Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Oct 7

CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…INCREASING CLOUDS. A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON IN THE AJAMESTOWN AREA, 50 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S.
SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.
.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING…THEN PARTLY CLOUDY AFTER MIDNIGHT.
NOT AS COOL. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S. SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH
SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST 15 TO 20 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT. CHANCE OF
PRECIPITATION 40 PERCENT IN THEE JAMESTOWN AREA, 50 PERCENT IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA.
.THURSDAY…DECREASING CLOUDS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 15 TO 20 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 30S. WEST
WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.FRIDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S. SOUTHWEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER
40S. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S TO LOWER 80S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 50S.
HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS. LOWS AROUND 50.
.COLUMBUS DAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S.
.MONDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S.
.TUESDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S.

THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE TODAY AND THIS EVENING. WHILE THE
 THREAT FOR SEVERE WEATHER IS LOW…ISOLATED STRONGER STORMS WILL
 BE POSSIBLE. THE MAIN THREAT WITH ANY STRONGER STORM WILL BE HAIL
 AND GUSTY WINDS.

LaMoure (CSi) The LaMoure Couny Sheriff’s Office reports that  25 year Cody Lee Gawryluk, of Bismarck, was apprehended  without incident Tuesday morning, in LaMoure, and was taken into custody of the LaMoure County Sheriff’s Department.

LaMoure County Sheriff Robert Fernandes said Gawryluck,, was apprehended at 9:45 a.m. in an apartment in LaMoure, in conjunction with LaMoure Police Department and Dickey County Sheriff’s Department. Gawryluk was the subject of a manhunt that started Sunday afternoon.  A county-wide search extended into Dickey County.

On Monday the North Dakota Highway Patrol joined the search with troopers and an airplane. About 15 law enforcement officers were involved with the search for Gawryluk.

Searchers looked in the Oakes area Monday until the search was called off on Monday evening.

Fernandes says Gawryluk was taken to CHI Oakes Hospital as Gawryluk indicate that  he was in pain. Fernandes said Gawryluk had a wound on his right shin, but not  a major injury. Gawryluk was treated then transported to Barnes County Correctional Facility.

According to reports, Gawryluk was originally wanted on several charges out of Burleigh County including Felon with Firearms, Breaking into A Vehicle, Burglary, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with Intent To Distribute.

The  LaMoure County state’s attorney will determine any charges they may be  brought against Gawryluk in this case.

While Gawryluk was at-large Monday the LaMoure School went into lockdown between 12:20-p.m., and 2:30-p.m., when law enforcement gave school officials the all-clear.

Jamestown (CSi) The Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance for information in three ongoing cases involving pets.

The animals were shot near their owners’ homes in the Ypsilanti and Montpelier areas.

Stutsman County Sheriff detective, Jason Falk says four pets, two dogs and two cats were shotsin August and September.

On August 9th , two Pyrenees dogs, Gracie and Georgia Rose, were shot in the yard of their owners, the Robert and Myra Olson family. Gracie was shot by a .22-caliber rifle and Georgia was shot three times by a shotgun. Both dogs continue to recover from their wounds.

On August 26, Falk Michael Keyes arrived at his Ypsilanti-area home around 5:30 p.m. and found his cat dead. Falk said the cat had been shot in the head by a small-caliber weapon.

On September 7^th Jenny Olson found her cat shot in the stomach in the yard of her Ypsilanti home. He said she took the cat, which was wearing a collar, to a veterinarian, but the animal died the next day.

Falk says there may be additional pet shootings.

Anyone with information on these or any other unreported pet shootings in the Ypsilanti-Montpelier area to call him at the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office at 701- 251-6200.

Jamestown (CSi) The Stutsman County Commission has unanimously approved the 2016 budget, with a total expenditures of $27.1 million up from $23.3 million in 2015.

Total revenues for 2016 are projected at $26.8 million, up from $23 million in 2015. Most of the increase comes from $3.3 million in highway aid, $341,198 in new tax revenue and $200,000 in wind generation tax.

The commission approved setting the 2015 property tax mill levy at 98.11 mills, down 9.81 mills from 107.92 mills in 2014. Even with the drop in property taxes, the county will receive $408,881 more in property tax revenues than it did in 2014.

There is a $298,801 deficit between 2016 expenditures and revenues which will be made up through fund balances.

For a home with a value of $175,000, the taxable value is $7,875. For 2015 that home will have a property tax bill of $679, down from $747 in 2014.

Road projects totaling $3.5 million are the primary cause of the Stutsman County 2016 budget expenditures increasing 16 percent over the 2015 budget.

Stutsman County Auditor/COO, Casey Bradley also pointed out that there are also increases in total salaries and health insurance costs.

County Commissioner Dave Schwartz, said the $3.5 million for road projects will cover the cost of three major projects in 2016.

Those include, County Road 38 from Ypsilanti to N.D. Highway 62 to receive an asphalt overlay. The bridge on County Road 63 just south of Ypsilanti will be replaced. The road to Montpelier, 49th Street Southeast, 7 miles between U.S. Highway 281 to Montpelier, will also receive an asphalt overlay.

Schwartz pointed out that these projects will be funded through a bill approved by the state Legislature this year that provided $1.1 billion to local governments, mainly local governments directly affected by the Oil Patch.

In other business, the County Commission unanimously approved a contract with Klein McCarthy & Co. to conduct an analysis of the Stutsman County Correctional Center to determine if the correctional center should be added onto, or should a new facility be built.

Jamestown (CSi) Following the vote canvass, at the Jamestown Public School Board meeting, Monday evening, the $19 million Jamestown Public School’s referendum special election vote is official.

Stutsman County Auditor and Chief Operating Officer Casey Bradley presented four rejected ballots to the school board for review. Two were rejected and two were accepted by an 8-0 board vote, during the Monday evening school board meeting.

One ballot was left in a voting booth, issued to the voter, who voted “yes,” but didn’t put the ballot in the box. The auditor’s recommendation was for the board to accept the ballot.

A second ballot was rejected for having both a “yes” and “no” vote check, Bradley said. The auditor’s office recommended the board reject the ballot.

An absentee ballot that was a “yes” vote but received a day after the election had a postmark prior to September 29, 2015. The auditor’s office recommended that the board accept the vote as legitimate.

A second absentee ballot was received on October 1, 2015, without a postmark. The auditor recommended the board reject the ballot.

The board approved or rejected the ballots according to the recommendations of the auditor.

Board member Greg Allen was not present for the vote on the ballots but was present for the rest of the meeting.

The result of two accepted ballots put the total number of ballots at 1,953, with 1,140 yes votes, and 813 no votes.

The percentage split becomes 58.37 percent and still short of the 60 percent needed to pass and not within the 0.25 percent of 1 percent to trigger an automatic recount.

The board approved a certificate of levy as it stood prior to the referendum that was voted down in the special election.

The approved preliminary budget for the 2015-2016 school year does not include anything from the referendum.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC). Executive Committee on a 5-0 vote with Mayor Andersen not present, recommends the JSDC Board of Directors implement a new workforce housing needs study.

Jamestown businesses will be contacted to determine a need for workforce housing.

JSDC CEO, Connie Ova will work with the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce to send a survey on workforce housing needs to Jamestown area businesses. Committee members are interested in what kind of shape the local housing market is in since CHS announced August 12^th this year, that it would not build a $3 billion nitrogen fertilizer processing plant near Spiritwood.

JSDC Board member, Lorrie Pavilcek, said the survey should include real estate agents and builders as they are the people and businesses seeing what is happening with the housing market in Jamestown.

Executive Committee President, Bob Toso, said there are plenty of jobs available in Jamestown and Stutsman County, but most pay in the $10 to $15 an hour range.

Stutsman County Commission representative, Mark Klose added, that before committing to another study on housing, the JSDC needs to determine what it wants out of this study.

In other business, the Executive Committee requested Connie Ova to bring a recommendation to the next JSDC Board of Directors meeting on how to proceed with updating the JSDC’s strategic plan. She said some initial work has been done on updating the plan by staff and a subcommittee, but JSDC Board needs to decide how it wants to proceed.

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. Commissioner Pedersen was not present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS

Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $2,294,253.07.

Game of Chance Raffle Permit for VCSU Conservation & Wildlife Club, Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals, VC Chamber of Commerce, CHI Mercy Health Foundation, HHC 231 BSB ND National Guard and American Fisheries Society Sub Unit.

PUBLIC FORUM

An individual asked about the siren usage on emergency vehicles, saying he was almost into a traffic accident with a police unit, at an unmarked intersection at about 1:30-p.m., last Thursday.

He said the police unit had the right of way.

Chief Thompson said the unit was responding to a medical emergency, and video showed the officers response was within the police policy, using the siren in intersections, and the North Dakota Century Code.

He said the police units use sirens intermittently, at the officer’s discretion.

The City Commission, previously said that the emergency units should use lights and sirens from 6-a.m. to 1-a.m.

ORDINANCES

Approve second and final reading of AN Ordinance adopting the 2016 City Budget.

City Auditor Richter said the General Fund levy is $1,258,100. The levy is 83.87 mills with no mill increase at one mill at $15,000.

PUBLIC HEARING

NEW BUSINESS

A Public Hearing was held, Regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Water Main Improvement District No. 96. Auditor Richter explained the $1.2 million project is special assessed at $353,750 to those properties benefiting.

Following the hearing the City Commission approved the Special Assessments as Recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for Water Main Improvement District No. 96.

City Forester Willis Wagar prsented the 2015 Tree Report. He said this past summer 100 diseased elms were removed in Valley City. Trees in the city have been assessed for failure.

He noted some trees lost leaves early this year due to “leaf blight.’ He said those leave should be cleaned up immediately to lessen the chance of spread the blight.

He filed the complete report with the City Commission.

The Commissioners approved options through NDDOT for the Rosebud Parking Lot, and approve applying for the NDDOT SRF grant.

Approved a property tax exemption for improvements to a residential building. Assessor Hansen said the house is in below normal condition.

Considered Ren Zone proposed map dated September 18, 2015 map, for submittal to the ND State Community Services Division for approval. Jim Knudson, Chair/City Administrator, said 10 additional blocks are included in the new map, for state approval.

The City Commission approved the map.

City Commissioners approved the Post Office parking lot as a site for EPA Storm water technical grant project. Commissioner Luke said three options will be offered, with city input.

The City Commission approved a Gaming Site Authorization renewal for the Valley City Eagles Aerie 2192 at Captain’s Pub.

CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS

City Building Inspector Dave Andersen reported on house demolitions, including a flood damaged home from two years ago, where a new house will be built.

He added other demolition include near the Rainbow Bridge.

Tree and stump removal continues in the city.

He added that unlicensed vehicle storage complaints have been investigated.

Fire Chief Retterath reminded that this is Fire Prevention Week. He said that smoke detectors need to be installed, and batteries charged.

He noted that VCSU students have repainted fire hydrants.

Commissioner Nielson pointed out that Wednesday is Walk To School Day in Valley City.

Mayor Werkhoven pointed out that Devil Lake had four-tenths of a foot to drop to reach the freeze up level.

KLJ updated progress on College Street and Viking Drive with the permanent flood control project.

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

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A former husband and wife in Bismarck who are accused of assaulting the husband’s alleged mistress have each pleaded not guilty to a felony aggravated assault charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
 
     Joshua and Bethany Evans both initially faced a more serious assault charge that carried a maximum sentence of 10 years. But Judge Bruce Romanick amended the charge, saying there’s insufficient evidence that the 28-year-old woman who was assaulted suffered a permanent injury.
 
     Romanick left the door open for prosecutors to bring the higher-level offense at a future date, if evidence of permanent injury develops.
 
     Joshua and Bethany Evans were married at the time of the alleged assault but have since divorced. They’re to stand trial in January.
 

 MINOT, N.D. (AP) – A California man who admitted his role in a conspiracy to kill a Minot man has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
 
     Thirty-six-year-old James Robinson was among four men accused of traveling to Minot in July 2013 with plans to kill another man, in an incident authorities said involved members of a California gang.
 
     Investigators say the man who was shot was apparently not the intended target because the suspects had received an incorrect address. Christopher Docher was shot twice in the neck but survived.
 
     Robinson last month pleaded guilty to a murder conspiracy charge and prosecutors dropped an attempted murder charge. He was sentenced Tuesday, and given credit for more than a year he’s already spent behind bars. He was ordered to pay more than $131,000 in restitution.

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Human Resources Management Services is investigating the state Transportation Department’s Motor Vehicle Division, after former employees characterized the work environment as stressful and hostile.
 
     The  probe stems from a dispute between an employee and supervisor earlier this year.
 
     An internal DOT investigation said staff indicated instances of harassment “did not generally exist” but that “morale was low.”
 
     DOT Deputy Director Darcy Rosendahl says the department requested the independent probe and will “wait to see what comes out in the end.” He declined further comment.
 
     Human Resources Management Services Director Ken Purdy says there is no timetable for the investigation by that agency.

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A man is being treated for injuries at a North Dakota hospital after he got pinned between his sport utility vehicle and a parked car in a parking lot. The incident happened when the man’s SUV rolled about in the parking lot of the Fargo Veterans Affairs hospital. Fargo Fire Department Battalion Chief Craig Nelson says the man was conscious before emergency personnel took him to the hospital for treatment. The man’s identity was not immediately released.

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A pastor is leaving his post at a Fargo church due to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June to legalize same-sex marriages nationwide.
 
     The Rev. Steve Berntson formerly of Jamestown, now of Messiah Lutheran Church said Tuesday that the high court’s decision prompted his resignation.  Evangelical Lutheran Church in America policy doesn’t require him to perform same-sex marriages, but he said he could see the church eventually endorsing such unions.
 
     Berntson said he sees same-sex marriage as a violation of God’s word and that many members of his congregation agree with him.
 
     His resignation is effective Oct. 25.

  DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) – A 54-year-old Grand Forks man facing criminal charges in a fatal boat crash has pleaded not guilty.
 
  Thomas Burns entered his plea in writing Tuesday and did not appear in court.
 
     Authorities allege Burns was intoxicated on Aug. 9 when a boat he was driving on Devils Lake struck a tree about 30 yards from shore. He is charged with felony manslaughter, felony reckless endangerment and boating under the influence.
 
     Twenty-six-year-old April Stenger, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was killed. Three other passengers were injured.
 
     Burns is free on bail. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.
 
     Burns’ attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the case.

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The owner and manager of a skate shop in Bismarck will not see jail time for operating a business where synthetic drugs were sold.
 
     A judge on Tuesday sentenced Discontent owner Thomas Teply, of Moorhead, Minnesota, to four years of supervised probation and a $25,000 fine. Manager Steven Johnson, of Bismarck, got two years of supervised probation.
 
     A jury in July convicted the two men of various counts related to the sale and possession of synthetic drugs and paraphernalia. Both had testified in their own defense, saying they did not knowingly sell controlled substances.
 
     Bismarck police busted the business in June 2012. Authorities also initially charged eight store clerks but dropped the charges after the clerks agreed to cooperate with investigators.
 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s taxable sales and purchases dropped more than 16 percent during April, May and June when compared to the same three months a year ago. The Tax Department says the state recorded $5.9 billion in taxable sales and purchases during the second quarter, compared to about $7 billion in second quarter 2014.

 WATFORD CITY, N.D. (AP) – Member of the public are getting a change to weigh in on a proposal to convert a crude oil gathering pipeline in northwestern North Dakota into a transmission line.
 
     The state Public Service Commission scheduled a public hearing in Watford City on Wednesday on the application by Hiland Crude LLC.
 
     Regulators say the company wants to convert the 4.5-mile-long Alexander Tank Farm Crude Oil Pipeline and associated facilities in McKenzie County. The pipeline is an extension of the Market Center pipeline system, which has been approved for conversion to a transmission pipeline.
 
     Public service commissioners will make a final decision later.
 

In sports…

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Pheasant hunters in North Dakota enjoyed a banner year in 2014.
 
     Statistics released by the state Game and Fish Department show that about 587,000 roosters were harvested last year, up 31 percent from 2013. There were 78,000 licensed hunters, up about 2 percent from the year before.
 
     Hettinger County had the highest percentage of birds taken by resident hunters at 11.2 percent, followed by Morton and McLean at 7.5, Burleigh at 6.3, and Divide at 4.9. Top counties for nonresident hunters were Hettinger at 25.7 percent, Bowman at 11, Emmons at 6.3, Divide at 5.6, and Adams at 3.9.
 
     Wildlife officials say two straight years of mild winters and good weather during nesting season increased the number of pheasants.
 
     Annual pheasant statistics are determined by a mail survey of hunters.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team is ranked No. 4 in the first USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll of the season.

UND also was ranked No. 4 in the USCHO.com preseason poll released last week.

Boston College is first in both polls.

UND has 16 returning letterwinners from last year’s team that made it to the NCAA Frozen Four before losing to Boston University in the semifinals.

UND defeated Manitoba 8-3 in an exhibition game over the weekend and opens the regular season this coming weekend at the Ice Breaker Tournament in Portland, Maine.

PREP VOLLEYBALL
     Beulah def. Richardton-Taylor, 25-13, 25-9, 25-18
     Bismarck Century def. Minot, 25-7, 25-6, 25-5
     Bottineau def. Sawyer, 27-29, 25-13, 25-17, 25-15
     Carrington def. Barnes County North, 3-0
     Center-Stanton def. Wilton-Wing, 25-13, 25-22, 25-16
     Des Lacs-Burlington def. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 25-20, 25-8, 25-13
     Dickinson Trinity def. New England, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18
     Drake/Anamoose def. Westhope-Newburg, 25-11, 25-14, 25-20
     Drayton/Valley-Edinburg def. Griggs County Central, 25-22, 25-23, 15-25, 19-25, 15-13
     Ellendale def. Litchville-Marion/Montpelier, 25-21, 25-12, 25-13
     Fargo Davies def. Wahpeton, 25-10, 25-16, 25-9
     Fargo Oak Grove Lutheran def. Milnor-North Sargent, 25-10, 25-6, 25-6
     Fargo Shanley def. Grand Forks Central, 25-14, 25-13, 25-16
     Flasher def. McIntosh, S.D., 25-15, 25-20, 16-25, 25-8
     Glen Ullin-Hebron def. Bowman County, 25-15, 25-13, 25-20
     Grand Forks Red River def. Fargo North, 25-23, 25-17, 12-25, 25-20
     Hankinson def. Richland, 25-11, 25-23, 15-25, 25-16
     Harvey-Wells County def. Benson County, 20-25, 25-11, 25-21, 20-25, 15-2
     Hazen def. Mott-Regent, 25-13, 25-23, 25-16
     Heart River def. Killdeer, 25-21, 25-22, 25-18
     Hettinger/Scranton def. Beach, 25-15, 25-20, 25-19
     Jamestown def. Bismarck High, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21
     Kidder County def. Strasburg-Zeeland, 3-0
     LaMoure def. Edgeley-Kulm, 3-0
     Langdon-Munich def. Rolla, 3-0
     Larimore def. Midway, 25-19, 25-15, 25-16
     Lisbon def. Sargent Central, 25-21, 25-11, 25-20
     Mandan def. Bismarck Legacy, 17-25, 25-23, 25-20, 22-25, 18-16
     May Port CG def. Grafton/St. Thomas, 25-19, 25-19, 14-25, 25-22
     Medina-Pingree-Buchanan def. Napoleon, 3-1
     Minot Bishop Ryan def. Glenburn, 27-25, 25-19, 25-11
     Minot Our Redeemer’s def. Lewis and Clark, 25-12, 25-9, 25-7
     Moorhead, Minn. def. Fargo South, 21-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-16
     New Rockford-Sheyenne def. Lakota/Edmore, 25-16, 11-25, 25-20, 25-18
     New Salem-Almont def. Grant County, 25-27, 25-15, 25-16, 8-25, 17-15
     North Border def. Cavalier, 3-0
     North Star def. St. John, 25-5, 25-11, 25-9
     Northern Cass def. Fairmount-Campbell-Tintah, 3-0
     Oakes def. Midkota-Kensal, 3-0
     Park River/Fordville Lankin def. Hillsboro/Central Valley, 3-0
     Parshall def. New Town, 25-23, 25-15, 25-20
     Rugby def. Velva, 25-11, 25-15, 25-15
     Sheyenne def. Valley City, 25-14, 25-16, 25-13
     South Border def. Linton-HMB, 3-0
     Thompson def. Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 19-25, 15-10
     Trenton def. Tioga, 25-4, 25-17, 25-17
     Underwood def. Washburn, 25-13, 23-25, 25-9, 25-19
     Wyndmere-Lidgerwood def. Maple Valley, 3-1

AMERICAN  LEAGUE WILD CARD…

 NEW YORK (AP) – It will be the Houston Astros against the Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series.
 
     The Astros have advanced by knocking off the New York Yankees 3-0 in the wild card game in the Bronx. Dallas Keuchel (KY’-kuhl) worked six shutout innings and the Astros hit a pair of solo homers in their first postseason victory since Game 7 of the National League Championship Series.
 
     Keuchel was in command most of the night despite pitching on three days’ rest. The 20-game winner gave up just three singles and a walk while fanning seven. He got into trouble just once, when he put runners on first and second with two out in the sixth before getting Alex Rodriguez to hit a soft fly ball to center field.
 
     Keuchel never gave up a run in 22 innings against the Bombers this season. He allowed just nine hits and a walk in 16 innings during his two starts versus the Yanks in the regular season.
 
     Colby Rasmus put the Astros ahead to stay with a second-inning homer before Carlos Gomez went deep off starter Masahiro Tanaka (mah-sah-HEE’-roh tah-NAH’-kah) in the fourth. Tanaka allowed two other hits in his five innings of work, but the Yankees couldn’t touch Houston’s bullpen.
 
     Jose Altuve (al-TOO’-vah) made it 3-0 with an RBI single off Dellin Betances (beh-TAN’-sehs) in the seventh.
 
     Houston relievers Tony Sipp, Will Harris and Luke Gregerson each tossed a hitless inning, with Gregerson striking out two before getting Brian McCann to hit a weak grounder to end the game.
 
     The Astros will open their division series Thursday in Kansas City, where Yordano Ventura will start for the Royals.
 
     The National League wild card game is tonight in Pittsburgh with the Pirates taking on the Cubs. It’ll be a great pitching matchup as 22-game winner Jake Arrieta (ehr-ee-ET’-uh) gets the ball for the Cubs against 19-game winner Gerrit Cole.  
 
  The Dodgers have set their pitching rotation for the first three games of their best-of-five NL playoff series against the Mets.
 
     Clayton Kershaw will start Game 1 on Friday at Dodger Stadium against Jacob deGrom. Zack Greinke (GREHN’-kee) will take the mound for Game 2 on Saturday against Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard, followed by left-hander Brett Anderson against Matt Harvey in Game 3 back in New York on Monday.
 
       NATIONAL  BASKETBALL  ASSOCIATION  PRESEASON
 
   Final    Washington    129    Philadelphia      95
   Final    Indiana          115    Detroit              112
   Final    Memphis            92    Houston                89
   Final    Chicago          105    Milwaukee            95
   Final    Denver              96    Dallas                  86

 WNBA…

 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Sylvia Fowles had 21 points and nine rebounds and the Minnesota Lynx evened the best-of-five WNBA Finals at one game apiece with a 77-71 victory over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night. Fowles made 10 of 13 shots. Briann January scored 17 points for the Fever. Game 3 is Friday night in Indianapolis.

NFL…

 EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Vikings have traded linebacker Gerald Hodges to the San Francisco 49ers for rookie center Nick Easton and a sixth-round draft pick. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman announced the deal Tuesday. Hodges was the starter this season at middle linebacker in the base defense. Rookie Eric Kendricks replaced him in the nickel package.

Chicago Bears center Will Montgomery will miss the remainder of the season because of a broken left fibula. The team placed Montgomery on injured reserve. He broke his leg early in Sunday’s 22-20 win over the Oakland Raiders.
 

GOPHERS…
 
     MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Coach Jerry Kill is keeping his decision on his starting quarterback private as the Minnesota Gophers prepare for an important game at Purdue on Saturday. Kill has declined to say who would start at quarterback after junior Mitch Leidner was pulled in the second half in favor of freshman Demry Croft in Minnesota’s 27-0 loss at Northwestern last week.

In world and national news…

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – More people are being forced from their homes by the threat of flooding in South Carolina. Authorities are telling people living near a weakened dam in the Columbia area to leave immediately. They say the dam could breach at any time. Authorities worked overnight to try to stabilize the dam after a sinkhole formed nearby. Meanwhile, rescue crews are searching for two people who are missing after their pickup truck entered flood water. Authorities say the driver went around barricades that had been set up to block traffic.
 
     CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) – One expert on Russia’s nuclear arsenal says it’s “especially terrifying” to learn that “real smugglers” of nuclear material are “apparently making connections with real buyers.” Matthew Bunn, a Harvard professor, is reacting to an Associated Press story revealing that authorities in Eastern Europe have interrupted four attempts in the past five years to sell radioactive material to Middle Eastern extremists. The attempts were made by gangs suspected of having Russian connections. Investigators say they’re behind a thriving black market in nuclear materials in Moldova. 
 
     BEIRUT (AP) – A Syrian official says Syrian troops — with the help of Russian airstrikes — have launched a ground offensive against insurgents in central Syria. It comes a week after Russia began the airstrikes against foes of Syrian President Bashar Assad — reportedly including some rebel groups backed by the United States and its allies.
 
     UNDATED (AP) – Just a few years ago, prosecutors were labeling them as dangers to the community. Now, they are among the thousands of federal prisoners who have been cleared for early release starting this fall, benefiting from new sentencing guidelines. Many of the people who’ll be let out of prison were just small-time drug dealers. But an Associated Press review of about 100 court cases finds one inmate who was described three years ago as a “calamity waiting to happen.” Another was caught with crack and guns while awaiting sentencing.
 
     NEW YORK (AP) – Stocks are set for a strong open this morning, after taking a breather yesterday from five days of gains. Wall Street futures have been higher, along with global markets. And oil prices are extending their rebound. Investors haven’t been rattled by the International Monetary Fund’s estimate that global growth this year will be at its lowest level since the 2009 recession.