Subscribe by RSS
CSi Weather…
JAMESTOWN…
HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST THURSDAY…
VALLEY CITY….
HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 PM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO
MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT…
…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM CST
THURSDAY…
Forecast….
REST OF TODAY…PARTLY SUNNY. A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE
AFTERNOON IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA, 20 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA. WINDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 40S. WEST WINDS AROUND
15 MPH INCREASING TO 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 60 MPH IN
THE AFTERNOON.
.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW POSSIBLY
MIXED WITH RAIN AND IN THE EVENING IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA. VERY WINDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER
20S. NORTHWEST WINDS 35 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 60 MPH.
.THURSDAY…DECREASING CLOUDS. WINDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S.
NORTHWEST WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 50 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS AROUND 15. NORTHWEST WINDS
10 TO 20 MPH.
.FRIDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S. NORTHWEST WINDS
10 TO 15 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 10.
.SATURDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 15. HIGHS
IN THE 20S TO UPPER 30S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE
LOWER 20S. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 30S.
.TUESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 30S.
LIGHT FREEZING RAIN IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ACROSS CENTRAL NORTH
DAKOTA WEDNESDAY MORNING. AREAS TO BE IMPACTED INCLUDE
STEELE…RUGBY…NAPOLEON…HARVEY AND ASHLEY. ROADS WILL BECOME
SLICK. USE CAUTION IF TRAVELING AND DO NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL.
THE NEXT COOL DOWN FOR TUESDAY. THE COOLER WEATHER CONTINUES THEN THROUGH THANKSGIVING DAY.
AS FAR AS PRECIPITATION…LITTLE IF ANY THROUGH TUESDAY.
With High winds across the state Wednesday into Thursday with gusts reaching 60 miles per hour, the North Dakota Highway Patrol reminds the motoring public that during inclement weather, high-profile, long-load type, and permitted over-dimensional vehicles have restricted travel. North Dakota law restricts movement for these vehicles when wind or other conditions may cause the vehicle or attachment to swerve, whip, sway, or fail to follow in the path of the towing vehicle.
For more information, visit nd.gov/ndhp or contact the NDHP motor carrier division at 701-328-5128.
Jamestown (CSi) The Stutsman County Commission, Tuesday, unanimously authorized, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer, Casey Bradley to enter into a contract with the Village Business Institute to provide consulting service work with Stutsman County State’s Attorney Fritz Fremgen and his staff. The agreement includes having VBI provide employee-assistance program services to all county employees.
Fremgen will work with a leadership coach from the Village Business Institute in Fargo to correct his management style after an external investigation determined he had created a hostile work environment for his staff.
Commissioners also authorized moving Fremgen’s office to the first floor of the Stutsman County Law Enforcement Center and that all communication between Fremgen and the Stutsman County State’s Attorney Office be channeled through Stutsman County Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Troy LeFevre.
Bradley said the issue of Fremgen allegedly creating a hostile work environment, is a violation of the Stutsman County personnel policy.
Bradley indicated that because Fremgen is an elected official, the county cannot terminate his employment.
He added that the governor’s office could have taken action to remove Fremgen from office if it had been determined his actions with the staff were a crime. Bradley said Fremgen’s conduct didn’t rise to the level of criminal action.
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 Administrators informing him that he was taken off the agenda. He said he did 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 oftime 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.
Jamestown (CSi) Meeting in retreat, Tuesday, at the Gladstone Inn & Suites in Jamestown, the Barnes County North Public School Board discussed future staffing needs, along with the criteria for filling administrative vacancies, the possible reduction of the number of board members and not cutting teaching positions.
Over 23 community members and educators were present with some expressing concern that a discussion on future staffing needs might involve cuts in teaching positions.
School Board President, Lori Carlson said the concerns for funding and future staff needs are a priority, but after looking at the situation it was her contention to keep things the way they are for the following school year and go from there. She suggested making cuts to field trips and other areas to keep staff at present levels.
At the October school board meeting the board approved the school district’s 2015-2016 budget, with more than $4.96 million in projected revenue, with projected expenditures of more than $4.93 million for a projected surplus of about $38,000. The 2016 tax levy will remain the same as 2015 at more than $1.69 million.
Other board members said that proactive communication with faculty and non-teaching staff would help the district be aware of pending retirements or others leaving for other opportunities and assist in early planning and hiring purposes.
The topic of replacing the district superintendent, a high school principal and athletic director focused on the concern that the board would consider combining some of the roles or make them part time. The options discussed ranged from a full-time superintendent and a full-time principal, who might also serve as athletic director.
The board the voted to advertise for a full- or part-time superintendent and full- or part-time high school principal to gather a larger pool of possible applicants who would inquire for more information about the positions. Interested candidates could then determine which options they would like to pursue in one or more of the positions, board members said.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A head-on collision on U.S. Highway 83 killed two people from Underwood and injured a Bismarck man.
The Highway Patrol says a car driven by a 36-year-old Underwood man crossed the median and into oncoming traffic about 6 p.m. Tuesday. The car crashed into a Jeep about 6 miles north of Bismarck.
The man and a 29-year-old female passenger in the car died at the scene. Authorities did not immediately release their names.
The 38-year-old Bismarck man traveling alone in the Jeep was taken to a Bismarck hospital with undisclosed injuries
BURLINGTON, N.D. (AP) – A Burlington resident is battling with city officials over what she says are yard decorations and what the city contends is a public nuisance.
Forty-year-old Marie Currier says decorated pallets are artwork painted by her daughter. But the city cited her under an ordinance prohibiting the accumulation or storage of “trash, rubbish, junk” and other materials.
The case has been moved from municipal court to state court, where Currier has pleaded not guilty to an infraction that carries a possible punishment of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine.
City Attorney Ashleigh Ensrud says the citation is related to the pallets and the condition of Currier’s yard.
Currier says she doesn’t think the city can legally tell her how to decorate her yard.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Gov. Jack Dalrymple is joining several of his counterparts in urging a halt to the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S. until federal security and screening procedures can be reviewed.
Dalrymple says he’s sent a letter to President Barack Obama. He also joined several governors on a call with the White House and officials with multiple federal agencies to relay concerns.
The moves come in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris last week that left at least 129 dead.
Dalrymple said in a statement Tuesday that “ensuring the safety and security of North Dakotans, as well as all Americans, is a top priority for us all.”
Dalrymple said earlier that North Dakota hasn’t received any Syrian refugees and doesn’t expect any will be sent to the state.
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.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A California man working in the North Dakota oil patch has pleaded guilty to robbing banks in Stanley and Minot of about $11,000.
Authorities allege that 59-year-old Gary Thomas, of Murrieta, California, robbed the BNC National Bank in Stanley the morning of Aug. 13 and the Dacotah Bank in Minot that afternoon.
He pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to two counts of bank robbery. He’s to be sentenced Feb. 17.
Thomas told U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland that he robbed the banks because he was “deep in debt,” due to less work because of the oil slowdown, work truck expenses and health problems.
Court documents show that Thomas has previous bank robbery convictions in Arizona.
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.
MINOT, N.D. (AP) – A Minot man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old relative. Justin Wright pleaded guilty in August to a felony charge of gross sexual imposition. A misdemeanor charge of contributing to the deprivation of a minor was dismissed in exchange for his plea.
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.
MINOT, N.D. (AP) – Landowners in northeast Minot are suing the city over paving assessments they claim were improper.
The lawsuit in state district court asks a judge to declare the special assessments invalid and direct new assessments be made.
Individual assessments range from $3,000 to $11,000. Plaintiffs’ attorney Lynn Boughey (BOO’-ee) says the landowners’ taxes are benefiting someone else, which isn’t appropriate or fair. Plaintiffs also say their due process rights were violated because the paving project was expanded without their knowledge.
The city did not comment, and did not immediately file a response to the lawsuit in court.
Boughey declined to say how many landowners are suing.
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.
In sports…
UPDATE…FIGHTING HAWKS
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – University of North Dakota backers have selected Fighting Hawks as the school’s new nickname.
School officials announced the new name Wednesday. University of North Dakota students, staff and alums were eligible to vote.
UND has been without a nickname since 2012, when the state retired the Fighting Sioux moniker after the NCAA deemed it “hostile and abusive.”
A committee considered about 1,200 nickname ideas that were approved by a consultant after a monthlong campaign to solicit suggestions from the public. The group gradually whittled down the list to 15, then seven, and then the final five: Fighting Hawks; Roughriders; Nodaks; Sundogs; and North Stars.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota State University football team remains in the top three of both national polls after a 27-24 win over Youngstown State.
The Bison are No. 3 in the coaches poll and No. 2 in the STATS media poll.
Jacksonville State remains atop both polls.
NDSU can secure at least a share of its fifth straight Missouri Valley Football Conference title with a victory over Missouri State in the regular season finale Saturday at the Fargodome.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
MIAMI (AP) – Andrew Wiggins scored 24 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a triple-double from Miami’s Hassan Whiteside to beat the Heat 103-91 on Tuesday night. Shabazz Muhammad scored 16 for Minnesota. Whiteside had 22 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks for Miami.
Final Washington 115 Milwaukee 86
Final Brooklyn 90 Atlanta 88
Final New York 102 Charlotte 94
Final Detroit 104 Cleveland 99
Final Denver 115 New Orleans 98
Final Golden State 115 Toronto 110
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Evgeni Malkin scored two goals and picked up two assists for his first four-point game in two seasons to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. David Perron and Beau Bennett also scored for Pittsburgh. Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves for the Penguins.
Final Dallas 3 Buffalo 1
Final 2OT Los Angeles 3 Philadelphia 2 (SO Los Angeles 1-0)
Final San Jose 5 Boston 4
Final Columbus 3 St. Louis 1
Final Toronto 5 Colorado 1
Final Nashville 3 Anaheim 2
Final Calgary 3 New Jersey 2
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Bronson Koenig and Ethan Happ scored 17 points apiece to help Wisconsin beat North Dakota 78-64 Tuesday night. Happ also grabbed seven rebounds. Vitto Brown scored 12 points for Wisconsin. The Badgers used a 10-2 run to push their lead to 57-36 with 9:05 left and led by as many as 25.
Minn. Duluth 79, N. Michigan 67
Minn. St.-Moorhead 90, Concordia (Moor.) 82
Bemidji St. 89, Mayville St. 52
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final ( 2) Kentucky 74 ( 5) Duke 63
Final ( 3) Maryland 75 Georgetown 71
Final (13) Michigan St. 79 ( 4) Kansas 73
Final ( 8) Oklahoma 84 Memphis 78
Final Tulsa 77 ( 9) Wichita St. 67
Final (11) Villanova 87 Nebraska 63
Final (18) Notre Dame 86 Milwaukee 78
Final (19) UConn 85 New Hampshire 66
TOP-25 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (21) George Washington 78 American U. 48
Final (22) North Carolina 94 Florida A&M 58
Final Indiana 54 (25) Chattanooga 43
NFL…
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) – A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith has been suspended by the NFL for one calendar year for violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy. Smith was released by the San Francisco 49ers in August after a list of run-ins with the law before landing across the bay with the Raiders. ESPN first reported the suspension, which begins immediately.
Dallas has waived quarterback Brandon Weeden with the possibility of Tony Romo’s return this weekend after missing seven games with a broken collarbone.
MLB…
NEW YORK (AP) – Chicago Cubs skipper Joe Maddon is the National League Manager of the year following a 97-65 season that put the team in the postseason for the first time since 2008. The Cubs finished just three games behind the NL Central-champion Cardinals in their first season under Maddon before knocking off St. Louis in the division series. Cards manager Mike Matheny finished second in the balloting, followed by Terry Collins of the New York Mets.
NEW YORK (AP) – Jeff Banister has been named the American League Manager of the Year after guiding the Texas Rangers to the AL West title in his rookie season. Banister led the Rangers to an 88-74 record and their first division title since 2011 before losing a best-of-5 division series against Toronto. He received 17 of 30 first-place votes and 112 points to beat out Houston’s A.J. Hinch and Minnesota skipper Paul Molitor for the honor.
Brandon Crawford has received a nice contract.
The San Francisco Giants’ Gold Glove-winning shortstop has signed a six-year, $75 million package that runs through the 2021 season. The 28-year-old Crawford went to the All-Star game last summer before capturing Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.
Crawford last season hit .256 with 21 homers and 84 RBIs.
SOCCER…
BRUSSELS (AP) – Yesterday’s soccer friendly between the Netherlands and host Germany was canceled following a suspected threat of a bomb at the stadium. The decision came a day after Belgium’s scheduled soccer friendly with Spain on Tuesday in Brussels was canceled amid safety concerns. However, the International Tennis Federation has decided to go ahead with the Davis Cup final between Belgium and Britain next week despite security concerns following the Paris attacks.
In world and national news…
PARIS (AP) – The police raid and subsequent siege in a Paris suburb is over but a Paris prosecutor says the fate of the suspected mastermind of last week’s attacks is still uncertain. Francois Molins says the police began the raid today after gathering information that suspect, Abdelhamid Abaaoud (ah-dehl-hah-MEED’ ah-bah-OOD’), could be in a safe house apartment in the suburb. Two other suspects died and seven people were arrested.
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) – Two British men are in pre-deportation detention in Hungary after their arrest on a train heading for Romania. Police in Hungary say the men spent time in prison for financing acts of terror, were released in 2009 and were not allowed to leave Britain without permission for 10 years. Police in Britain say the probe is not linked to the Paris attacks.
BEIRUT (AP) – Fear is building among residents of Raqqa, Syria, the de facto capital of Islamic State group militants, as the extremists stiffen their defenses for a possible military assault. International airstrikes have intensified in retaliation for the Paris attacks. Former residents say IS fighters are hiding in civilian neighborhoods and preventing anyone from fleeing. There are signs of a looming ground invasion by Kurdish and Arab forces.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – Jordan’s king says terrorism is “a global war we should fight together as one.” During a visit to Austria, King Abdullah II also says the fight against terror and the migrant crisis are interlinked and must be tackled both by Europe and Mideast nations. He also asks for support for countries like Jordan and Lebanon, which are suffering economically and socially by taking in refugees.
MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping (shee jihn-peeng) is trying to reassure business leaders about his country’s economy as well as Beijing’s efforts on climate change and cleaning up its environment. He spoke to a business conference of regional economic and political leaders today on the sidelines of the APEC summit. He says his government will keep the world’s No. 2 economy growing.
Comments are closed
Sorry, but you cannot leave a comment for this post.