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Valley City, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Valley City Commission met in Special Session, Friday morning, (Dec 27, 2012) at 8-O’Clock at City Hall. All members were present.

First, Commissioners discussed issues with the 9-1-1 System.

Originally the proposed plan was to have the change take effect January 1, 2013.

Earlier this month the Barnes County Commissioners voted 3-2 to develop a Resolution to clear up the issues of control and distribution of funds with the cost ratio.

At the December 17, 2012 Valley City Commission meeting, Commissioners voted unanimously to not move the 9-1-1 dispatch center, equipment from it’s current location, until new 9-1-1 equipment is purchased.,

At that meeting the City Commissioners voted unanimously to postponed any action, indefinitely

Mayor Werkhoven said the motion was appropriate, regarding moving the aging equipment.

Police Chief Fred Thompson also agreed to postponing the move.

At Friday’s City Commission meeting, Commissioner Nielson said the meeting was called to solidify the City Commission’s position on the 9-1-1 system.

She told the Commission that she met with the North Dakota Association of Counties, concerning how the 9-1-1 system is run.

She said the North Dakota Legislature in January will be requested to fund $4 million to start the program.

Nielson said her position is to leave the 9-1-1 system in place at Valley City Police, until new 9-1-1 equipment arrives and then moved.

When moved she and City Commissioner Duane Magnuson agree that the 9-1-1 system be run by Barnes County, including financially.

She also consulted with Stutsman County 9-1-1 Coordinator Jerry Bergquist on how the 9-1-1 system is run at the Jamestown Law Enforcement Dispatch Center.

Magnuson added the move to Barnes County Should occur on July 16, 2013, and funds be included when the Sheriff’s Office budget is discussed.

Commissioners Luke, and Pedersen agreed with the proposals.

The City Commission took no official action.

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

　

Valley City, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Valley City Commission Friday morning (Dec 28, 2012) reviewed options with the Special Assessment Review Team.

All members were present.

Mayor Werkhoven noted the North Dakota Century Code, concerning Special Assessments.

The City Commission reviewed aspects of the Special Assessment District as they pertain to Valley City.

Those include paving districts, and water and sewer utility rates, and dollars generated.

He said, concrete paving does not last forever, adding that asphalt paving is easier to maintain.

He said doubling the utility surcharges is “extreme.”

Presently the surcharges brings in $350,000.

The Mayor noted the median income in Valley City is currently $39,000.

City Attorney Russell Myhre outlined the Century Code differentiating between property taxes, and special assessment, and how each benefits Valley City.

He pointed out that the governor’s proposed budget may contain property tax relief, in addition to legislative action.

Mayor Werkhoven said Myhre needs to review the special assessment process in Valley City to make sure the city is in compliance with state law, and that the city is assessing with consistency.

Commissioner Magnuson agreed that a review of what is legal is needed, followed by public meetings, and then go forward, and work with citizens.

Commissioner Luke suggested City Attorney Myhre obtain information from the North Dakota Attorney General, concerning the management of funds received by the Special Assessment districts.

City Auditor, Avis Richter, also brought up the bonding process, and its impacts.

She noted terminologies concerning fees, special assessments and property and city sales tax, saying each terminology has a specific meaning, and application.

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

　

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Dec 28, 2012) — The Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department is asking the public to keep snowmobiles off Hillcrest Golf Course property, all city parks, and Park land located along 17th Avenue Southwest.

Fines could be incurred.

Anyone seeing snowmobiles on these properties are asked to report the activity to the police department.

 

　Jamestown, ND, December 26, 2012  (KCSi-T.V. News) —Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC) Clinic is now open in the new Jamestown Clinic Building located on the campus of JRMC. Dr. Dean, Dr. Harris and Dr. Mead, along with visiting JRMC Specialists are located in the new clinic building adjacent to the west side of the hospital.

 

“We are excited to welcome patients to the new JRMC Clinic location. The building will provide patients, physicians and staff a warm and welcoming environment that is close to additional services located in the hospital including radiology and the laboratory,” stated Cindy Gohner, Vice President of Clinical Services.

 

For more information on the JRMC Clinic go to www.jrmcnd.com or call 952-4878.

 

About Jamestown Regional Medical Center

Jamestown Regional Medical Center is a 25-bed, critical access hospital located at 2422 20th St. SW, Jamestown, ND. For more information on services at JRMC, visit www.jrmcnd.com or call 701-952-1050

 

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — Keith and Jane Norman officially ended their “Great Stories of the Great Plains,” program, on Friday (December 28, 2012).

The program heard daily on The Wayne Byers Show, on CSi Cable 2, and several radio stations in the upper mid west, had been airing since October of 2003, recorded and distributed from their Jamestown North Dakota studio.

During the final show, Norman thanked the outlets for airing the program, to tell the stories of North and South Dakota.

He said, “Situations and times do change,” thanking the program’s audience for listening to the stories, and purchasing books written by Norman associated with the program, and those who have sent him correspondence concerning “a piece of history they know about.”

Reminded listeners that the great history of North Dakota and South Dakota has been and will continued to be made by the “great people,” of the two states.

Norman has also published four books about the life of the Dakotas, “Great Stories of the Great Plains Vols. 1,2 &3,” that contains some of Keith and Jane’s favorite stories from the audio shows.

The book, “Great People of the Great Plains,” is a collection of biographies of people who have had an impact on the states.

　

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown Performing Arts Association presents an “Evening With The McIntyre Family,” on Friday January 4, 2013, at the Arts Center in Jamestown.

On Friday’s (Dec 28, 2012) Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, spokesperson Bruce Berg said Mike, Cheryl Tony, Matthew, and Brittany McIntyre will be performing.

The Evening With the McIntyre Family will start at 7:30-p.m.

Tickets at the door are $8 for adults, and $3 for students.

A reception will be held following the performance.

Berg pointed out that over the past 18 years the Evening With…performances have raise about $40,000 for the arts in Jamestown.

 

Valley City, N.D.— (KCSi-T.V. News) December 28, 2012 — Hospice of the Red River Valley invites health care professionals to its January Lunch and Learn as we continue to explore various topics related to end-of-life care.

The next Lunch and Learn will take place on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, from noon – 1 p.m. Paulette Arrison, paralegal with Legal Services of North Dakota, and Anne M. Hoefgen, supervising attorney with Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, will present “Legal Services for Older Adults in Minnesota and North Dakota.”

Participants will learn about the various services available to older adults through Legal Services of North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota. Participants will also understand advantages of advanced health care directives and power of attorney.

Hospice of the Red River Valley is an approved provider of continuing education for social workers in North Dakota. This program has been approved for 1 contact hour for social workers.

For your convenience, Lunch and Learns will be held at four Hospice of the Red River Valley locations: Fargo – 1701 38th St. SW, Fargo, N.D.; Lisbon – 415 Main Street, Lisbon, N.D.; Valley City – 1240 W Main Street, Valley City, N.D; or Detroit Lakes – 1102 West River Road, Detroit Lakes, Minn.

The Lisbon, Valley City and Detroit Lakes office locations will be connected via video conference to the Fargo office where the live presentation will take place.

Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Contact Missy at melissa.haut@hrrv.org or 701-356-1563 one week prior to the lunch and learn and indicate which location you will be attending. Participants may bring their own lunches; coffee and water will be provided.

Lunch and Learns are free and open to all health care professionals. They will be held on an ongoing basis every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November) on the third Tuesday of the month from noon – 1 p.m. Specific topics and descriptions will be shared closer to each date.

About Hospice of the Red River Valley

Hospice of the Red River Valley is an independent, not-for-profit hospice serving all or portions of 29 counties in North Dakota and Minnesota. Hospice care is intensive comfort care that alleviates pain and suffering, enhancing quality of life for terminally ill patients and families by addressing their medical, emotional, spiritual and grief needs. For more information, call toll free 800-237-4629, e-mail

questions@hrrv.org or visit www.hrrv.org.

 

The following from the Springfield, Missouri News Leader.com Web Site:

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20121227/NEWS01/312270103/

Six Springfield area men killed Wednesday morning on an icy strip of interstate near Jamestown, N.D., were there looking for work, a family friend said Thursday.

Yolanda Lorge, president of the Hispanic advocacy organization Grupo Latino Americano in Springfield, said the driver, Martin Zuniga, owned a small construction company. He and the men with him were heading to a work site. Lorge didn’t know exactly where the job was.

“That’s what they were doing there,” Lorge said. “They found a job there or something. You have to find work wherever you can.”

But Zuniga, 47, of Republic, his brother, Jose Isabel Avila, 54, of Springfield and the four other men died when their Chevrolet pickup, traveling west on Interstate 94, went through the median and was struck by an eastbound Freightliner semi, a North Dakota Highway Patrol media release said.

Springfield residents Mayolo Lopez, 51, Albino Galicia Martinez, 43, and Epitacio Acosta Padron, 50, were also killed, along with Herson Orellana, 34, of Nixa.

Three of the occupants of the pickup were ejected from the vehicle. None were wearing seat belts, the Highway Patrol’s release said.

The driver of the semi, Stuart Hauge, 23, of Mandan, N.D., was taken to the Jamestown Regional Medical Center on Wednesday with minor injuries. Hauge was wearing a seat belt.

Dee Pohl, parish administrator at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Springfield, said several of the deceased were parishioners.

“We have still been waiting to hear from the families here … what arrangements will be made,” Pohl said.

Lorge said she considered the Zuniga family among the pioneer Hispanic families who arrived in the Springfield area about 25 years ago.

“Martin, he came here with nothing,” Lorge said. “He didn’t know much about construction, but he worked and he learned how to do just about anything.”

Lorge said the Zuniga family lost two other relatives in a car crash earlier this year.

The families, Lorge said, were trying to figure out how to get their loved ones who died in this crash either back to Springfield or back to the Mexican village where the families are from, El Patol.

“They’re a very good, hard-working family,” Lorge said. “They are a very close-knit family. It’s sad that people who have been able to move as far as they have, that these pioneers aren’t going to be able to see the flowering of the seeds they planted in this area.”

The crash, which occurred about 10:25 a.m., remains under investigation, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

The semi struck the passenger side of the pickup at a right angle and the pickup came to rest in a ditch, a media release said. The semi truck came to rest in the median facing northeast, the release said.

According to press reports, alcohol was not a factor in the crash, authorities said. Road conditions were icy at the time of the crash, NDHP Sgt. Josh Rude said Wednesday.

Zuniga lost control of the pickup before heading into the median, the Highway Patrol release said.

It is not yet known whether speed was a factor in the crash.

The pickup was totaled; the semi sustained about $40,000 in damage.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – In a survey of Associated Press members, the showdown between Democrat Heidi Heitcamp and Republican Rick Berg for U.S. Senate ranked as North Dakota’s top news story of 2012.
 
     The remaining 10 are:
 
     The state becomes the country’s second-leading oil-producing state; the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname is retired; a grandmother and three grandchildren are shot to death in New Town; the state reaps $1.1 billion in oil royalties since 2007; charges are filed against a man accused in four 2011 slayings; a shooting in Beulah kills a man; oil prosperity continues to strain housing and traffic; 11 people, including eight North Dakota State University football players, are charged with forging signatures on ballot-initiative petitions, and a judge rules to lift a century-old ban on Election Day campaigning.

 

  BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – An appeal has been filed with the North Dakota Supreme calling for a grand jury to look into campaign contributions made to Gov. Jack Dalrymple.
 
     Grand Forks attorney David Thompson says an appeal was submitted and accepted by the Supreme Court on Thursday.
 
     South Central District Court Judge William Herauf ruled last month that there weren’t enough qualified Dunn County signatures for the petition and denied it. The petition sought a grand jury investigation into whether oil industry campaign contributions to Dalrymple amount to bribery.
 
     Amanda Godfread, communications director for Dalrymple’s campaign, has called the petition politically motivated and baseless. 
 
     Thompson says another petition will be filed.

 

FAIRMOUNT, N.D. (AP) – A farmer has done so well growing corn, soybeans and grains in North Dakota’s Red River Valley that he’s extending operations to Africa.
 
     Wallie Hardie’s family has been farming successfully in the valley since his great grandfather settled in Fairmount. Now he’s investing time, effort and money in Mozambique (MOH’-zam-beek) because he believes Africa will be a big player in future world food production.
 
     He’s working with Aslan Global Management, a for-profit corporation investing millions of dollars to develop farmland there.
 
     Minnesota Public Radio reports  that Aslan has gotten a lease from the Mozambique government on 25,000 acres and plans to grow primarily soybeans and corns.
 
     Hardie says he hopes to do some good in the poverty-stricken area, which he first visited five years ago.

 

 OSNABROCK, N.D. (AP) – Officials say a shuttered nursing home in northeastern North Dakota is slated to be open by spring.
 
     The Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Good Samaritan Society closed the home in Osnabrock in July. Officials cited financial problems due to a decreasing population, and problems in attracting and keeping staff. 
 
 A  local advisory board formed immediately after the closing and began raising money to reopen the facility. Interim administrator Tim Seavey says a permanent administrator may be hired next month.
 
     Funding to reopen the nursing home has come from area businesses.

 

 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – U.S. Census Bureau data show people are more likely to live 100 years or longer in North Dakota and South Dakota.
 
Data released this month show North Dakota ranks No. 1 in the number of centenarians per 10,000 people, at 3.29. South Dakota was second at 2.95.
 
     Sioux Falls resident Lorraine Brakke is one of about 250 centenarians living in South Dakota. Brakke says she doesn’t have any explanation of why she has lived to be 100 years old. She says “it just happened.”

 

WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – Williston officials say plans to build a permanent truck bypass around the city have been amended to avoid American Indian artifacts.
 
     The City Commission voted Wednesday to approve the new route. An earlier route preferred by the city was scrapped after burial sites and artifacts were discovered in the area.
 
     Crews earlier this year completed a temporary bypass in the area to help route heavy oil field truck traffic around Williston and ease congestion in city limits. It is designed to last less than three years.

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) – A gathering at the White House Friday could represent a last chance to keep next week’s tax hikes and spending cuts from going into effect. President Barack Obama is expected to be outlining a scaled-back proposal to leaders of the House and Senate. Republicans and Democrats say any deal is likely to include an extension of middle-class tax cuts, with increased rates and upper incomes. A key question is just what that upper income level will be.
 
     NEW YORK (AP) – A federal mediator says he’s “cautiously optimistic” that the operators of East Coast and Gulf Coast ports can work out the remaining issues with longshoremen in the next 30 days. That’s how long the current contract is being extended — giving the port operators and shipping lines another chance to work out a deal with the dock workers and avoid a strike. The walkout had been threatened for this Sunday. It would shut down operations at ports that handle about 40 percent of all U.S. container cargo.

 
     PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Same-sex couples are poised to get legally married in Maine for the first time shortly after midnight. A handful of city and town halls are preparing for special hours when Maine’s same-sex marriage law takes effect early Saturday. Portland City Hall will open at midnight to provide licenses. And there will be notaries for those who want to marry immediately. Voters approved gay marriage in November, making Maine among the first to do so by popular vote.
 
     BEIRUT (AP) – Anti-regime activists say a government airstrike on a town in north Syria has killed 14 people, including two women and eight children. There’s a large military complex on the outskirts of the town that has been under siege from rebels.
 
     NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) – It’s now been two weeks since the deadly shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. Clergy from across Connecticut gathered in Newtown Friday morning for an interfaith vigil focused on the healing process. They offered words of support for the community.