wbam1CSi Weather…

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S. SOUTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE
EVENING. LOWS 15 TO 20. WEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH.
.THURSDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. AREAS
OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. BREEZY…COLDER. HIGHS IN THE LOWER
20S. NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 40 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW
IN THE EVENING. COLDER. LOWS NEAR ZERO. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH IN THE EVENING.
.FRIDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 10. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND
5 BELOW. HIGHS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.
.SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND
10 BELOW. HIGHS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.
.TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 10 TO 15.

 LIGHT SNOW IS POSSIBLE LATE WED. NIGHT. EXPECT A STRONG NORTHWEST
 WIND DEVELOPING LATE…WITH AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW.
 
THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY
 
 EXPECT VERY WINDY CONDITIONS THURSDAY…WITH GUSTS AROUND 50 MPH
 POSSIBLE. LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS WILL RESULT IN BLOWING SNOW AND
 REDUCED VISIBILITIES.
 
 DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS ARE POSSIBLE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH
 MONDAY…MAINLY DURING THE OVERNIGHT AND MORNING HOURS.

 

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal Committee met Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. All members were present.

 

An update was given from City Attorney, Ken Dalsted, regarding a draft agreement which could be considered by the City and an interested group relative to the responsibility and care of a bus shelter. He said based on federal regulations, that heating and restroom requirements do not apply to this type of structure.

The committee recommends approval of a draft for a shelter at the Eagles parking lot contingent on an agreement with an entity.

Harold Newman indicated that Newman Signs has an easement on the property, wants to keep the billboards at the location. He said the business is willing to work with officials concerning the size and location of the shelter.

Council Member Kourajian talked about proposals to cover the costs of constructing and maintaining a bus shelter. He said the first step is getting approval of the shelter, and then solicit funds

 

The committee considered JSDC development fund requests.

The committee recommends approving $343,000 to provide New Jobs Training funds to Dakota Spirit Ag Energy, with the City Share to be $308,700 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund. 90% city funds, 10% county funds.

Another JSDC request recommended for approval was the amount of $11,000, to provide Flex PACE interest buy-down to Buchanan Ag, LLC, with the City Share to be $2,200 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

 

The committee recommends approval of the Option, to Purchase, of Kal Patel on Lots 1 & 2, Block 3, I-94 Business Park.

The committee recommends approval of the preparation of the First Reading of an Ordinance prepared by the City Attorney that would allow for the issuance of a caterers license to dispense alcoholic beverages in non-public buildings.

Also recommended was the introduction of the First Reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact a Section of the City Code pertaining to administration, of the City Code.

The committee recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution confirming the monthly compensation of the Mayor at $1,600.00 and the monthly compensation of City Council Members at $800.00, as approved in the 2014 City General Fund Budget.

Approved recommending the request from Lutheran Social Services Legacy Living to have LSS Property Management Group be listed on the “housing” page of the City of Jamestown website, and in the future added without City Council approval.

The City Administrator may bring an item to the Council for consideration.

The committee recommends approving the request from the Stutsman County Relay for Life Committee to place a ribbon around the “World’s Largest Buffalo” for a period of time, with their Committee responsible for the placement and removal of same, with the time frame included, of 30-days.

The committee recommends that the Jamestown Community Foundation is an organization benefiting the City or it’s citizen’s health, safety or general welfare, and to authorize the foundation to serve as fiscal agent for the Jamestown Planting Partner Program.

Recommendations were made for applications for appointment, including:

One Opening—3 year term–Shade Tree Committee

(Applicant–Neil L (Tex) Weatherly)

One Opening—3 year term–James River Library System Board

(Applicants–James J Dunnigan & (Roger James Parsons-for a second term) Mayor Andersen voted in opposition, favoring Dunnigan.

The committee reccomends recognizing the Jamestown Ladies DU Chapter as an other public spirited organization and to authorize the issuance of a Charity Local Permit with the event to take place March 28, 29 & 30, 2014, at the Quality Inn (Banquet Rooms).

Departmental and financial reports were presented.

 

Building, Planning & Zoning Committee business included:

The committee recommends the City Council introduce the First Reading of an Ordinance to change the zoning of Lot 8, Block 3, Buchholtz Fourth Addition, from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to P-O-C (Public, Open Development, Conservation)

The committee recommends the City Council introduce the First Reading of an Ordinance to change the zoning of Plat C in the SW ¼ of Section 36, Twp. 140N, R64W, in the City of Jamestown, from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to P-O-C (Public, Open Development, Conservation) Across the river from McElroy Park.

The committee recommends the City Council introduce the First Reading of an ordinance to change the zoning of a 4 acre tract of land in the NE ¼ of the SW1/4 of Section 2, Twp. 139N, R64W, from A-1 (Agricultural) to C-1 (Local Commercial). Planned for affordable housing units, just outside of southwest Jamestown.

Recommended for approval is the City Council introduce the First Reading of an ordinance concerning the request for annexation of that tract (located in the NE1/4 of the SW1/4 of Section 2, Township 139N, Range 64 W, containing 3.99 acres, more or less.)

Informational: A Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1430, to change the zoning of Lots 10-14, Tahran’s Addition, is scheduled for the March 6, 2014, City Council meeting.

Civic Center and Promotion Committee:

No items at this time

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

 

Jamestown (CSi) On a 3-2 vote, the Stutsman County Commission has turned down a proposal from the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) to purchase additional land in Spiritwood Township for development.

The land is adjacent to Spiritwood Energy Park Association land.

County Commissioners Dave Schwartz, Craig Neys and Denny Ova voted to deny the purchase while Commissioners Dale Marks and Mark Klose voted in favor of completing the purchase

The proposed purchase price is $6,000 per acre or about $2 million for the 320-acre parcel.

JSDC,  CEO Connie Ova said construction of a rail spur from the SEPA rail loop, planned for construction this summer, could have provided rail access to the property.

She provided a memo with suggestions for the property including annexing the property into the city of Jamestown and the Jamestown Public School District.

Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen said the idea of annexing the property into Jamestown was new.

Stutsman County Auditor, and CEO Casey Bradley, said the land did not meet the criteria for annexing into the Jamestown Public School District as there were no school-age children living on the land in question. Also it is not contiguous to other property in the Jamestown Public School district.

 

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. All members were present.

 

Approval of Consent Agenda items included:

 

A new Electric License for Tyler’s Electric, LLC Renewal of Enterprise Electric Inc.

Renewal of the plumbing license for Ryan Mechanical Inc.

Renewal of a tree trimming license for Belling Tree Service.

A Game of Chance Raffle Permit to District 24 Democrats.

and the NDWS.

Public Forum: No one spoke

 

Ordinances:

 

Approved an Ordinance enacting a “blanket” rezoning of properties within the l mile extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Valley City, Barnes County, North Dakota.

No objections were raised by adjacent property owners.

Approved an Ordinance relating to building permit fees. Mayor Werkhoven said Valley City is only city in the state not charging the “User Fee.”

The City Commission approved the recommended building permit fees.

New Business:

Approved a Gaming Site Authorization for the ND Chapters of Delta Waterfowl, Inc. at the Eagles Club on February 22, 2014.

Approved the transfer of alcohol and beer license from Michelle Brendmoen (The Ram) to Scott Sandvik and Jerry Jarvis (My Bar Valley City LLC).

Approved a Special Alcohol Beverage Event permit for City Lights Supper Club at VCSU for the ND Science Teacher Association Conference Banquet, to be held on February 21, 2014, from 5:15 pm to 7:30 pm.

Approved the blocking of Central Avenue & Main Street for Rally in the Valley car show on June 14, 2014, pending approval from the NDDOT.

 

Approved the General Fund Assigned Fund Balances. Auditor Richter said the approval is needed when funds are carried over from one year to the next. Items include work on the Law Enforcement Center, and the City’s recodification process, and toward 2014 tablet purchases.

 

The City Commissioners discussed proceeding on 2 grant proposals:

Commissioner Luke said a proposal is to the Bush Community Innovation Grant from the Bush Foundation, in the amount of $200,000. Two entities are applying for the same grant, on for the region, the other for Valley City.

Commissioners vote to proceed on the grant proposal. Commissioner Nielson abstained, as she is affiliated with one of the entities making a proposal.

Another grant proposal is for a APPA DEED Grant in the amount of $125,000 for communities to improve efficiencies in public utilities. Any grant money would go to the electric utility and help with funding the AMI load Control program. The City Commission approved the proposal.

Resolutions:

The City Commission approved a Resolution approving final plans and specifications and authorize advertisement for bids for Water Main Improvement District No. 96.

Following an advertised Public Hearing, approved a Resolution approving the replat of Lot 2, Block 3, of Fairhill Subdivision, City of Valley City, Barnes County, North Dakota.

 

City Administrator Schelkoph’s Report::

He said 1400 AMI meters have been installed, and 83 Load Control boxes have been installed.

Schedules are being set up to enter residences for installations.

City Update and Commission Reports:

Auditor Richter noted next month Commissioners will have the use of the new computer tablets.

Police Chief Fred Thompson said building improvements are about completed.

KLJ reported on the recent permanent flood control meeting in Valley City.

Commissioner Nielson noted the state science teacher meeting, and that participants are needed for the chili cookoff, and community olympics.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 68 followed by replays.

 

Jamestown (CSi) First United Methodist Church in Jamestown hosts a Wednesday after school program of Jamestown Middle School students.

On Tuesday’s (Feb 18, 2014) Wayne Byers Show on CSi cable 2, church spokesperson Jeanne Sortland said, church officials saw middle school youth hanging out on the steps of the library next to the church when school lets out.

So, they decided on Wednesday to have a safe, fun, adult supervised place for youth to go on Wednesdays.

All middle school youth in grades 6-8 are welcome, with no charge to participate.

The program runs from 3-p.m., to 5-p.m., and includes activities and adult supervision of:

Snack Time, Devotion Time, Game/Activity Time and Homework Time. During Topic Time, students are encouraged to discuss events relevant to their lives. The afternoon concludes with homework, or reading time.

Students are expected to be respectful, responsible safe, and hospitable.

Youth are welcome to come in and check out the program for a week or two, and then if they decide to attend regularly, parents fill out a permission slip and provide contact information.

For more information call First United Methodist Church, at 952-3718.

 

 

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A Fargo High School student was taken to a hospital in serious condition after nearly drowning in a school pool.
 
     The male student was pulled from the water Tuesday during a physical education class. Teachers performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
 
     Authorities haven’t identified the boy. Superintendent Jeff Schatz says the school is making counselors available for other students.

 

 ARNEGARD, N.D. (AP) – Authorities have released the name of a Williston man killed in a wreck on an icy Highway 85 between Williston and Watford City.
 
     The North Dakota Highway Patrol says 35-year-old Franklin Mundo left Arnegard and was heading east Sunday evening when he lost control on the icy road due to rain, snow and blowing snow.
 
     The car slid sideways into westbound traffic and was struck by an extended cab pickup struck heading west. Mundo was killed.
 
     The pickup truck driver, Lyle Sasse, of Vancouver, Wash., suffered minor injuries but was not hospitalized.

 

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) – Four teenagers accused of attacking a guard and escaping from the Youth Correctional Center near Mandan about a year ago have pleaded guilty to felony charges and been sentenced.
 
     Eighteen-year-old Emmanuel Hunter III and 17-year-old Kyran Johnson each was sentenced to serve four years in prison and five years on supervised probation.
 
     Eighteen-year-olds Terrick Kern and Bobby Divine each was sentenced to serve 2  1/2 years in prison and three years of supervised probation.
 
     The four boys escaped with another youth on Dec. 9, 2012. Hunter, Johnson and Kern were arrested the next day after an automobile crash in Fargo. Divine and the fifth boy were arrested three days later in Minot after the father of one of the boys called police The fifth boy wasn’t charged in adult court.

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – One of three siblings convicted in a methamphetamine conspiracy has been sentenced to 11 1/2 years in prison.
 
     Dustin, Don and Doree Keplin, of Grand Forks, are charged in federal court with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. All three have pleaded guilty.
 
     U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson sentenced Dustin Keplin to 138 months in prison.
 
     Sentencing is scheduled on March 17 for Doree Keplin and April 21 for Don Keplin.
 
     Four other people are charged in the case.

 

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – A Bowman woman accused of allowing her newborn baby to drown in a toilet has formally pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

 Judge William Herauf accepted 42-year-old Stephanie Lindstrom’s guilty plea Tuesday to negligent homicide, instead of murder.
 
     Bowman County prosecutor Andrew Weiss says medical information shows she was most likely unconscious when the baby died and he wouldn’t be able to prove her mental state warranted a murder charge.
 
     Weiss says medical experts, legal experts and Bowman police investigators agree with the less-serious charge.
 
     That dropped the maximum punishment from life in prison to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
 
     The state has 90 days to file a pre-sentence investigation before Lindstrom will be sentenced.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s state veterinarian is ordering that all swine coming into the state have a health certificate declaring the animals have not been exposed to porcine epidemic diarrhea virus.
 
     Dr. Susan Keller says the certificate also must declare the animals do not originate from a location that is known to be affected by PEDv.
 
     Keller says the action is due to more cases in surrounding states and Canada. She says the mortality rate in young swine is up to 80 to 100 percent, and production losses are significant in older swine.
 
     The health certificates must be signed by the owner of the animals and the issuing veterinarian.
 
     PEDv causes severe diarrhea, dehydration and vomiting in pigs.
 
     The virus has not yet been identified in North Dakota.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – State Transportation Department officials say spring load restrictions are near.
 
     The agency says truckers should consider moving heavy loads before that happens.
 
     The weight restrictions guard against damage to roads made susceptible by the spring thaw. They’re lifted when roadbeds have stabilized enough to handle normal traffic.
 
     The agency says load limits have been put into effect as early as mid-February some years.

 

In sports…

From VCSU Newsletter…

Valley City (CSi) VCSU Viking Football Alumni are holding an online auction to raise funds for Viking Football. The online auction opened for bids on Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 at 8 a.m. and will run through noon on Friday, Feb. 28.

There will be opportunities to purchase items donated by football alumni and other friends of Viking Football. Without their support this auction would not be possible.

This is a great way to support Viking Football by helping raise scholarship funds.

The online auction can be found at alumni.vcsu.edu/givingopp/vp.htm?p=213 or by going to the VCSU Football webpage at vikings.vcsu.edu/football/ and clicking on the Online Auction banner.

 

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The three-time defending champions in the Football Championship Subdivision have completed their schedule for 2014.
 
     North Dakota State officials announced Tuesday that they signed a deal to play Weber State of the Big Sky Conference. That gives the Bison 12 regular-season games for the first time in school history.
 
     NDSU opens the season on Sept. 30 at Iowa State.
 
     The Bison have home games on Sept. 13 against Incarnate Word, Sept. 20 against Montana, Oct. 11 against Southern Illinois, Oct. 18 against Indiana State, Nov. 1 against South Dakota State, and Nov. 22 against Youngstown State.
 
     The other road games are Sept. 6 against Weber State, Oct. 4 against Western Illinois, Oct. 25 against South Dakota, Nov. 8 against Northern Iowa, and Nov. 15 against Missouri State.

 

BOYS BASKETBALL
     Beulah 74, Hazen 67
     Bismarck Century 85, Jamestown 42
     Dickinson 66, Williston 52
     Dickinson Trinity 64, Killdeer 52
     Fargo Davies 78, Grand Forks Central 61
     Fargo Shanley 80, Valley City 39
     Fargo South 71, Devils Lake 57
     Glen Ullin-Hebron 66, Richardton-Taylor 48
     Heart River 74, Beach 55
     Hettinger/Scranton 56, Bowman County 41
     New England 60, Mott-Regent 39
     Wahpeton 60, Grand Forks Red River 46
 Class B District 6 Tournament
 Consolation Final
     Kidder County 61, South Border 39
 Championship
     Linton-HMB 64, Strasburg-Zeeland 51
 GIRLS BASKETBALL
     Bismarck Century 63, Jamestown 39
     Bismarck High 75, Mandan 66
     Carrington 60, Benson County 53
     Devils Lake 74, Fargo South 58
     Dickinson 60, Williston 45
     Fairmount-Campbell-Tintah 58, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, Minn. 31
     Fargo Davies 74, Grand Forks Central 47
     Fargo Oak Grove Lutheran 65, Lisbon 55
     Fargo Shanley 58, Valley City 45
     Fordville Lankin-Park River 63, Cavalier 50
     Four Winds-Warwick-Minnewauken 64, Langdon 37
     Garrison 67, Drake/Anamoose 34
     Grafton/St. Thomas 49, North Border 34
     Grand Forks Red River 75, Wahpeton 45
     Grant County JV 54, Center-Stanton 41
     Griggs County Central 59, Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page 57, OT
     Harvey-Wells County 56, New Rockford-Sheyenne 45
     Hatton-Northwood 37, Dakota Prairie 33
     LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 51, North Sargent 36
     Larimore 59, May Port CG 55
     Maple Valley 52, Lidgerwood-Wyndmere 37
     Midway-Minto 59, Drayton/Valley-Edinburg 37
     Milnor 34, Hankinson 23
     Minot Bishop Ryan 85, Turtle Lake-Mercer 24
     Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 49, Washburn 34
     New Salem-Almont 61, Killdeer 43
     Northern Cass 63, Park Christian (Moorhead), Minn. 40
     Parshall 61, Watford City 54
     Powers Lake 59, Trinity Christian 55
     Ray 41, Divide County 32
     Richland 49, Wheaton/Herman-Norcross, Minn. 34
     Rolla 71, St. John 30
     Rugby 47, North Star 43
     Sargent Central 55, Enderlin 52
     Shiloh Christian 70, Wilton-Wing 14
     Stanley 65, Kenmare 21
     Thompson 65, Hillsboro/Central Valley 39
     Towner-Granville-Upham 64, Glenburn 58
     Trenton 56, North Shore – Plaza 48
     Underwood 54, Flasher 33
     Velva 57, Minot Our Redeemer’s 46

 

NATIONAL  BASKETBALL  ASSOCIATION
 
   Final          Indiana            108    Atlanta                98
   Final          Cleveland        114    Philadelphia      85
   Final          Toronto            103    Washington          93
   Final          Charlotte        108    Detroit                96
   Final          Memphis              98    New  York              93
   Final          Milwaukee        104    Orlando              100
   Final          Miami                117    Dallas                106
   Final  OT    Phoenix            112    Denver                107
   Final          San  Antonio    113    L-A  Clippers    103
 
 
       TOP-25  COLLEGE  BASKETBALL
 
   Final            (  5)  Duke                        68              Georgia  Tech        51
   Final            (  6)  San  Diego  St.      60              Utah  St.                45
   Final            (  8)  Kansas                    64              Texas  Tech            63
   Final  2OT    (  9)  Villanova              82              Providence            79
   Final            (11)  Louisville            80              South  Florida      54
   Final            (14)  Virginia                57              Virginia  Tech      53
   Final            (17)  Iowa  St.                85    (19)  Texas                      76
   Final            (18)  Kentucky                84              Mississippi          70
 
   (15)  Iowa    at    Indiana    (9:00  p.m.,    postponed,  Arena  Structural  Problem)
 
 
       TOP-25  WOMEN’S  COLLEGE  BASKETBALL
 
   Final    Georgetown      60    (22)  St.  John’s      57

 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota sophomore Wally Ellenson has left the basketball program. Gopher basketball coach Richard Pitino says the team respects Ellenson’s decision. Ellenson, a native of Rice Lake, Wis., appeared in nine games for Minnesota this season, totaling 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a steal.

 

Olympics…

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia (AP) – Finland wins Olympic gold in men’s cross-country team sprint .

Norway wins Olympic gold in women’s cross-country team sprint.

 The husband and wife team of Vic Wild and Alena Zavarzina are both heading home with Olympic medals.
 
     Wild rolled to victory in men’s snowboarding parallel giant slalom, ripping past Nevin Galmarini in the second run of the finals to win gold for his adopted country of Russia. Zan Kosir of Slovenia took the bronze.
 
     Wild’s triumph came just minutes after his wife raced to bronze in the women’s event.
 
     Patrizia Kummer gave Switzerland its sixth gold medal in Sochi when Japan’s Tomoka Takeuchi lost an edge halfway through the second run of the final.
 
     Zavarzina had little trouble in the consolation final, beating Ina Meschik by nearly a second to win bronze.
 
     Wild grew up in White Salmon, Wash., but applied for Russian citizenship after marrying Zavarzina in 2011.

  Ted Ligety won the giant slalom at the Sochi Games with a dominating performance today, becoming the first American man to win two Olympic gold medals in Alpine skiing. Steve Missillier of France finished second and Alexis Pinturault, also of France, was third.

 The U.S. and Canada have named their starting goaltenders for Wednesday’s men’s quarterfinal action. Jonathan Quick will be between the pipes when the Americans face off against the Czech Republic. Canada will go with Carey Price versus Latvia.

 

NFL-CBS
 
     Marino and Sharpe out, Gonzalez in
 
     NEW YORK (AP) – Longtime analysts Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe will not return to the CBS NFL pregame show. Marino leaves after 13 seasons with CBS, while Sharpe joined for the 2004 season, giving him a decade on the show. CBS says recently retired star tight end Tony Gonzalez will join the network as an analyst for “The NFL Today” as well as other programming.
 
     CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus was very high on the future of Gonzalez in broadcasting, saying: “He’s the closest thing to a sure bet that I’ve seen in a long time. You can’t teach…likeability.”

 

In world and national news…

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – A Pennsylvania couple faces the possibility of long prison terms when they are sentenced today in the death of a second child who died without seeing a doctor because the family believes in faith healing. Herbert and Catherine Schaible (SHY’-bull) were under court orders at the time to seek medical care for their children after a previous death. The couple faces 20 years or more behind bars.
 
     SAN DIEGO (AP) – A border incident has again raised questions about whether the Border Patrol overreacts to assaults by migrants and suspected smugglers. A man was shot and killed Tuesday after a U.S. Border Patrol agent was hit in the head with a rock while trying to stop a group of people suspected of crossing the Mexican border illegally. The rock caused a minor injury.
 
     BRUSSELS (AP) – The deadly clashes in Ukraine’s capital are likely to lead to punitive action by the European Union. EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expressed “shock and utter dismay” today at the violence in Kiev and blamed Ukraine’s “political leadership.” He predicts the 28-nation EU will impose sanctions. Ukraine’s government blames the protesters. 

 
     VATICAN CITY (AP) – There are signs Pope Francis may be readying a major overhaul of the Vatican’s financial house by creating a finance ministry. One key adviser in Francis’ Group of Eight cardinal cabinet, told the French Catholic newspaper La Croix that creating a “finance secretariat” is needed to better organize the Vatican’s diverse financial departments. Francis has also penned a new missive on the injustices of poverty.
 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. Navy says one of two U.S. warships sent to the Black Sea before the Sochi Winter Olympics is being inspected for damage after it ran aground at a Turkish port last week. The frigate USS Taylor ran aground Feb. 12 as it was preparing to moor at Samsun, Turkey, about 230 miles southwest of Sochi. The Navy says no one was injured.