CSi Weather…
TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS ….THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.
.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S. SOUTHWEST WINDS
5 TO 10 MPH.
.SATURDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE MID 80S. SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS AROUND 60. SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND
5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST AFTER MIDNIGHT.
.SUNDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. NORTHWEST WINDS
10 TO 15 MPH.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S.
.MONDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S.
.MONDAY NIGHT…INCREASING CLOUDS. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE MID 50S.
.TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT
CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE MID 70S.
LOWS IN THE MID 50S.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A strong thunderstorm that pushed through central and western North Dakota Wednesday evening brought 85 mph straight-line winds that damaged four cabins along Lake Isabel south of Dawson.
No one was injured.
Kidder County Emergency Manager Jim Albrecht says the Wednesday night storm dropped more than three inches of rain in less than two hours in Steele and brought damaging winds strong enough to uproot two “giant” cottonwood trees.
The roof over the patio on the Southeast side of the house was torn off with part of the house roof pulled off.
Roof debris then hit and snapped nearby power lines.
Another home had the railing of the patio torn and lifted.
Albrecht says north and west side of the lake was hit hardest.
Albrecht says he did not believe anyone was displaced due to the storm since most of the homes along the lake are summer cabins rather than permanent homes.
Teams went to Ashley, in McIntosh County to assess damage with a tornado warning in that area, Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service got reports of winds estimated at 70 mph northeast of Ashley.
Meanwhile, Wednesday evening’s heavy rain in the Jamestown area, prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to increase the Jamestown Dam release from 100 cfs to 150 cfs.
The Pipestem Dam release rate remains at 215 cfs.
Pipestem Dam Manager Bob Martin adds, the rain increased the elevation at Pipestem Reservoir 7 inches, while the Jamestown Reservoir elevation increased about 3 inches.
Martin says the elevation is not causing any concerns.
At the James River in Jamestown, Wednesday evening’s rain increased the James River level in Jamestown by two and a half feet..
A new rainfall record for June 18, at 2.22 inches with the previous rainfall record for June 18 was 2.01 inches set in 1964.
Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Regional Airport Authority will be hosting an open-house to welcome its new commercial air service provider, United Express, operated by SkyWest, on Friday, June 20, 2014 from 11AM until 2PM.
Airport Manager Matthew Leitner will emcee for the event.
Also speaking will be Jamestown Regional Airport Authority, Chairman, Jim Boyd followed by Stutsman County Commission Chairman Mark Klose and Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen.
Then slated to speak will be Governor Jack Dalrymple, followed by Senator John Hoeven, Senator Heitkamp’s State Director, Ryan Nagle, and Rachel Buening, the staff assistant for Rep. Kevin Cramer, who will read statements from them.
North Dakota Aeronautics Commission Director Kyle Wanner will speak next, followed by Connie Ova, CEO of the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. Brad Rawson, director of network planning and acting-director of marketing for SkyWest Airlines and then Tim Burchill, former president of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce.
Searle Swedlund, executive director of Jamestown Tourism, may also speak as well.
The public is invited to attend.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council committees met on Thursday afternoon at City Hall. Council Member Buchanan was not present.
Central Valley Health District reported on a state grant received concerning substance abuse prevention, including addressing under-age drinking, and adult binge drinking, and how it is being implemented in Stutsman and Logan Counties.
With Finance and Legal Committee business:
Considered the South Central Dakota regional Council lease agreement with the JSDC. CEO Connie Ova said the Regional Council will lease its present space at $1,500 per month until the end of September this year, when the Council will move into space at Legacy Center.
The committee vote to recommend approval of the lease agreement. The Stutsman County Commission has also approved the lease.
The committee recommends approving the request from JSDC that UTC pay $241,790, which is half of the penalty required per the May 30, 2006, contract, to be paid by August 31, 2014, allowing payments to be made through December 31, 2014, and with the understanding that if not fulfilled by the end of the year it will go back to the full amount.
The committee then recommended for approval the request from the JSDC that Precision Results pay33% of the total dollars granted for a total of $10,732.84 to be paid by August 31, 2014, allowing payments to be made through December 31, 2014, and with the understanding that if not fulfilled by the end of the year it will go back to the full amount.
The committee approved the request from JSDC to provide Marvel Homes with a $43,000 Flex PACE interest buy-down from the Economic Development Fund with the City Share to be 80 percent….$8,600 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.
The property will be used for office space and displays of modular homes.
Considered recommending the City Council authorize placing covenants or conservation easements to prohibit any ground disturbance activities (on Lot 2, Block 1, of Hammer Addition, Lots 5 through 11, Block 1, Homestead III Addition, Lots 1 and 2, Block 2, Homestead III Addition, and Lots 7-9, Block 6, Homestead Addition, except under the authority of the ND State Historical Society.)
(Undeveloped property south of 7th Street SW between 12th Avenue SW and 10th Avenue SW).
The committee recommends approving.
Consideration was given to the offer to purchase Lot 5, Block 1, Homestead III in the amount of $10,500. The committee voted to recommend approval of the offer with restrictions on the deed, and confirmation that neighboring properties are not interested in the purchase.
Approved the affidavit from Trevor Peterson that City Check No. 7415 has been either destroyed or lost and to direct the issuance of a duplicate thereof.
Approved introducing the First Reading of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 11-15 of the City Code by removing the position of the Fire Training Officer as an exempt employee for overtime purposes. City Fire Chief Reuther said the action will allow the individual to be compensated for his time.
The committee recommends delaying the Second Reading of an Ordinance No. 1431, adding a new Section 5-39 of the City Code pertaining to temporary, special alcohol permits in the city, pending review by the parties affected.
Considered granting an easement to Stutsman Rural Water District for water connection at the Cavendish tower site. No action was taken.
The request from Albert L. Boeckel for the City to provide him with a Quit Claim deed for the vacated alley lying adjacent to the S. 120’ of Lot 1, Block 1, Alana’s Addition was recommended for denial.
Considered the request from Clarice Liechty for the revocation of the property tax exemption of Prairie Hills Apartments. The committee recommends instructing that the City Attorney to request that the Prairie Hills verify terms being met under the original application.
Informational: Departmental and financial reports.
Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1440, to amend Ordinance No. 329 by amending the District Map to change the zoning of the East 81 feet of Lots 2 and 4, Block 2, Hi-View Second Addition, from M-1 (Limited Industrial and Manufacturing District) to C-2 (General Commercial District) and an unplatted 18.46 acre tract of land in the Southeast Quarter of Section 23, Township 140N,
Range 64W; bordered on the east by Fifth Northwest and Second Northwest Additions, and on the west by Fourth Northwest, First Northwest, Hi-View, and Hi-View 2nd Additions, from R-1 (One Family Residential District) to C-2 (General Commercial District), is scheduled for the July 7, 2014, city council meeting.
Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1441, to amend Ordinance No. 329 by amending the District Map to change the zoning of Lots 2-12, Block 3; Lots 7-14, Block 4; Lots 7-14, Block 5; and Lots 7-10, Block 6; All of Country Side Estates Subdivision (A replat of City West Subdivision), from C-2 (General Commercial District) and R-1 (One Family Residential District) to R-2
(One to Six Family Residential District) ), is scheduled for the July 7, 2014, city council meeting.
Building, Planning & Zoning Committee:
Approved recommending the First Reading of an ordinance to change the zoning of Lot 2, Block 1, Proposed Hammer Addition; Lots 5-11, Block 1, Homestead III Addition; Lots 1 & 2, Block 2, Homestead III and Lots 7, 8, 9, Block 6, Homestead Addition from R-1 (One Family Residential District) to P-O-C (Public, Open Development and Conservation District).
Civic Center and Promotion Committee:
Recommends approval of Contingency Change Request No. 7 to Energy Services Group in the amount of $1,998.00 on the Jamestown Civic center Energy Services Agreement Project.
The committee recommends moving to the city council without recommendation the request of the Amended Contingency Change Request No. 2 to Energy Services Group in the amount of $3,427.00 on the Jamestown Civic Center Energy Services Agreement Project. The original agreement didn’t charge the city for the service.
Fire and Police Committee:
The committee recommends introducing the First Reading of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact Sections 15.26, 15-26.1 and 15-26.3 of the City Code pertaining to the Fire Code.
The committee recommends extending the agreement with Stutsman County to Jointly Operate the Stutsman County Communications Center. The present agreement expires at the end of July this year.
The committee recommends entering into an agreement with the Stutsman County Fair Association for a ground lease on the fairgrounds property to operate the Jamestown Law Enforcement Pistol & Rifle Range. The action is a renewal of the agreement.
Public Works Committee:
Considered a budget increase relating to Jamestown Infrastructure I&C Support from AE2S from $18,000 to $30,000 to $35,000. The committee recommends approval up to an amount up to $30,000.
The committee recommends approving a proposal from MVTL for the 2014-2015 Annual Ground Water Quality Assessment at the Jamestown Landfill.
The committee recommends approving a Contract with Midwest Testing to perform soil borings on the current Paving District #14-41 and on 5th Street NE.
The committee considered request from Stutsman County to close and possibly vacate 6th Street SE between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. The area would include an extended parking lot between the LEC and the present parking lot across the street.
City Engineer, Reed Schwartzkopf asked if the city wants the closure on a temporary basis, first.
Fire Chief Reuther has concerns of access that needs to be addressed. He received concerns if the street is closed, about traffic being diverted in the area of St. John’s Academy.
The committee recommends a temporary closure, to determine the feasibility of the closure becoming permanent.
The committee recommends approval of a proposal from AE2S regarding structural building panel repairs that will lead to a permanent fix at the Baler Building at a cost of $7,900.
Considered request from Jamestown University to rename a portion of 7th Street NE near 12th Avenue, to North University Drive. The area is past the municipal swimming pool, and Wilson and Eagles Arenas. The roadway extends through the campus, and buildings will be assigned numbers, for 9-1-1 location purposes. The committee recommends approval of the request.
The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays.
Jamestown (CSi) The James River Library System, Board of Directors discussed the expansion of the Alfred Dickey Public Library, in downtown Jamestown, noting preliminary drawings limiting changes to the historic Alfred Dickey building.
Library Director Joe Rector, says the public has told him that it’s preferred to keep the historic structure close to original.
The possible initial plan change is the addition of a second elevator, so patrons do not have to leave the secured area to go up to the bathroom or move books between floors.
Other changes to the original plan include not sloping the landscape, and the library’s Jennifer Senger, prefers higher windows for more interior shelf space.
The planned expansion of the building, with 16,000 square feet, will include the purchase of two buildings on the library’s north side, the Maranatha building and the Maple Mall, which together costing $774,000, with the total project cost estimate at about $9-million.
Roughly $1.25 million of the total would be paid for through donations.
The balance of the $7.75 million would come from a quarter-cent sales tax that voters needing voter approval.
To get the issue on the November 2014 election ballot, supporters need to gather 1452 petition signatures, with a month left to obtain the signatures and then turned into the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office by the deadline.
WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple is choosing between three finalists to fill the Southeast Judicial District judgeship vacancy.
Dalrymple has 30 days to make a selection. The finalists were selected by the Judicial Nominating Committee out of a pool of six applicants.
The selected lawyer will fill the seat vacated by retiring Judge John Paulson. Paulson has been a district judge since 1980.
The three finalists are Cherie Clark, assistant state’s attorney for Cass County, Troy LeFevre, chief assistant state’s attorney for Stutsman County, and Jerod Tufte, legal counsel to the governor.
MINOT, N.D. (AP) – A Minot woman accused of stabbing her husband has been found guilty of attempted murder.
36-year-old Heather Leavitt threw her hands to her face and began to cry when the guilty verdict was read Thursday night.
Leavitt was found guilty of stabbing her husband eight times during the early morning hours of Feb. 1. Authorities say a bloodied Timothy Leavitt ran to the home of a neighbor, who called police.
A doctor testified that Leavitt suffered punctures to both lungs.
Prosecutor Kelly Dillon told jurors that Timothy Leavitt was “so bloody” that a police officer who responded “couldn’t see the injuries.”
Heather Leavitt faces up to 20 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – An appeals court says a federal judge made a mistake by not appointing counsel for a Blanchard horse farmer who repeatedly demanded and rejected lawyers in a case that centered on North Dakota’s fence law.
La Verne Koenig was convicted in 2009 for failing to maintain a legal fence and allowing his horses to run at large. He received a suspended sentence and was ordered to pay $5,400 in restitution.
Koenig appealed and asked for a new lawyer. U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson determined that Koenig waived his right to a court-appointed attorney for the appeal because he refused to cooperate with his lawyers during the trial.
A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 vote that Koenig should have been provided representation.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – An 11-year-old boy from Fargo is celebrating the one-year anniversary of living with his new lungs. WDAY-TV says Jordan Peterson and his family threw a special party this week to commemorate the day in which he underwent a lung transplant after months of waiting and several false alarms. Peterson’s father, Dan, says his son thinks of the donor’s family every day.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The lawyer for a group of government officials managing a flood-control project for Fargo says a state lawsuit filed by Red River diversion opponents is no different from a federal complaint and has no merit.
President Obama signed a water project bill earlier this month that authorizes construction of the nearly $2 billion channel that would move floodwaters around the metropolitan area. Some upstream landowners believe there are better options and last year filed a federal suit.
Robert Cattanach is the attorney for the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority. He says the suit filed in Minnesota last week by the Richland-Wilkin Joint Powers Authority is meant to delay the project.
Wilkin County State’s Attorney Tim Fox, a member of the Richland-Wilkin group, says the issue deserves a trial in state court.
DENVER (AP) – Hundreds of pounds of industrial hemp seeds bound from Canada to Colorado have been seized by federal authorities in North Dakota.
The seizure marked the latest bump along the road to legalization of marijuana’s non-intoxicating cousin.
The federal Farm Bill signed into law earlier this year allows cultivation of hemp under certain circumstances. But importing hemp seeds requires permission from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Hemp activist Tom McClain says he was carrying 350 pounds of seeds for industrial hemp known as X-59, or Hemp Nut, when border agents stopped him.
The seeds were confiscated Saturday at the crossing near Pembina, North Dakota, after McClain says he declared the seven bags. McClain has not been charged with a crime.
Shawn Neudauer (NEW-dower) of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed the seizure but declined to comment because of the ongoing investigation.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Enrollment at Bismarck’s new elementary schools is already higher than it was predicted for the upcoming academic year.
Each of the schools was built for 488 students. But Liberty elementary now has 507 registered students and Lincoln elementary is expecting 475 pupils for the 2014-2015 school year.
A consultant working for Bismarck Public Schools had predicted an enrollment of 465 at Liberty and 439 at Lincoln for next academic year.
School board member Lawrence King tells the newspaper that the board has no plans at this time to add on any classrooms to the schools or set up portable rooms this summer.
King says the board will probably have to wait until August before taking any action.
TIOGA, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota is publicly celebrating reaching its one million barrel per day oil production level on June 25 in Tioga.
The celebration is being hosted by the North Dakota Petroleum Council. It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be held at Neset Consulting Service headquarters.
North Dakota Petroleum Council president Ron Ness and North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple are scheduled to speak. Members of the public will have the opportunity to take bus tours of North Dakota’s first well and air tours of the Tioga area. World War II-era fighter aircraft will put on an airshow.
The Department of Mineral Resources announced North Dakota’s April production hit the milestone figure on June 17. Only four other states have ever reached the million barrels per day mark.
MANDAN, N.D. (AP) – The Northern Lights Dairy near Mandan is hosting a weekend event to help educate people about where their food comes from.
The “Breakfast on the Farm” event from 7-11 a.m. Saturday will feature breakfast and entertainment, including hay rides, tours and a petting zoo.
State Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says the event will be both educational and fun. It’s also free.
To reach the Northern Lights Dairy from Main Street in Mandan, turn south on Highway 6 and drive about 14 miles. Turn right at 54th Street.
In sports…
Fargo-Moorhead 1, Rockland 0
MLB…
INTERLEAGUE
Final San Diego 4 Seattle 1
AMERICAN LEAGUE
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Joe Mauer drove in two runs to push the Minnesota Twins past the Chicago White Sox 4-2 last night. The Twins stopped their season-high, five-game losing streak. Mauer also hit a tying single in the third. Glen Perkins tossed a scoreless ninth for his 18th save in 20 tries.
Final Cleveland 5 L.A. Angels 3, 10 Innings
Final Detroit 2 Kansas City 1
Final N-Y Yankees 6 Toronto 4
Final Tampa Bay 5 Houston 0
Final Minnesota 4 Chi White Sox 2
Final Oakland 4 Boston 2
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final Pittsburgh 4 Cincinnati 3, 12 Innings
Final Milwaukee 4 Arizona 1
Final Atlanta 3 Washington 0
Final N-Y Mets 1 Miami 0
Final Philadelphia 4 St. Louis 1
WNBA BASKETBALL
Final OT San Antonio 87 Seattle 82
Final Los Angeles 87 Tulsa 77
WORLD CUP SOCCER
UNDATED (AP) – It was a great day for Uruguay and Colombia at World Cup.
Luis Suarez scored twice, including the game-winner in the 85th minute to lead Uruguay past England 2-1. The leading scorer in the British Premier League was playing his first match in more than a month following knee surgery. Suarez snapped a 1-1 tie 10 minutes after Wayne Rooney tied it for England.
Colombia scored twice during a six-minute stretch of the second half to beat Ivory Coast 2-1. James Rodriguez knocked in a header from a corner in the 64th minute before substitute Juan Quintero made it 2-0. Colombia earned its second win despite a brilliant goal by Gervinho in the 73rd minute.
Colombia wrapped up a berth in the knockout round when Greece and Japan played to a scoreless tie. Greece was reduced to 10 men after captain Costas Katsouranis was sent off in the 38th minute with his second booking.
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES…
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Mississippi is still alive in the College World Series after winning an elimination game against TCU.
Will Allen had three hits and three RBIs as the Rebels knocked off the Horned Frogs 6-4. Sikes Orvis added three hits and two ribbies for Ole Miss, which will face unbeaten Virginia on Friday.
The Rebels need to sweep the Cavaliers Friday and Saturday to reach next week’s best-of-three championship series. Virginia is 2-0 in the tournament and beat Mississippi in walkoff fashion last Sunday.
Friday’s first game has Vanderbilt against Texas. The Commodores have won their first two games of the tournament.
MLB…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Twins have placed infielder Eduardo Nunez on the 15-day disabled list. Nunez strained his right hamstring while beating out an infield single last Saturday at Detroit. Nunez’s injury left the Twins with only three bench players for the time being. He’s batting .290 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 25 games.
GOLF…
CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) – Brenden Steele holed out from 129 yards for eagle on the par 4, first hole and went on to fire an 8-under 62 and take the clubhouse lead in the first round of the PGA’s Travelers Championship. Steele’s bogey-free round gave him a one-shot edge over Ryan Moore and Bud Cauley.
PINEHURST, N.C. (AP) – Stacy Lewis is the leader heading into the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst. Lewis fired a 3-under-par 67 yesterday, one shot better than Michelle Wie (wee). Eleven-year-old Lucy Li shot an 8-over 78 after becoming the youngest qualifier ever in the tournament.
NBA-CLIPPERS-STERLING…
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has won a small victory in court.
A judge has refused Shelly Sterling’s request for an injunction against her husband and his lawyers in their dispute over the planned sale of the NBA franchise.
Shelly Sterling’s attorneys filed a petition Thursday alleging threats by Donald Sterling and his counsel. But Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Levanas ruled in writing that the statements cited in the petition did not “rise to the level of great and irreparable injury.”
A trial next month will look into assertions that Donald Sterling is mentally incapacitated, leaving Shelly Sterling as sole authority to sell the Clippers.
In world and national news…
GWANGJU, South Korea (AP) – A hearing on the South Korea ferry sinking has been held today and prosecutors blamed the CEO and four employees of the operator the ship for ignoring safety concerns. The ship was overloaded with poorly stowed cargo and underwent a risky redesign. Prosecutors say less than $2 was spent last year on crew training. The defense says the cause of the disaster still isn’t clear.
YANAKIYEVE, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian troops continue to clash with pro-Russia separatists in the country’s east. Officials say the latest fighting killed seven Ukrainian troops. Rebels are operating tanks in the region, a particular sore spot for Ukraine, which accuses Russia of letting the vehicles cross the border. The U.N. says at least 356 people, including 257 civilians, have been killed since May 7 in eastern Ukraine.
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) – Clashes continue between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank amid a large-scale search for three Israeli teens missing and feared abducted in the territory. A 15-year-old Palestinian boy was killed and three Palestinians were seriously wounded. The violence is a sign of the growing escalation in the search for the three Jewish seminary students.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – Medical marijuana looks like it’s about to become legal in New York. The state Senate is expected to give the measure final approval today after it overwhelmingly passed the Assembly. The governor is expected to sign it. The bill would prohibit plants or smoking but a vaporizer version or an oil base would be allowed for at least 10 diseases – including epilepsy, AIDS, ALS and neuropathy.
VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Francis is coming down on the side of marijuana opponents. He condemns the legalization of recreational drugs as a flawed and failed experiment. Francis told delegates to a drug-enforcement conference in Rome that even limited attempts to legalize recreational drugs “are not only highly questionable from a legislative standpoint, but they fail to produce the desired effects.”