CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.
.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. NORTH WINDS
10 TO 15 MPH.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 40. NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. EAST
WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
.FRIDAY…CLOUDY. CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE MORNING…THEN CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S. EAST
WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 30 PERCENT.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S.
.SATURDAY…CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW POSSIBLY
MIXED WITH RAIN. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER
20S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 40S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S.
HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S.
.MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S.
.TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S.

 STUTSMAN ….FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY THERE IS A CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW. SOME LIGHT
 ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE. EXACT TIMING AND AMOUNTS WILL BE NAILED  DOWN AT A LATER DATE.

BARNES…SOME LIGHT SNOW IS POSSIBLE FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FOR EASTERN NORTH  DAKOTA AND WESTERN MINNESOTA. SOME ACCUMULATION IS POSSIBLE…AND ROADS MAY BECOME SLICK FOR SOME AREAS BY SATURDAY.

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Council met in Executive Session on Wednesday (Oct 31, 2012), at 4-p.m., at City Hall. 

Members present, and attending the Executive Session, Wednesday were: Mayor Andersen, Council Members Brubakken, Buchanan, and Kourajian, along with Deputy City Auditor Jay Sveum, City Engineer Reed Schwartzkopf, and City Attorney Ken Dalsted.

The purpose of the meeting was to consult with the City Attorney, concerning territorial service claims by Stutsman Rural Water District.

At issue is a claim by Stutsman Rural Water that Jamestown was expanding its water service into territory Stutsman Rural Water has rights to serve, in the area of the Titan Machinery facility under construction near Jamestown Regional Medical Center..

Following a previous Executive Session the City Council voted to have the City Attorney examine materials from Stutsman Rural Water District and the meet with the Stutsman Rural Water District Board, to further discuss the issues.

 

Following Wednesday’s Executive Session, the City Council meeting reconvened in Regular Open Session.

Mayor Andersen said the City Council plans to tentatively meet with representatives of the Stutsman Rural Water District, on November 9, 2012 at 8-a.m., at City Hall.

The open portion of Wednesday’s meeting was shown live on CSi 67

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge says the state of North Dakota can’t enforce its law that bans Election Day campaigning.

In a decision Wednesday, Judge Daniel Hovland says the ban violates the free-speech rights of candidates and North Dakotans in general.

His order grants a request for a preliminary injunction.

It bars the state and local prosecutors from going after anyone who violates the ban.

Former North Dakota Republican state chairman Gary Emineth sued earlier this month to challenge the law.

The law is more than a century old. It says no one can do any campaigning on Election Day.

Because of the law, candidates don’t run Election Day ads, and they take down their yard signs the night before the vote. Violations of the law carry a $500 fine.

　

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Oct 31, 2012) — The James River Family Y’s new Executive Director has been in the position since September 1st (2012).

The McVille, North Dakota native, Cory Anderson, was the guest on Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2.

Anderson was previously the baseball coach at VCSU, where also held administrative positions.

He also has been in private business in Jamestown.

Anderson pointed out some changes at the Y.

He said the 1st of January 2013, two of the racquetball courts will be converted to accommodate the newly implemented Fitness On Demand program.

He said Fitness On Demand is an exercise program, where participants with their Y membership can utilize the area, without an instructor present.

He added that there is only one other Y with that program, in Illinois.

Anderson reminded residents of the Y’s childcare program, and the availability of The Learning Center.

He pointed out that the next fall session of classes is starting with a brochure available at the front desk at the Y.

　

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Oct 31, 2012) – Buffalo City Tourism has issued the 2012 Status Report, with year to date information as of October 25, 2012.

The report includes such items as a breakdown in tax revenues, visitor numbers to the World’s Largest Buffalo, National Buffalo Museum, and Frontier Village.

Other items include dollars in grant awards, brochure distributions, media/promotion expenditures, return on investments by the Buffalo City Tourism Foundation from the JSDC, City Of Jamestown, Stutsman County, and the 2012 year to date economic impact associated with the BCTF.

Highlights of the report:

Tourism/visitors up four percent, as was the Hospitality Tax revenue.

Visitors to The World’s Largest Buffalo Monument, the National Buffalo Museum and Frontier Village showed an increase of over 134,000 visitors from 2011.

Visitors were from all 50 states and 33 foreign countries. Visitors from Minnesota led the way, followed by North Dakota, Wisconsin, Texas, and Florida.

So far in 2012, lodging and restaurant tax revenues increased by almost $10,000 from the year-to-date revenues from 2011.

The 2012 Year To Date Economic Impact: $7,656,640.

134,232 visitors, including 44,744 vehicles, and 38 tour buses.

16 events (two yet to be reported) were recorded in 2012, including 12 two day events, in addition to Pelican Point and Lakeside Campgrounds had an economic impact of $6,783,000.

The total economic impact was $14,500,000, for those directly associated with the Buffalo City Tourism Foundation.

The report says for every tax dollar invested, (JSDC Funds, Lodging Tax, and Restaurant Tax,) the BCTF yields $33.

The Jamestown City Council is presently reviewing the BCTF contract, set to expire on December 31, 2012.

At issue is the Buffalo City Tourism Foundation operated independently from the City of Jamestown.

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Oct 31, 2012) — The Buffalo Valley Red Cross Chapter reports Dave Smette, of Jamestown, a local trained Red Cross disaster volunteer is leaving with an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) with a volunteer from Dickinson to travel to New Jersey to assist with the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Response.

Chapter Manager, Beth Dewald says, Smette will be deployed for two weeks assisting with feeding those affected by the hurricane.

Three, 2-person teams are being deployed from both the Fargo and Minot locations of the American Red Cross.

Two teams from Fargo and one from Minot are driving Emergency Response Vehicles to disaster operation centers on the East Coast.

When they arrive, they will provide food, water and comfort kits to the communities most affected by Hurricane Sandy.

All teams are on a 2-week deployment to the region.

These teams join the 5 person sheltering team deployed last weekend to the region.

All represent the Minn-Kota Region of the Red Cross and are residents of Minot, ND, Valley City, ND and Fergus Falls, MN.

To help with the disaster effort, go to redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a donation.

 

From VCSU…

Valley City, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Oct 31, 2012) — After a challenge by President Steve Shirley, the participation rate for faculty and staff giving to the VCSU Foundation increased from 63 percent in 2011-12 to 96 percent in 2012-13, the highest giving rate on record.

The increase netted an immediate gain of $8,000 in scholarship contributions plus pledges that will sustain an increase in contributions for coming years.

The challenge began on August 14, 2012 during Dr. Shirley’s Welcome Week Address when he set the goal of reaching 100 percent participation by Friday, September 29 (the Friday of Homecoming week).

According to Dr. Shirley, “Although we fell slightly short of reaching that goal, our faculty and staff can be very proud of this accomplishment. The ability of VCSU to offer private scholarship dollars to students is one of the most significant efforts we can make in continuing to attract the absolute best students to VCSU and our community. A participation rate of 96% is direct evidence of the tremendous commitment our faculty and staff has in attracting these students and giving them the finest educational experience possible.”

During the challenge, faculty and staff were encouraged to make contributions or pledges to any fund of the VCSU Foundation including V-500 academic scholarships, Century Club athletic scholarships, named endowed scholarships, or any of several “Friends of VCSU” funds.

 

 GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The prosecution has rested in a case of
a man accused of trying to kill his apartment roommate in Grand
Forks.
     Twenty-seven-year-old Travis Samshal is on trial for attempted
murder. He is accused of firing a hunting rifle at 35-year-old Leo
Franco on Dec. 14, 2011. 

Prosecutors rested their case early Wednesday afternoon.
     Samshal’s attorney on Tuesday said Franco had made unwanted
sexual advances toward Samshal. Franco denied the allegation.
     Samshal could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of
attempted murder, or up to five years if convicted of reckless
endangerment.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A co-owner of a Mandan smoke shop has been
sentenced to serve a year in prison for conspiring to sell
synthetic marijuana.
     Big Willies co-owner William Nickel will not have to serve the
sentence until an appeal is heard by the North Dakota Supreme
Court.
     A jury in August convicted Nickel and Ryan Zueger of conspiracy
to deliver a controlled substance. Zueger is to be sentenced Nov.
13.
     The two men also were charged with possessing synthetic drugs in
2010 but the charges were dismissed on a technicality.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The executive director of a nonprofit
organization in Williston has been named the Governor’s Choice for
Economic Developer of the Year.
     Gov. Jack Dalrymple announced Wednesday that he named Tom
Rolfstad as the top economic developer in the state. Rolfstad is
the executive director of Williston Economic Development, an
organization that provides relocation and expansion opportunities
to new and existing businesses.
     Dalrymple presented the award to Rolfstad during the Economic
Development Association of North Dakota’s fall conference in
Bismarck.
     Dalrymple says Rolfstad has done a good job growing and
diversifying Williston’s local economy and responding to the
region’s growth.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The U.S. Forest Service is working to find
a gravel-rich parcel of federal land in western North Dakota to
swap with a Montana businessman.
     Roger Lothspeich (LOTH’-speech) gave up a controversial plan to
mine rock near the site of Theodore Roosevelt’s historic Badlands
ranch in July – if the federal government trades him a site of
equal value.
     Forest Service minerals program manager Mark Sexton says it
hasn’t been easy identifying land for the trade somewhere within
the 1.2 million acres the federal government owns in western North
Dakota.
     Sexton says the agency wants to ensure any new site won’t create
a “ruckus.”
     Lothspeich says he has not set a deadline for the land swap. But
he believes it should be done within the next year.

 

 GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – Former Republican presidential
candidate John McCain is coming to North Dakota, and will stump for
U.S. Senate candidate Rick Berg.
     The Arizona senator is scheduled to tour the University of North
Dakota’s unmanned aircraft programs on Thursday with Berg and Sen.
John Hoeven.

A political rally also is scheduled at Playmaker’s All American Lounge at 5:30 p.m.
     Berg is North Dakota’s representative in the U.S. House. He is
running against Democrat Heidi Heitkamp for the Senate seat being
vacated by Sen. Kent Conrad.
     Former President Bill Clinton campaigned for Heitkamp in Fargo
on Monday.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Fisheries crews collected 1.5 million eggs
during their annual salmon spawning operation on Lake Sakakawea.
     The North Dakota Game and Fish Department says that easily
surpassed the goal of 900,000 eggs. North Dakota is sending some
eggs to South Dakota and possibly Montana.
     Dave Fryda (FREE’-duh) with Game and Fish says most of the eggs
came from the lake, with the rest from the Missouri River below
Garrison Dam. Plans for next year are to stock Sakakawea with
200,000 salmon.
     Chinook salmon begin their spawning run in October. The fish
cannot naturally reproduce in North Dakota, so state and federal
officials collect eggs and transport them to the Garrison Dam
National Fish Hatchery.

 

In world and national news…

 

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) – President Barack Obama and New Jersey
Gov. Chris Christie have been looking at New Jersey’s coastal
hurricane damage from aboard Obama’s Marine One helicopter.

Obama’s visit is layered with political implications — giving Obama a
chance to project leadership in the final days of the
tightly-contested White House race.

And Christie has been a supporter of Mitt Romney, but has praised Obama’s efforts to help states dealing with the storm.
     
     NEW YORK (AP) – Parts of New York’s crippled subway system will
be operating again Thursday with partial service. And officials say
there will be fleets of buses filling in the gaps.

Some subway tunnels and stations are still filled with water from the
superstorm that socked the city Monday and Tuesday.

For now, there won’t be any subway service in Manhattan south of 34th
Street. That’s an area that includes the city’s financial district.
     
     HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) – Officials in Hoboken, N.J., say at least 25
percent of the city on the Hudson River across from Manhattan
remains under water.

The public safety director estimates at least 20,000 people are stranded and says most are being encouraged to shelter in place until floodwaters recede.

Tempers flared this morning outside City Hall as some residents complained the city was slow to get food and other supplies out to the stranded. The
National Guard is there to help out.
     
     NEW YORK (AP) – NYC Marathon organizers say they’re moving
forward with plans for Sunday’s race — but they’re waiting for
final word from city officials on whether the event can go on after
Superstorm Sandy.

The city must determine whether holding the race
would be safe and viable with flooding, power outages and transit
shutdowns still afflicting the five boroughs.

     
     NEW YORK (AP) – A Republican-leaning independent group that
backs Mitt Romney is launching a $3 million TV ad campaign in
Pennsylvania.

Romney’s campaign had announced Monday that it would
start running ads in the state, and several other pro-Romney groups
have been airing ads as well.

President Barack Obama’s campaign has begun advertising in Pennsylvania, while insisting that the state is safely in the president’s column.