wbam1CSi Weather…

TODAY…DECREASING CLOUDS. HIGHS IN THE MID 30S.
NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.
.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S. SOUTH WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH.
.SATURDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S. SOUTHWEST WINDS
AROUND 10 MPH.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.SUNDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE
AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S. SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF
RAIN AND SNOW IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S.
.MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S.
.TUESDAY AND TUESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER
50S. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S.
.WEDNESDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF
RAIN. LOWS AROUND 40.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.

 

A SLIGHT CHANCE OF A RAIN CHANGING OVER TO SNOW

STATEWIDE SUNDAY NIGHT.

PRECIPITATION

CHANCES OVER WESTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA MONDAY.

THE FORECAST IS DRY FOR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

WEDNESDAY

WILL BE THE WARMEST DAY OF THE PERIOD WITH HIGHS EXPECTED TO RANGE

FROM THE 60S TO LOW 70S SOUTH.

 

Jamestown (CSi) With the filing deadline for City Election April 7, Jamestown City Auditor’s Office says two individuals have filed petitions to run for mayor, and one for the city council seat, in the June 10, 2014 city elections.

Filing to run for re-election for a four year term, is Mayor Katie Andersen.

Pam Phillips has filed her petitions to run for mayor.

Mayor petitions that have been taken out but not filed yet include: Charlie Ricketts, and Richard D. Geigle. City Administrator Jeff Fuchs says Geigle said he will not be filing his petitions.

Filing to run for re-election to his city council seat is Ramone Gumke.

Those with city council seat petitions out include: Dwaine Heinrich, and Matthew Kriedeman.

For City Park board, incumbe nt Mike Landscoot has filed for re-election. Also filing is Kevin Miller, and Richard Ryan. Incumbent Larry Knoblich, had not file petitions as of Thursday afternoon.

For Municipal Judge, Timothy Ottmar has file his petitions for re-election.

Those wishing petition forms may pick them up at city hall.

The filing deadline in April 7, 2014 no later than 4-p.m., at city hall.

The filed petitions will then be reviewed to make sure they contain the proper number of valid signatures.

The elections will be held on June 10, 2014.

 

Jamestown (CSi) The Reverend Al Bitz will being retiring in June this year, following 11 years as pastor at St. James Basilica and 45 years as a priest.

He plans on moving to Bismarck, fot part-time work with the University of Mary in sacramental ministry, and some development work.

A committee will be empowered to decide who will fill the vacancy, in the next month.

Sister Michaeleen Jantzer will also be leaving the parish at that time.

 

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Police is advising the public of a scam that offers to pay individuals for driving around with an advertisement on their vehicles.

Jamestown Police  Detective  Sgt. Thomas Nagel said a classified advertisement that ran in The Sun last month offered to pay people $250 a week for driving their vehicles around with a specially designated advertisement on the vehicles.

The local victim was told to get a cashier’s check for $5, take a picture of it with his cellphone and send the picture back by text to the person who placed the ad.

Then, the person receving the photo of the check made a large number of copies of the check, which included the victim’s signature, and attempted to cash those check copies made out for different amounts at banks in the area.

Sun Publisher, Rob Keller, said the newspaper was not aware that the classified advertisement was a scam, adding that he appreciated Jamestown Police making The Sun aware of the situation.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – One of 15 people charged in an investigation into the synthetic drug deaths of two North Dakota teens is scheduled to plead guilty in federal court.
 
     John Polinski is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in serious bodily injury and death. He would be the last defendant convicted in the case known as “Operation Stolen Youth.”
 
     Polinski worked for a Houston company that allegedly supplied the chemicals to a Grand Forks man who cooked up the deadly hallucinogens.
 
     Authorities say the drugs caused the June 2012 deaths of 18-year-old Christian Bjerk, of Grand Forks, and 17-year-old Elijah Stai, of Park Rapids, Minn.
 
     The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.
 
     A change of plea hearing is set for this  afternoon in Fargo.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Police say a dog was found dead hanging by its leash from a doorknob at a North Dakota apartment.
 
     Bismarck Police Officer Pat Renz says a 24-year-old Bismarck woman contacted police when she returned to her apartment and found her small, black dog hanging by its leash from the doorknob on a closet door.
 
     Renz says the woman usually left the dog tied by the handle of its leash to the closet door when she wasn’t at the apartment. The woman told police the animal had never tangled up.
 
     The responding officer reported that it appeared someone had manually wrapped the leash around the doorknob. The handle of the leash was found unhooked.
 
     The officer didn’t find signs of forced entry to the apartment or footprints in the snow.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Two vaccines that are currently mandatory for North Dakota students starting middle school will be required for all pupils entering seventh grade this fall. Incoming seventh-graders will now have to receive the Tdap and meningococcal conjugate vaccines. The department is urging parents to make sure their child’s immunizations are up to date before schools starts this fall.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – People who contracted hepatitis C in Minot last year are suing the nursing home linked to the illness.
 
     Seventy-eight-year-old John Fenner and 84-year-old Lilas Guttormson are seeking unspecified damages from ManorCare Health Services. The plaintiffs’ attorneys also are seeking to make the lawsuit class action. If a judge approves, it would cover all 44 people infected with the virus that can cause serious liver damage and even death.
 
     The state Health Department’s preliminary report on the outbreak says neither the state nor the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could pinpoint how the patients became infected.
 
     ManorCare spokeswoman Julie Beckert says the lawsuit is premature in light of that. Plaintiff’s attorney Mike Miller contends the nursing home was still negligent in its care of patients.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota attorney general’s office has fined an Atlanta-based company for making illegal automated calls to residents on behalf of the state Farm Bureau.
 
     The office on Wednesday fined Concentric Direct LLC $500 for making robo-calls asking residents who they support to lead the state Department of Agriculture as commissioner.
 
     Parrell Grossman from the attorney general’s fraud division says robo-calls are illegal whether they’re political in nature or not.
 
     Grossman says he contacted the company after talking with the Farm Bureau. He says the company was unaware of North Dakota’s law and agreed to stop making calls.
 
     Pete Hanebutt with Farm Bureau says Concentric Direct had assured the organization it would do things properly. Farm Bureau won’t be fined.

 

 OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Ethanol producers say clogged rail lines and other shipping problems have forced them to reduce production of the fuel and contributed to higher prices. The Renewable Fuels Association criticized railroads yesterday, triggering a strong response from the Association of American Railroads. AAR CEO Ed Hamberger says railroads have done their best to deal with an unusually cold winter and large grain harvest.

 

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – An India-based technology company says it’s expanding operations in Fargo. Tech Mahindra set up shop in North Dakota two years ago in a partnership with Cargill’s global business services center. It provides services such as information technology purchasing and invoice processing. The combined operation currently has 170 employees.

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – An all-female crew at Grand Forks Air Force Base has broken two records by flying a drone across North Dakota for more than 34 hours.
 
     The base says the 34.3-hour flight of the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft in late March was the longest flight without in-air refueling for a military aircraft. It broke the record by a little more than an hour.
 
     The effort was dubbed “Flight of the Lady Hawk.” It was accomplished by a flight and support crew of 50 women with the 69th Reconnaissance Group who decided to do it in recognition of Women’s History Month.
 
     The crew also broke the female flight crew endurance record, which had stood at 18 hours.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Top officials with the North Dakota National Guard are overseas this week formalizing partnerships with two African nations.
 
     Guard Commander Dave Sprynczynatyk (sprihn-suh-NAT’-ihk) and others on Thursday signed an agreement with the Republic of Benin through the State Partnership Program. That’s a Defense Department effort that began about two decades ago to foster military, social and economic ties with other nations.
 
     The North Dakota officials on Friday were signing an agreement with Togo.
 
     The North Dakota Guard is the first state Guard to be partnered with three African nations. It has had a relationship with Ghana for a decade.

 

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – Construction is underway on a four-story, $11 million apartment building at Williston State College.
 
     The 84,000-square-foot building will have 74 units. Half will be dedicated to “essential service” workers and the other half will be available at market rate. College President Raymond Nadolny says the school will use of the units for student housing.
 
     The building also will have 13,000 square feet of space for 41 underground parking stalls, and 8,000 square feet available for commercial use. Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.
 
     A similar building opened on campus last August. Both projects got help from the North Dakota Housing Incentive Fund, which aids developers of affordable housing.

 

 GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – A collection of papers chronicling the life of former Lt. Gov. Rosemarie Myrdal is now available for research at the University of North Dakota.
 
     The university’s department of special collections announced Thursday the personal papers depict Myrdal’s life and charitable work with organizations throughout the state. The papers also give researchers a closer look at her political campaigns and time in office.
 
     Myrdal served as lieutenant governor under Gov. Ed Schafer from 1992 until 2000.

 

In sports…

NIT…

  NEW YORK (AP) – Minnesota won the NIT championship last night by beating SMU 65-63 to give the Pitino family its latest postseason tournament title. Austin Hollins hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 46.1 seconds left.  Hollins scored 19 points and Andre Hollins had 14 for the Golden Gophers.
 

 AMERICAN  LEAGUE

   CHICAGO (AP) – The Minnesota Twins avoided a season-opening sweep with a 10-9 comeback win yesterday over the Chicago White Sox. Chicago closer Matt Lindstrom blew his first save chance in two opportunities. Caleb Thielbar got his first win of the season despite allowing Marcus Semien’s go-ahead homer in the eighth.
 
   Final            Minnesota            10    Chi  White  Sox      9
   Final            Boston                    4    Baltimore              3
   Final            Tampa  Bay              7    Toronto                  2
   Final            N-Y  Yankees          4    Houston                  2
   Final            Oakland                  3    Seattle                  2,  12  Innings
 
 
       NATIONAL  LEAGUE
 
   Final            Chi  Cubs                3    Pittsburgh            2
   Final            St.  Louis              7    Cincinnati            6
   Final            Miami                      8    Colorado                5
   Final            Washington            8    N-Y  Mets                2
   Final            San  Francisco      8    Arizona                  5
 
 
       NATIONAL  BASKETBALL  ASSOCIATION
 
   Final    Oklahoma  City    106    San  Antonio        94
   Final    Dallas                  113    L-A  Clippers    107
 
 
       NATIONAL  HOCKEY  LEAGUE
 

  CHICAGO (AP) – Marian Hossa scored the lone goal in the shootout as the banged-up Chicago Blackhawks stopped a three-game slide with a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild last night. Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford made 25 saves through overtime. He stopped all three Minnesota attempts in the shootout.
   Final            Columbus          2    Philadelphia      0
   Final            Carolina          4    Dallas                  1
   Final  OT      Toronto            4    Boston                  3
   Final            Calgary            4    Tampa  Bay            1
   Final            St.  Louis        2    Buffalo                1
   Final            Pittsburgh      4    Winnipeg              2
   Final  2OT    Colorado          3    N-Y  Rangers        2
   Final            San  Jose          2    Los  Angeles        1

NBA…

  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota Timberwolves forward Dante Cunningham has been arrested on allegations of domestic assault. The Timberwolves say they are in the process of gathering more information. They say the “organization takes the matter very seriously and does not condone the type of behavior that is associated with this situation.”

 

COLLEGE BASKETBALL…

 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Creighton’s Doug McDermott is a near-unanimous selection as The Associated Press’ player of the year. He got 64 out of 65 votes after finishing his career as college basketball’s fifth-leading scorer. And Gregg Marshall is The Associated Press men’s basketball coach of the year after leading Wichita State to a 35-1 record.

 

GOLF…

 HUMBLE, Texas – Phil Mickelson shot a bogey-free 4-under par 68 in his opening round of the Houston Open, showing no effects of the muscle pull that forced him to withdraw from last week’s Texas Open. The five-time major winner is three shots in back of Bill Haas and Charley Hoffman, who own a one-stroke advantage over Keegan Bradley, J.B. Holmes, Erik Compton, Bill Haas and Matt Kuchar. Mickelson practiced at Augusta National for two days this week in advance of the Masters.
 
     RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) – Shanshan Feng has the lead through 18 holes of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major tournament of the LPGA season. Feng opened with a 6-under-par 66 for a one-shot edge over Se Ri Pak (say ree pahk) and Michelle Wie (wee). The 24-year-old Chinese player had seven birdies and a bogey in her morning round in perfect conditions at Mission Hills.

 

NFL…
     UNDATED (AP) – The Seattle Seahawks have called a news conference for Friday morning amid a report from NFL Network that they have reached a contract extension with coach Pete Carroll.
 
     Carroll’s original five-year deal with Seattle was set to expire after the 2014 season. He’s 38-26 in four regular seasons with the Seahawks and 5-2 in the playoffs, including a rout of Denver in this year’s Super Bowl.

 

MEDIA…

 OBIT-SANDY GROSSMAN
 
     Veteran NFL TV director dead at 78
 
     NEW YORK (AP) – Longtime television sports director Sandy Grossman has died of cancer at 78, according to his son, Dean. Grossman directed a record 10 Super Bowl broadcasts and spent more than two decades in the TV truck working with announcers Pat Summerall and John Madden.
 

In world and national news…

 WASHINGTON (AP) – What will the numbers say when the government releases the latest unemployment report this morning?  Economists tell FactSet that some 195,000 jobs were likely added to the economy in March. That would lower the jobless rate to 6.6 percent from 6.7 percent in February. But other economists expect an even more positive report, because they say winter weather prompted many employers to hold off on hiring until last month. 
 
     FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) – Investigators say a U.S. soldier’s unstable mental health may be the “fundamental, underlying cause” behind his opening fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, this week, killing three people and wounding 16 before killing himself. Military officials say Spc. Ivan (ee-VAHN’) Lopez may have gotten into an argument before Wednesday’s shooting. But they say he also had a medical history that indicates an “unstable psychiatric or psychological condition.” 
 
     RABAT, Morocco (AP) – Secretary of State John Kerry says the U.S. will have to evaluate its role in the Mideast peace process. Kerry says it’s regrettable that the Israelis and the Palestinians have taken steps over the past few days that are not helpful in promoting peace and the decades-long conflict. Kerry has been shuttling between cities in an effort to keep peace talks alive, but he says the U.S. role is not open-ended.   
 
     PERTH, Australia (AP) – The underwater search has begun in a huge section of the Indian Ocean for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared March 8 while flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Beijing. Crews are using equipment they hope will pick up pings from the plane’s two data recorders. But they’re concerned that those pings will transmit for only a few more days, when the black boxes’ batteries could run out. 
 
     NEW YORK (AP) – It’s a surprise for “Late Show” fans. During the taping for Thursday’s show, David Letterman announced that he’ll be retiring from the “Late Show” sometime next year, although he’s given no specific date. Letterman’s current contract with CBS expires in 2015.