Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Apr 1

CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. BREEZY. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. WEST WINDS

15 TO 25 MPH.

.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. WINDY…COOLER. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S.

NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…DECREASING CLOUDS. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S.

NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH IN THE EVENING.

.FRIDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S. WEST WINDS 5 TO

15 MPH.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS

POSSIBLY MIXED WITH SNOW SHOWERS IN THE EVENING…THEN SLIGHT

CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE MID 20S.

CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT.

.SATURDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS

AND SNOW SHOWERS IN THE EVENING…THEN SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW

SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S. CHANCE OF

PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT.

.SUNDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 40S.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS

AND SNOW SHOWERS IN THE EVENING…THEN MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SLIGHT

CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S.

CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT.

.MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS POSSIBLY MIXED

WITH RAIN SHOWERS IN THE MORNING…THEN CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS IN

THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION

40 PERCENT.

.MONDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY. CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS POSSIBLY MIXED

WITH RAIN SHOWERS IN THE EVENING…THEN CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS

AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION

30 PERCENT.

.TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF SNOW SHOWERS IN THE MORNING…

THEN CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS POSSIBLY MIXED WITH SNOW SHOWERS IN

THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION

30 PERCENT.

 

A WINDY DAY IS EXPECTED ACROSS WESTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA ON THURSDAY.

THE SOUTH CENTRAL AND THE JAMES RIVER VALLEY MAY

APPROACH WIND ADVISORY CRITERIA

 

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Jack Dalrymple Wednesday declared a fire emergency for the state in response to dry conditions, unseasonably high temperatures and high winds. In his executive order, Dalrymple issued a burn ban for areas in the North Dakota Fire Danger Rating designated as “High,” “Very High,” or “Extreme,” and/or when a Red Flag Warning has been issued for an area. Burning will be allowed in designated areas with a “Low” or “Moderate” Fire Danger Rating if approved by the local fire response authority that has jurisdiction over the area.

The Governor also activated the North Dakota State Emergency Operations Plan to assist local and tribal officials, and implement appropriate recovery actions and future mitigation measures to limit hardships and impacts of the emergency. In addition, he authorized the Adjutant General to activate and make available North Dakota National Guard resources in support of local and tribal governments.

“In many areas of the state, the weather conditions have created a serious fire threat,” Dalrymple said. “I have directed state agencies to be at the ready if their assistance is needed, so we can help local and tribal officials in their efforts to save lives and protect property.”

Dalrymple’s executive order was issued in response to extremely dry conditions, burn ban and fire restrictions declared throughout the state, Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), unseasonably warm temperatures, low humidity and high winds. The NWS documented below average snowfall and precipitation across the state with above normal temperatures, leaving many natural fuels such as tall grasses very dry and standing vertical, rather than flat as is typical for this time of year, making them more susceptible to the rapid spread of wildfires.

Weather conditions have prompted 15 counties and one tribal nation to issue fire emergency declarations and implement burn bans or other fire restrictions. Since March 13, the NWS has issued five Fire Weather Watches and five Red Flag Warnings. In response to dry conditions, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department has prohibited open burning, including campfires, on the Oahe Wildlife Management Area along both sides of the Missouri River south of Bismarck and Mandan to reduce the potential for wildfires.

 

Valley City (CSi) A house fire five miles west of Rodgers, was reported early Wednesday afternoon.

Barnes County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Anderson says the home was engulfed in flames when he arrived on the scene.

Barnes County Deputy Steve Loibl said no one was home at the time of the fire reported just before 1 o’clock.

A family of five was displaced by the fire and the American Red Cross is assisting the family.

The state Fire Marshall is investigating the cause of the fire.

Also early Wednesday afternoon, fire fighters were battling a grass fire along I- 94 near Oriska around 12:30pm

 

Jamestown (CSi) Veterans Administration officials want to warn veterans about a new nationwide phone scam.

On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Stutsman County Veterans Affairs, Officer, Warren Tobin said, in the scam the caller will claim to be from the V.A. and that the veteran’s doctor wants to change their medications.

The scammer will then ask for personal information, such as Medicare details and social security numbers.

The V.A.’s Public Affairs Officer, Bard Nelson says, that’s “proof positive, the caller is a scammer.”

He adds the V.A. does not ask for that information.

Anyone receiving that type of call, they should call their nearest medical center, or clinic, and let them know.

Nelson advises veterans that they should never give out personal information over the phone, to anyone, and always ask the caller for identification and a callback number to ensure the call is legitimate.

Bismarck (CSi) – Gov. Dalrymple proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The North Dakota Department of Human Services’ Children and Family Services Division and Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota have awarded grant funding to 27 coalitions representing 40 North Dakota counties for community projects that aim to educate and raise awareness about child abuse prevention efforts.

Coalitions receiving funding in the area include:

LaMoure County Social Services,

Kidder County Social Services, in Steele;

Region 6 Parent Resource Center, in Valley City.

During April, each participating community coalition uses the funding to coordinate special educational events and projects, including parenting classes and fairs, conferences, walks, in-school activities, and other family-oriented activities.

A full calendar of events is online at

www.pcand.org.

If individuals suspect a child is being abused or neglected, they should call their county social services office. County information is online at

www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/countysocialserv/.

The 53 county social services offices serve as the department’s authorized agents for child protection services. If a child is in immediate danger, individuals should contact law enforcement.

The Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation is online at

www.nd.gov/dhs/services/childfamily.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota is requiring oil companies to reduce the volatility of crude before it’s loaded onto rail cars.

The new rules went into effect on Wednesday and will require companies to remove certain liquids and gasses from oil train shipments. It’s a process some say will make such transport safer.

Crude from North Dakota’s oil patch has been linked to several fiery oil train crashes in the past two years.

Industry officials initially balked at the new regulations. But North Dakota Petroleum Council Vice President Kari Cutting says the new rules likely will make crude oil “more stable and safer” for rail transport.

Cutting says companies have spent several million dollars installing equipment to comply with the new rules.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The engineer of an oil tanker train involved in a fiery derailment near Casselton in 2013 is suing BNSF Railway.

The complaint filed Tuesday by Bryan Thompson, of Fargo, accuses the railroad of negligence. He says BNSF failed to properly inspect and maintain its equipment and failed to warn him of the dangers of hauling explosive oil tank railcars.

The suit in state court says Thompson suffered “severe and permanent injuries.” He’s seeking unspecified damages.

Thompson’s lawyer, Thomas Flaskamp, and BNSF officials did not immediately return phone messages seeking comment.

The accident happened when a train carrying soybeans derailed in front of a BNSF oil train, causing that train to also derail and set off a fire. Authorities reported no injuries.

The crash spilled about 400,000 gallons of crude oil.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Legislature has passed a measure that would grant immunity for someone who calls authorities to report a drug overdose.

North Dakota’s House passed the Senate bill on Wednesday.

Republican Sen. Howard Anderson was the primary sponsor of the bill. The retired Turtle Lake pharmacist says there are cases in North Dakota in which drug overdoses have gone unreported for fear of criminal prosecution.

The National Conference of State Legislatures says more than 20 states have some form of a drug immunity law.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Legislation that bans the sale of e-cigarettes to minors is headed to Gov. Jack Dalrymple for signature.

The Senate approved the House bill on Tuesday.

The legislation prohibits use of the devices in North Dakota by anyone under 18.

The bill also requires child-resistant packaging for liquid nicotine containers and outlaws self-service displays for e-cigarettes.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Legislature has passed legislation that will double the $1-per-head checkoff that ranchers pay when they sell cattle.

North Dakota’s House approved the measure Wednesday. The Senate approved it the bill earlier.

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association supports doubling the checkoff to provide more money for beef research, education and promotion. Ranchers would have the option of asking for a refund of the additional dollar.

The Independent Beef Association of North Dakota and the North Dakota Farmers Union are opposed to the measure.

Opponents say any checkoff increase should be decided by ranchers – not by state lawmakers.

The national beef checkoff hasn’t changed for three decades. Several states have raised the checkoff at the state level to promote the industry and increase beef demand.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Memorial services were being held Wednesday in Bismarck for Wally Beyer, who served six years as Rural Utilities Service administrator during the Clinton administration.

Bismarck Funeral Home says Beyer died last Friday at a senior living center in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. He was 84.

Beyer was born in Minnesota but spent most of his life in North Dakota. He was appointed administrator of what is now the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service in 1993.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota farmers this year are expected to plant more wheat and sugar beets but less corn and soybeans.

The federal Agriculture Department projects the size of the state’s spring wheat crop to be up 1 percent and the durum wheat crop to be up 4 percent from last year. Farmers intend to plant 4 percent more sugar beets.

Soybean acres are expected to drop 2 percent from last year’s record, and corn acres are projected to be down 4 percent over the year.

The state’s dry edible bean and hay crops also are expected to drop in size. But North Dakota farmers are expected to plant more sunflowers, barley, dry peas, lentils, flaxseed and oats. Canola acres are projected to be unchanged.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A Nebraska man who was arrested during a North Dakota sting operation has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison on a child pornography charge.

Forty-one-year-old Robert Vangorden, of Omaha, Nebraska, pleaded guilty earlier to distributing materials involving the sexual exploitation of a minor.

Authorities say Vangorden was apprehended after an undercover investigation by Dickinson police. Vangorden allegedly talked with an officer posing as a 14-year-old girl on a social media site known as “Chat Avenue,” and sent the officer images and videos of child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland sentenced Vangorden to 17 years and six months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.

A federal public defender could not be reached for comment.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) – Ward County commissioners are trying to put the brakes on the number and cost of design changes to a $19.2 million office building project.

Extra costs since construction began are running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Architect Don Davison says many of the new costs are the result of requests from department heads for their new offices.

Davison says one example is bullet-proof glass for the Social Services office. Another issue is that fire-rated elevator doors were overlooked in the original design.

Commissioner John Fjeldahl says he’s troubled that changes have been made to the project without commission approval. Project manager Jerome Gruenberg says that would have further delayed an already-delayed project.

The commission voted Tuesday to reject any further changes not first approved by the group’s chairman.

 

In world and national news…

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – Opponents of the religious-objection measure that was passed by the Arkansas state legislature say they’ll wait and see what sort of changes are made in it. But they say they’re encouraged by Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s call for the measure to be pulled back and re-worked. Critics of the bill — and a similar one that was passed in Indiana — said it could be used by businesses to discriminate against gays and lesbians. Both states have faced threatened boycotts over the laws.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) – The talks over Iran’s nuclear program appear headed for double overtime. They were supposed to be done by Tuesday night, but negotiators agreed to keep talking today in an effort to find an outline for a deal. And now, Germany’s foreign minister says negotiators are still facing a “tough struggle.” And other officials indicated that the efforts will probably drag into tomorrow.

TIKRIT, Iraq (AP) – It could be a significant defeat for the Islamic State group in Iraq. The country’s defense minister says Iraqi troops have achieved their goal of driving the militants out of Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit (tih-KREET’). They had seized Tikrit last summer during their advance across northern and western Iraq. The battle for Tikrit is seen as a key step toward driving the militants out of Mosul, the country’s second-largest city.

ATLANTA (AP) – Eleven former Atlanta Public Schools educators accused of taking part in a test cheating conspiracy that drew nationwide attention have been convicted of racketeering charges. Only one of the 12 educators on trial was acquitted of that charge. A grand jury indicted 35 educators two years ago. Many reached plea agreements with prosecutors. The educators said they faced pressure from supervisors to inflate students’ scores to show gains in student achievement.

MEXICO CITY (AP) – Mexico’s state-owned oil company says a fire at an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico has killed four workers. Sixteen others were injured in the fire on the shallow-water platform, and 300 were evacuated. The injured are being treated at a hospital in Campeche, on the Yucatan Peninsula.