Wayne Byers Show – Evening – May 19

CSi Weather…

FROST ADVISORY…WEDNESDAY FROM 1 AM TO 9 A.M. IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA…1AM TO 8AM IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA

.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. AREAS OF FROST AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN
THE MID 30S. NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY…SUNNY. PATCHY FROST IN THE MORNING. HIGHS IN THE MID
60S. NORTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S. WEST
WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.THURSDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 70. NORTHWEST WINDS AROUND
10 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 40S.
HIGHS AROUND 70.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S.
.SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS. LOWS AROUND 50.
.SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS IN THE MORNING…
THEN CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN
THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION
40 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND
SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S. CHANCE OF
PRECIPITATION 30 PERCENT.
.MEMORIAL DAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S.

PATCHY TO WIDESPREAD FROST AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER
TO MIDDLE 30S ARE EXPECTED TUESDAY NIGHT AND  AGAIN EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING.

ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM LOOKS TO ENTER THE PLAINS LATE THIS WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. AT THIS TIME THE MODELS KEEP THE MAJORITY OF PRECIPITATION SOUTH…WITH JUST FAR SOUTHERN NORTH DAKOTA GETTING A GLANCING BLOW.

Jamestown (CSi) The rainfall amounts last weekend in Jamestown has required a small water release from Jamestown Reservoir.

Pipstem Dam Manager Bob Martin with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says on Tuesday the release went from zero to 75 cfs, as the water level slightly rose by 1.5 feet, and puts the level, by eight-tenths of a foot, into the flood storage area.

This is the first release from Jamestown Reservoir since the first week in December of 2014.

Martin says, still, no release is being made from Pipestem Reservoir where the water level went up 2.2 feet since last week. Inflows at Pipestem were at 600-700 cfs during the heavy rainfall period. At Pipestem the the level is six feet above the freeze up level, compared to 30 feet above at this time last year.

No release has been made at Pipestem since March first this year.

The James River in Jamestown during the heavy weekend rain went up to 7.05 feet, from the pre-rain level of 2.9 feet.   The level will be slightly higher than that when the run off is gone, due to the Jamestown Dam release.

The river level started dropping Monday morning after the rain and snow and was down to 4.5 feet on Tuesday at mid afternoon.

In LaMoure the James is forecast to reach action stage, 11.4 feet on Wednesday this week.

The river level is forecast to decrease by Saturday, May 23rd to around 10 feet.

Martin says the river rise is LaMoure is also due to rainfall runoff, and that any releases from the Jamestown and Pipestem Dams takes from between 10 and 14 days to reach LaMoure.

LaMoure County Emergency Manager Kimberly Robbins is cautioning individuals living near the James River near LaMoure to stay aware of the temporary increased river levels and increased flows.

 In Valley City, Tuesday the Bald Hill Dam releases was at 1700 to 1800 cfs.

City Administrator David Schelkopf said officials did NOT expect the release to reach 2300 cfs.

 

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal Committee Building, Planning & Zoning Committee and Civic Center & Promotion Committee met Tuesday evening at City Hall.

All members were present.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE

Considered approving a re-allocation of up to 80 acres for a crew camp for temporary workforce housing at the JSDC Spiritwood property located within the East½ of SE¼ of Section 28-140-62, at the rate of $600 / acre per year. JSDC CEO Connie Ova said 40 acres will be needed just for parking. The population is expected to be around 2,250 individuals.

The committee recommends approving the re-allocation, also approved by the Stutsman County Commission.

The committee recommends approval of the April 2015 JSDC Policies Revision. The Stutsman County Commission approved, Tuesday morning.

The committee recommends approving the request for Street Dance permits by the Corner Bar for June 6th and 27th, 2015.

The committee recommends sending to the City Council without recommendation, pending review by the City Attorney, entering into a Letter Agreement concerning the amortization schedule 2(a) for the Water Supply Agreement with GRE for the City financed GRE share of cost of the City System Upgrades by the sale of Taxable Refunding Improvement Bonds of 2014 – Series X.

 

The committee recommends approval of the request from Wayne and Sally Albin for Renaissance Zone incentives by providing 5 years of property tax exemption and to request the ND State Tax Department to grant 5 years of State income tax exemption for the purchase of a residence on Lot 7, Block 1, Lindberg Addition.

 

Discussion was held relative to the operation of ATV’s on city streets. Currently only police and fire department personnel may operate them within city limits.

Police Chief Scott Edinger said no larger North Dakota cities allow residents to use the vehicles on the streets. He see no down-side to allowing in the city, with proper equipment, to make them street legal. Any adoption would NOT apply to golf carts.

The committee recommends the City Attorney review the state statues before the First Reading of an Ordinance revision at the July City Council meeting.

 

Discussion concerned possible amendments to Section 5-25 of the City Code pertaining to distances required between alcoholic beverage establishments, churches and schools, stemming from more restaurants coming to the downtown area. Council Members Gumke and Buchanan suggested removing restaurants from the Code.

The committee recommends research regarding restaurants before the First Reading of an Ordinance at the June City Council meeting.

 

Discussion requested by Mayor Andersen concerned the possible need of an ordinance pertaining to protest demonstrations such as Permit fees, security, clean-up deposits, etc. Currently the city has provisions regulating protest distances from funerals, and it has disorderly conduction penalties. The committee recommends the City Attorney research the issue further.

It was noted that the Second Reading of an Ordinance to grant Otter Tail Power Company a continues franchise to maintain its system within the City for a 10 year period, is cheduled for the June 1, 2015, City Council meeting. City Attorney Leo Ryan said after meeting with Otter Tail’s attorney, he’s satisfied with the change in language.

Informational:  Departmental and financial reports were presente.

 

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Informational:

A Public Hearing and Second Reading of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map to change the zoning of the North 600 feet of Auditor’s Lot 30-2, within the NE ¼ of Section 30, Township 140 North, Range 63 West from R-1(One-Family Residential) to R-2 (One- to Six-Family Residential), is scheduled for the June 1, 2015, City Council meeting.

 

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No items at this time.

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

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Police is warning residents concerning a conviced sex offender residing in Jamestown.

20 year old Jeremy Cassidy Cohen is a white male, five feet four inches tall, weighing 183 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair.

He currently resides at 208 and a half 5th Street Southwest in Jamestown.

He presently has no vehicle.

Cohen has been assigned a high risk assessment by the North Dakota Risk Level Committee of the Attorney General’s Office.

Cohen’s offense  was gross sexual imposition, two counts, engaging in sexual contact with girls under the age of  15.

Disposition:  8 years; 6 years 9 months suspended; 240 days credit for the time served; supervised probation.

Cohen  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.

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

Printed handouts of the demographics of Cohen are available at the Jamestown Police Department.

More information on registered sex offenders is available at the North Dakota Attorney General’s web site: www.sexoffender.nd.gov

 

Tower City (CSi) The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports, a semi rollover on I-94 on Tuesday about 2:50a.m., east of Tower City.

The semi was eastbound and entered the median and rolled.

The driver, 68 year-old Freddie Reyes of Yakima, Washington took evasive action and steered in an attempt to drive back onto the roadway. The semi jackknifed and rolled onto its driver’s side, blocking both eastbound lanes on I-94. No one was injured in the incident.

The roadway was blockedabout three hours with traffic diverted to Exit 310. Reyes was wearing a seat belt with damages estimated at about $75,000.

The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Cass County and Barnes County Sheriff’s Offices along with the Tower City Fire Department.

The accident remains under investigation.

 

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.  Commissioner Luke joined via telephone conference call.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED:

Renewal of electric license for Tom’s Electric.

A Memorial Day Parade for the AmVets Post 3 on May 25  has been cancelled.

In lieu of the parade, the Valley City Jr/Sr High School bands will perform a patriotic concert in the 100 block of Main Street, starting at 10:30-a.m., which was approved by Commissioners.

 

　PUBLIC FORUM:  No one spoke.

 

ORDINANCES:

Approved the second and final reading of an Ordinance accepting the South Valley Addition plat.

 

RESOLUTIONS

Following a Public hearing the City Commission approved, a Resolution of Necessity to Replat Lots 2-10, Block 2 and Lots 4-6, Block 4, Hyland Park Addition, in Northwest Valley City.

 Approved a Resolution to refer to a Professional Land Surveyor for the Hyland Park Addition.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Considered whether to move forward with appropriate legal actions to resolve Phase II Buyout program disputes. City Administrator Schelkoph said the buyout committee has recommended changes, specifically concerning the Gary Schlagel property.

Originally the plan was to construct a flood wall behind the home, however as construction proceeded it was determined the house would be in jeopardy if left in place.

Schlagel asked for another house in lieu of his present home, which officials felt was over the current valuation of the present home and property.

The state which partially funds the buyouts recommends removal of the property, through eminent domain if necessary, and was moved to approve including amendments by the City Commission. Mayor Werkhoven voted in opposition to the original consideration.

 

The City Commission moved to approve the 2016 City construction projects as outlined by KLJ.

Approved the renewal of Edgar A Fisher Post No. 60 of the American Legion Site Authorization in the Legion Club.

Approved the  renewal of Frank S Henry Post 2764 Site Authorizations for the VFW Club, The Captain’s Pub and the NuBar.

Commissioners considered increasing the hourly wage from $100/hour to $125/ hour for all legal work outside of the contract with Myhre Law Office. Commissioner Luke said she’s more comfortable in waiting for the budgeting period to approve any increase. City Administrator Schelkoph said the increase was fair, and City Commissioners voted to approve, with Commissioner Luke voting in opposition.

Approve a Retail Image Enhancement Grant for S & S Auto Electric in an amount not to exceed $7,500.

Consider Preliminary, Design, and Construction Engineering Agreement for approximately 10 blocks of Milling, Hot Bituminous Pavement Overlay, ADA Ramps and Incidentals for Paving Improvement District in the amount not to exceed 17%. (NDDOT Project Nos. SU-2-990(051)055, PCN 20855 – 6th St NE (Central Ave – 8th Ave NE) and SU-2-990(052)056 PCN 20856 – 2nd Ave NE (2nd St NE – 4th St NE) Mill and Overlay)

The City Commission voted to approve.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

David Schelkoph said Lake Ashtabula’s water level is dropping, following a rise from runoff from the recent heavy rain amounts, and that Bald Hill Dam’s release is at between 1700 cfs and 1800 cfs as of Tuesday. Officials do NOT expect the release to reach the 2300 cfs release. He says the Sheyenne River level is expected to drop over the next few days, and urges residents to use caution around the river.

CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS

Fire Chief Retterath said the outdoor siren that was out of commission has been repaired, and all sirens have been tested.

Commissioner Nielson commented that she will attend a state meeting that will allocate state funding approved by the legislature for permanent flood control. She will also attend a state water commission meeting representing Valley City.

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

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Health Department is encouraging residents to undergo testing for hepatitis C.

Tuesday is National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day. State health officials say people can get tested at no charge at several locations across the state. Those locations are listed on the agency’s website.

Officials say as many as 75 percent of those infected with chronic hepatitis C do not know they are infected.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can cause serious liver damage or even death. It’s transmitted when a non-infected person comes into contact with the blood of an infected person and the virus enters the body through a break in the skin.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority is appealing a judge’s order to stop construction on a levee south of Fargo until an environmental review is completed.

U.S. District Judge John Tunheim of Minnesota issued the order last week after opponents of a Red River diversion argued that the dike should not be built until the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources completes its study.

A notice of appeal was filed Tuesday.

A group representing about 20 cities and townships in North Dakota and Minnesota filed a lawsuit in August 2013 against the diversion and added a motion to stop construction of the dike meant to protect structures in Oxbow, Hickson and Bakke.

Those three North Dakota communities are located upstream in an area that would be intentionally flooded in times of high water.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota National Guard will have a female general for the first time in its history.

Col. Giselle “Gigi” Wilz, of Bismarck, is being promoted to brigadier general during a Wednesday afternoon ceremony at the North Dakota Heritage Center.

Wilz has served in the state Guard for 32 years. She enlisted in 1983 as a military police officer with the 191st Military Policy Company.  Throughout her career, she has held various leadership positions, most recently as the Guard’s chief of staff.

She will leave this month for a one-year tour in Bosnia, where she will command NATO forces operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

In sports…

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team next season will face nonconference opponents from the Big 10, Hockey East and the WCHA.

UND competes in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. It unveiled its 2015-16 nonconference opponents on Tuesday.

They include Wisconsin and Michigan State in the Big 10, Vermont and Maine from Hockey East, and WCHA teams Alabama-Huntsville, Bemidji State and Lake Superior State. The series against longtime rival Wisconsin will be in Grand Forks Nov. 6-7.

UND last year made it to the NCAA Frozen Four for the seventh time in 11 seasons under coach Dave Hakstol, who on Monday was named head coach of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers. Longtime UND assistant Brad Berry was named the team’s new head coach.

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – A University of North Dakota committee has narrowed the list of potential nicknames for the school to 63.

The group went through about 1,200 nickname ideas that were approved by a consultant after a month-long campaign to solicit suggestions from the public. The committee plans to release a short list of finalists for another public vote.

State residents voted overwhelmingly in 2012 to dump UND’s “Fighting Sioux” nickname, which had been in place since the 1930s. The NCAA considered it hostile and abusive, and it failed to get the endorsement of one of the state’s two namesake tribes.

The next committee meeting has not been scheduled.

 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – It’s a penalty the New England Patriots won’t be contesting. Owner Robert Kraft says his team will not appeal a $1 million fine and loss of two draft choices levied by the NFL for the Patriots’ role in the use of deflated footballs in the AFC championship game. Kraft says he’s putting the league before his franchise.

 

In world and national news…

DETROIT (AP) – A big recall of air bags is getting even bigger. Air bag maker Takata Corp. has agreed to declare 33.8 million of its inflator mechanisms defective, effectively doubling the number of cars and trucks affected in the U.S. so far. Many of Takata’s air bags can explode with too much force, sending shrapnel into the passenger compartment. The air bags are blamed for six deaths worldwide.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – Hillary Rodham Clinton is pressing the State Department to hurry the release of emails from her days as secretary of state. The Democratic presidential candidate repeated her push to get the emails out shortly after a federal judge rejected the State Department’s proposal to disseminate portions by next January. The judge said the agency must instead conduct a “rolling production” of the records.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) – A California prostitute charged with killing a Google executive with an overdose of heroin aboard his yacht has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and administering drugs. A judge sentenced defendant Alix Tichelman to six years in prison in the death of Forrest Timothy Hayes. She will be credited for nearly a year already served.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – A reunited family of ducks waddled away soon after a city sewer worker rescued 10 ducklings from a storm drain in Dubuque, Iowa. The Dubuque Telegraph Herald says several people called 911 to report seeing a distressed duck. A police officer sent to the scene determined that the ducklings had fallen into the drain. So the sewer workers were called in, and they got the ducklings out.