Wayne Byers Show – Evening – Feb 24

CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…CLOUDY WITH SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS. LOWS 15 TO 20.
NORTH WINDS AROUND 15 MPH. CHANCE OF SNOW 50 PERCENT.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 15 TO 20. WEST WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
.FRIDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 40. WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S.
.SATURDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 40S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW IN THE
EVENING…THEN CHANCE OF SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE LOWER
20S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 30 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE
OF SNOW. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S. LOWS 15 TO 20.
.MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S.
LOWS AROUND 15.

SCATTERED LOCALLY HEAVY SNOW SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON IN EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA. THERE COULD BE A QUICK INCH OR 2 NEAR ANY SNOW SHOWER…WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE NEAR PERSISTENT SNOW BANDS. THIS MAY CAUSE REDUCED VISIBILITY AND SLICK ROADS FOR THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING COMMUTE. SNOW SHOWERS WILL DISSIPATE LATER THIS EVENING BY MIDNIGHT.

BREEZY CONDITIONS TODAY WITH WINDS UP TO 30 MPH ALONG WITH SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS. VISIBILITIES MAY BE DECREASED IN FALLING SNOW.

 

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session Wednesday afternoon at City Hall, to discuss the vacant City Forester position. All members were present.
A committee consisting of Mayor Andersen, City Administrator Fuchs, Seputy Auditor Sveum, and Council Member Brubakken interviewed four of the seven applicants who applied from a job search.
The city hired Sheri Steckler, a Jamestown native who has a Major in horticluture, and has recently been employed at Greenhouse and Beyond in Fargo, and has a Bachelor in Science Degree in Horticulture.
City Administrator Fuchs says Steckler intends to be a “hands on” City Forester.

The City Council unanimously approved her hire, at Range 38, Step 8 on the pay scale, at a salary of $4,009 per month.

 

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council’s committees met in joint session Wednesday afternoon at City Hall.  All members were present.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

The committee recommends the subordination of the JSDC position on the Agreement for New Jobs Training with Pharmakon Solutions dba Eldermark Software Solutions in order to allow the firm to receive a SBA bank line of credit loan from Venture Capital, in the amount of $350,000.00.

The request from JSDC for reimbursement of 2015 Real Estate Taxes for Spiritwood Township properties; and special assessments on the Center of Economic Development building and the remaining I-94 lot, in the amount of $9,777.12, with the City Share to be $8,657.21, was tabled until next month, at the request of JSDC/CEO Connie Ova.

Considered approving the requests for street closings and/or permits to allow alcoholic beverages in fenced areas for the St. Patrick’s Day Runnin’ O’ The Green, on March 19, 2016, for: All Vets Club; Buffalo Lanes, Inc.; Corner Bar; Cork and Barrel, Inc.(Elk’s location); Middles LLC d/b/a Fred’s Den; Frontier Fort & Grill; Knights of Columbus; Johnny B’s, Office Bar & Lounge; Sabirs II, LLC; Shady’s; and Wonder Bar Sports Bar.
City Administrator Jeff Fuchs said, Jonny B’s requested the alley behind the establishment be blocked off, along with a portion of the parking lot behind the mall.
He said that previously parking lots were not allowed to be blocked off.

The committee recommends approving the closures, and working with Jonny B’s, on closures so there are removable barriers and that tents being erected be discussed first with the police chief and fire chief.

The committee discussed the possibility of closing a portion of 1st Avenue about two blocks for the Runnin’ of the Green. Police Chief Edinger indicted concerns about blocking off a large portion of the street and sections of some alleys. Jamestown Ambulance Service requested access for first responders.
Gail Martin from U.S. Bank said she has been requested to have a tent put up in the bank’s parking lot. Chief Edinger asks that he and Fire Chief Reuther be consulted before any tents are erected.
The Run’s organizer, Larry Knoblich said he has mixed feelings on street closures.
He said not everyone in the Run drinks or gets drunk. He expects a large number of participates, around 3,000, with no conflicts from other cities.
The area onFirst Avenue would have created a common outdoor area that could have been accessed by several bars on First Avenue.

The committee recommends the transfer of City lots four and one to Woodsonia Development per developer’s agreement and the opening of Menards.
Lot two has previously been conveyed.

Departmental and financial reports were presented.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE:
The committee discussed the First Reading of an Ordinance to enact a Section of the City Code pertaining to traffic impact studies; and to amend a Sectio pertaining to preliminary plat items; and to amend a Section pertaining to amendment process.
The planning commission has recommend approval.
The committee recommends bringing forward to the city council.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No items at this time.

POLICE AND FIRE COMMITTEE
The committee considered the First Reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact a Section of the City Code pertaining to the definition of Group day care home or preschool facility. The committee recommends changes, raising the maximum number to 17 in day care.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Brent Erickson, with HDR Inc.was to be present to give an updated report on Sanitation and Solid Waste Study, howeve,r he was not present, being ill.
Joan Morris of the Chamber’s City Beautification Committee addressed the committee with updates.
She said a technical memo from HDR has been updated with numbers different from the initial numbers in the study, presented at the committee meeting in November of 2015.
She said Erickson has since indicted that some of the numbers were in error and some information was omitted.
The information was obtained with a recent meeting with Erickson.
The committee recommends requesting documents from HDR, be presented at a rescheduled meeting.

The committee recommends approving the request from Scherbenske, Inc., to reduce the retainage for the Cell 3B West construction from 10% to 2%.

The committee recommends authorizing the purchase of a new 2016 Chevrolet K-1500 Double Cab 4X4 from Don Wilhelm,Inc. for the Sewer Department the low bid of $28,899.

Recommends approving the request from Casey Stoudt for the City to vacate a portion of an easement which runs across land he has purchased, across from Menards, as the City has abandoned the water main, with an engineer’s review.

Discussion was held relative to filling the City Engineer’s position and possible job description changes.
City Administrator Fuchs said it might be time to change the job description to strictly an Engineer’s position, and a resource to public works.
He said the future a public works director may be necessary.
Mayor Andersen said at some point in the future there may be management changes within city departments.
Fuchs will submit proposals for future considerations.

The committee recommends entering into an engineering agreement with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for construction of Sewer & Water District 16-31 & 16-61 ( 3rd St NW west of Second Avenue Northwest).

The committee recommends entering into an engineering agreement with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for SW Water Main Replacement District 16-62. (Approximately 10 Blocks to be determined).

The committee recommends considered entering into an engineering agreement with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for construction of a new Raker Building for the Sewer Utility.
Mayor Andersen said a qualification process should take place before an agreement, to draft proposals, including experience.

The committee recommends the following Resolutions pertaining to 2016 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #16-11:
To set up and establish the district.
To direct the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the construction of the district.
To accept and approve the plans and specifications, as prepared by the City Engineer, for the construction of the District.
To direct the City Administrator to advertise for bids for the construction of the district.

City Administrator Fuchs said the North Dakota League of Cities, and the NDDOT will perform a study on streets, including a cost share to perform a study. The committee recommends the city participate in the study.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 67 followed by replays.

 

Jamestown (CSi) A LIFE OF MUSIC presentation will be performed with Steve and Nancy Kuykendall, of Jamestown residents, as they take to the stage to share their music and to share musical experiences, both from the years before their marriage and from their years as husband and wife.

On March 12, 2016, at 7-p.m. at the Jamestown Arts Center, they will share a wide variety of music from classic pop-rock to classical to jazz and also some of their own compositions. Steve and Nancy will share stories and will welcome interaction from the audience.

Nancy, who is a retired music teacher of thirty years, will share her musical side through the piano, bass guitar, soprano recorder and her voice. She will share personal stories of her musical journey, some of which are included in her two published books of non-fiction short stories, Mornings on the Porch (c 2014 Tate Publishing) and Ordinary Wonders (c 2015 WestBow Press).

Since retiring from teaching music, Nancy has answered the call to take up writing. Her most current works are a novel and a daily reading book, both still in the works. While writing she continues to perform with Steve, singing, playing their instruments and sharing their journey and their faith.

Steve will use his various guitars to bring delicate, melodic renderings of classic favorite hymns to exciting fingerstyle journeys, propelled by stunning technique. Steve draws the listener into the world of guitar by the joy of his delivery, from blues and jazz, to folk and country, and into the Avant Guard. Steve comfortably integrates these styles, and more, into an enjoyable listening experience.

As a singer/songwriter/music producer, Steve adapts scripture and key biblical truths into songs of worship and praise, delivered with conviction, emotion and originality. For four decades Steve has been a winner in guitar competitions: 1987, 1991, 1994, 2001, 2011 and has shared the stage with world class recording artists.

Join Steve and Nancy for an enchanting evening of music, storytelling, and prizes. Five prizes, including a brand new acoustic guitar, two paperback books and two digital download cards for ebooks, will be given away at the end of the evening.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota is assessing an additional fee to cover the cost of a contractor to monitor construction of the biggest-capacity pipeline proposed to date to move crude from the state’s oil patch.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission approved the permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline last month. Energy Transfer Partners wants to build the $3.8 billion, 1,130-mile pipeline to move crude from North Dakota to Illinois. The North Dakota portion is the longest leg of the pipeline.

The company already has paid a $100,000 fee to cover permitting costs in North Dakota. But a panel that includes the governor charged the company an additional $100,000 on Wednesday to pay for third-party oversight.

PSC chairwoman Julie Fedorchak says the goal is to “hold the company responsible for high standards.”

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – State Health Department officials say a pipeline leak in Dunn County spilled more than 6,250 gallons of oil and saltwater, a byproduct of oil production.

State environmental scientist Bill Suess (sees) says Marathon Oil reported the 149-barrel spill Tuesday at a well it owns about 6 miles north of Killdeer. The Houston-based company says in a statement the spill occurred on Monday and it is investigating the cause.

Suess says the briny water leaked into a dry channel and migrated about 1,500 feet from the well site. He says there is no evidence the spill threatened water or wetlands in the area.

Suess says the area will have to be dug up and reseeded with grass.

Marathon spokeswoman Lee Warren says it’s not known how long the cleanup will take.

 

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the value of North Dakota’s 2015 field and miscellaneous crops is forecast at $6.69 billion.
 
     The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service says that’s a 4 percent decrease from 2014.
 
     The value of soybean production is expected to total $1.56 billion, down 19 percent from the previous marketing year. North Dakota’s soybean price is projected to average $8.40 per bushel, a decrease of $1.09 per bushel from the last marketing year.
 
     The value of spring wheat production is expected to total $1.47 billion, down 7 percent from the previous marketing year. North Dakota’s spring wheat price is projected to average $4.60 per bushel, a decrease of 82 cents per bushel from the last marketing year.

 

 BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The University of Mary has received a $750,000 donation from the Tom and Frances Leach Foundation.
 
     University President James Shea says the money will go toward the Bismarck school’s new campus center. Construction is to start in May.
 
     The 80,000-square-foot, two-story building will overlook the Missouri River Valley. It will include a book and retail store, student lounges, a coffee shop, a bank, a clinic, a Hall of Fame concourse, conference rooms and a hall that can accommodate more than 600 people for meetings, conferences and banquets.
 
     The campus center, along with a new residence hall and field house currently under construction, is part of a $272 million long-term university capital campaign.

 

 

In sports…

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – A Williston gymnasium named for NBA legend and hometown hero Phil Jackson has seen its last high school basketball game.

A new high school and gymnasium is opening in the fall. The Williston Herald reports that Tuesday night’s boys and girls basketball games against Dickinson were the last in the Phil Jackson Field House.

Jackson was a four-sport athlete at Williston High. The field house was renamed for him in 1992. The school held a special ceremony Tuesday night to commemorate the final game there.

Jackson played 13 seasons in the NBA, winning two championships with the New York Knicks. As a coach, he led the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to a record total of 11 titles. He is now president of the Knicks.

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) – After a third-straight commanding victory in his party’s presidential contests, the outsider candidate is getting some backing from insiders. Donald Trump Wednesday picked up his first endorsements from sitting members of Congress — House members Duncan Hunter of California and Chris Collins of New York. Hunter was the sponsor last year of a bill that would shut down funding for cities that shield immigrants from deportation. Democrats called it the Donald Trump Act — accusing Republicans of following Trump in demonizing Latinos.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – An attorney for former Texas Gov. Rick Perry says the onetime Republican presidential candidate is pleased that criminal charges against him have been finally dismissed. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals threw out the last of two indictments against the longest-serving governor in state history. Perry was indicted in 2014, before leaving office. He was indicted for threatening – and then carrying out – a veto of state funding for public corruption prosecutors after the Democratic head of the unit refused to resign. Perry has been campaigning for Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz since abandoning his own bid.

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama says he doesn’t want to raise expectations about a planned cease-fire in Syria. He spoke after meeting at the White House with Jordan’s King Abdullah. Jordan is a key partner with the U.S. in the campaign to defeat the Islamic State and the effort to resolve Syria’s five-year-old war.

CHICAGO (AP) – Heavy snowfall is forcing the closure of schools and offices in parts of the upper Midwest. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder closed many state government offices due to a winter storm that could bring a foot of snow. Dozens of school districts in Indiana have canceled classes as the storm threatens to dump up to 18 inches of snow on parts of the state. Airlines have canceled more than 1,000 flights to and from Chicago’s major airports.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The father of sportscaster Erin Andrews says the TV personality is a shell of her former self after a stalker made secret nude recordings of her and posted the material on the Internet. Steve Andrews testified during a civil trial that his daughter didn’t want to eat, bathe or be around people and that all she did was cry after she discovered in 2009 that the nude videos had been posted online. He said she remains afraid of people to this day. Michael David Barrett has pleaded guilty to taking the videos after altering peepholes on doors of her hotel rooms. Erin Andrews has sued him and two hotel companies.