shrine Game.
 
     The game Jan. 18 in St. Petersburg, Fla., will feature some of college football’s best players. All 32 NFL teams will have general managers, coaches or scouts there during game week.
 
     The game also benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children.
 
     Williams and his teammates are in Frisco, Texas, this week preparing for the Football Championship Subdivision title game Saturday against Towson. NDSU is the two-time defending FCS champion.
 
       NATIONAL  BASKETBALL  ASSOCIATION

 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Nikola Pekovic had 22 points and seven rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves led by as many as 30 points in cruising to a 124-112 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans last night. Kevin Love had 21 points and six rebounds and Ricky Rubio had 14 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three steals for the Timberwolves.
 
 
   Final    Dallas                  87    Washington        78
   Final    Toronto                95    Indiana              82
   Final    Philadelphia    114    Denver              102
   Final    L-A  Clippers    112    Charlotte          85
 
 
       NATIONAL  HOCKEY  LEAGUE

 ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – The Toronto Maple Leafs pulled out a 3-2 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings in front of 105,591 fans at Michigan Stadium, the largest crowd ever to watch a hockey game. Tyler Bozak gave the Leafs a 2-1 lead in the third period and provided the deciding shootout goal. The game-time temperature was 13 degrees with a wind chill of zero.
 
    Final            Tampa  Bay      4    Vancouver      2
 
 
       COLLEGE  FOOTBALL  BOWL  GAMES

Connor Cook threw for a career-high 332 yards and two touchdowns as No. 4 Michigan State rallied to beat fifth-ranked Stanford 24-20 at the Rose Bowl. Connor Shaw threw for three touchdowns and scored two others as eighth-ranked South Carolina beat No. 19 Wisconsin 34-24 in the Capital One Bowl at Orlando. Blake Bortels threw for three touchdowns and Storm Johnson ran for three others to lead No. 15 Central Florida’s offense in a 52-42 victory over No. 6 Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl at Glendale, Ariz.

     UNDATED (AP) – No. 14 LSU was a 21-14 winner over Iowa in the Outback Bowl in Tampa and Jeremy Hill rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns. North Texas won the Heart of Dallas Bowl game 36-14 as Derek Thompson threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns against UNLV.

Tommy Armstrong Jr. connected with Quincy Enunwa for two touchdowns as Nebraska earned a victory in its 50th bowl game, beating 23rd-ranked Georgia 24-19 in the Gator Bowl.
 
  ORANGE BOWL PREVIEW…
  
     FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) – Ohio State won’t have sophomore defensive end Noah Spence for Friday night’s Orange Bowl game against Clemson. Spence has been suspended for three games for violating an undisclosed Big Ten rule.
 
       TOP-25  COLLEGE  BASKETBALL
 
   Final    (21)  San  Diego  St.      71    Colorado  St.      61
 
 
       TOP-25  WOMEN’S  COLLEGE  BASKETBALL
 
   Final    (  1)  UConn                77    UCF            49
   Final    (  7)  Louisville      77    Temple      68

 

 

NFL…

 GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – It seems unthinkable that Lambeau Field wouldn’t sell out for a Packers playoff game. Yet about 7,500 tickets are still available for Sunday’s wild-card game against the 49ers. According to NFL rules, the game has to sell out 3:40 p.m. today to avoid a local TV blackout. But the league has given extensions in previous years for playoff games, and it’s monitoring the Packers’ progress.

 TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Lovie Smith will be the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to two people familiar with the negotiations. One of the people also said that former Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier will be the Bucs’ defensive coordinator. Smith would replace Greg Schiano (shee-AH’-noh), who was fired Monday after going 11-21 in two seasons in Tampa Bay.
 

OLYMPICS..

 ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – The U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team is set, and Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan will not be going to the Sochi Games.
 
     The 2010 Olympian was perhaps the most surprising omission on the 25-man roster revealed after the Winter Classic. Also left off the list is Islanders forward Kyle Okposo (oh-POH’-soh), who has 15 goals and 40 points in 41 games. Defensemen Jack Johnson and Erik Johnson also failed to make the team after playing in the Vancouver Games.
 
     At the Sochi Games, the U.S. forwards will be: David Backes (BAH’-kihs), Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, T.J. Oshie, Max Pacioretty (pah-chee-ohr-EH’-tee), Zach Parise (puh-REE’-see), Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny, Derek Stepan, James van Riemsdyk (REEMS’-dyk) and Blake Wheeler. John Carlson, Justin Faulk, Cam Fowler, Paul Martin, Ryan McDonagh, Brooks Orpik, Kevin Shattenkirk and Ryan Suter (SOO’-tur) will be on defense for the Americans. The netminders will be Jimmy Howard, Jonathan Quick and Ryan Miller.
 
 
     ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – Eleven returning Olympians are on the roster for the women’s hockey team that will represent the United States at the Sochi (SOH’-chee) Olympics.
 
     Julie Chu is heading to her fourth Olympics. She’ll be looking for a gold medal to go with the two silvers and a bronze she’s already got. Canada has won the last three Olympic titles.

 

In world and national news…

 HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – It’s snowing in parts of New England this morning but the worst of a winter storm rolling into the Northeast isn’t expected until tonight and into tomorrow.  Forecasters say the Boston area could get 14 inches of snow and Long Island could see blizzard conditions with up to 10 inches and 45 mph winds.
 
     UNDATED (AP) – The findings of the latest study on distracted driving confirm what others have said about the danger of dialing, texting or even reaching for a mobile phone while driving. But this study out of Virginia Tech found less risk than other studies when it comes to just talking. The study monitored teen and adult drivers but it didn’t differentiate between handheld and hands-free.
 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – Despite all the happy New Year wishes, a new poll shows Americans are none too happy when it comes to their government. The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey finds 50 percent of respondents say the government needs many changes or a complete overhaul. And 70 percent have no confidence that any important work will get done.
 
     PRAGUE (AP) – Czech authorities are working to solve a deadly mystery involving the Palestinian ambassador. He died Wednesday from injuries in an explosion at the embassy. Investigators are trying to identify the explosive, what caused it to go off and why it was in an embassy safe. An embassy spokesman says the safe had been in regular use while the Palestinian foreign minister says it’s been untouched for more than 20 years.
 
     TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – Secretary of State John Kerry is in Israel for Middle East peace talks. The talks are entering a difficult phase aimed at reaching a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians. Meanwhile, an Israeli hospital says outspoken hardliner and former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in critical condition. He’s been in a coma since a 2006 stroke.