wbPM2CSi Weather…

 TONIGHT…INCREASING CLOUDS. BREEZY. LOWS IN THE MID 20S.
NORTHWEST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 30S. WEST WINDS
5 TO 15 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 20S. SOUTH WINDS
10 TO 15 MPH.
.FRIDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. BREEZY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF LIGHT RAIN…POSSIBLY MIXED WITH SNOW IN THE AFTERNOON IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 40S. WEST
WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. BREEZY. LOWS IN THE MID 20S. WEST
WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
.SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE MID 30S.
LOWS IN THE MID 20S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 15 TO 20. HIGHS IN
THE 20S TO LOWER 30S.
.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE.
HIGHS 15 TO 20.
.TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS ZERO TO
5 ABOVE. HIGHS AROUND 15.

 

Valley City (CSi) Valley City’s Police Chief has now filed a grievance against Mayor Bob Werkhoven, for creating a hostile work environment.

Thompson says since his appointment as Police Chief indiviuals have expressed to him that Mayor Werkhoven hated Lt. David Swenson. Thompson says the Mayor’s comments and refusal to perform his duties as mayor in a ceremony promoting Swenson during a city commission meeting are rude, improper and inappropriate.

Thompson, in his grievance statement, questioned why the mayor never talked to him about rumors of sexual harassment against Thompson.

Thompson says according to City Administrator David Schelkoph no employee submitted any complaint alleging any instances of sexual harassment against Chief Thompson.

Thompson is represented by attorney Joseph Larson.

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Cramer announced Wednesday the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Office of Head Start has awarded a $1,745,426 grant to Head Start Programs in Community Action Region VI in North Dakota. 

Also making the announcement, Senator John Hoeven said the federal funding is to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Jamestown. The funds were awarded by HHS’ Administration for Children and Families, which works to promote the social and economic wellbeing of families, children and communities.

Hoven added, “It’s important for us to invest in programs that help build a strong foundation for our children to succeed.  The grants will go towards improving the health and education of our youngest residents and to help them achieve future success.”

As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Hoeven works to support programs that supplement state and local efforts to improve student achievement in primary and secondary education, especially for the disadvantaged and those in rural communities.

 

Bismarck (CSi) The North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame committee announces the names of two individuals that were recently selected to be inducted in the ND Aviation Hall of Fame. The induction will take place on March 8th at the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium banquet in Bismarck, ND.

Fred Adams and Gary Ness will join the prestigious aviation hall of fame group that currently includes 39 individuals who have all had a significant impact to aviation in North Dakota.

Fred Adams – Fred was born in Pierre, South Dakota in 1950. His extended family included an uncle, Jerry Snedigar, who owned and operated a flying service in Rapid City. He began working during the summer of 1969 as an aircraft fueler while he was completing his college degree.

Fred soloed for the first time on May 10, 1970, and three years later had his Commercial Pilot Certificate with Single and Multiengine Land Rating, Instrument Airplane rating, and his FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certification. Fred started his flying career as an air mail pilot in the summer of 1973, and earned his FAA Air Transport Pilot Certificate on May 1, 1974.

Fred was designated by the FAA as a Pilot Examiner in 1979 while in South Dakota and again in 1981 when he moved to Bismarck. Fred was hired by Executive Air Taxi in 1981 with a primary duty to pilot a King Air under contract for Basin Electric Power Cooperative. Four years later he left Executive Air Taxi and was hired by TWA.

The Basin Electric Power Cooperative (BEPC) began its own business aviation flight department in May 1986, and Fred was hired to be their first Chief Pilot. While at Basin, Fred started a World Class paid flight internship, with the help of Dean John Odegard and Ken Polovitz from the University of North Dakota, along with support from Basin Electric’s senior management.

Fred has been associated with the North Dakota Aviation Council for over 23 years, during which time he held multiple leadership and committee positions. Fred’s leadership was also instrumental in the formation of the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame.

Fred has flown over 23,450 accident free hours. During the ten years he was an FAA Pilot Examiner, he gave over 600 flight examinations and over 100 FAA Part 135 check rides as a Check Airman.

Fred has also been an integral part of National Business Aviation Association’s Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program. He was on the CAM Board of Governors for nine years and was in the first group to sit for the nationally accredited certification examination in 2003. Fred is also a recipient of the Silk Scarf Award from the National Business Aviation Association.

Fred has also been associated with collegiate aviation accreditation since 2006, and is on the Board of Trustees for the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). In 2014, Fred also received the Richard W. Taylor Industry Award which is provided to those who work to advance quality aviation education worldwide through accreditation and leadership.

Within his community, Fred has been involved in his church as a church elder and treasurer for over two decades. He also coached soccer when his sons were in school.

Gary Ness – Gary’s interest in aviation began in the baggage compartment of an Aeronca Champ, as his father, Oscar, gave flight instruction in Fargo during the summer of 1946. Interest continued at the Walhalla airport, when he listened as his father integrated the new business of aerial application into the local farming community. Traditionally soloing on his sixteenth birthday and working in the family aerial operation at the Lisbon airport, Gary gained a larger appreciation for aviation. From birth to completing a college Political Science degree, flying, horses, and sports were always at the forefront of his activities.

After graduating from the North Dakota State School of Science (NDSCS) and North Dakota State University (NDSU), in 1967 Gary was accepted into the Aviation Officer Candidate School at Pensacola, Florida. He was designated a Naval Aviator at Naval Air Station Chase Field, Beeville, Texas, where his Wings of Gold were pinned on by his father. During the final two years of naval service, Ness was assigned as an Air-to-Air Gunnery and Carrier Qualification Flight Instructor at Training Squadron Four (VT-4) Naval Air Station Pensacola.

In 1986, Gary become the Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) and served in that position until 2008. During Gary’s tenure at the NDAC, he achieved many accomplishments, including leading the agency through the changes and new technologies introduced as the aviation industry progressed.

Gary served as Chairman of the National Association of State Officials (NASAO). He has been honored with several awards: NASAO’s Kenneth T. Rowe Ambassador of Aviation Award, National Business Aviation Association’s Silk Scarf Award, and the NDSU Upper

Great Plains Transportation Institute Chairman’s Award. He was a member of the Greater North Dakota Association Board, NDSCS Foundation Board, NDSCS Letter Winners Club and National Agricultural Aviation Association’s Safety Curriculum Committee. He is a member of North Dakota State College of Science’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Gary also helped establish, and served as Chairman, of the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame Committee.

Throughout his career, Gary was active in state and national aviation issues, encouraging a strong network of communication between aviation associations, especially the North Dakota Aviation Council. Gary’s efforts strengthened industry awareness and contributed to the national economy and well-being of the State of North Dakota. 

The awards ceremony will take place in Bismarck at the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium on Tuesday March 8th. The social begins at 6 p.m. and the banquet begins at 7 p.m. To learn more information about the state aviation conference or to purchase tickets for the awards ceremony, visit www.ndac.aero/umas.htm. Questions can also be directed to the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission at 701.328.9650.

 

Jamestown  (UJ-CSi)  The University of Jamestown is hosting a special recital this Saturday, January 30th at the Reiland Fine Art Center in DeNault Auditorium at 2 pm.

Guest performers Anne Christopherson and Tracelyn Gesteland will be accompanied by pianist Keith Teepen

Dr. Anne Christopherson has studied at the Banff Centre for the Arts’ Academy of Art Song and the I Solisti Ensemble of Lucca (Italy). She is currently the Associate Department Chair, Coordinator of Applied Voice Studies, and Associate Professor of Voice at the University of North Dakota, Department of Music.

Dr. Tracelyn Gesteland is Associate Professor of Voice and Opera and holds the Walter A. and Lucy Yoshioka Buhler Endowed Chair at the University of South Dakota where she instructs Applied Voice for graduate and undergraduate students, Vocal Pedagogy, Diction, and the national award-winning USD Opera.

This recital is free for all ages.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Minot State University President Steven Shirley has applied for the presidency at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.
 
     Shirley is a former president at Valley City State University. He became MSU’s 11th president in July 2014, succeeding the retired David Fuller.
 
     Now Shirley wants to succeed retired UND President Robert Kelley.
 
     A presidential search committee last week narrowed the list of candidates from 41 to 15 but decided to continue accepting applications. University System spokeswoman Billie Jo Lorius says the committee will meet Thursday to decide if any applications submitted before the noon Wednesday cutoff will be considered. That would include Shirley’s application.
 
     In-person interviews with candidates are set next week.

 

  BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The attorney for a Mandaree man accused of killing another man with his bare hands wants to keep key evidence from being introduced at trial.
 
     Defense attorney Paul Myerchin contends police violated Marcel Chase’s rights in gathering the evidence.
 
     Federal prosecutors haven’t yet filed their response in court. U.S. Attorney Chris Myers says his office doesn’t comment outside of court on pending cases.
 
     Chase is accused of killing Toby Young Bear in December 2014 during a fight while the two men were using methamphetamine. Last October he was deemed competent to stand trial after a psychiatric evaluation.
 
     His trial was scheduled next month but U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland has delayed it until late May. Hovland also scheduled a hearing March 18 on the motion to suppress evidence.

 

 MINOT, N.D. (AP) – A Minot city committee is recommending that the airport terminal be razed rather than refurbished when a new, $94 million terminal opens next month.
 
     The  Airport Committee vote on Tuesday was unanimous. The City Council will have the final say on Monday.
 
     Engineers say removing the existing terminal will cost much less than rehabilitating the building so it could be used for a different purpose. Potential uses also would be restricted because the building is close to runways and taxiways.

 

 MINOT, N.D. (AP) – Minot’s Dakota Square Mall is planning an expansion project this year that will provide space for three new retail stores.
 
     The plan calls for eliminating 115 parking spaces to make way for a 24,000-square-foot expansion. A traffic loop also will need to be reconfigured.
 
     The mall has announced only one new retailer. Beauty products chain Ulta Beauty is to open late this year.
 
     Dakota Square Mall currently is about 817,000 square feet. It has nearly 100 stores and restaurants and a movie theater.

 

In sports…

The Associated Press…
Here are the boys prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points.
Class A
School W-L Pts Prv
1. Bis. Century (11) 13-1 55 1
2. Minot 13-1 43 2
3. West Fargo 11-2 33 3
4. Dickinson 9-4 16 NR
5. Devils Lake 8-4 11 4

Others receiving votes: Fargo Davies (10-3) 3, Bismarck (8-6) 3, Fargo Shanley (7-4) 1.

Here are the girls prep basketball polls with rank, team, first-place votes, record and total points.
Class A
School W-L Pts Prv
1. Fargo Shanley (11) 11-0 55 1
2. Bis. Century 12-1 43 2
3. GF Red River 11-1 34 3
4. Fargo Davies 10-3 21 4
5. Bismarck 10-4 10 NR

Others receiving votes: Wahpeton (7-5) 1, Mandan (7-5) 1.

 

In world and national news…

BURNS, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say the armed group occupying the national wildlife preserve in Oregon was given “ample opportunity” to leave peacefully. Greg Bretzing, the FBI’s Portland special agent in charge, told reporters Wednesday that authorities took a deliberate and measured response to those who took over the refuge earlier this month. And he says they’re working to safely remove those who are still occupying the site. The agent says authorities tried to conduct a traffic stop safely and away from local residents last night. It ended with eight arrests and the death of one man.
 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – Amid growing concern about setbacks in Afghanistan, the Obama administration has chosen Lt. Gen. Mick Nicholson as the next top American commander there. If his selection is confirmed by the Senate, he’d succeed Gen. John Campbell, who is expected to retire. Nicholson is a veteran of several Afghan war deployments. He currently heads NATO’s Allied Land Command, headquartered in Turkey.
 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – He jokes that he didn’t ask for an endorsement — but Bernie Sanders wasn’t likely to get one during Wednesday’s meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House. Obama hasn’t overtly chosen sides in the Democratic primary battle involving Sanders and Hillary Clinton. The White House said after the meeting that Obama believes the Sanders bid is good for Democrats — because Sanders can “engage Democrats and excite them and inspire them.”
 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – The Federal Reserve is keeping a key interest rate unchanged while pledging to closely monitor developments in the global economy and financial markets. The Fed says in its policy statement that economic growth has slowed since it raised rates from record lows in December. The changes in its statement signaled that the Fed could be prepared to slow future rate hikes if recent market turbulence and global weakness do not ease.
 
     INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of an elementary school principal who pushed children out of the way before being struck and killed by a school bus. Susan Jordan was killed Tuesday when the bus suddenly lurched forward and went over a curb outside the school. Two 10-year-old children were also struck. Both were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities are still investigating what caused the bus to accelerate.