Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Nov 17

CSi Weather…

Jamestown Area...
...HIGH WIND WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF WEST AND CENTRAL
NORTH DAKOTA WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

.THE HIGH WIND WATCH EAST CENTRAL...FROM THE TURTLE MOUNTAINS
THROUGH THE JAMES RIVER VALLEY...HAS NOW BEEN UPGRADED TO A HIGH
WIND WARNING FOR WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.

VERY STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS GUSTING AROUND 60 MPH WILL DEVELOP
ACROSS WESTERN NORTH DAKOTA WEDNESDAY MORNING...SPREADING THROUGH
THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE DURING THE DAY. VERY STRONG WINDS
ARE FORECAST TO CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY MORNING. WINDS THIS HIGH
WILL MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT AND WORKING OUTDOORS ON ELEVATED
STRUCTURES DANGEROUS.

Valley City Area...
...HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

* WINDS...NORTHWEST 30 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH WILL BE
POSSIBLE. 

* TIMING...LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON INTO THURSDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS
HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH...OR GUSTS OF
58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST
FORECASTS.

.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA, A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA.  LOWS IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY…INCREASING CLOUDS. A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA, 50 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA.
WINDY. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH INCREASING TO
30 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 50 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. WINDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S.
WEST WINDS AROUND 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 60 MPH.
.THURSDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. WINDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S.
NORTHWEST WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 55 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS AROUND 15. NORTHWEST WINDS
15 TO 20 MPH.
.FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE
UPPER 20S. LOWS AROUND 15.
.SUNDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER
30S. LOWS 15 TO 20.
.TUESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 30S.

.THE COLDEST
AIR OF THE SEASON SO FAR COMES UPON US ON THURSDAY AND REMAINS
THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT. BACK INTO THE 40S FOR MOST AREAS BY SUNDAY.
THANKSGIVING WEEK LOOKS TO OFFER NORMAL TO JUST ABOVE NORMAL
TEMPERATURES WITH NO SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION (SNOW) AMOUNTS…AT
LEAST THROUGH FRIDAY.

 

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED:

A Game of Chance Raffle Permit for Valley City Fire Department and Student Nurse Organization.

PUBLIC FORUM:

Lloyd Nelson asked if there will be pay raises for city employees.  City Administrator David Schelkoph said the upcoming raise for employees is a 1.39% increase. Mayor Werkhoven says the city is coming in line with salaries of other city’s employees raises. Nelson pointed out that retirees are not receiving a cost of living increase.  Nelson suggested no pay increases and reduce property taxes by 10 percent.

Bob Drake appeared and asked why he received a letter from the City Administrator informing him that he was taken off the agenda. He said he did not indicate talking about the possiblity of making changes in the city police department.

City Attorney Russell Myhre said that after research he came to the legal conclusion that publicizing the agenda item was not appropriate in advance of the meeting.

Drake said the Commission was just trying to keep him quiet. Myhre suggested Drake retain an attorney. Drake said he plans to bring an attorney to future Commission meetings to speak on his behalf.

Myhre says there is an orderly procedure to bring the issue to the City Commission.

Drake restated that he has the constitutional right to appear.

See prior story on line at CSiNewsNow.com and reported on Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2.

ORDINANCES

The City Commission approved the second and final reading of an Ordinance rezoning from R-1 Single Family District to B-1 Central Business District at Lots 1-2 of Block 34 located in B. W. Benson’s Addition to the City of Valley City, Barnes County, North Dakota. The Commissioners allowed Commissioner Magnuson to vote, having cited a conflict of interest.

Approved the second and final reading of an Ordinance amending the Zoning Use Matrix regarding “Sales or leasing of consumer vehicles including passenger vehicles, motorcycles, light and medium trucks and recreational vehicles” to include B-1 Central Business District. Attorney Myhre the item is a housekeeping measure, due to an oversight. The Commissioners allowed Commissioner Magnuson to vote, having stated a conflict of interest. Commissioner Luke voted opposed.

NEW BUSINESS :

Approved the Eide Bailly contract for the 2016 year. Finance Director Richter said the city is audited on an annual basis.

City Commissioners then approved a Sales Tax Joint Powers Agreement between City of Valley City and Valley City Park District, in conjunction with the Wellness Center funding, and a student fee approved by Valley City State University.

Following a review and discussion, the City Commissioners approved the revised 2015-2017 Engineering Contract with KLJ. From the audience, Bob Drake said the city should put up for bid the hiring of an engineering firm. He said when KLJ and Border States paving work on the same project it amounts to a doubling of costs. The approval passed on a 3-2 voted with commissioners Luke and Werkhoven voting in opposition.

 

The Commissioner approved a $5,000 bid to purchase of city property located at 626 4th Street SW, (Parcel number 63-0342673.) City Administrator Schelkoph there is still specials on the property, and back taxes owed.

CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT INCLUDED:

A change in the agreement with the power supplier, MRES, based on changes in conjunction with other power suppliers.

He noted a rate study is being made public this week, which includes a electric power rate increase.

CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS

KLJ reported that this season’s work on the permanent flood control project is coming to a conclusion. Following the recent public meeting, upcoming options will be reviewed on the project.

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

 

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Community Christmas Tree, donated by Jay Wagner, was cut and removed from the front yard of his home at 1222 7th Avenue, SE in Jamestown on Tuesday morning. Jamestown City Forester, Doug Wiles says the Colorado Blue Spruce tree stands 55 feet tall. It was taken down by Scherbenske’s and hauled by trailer to the west side of the Civic Center for placement by RTS Schering.

The tree will be decorated by a city crew with the assistance of the Jamestown City Fire Department’s ladder truck.

The Jamestown Downtown Association will again be in charge of the City Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 5:15 p.m. outside the Jamestown Civic Center’s west entrance. Please note change of date, so you won’t miss it.

The Jamestown Downtown Association notes that this is truly a city project, with the tree cutting and trimming done by the city street department crew, the moving by Scherbenske Inc and the tree lights and decorations placed by the Jamestown Fire Department.

The lighting ceremony will start at 5:15 p.m., allowing spectators plenty of time to still participate in the parade which begins at 7-pm. After the parade, everyone is invited to Shady’s in the Gladstone Inn where the Choralaires will sing holiday song and coffee and hot chocolate will be served along with cookies, courtesy of Gate City Bank, Shady’s and the Jamestown Downtown Association.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem (STEHN’-juhm) says he will run for governor.

Stenehjem told reporters Tuesday that he will formally announce his gubernatorial bid on Nov. 24 in Grand Forks, Fargo and Bismarck. He plans to make the announcement the following day in Minot and Dickinson.

Stenehjem says he will make the announcement on Nov. 30 in his hometown of Williston.

Stenehjem is a Republican. He is running for the seat being vacated by Gov. Jack Dalrymple.

GOP Rep. Rick Becker, a plastic surgeon in Bismarck, also has announced a bid for governor.

No Democrats have entered the race. Former Agriculture Commissioner Sarah Vogel says she is mulling a run.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A Fargo man accused of stealing a minivan with a 3-year-old boy sleeping in the backseat has been sentenced.

Court records show 33-year-old Ali Hashi has been ordered to spend 38 more days at the Cass County jail after he entered an Alford plea to a theft charge, meaning he didn’t admit guilt but did acknowledge there was enough evidence to convict him.

East Central District Judge John Irby sentenced Hashi to 180 days in jail and gave him credit for 142 days served.

Authorities say the child was sleeping in the van’s backseat when Hashi took it on June 28. The boy’s mother had left the van running while she ran an errand.

Officers later located Hashi, who guided them to the vehicle where the boy was found unharmed.

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The latest on the investigation into the shooting by a Minneapolis police officer of a black man suspected in an assault. The shooting has sparked protests.
Authorities say a black man shot by Minneapolis police during an apparent scuffle has died.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the shooting, said Tuesday that 24-year-old Jamar Oneal Clark died Monday evening. Clark’s family had said he was on life support after the shooting early Sunday morning.
The shooting has sparked protests in Minneapolis, including one Monday night in which more than 50 were arrested after the blocked an interstate highway. Some community members have alleged Clark was handcuffed when he was shot, which police have disputed.
Mayor Betsy Hodges has requested a federal civil rights investigation in addition to the state investigation already underway.

 

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) – A Grand Forks man facing multiple criminal charges in connection with a fatal boat crash has pleaded not guilty.

Thomas Burns was arranged Monday in Devils Lake on one count each of manslaughter and boating under the influence and three counts of reckless endangerment.

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 while traveling at more than 30 mph.

Twenty-six-year-old April Stenger, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, was killed. Three other passengers were injured.

Burns’ attorney declined to comment on the case Tuesday. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A North Dakota man accused of breaking into a woman’s apartment in Bismarck and holding her against her will has been sentenced.

David Johnson, of Bismarck, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison.

South Central Judicial District Judge Bruce Romanick sentenced Johnson immediately after the suspect pleaded guilty to multiple charges including burglary and terrorizing.

Police arrested Johnson in July after they caught him fleeing the woman’s apartment. The woman told authorities that Johnson held a knife to her neck, tied her hands behind her back and threatened to kill her.

Romanick said Johnson’s crimes fall within what is referred to as the “85 percent rule,” meaning that Johnson won’t be eligible for parole until he serves 85 percent of his sentence.

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – An 85-year-old man is facing felony charges after law enforcement authorities in Grand Forks accused him of possessing child pornography.

Court records show Roger Whaley, of Grand Forks, has been charged with 10 counts of certain materials prohibited.

Police in Grand Forks say Whaley was arrested Monday after the department received a tip from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children.

Police say an investigation revealed that the IP address associated with Whaley’s home had been in possession of child pornography, and several law enforcement agencies then executed a search warrant at the residence.

Police say evidence recovered from Whaley’s home led to his arrest. He is being held at the Grand Forks County jail. His court record does not list an attorney who could comment on the case.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The federal Fish and Wildlife Service says more study is needed on how a $175 million wind farm in north-central North Dakota could impact bald eagles.

North Dakota Public Service Commission members signaled approval Tuesday on the 59-tubine, 100 megawatt wind farm proposed near the town of Rolette. The federal Fish and Wildlife Service says there are two bald eagle nests just outside the project’s nearly 15,000-acre footprint.

Fish and Wildlife spokesman Kevin Shelley says he would not put the project “in a low-risk” category when it comes to the danger posed to bald eagles because of the wind farm’s location.

Rolette Power Development says it is attempting to minimize the impact to bald eagles, including working with landowners to remove dead livestock that could attract the protected birds.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The “Sodbuster” sculpture that stood on the corner of Broadway and Main Avenue in downtown Fargo for almost 20 years will be refurbished.

The fiberglass statue of a Great Plains farmer is considered one of the city’s most iconic pieces of public art. It was removed in 2002 because it was damaged by years of weather.

The  Great Plains Art Museum in partnership with the city of Fargo has been awarded a $143,000 grant for the refurbishing project. It’s expected to take up to 3 years.

The sculpture is scheduled to be reinstalled at the proposed new Fargo City Hall civic plaza in 2018.

 

BEULAH, N.D. (AP) – The operator of one of the biggest crew camps in the North Dakota oil patch won’t be moving the housing units to coal country.

Capital Lodge had wanted to move unused temporary units from a site near Tioga to a site near Beulah, to house up to 400 workers who’ll build a urea fertilizer plant in the area.

The proposal sparked objections from some Beulah residents who worried about increased crime, traffic and stress on city services.

City leaders attached a set of conditions to an operating permit.   Capital Lodge CEO Mike Boudreaux says the camp wouldn’t be economically feasible under the conditions.

Boudreaux says the company will instead focus on natural gas development opportunities in Louisiana and move half of its Tioga units there.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The fall harvest is winding down in North Dakota, and producers are gearing up for winter.

The Agriculture Department says in its weekly crop report that the sunflower and corn harvests in the state are wrapping up, at 90 percent and 97 percent complete, respectively. Both are ahead of the average pace.

The report says farmers are wrapping up fall tillage work, and cattle ranchers are hauling hay and preparing livestock for winter.

North Dakota’s winter wheat crop is rated 69 percent in good-to-excellent condition.

Pasture and range conditions statewide are rated 43 percent good to excellent. Stock water supplies are 81 percent adequate to surplus.

 

In world and national news…

PARIS (AP) – France’s defense minister says 10 French fighter jets are carrying out new airstrikes on Islamic State group targets in Syria.

Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says the jets have carried out new raids Tuesday evening. Speaking on TF1 TV, the French defense minister said France will have 36 fighter jets in the region capable of carrying out airstrikes on IS targets once the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier reaches the zone.

The carrier embarks from Toulon on Thursday.

HANNOVER, Germany (AP) – It was an opportunity for German officials — including Chancellor Angela Merkel — to send a message that Germany won’t bow to terrorism. But now, a soccer game they were scheduled to attend has been canceled, and the stadium evacuated. A German news agency (dpa) quotes the police chief in Hannover as saying there was “concrete information” about a bomb threat. Most fans were still waiting outside when the announcement came about an hour and a half before kickoff. The game was supposed to feature the teams from Germany and the Netherlands.

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) – Jeb Bush is making it clearer that his call for the U.S. to give preference to Christians fleeing Syria doesn’t mean he wants to keep out all Muslims. His campaign says the Republican presidential candidate supports accepting women and children regardless of their religion — and doesn’t exclude Syrian Muslims as long as they can be effectively vetted. President Barack Obama had denounced what he called a “shameful” religious test in the refugee policies of some Republican candidates.

BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts State Police say a drunken passenger on a London-to-Boston British Airways flight tried to open an exit door on the plane and was restrained. Police say the incident is not believed to have a link to terror. The flight landed at Boston’s Logan International Airport in early afternoon, and police took the passenger into custody.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Authorities say a black man who was shot by Minneapolis police during an apparent scuffle has died. They say Jamar Clark died yesterday evening. Clark’s family had said he was on life support after the shooting early Sunday morning. The shooting has sparked protests in Minneapolis, including one last night in which more than 50 were arrested after they blocked an interstate highway. Some community members have alleged Clark was handcuffed when he was shot, which police have disputed.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The head of the Secret Service says agents are being disciplined for their efforts to discredit a congressman. Joseph Clancy told members of House and Senate panels today that the conduct of the agents was “inexcusable.” An inspector general found that 40 agents looked into the background of Congressman Jason Chaffetz (CHAY’-fits). The snooping began after the Utah Republican convened a hearing into an alleged drunken driving incident near the White House involving two senior agents.