wbam1CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS AROUND 30. NORTHEAST WINDS AROUND
5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTH AROUND 5 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF LIGHT FREEZING RAIN
AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE MID 20S. SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.
.FRIDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN AND FREEZING
RAIN IN THE MORNING. BREEZY. NOT AS COOL. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S.
SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST 20 TO
25 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S. NORTHWEST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
.SATURDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S. SOUTH WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH INCREASING TO AROUND 15 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE
MID 30S. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 40S TO MID 50S.
.MONDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN. HIGHS IN
THE LOWER 50S.
.MONDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY. CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE EVENING…THEN
CHANCE OF RAIN POSSIBLY MIXED WITH SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN
THE MID 30S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 50 PERCENT.
.TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW IN THE
MORNING…THEN CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 40S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 40 PERCENT.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN AND SNOW IN
THE EVENING…THEN SLIGHT CHANCE OF SNOW AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN
THE MID 20S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 20 PERCENT.
.WEDNESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 40.

(CSi) It was 50 years ago, this week The Blizzard of 66 made a lasting impression, of what extreme winter weather, specifically a huge blizzard, can have on people, animals, transportation, and the disruption of lives for days beyond the blizzard itself. The storm occurred March 2-5, 1966.
The blizzard went on for four days, killing 16 people in three states, the Dakotas and Minnesota, with high snowfall amounts coupled with extremely high wind. It claimed tens of thousands of cattle and other livestock. Winds 70-100 miles an hour drove the snow into drifts sometimes 20-30 feet tall, with snowfall amounts nearly three feet.

Kermit Sauer Family Film of the Blizzard of 1966 in Valley City North Dakota at YouTube

Vehicles in eastern North Dakota were buried, and after the snow plows inititially came through after the storm, it created canyons, the snow that was pushed to the side of the streets. Where the plows hadn’t come yet, the mode of transportation was snowmobiles, with schools and businesses closed.
Rural resident were pretty much stranded in their homes and farmsteads, for several days, until the plows were able to reach them. Then came the chore of digging out. The National Guard soldiers helped the area dig out using Caterpillars and large loaders. Meteorolgists are in general agreement that “The blizzard of 66,” was the worst snow storm in the Northern Plains in the 20th century.

 

Valley City (CSi ) The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports a two vehicle accident on I-94 at 6:06 pm, at mile marker 291,Wednesday led to two injuries.

The report says a 2005 Chevy Cobalt was operated by 23 year old McKenzie Willits of Hawley, Minnesota. A Toyota Rav4 was driven by 62 year old Linda Beyer, from Hamilton, Montana.

The Chevrolet driven by Willits was eastbound at 75-80 mph with cruise control on. Willits lost control of the vehicle. The Chevrolet crossed the median and drove onto the westbound lanes before striking the Toyota driven by Beyer head on. The vehicles came to rest on the westbound shoulders of the road. Both driver’s were transported to Mercy Hospital in Valley City. Injuries are not life threatening. Willits was treated and released. The crash remains under investigation.

The crash remains under investigation with the North Dakota Highway Patrol. Other law enforcement agencies including the Valley City Police Department and the Barnes County Sheriff’s office also assisted at the crash scene in Valley City.

 

Valley City (CSi) Come to the 79th annual North Dakota Winter Show, extended to an eight-day show.

The show kicksoff on Saturday, March 5th and runs through Saturday, March 12th, in Valley City.

The concert Saturday, March 5th will feature Old Dominion.
Also on the bill are, local favorites and Fargo based band, 32 Below, along with Blind Joe, who recently competed on “Team Blake”, on the popular TV singing competition, “The Voice.”

Doors to the main arena will open at 6 pm that evening and tickets are $35, or $40 on concert day.

Also on the weekend the new “Totally Kids”, event, at the South Exhibit Building, that will be filled with fun activities and shows for kids of all ages.
Included will be laser tag, water walkers, magic shows, jumbo games, trick dog shows, barrel train rides and more. Admission will be only $5 for the whole day, or free for adults, with a paid kid’s admission per adult, from 10 am – 7 pm, on Saturday, March 5th, and from 10am – 4 pm, on Sunday, March 6th.

Remember that the cattle and hog shows will be moved to the weekend, scheduled for Sunday, March 6th, beginning at 8 am with the Jr. Cattle Show; the Classic Steer Show will be held at 2 pm and at 3 pm, the Market Hog Show. The Classic Steer & Market Hog Auction will follow the shows and is scheduled for 6 pm, at the Valley City Eagles Club.

Also on Sunday, March 6th, “Fully Loaded Wrestling” action will take over the main arena! The event will begin at 4 pm and tickets are $10, or $5 for ages 10 and under.
Jamestown (CSi) The National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown is temporarily housing the exhibit, “Bison: The American Buffalo, Then, Now, and Tomorrow.”
The Museum’s Director, Ilana Xinos says, the historical exhibit depicts the significance of the North American bison, from the Plains Indians culture to the national symbol of the present. The exhibit, includes 2,000 square feet in the museum, focusing on the major decline to near extinction of the bison.
The exhibit is a former National Endowment for the Humanities road exhibit. It’s not known how long the display will be in Jamestown, but perhaps through the summer.
The exhibit, on loan from the National Buffalo Foundation will be available for the same price of admission to the museum, $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, active military, and children 5-14, and free for children under 5.
Photo posed on line at CSiNewsNow.com

Jamestown (CSi) On Saturday, March 5, 2016, The North Dakota Highway Patrol, will conduct alcohol saturation patrols in Barnes County to remove impaired drivers from the roadways. If you choose to drink, do not drive. Arrange for a sober driver or call a taxi.
Last year, 41 percent of fatal crash victims died in alcohol-related crashes. Please make responsible decisions and join us in increasing the safety of North Dakota roadways.

Jamestown (CSi-UJ) Plans are underway at University of Jamestown for “Pearls with Purpose: The 30th Anniversary of Dine and Bid.” The scholarship benefit dinner and auction will take place Saturday, April 16 in the Larson Center on the University of Jamestown campus.
The event features the opportunity to bid on an array of unique items in silent and live auctions and the chance to win exciting raffles throughout the evening. A delicious meal will be catered by Sodexo.

UJ Special Events Coordinator, Morgan Bossman says, “University of Jamestown is thrilled to be celebrating 30 years of student scholarship support from alumni, friends, and community members. This event would not be a success without the overwhelming support we receive from the Jamestown community including: event sponsors, auctioneers, Masters of Ceremonies, committee members, and the numerous businesses and individuals that donate auction items.”

Several unique items will be up on both the live and silent auctions including custom metal signage, hand-carved Jimmie decorations, artwork, a custom dollhouse, sporting event tickets plus autographed memorabilia, a custom rocking motorcycle, theater packages, travel and lodging packages.

University of Jamestown students get involved in the event by managing valet parking, greeting attendees, displaying items, serving the meal, and assisting with delivery of large auction items to buyers’ homes.

This year’s Dine and Bid will feature two emcees, Warren Abrahamson (a 2013 UJ graduate) and Casey Stoudt. Bossman says, “Casey has been a wonderful addition to the event for many years and we are thrilled to have Warren join him this year.”

Auction services will be provided by More from Orr Auctioneers.

The event is open to the community. Tickets can be obtained by contacting Marlene Wiest at (701) 252-3467 ext. 5576 or wiest@uj.edu. Reservations can also be placed online at uj.edu/dine-bid.

 

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) – Minot police say they’ve arrested a 26-year-old Minot man on charges of fatally stabbing his brother.

The Minot Police Department says it responded to a report of a stabbing around 5:40 p.m. Tuesday and found 28-year-old Ignacio Contreras-Castillo dead from a stab wound. A 19-year-old man who was stabbed in the hand was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police say they took Adolfo Contreras-Castillo in custody for questioning and later arrested him on charges of murder, aggravated assault and terrorizing. He made an initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon, though court records have his last name listed as Castillo-Contreras.

Attorney information was not immediately available.

The investigation is ongoing.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A man who was involved in police standoff last month that left him and a Fargo officer dead warned authorities to clear the area before he started shooting.

A search warrant filed after the nearly 11-hour standoff says the suspect, Marcus Schumacher, called police dispatch the evening of February 10th and said he would hurt “anyone that comes close to the house.” Later, after a gunshot was fired out the window, Schumacher allegedly told dispatch, “I told you I was serious.”

Officer Jason Moszer died from a single gunshot wound. Investigators have not said whether Schumacher died of a police bullet or shot himself.

Police recovered five guns and numerous spent shell and tear gas casings from the home. The document says a rifle was found under Schumacher’s body.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) – The prosecutor who brought misdemeanor charges against Ward County Sheriff Steve Kukowski now wants him removed from office.

Prosecutor Seymour Jordan has petitioned state Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem (STEHN’-juhm) to initiate the process of removing the sheriff. Stenehjem has about a month to investigate and make a recommendation to the governor.

Kukowski’s attorney, Bruce Quick, tells the Minot Daily News that any consideration of removing Kukowski is premature. He says the sheriff is innocent until proven guilty.

Kukowski faces three misdemeanor charges related to the death of a jail inmate. Twenty-five-year-old Dustin Irwin, of Mandaree, died at a hospital in October 2014 after going into cardiac arrest.

An investigation by the state Corrections Department determined that jail officials failed to give Irwin proper supervision or medical treatment.

 

BOTTINEAU, N.D. (AP) – A Bottineau man who fatally shot his boss and a co-worker at a north central North Dakota hog farm a year ago has been sentenced to serve 45 years in prison.

Authorities say 19-year-old Jeremy Rodriguez-Rios in March 2015 killed 37-year-old Brian Story and 50-year-old Christopher Sluder with a handgun that he later threw into a sewage pit on the farm. Sluder managed the business.

Rodriguez-Rios last December entered Alford pleas to two counts of murder, meaning he didn’t admit guilt but acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict him.

Judge Michael Sturdevant during Wednesday’s sentencing called the killings “executions.”

Rodriguez-Rios must serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

 

WATFORD CITY, N.D. (AP) – A woman charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a man in the face in Watford City has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault.

Twenty-two-year-old Kimberly Pomeroy also pleaded guilty to a drug charge and faces up to 20 years in prison when she’s sentenced on April 27. A second drug charge was dropped.

Pomeroy was accused of shooting 27-year-old Pacer Coleman, of Alvarado, Texas, at a motel in November 2014. Court documents show she entered her pleas on Monday. The documents don’t list a hometown for Pomeroy, but authorities have said that she’s from Idaho.

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – Grand Forks police say they have charged a Central High School teacher with engaging in a sexual act with an underage student.

Police say 41-year-old James Patrick Whalen, of Grand Forks, is charged with two counts of corruption of a minor, one for an alleged incident on school grounds and another for an alleged incident at a private residence within the city. The incidents are alleged to have taken place between November and February.

Court records do not list an attorney for Whalen. A telephone message left at a listed number was not immediately returned.

Whalen is listed on the school’s website as head of the science department.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

 

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – A Crookston, Minnesota, woman accused of robbing two banks across the North Dakota border in Grand Forks has pleaded not guilty in federal court.

Thirty-nine-year-old Charlene Corona was indicted earlier on two federal bank robbery charges and entered her pleas Wednesday. She’s been ordered held until her trial beginning May 3.

Corona also goes by the last name Espinoza. She’s accused of robbing a Bremer Bank on Sept. 30, 2015, and Citizen’s Community Credit Union 12 days later.

There were no customers in either business at the time of the robberies, and no one was hurt.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A man from the United Kingdom says he will plead guilty in a child pornography case that allegedly involved a 13-year-old victim from Fargo and others.

Simon Riley is charged with three counts, including sexual exploitation of a minor and advertising material regarding the sexual exploitation of minors.

Authorities traced the explicit images to a website account in Wales. Riley was arrested in September while vacationing in Orlando, Florida.

Court documents show that Riley was in possession of about 1,800 images of child pornography.

Riley faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years.

A federal public defender could not be immediately reached for comment.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s three Republican governor hopefuls are preparing for their first debate less than a month before party activists meet at their state convention to endorse a candidate.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, former Microsoft executive Doug Burgum of Fargo and state Rep. Rick Becker will take the stage tonight in Bismarck, promoting their visions for North Dakota.

The candidates will debate at a century-old theater in downtown Bismarck that has hosted the likes of former presidents John F. Kennedy and Woodrow Wilson. GOP executive director Roz Leighton says it’s the first-ever party-sponsored debate ahead of a state convention, and seating went quickly.

All of the 750 free tickets at the Belle Mehus Auditorium had been taken by Wednesday afternoon. The debate also will be broadcast statewide.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – BNSF Railway Co. says it will invest more than $100 million this year in North Dakota as part of its capital expenditure program.

The railroad says this year’s plan in North Dakota is primarily focused on maintenance projects.

The company says the maintenance is aimed at keeping its network infrastructure in optimal condition and reduces the need for unscheduled service work that can slow down rail service.

BNSF is based in Fort Worth, Texas. BNSF is the biggest player in North Dakota, hauling the bulk of the railed crude out of the region and the inbound freight that supports oil drilling.

 

In sports…

Valley City (CSi)The Valley City State University men’s basketball team has gotten an at-large berth to the NAIA Division II National Tournament in point Lookout, Missouri next Wednesday night.

The Vikings (21-10 overall) will face the Tennessee Wesleyan College Bulldogs (28-3 overall) out of the Appalachian Athletic Conference on Thursday, March 10th at 8:30 a.m. in first round action.

The Bulldogs won the regular season conference championship in the AAC.

Dakota State University, which defeated Jamestown for the NSAA crown and Bellevue University also qualified from the North Star Athletic Association.

Dakota State University plays against Saint Francis (Ind.) on Wednesday, March 9th at 1:45 p.m., while Bellevue tangles with Indiana Wesleyan on Thursday, March 10th at 1:45 p.m.

The 2016 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship is March 9th – 15th.

 

Jamestown (CSi-UJ) The University of Jamestown women’s basketball team (29-4), fresh off winning the North Star Athletic Association Tournament title, will head to Sioux City, Iowa as the #2 seed in the Naismith bracket of the NAIA National Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Jimmies will take on the #7 seed Oregon Tech Owls (25-8) Wednesday, March 9 at 9:15 p.m. at the Tyson Events Center.

The winner will take on the winner of the Marian (27-6, #3 seed) and Milligan (23-7, #6) contest that will be played right before the Jimmie game Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

The two winners will face off Friday at 12 noon.

 

 

In today’s West Region boys basketball tournament

The Seeded No. 5, the Blue Jays (12-9) meet fourth-seeded Dickinson (14-7) at 4:45 p.m., at the Bismarck Event Center.

In girls hoops…

Fifth-seeded Jamestown (11-10) plays fourth-seeded Bismarck Legacy (12-8) at 3:45 p.m., in the Exhibit Hall of the Bismarck Event Center

 

 

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – North Dakota State’s five football national championship trophies are on a tour of Scheels stores in the upper Midwest, but they won’t be making a scheduled stop in South Dakota.

A Bison trophy display at the Scheels store in Sioux Falls on Sunday has been canceled after complaints by people affiliated with South Dakota State.

The Bison and Jackrabbits are rivals on the field. Former SDSU football player Barry Nagel  “people were fired up” about the trophies being put on display south of the border.

Sioux Falls Scheels store manager Chris Kray says NDSU officials informed him the trophies won’t be coming, and “apologized for any inconvenience.”

The trophies are being displayed in several North Dakota cities and in Rochester, Minnesota.

 

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Bradley Beal scored 26 points to lead the Washington Wizards to a 104-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. John Wall had 14 points and 12 assists. Washington shot 50 percent, hit 11 of 29 3-pointers and scored 50 points in the paint to overcome 17 turnovers.

UNDATED (AP) – Though it was a foregone conclusion, the San Antonio Spurs have wrapped up an NBA playoff berth for the 19th consecutive season.

Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard scored 27 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 23 as the Spurs beat Detroit 97-81. Aldridge also had 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who improved to 29-0 at home in their return from a month-long road trip.

Final Charlotte 119 Philadelphia 99
Final Orlando 102 Chicago 89
Final Boston 116 Portland 93
Final Toronto 104 Utah 94
Final Indiana 104 Milwaukee 99
Final Houston 100 New Orleans 95
Final Memphis 104 Sacramento 98
Final Denver 117 L-A Lakers 107
Final L-A Clippers 103 Oklahoma City 98

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Final Washington 3 Toronto 2
Final Chicago 5 Detroit 2
Final 2OT Anaheim 3 Montreal 2 (SO Anaheim 1-0)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Bronson Koenig had 14 points and six assists as Wisconsin breezed by undermanned Minnesota 62-49 on Wednesday night. Vitto Brown pitched in 12 points and six rebounds for Wisconsin. Stephon Sharp scored 16 points for the Gophers.

 

TOP-25

Final ( 2) Michigan St. 97 Rutgers 66
Final ( 7) Miami 68 Notre Dame 50
Final ( 9) Oregon 76 UCLA 68
Final (10) West Virginia 90 Texas Tech 68

 

NFL…

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) – Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is now signed through 2021 after agreeing to a reworked contract that includes a three-year extension and gives the team additional cap space. Flacco received an NFL-record $40 million signing bonus to extend the six-year, $120.6 million contract he received in 2013 after earning Super Bowl MVP honors. The pact includes $44 million in guaranteed money, including the signing bonus and his $4 million base salary in 2016.

 

NBA..

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Former NBA All-Star guard Baron Davis is attempting a comeback after signing with the Philadelphia 76ers’ developmental league team, the Delaware 87ers. The third overall pick in the 1999 draft hasn’t played since the 2011-12 season because of a variety of injuries. Davis made two All-Star teams, one All-NBA selection and averaged 16.1 points and 7.2 assists over 835 career games.

 

NASCAR…

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -NASCAR has suspended the crew chief for driver Martin Truex Jr. for one Sprint Cup race and fined him $50,000 for a rules violation at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Cole Pearn will sit out this weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for a roof flap violation on the No. 78 found during pre-race technical inspection.
In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) – Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is charging into the increasingly divisive 2016 GOP White House contest. In prepared remarks, to be made at the University of Utah this morning, Romney says front-runner Donald Trump “has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president.” Trump called into ABC’s “Good Morning America” to scoff at Romney’s charges.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Four Republicans will gather onstage for tonight’s Fox News presidential debate in Detroit. Ben Carson will be a no-show, having signaled that he’s on the verge of officially quitting his White House bid.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – A white Alabama police officer is charged with murder in the shooting death of a black man. A family lawyer says Greg Gunn was walking home when he was killed outside a neighbor’s house. An attorney for Montgomery officer Aaron Smith calls the arrest “a political witch hunt.”

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – Maryland’s highest court will hear arguments in the cases of several officers charged in the death of a 25-year-old black man in Baltimore police custody. At issue is whether an officer whose own trial ended in a hung jury can be compelled to testify against his colleagues as he awaits retrial.

BREINIGSVILLE, Pa. (AP) – A fiery crash has claimed the lives of five people in eastern Pennsylvania. Authorities say the vehicle they were traveling in slammed head-on into a tractor-trailer near Allentown. The truck driver suffered minor injuries.