Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Dec 15

CSi Weather…

…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM TUESDAY EVENING TO
MIDNIGHT CST WEDNESDAY NIGHT…IN THE VALLEY CITY…

6-P.M. TUESDAY TO  6-P.M. WEDNESDAY IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA.

SOME FREEZING DRIZZLE THROUGH THIS EVENING. SNOW WILL DEVELOP SHORTLY AFTER SUNSET AND BECOME HEAVY
AT TIMES OVERNIGHT. LIGHT SNOW WILL CONTINUE AT TIMES WEDNESDAY
WITH BLOWING SNOW IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL RATES WILL OCCUR
BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM WEDNESDAY.

TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 7 INCHES
ARE EXPECTED, IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA.

WINDS / VISIBILITIES…LOOK FOR SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN
VISIBILITY AT TIMES IN HEAVIER SNOW BANDS TONIGHT AND BLOWING
SNOW WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

PLAN ON DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS…INCLUDING
DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE ON WEDNESDAY.

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL…KEEP AN EXTRA
FLASHLIGHT…FOOD…AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY. THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS FOR THE STATE YOU ARE
CALLING FROM CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5 1 1.

Jamestown Area…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BISMARCK HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM CST /5
PM MST/ TUESDAY EVENING TO 6 PM CST /5 PM MST/ WEDNESDAY. THE WINTER

* SNOW TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

* SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY ARE POSSIBLE.

 TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 9 INCHES AND ICE ACCUMULATIONS
OF A GLAZE ARE EXPECTED.

DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS EXPECTED.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

Forecast…

TONIGHT…SNOW. SNOW MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES AFTER MIDNIGHT. SNOW
ACCUMULATION AROUND 5-6 INCHES. LOWS 15 TO 20. NORTH WINDS 15 TO
20 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY…SNOW…BREEZY. SNOW ACCUMULATION AROUND 2 INCHES.
STORM TOTAL AROUND 6- 8 INCHES.. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 20 TO 25 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE
EVENING. BREEZY. LOWS AROUND 15. NORTHWEST WINDS 20 TO 25 MPH.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 15 TO 20. NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO
20 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS ZERO TO 5 ABOVE. NORTHWEST
WINDS AROUND 15 MPH.
.FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS AROUND 10. LOWS
NEAR ZERO.
.SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S.
LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.
.MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 15 TO 20.
.TUESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS
IN THE UPPER 20S.

 

Jamestown (CSi) The city of Jamestown’s full snow removal program will begin at 5 a.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2015, which is dependent on changing weather conditions and snow accumulation totals.

Snow removal in residential areas will begin at approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday. City crews will begin snow removal in the downtown area at about 11 p.m. Wednesday and continue during the night.

Downtown merchants and all public/private schools are asked to have their sidewalks shoveled by 9 p.m. Wednesday. Snow should be pushed directly into the street. Do not create piles of snow.

 

Update…

Valley City (CSi) The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports that the male occupant of a vehicle  was seriously injured after he lost control of the SUV he was driving in the westbound lane of Interstate 94 about 1:40-pm, Tuesday afternoon.

The Envoy driven by  31 year old Jusufu Hargrave, of Jamestown was westbound at 75 miles per hour while using cruise control.  The road surface was wet with the temperature below freezing.   Hargrave changed lanes to drive around two semis.  While crossing an icy overpass, Hargrave braked to avoid a truck that weaved onto his lane.  The Envoy began to slide. Hargrave drove into the median and lost control of the vehicle. The Envoy crossed the median, both eastbound lanes and entered the south ditch.  The vehicle rolled through the south ditch, a fence and across a frontage road before coming to rest on its top in a vacant lot in Valley City.

Hargrave suffered serious injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Valley City, then transferred to a Fargo hospital.

The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol.

The petition was in regard to putting a question on a ballot, asking voters if they wanted to put the Valley City Police Department, after disbanding it, under administrative control of the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office.

City Administrator David Schelkoph says after exhaustive legal research with city staff members, they have rejected the proposed petition for signature circulation.

Schelkoph says the petitioners can choose to rewrite the document to conform to all legal requirements and clarifications.

If the petition is approved, the sponsoring committee would need to get the necessary signatures before the city could approve it and place it on a future ballot.

Once on the ballot, voters would have to approve or disapprove a city ordinance.

 

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

Recognition of Eagle Scouts, Mickey Meester, and Lucas Jury.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED:

A Game of Chance Raffle Permit for American Legion Auxiliary, ND Chapter of Delta Waterfowl, Inc.

Liquor License Renewal for Main Street Off Sale,

Slaughterhouse Renewal License for Valley Meats.

Tree Trimming License Renewal for Belling Tree Service, Ross’ Tree Service and Ground to Sky.

Mobile Home Park Renewal for Viking Drive Estates and Plecity Mobile Home Park.

And all license renewals received before January 1, 2016.

 

PUBLIC FORUM No one spoke

ORDINANCES

The City Commission voted 4-0 to approve the second and final reading of an Ordinance an ordinance amending the City Zoning Ordinance Zoning Matrix allowing “assembly from previously prepared or manufactured products, including food, plastic, electronics and metal products including sub-assemblies” in a B-2 District (Highway Business District).

Opposition came from the audience saying more industrial opportunities will arise, citing expansion of Pizza Corner, and pointing to an increase in property taxes.

Commissioner Magnuson said the city intends to limit the effects on residential areas.

He added that any zone changes would require a public hearing.

Valley City/ Barnes County Economic Development Director, Jennifer Feist said the thrust of the Ordinance is to allow assembly in a B-2 zone.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioners reviewed and considered the 2016 Housing Incentive program for City of Valley City.  Commissioners then unanimously approved the program.

Considered placing a moratorium on the Service Retail Image Enhancement Grant funding for 2016. Visitor’s Committee’s George Gaukler said, it’s intended to enhance the historic value of downtownValley City. The City Commission voted to approve the moratorium.

Considered approving property tax exemption for improvements to a residential building. Assessor Hansen explained the location saying improvements will double the value of the structure. She also explained how the program works. City Commissioners voted to approve.

City Commissioners approved a Gaming Site Authorization for the ND Chapter of Delta Waterfowl Inc. at the Eagles Club on February 20, 2016.

The Police Department Third Quarter report review was given by Police Chief Thompson, with stats for the quarter.  He sees no major trends in crime during the time period.

Approved an Urban Roads & Urban Regional project requests for FY 2017-2020, as explained by KLJ concerning planned projects and revisions from the original plans.

Approved a Renaissance Zone application for Fred & Betty Jorissen for a 5 year exemption on property tax not to exceed $250,000 and 5 year exemption on income tax for a new residential purchase, and designate it as VC-88.

Also approved was a Renaissance Zone application for Michael & Debbie Kohler for a 5 year exemption on property tax not to exceed $250,000 and 5 year exemption on income tax for a new residential purchase, and designate it as VC-89.

Both applications were recommended by the Renaissance Zone, Committee.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR SCHELKOPH’S REPORT

He said at the January 5^th Finance Committee meeting the 2016 budget will be presented.

He added that MRES is planning a rate increase which will be addressed by the city.

 

CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS

City Building Inspector, Dave Andersen noted that five house have been demolished.

He reminded residents that snow is required to be removed from sidewalks with 24 hours of a snowfall.

Fire Chief Retterath restated fire safety during the holidays.

Police Chief Thompson said nine applications have been received for an officer position.

He reminded motorists to slow down during slippery driving conditions.

Commissioner Nielson note the Courthouse Carol Sing planned for Tuesday evening was cancelled due to the impending storm.

It was noted that in January a series of public meetings will be held in January, to address permanent flood control.

Mayor Werkhoven reminded residents to remove vehicles to allow efficient snow removal.

He said the city was able to hold the line on taxes, as reflected in the recent property tax statements.

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

 

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown city officials say that the Sales Tax Division of the North Dakota State Tax Department has notified the City Administrator’s Office that the 1% City Sales Tax for the construction of Phase 1 of the TRAC Facility as approved by city voters earlier this year will be effective April 1, 2016, rather than January 1, 2016 as provided in the ordinance adopted by the City Council in September of 2015.

Communications with the Tax Department last week revealed that no one at the Tax Department recalled receiving the letter and enclosed ordinance mailed by the City to the tax department on September 22, 2015. The state tax department’s deadline for increasing or lowering a local sales tax effective January 1, 2016 was September 30, 2015.

 

 

Bismarck (CSi) The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission reports that boardings at Jamestown Regional Airport continue to climb.

The report says, in November this year  boardings were at 763 compared to 656 in November of 2014, an increase of 107 passengers, or 16.31%

 

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Salvation Army as of Tuesday was still 30 percent behind attaining this year’s goal of $156,000.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Major Tim Nauta said, the $156,000 goal was reached two years ago, but the same goal fell short, last year.

He said if the goal is not met, it may mean cutting services and assistance provide by the Jamestown Salvation Army.

He added that the need by individuals and families continues to grow each year.

Those wishing to be a bell ringer at a kettle may call the Salvation Army at 252-0290, or stop by the headquarters on First Avenue North in Jamestown.

He pointed out that Wednesday and Thursday this week, December 16, 17, 2015 a benefactor has promised to double every dollar in the kettles.

The kettles are located at the two Cashwise entrances, two entrances at The Home of Economy, and Sears at the Buffalo Mall.

Nearly 200 Angel Tree gifts have been purchased, and the gifts and Christmas Basket distributions are set for Wednesday (Dec 16, 2015).

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Planning Commission has unanimously given final plat approval to Dakotah Hills Addition.

Dakotah Hills is located along 5th Street Northeast between 12th Avenue Northeast and 14th Avenue Northeast.

The new plat reconfigures the prior plat and places each of the apartment buildings on the property on a separate lot.

Planning Commission, Chairman, Dave Hillerud, said there currently are no agenda items planned for the Jan. 11 regular meeting of the commission, which might be used for discussion and planning purposes for the new year.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC). Board of Directors has denied a request from Kal Patel to reduce or eliminate the amount in repaying loans he had received as part of an economic development package.

JSDC CEO Connie Ova said, Patel had received Flex PACE interest buy down loans from the JSDC for the Cherry Berry frozen yogurt operation and the Bison Inn Jamestown amounting to about $40,000.

Patel has closed the Cherry Berry operation and sold the Bison Inn. Payments on the loan were scheduled to begin November. 1st, but no payment has been received. Patel, who submitted a written request to the JSDC, did not attend the meeting.

Flex PACE interest buy down uses a grant from the Bank of North Dakota and a loan from a local economic development organization to reduce the interest charges on a business loan.

Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen, a board member indicated that Patel did not violate the agreement, but he is responsible for paying back the community share. She said, the loan from the JSDC can be repaid over a two-year period

Stutsman County Commission Chairman, and board member, Mark Klose agreed.

In other business, the JSDC Board of Directors presented plaques to Gary Riffe, Brent Harris and Eric Tuchscherer, whose terms on the board were expiring and were attending their last meeting.

 

BOTTINEAU, N.D. (AP) – Law enforcement authorities are accusing a North Dakota high school science teacher of corruption of a minor.

The Bottineau County Sheriff’s Department says 24-year-old Marissa Deslauriers is facing one felony count of corruption or solicitation of a minor.

The Bottineau woman made her initial court appearance Tuesday. Northeast Judicial District Judge Michael Sturdevant set her bond at $10,000.

Authorities say Deslauriers is a teacher in the Bottineau Public Schools system. Additional details in the case, including whether the minor involved was Deslauriers’s student, were not immediately released.

Active superintendent Brian Palmer did not immediately return a call seeking comment Tuesday.

Court records do not list an attorney who could comment on behalf of Deslauriers. A hearing in her case is scheduled for January.
HETTINGER, N.D. (AP) – Authorities have identified the 95-year-old woman who died in a rollover crash near Hettinger, in southwestern North Dakota.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the victim as Henrietta LeFebre, of Lodgepole, South Dakota.

The Highway Patrol says there was dense fog at the time of the incident, which happened at 9:15 a.m. Monday. LeFebre was driving a 2006 Chevy Colorado and lost control on a curve while northbound on state Highway 8. The pickup truck entered the ditch and rolled.

Authorities say LeFebre was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected. She was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A Grand Forks man has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison on child pornography charges.

U.S. Attorney Christopher Myers says a search of an industrial park garage leased by 44-year-old Alan Eslinger turned up electronic equipment with more than 12,000 images and 900 videos of child porn.

It was the Eslinger’s second conviction for child porn. He was dishonorably discharged from the Army in 2007 after being court-martialed for possessing child porn in 2001.

Eslinger will spend the rest of his life on supervised released following his prison term.

 

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) – Dickinson police have arrested two people in a rash of storage unit break-ins, and more arrests could come.

22- and 24-year-old men from Dickinson were recently arrested in connection with more than 50 storage unit burglaries in recent weeks.

Police say they’re still investigating and have identified other suspects in the case.

Authorities are encouraging property owners to file reports of missing items. Police already have recovered more than $10,000 worth of stolen property.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – More than 100 inmates at a North Dakota county jail are receiving treatment after they showed symptoms of a stomach illness.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says inmates began showing symptoms overnight, including diarrhea and upset stomach, and by 6 a.m. Wednesday, the number of ill inmates reached 110. The facility was housing 282 inmates at the time the outbreak began.

Capt. Andrew Frobig with the sheriff’s office says the local health department is helping the sheriff’s office investigate the outbreak including its cause. He says no inmates are reporting worsening symptoms.

Frobig says the Fargo Cass Public Health is collecting stool samples from inmates to determine if bacteria caused the outbreak. He says the health department’s staff has already walked through the kitchen, but hasn’t tested food samples yet.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Corrections officials have lifted a nearly weeklong lockdown at the North Dakota State Penitentiary in Bismarck.

The lockdown was implemented last Wednesday evening following a fight between two inmates. It kept prisoners in their cells and suspended visitation.

Corrections Department spokeswoman Michelle Linster says the lockdown was lifted Tuesday morning.

Authorities did not identify the two prisoners involved in the fight. Linster said earlier that the victim suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The U.S. Supreme Court says it will decide whether a person with multiple domestic violence convictions in tribal court is eligible for enhanced sentences in the federal system.

The case stems from a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling from a Montana case that went against separate circuit court decisions on cases in North Dakota and Utah. The 9th Circuit threw out tribal court convictions against Michael Bryant Jr. because Bryant did not have a lawyer.

U.S. attorneys have used the so-called habitual offender statute to bring cases to federal court. The North Dakota case involves an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation sentenced to five years in prison.

Officials with the U.S. attorney’s office in Montana did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) – A proposal aimed at helping downtown Minot merchants dealing with disruptions from a three-year infrastructure upgrade project wouldn’t help all of the affected businesses.

The screening commission for Minot’s economic development fund has endorsed up to half a million dollars from the Magic Fund to pay down interest on debt for downtown businesses.

But many established businesses with no outstanding loans say they won’t benefit, and they think the proposal should be changed.

Suggestions from those businesses include reducing special assessments on their property taxes or eliminating city sales tax on their purchases.

The City Council will have the final say on the proposed aid, likely in January.

 

In sports…

TUESDAY DECEMBER 15,2015

…The following activities for Valley City High School and Junior High are postponed this evening due to weather conditions

…Hockey Practice in Jamestown for Boy’s and Girls

…Wrestling at Devils Lake

…Junior High Basketball against Northern Cass

…Girls and Boys Basketball doubleheader against Grand Forks Central

…Wrestling will makeup the dual with Devils Lake and Grafton this Thursday

…Make-up dates are pending for the junior high and high school basketball games

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team enters the Christmas break as one of the top three teams in the country.

The Fighting Hawks are ranked No. 2 in this week’s USCHO.com poll and No. 3 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, after a road sweep at Minnesota Duluth last weekend.

The sweep gave UND a 16-2-2 overall record and sole possession of first place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. The Hawks moved up from No. 4 in both national polls.

Defending national champion and unbeaten Providence remains atop both polls.

 

In world and national news…

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Los Angeles officials are defending their decision to shut down the nation’s second-largest school district Tuesday after a school board member received a threat by e-mail. The move has been criticized as an overreaction by officials in New York, who say they also received a threat that they dismissed. The police chief in Los Angeles says it’s “very easy in hindsight” to criticize the action.

PARIS (AP) – A French judicial official and French police say a 29-year-old man has been arrested and is being held for questioning about the deadly Nov. 13 attacks in Paris. The man was arrested Tuesday morning at his home in an eastern suburb of Paris. Officials are offering no details about his suspected link to the attacks that killed 130 people. The man can be held for questioning for up to six days before being charged or freed.

MOSCOW (AP) – Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart say a group of foreign ministers will meet at the United Nations on Friday to discuss a political transition in Syria. The two diplomats came out of a meeting at the Kremlin today with President Vladimir Putin (POO’-tihn) that was designed to try to narrow gaps in the American and Russian approaches to the crisis in Syria.

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. says it is close to an agreement with Cuba on restoring regularly scheduled, commercial flights between the countries. American and Cuban officials are discussing the matter in Washington this week. The Obama administration has been trying to finish the aviation part of U.S.-Cuba normalization talks before the end of the year.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is extending the deployment of the National Guard troops at the border with Mexico due to a spike in the number of unaccompanied minors crossing into the state. Abbott, a Republican, criticized federal officials Tuesday in the wake of U.S. Border Patrol figures that show more than 10,000 unaccompanied children crossing into the U.S. in October and November. That is double the number of crossings in the same two months last year.