Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Oct. 2

CSi Weather…

STUTSMAN, BARNES COUNTIES OCT 2, 2012…
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM CDT TUESDAY FOR DRY FUELS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND STRONG WINDS FOR ALL OF EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND FORKS HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR DRY FUELS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND STRONG WINDS …WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM CDT TUESDAY. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

A reminder the Stutsman County Fire Emergency/Burn Ban Proclamation.,is in effect when the North Dakota Rangeland Fire Danger Index is in the VERY HIGH or EXTREME categories and/or a Red Flag Warning has been issued for Stutsman County.

The Fire Danger Index is determined by the National Weather Service on a daily basis.

A link to the daily Fire Danger Index page can be found on the Stutsman County website at www.stutsmancounty.org <http://www.stutsmancounty.org/>.

Click on the flame icon.

 

TODAY…SUNNY…BREEZY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S.
SOUTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
.TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING…THEN MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE MID 40S.
NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY…RAIN LIKELY. BREEZY…COOLER. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.
NORTH WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH INCREASING TO 20 TO 25 MPH IN THE
AFTERNOON. CHANCE OF RAIN 70 PERCENT.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. NORTH WINDS AROUND 15 MPH.
.THURSDAY…CLOUDY WITH SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS POSSIBLY MIXED WITH SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING…THEN PARTLY SUNNY WITH SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S. NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 20 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION
20 PERCENT.
.THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S.
.SUNDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S.
.COLUMBUS DAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING…THEN SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT.

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session, Monday (Oct. 1, 2012), at City Hall. Council Member Brubakken was not present, due to a death in his family.

Consent Agenda Items considered separately, requested by Mayor Andersen:

Item “H,” a Resolution to pursue locating the new Southwest City Water Tank on Lots 1 & 2, Block 1, I-94 Business Park Addition.

Mayor Andersen said after discussions, with the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) a more suitable location for the water tank, was suggested, the second choice of the City.

The new location is the buffalo pasture area on the State Hospital property.

JSDC Board Chairman, and State Hospital, Superintendent, Alex Schweitzer said the land is being made available by the state.

Mayor Andersen said the area of the I-94 Business Park Addition is dedicated to business and jobs development, and should be kept available for that purpose.

On Monday the City Council voted to table the issue, pending additional information, including a lease and other legal issues, including bringing the matter before the state legislature.

　

Item “A,” a Resolution to approve the request from Leo and Kari Ness regarding a standstill agreement to purchase city lots in Beverly Hills 6th Addition, pending a legal opinion from the City Attorney concerning previous City Council action regarding an offer from Tim Dabill to purchase Lots 1 & 2, Block 2, Beverly Hills 6th Addition, and Lot 19, Beverly Hills 3rd Addition.

Mayor Andersen said the item will be moved to this month’s Legal & Finance committee meeting. Which was tabled by Council.

　

Item “B,” a Resolution to approve the plat of Berndt’s Addition, a portion of Blocks 39, 40 & 47 and a portion of vacated 18th Ave. adjacent to Block 32, together with a portion of those unplatted lands within Government Lot 12 of Section 26, T140N, R64W.

Mayor Andersen said with the inability to provide water and sewer, approval would violate a city Ordinance.

She also pointed out inaccessibility to the lots.

The committee approved, unanimously, to send the issue back to the Planning & Zoning Committee, with the Planning Commission invited to attend for further explanation.

　

Item “E,” A Resolution to approve the City phase landscaping adjacent Business Loop East over a period of several years and to perform the work with city staff as opposed to a contractor.

Mayor Andersen said the City Forester needs to submit a plan, before action being taken by the City Council, for city a project.

　

The Council voted to not proceed, with the NDDOT Enhancement Grant, due to local dollars that need to be leveraged in order to obtain a NDDOT grant.

　

Resolutions:

　

A Public Hearing was held, concerning the request for vacation of alley adjacent to the N.29.76′ of Lot 6, All Lots 7 thru 15, Tahran’s 2nd Addition, and Lot 1, Block 1, Alana Addition, all to the City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota.

No one appeared at the Public Hearing.

Adjacent property owner, Nancy Williams made the request to keep the area clear of spraying weeds, and mowing and cleaning refuse from the area, which she has been doing.

City Administrator Fuchs pointed out Ms. Williams would only receive half the alley, if it is vacated.

Council Member Kourajian moved to approve the vacation.

Mayor Andersen was opposed to vacating the alley, pending any future development of the adjacent lots.

The Council voted 3-1 to approve the vacation with Mayor Andersen voting in opposition.

　

Council Members then discussed the request from William Mickelson for a license to operate a taxi service, pending a criminal background check and verification of liability insurance.

The background check indicated that Mikelson had been convicted of Aggravated Assault and Terrorizing in Grand Forks County, in 2006.

Council Member Gumke moved to disapprove the request, which passed unanimously.

　

Committee Reports:

　

Ordinances:

 

A Public Hearing was held,on the proposed budget for City General and Special Funds for the fiscal period January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013.

Following the Public Hearing,the Second Reading of an Ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the General and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013, was approved.

Also approved was the Second Reading of an Ordinance of the appropriation of the Revenue and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013.

　

Hearing From The Audience: No one appeared.

Appointments: None

Other business:

　

The City Council directed the City Administrator to notify the County that the City of Jamestown should be exempt from the County Library Levy as the City maintains its own library.

The the City Administrator was then directed to certify the tax levies to the County for the fiscal period January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013.

　

The City Council, recognized the Jamestown Regional Medical Center Foundation as an other public spirited organization and authorized the issuance of a raffle permit with the drawing to be held November 30, 2012.

 

A Resolution was approved to implement the Participating Municipality’s Approved Municipal Program.

The Council approved an on-sale alcoholic on-sale license, to Cork & Barrel, and a gaming site authorization for the National Buffalo Foundation both to be located at 324 Second Avenue, Southwest, the former MDU Building, to be the new site of the Jamestown Elks Club.

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

　

Valley City, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Monday evening, (Oct. 1, 2012) at City Hall. All Commissioners were present.

Swearing in new police officers, by Mayor Werkhoven was held.

 

They are, Valley City native Nicholas Horner and Breanna Tessin of Becker, Minnesota.

Officer Tessin is the second woman police officer in the Valley City Police Department.

　

Chief Thompson then pinned badges on the officers.

National Walk To School Day will be observed,October 3, 2012.

The proclamation by Mayor Werkhoven was read by City Commissioner, Mary Lee Nielson.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED…

 

Approving Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Approving Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $1,816,921.55.

Approving a Game of chance Raffle Permit for Mercy Hospital Foundation, ND Hereford Association, St Catherine School PTO and Valley City Men’s Bowling Association .

Approving an Electrician License for ASAP Electric.

　

PUBLIC FORUM: No One Spoke.

RESOLUTIONS:

The City Commission approved renewing the Local Control & Smoke-Free Resolution, originally approved on July 15, 2002. It reads that all indoor North Dakota workplaces be smoke free.

　

ORDINANCES:

 

The City Commission approved the Second and Final Reading of an Ordinance approving the 2013 budget.

 

Commissioners approved a Recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission and approved the First Reading of an Ordinance rezoning a tract of Land located at 221 13th Street SW from A Agricultural to I-1 Light Industrial, legal description of (Mark Swanberg property).

 

Also approved was the First Reading of an Ordinance extending the city extraterritorial boundary to 1 mile.

 

A Public Hearing was held, regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District Nos. 95 and 96 and Water Main No. 94.

Following the Public Hearing the City Commission approved the Special Assessments.

　

NEW BUSINESS:

City Commissioners considered the 911 Contract between Barnes County and Valley City.

Mayor Werkhoven said he favors negotiating with the county, on the language of the agreement, with an official city stance on the issue.

He said the issue has been in discussion for about two years.

Commissioners Nielson and Luke said the City Commission needs to come up with a consensus to present to Barnes County.

The City Commission postponed any action until the next City Commission meeting.

　

Commissioners then considered approval of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Industrial/Commercial Development Park in the amount of $1.25 million for a period of 15 years.

Valley City/Barnes County Development CEO,Jennifer Feist said, the project is the I-94 Regional Development Corridor.

It consists of 77 acres and will contain, John Deere Seeding, the North Dakota National Guard, and the Development Corporation will retain a portion of the land to make use for industrial purposes, and for sale.

　

The TIF is in regard to the Construction of the National Guard facility.

She also explained working with Regional Council’s, with a possible loan, and grants and state aid in the costs of the development, infrastructure.

She added the National Guard will further explain at a future meeting, other project details, also pertaining to funding issues.

She also explained the TIF process and it’s implications on tax collections.

On a related topic, she pointed out that on the November election ballot, will be the question of extending the City Sales Tax, another 10 years, also in conjunction with the National Guard project, regarding the time table on project financing.

The City Commission voted unanimously to approve.

City Commissioners approved a Special Alcohol Beverage Event License for Market Place Liquors , Nubar, and Dakota Silver to serve wine at the Barnes County Museum, on October 23, 2012, for the Rotary Club.

The City Commission then approved a Special Alcohol Beverage License for Eagles Club to serve alcohol at Chautauqua Park on October 6 for the John Deere Seeding Group Picnic.

 

Commissioners then reviewed the KLJ capital project 5 year plan for 2013.

City Administrator Schelkoph explained engineering aspects need to be in motion this year.

KLJ noted projects include…the Southwest Seal Coat, street projects on 9^th Street Northeast and Northwest, 12^th Street Northeast widening, pump station repairs, and improvements to Viking Drive, near the entrance to VCSU.

Bids will be opened in March of 2013.

　

A territory swap was reviewed with Cass County Electric.

City Administrator Schelkoph explained that negotiations are on-going for future power service outside the city limits of Valley City.

He said Valley City can not serve customers outside the city limits without an agreement.

City Attorney Russell Myhre is drafting documentation to present to the Commission at a future date.

　

The City Commission approved a contract for Construction Engineering with Kadrmas Lee & Jackson for the Main Street Sheyenne Riverbank Stabilization in the amount of $19,000.

 

City Administrator Report:
Administrator Schelkoph introduced Chad Peterson, from KLJ, who updated projects, and completion schedules for street projects.

In some cases phase-2 of some projects will continue in the spring.

Schelkoph said 4 of the 7- homes on the flood buyout list have been sold.

He pointed out that 5^th Avenue, Northwest, in NOT a truck route, and encouraged truckers to use an alternate trucks-allowed routes.

City Updates & Commission Comments:

The city will begin notifying the public on future discussions on the City Auditorium plans.

Commissioner Nielson pointed out the city has a maximum limit of 32 gallons for trash receptacles, anything bigger can be left behind by the trash collectors.

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

　

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — With formal approval by the Jamestown City Council, the 2012 calendar year budget is reduced by 8-mills.

On Monday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Jamestown Mayor, Katie Andersen said, the final reduction will be calculated.

She said the city was able to reduce the mill levy in part due to an increase the city received in dollars from a State Aid formula.

The Mayor added the City Council decided, as well, to pass along a portion of the city’s reserve fund, for a property tax break, and still have a comfortable amount of dollars left in reserve.

Information supplied by City Administrator, Jeff Fuchs showed the 2013 Jamestown City Budget has total levies and appropriations of 49,825,090.00.

Minus budgets for the Public Building Site, Animal Shelter, Library, Airport including the airport’s insurance reserve and special assessments the total General Funds is $6,767,610.00.

Other budgets for 2013 include:

City Fire Department, $694,605.00

Police Department, $2,481,080.00

Engineering, $178,675.00

Forestry, $100,840.00

Water Department, $2,776,210.00

Sanitary Operation, $1,519,050.00

Sewer $2,088,880.00

Solid Waste Disposal $$1,284,465.00

Vector Control $ 76,660.00

Civic Center, $500,000

Equipment Replacement, $749,620.00

General Administration, $302,495.00

City Sales Tax, $3,690,000.00

Convention Promotion, $740,915.00

Visitors Promotion Capital Construction, $71,130.00

The 2013 Jamestown City Budget expenditures, $30,529,941.00

Interim Fund, $2,201,510.00

The total, 2013 City of Jamestown budget line items is available at City Hall.

　

. Update with Change of address, Oct 1, 2012

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Sept 5, 2012) — The Jamestown Police Department is warning Jamestown residents of a high risk registered sex offender who has moved to Jamestown.

The report says 57-year-old David Lynn Meador who was previoudly living in Room #2 at the Starlite Motel, is now living at 403 1st Avenue, North in Jamestown, Apt #12.

He is a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 155 pounds, with hazel eyes, and brown hair.

He has been assigned a High Risk Assessment by the North Dakota Risk Level Committee of the Office of the Attorney General.

Meador was convicted of possessing child pornography in Kentucky in January, 2003.

In 1994, he was convicted of 20 counts of rape, sexual abuse and sodomy of three young girls from 1990 to 1994 in Kentucky.

Meador is not wanted by police at this time and has served the sentence imposed by the court.

This notification is meant for public safety and not to increase fear in the community, nor, should this information be used to threaten, assault or intimidate the offender.

Attempts to harass, intimidate, or threaten these offenders, their families, landlords, or employers, will be turned over for prosecution.

Printed handouts of Meador’s photo and demographics are available at the Jamestown Police Department.

More information on registered offenders is available on the Attorney General’s web site:

 http://www.sexoffender.nd.gov/

 

STEELE, N.D. (AP) – A Texas man accused of burning down a hotel
in North Dakota now faces 19 felony charges.
     Fifty-year-old Allen Thomas was charged earlier with arson in
the Aug. 12 fire at the Lone Steer Motel in Steele.

The Houston man now also faces 18 counts of endangering by fire or explosion.

All of the charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison upon
conviction.
     No one was hurt in the fire but about two dozen people were
displaced. Authorities have said little about why Thomas is
believed to have started the blaze.
 Thomas made his initial court appearance on the new charges Monday. He was given an application for a public defender.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – An airline that has received federal
subsidies for two decades to provide service to a small North
Dakota city says it no longer needs federal help to do it.
     Great Lakes Aviation spokeswoman Monica Taylor-Lee tells The
Associated Press that the airline will stop collecting a $2 million
annual subsidy for service to Dickinson in western North Dakota
when the current federal contract expires on Feb. 1.
     Data show that Dickinson’s passenger numbers have more than
doubled since 2010 with the increase in oil activity in the area.

The airline has four flights daily to Denver using 30-seat
propeller-driven airplanes.
     Taylor-Lee says the air carrier will continue to collect
subsidies for service to Jamestown and Devils Lake under the
federal Essential Air Service program.

 

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – Trial has been canceled and a
change-of-plea hearing scheduled for a North Dakota man accused of
killing the mother of a child he believed was his daughter.

     Dirk Huber, of Belfield, had pleaded not guilty to murdering
Nicole Radebaugh in her apartment bedroom in August 2011.

He was scheduled for trial beginning Oct. 15. Court documents show that he
will appear in court to change his plea instead.
     Authorities allege that Huber used a pillow to suffocate
Radebaugh after an argument about the paternity of her daughter.
Huber evaded police for several days after her death before being
arrested in a wilderness area north of Medora.

 

 GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – A decorated military veteran from North
Dakota has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually
abusing a boy over a six-year period.
     Adam Hamilton, of Larimore, was charged in Grand Forks County
with continual sexual abuse of a minor. He pleaded guilty in May.

     Judge Joel Medd says the nature of the crime called for a long
sentence.
     The victim asked the judge Monday to sentence the 34-year-old Hamilton
to 35 years in prison.
     Hamilton is a 12-year veteran of the Air Force who spent several
years at the Grand Forks base. He was deployed to the Middle East
in 2002.

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – An Associated Press analysis shows
North Dakota ranks second per capita in the rate of West Nile virus
cases.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures list 74
documented cases of the illness in the state, or about 11 per
100,000 people.

There have been no deaths from West Nile in North Dakota.

 

 DENVER (AP) – CenturyLink workers in 13 states in the West and
Midwest are authorizing a strike, if union leaders and the
telecommunications company can’t reach a contract agreement.
     The Communications Workers of America said Monday that more than
88 percent of those voting backed the action.
     The union and Monroe, La.-based CenturyLink are trying to reach
a new contract for 13,000 employees before the current contract
expires Saturday night.

The employees include customer service
agents, network technicians and Internet support workers.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A North Dakota Farmers Union restaurant in
Washington, D.C., that closed down last year because of flooding
has a new look.
     Farmers Fishers Bakers, formerly known as Farmers and Fishers,
is scheduled to open in November.

The waterfront restaurant is located in the Georgetown area, 10 blocks from its sister restaurant, Founding Farmers.
     The new eatery will seat about 290 people, including 150 in the
main dining room, 70 on the patio, 25 in the bar area and eight at
the reservations-only sushi bar.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Williston Mayor Ward Koeser (KOH’-zur)
says the city is handling its growth problems by looking for help
from anyone who will offer it.
     New housing and population studies predict Williston will double
its population in the next dozen years.
     Koeser says during an earlier boom in the early 1980s, the city
took on a lot of obligations itself, and ended up loaded with debt.
     Now Koeser says the city seeks partners in solving its problems
with a lack of housing and the need to expand its public works
system.
     He says the partners range from oil companies to property
developers to charitable groups and the state of North Dakota.
     Koeser says Williston has been called the fastest-growing small
city in the nation.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s top oil regulator says he’s
expecting “discounts” on the state’s crude to ease as some
pipeline projects are finished.
     Lynn Helms says North Dakota crude oil also could be in demand
to make jet fuel for Delta Air Lines.
     North Dakota oil producers are paid less for their crude because
shipping is more expensive.
     But Helms says pipeline changes will make the difference
smaller. He says they’ll make it easier for North Dakota crude oil
to flow to refineries in Texas and the Gulf Coast.
     Delta is also starting up a refinery in Pennsylvania to make jet
fuel.

The airline is exploring getting North Dakota crude, because
it’s cheaper than oil from Britain’s North Sea.
     Helms says North Dakota oil could be shipped to Pennsylvania by
rail.

 

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Dry conditions have allowed farmers to
continue a rapid pace of harvesting late season crops.
     The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its weekly crop
report that corn was 98 percent mature and 36 percent harvested,
well ahead of last year and the five-year average.
     The dry edible bean harvest was 95 percent complete. About 80
percent of soybeans had been harvested by the end of the week.
     The report says pasture and range conditions continued to
deteriorate because of lack of rain. Conditions were rated at 26
percent very poor, 36 percent poor, 30 percent fair, and 8 percent
good.
     Producers say rain is needed in most areas to improve soil
conditions for fall tillage and winter wheat seeding.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is coming to
North Dakota this week to stump for Republican candidates.

GOP officials are billing the Saturday event as a “victory rally,”
and other speakers include Governor Jack Dalrymple, Senator John
Hoeven, Senate candidate Rick Berg and House candidate Kevin
Cramer.
     
     FORT TOTTEN, N.D. (AP) – The Spirit Lake Tribal Council says a
“tremendous shortfall” of support from the federal government is
the reason the North Dakota tribe surrendered control of its social
service programs.

 It went into effective yesterday. The council says it was hampered by “baseless” accounts of tribal corruption made by two federal officials.

 

In sports…

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota State University is atop the
Football Championship Subdivision coaches’ poll for the fifth
straight week.
     The defending FCS champions downed Northern Iowa 33-21 over the
weekend and got all 26 first-place votes in the weekly poll. The
undefeated Bison host No. 3. Youngstown State this Saturday at the
Fargodome. Youngstown State was the only team to defeat NDSU last
season.
     South Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota
got votes in this week’s poll but did not crack the Top 25.

 

MLB…

AMERICAN LEAGUE

TORONTO (AP) – Anthony Gose singled home the winning run in the
10th inning last night as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the
Minnesota Twins 6-5.

Blue Jays first baseman Yan Gomes tied the game in the ninth with a solo homer.

Trevor Plouffe homered and drove in three runs for the Twins.

 

 KANSAS CITY (AP) – The Detroit Tigers are in the postseason for
a second consecutive season for the first time since 1934-35.
Miguel Cabrera had four hits, including a homer during a five-run
sixth inning, and the Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3 last
night to clinch the AL Central title.

 

  NEW YORK (AP) – The New York Yankees have a one-game lead over
Baltimore in the AL East race with two games to play. The Yanks
routed Boston 10-2 while the Tampa Bay Rays were beating the
Orioles 5-3.

 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – The Oakland Athletics are back in the
playoffs for the first time in six years after they beat the
first-place Texas Rangers 4-3 to remain in contention for a
division crown.

Coco Crisp had a go-ahead RBI double in the fifth
as Oakland pulled within one game of Texas in the down-to-the-wire
AL West race.

Mike Trout had four hits and drove in three runs in Los
Angeles’ 8-4 victory over the Seattle Mariners but it wasn’t enough
to keep the Angels in the playoff chase.
 
  Final      Chi White Sox  11  Cleveland       0
   
 
    NATIONAL LEAGUE
 

 WASHINGTON (AP) – The Washington Nationals are celebrating their
first NL East title despite dropping a 2-0 loss to Philadelphia.
The Nationals, who’ve led the NL East since May, clinched when
runner-up Atlanta lost 2-1 in Pittsburgh.

 

Jaime (HY’-mee) Garcia homered off Bronson Arroyo and pitched
into the seventh inning, helping the St. Louis Cardinals clinch a
tie for the second NL wild card and spoil Dusty Baker’s return from
a mini-stroke with a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Dodgers nipped West champion San Francisco 3-2 to keep
their faint wild card hopes alive.

  Final      Miami           3  N-Y Mets        2
  Final      Houston         3  Chi Cubs        0
  Final      Milwaukee       5  San Diego       3
  Final      Colorado        7  Arizona         5, 13 Innings
  
 
    NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – The opportunistic Chicago Bears lead the
NFL with 14 takeaways and are sporting a 3-1 record as a result of
that defense.

Tony Romo tossed a career-high five interceptions and
the Bears embarrassed the Dallas Cowboys 34-18 last night.
 
   

     INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – It took Chuck Pagano less than nine months
to instill his fighter’s mentality and hopeful spirit in the
Indianapolis Colts.
     He will need both to survive the biggest battle of his life –
leukemia.
     In a somber news conference Monday, the Colts announced that
their new coach had been hospitalized for cancer treatment and
probably would not return to full coaching duties this season. He
will be replaced on an interim basis by offensive coordinator Bruce
Arians.

 

NBA…

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Timberwolves open training camp
today in Mankato.

This offseason, the Wolves added guard Brandon Roy and forward Andrei Kirilenko to join Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and Nikola Pekovic.

Minnesota also shipped out Michael Beasley, Anthony Rudolph and Darko Milicic.

The Chicago Bulls have given coach Tom Thibodeau
(THIH’-buh-doh) a four-year contract extension through the 2016-17
season. The Bulls had exercised their option for next season this
past spring. Thibodeau was the NBA’s Coach of the Year for the
2010-11 season and the runner-up last season.
     – The Philadelphia 76ers have picked up the 2013-14 option on
coach Doug Collins’ contract. Collins led the Sixers to the
playoffs in his first two seasons with the team.

 

INDYCAR-POCONO RETURN

      UNDATED (AP) – IndyCar is celebrating its history and tradition
by returning to Pocono Raceway next season after a 23-year absence.

     Mario Andretti says Pocono is an important venue for IndyCar
fans in the Northeast, and wished he was young enough to compete in
the July 7 race.
     Pocono will be part of the “Triple Crown” challenge that was
abandoned years ago.

A $1 million bonus will be awarded to a driver
who wins the Indianapolis 500, Pocono’s 400-miler and the 2013
season finale at Fontana.

 

In world and national news…

 

 WASHINGTON (AP) – The presidential candidates are laying low
today, practicing for their debate in Denver, while their running
mates try to take care of campaign business in swing states.
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is making three
stops in Iowa today while Vice President Joe Biden campaigns in two
North Carolina cities.
     
     BRUSSELS (AP) – European Union banking experts have issued a
report that says European banks should initiate some separation
between traditional retail banking and the riskier investment side
of the business.

Risky loans taken on in boom times have left
Europe’s banks in trouble and the report says a firewall is needed
and that executives should personally take losses when their banks
fail.
     
     BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) – Alabama authorities say there’s been a
deadly police chase in Birmingham.

Officials tell The Birmingham News that an SUV fleeing a robbery ran a red light and slammed into another vehicle, killing the three occupants, including an infant.
The suspects fled on foot.
     
     VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Benedict’s former butler is expected to
testify today about his alleged theft of sensitive documents
dealing with accusations of corruption and other misdeeds at the
highest level of the Catholic Church.

The leak of the documents to a journalist sparked one of the most damaging scandals of Benedict’s reign.
    
     BEIRUT (AP) – The leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas
is facing rebuke today from Syria’s state-run media.

Khaled Mashaal (HAH’-led MAH’-shahl), once a staunch ally of the Damascus regime, is being characterized as “ungrateful and traitorous” because
he’s no longer based in Damascus and spends most of his time in
Qatar (GUH’-tur), which backs the Syrian rebels.