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WIND CHILL ADVISORY FOR THE VALLEY CITY AREA UNTIL MIDNIGHT TUESDAY.
TUESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 5 TO 10 BELOW. SOUTHWEST WINDS
10 TO 20 MPH. WIND CHILL READINGS 25 BELOW TO 30 BELOW ZERO.
.WEDNESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S. SOUTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 15 MPH SHIFTING TO THE WEST IN THE AFTERNOON.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS ZERO TO 5 BELOW.
.THURSDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS ZERO TO 5 ABOVE.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 10 TO 15 BELOW.
.FRIDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 5 TO 10.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 BELOW.
.SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 5 TO 10.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 BELOW.
.SUNDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 5 TO 10.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 BELOW.
.MONDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 5 TO 10.
Jamestown (CSi) Meeting in Special Session Tuesday the Jamestown City Council, with all members present, voted 3-2 in favor of the city entering into a Purchase and Sale agreement with Menard’s, home improvement store, with Council Members Buchanan and Kourajian voting in opposition.
Prior to the motion of entering into the agreement, a motion by Council Member Buchanan to table the agreement for three months, failed on a 3-2 vote.
A proposed contract between Menards and the city of Jamestown had been given to members of the City Council for review.
The contract outlines the responsibility of the City of Jamestown and Menard’s in the project, to bring the home improvement store to a development, which is west of R.M. Stoudt and fronting Interstate 94 the Prairie Haven Commerce Park, the land purchased from Liechty and Associates.
Developers Drew Snyder of Woodsonia and Matt Dennis of R.H. Johnson Company originally developed the plan and have facilitated negotiations between the city and Menards. He said home improvement giants, Lowes, and Home Depot also showed interest in locating to Jamestown. He said without incentives from the City of Jamestown, the Menard’s project for Jamestown is not do-able.
Snyder of Woodsonia told the gathering of the site plan which shrinks the size of the development to 33 acres and moves it closer to R.M. Stoudt. It also cuts the cost of the project from about $8 million to about $5.7 million.
The plan calls for the city deeding a 20 acre parcel to Menard’s. Menard’s will construct a 10th Street Southwest that will connect with 23rd near Stoudt’s.
Three additional lots or 8-acres will be retained by the developer, to be developed into possible retail and restaurant businesses.
About 5 acres will be used for roads.
The preliminary plan calls for the project to be completed by July of 2016.
From the date the agreement is signed, there will be a 180 day period, in which additional paperwork will be handled, including a request for Tax Increment Financing, and a half percent of one percent of the sales tax generated by Menard’s will go toward their project infrastructure improvement costs, $2.4 million dollars estimated to be paid in 25 years.
City Attorney Ken Dalsted said language to the agreement was amended, for the protection of the city, and included commitments of both the city and Menard’s.
Bond Counsel, John Shockley of Onstad Twitchel outlined the firms assistance, include Tax Increment financing procedures, the sales tax rebate issue.
He said the TIF Bonds would be sold prior to the closing so funds would be available to the city, up front.
Before the vote, public comments were taken, with the council room and lobby filled with concerned citizens.
Attorney Dick Anderson represented concerned citizens opposed to the project, specifically the city’s subsidy.
A number of speakers that are in opposition represent businesses that sell many of the products and materials sold by Menard’s.
The first speaker was Collin Wegenast of Life Style Appliance of Jamestown saying that a competitor of a local business subsized by the city “is a bad thing.”
Jerry Carlson of Jerry’s Furniture was also opposed, and noted that Menard’s is paying $10 for the purchase, and $5,000 earnest money.
Mayor Andersen pointed out the R.H Johnson fee agreement will by changed and acted on by the City Council, based on reduced acreage in the project.
Businessman, and former Council Member Dwaine Heinrich said he is opposed to the city giving incentives to this or other projects. He said the contract should allow competing businesses to locate on property next to Menard’s. Heirich pointed out that in Yankton, SD lots adjacent to Menard’s remain unsold, with the city losing a lumber yard, and is about to loose an appliance store. Snyder pointed out that there is no Buyer’s remorse in Yankton, and the lumber yard was about to go out of business.
Jim Vandrovec said Menard’s should come in with the project with their own money, and no city incentives, specifically concerning retail, versus manufacturing.
Former City Council Member, Jim Matthiesen and the Jamestown Sears store owner said the city is “basically financing Menard’s locating in Jamestown.”
Dean Hafner, owner of Infitity Building Services spoke opposed, and noted that Menard’s hires a number of part time employees with and pays low wages. He added the public has not been fully informed of the plans and agreement between the city and Menard’s. The business’ accountant, Brittany Heim also spoke against the city offering incentives, and gives Menard’s an unfair competitive advantage.
Tom Tracey of Jamestown added, local competitors of Menard’s will not make as much money, so the city should offer an incentive to locally owned stores that compete with Menard’s.
Former Mayor Clarice Liechty, addressed what she called the “secrecy of this deal.,” and questioned other deals the city may have made with this purchase and sale agreement. Mayor Andersen said the proper confidential protocol of the city business was proper under the North Dakota Century Code concerning meeting in close Executive Session. Ms. Liechty asked that the city delay voting on the agreement until more details information is forthcoming from the city. She asks the City Council vote “no,” or table the agreement, also saying the city should not give Menard’s incentives.
David Kline spoke in favor of Menard’s coming to Jamestown concerning products and services, and it’s economic impact.
Mayor Andersen read an anonymous letter from a Jamestown contractor supporting Menard’s in Jamestown.
LeRoy Wegenast asked if Menard’s is necessary for Jamestown, as most of the products sold there is already sold in Jamestown, just not under one roof.
Doug Babb said In over 30 years living in Jamestown, he and others he knows shops outside of Jamestown, and in order to attract a large business in Jamestown, an incentive is needed. He will still rely on a local business to supply and install appliances.
Others during the meeting spoke in favor of Menard’s.
Tuesday’s meeting was shown live on CSi 67 followed by replays.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp say federal Transportation Department officials have agreed to announce Essential Air Service contracts for North Dakota communities this week.
Great Lakes Airlines is pulling out of Jamestown and Devils Lake at the end of the week. Officials in both cities earlier endorsed a switch from Great Lakes to SkyWest Airlines to provide service under the federal Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes service to smaller cities.
Heitkamp and Hoeven say federal officials have committed to expediting the transition to SkyWest if the cities’ requests are approved. Great Lakes Airlines’ contract to provide service doesn’t expire until the end of March.
Great Lakes provides service on turboprop planes, while SkyWest flies jets.
Jamestown (CSi) The public is invited to learn more about training for “Hands Only CPR,” in conjunction with Jamestown High School, and the February 1, 2014 Blue Jay boys and girls basketball games.
The free training will be available during the games in the high school’s commons area, that day from 2:30-p.m. to 8:30-p.m.
On Tuesday’s January 28, 2014 Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2 Jamestown Area Ambulance Service, Operations Manager, Paramedic, P. J Hardy said, EMS nationwide each year treats almost 383,000 out of hospital sudden cardiac arrests, more than 1,000 per day.
She added that 80 percent of sudden cardiac arrests happen at home, and that learning CPR can save the life of a loved on, by performing CPR until first responders arrive.
University of Jamestown Nursing student, Katie Stumpf added that the most effective rate for chest compressions is greater than 100 compressions per minute, the same rhythm as the Bee Gee song, “Stayin Alive.” Before administering Hands Only CPR, call 9-1-1, at the first sign of heart attack.
The University’s Student Nursing Organization’s community project, is to increase the number of community members that know CPR. Since the inception three years ago of Hands Only CPR, the survival rate has increased by 17-percent.
The University of Jamestown Student Nurses will be in the high school commons area from 2:30-p.m., to 8:30-p.m., to teach “Hands Only CPR,” to everybody that drops by.
At half time of the girl’s game, there will be a presentation of Heart Hero awards to two local individuals who performed CPR to save a life of a family member.
There will also be an educational display and the opportunity to sign up for door prizes, including a Friends and Family CPR kit courtesy of the American Heart Association.
To lean more on line visit www.heart.org/handsonlycpr
Anyone having a group that is interested in learning Hands Only CPR may contact:
Teree Rittenbach, Faculty in the Nursing Department, and NSA Advisor at
Cell number 320-3854
UJ 252-3467 Ext. 5493
Or contact P.J. Hardy Operations Manager, Paramedic, at Jamestown Area Ambulance Service for a schedule of CPR Classes that teach full CPR
She added that Jamestown Area Ambulance Service is the American Heart Association CPR Training Center for the area, and has joined in the effort to expand training, from the traditional Certified CPR Training Program, offered.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corportation (JSDC) Executive Committee has passed on a 3-2- vote a plan to provide $1 million in incentives to Dakota Spirit AgEnergy.
The application included $342,000 in job training incentive funds and $682,000 in job incentive grants from the JSDC.
Those voting in favor were Mark Klose Chris Rathjen, and Robert Toso.
Mayor Katie Andersen and JSDC President, Gary Riffe, voted in opposition.
Andersen said she is hoping to eliminate jobs incentive grants from the programs the JSDC offers, saying it’s not necessary to recruit businesses, adding, with other projects on the table, it would completely deplete available funds giving $1 million to a project that is already funded.
Andersen said she had fewer problems with the jobs training incentive program which provides money immediately to the company.
Andersen said Dakota Spirit AgEnergy has received a tax exemption and was benefiting from a $7.5 million rail loop at the Spiritwood Energy Park Association.
AgEnergy has listed 39 jobs meeting that criteria in its application for $682,000 in job incentive grants. The money would be paid to the business as the people are hired.
The JSDC job incentive grant program provides $17,500 for each job a new business creates that pays at least $15 hour and offers benefits.
The funds are repaid to the JSDC from the state income tax withholdings of the workers the company hires. If the state income tax withholding is not enough to cover the loan repayment, the company is required to repay the funds.
The plan now goes to the JSDC’s Board of Directors for consideration at the February 3, 2014 meeting.
From there the plan will go to the Jamestown City Council, and the Stutsman County Commission.
MANDAN, N.D. (AP) – Police in Mandan are investigating the death of a 28-year-old man as a homicide.
officers were called just before 10 p.m. Monday to the man’s home in southeast Mandan, where the body was found.
Officials have not released the man’s name pending notification of relatives. An autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death.
No arrests have been made. The case is being investigated by Mandan police and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The president of the North Dakota Farmers Union says a massive farm bill set for a U.S. House floor vote Wednesday would give producers the certainty they need to make long-term planning decisions.
Mark Watne (WAHT’-nee) says the legislation contains several provisions that will help North Dakota farmers and ranchers, including crop insurance and the reauthorization of livestock disaster programs.
Farm-state lawmakers have been working for more than two years to get a new five-year farm bill passed. Watne says he’s confident that the compromise version of the Senate and House farm bills will be passed.
The North Dakota Farmers Union has about 40,000 members.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A Texas man accused of leading a conspiracy to import and sell chemicals used to make synthetic hallucinogenic drugs that led to the overdose deaths of two teenagers in the Grand Forks area says he will plead guilty.
Charles Carlton is charged in federal court with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances resulting in death. He pleaded not guilty in January 2013.
Prosecutors say Carlton imported the chemicals from China, the U.K, Austria, Poland, Greece, Spain, and Canada through a business he used, and distributed them throughout the U.S.
Authorities say one of Carlton’s customers, Andrew Spofford of Grand Forks, admitted to cooking up the hallucinogens that led to the deaths of 18-year-old Christian Bjerk, of Grand Forks, and 17-year-old Elijah Stai (sty), of Park Rapids, Minn.
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – The man accused of shooting Spokane businessman Doug Carlile to death last month has pleaded not guilty.
50-year-old Timothy Suckow entered the plea Tuesday morning in Spokane County Superior Court.
Suckow is charged with first-degree murder in what authorities suggest may be a murder-for-hire plot tied to business dealings in the North Dakota oil fields.
Suckow is charged with shooting Carlile multiple times in the kitchen of Carlile’s upscale home the evening of Dec. 15, moments after Carlile and his wife came home from church.
Court documents say detectives recovered a leather glove outside the house with Suckow’s DNA inside.
Suckow was arrested in mid-January and has been held in the Spokane County Jail on $2 million bail.
In world and national news…
HONOLULU (AP) – Authorities say shots were fired at a Hawaii high school, causing injuries and prompting a lockdown.
Honolulu Department of Emergency Services spokeswoman Shayne Enright said the shooting happened Tuesday morning at Roosevelt High School in Honolulu.
An official who answered the phone at the school says the school is locked down.
Police and Department of Education officials didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment from The Associated Press.
WASHINGTON (AP) – If President Barack Obama is going to try to act on his own, without going to Congress, he’d better stick to the Constitution. That advice comes from House Speaker John Boehner (BAY’-nur), in advance of Obama’s State of the Union speech Tuesday night. Obama is expected to announce a series of executive actions aimed at helping lower and middle-income Americans. He’s also expected to talk positively about the economic recovery, even though many Americans haven’t yet seen the benefits of that recovery.
GENEVA (AP) – A U.N. mediator says negotiations in Switzerland involving the two sides in Syria’s civil war will continue. The mediator cut short Tuesday’s session, because of Syrian government anger over a U.S. decision to resume aid to the opposition. A deal to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged city of Homs is stalled. Syria’s government delegation is demanding assurances that U.S. aid won’t reach what it calls “armed and terrorist groups” there. Tuesday’s talks marked the fifth day of negotiations regarding the civil war. But there’s been little progress toward resolving a key issue of whether President Bashar Assad should step aside and transfer power to a transitional government.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – The United States has spent $200 million to boost literacy rates in Afghanistan’s security forces. But federal inspectors have released a report suggesting that half of Afghan police and soldiers still might not be able to read or write. The inspectors say the U.S. program has been plagued by weak oversight and accountability.
CHICAGO (AP) – Football players at Northwestern are spearheading the formation of a union for college athletes. Outgoing Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter says athletes need a “seat at the table” so they’re protected against injuries and so they get adequate financial compensation. The first step is to apply for certification by the National Labor Relations Board for Northwestern football players. If that’s successful, they’ll look toward other schools.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Federal health experts say the pain reliever found in Aleve may be safer on the heart than other popular anti-inflammatory drugs taken by millions of Americans. They say the ingredient, naproxen, may have a lower risk of heart attack and stroke than the risk posed by rival medications like ibuprofen. Staff at the Food and Drug Administration want naproxen to be relabeled to emphasize its safety. If that happens, it could re-shape the market for drugs used to treat headaches, muscle pain and arthritis.
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