Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Jan 5

CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…CLOUDY. AREAS OF FOG THROUGH THE NIGHT. LOWS AROUND
15. NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY…CLOUDY. AREAS OF FOG IN THE MORNING. SLIGHT CHANCE
OF LIGHT FREEZING RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S.
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA, 30 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA. LOWS
15 TO 20. NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
.THURSDAY…CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 20S. NORTH WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. LOWS
AROUND 15. NORTH WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
.FRIDAY…CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS 15 TO
20.
.FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 5 BELOW.
HIGHS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 15 BELOW.
HIGHS NEAR ZERO.
.SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 10 BELOW.
HIGHS ZERO TO 5 ABOVE.
.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 5 BELOW.
HIGHS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.

 

FOG POSSIBLE TUESDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING RESULTING IN REDUCED VISIBILITIES.
 
WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY
 
 LIGHT FREEZING RAIN POSSIBLE LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

CHANCE FOR LIGHT SNOW WILL CONTINUE ON AND OFF THROUGH THURSDAY
 AND FRIDAY. AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE VERY LIGHT WITH
 ACCUMULATIONS OF AN INCH OR LESS.
 
 VERY COLD TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND.
 DAYTIME HIGHS MAY STAY BELOW ZERO…AND NIGHTTIME AND MORNING WIND
 CHILLS MAY BE AS LOW AS 30 BELOW ZERO SATURDAY MORNING AND 40
 BELOW ZERO SUNDAY MORNING.

 

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Police  is warning Jamestown residents of a convicted sex offender who has again changed addresses in Jamestown.

Matthew Jacob Lee Graham is a 27 year old white male, 5’11″ tall weighing 192 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair.

He currently has no vehicle.

He now resides at 403 1/2 2nd Avenue, NW, Jamestown, ND.

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

His offense is listed as indecent exposure, stemming from exposing himself to a five year old male family friend.

He was convicted in April of 2004 in Kidder County.

Disposition: remanded to the Mesabi Academy treatment facility.

Graham is not wanted by police at this time and has served the sentence imposed by the court.

This notification is meant for public safety and not to increase fear in the community, nor should this information be used to threaten, assault or intimidate the offender. Attempts to harass, intimidate or threaten these offenders or their families, landlords, or employers will be turned over for prosecution.

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

More information on registered offenders is available on the Attorney General’s web site www.sexoffender.nd.gov

 

 Valley City  (CSi)  The Barnes County Sheriff’s Office reports that four stolen portable generators and a service fuel tank have been recovered stemming from an invesitgation.    

Sheriff Randy McClaflin says  the generators were stolen from the North Dakota Winter Show parking lot during the North Dakota High School Rodeo.  The service fuel tank was taken from a vehicle parked at Berger Auto in Valley City.

On September 22, 2015 the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office arrested 36 year-old Steven Weber of Beulah for Theft and possession of stolen property and Carrying a Concealed Firearm.

Meanwhile 35 year-old Angela Foster of Watford City was arrested for felony Theft and possession of stolen Property.

McClaflin says  Weber entered a guilty plea.

Foster’s trial is  pending.

 Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.   Mayor Werkhoven was not present, the meeting was conducted by Vice President, Matt Pedersen.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED:

Approving 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 $1,245,080.45

PUBLIC FORUM:  No one spoke.

PUBLIC HEARING:

A Public Hearing for Application for Commercial Property Tax Incentives (PILOT) for New or Expanding Businesses for Smith Lumber Do It Best Hardware & Rental at 1525 East Main Street.

From the audience, Lloyd Nelson said tax incentives cost the city tax payers, and noted that the business is not new to Valley City. He asked the matter be tabled.

Commissioner Pedersen said the new facility is a benefit for the community.

Following the Public Hearing the City Commission unanimously approved a Resolution Approving Commercial Property Tax Incentive (PILOT) to Smith Lumber Do It Best Hardware & Rental.

NEW BUSINESS

The City Commissioners approved a Building Height exception to 63 feet, for a  4 floor apartment building by VCSU, on College Street, north of the new Music Center. The first floor will be used for parking.

 

Missouri River Energy Services, (MRES) presented new S1 contract changes.

Joanie Livingston presented a background on the member owned no-profit utility.

She said the S-1 agreement, includes providing the supplemental power supply.

MRES has an agreement with Western Area Power Administration (WAPA).

The utility is asking for an 11 year contract extension, to the current agreement to 2057, and the new agreement updates language and clarifies points. The contract now includes language concerning ancillary services to supply energy, along with outling the footprint of the service area.

She said the changes will result in improved reliability, from a pool of resources, if necessary.

It also includes a rate increase by MRES from $3.25 per kilowatt hour, to $4.60 per KWH effective January 1, 2016 stemming from a higher transmission rate.

It amounts to a seven and half percent increase, in transmission, or $195,000, or three and a half percent in the overall rate increase in conjunction with the WAPA power supply.

The agreement would need the city to adopt a Resolution of agreement. The time line is March 1, 2016, to execute the agreement.

The Valley City Commission will start the process of adoption in February this year.

The commission approved creating a committee to research no more than 6 months, the feasibility of eliminating the Valley City Police Department and contracting law enforcement services from the County sheriff. Commissioner Nielson said she favors a 3 month period.

Barnes County will wait until a decision is made, possibly a vote of the people, and defer to the choice that’s made.

A motion was made to form a committee of no more than seven members with research of no more than 3 months. Research will include how the action would impact the city budget.

Committee members will possibly be comprised of VCPD Barnes County Sheriff’s Office, VCSU and accountants.

 

The City Commission approved a request from the Valley Development Group for $12,000 for Small Projects funding. VC/BC Economic Development Director, Jennifer Feist said, the funds come from the city sales tax, earmarked for economic development, with the funds available.

 

The City Commission….

Accepted the Paving Improvement District (No. 104 & 106) for final acceptance.

Accepted the 9th Ave NW Reconstruction for final acceptance.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT: No Report was given

CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS

City Building Inspector Dave Andersen noted changes in the zoning map that’s being created. He noted a large increase in the dollar valuation of building permits in 2015.

He recommends residents install a carbon monoxide detector in their home and businesses.

Fire Chief Retterath cautioned those using space heaters to use care and follow manufacturers instructions.

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

 

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – Authorities have issued arrest warrants for two men allegedly involved in a fight at a Williston bar that involved a handgun.
 
     Thirty-two-year-old Darin Wendt, of Williston, is wanted on four felony charges including terrorizing and aggravated assault. Fifty-two-year-old George Satterfield II is wanted on a misdemeanor simple assault charge.
 
     The men do not have attorneys or listed home telephone numbers.
 
 Wendt and Satterfield fought inside The Shop bar on Dec. 10. The altercation spilled outside, where Wendt allegedly pointed a handgun at Satterfield and also a crowd that had gathered. Wendt allegedly hit Satterfield in the head several times with the gun.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A North Dakota Legislative committee is mulling whether to change the state constitution and update state law to reflect the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that declared same-sex couples have the right to marry.
 
     The Legislature’s interim Judiciary Committee debated Tuesday whether changes should be adopted or the law left alone as a statement.
 
     The Supreme Court in June declared same-sex couples have the right to marry nationwide. A federal judge shortly after ruled North Dakota’s decade-old ban on gay marriage unconstitutional and invalid.
 
     Gail Wischmann of Fargo told the committee that she wed her partner last month. She said that if the state does not change its constitution and statutes “it’s almost like we’re thumbing our nose at the Supreme Court decision.”

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A shortage of teachers continues to plague North Dakota schools as the academic year wears on, and one effort to address it appears to have failed.
 
     State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler says 204 teacher openings around the state are unfilled.
 
     Many of the open slots are in career and technical education, social studies, special education and business education.
 
     Baesler last year assembled a task force to explore potential solutions to the shortage. One idea approved by the governor last fall was to allow schools to bring in qualified people from the community to help educate students in their area of expertise.
 
     However, the state Education Standards and Practices Board says only one person applied – and wasn’t qualified.
 
     The task force meets again on Thursday.

 

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The average price of a gallon of gasoline in North Dakota in 2015 was the second-cheapest in the past 10 years due to a worldwide glut of crude oil.
 
     AAA reports that the average was $2.40 per gallon, second only to $2.38 in 2009. The 2015 statewide annual average was nearly a dollar cheaper than the previous year.
 
     The 2015 annual averages for the three largest metro areas were $2.23 in Fargo, $2.37 in Grand Forks and $2.46 in Bismarck.
 
     The average price of diesel in 2015 was $2.67 per gallon, the lowest average for that fuel since 2009. In 2014, diesel averaged $4 per gallon.
 
     AAA says gas prices are likely to remain relatively low this year.

 

  HETTINGER, N.D. (AP) – Montana-Dakota Utilities says it has bought a wind farm near Hettinger.
 
     The division of MDU Resources Group Inc. says it has purchased Thunder Spirit Wind from ALLETE Clean Energy. A price was not disclosed.
 
     ALLETE completed the $220 million wind farm project last week, and the 107.5-megawatt farm can serve about 35,000 homes. All 43 turbines are in commercial operation.
 
     Montana-Dakota says it was able to connect the wind farm to its transmission system in an area the company already provides electric service.
 
     Montana-Dakota says it will have employees on site to manage the site and grounds maintenance, and Nordex will have staff on site to operate and maintain the towers.

 

In sports…

Jamestown (CSi) The 88th Annual Stutsman County Class B Boys Basketball Tournament January 7-9, 2016 at the Jamestown Civic Center.

FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE:

JAN 7^TH:

DISTRICT 6 #1 SOUTH BORDER VS. DISTRICT 5 #4 MIDKOTA (3PM)

DISTRICT 5 #2 ELLENDALE VS. DISTICT 6 #3 MEDINA/PINGREE/BUCHANAN (4:30PM)

DISTRICT 5 #1 EDGELEY/KULM/MONTPELIER VS DISTRICT 6 #4 KIDDER COUNTY (6PM)

DISTRICT 6 #2 NAPOLEON VS. DISTRICT 5 #3 CARRINGTON (7:30PM)

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team has regained the top spot in one of the national polls.

The Fighting Hawks are No. 1 in this week’s USCHO.com poll and No. 2 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, behind Quinnipiac, after a sweep of Alabama Huntsville last weekend. UND moved up one spot in both polls.

Defending national champion Providence fell from No. 1 to No. 3 in both polls.

 

In world and national news…

 WASHINGTON (AP) – It’s an issue that President Barack Obama says makes him “mad” — and it’s one that can bring him to tears. As Obama announced new executive actions Tuesday aimed at expanding background checks for gun buyers, he spoke of the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, as well as shootings in South Carolina, Louisiana and Colorado — and on the streets of his Chicago hometown. He paused and wiped a tear from his left eye, but tears flowed freely down both cheeks. Obama defended the steps he’s taking, saying they are constitutional — and that as a former constitutional law professor, he knows “a little about this.”
 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – The National Rifle Association says President Barack Obama’s executive actions on gun control are “ripe for abuse” and lack seriousness. The nation’s largest gun group is accusing Obama of political exploitation for announcing the steps in the last year of his presidency. Chris Cox, who runs the NRA’s lobbying arm, says the actions wouldn’t have prevented any of the mass shootings that Obama mentioned when he announced the steps at the White House.
 
     BALTIMORE (AP) – The state of Maryland and the city of Baltimore plan to demolish thousands of vacant buildings in the city over the next four years, starting in the neighborhood where Freddie Gray was fatally injured in police custody. Gov. Larry Hogan and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the plan Tuesday. Gray’s death prompted civil unrest that highlighted the urban decay. The plan includes $75 million in state funding to demolish blocks of abandoned buildings to create space for affordable housing, businesses and parks.
 
     RENO, Nev. (AP) – A coroner’s official says an autopsy isn’t planned on a 20-year-old woman who was at the center of an end-of-life court battle in Reno, Nevada. The official says because Aden Hailu (AY’-dehn HEHL’-oo) died at a hospital, a county autopsy isn’t required. Hailu failed to awake from anesthesia after abdominal surgery April 1. Doctors had pronounced her dead in May, but her father appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court to have her kept on life-support.
 
     LONDON (AP) – British lawmakers will debate a petition that calls for Donald Trump to be banned from the country – and a rival petition saying he should be allowed in. More than half a million people signed an online petition calling for Trump to be blocked after he called last month for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States. Almost 40,000 people backed one saying he should not be barred. Any U.K. citizen or resident can start a petition on Parliament’s website.