wbPM4CSi Weather… .SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING…THEN PARTLY CLOUDY AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE LOWER 50S.

.MEMORIAL DAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 70S.

.MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 50S.
.TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S.
.WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. .WEDNESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S.

Jamestown (CSi) Service men and women who gave their lives serving their country will be remembered on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2014 in a ceremony at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 9 a.m.

After the program and naval ceremony at the Nickeus Park bridge, local service groups will be visiting all of the five Jamestown cemeteries and the Veteran’s Memorial Wall, and then to the All Vets Club for a free luncheon.

MANDAN (CSi) The 2014 Memorial Day Ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery will begin at noon, Monday, May 26. This annual event honors all deceased American servicemen and women and is free to the public. The theme is “Forever Family” and will feature a father and son as keynote speaker and emcee respectfully. The cemetery is located 6.5 miles south of Mandan on North Dakota Highway 1806.

Participants should arrive early due to anticipated crowds. Lawn chairs are encouraged due to limited seating. Shuttle vans marked with yellow flashing lights on top will be available to transport attendees from parking areas to the ceremony.

Due to the large attendance anticipated and limited parking near the ceremony area, handicap marked vehicles are encouraged to arrive before 11 a.m. Individuals not attending the ceremony, but dropping off flowers for Memorial Day grave decorations, need to arrive by 10:30 a.m.

This year’s keynote speaker is retired Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Robert E. Schulte. The emcee is North Dakota Air National Guard Col. Robert A. Schulte, commander of the 119th Medical Group, 119th Wing, in Fargo. Additional scheduled speakers are Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Rep. Kevin Cramer and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard.

The North Dakota Army National Guard’s Fargo-based 188th Army Band’s “Brass Quintet” will perform “Amazing Grace” as well as pre-ceremony music. Also participating in the ceremony are local Veteran organizations who will post colors. The Bismarck Mounted Police also will carry colors and have a caparisoned riderless horse with boots reversed in the stirrups to symbolize a fallen warrior that will no longer ride into battle.

The national anthem will be performed by sister duo Tigirlily. Taps will be performed by Dillon Parker. AMVETS Post #9, Bismarck, will render a rifle salute volley and the North Dakota National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team will fire a salute using a World War I-era French 75 millimeter cannon. Pastor Matt Anderson, Surprise Church, Bismarck, and Chaplain (1st Lt.) Chad Dion, North Dakota Army National Guard, will present Memorial Day prayers. After the formal portion of the ceremony concludes, the Big Lake Drum Group will perform “The Honor Song,” honoring all American fallen service members.

Also, in honor of past and present military personnel, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is offering free admission and tours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. and refreshments at the commissary after the Memorial Day event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Fort Abraham Lincoln is located adjacent to and northeast of the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. For additional information, please call 701-667-6340.

Also in support of the Memorial Day ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, the Viet Nam Vets / Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club along with the Second Brigade Motorcycle Club are organizing a Memorial Day “Motorcycle Honor Ride.” The clubs will organize motorcycles at “The Shop” (131 Airport Road) in Bismarck and ride together to the cemetery.

Motorcycle Honor Ride participants will leave Bismarck at 11 a.m., head west on Main Street, cross the Liberty Memorial Bridge to Mandan’s Memorial Highway. After turning west on Mandan’s 3rd Street SE, the motorcyclists will head south on North Dakota Highway 1806 until they reach the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. To participate in the ride, please assemble at “The Shop” by 10:45 a.m. All motorcyclists are invited to join the ride and no pre-coordination is required. Ride organizers will be on site by 10 a.m.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Engineer’s Office informs residents, that due to the Memorial Day Holiday, there will be NO garbage pickup on Monday, May 26, 2014.

Monday’s garbage will be picked up on Tuesday;

Tuesday’s garbage will be picked up on Wednesday;

Wednesday’s & Thursday’s garbage will be picked up on Thursday;

No change in Friday’s pick-up route.

All routes will begin at 7:00 a.m. each morning.

The baling facility will be OPEN on Saturday, May 24, 2014.

The baling facility will be CLOSED on Monday, May 26, 2014.

Jamestown (JRMC CSi)  Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC) will launch its new electronic medical record system, known as EPIC OneChart on June 1. This change utilizes JRMC’s partnership with Sanford Health and connects medical records across organizations, greatly enhancing the safety and quality of patient care.

While JRMC has had an electronic system for some time, the change to OneChart offers many advantages. For instance, if a patient has a procedure done at a hospital or clinic with the EPIC system, their records will be more readily available to the care team in that same system – no need to have records faxed, photocopied or brought to the appointment.

JRMC Chief Nursing Officer, Trisha Jungels says, “Upgrading to OneChart will improve patient care at JRMC. With the new electronic medical record system we hope to increase patient satisfaction by creating a faster and more accurate way to access medical information while providing continuous care to our patients.”

Another advantage to OneChart is that patients will have access to a personal health record, known as MyChart. MyChart allows patients to see their test results, prescriptions, immunizations, summaries of recent visits or dependents’ information anytime, day or night. With MyChart, patients have access to their personal health record on their home desktop computer, laptop or smart phone. Medical information will continue to be assured to be confidential to each patient.

Patients can sign-up for MyChart by visiting www.jrmcnd.com.

JRMC Chief Financial Officer, Brandoen Vaughn says, “JRMC is excited to provide MyChart to our patients. We have been preparing and training our staff for the past eight months for the upgrade and launch of EPIC OneChart and MyChart.”

Although many steps have been taken by staff to try and minimize the delays during this transition, JRMC initially expects a longer than normal wait for scheduling an appointment and registration.

About Jamestown Regional Medical Center
Jamestown Regional Medical Center is located at 2422 20th St. SW, Jamestown, ND and serves approximately 55,000 people in nine counties. Between JRMC, JRMC Clinic, Sanford Health Jamestown and Essentia Health Jamestown, the community is served by 30 local medical providers and a variety of visiting specialists. For more information on services at JRMC, visit www.jrmcnd.com or call 701-952-1050.

Valley City (CSi) Valley City State University celebrated its faculty and staff members’ many years of service and dedication to VCSU at the Employee Recognition and Retirement Dinner May 15, 2014, in the Student Center cafeteria.

Faculty and staff members honored for Years of Service anniversaries at the recognition dinner were:
• 25 years of service—Steve Olson, Ron Pommerer
• 20 years of service—Preston Bush, Jane Hammer, Wayne Hammond, Gregg Horner, Beth Klingenstein, Dennis McCulloch, Barbara Schroeder, Linda Whitney
• 15 years of service—Donna James, C.J. Kotta, Patricia Gegelman, Brad Mills, Patti Rickford, Charlene Stenson, Kari Stricklin, Shannon VanHorn
• 10 years of service—Amy Anderson, K.O. Bolstad, Louis Wieland
• 5 years of service—Richard Clark, Brenda Finger, Rachelle Hunt, Joey Nix, Jackie Owen, Armando Ramos, Jenni Lou Russi, Jodi Shorma, Alyssa Sorenson.

Employee of the Quarter award recipients for the 2013–14 academic year—Kim Hesch, assistant director of university advancement and alumni relations; Emma Tufte, administrative assistant/assessment assistant; Doug Hamilton, facilities services maintenance; and Irene Groth, administrative assistant/certification officer—were acknowledged at the dinner, as were “The Difference Is Me” award recipients—Wayne Hammond, building services/store keeper; Jody Henjum, administrative assistant; and Jenn Larson, faculty materials center assistant—for the same time period.

Erin Edinger, 2013–14 Student Senate president, and Michaela Halvorson, 2014–15 Student Senate president, presented Student Advocate Awards to Chris Carpenter, general manager, Sodexo food service; Richard Clark, building services; and Rhonda Fairfield, executive assistant, President’s Office.

Receiving 2014 VCSU Student Advocate awards were (L to R) Rick Clark, Rhonda Fairfield and Chris Carpenter.

Edinger and Halverson also presented the Teacher of the Year Award to Casey Williams, assistant professor in the fisheries and wildlife science program.

Six VCSU faculty and staff members who will retire in May 2013 were also recognized. The retirees are Sara Hagen, professor of music; Doug Hamilton, facilities services maintenance; Don Hoff, professor of science; Randy Jess, building services; Sharon McCarriar, associate professor of health and physical education; and Linda Whitney, professor of art.

Among those retiring from VCSU in May 2014 are Don Hoff, Randy Jess and Doug Hamilton. Not pictured are retirees Sara Hagen, Sharon McCarriar and Linda Whitney. All six retirees were granted emeritus status in recognition of their years of service and dedication to VCSU.

The six retirees were each granted emeritus status in recognition of their years of service and contributions to VCSU.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Authorities say an autopsy is scheduled on a body found in Bismarck.

Police Sgt. Mark Buschen says authorities hope to learn the identity of the man found dead Thursday afternoon in the northwest part of town.

Police have released few details on the case.  Authorities say there was no sign of trauma to the body and no indication as to how the man died. There also was no identification on the body.

The case remains under investigation.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A murder suspect tied to a violent drug gang from Texas has been arrested in North Dakota.

A federal indictment from the western district of Texas charges Anselmo Flores with murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and racketeering.

Authorities say Flores is a member of the Texas Mexican Mafia. Court documents accuse him of stabbing Angel Cantu to death in January 2011, in Eagle Pass, Texas, as revenge for Cantu’s cooperation with law enforcement.

Federal authorities declined to comment on Flores’ arrest or why he was in North Dakota.

Flores was arrested Friday morning in the Bismarck-Mandan area. He appeared in federal court and was ordered to be transported to Texas.

The Texas Mexican Mafia was formed in the early 1980s by inmates of the Texas state prison system.

 

DETROIT (AP) – Federal food safety officials say ground beef recalled by a Detroit business may have been sent to stores in 10 states.

According to an announcement Thursday, the U.S. agriculture department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says it has reason to believe recalled beef was sent to retail outlets in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Wolverine Packing Co. announced Monday it was recalling 1.8 million pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.

FSIS had said 11 people were sickened. Messages seeking an updated figure were left Friday.

Consumers can see a list of recalled products and potentially affected stores on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Drivers in the Dakotas this Memorial Day are paying much less for gas than they were at the same time last year.

AAA reports that the average price of a gallon of gas in North Dakota is down 67 cents from May 2013, and in South Dakota the average is down 43 cents over the year.

The travel association says the reason is that Midwestern refinery issues last year caused sharp regional price spikes prior to Memorial Day. Fargo, Bismarck and Grand Forks set records in May last year when the price of gas soared well above $4 per gallon. The state average also hit a record, at $4.23 a gallon.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The Swiss firm Stropiq is planning a $500 million mixed-use development in the oil-rich North Dakota city of Williston.

Stropiq partner Jones Lang LaSalle says the Williston Crossing project will incorporate 1 million square feet of retail, entertainment and hotel space. The project also will include space for housing and offices.

Jones Lang LaSalle senior director of retail development Larry Jensen says there are no comparable retail developments within a 125-mile radius. He says he expects Williston Crossing to become the premier retail destination in the area.

North Dakota’s oil boom has made Williston the fastest-growing micropolitan area in the nation in recent years. But development has often lagged behind growth. Many residents complain about a lack of shopping and entertainment options.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Leaders of two North Dakota companies that make products out of bio-based materials say most of their customers rate price and performance first and view the green aspect as a bonus.

Fargo-based C2renew takes various types of thermoplastics and combines them with agricultural byproducts such as flax fiber, sunflower hulls and sugar beet pulp to create bio composites. Ultra Green’s Devils Lake plant makes food containers out of wheat straw, which is the leftover stubble from the wheat harvest.

Ultra Green CEO Mack Traynor and C2renew Chief Technology Officer Chad Ulven say the two companies make products that are better than their plastic counterparts and cost about the same or less.

Ulven says about 15 percent of his customers are “selling the heck out of the green.”

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Some North Dakota middle school students are pushing lawmakers to further address some of the problems linked to the booming oil industry in the state.

Students from West Fargo’s Cheney Middle School displayed presentations addressing problems related to oil at the recent Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck. The students are part of the Science Technology Engineering and Math program at their school.

The students have created online petitions aimed at state representatives calling for action on topics such as the state’s high natural gas flaring rate and the stresses the oil boom has put on some towns. Those were hot topics during the Legislature earlier this year.

Eighth-grade science teacher Candida Braun says she encouraged her students to embrace problems that they feel need to be addressed.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) – The State Department says it has suspended $3.5 million in military aid to Thailand, a day after the Thai military seized power in a coup. A spokeswoman says the department is still reviewing a further $7 million in direct U.S. assistance to Thailand, and aid from other global and regional programs. Thailand is a U.S. treaty ally and close military partner.

CAIRO (AP) – Authorities in Egypt say two people have been killed in clashes between Islamist protesters and their opponents on the final day of campaigning before next week’s presidential election. The Health Ministry says one person was killed in Cairo and another in an oasis town southwest of the capital. At least 23 people were hurt.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The House Ethics Committee is putting its investigation of indicted Congressman Michael Grimm on hold so the Justice Department can proceed with its own probe of the New York Republican. Grimm was indicted last month on 20 counts for allegedly evading taxes by hiding more than $1 million in sales and wages while running a small Manhattan restaurant. The Staten Island lawmaker says he’s the target of a political witch hunt.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The chief judge of a federal appeals court is stepping down from his post after reports that he sent a complimentary email to an attorney who had argued cases before him. Judge Randall Rader will continue to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which specializes in patent cases. He will be succeeded as chief by Judge Sharon Prost effective May 30.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Donald Sterling has agreed to surrender his stake in the Los Angeles Clippers to his wife, who is working to sell the team. That’s what a person with knowledge of the negotiations tells The Associated Press. That person says Shelly Sterling is working to resolve the dispute amicably and has been in talks with her attorney and NBA lawyers for the last couple weeks. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Donald Sterling for life and fined him $2.5 million over some racist comments.