Subscribe by RSS
CSi Weather…
TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 20S. WEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH.
.TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE. SOUTHEAST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S. SOUTHWEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.
HIGHS IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.
HIGHS IN THE MID 20S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER
20S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.
.MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS AROUND 20. LOWS
AROUND 10.
.TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S.
Jamestown (CSi) Geronimo Energy officials are committed to building the $320 million Courtenay Wind Farm.
The Stutsman County Commission has unanimously approved support for the proposed wind farm as company officials committed to providing the same amount of tax revenues to the county despite possible savings Geronimo may receive if proposed changes to the state’s taxing structure are approved by the North Dakota Legislature next year.
Geronimo has more than $10 million invested in the project.”
The wind farm will have between 87 and 137 wind turbine generators, depending on the size of the wind turbines. To qualify for federal production tax credits, the farm must be completed by the end of 2015.
Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. Mayor Werrkhoven was not present. Vice President Matt Pedersen chaired the meeting. Commission Nielson was not present.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED:
Approved Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.
Approved Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $1,803,057.81
Approve 2nd Half Liquor & Beer License for Fraternal Order of the Eagles, VFW Post #2764.
Approved renewing Mobile Home Park license for Richard Plecity Trailer Court and Plecity Mobile Home Park.
Approved renewing Pawn Shop license for Northwestern Industries.
Approved renewing Gas Permit to Vining Oil and Gas LLC.
Approved a Game of Chance Permit for VC Fire Department, St Catherine’s Family Faith Formation and VC Baseball Association.
Approved a Taxi License renewal for South Central Adult Services.
Approved a Slaughterhouse Permit renewal for Valley Meat Supply, Inc.
Approved a Tree Trimming License renewal for Ross’ Tree Service.
PUBLIC FORUM: Lloyd Nelson asked the police department to patrol more uptown. He pointed out jay walking and other vehicle traffic infractions he’s observed.
Police Chief Fred Thompson said it’s difficult for the two officers being everywhere. He said attention is being paid to jaywalkers.
ORDINANCES
Approved a second and final reading of, an ordinance of Animals and Fowl. City Attorney Myhre said the Ordinance is update with the North Dakota Century Code, and will now include licensing of cats. Feral cats will be taken when possible to Friends of Animals and veterinary clinics, whose president is in favor of the ordinance along with vaccinating cats against diseases.
Reviewed the first reading of an ordinance extending the .5% sales tax to fund the Wellness, Health and Physical Education Center and Permanent Flood Protection. Attorney Myhre said a re-draft and amendment will need to be made to the ordinance before the second reading.
Valley City/Barnes County Economic Development Director Jennifer Feist outlined the proposed amendments, including Parks and Rec being the lead agency, and limits the city’s contribution. She also pointed to clarification of the termination date.
The City Commissioners voted to postpone any action and voted to
hold a Special City Commission meeting on Monday December 8, 2014 at 8-a.m. for the first reading of the ordinance.
RESOLUTIONS
Approved, a Resolution Declaring the Necessity for Paving Improvement District No. 108.
Approved a Resolution Declaring the Necessity for Paving Improvement District No. 109.
Approved a Resolution approving the Replat of Horizon West Addition, on West Main Street. City Attorney Myhre said the replat was approved by the Planning Commission.
Approved a Resolution approving the bid and awarding contract for the Shared-Use Path Along 9th St NE to Strata Corporation in the amount of $229,749.60. Approved a Resolution approving the Replat of Horizon West Addition, on West Main Street. City Attorney Myhre said the replat was approved by the Planning Commission.
NEW BUSINESS
The commissioners discussed a Police Officer Hiring Contract that includes paying for academy training for new police hires, with the positions currently vacant. Police Chief Thompson said two candidates are in the running for the two new officer positions, a female from Jamestown and a male from Valley City. He said there has been difficulty in finding qualified police officers.
The Commission approved the contract as a pilot program and in the future make considerations on a case-by-case basis.
Considered a VCBC Development Corporation request for $5,000 for 2014-15 and $55,000 per year for the next three years starting October 1, 2015, to fund the Resource Development Specialist position including salary and related expenses.
Jennifer Feist explained the return on investment with the position.
City Commissioners voted to approve.
CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:
David Schelkoph noted he will be in Bismarck on Wednesday at a League of Cities meeting.
CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS:
Building Inspector Dave Andersen reminds residents to use the proper electrical extension cords, to prevent overloads, and possible fires.
The meeting was shown live on CSi 68 followed by replays
SOMERTON, Ariz. (AP) – The pilot of a crop duster that went down in an open field near Somerton, Arizona and burst into flames has been identified.
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office says 55-year-old Michael Alan Kratz of LaMoure, North Dakota, died Sunday. Authorities said the small aircraft had no chemicals on board at the time and Kratz was alone.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
Valley City (CSi) On December 18, 2014, it’s the annual Santa, Cops & Kids program in Valley City to help less fortunate children in Barnes County at Shopko in Valley City.
The evening begins with a pizza buffet, then shopping for gifts that arebrought back to the police station and wrapped. Santa will also visit the children and provide more gifts.
The Santa Cops & Kids program is funded by the generous donations from individuals and businesses in the Barnes County area.
Monetary donations can be mailed to; Santa, Cops & Kids Program 216 2nd Avenue Northeast. Valley City, N.D. 58072.
Proceeds are used entirely for children and spent locally to support the economy in Barnes County.
Jamestown (CSi) Auxiliary members from Jamestown Regional Medical Center are sponsoring the 16th annual Tree of Love fundraiser. Ornaments can be purchased with a silver or gold ribbon in honor of a loved one, family member or patient. The ornaments that are purchased will be displayed on a tree located in the main lobby of JRMC through the holiday season.
JRMC Volunteer and Gift Shoppe Coordinator, Nancy Jo Kropp, says
“The Tree of Love fundraiser is an annual event that helps raise funds for the JRMC Foundation.”
Order forms may be picked up at the main lobby volunteer desk or the JRMC Gift Shoppe. Deadline for purchasing ornaments is December 19.
The proceeds will be donated to the JRMC Foundation for an infant warmer in the Family BirthPlace. For more information on the Tree of Love, contact Nancy Jo Kropp, JRMC Volunteer and Gift Shoppe Coordinator at 701-952-4809.
Jamestown (CSi) Grab your significant other and friends and join the Jamestown United Way for a Masquerade Ball on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2014.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at Coborn’s. Social hour starts at 6:30 at the Shady’s Ballroom with dinner at 7:30 and dancing to follow. Must be 21 to attend.
Please purchase your ticket by December 22 as tickets will not be available at the door! Come ring in the New Year supporting the Jamestown United Way.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The attorneys for two North Dakota brothers accused of intentionally destroying potatoes to collect insurance payments say there’s no hard evidence in the case and prosecutors are relying on a key witness who can’t be trusted.
Aaron and Derek Johnson, who farmed in the Cooperstown area, are on trial for conspiring to defraud federal crop insurance programs for more than $2 million and making false statements to authorities.
Prosecutors say the brothers, among other things, added chemicals to make the potatoes deteriorate, then claimed the damage occurred naturally.
Richard Henderson, Aaron Johnson’s attorney, said during opening statements Tuesday that the government has no proof the spoilage was intentional, and without that there is no case.
The attorney for Derek Johnson, Ben Thomas, said his client should not have been indicted.
WEST FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Officials are searching the Sheyenne River in West Fargo for a missing snowmobiler.
Friends reported the man missing Tuesday night when he failed to meet them to go snowmobiling. Divers later found the snowmobile submerged in the river. Authorities believe it plunged through thin ice or into open water.
The search for the man was suspended early Wednesday but was expected to resume later in the day.
The name of the man hasn’t been released.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Fargo, North Dakota, Mayor Dennis Walaker, the man known as the “flood mayor” for leading North Dakota’s largest city through several successful fights against the Red River, has died. He was 73.
City officials announced Wednesday that Walaker died at his home. He had been battling kidney cancer for several months.
Walaker spent most of his career as public works director for the city and became experienced in the protecting the city against flooding. As mayor during the record-setting 2009 flood he stood up to public officials who wanted to evacuate the city, which was saved with a massive sandbagging effort.
Walaker is a native of Leonard, North Dakota. He was first elected Fargo mayor in 2006, when flood protection was his campaign theme. He was re-elected twice.
GRASSY BUTTE, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol says a 23-year-old man has died after a pickup truck and a straight truck collided on Highway 85. Authorities say the pickup truck on Tuesday was heading north when the driver swerved to avoid hitting a deer. But the Chevrolet Silverado drove onto the icy east shoulder of the highway and began to rotate clockwise.The Silverado’s driver has been identified as 21-year-old Austin Krueger of St. Cloud, Minnesota. Authorities say the pickup truck’s passenger died at the scene. He hasn’t been publicly identified.
LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) – Officials in Park County have released the name of a North Dakota man who died in an avalanche just north of Yellowstone National Park last week.
Coroner Al Jenkins says the victim was 31-year-old Donnie Duane McKay of Tioga, North Dakota.
McKay died on Nov. 26 in a snow slide near Cooke City.
Officials with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center said McKay, who was an experienced snowmobiler, rode through a gap in the trees and remotely triggered the slide that buried him under 5 feet of snow. His partner used an avalanche transceiver and probe to locate McKay and had his face uncovered within an estimated 20 minutes.
Efforts to resuscitate McKay were unsuccessful.
The avalanche danger was rated high that day.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A man suspected in a series of business robberies in the Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota, area has been arrested.
37-year-old Arturo Amador-Diaz called Moorhead police around 3 a.m. Tuesday and said he wanted to surrender.
Amador-Diaz and 30-year-old Stephanie Padilla are facing multiple counts of robbery and motor vehicle thefts. Padilla was arrested last week.
Police say the pair is connected to about a half-dozen robberies. Police say the list is expected to grow.
WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – A Williston man facing more than 40 felony charges is getting a new attorney.
A court appearance for 31-year-old Robert Rehfeldt this week was postponed so he could obtain new counsel.
Rehfeldt is accused of drug, weapons and theft crimes including two Class AA felony charges of intent to deliver methamphetamine and other drugs. The most serious charges could land him in prison for life if he’s convicted.
Rehfeldt is being held in the Williams County jail on $550,000 bond. He is due back in court on Jan. 8.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A North Dakota man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison on an illegal weapons charge.
Forty-eight-year-old Samuel Everson III, of Minot, is charged in federal court with possession of firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty in September.
Authorities say Everson was pulled over for a traffic violation in January 2013 when officers eventually discovered a loaded handgun.
Another gun was recovered from Everson’s residence in October 2013 after police served a federal warrant from Montana for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the drug case.
Everson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of 11 prior felony convictions.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple is preparing to outline his budget recommendations to the Legislature.
Dalrymple is speaking to a joint session of the North Dakota House and Senate on Wednesday. His budget speech will wrap up the Legislature’s organizational session.
Lawmakers have been getting ready this week for the start of the 2015 Legislature on Jan. 6.
Dalrymple earlier this year asked agencies to stick to their current spending plans when crafting new budgets for the next two years.
Dalrymple uses the proposals to craft his own spending recommendations to the Legislature.
The state’s current two-year, $6.8 billion general fund budget has more than doubled since 2009.
WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – Many employers in North Dakota’s oil patch are in a constant struggle to stay staffed in a competitive environment where even fast-food jobs can start at $15 an hour. Williams County’s unemployment rate was just 0.8 percent in October according to Job Service North Dakota.
MINOT, N.D. (AP) – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is raising the pay of more than 150 civilian employees at Minot Air Force Base to help them offset the high cost of living in western North Dakota.
The employees will see their salaries jump between 33 percent and 37 percent.
In sports…
Women’s College Basketball:
Valley City State University 85, Trinity Bible College 33
VCSU is now 4-4. Trinity Bible is now 1-6.
Sioux City Seventh-ranked Northwestern College, swept the University of Jamestown in the program’s debut volleyball match at nationals in Sioux City, Iowa, on Tuesday night, 25-19, 25-14, 25-23.
Two of the four teams in pool play advance to the elimination round.
Match two is tonight against Missouri Baptist at 8pm.
VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – The 2014-15 Barnes County Girls High School Basketball Tournament takes place Dec. 9, 11 and 13 on the campus of Valley City State University.
Eight area Class B schools will converge on the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse to compete for the Barnes County Tournament title.
Three-time defending champion Maple Valley is the top seed and will play (8) Barnes County North in the tournament’s first game, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. LaMoure-Litchville-Marion is the No. 2 seed.
First round games on Dec. 9 include:
(1) Maple Valley vs. (8) Barnes County North, 3 p.m.
(4) Enderlin vs. (5) Oakes, 4:30 p.m.
(2) LaMoure-Litchville-Marion vs. (7) Griggs County Central, 6 p.m.
(3) Sargent Central vs. (6) Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page, 7:30 p.m.
A complete bracket is attached.
BOYS HOCKEY
Bismarck Century 7, Hazen/Beulah 0
Dickinson 4, Williston 1
East Grand Forks, Minn. 6, Grand Forks Central 3
Fargo South 5, Devils Lake-Cando 3
Grafton-Park River 4, Fargo North 2
Grand Forks Red River 6, Fargo Davies 1
Mandan 4, Minot 3, OT
Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines, Minn. 10, Wahpeton-Breckenridge 4
GIRLS HOCKEY
Bismarck High 11, Jamestown 1
Mandan 6, Dickinson 4
Park Rapids Area, Minn. 4, Fargo North 3
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Fairmount-Campbell-Tintah 54, Fargo Oak Grove Lutheran 29
Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page 52, Northern Cass 35
Harvey-Wells County 50, Des Lacs-Burlington 40
Kidder County 45, Washburn 31
Kindred 61, Hillsboro/Central Valley 49
Kittson County Central, Minn. 62, North Border 43
Lakota/Edmore 59, Grafton/St. Thomas 28
Langdon-Munich 72, Rugby 43
Larimore 56, Hatton-Northwood 28
Lidgerwood-Wyndmere 54, Enderlin 48
Maple Valley 55, Lisbon 38
Max 60, Velva 38
May Port CG 63, Dakota Prairie 34
Minot Our Redeemer’s 57, Westhope-Newburg 52
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 39, Divide County 34
Napoleon 53, Ellendale 38
New Salem-Almont 59, Mott-Regent 48
New Town 69, Ray 34
Parshall 59, Stanley 52
Rolette-Wolford 57, New Rockford-Sheyenne 46
South Border 48, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier 46
Towner-Granville-Upham 59, Tioga 21
Trenton 62, Powers Lake 38
Warwick 83, St. John 39
Watford City 71, Heart River 34
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Cleveland 111 Milwaukee 108
Final Atlanta 109 Boston 105
Final Brooklyn 98 New York 93
Final L-A Lakers 106 Detroit 96
Final 2OT Dallas 132 Chicago 129
Final New Orleans 112 Oklahoma City 104
Final Phoenix 116 Indiana 99
Final Portland 105 Denver 103
Final Toronto 117 Sacramento 109
Final Golden State 98 Orlando 97
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Carolina 2 Nashville 1
Final Pittsburgh 1 New Jersey 0
Final OT N-Y Islanders 3 Ottawa 2
Final Vancouver 4 Washington 3
Final Toronto 5 Dallas 3
Final Florida 4 Detroit 3
Final 2OT Buffalo 2 Tampa Bay 1
Final Calgary 5 Arizona 2
Final San Jose 2 Philadelphia 1
Final Los Angeles 2 Boston 0
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final ( 3) Arizona 91 Gardner-Webb 65
Final ( 5) Louisville 64 (14) Ohio St. 55
Final ( 6) Texas 63 Texas-Arlington 53
Final ( 9) Gonzaga 76 SE Louisiana 57
Final (15) Miami 70 (24) Illinois 61
Final (17) Michigan 68 Syracuse 65
Final (20) Iowa St. 96 Lamar 59
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) – Andre Hollins scored a season-high 27 points as Minnesota beat Wake Forest 84-69 last night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Hollins hit a career-high seven 3-pointers while Carlos Morris added 15 points for the Golden Gophers. They shot 49 percent and overcame a season-high-tying 20 turnovers by hitting a season-best 12 3-pointers.
TOP-25 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (19) Georgia 49 Coppin St. 29
Final (20) Oklahoma St. 90 Ark.-Pine Bluff 45
Final (23) Mississippi St. 109 N. Dakota St. 58
FOOTBALL…
ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) – Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon is the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa took top honors on the defensive side while Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett was selected Freshman of the Year. Minnesota’s Jerry Kill was honored as Coach of the Year. Gordon leads the nation with a Big Ten and school-record 2,260 yards rushing.
NEW YORK (AP) – Adrian Peterson’s appeal hearing has ended after more than three hours. Peterson is seeking reinstatement after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for the rest of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The former NFL MVP hasn’t played for the Minnesota Vikings since Week 1 after he was charged with child abuse in Texas.
UNDATED (AP) – The College Football Playoff committee has rewarded TCU while keeping Ohio State on the outside looking in.
Alabama is No. 1 and Oregon is second for the third straight week. The Horned Frogs have leaped to No. 3 in the rankings, one spot ahead of unbeaten Florida State. TCU finishes its regular season at home Saturday against Iowa State, which is winless in the Big 12. The Seminoles are still in position to reach the national semifinals if they can win Saturday’s ACC championship game against No. 11 Georgia Tech.
Ohio State is fifth after losing Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback J.T. Barrett to a broken ankle last week. Committee chairman Jeff Long insisted the committee did not factor in Barrett’s injury this week but will when the final rankings come out Sunday.
UNDATED (AP) – One of the most coveted positions in all of college football is now available.
Michigan has fired head coach Brady Hoke after the Wolverines stumbled to a 5-7 record and missed the postseason in his fourth year at the helm. He went 31-20 with the Wolverines, and the team declined steadily after an 11-2 mark in his first season.
Athletic director Jim Hackett called the dismissal a tough decision, saying Hoke earned respect as a values-centered coach.
MLB….
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Torii Hunter is coming back to the Minnesota Twins, seven years after leaving via free agency. A person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press that the 40-year-old Hunter has accepted a one-year, $10.5 million contract. The five-time All-Star outfielder hit .286 with 17 homers and 83 RBIs for the Tigers last season.
In world and national news…
WASHINGTON (AP) – A bill to extend a $45 billion package of expired tax breaks through the end of the year is expected to pass the House today, but the Senate remains non-committal. If approved, the measure would enable millions of businesses and individuals to claim the tax breaks on their 2014 returns. Congress routinely extends the package. But it was allowed to expire in January.
BRUSSELS (AP) -Secretary of State John Kerry says international efforts to blunt the Islamic State group are already having an impact, but defeating the group will take years. Kerry expressed resolve today to continue the battle as long as it takes. He spoke at a meeting of more than 60 counties and international organizations gathered in Brussels to plot a way forward against IS.
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) – Ukraine’s energy minister says there’s no danger from a malfunction at a nuclear power plant. The official says a technical fault at the plant in the south of country has cut power production but expects normal output to be restored by the weekend.
BERLIN (AP) – The annual corruption survey from Transparency International names China, Turkey and Angola as increasingly corrupt despite strong economic growth in recent years. The leading anti-graft watchdog gave China 36 points out of 100, with 0 indicating the highest corruption. Angola scored 19 this year and Turkey fell five points to 45. The index is based on expert opinions of public sector corruption, looking at a range of factors.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – IBM is promoting a way for anyone to help in Ebola research using distributed computing. IBM has teamed with scientists at Scripps Research Institute in southern California on a software project that combines the power of thousands of small computers to each attack tiny pieces of a larger medical puzzle that might otherwise require a supercomputer. People can allow unused processing capacity on their computers, phones or tablets to be allocated.
Comments are closed
Sorry, but you cannot leave a comment for this post.