Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Apr 28

CSi Weather…

  TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 30S. NORTH WINDS UP TO
5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
.WEDNESDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S. SOUTH WINDS UP TO
10 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. SOUTH WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 70S. SOUTH WINDS 10 TO
20 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS IN THE EVENING. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. NORTHWEST WINDS
10 TO 20 MPH.
.FRIDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 50S.
.SATURDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 70S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S.
.SUNDAY…COOLER. PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S.
.MONDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S.
.MONDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S.
.TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S.

 

  SOME WIDELY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY.

TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN MILD WITH HIGHS IN THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 70S THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

 SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SUNDAY, WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND
 THUNDERSTORMS AGAIN ARE POSSIBLE SATURDAY AFTERNOON INTO SUNDAY.  COOLING INTO THE 60S SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

 

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Police investigated an accident involving a motorcycle and car about 2:09p.m., Tuesday at the intersection of First Avenue North and Second Street North.

The male motorcycle operator was taken by Jamestown Area Ambulance Service for treatment of a serious leg injury and later air lifted to a Fargo hospital .

Lt. Robert Opp says the motorcycle was southbound on First Avenue, when it was struck by a car proceeding west on Second Street, crossing the intersection.

The female car driver was cited by police for failure to yield after stopping at the stop sign.

The names of those involved were not immediately available, pending the completion of the police accident report.

 

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC), Finance Committee is setting guidelines to prevent reporting financial errors.

The JSDC Executive Committee recommended approval of the recent audit to the board of directors which will meet as part of the JSDC annual meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Quality Inn & Suites.

The recent JSDC audit also included its subsidiary Spiritwood Energy Park, and contained, “material weaknesses” in the internal financial bookkeeping of the organization, according to Schauer and Associates, Audit Manager, Linda Mohn.

The Spiritwood Energy Park Association (SEPA) Board of Directors also approved the audit at a Special Meeting.

JSDC owns 71 percent of the Energy Park while Great River Energy owns the remaining 29 percent.

　

Jamestown (CSi) The Huntington’s Disease Society of America will benefit from proceeds raised during the May 8, 2015, “That 70’s Night,” festivities.

The free event is presented by the James Valley Street Machines, from 6-p.m., to midnight at 517 First Street East in Jamestown. (The street in that block will be barricaded with a street dance atmosphere.)

The organizer Steve “Skovy,” Jaskoviak on Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2 said, in cooperation with Don Wilhelm Chevrolet, Buick, GMC in Jamestown the dollars raised will go toward Huntington’s disease research and education.

Jaskoviak, who is the dealership’s Business Manager pointed out that the disease, which has no cure, yet, took the life of Dan Wilhelm who passed away in 2012 at the age of 55.

Huntington’s disease, an inherited brain disorder that results in the progressive loss of mental faculties and physical control.

Wilhelm’s will donate burgers which can be purchased for a donation.

Skovy said the evening will have a 70’s theme, and, those in attendance wearing 70’s garb will receive a free prize, while supplies last.

The location, is a warehouse, “Skovy’s Toybox.”

Owners of classic vehicles are invited to bring them along, while listening to music from the 70’s with a live DJ, and music provided by R&C School of Rock.

Refreshments will be provided by Fred’s Den.

For more information call Skovy at 701-202-7067.

　

BISMARCK, N.D – Gov. Jack Dalrymple joined legislators Tuesday to announce the passage of nearly $400 million in additional tax relief for the people of North Dakota as well as meaningful reform to the state’s property tax system.

“North Dakota’s strong economy and our long-standing commitment to sound fiscal management continue to drive our priorities for progress,” Gov. Dalrymple said. “Those priorities have always included keeping taxes low and returning tax proceeds to the people of North Dakota whenever possible.”

The tax relief package includes significant reductions in income taxes across all tax brackets as well as significant reductions in property tax.  Since 2009, Gov. Dalrymple has worked with the Legislature to reduce property and income taxes by more than $4.2 billion dollars.

“Despite some concerns that tax relief would have an uphill battle this session, Republican leadership came together to pass a strong, comprehensive package for the people of North Dakota, said Sen. Dwight Cook, chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee and a member of the Governor’s Task Force for Property Tax Reform. “This is going to put money back in the pockets of working families, small businesses, and family farms and will help our already thriving economy continue to grow.”                   

In passing SB 2144, the Legislature also achieved lasting property tax reform by adopting the work of the Governor’s Task Force for Property Tax Reform.  The task force began its work in December 2013, resulting in an 80-page rewrite of the state’s property tax codes.

“The Republican majority is strongly committed to ongoing tax relief for the citizens and small businesses that are the foundation of North Dakota,” said Rep. Craig Headland, chairman of the House Finance and Taxation Committee. “I’m glad we could work together to pass strong legislation that helps our citizens and our economy.”

            Gov. Dalrymple has signed into law an additional $397million in property tax relief. The state’s 2015-2017 tax relief package consists of:

• $250 million in property tax reductions to be provided through a state-paid tax credit during the 2015-2017 biennium. With the continuation of this program, all North Dakota property owners will again receive a 12 percent reduction in property taxes.

• $123 million in individual and corporate income tax relief.
• $23 million in permanent property tax relief provided through a transfer of some social service costs from counties to the state.
• An expansion of the Homestead Tax Credit program for seniors who live on a fixed income. The Legislature appropriated an additional $1.2 million to support increased eligibility for property tax reductions during the second year of the 2015-2017 biennium.  The program will save qualifying North Dakota taxpayers about $21 million during the biennium.

 

PROPERTY TAX REFORM 

            The Legislature followed Gov. Dalrymple’s recommendation to not only provide additional tax relief during the 2015-2017 biennium, but to also reform the state’s property task system. The Governor’s 14-member Task Force for Property Tax Reform analyzed all 200 mill levies authorized by all political subdivisions other than school districts, as well as the processes used to assess and collect property taxes for funding of local government services.

            Significant property tax reform has already been achieved within the state’s school districts.  The 63^rd Legislative Assembly provided more than $850 million in property tax relief for the 2013-2015 biennium, including about $656 million provided through a new K-12 school funding formula that shifted the largest share of education costs from school districts to the state. 

            Senate Bill 2144 creates greater transparency in the property tax system so that taxpayers can more easily understand the uses of their tax dollars. The tax reform also provides for greater spending discipline and allows for more meaningful comparisons of property taxes levied among political subdivisions. Key elements in the property tax reform include:

• The consolidation of tax levies and the repeal of 40 others, some of which were created before statehood and have not been used for decades.
• Required anniversary votes of the people to ensure that taxpayers understand and support the continued use of their tax dollars.
• Mill levy limits for improved spending discipline.
• Greater flexibility for political subdivisions to develop their operating budgets.

 

Valley City (CSi) The North Dakota Senate Tuesday approved House Bill 1003, the budget bill for the North Dakota University System and Valley City State University. The vote in the Senate was 45-2.

Senator Larry Robinson of Valley City says the bill includes funding for a new heating plant at VCSU at a cost of $14.2 million dollars. Also included in the bill is contingent funding for the Foss Hall Communication Arts Building project at VCSU. This project is a $26.2 million dollars project. The contingent funding will be triggered once the general fund reaches a certain level.

Robinson points out that the funding package for VCSU is significant following the projected reduction in the state’s revenue forecast as a result of the oil activity in western North Dakota. He says the fact that funding was preserved for the two projects at VCSU underscores the high priority they have within the university system.

Robinson issued a special thank you to VCSU President Tisa Mason and VCSU Vice President Doug Dawes, for their outstanding work on these projects during the legislative session, adding, “I also appreciate the strong support for these projects from my Senate colleagues. To realize this level of success takes a team effort. We clearly had that during the legislative process.”

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Legislature has passed a higher education bill that caps tuition raises at 2.5 percent for two years.
 
     Senators approved the measure Tuesday, one day after the House endorsed it.
 
     The Senate earlier had axed the House proposal that would give the Legislature control to set tuition and fees, and added the cap instead.
 
     North Dakota’s university system has six four-year universities and five two-year colleges. Data show the state’s two-year colleges at Bismarck, Bottineau, Devils Lake, Wahpeton and Williston are more expensive than their regional counterparts. The state’s four-year universities are less expensive than their regional counterparts.
 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s Legislature has decided to pay for maintenance and other costs at the boyhood home of famous band leader Lawrence Welk.
 
     The Legislature two years ago included $100,000 in the State Historical Society’s budget for the purchase of the home in Strasburg.
 
     Senators had wanted an appropriation of $135,000 over the next two years for maintenance and to pay part-time staff. North Dakota’s House voted against the funding.
 
     A House-Senate conference committee reached a compromise and recommended that $100,000 should be spent to pay staff and maintain the home.
 
     Both chambers approved the funding Tuesday.
 
     The historical society hopes the Welk home also can be a tourist draw to tout in part the region’s German-Russian heritage.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A federal judge told a man on trial in North Dakota for his role in a wide-ranging Jamaican lottery scam that he’s not helping himself by snapping at his attorney.
 
     Sanjay Williams is accused of selling lists of potential victims in a scheme that allegedly bilked dozens of mostly elderly victims out of their retirement savings. Williams is the only one of 32 defendants who has opted for trial.
 
     Williams had a couple of outbursts directed at defense attorney Charlie Stock Tuesday during testimony by FBI Agent Frank Gasper. After dismissing the jury for lunch, Judge Daniel Hovland told Williams that jurors were watching him intently and it doesn’t “bode well” for him when he reacts loudly.
 
     The first victim identified in the case was 86-year-old Edna Schmeets, of Harvey.

 

  FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A North Dakota man is facing a terrorizing charge after he pointed a gun at a neighbor following a dispute over dog feces.
 
     WDAY-TV reports that Donald Dale Smith, of Fargo, has been charged with one count of terrorizing.
 
     Authorities in Cass County say Smith confronted neighbor Andrew Stevens when Stevens was outside smoking a cigarette and letting his dog potty. Stevens told police it was then that Smith started yelling at him for smoking near a window and letting his dog defecate all over.
 
     Court records show the men argued before Smith went into the building, returned outside, pointed a gun at Stevens and said he would shoot him.
 
     Smith’s attorney on Tuesday did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the felony charge.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota is putting a hold on bringing birds to public events and sales in an effort to limit the exposure of deadly bird flu to the state’s poultry industry.
 
     The state Board of Animal Health has moved to prohibit bird movement to shows, exhibitions and public sales within the state until further notice.
 
     State Veterinarian Susan Keller says mixing birds could unnecessarily increase the risk of exposure to avian influenza.
 
     So far only two farms in North Dakota have been found with some form of the virus. Those two cases have cost producers more than 110,000 birds.
 
     The precaution by the state board does not apply to approved private sales that meet North Dakota importation requirements.

 

 MINOT, N.D. (AP) – A Georgia truck driver is on trial on negligent homicide charges in a triple-fatal crash in North Dakota nearly two years ago.
 
     Vernon Wright, of Hiram, Georgia, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted in the fiery crash on U.S. Highway 2 near Stanley in June 2013 that killed two Minot men and a Rhame man.
 
Prosecutors say Wright could have taken a safer route. The defense maintains Wright wasn’t legally required to do so, and that some vehicles in the crash might have been traveling too fast for the foggy conditions.
 
     Authorities allege Wright was driving a tanker trailer filled with oil and was at fault for the crash. The tanker trailer exploded and five other vehicles involved in the incident burned.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Planting of most small grains crops remains well ahead of the average pace in North Dakota, but many farmers are seeding into dry soils.
 
     The Agriculture Department says in its weekly crop progress report that the western part of the state got up to half an inch of rain over the past week. However, topsoil moisture supplies statewide are rated 33 percent short or very short, and many farmers are hoping for rain to help seed germination.
 
     The state’s staple spring wheat crop is 41 percent planted, well ahead of the average pace of 18 percent.
 
     Sugar beets are 82 percent planted, also well ahead of the average pace. Planting of potatoes, corn and soybeans is just getting underway, about equal to the average.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – U.S. Sen. John Hoeven says the Natural Resources Conservation Service will restrict the duties of workers aligned with conservation groups and enable farm groups to also bid for those positions.
 
     The North Dakota Grain Growers Association last fall criticized NRCS for using Ducks Unlimited personnel, saying the relationship might give Ducks Unlimited undue influence. Ducks Unlimited rejected that notion.
 
     Hoeven says NRCS contracts with conservation groups now will ensure that those workers help only with program enrollment and technical assistance and not on issues dealing with program funding and compliance.
 
     Grain Growers Executive Director Dan Wogsland calls it a good first step but says Ducks Unlimited staffers shouldn’t be in NRCS offices at all.
 
     Johann Walker with Ducks Unlimited says the contract change makes official what was already in practice.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Legislature has agreed to pay $1.5 million to keep Dakota the duckbilled dinosaur’s permanent digs in Bismarck.
 
     North Dakota’s House and Senate endorsed the deal Tuesday as part of the state Historical Society’s $21.3 million budget.
 
     Along with the $1.5 million in taxpayer dollars, another $1.5 million must be raised from private funds to keep the rare mummified fossil on display at the North Dakota Heritage Center on the state Capitol grounds.
 
     Tyler Lyson (LEE’-suhn) discovered the dinosaur on his uncle’s ranch in southwestern North Dakota in 1999.  
 
     Researchers say Dakota is one of the most important dinosaur discoveries in recent times. The petrified beast has been the subject of a children’s book and an adult book, and National Geographic television programs.  

 

In world and national news…

 BALTIMORE (AP) – Police say one person was critically injured in a fire during Monday’s riots in Baltimore. They also say at least 20 officers were hurt during the chaos. Nearly three dozen juveniles and more than 200 adults were taken into custody after people set fire to cars and businesses and looted stores. Nearly 150 cars were burned. Even as police provided that update to reporters today, a group of demonstrators gathered on the streets, mostly peacefully. One person was taken into custody and police used pepper spray to keep protesters back when he became unruly.
 
     CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) – Among the survivors of the Colorado movie theater shooting who’ve testified for prosecutors Tuesday is Caleb Medley — who was an aspiring comedian until he was shot in the head and severely wounded. His speech is now barely intelligible, and he answered questions Tuesday by pointing to letters on a poster board. His wife, Katie, was the first to testify  against James Holmes — who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the shooting that killed 12 people and injured 70 others.
 
     BOSTON (AP) – Testimony at the trial of Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (joh-HAHR’ tsahr-NEYE’-ehv) Tuesday has focused on the wife of his late brother, Tamerlan. A computer expert testified that a computer belonging to Katherine Russell had been used, more than a year before the bombing, to try to find out what rewards would come to a woman whose husband dies as a martyr. Defense lawyers are trying to show that Tamerlan Tsarnaev was far more radical than his brother. 
 
     CHICAGO (AP) – Federal investigators have concluded that Chicago’s transit agency bears part of the blame for an accident last year in which a driver fell asleep. The train crashed into a platform and part way up an escalator at O’Hare Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending that all U.S. transit agencies consider the effects of operator fatigue when preparing work schedules.
 
     LAS VEGAS (AP) – The actress who played the youngest daughter on “The Partridge Family” has died. Suzanne Crough Condray was 52. A coroner says she died yesterday near Las Vegas. On the hit 1970s TV show, she played Tracy Partridge.