2014-09-03

CSi Weather…

REST OF TODAY…SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 80. SOUTHEAST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.

.TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH SLIGHT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND

THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING…THEN MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF

RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT. SOME THUNDERSTORMS

MAY BE SEVERE WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL IN THE EVENING.

LOWS IN THE MID 50S. EAST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTH

AFTER MIDNIGHT. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 30 PERCENT IN THE  JAMESTOWN AREA, A 40 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA.

.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S.

NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH INCREASING TO 20 TO 25 MPH IN THE

AFTERNOON.

.THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S.

HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S. WEST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.

.FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS AROUND 50.

HIGHS IN THE MID 70S.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE MID 50S.

.MONDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS

AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE MID 70S.

.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF

RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 50S. HIGHS IN

THE MID 70S.

THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP OVER NORTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA THIS AFTERNOON BEFORE SPREADING SOUTHEAST AND INCREASING IN COVERAGE  AND INTENSITY THIS EVENING. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK THAT SOME OF THESE STORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE WITH LARGE HAIL, DAMAGING WIND GUSTS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES.. IN ADDITION…LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL WILL BE  POSSIBLE.  STORMS CONTINUING DURING THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

A POTENT COLD FRONT  FOR NEXT TUESDAY….WHEN THUNDERSTORM CHANCES ARE INTRODUCED BACK INTO THE FORECAST. THIS FRONT WILL  BE MONITORED OVER THE COMING DAYS FOR SEVERE POTENTIAL.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Fire Department was called to an oven fire about 1:20-p.m., on Tuesday at 143 Sunnyside Trailer Court.

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther says a neighbor attempted to put out the fire, and the fire department was called.

He says the fire was caused by a malfunction in the gas oven.

Fire damage was confined to the oven, with some smoke damage to the residence..

No injuries were reported with five city fire units and 26 firefighters on the scene about one hour.

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Rob Lech told the school board Tuesday evening that the district is projecting a $1.3 million deficit at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

In July this year, the Jamestown Public School Board approved a preliminary budget that only saw an $800,000 deficit.

Lech indicated that the main reason for the difference is the preliminary budget did not include early retirement costs, which made up a significant portion of the extra $500,000.

The School Board will meet on Monday October 6, 2014, and hold a public budget meeting at 6-p.m., at the middle school’s  Thompson Room in the during the board’s regular meeting.

Technology Director Mike Armitage’s report included building safety upgrades that included 24 new digital security cameras, replacing all the cameras at the Career and Technology Center and the middle school.

The middle school has received two additional cameras and 51 handheld, multi-channel radios, with each school building having its own channel, with one master channel for the entire district.

The radios are used for playground supervision plus a back-up communication system in the event that phone lines were to go out.

Jamestown (CSi) Petitions have been submitted to the Stutsman County Auditor’s office, by the James River Valley Library System to put a quarter-percent sales tax on the November ballot for a planned expansion and renovation of Alfred Dickey Library.

JRVLS Development Director, Bill Kennedy says the petition includes about 2,419 unofficial signatures. A minimum of 1,452 valid signatures is needed on the petition, and it must be turned in 60 days before the November 4, 2014 elections.

Stutsman County Recorder and Deputy Auditor, Linda Chadduck, says the Stutsman County Auditor’s Office will authorize the signatures, and by Friday it should be determined if the initiative can go on the November 4, 2014 election ballot.

If approved in November, the quarter-percent sales tax would raise a total of about $700,000 per year for 10 years. That $7 million would be applied to the estimated $9 million cost of the project, with the rest coming from donations. It would require a simple majority to approve the quarter-percent sales tax.

Input or comments on the plans for Alfred Dickey Library, can be emailed to Library Director, Joe Rector at jrector@ daktel.com or to Bill Kennedy at

billkennedy@gmail.com.

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. Mayor Andersen was not present, Council President Gumke presided over the meeting.

Consent Agenda items discussed separately…

Item “E” was discussed separately a Resolution to approve the request from JSDC for $20,000 from the Economic Development Fund for roof repair on the Economic Development Center building, with the City Share to be $18,000 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund. An update on the project was updated by JSDC CEO, Connie Ova. The item was tabled until contractors are heard from on the project, and bids are received on changes in the project.

Item “H” be discussed separately a Resolution to authorize using an estimated $350,000 from the City Sales Tax Fund, on behalf of the Stutsman County Water Board and the four adjacent townships, to be used for funding a Storm Water Drainage Study for the area surrounding the City of Jamestown with the scope of the study to be drafted by the City Engineer. The JSDC Executive Committee has not acted on the item, and the City Council tabled the item until after the JSDC meets on Monday September 8, 2014.

Item “L” was discussed separately a Resolution to authorize an amendment to the Planning and Zoning Technical Services Contract with SRF Consulting to provide for additional funding of approximately $25,000 for services to be provided by the firm for the remainder of the year.

After discussion of the item and an explanation at the request of Council Member Kourajian, the City Council voted to approve the authorization and amendment.

Regular Agenda

Resolution

The City Council discussed establishing the definition for affordable housing in the city for 2 bedroom apartment rental and utilities, to be equal to 80% of the median household income based on the 2010 census times 30% divided by 12, including dollar amounts.

The definition is needed under the Flex Pace Afforedable Housing multi-family houseing projects within the city.

Council Member Buchanan said he has heard comments from the community that the figures should be readjusted. Council Member Brubakken said he has reservations about the amounts. City Engineer, Reed Schwartzkopf said the numbers are meant to be a threshold. JSDC CEO Connie Ova said the definition applies only to multiple housing units. City Administrator Fuchs pointed out that the program is NOT a housing subsidy.

The City Council voted 2-2 and did not pass the definition. Council Members Kourajian and Buchanan voted in opposition.

The City Council approved Change Order No. 2, to RTS Shearing, LLC, for Paving, Water & Sewer District #13-42, 13-63 & 13-33, (3rd St NE Improvements–25th to 27th Ave), for an increase in the contract price of $1,283.49.

The City Council approved Payment No. 5 & Final, to RTS Shearing, LLC, for Paving, Water & Sewer District #13-42, 13-63 & 13-33, (3rd St NE Improvements–25th to 27th Ave), in the amount of $4,630.37.

Ordinances:

A FIRST READING: of an ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the General and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015.

A FIRST READING: An ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the Revenue and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015.

At this point the numbers can only be reduced, and not increased.

Mayor Andersen has said yet to come before the Council are budget requests from the Public Works Department, a police department personnel addition budget request, and tourism and JSDC requests.

She said the final readings will come before the October 6, 2014 City Council meeting.

Hearing From The Audience …Charlie Kouajian spoke as a representative of the group looking to establishing a Jamestown bus stop shelter, for Jefferson Bus Lines.

He asked the City Council to request the JSDC to provide up to $15,000 in public funds for construction plus adding electricity and internet service to the bus stop.

He said he would not vote on the issue as a City Council member.

Council Member Gumke said Jefferson Bus Lines should provide dollars in to a bus station project.

Council Member Buchanan said the lack of a bus shelter in Jamestown, makes the community “look backward.”

He also suggested using Jamestown Regional Airport as a bus depot location.

The City Council will move the issued to this month’s committee meeting.

No Appointments were made

Mayor and Council reports….none were given

Other Business:

Approved the requests from Corner Bar to conduct street dances at 2nd Street SW/100 Block(East ½), on September 5, 2014, from 4PM to 2AM; and on September 20, 2014, from 2PM to 2AM.

Approve the request from Cork & Barrel to conduct a street dance at 4th Street SW/200 Block(East ½), on September 12, 2014, from 5:30 PM to 12AM.

The City Council approved a payment to Swanberg Construction in the amount of $220,780 for pump station improvements.

The Council Members also accepted a affidavit of a lost check and authorized the issuance of a duplicate check in the amount of $95.74.

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

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. All members were present.

A new Valley City Police officer was sworn into duty, by Mayor Werkhoven.

Approval of Consent Agenda items included:

Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $1,877,399.38

A Game of Chance Raffle Permit for VC Men’s Bowling Assn. and USBC Youth Bowling.

A new Plumbing, Electric, Heating and Cooling License for Precision Plumbing, Electric, Heating or Cooling.

PUBLIC FORUM …NO ONE SPOKE

ORDINANCES

Approved second and final reading of Ordinance No. 976, an ordinance rezoning of property from I-1 Light Industrial to B-2 Highway Business District (Fairhill Properties).

Commissioner Pedersen abstained from the vote.

Approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 979, an ordinance rezoning of property from R-2 Single and 2 family Districts to B-2 Highway Business District (Perkins). (Planning & Zoning)

Commissioner Magnuson abstained from the vote.

NEW BUSINESS

Approve the transfer of water service from Barnes Rural Water to the city for Swanberg Construction’s east main project, at a cost of $3,500.

Approved a Gaming Site Authorization for the Frank S. Henry Post 2764 at The Captain’s Pub.

Approved Fireworks Display across from the AmericInn on September 13, 2014 around 8:30 p.m.

for about 10 minutes, with the stipulation that the display be over by 10-p.m.

Fire Chief Retterath said he approved if the fireworks is set off in accordance with laws.

The City Commission approved the Housing Task Force Incentive for 2015. City Administrator Schelkoph said the matter is reviewed annually.

CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

David Schelkoph said the electric and water meter installation is over 4,000, with over 200 load control units installed.

He pointed out the road construction and other projects in Valley City this summer, including the water main project, which is about two weeks behind. More workers are being added to the project.

CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS

City Attorney Russell Myhre said he has been in contact with the Economic Development attorney as directed by the City Commission to discuss issues of concern between the city and economic development.

City Auditor Richter gave an update on the preliminary city budgeting process, with the publication a few days away.

She added a public hearing is planned on the 9th Avenue Northwest project concerning Special Assessments, with another public hearing later.

Commissioner Nielson reminded that the Wings and Wheels Air Show is this Saturday September 6, 2014 at the Barnes County Municipal Airport.

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

Jamestown (CSi) The annual Patriot Day, Freedom Walk/Parade in Jamestown will be on Thursday September 11, 2014.

The Parade is through downtown Jamestown.

The local commemoration program is sponsored by the Patriotic Council of the community, and starts at 6 p.m. September 11 at the All Vets Club, at 116 1st St. East.

The walk/parade will follow a seven-block route around downtown and back to the Vets Club for a free spaghetti supper, at about 6:30 p.m.

The public is invited to all activities and the dinner.

Event organizer Charlie Kourajian says, the event is an opportunity for the community to remember the 9-11 terrorist attack on the United States and the people who perished as a result, adding that it also the opportunity to show appreciation and our continued support of our troops wherever they may be, abroad or stateside and for the first responders of our community.

Jamestown (CSi) The James River Humane Society and Prairie Paws Rescue will benefit from the 2nd Annual Jamestown Zombie Crawl, Saturday September 20, 2014 starting at 5:30-p.m., from the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jamestown.

Come in costume or buy a t-shirt.

There will be door prizes, and food.

Registration is $10 at Buffalo City Rotisserie Grille, the Knights of Columbus Hall, and LeeAnne’s Bridal in Jamestown.

ELLENDALE, N.D. (AP) – An Ellendale judge has found a North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation agent in contempt of court and ordered the state to pay nearly $49,000.

Agents confiscated a pay loader in May from Darrell Schrum’s shop in Forbes after an investigation found it was stolen. Schrum told authorities he didn’t know about the theft and said he bought the loader in good faith.

Schrum’s lawyers argued BCI special agent Arnie Rummel gave the loader away without approval and said he should be held in contempt.

Judge Daniel Narum agreed to that Tuesday and ordered the state to reimburse Schrum for $48,840, plus the other costs and fees.

Rummel could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

MERCER, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol has identified the man who died near Mercer when an all-terrain vehicle flipped over in a roadside ditch. The Patrol says the man was 49-year-old Patrick Anderson of Bismarck. Authorities say Anderson was riding in the back cargo area of the ATV when he was ejected.

MINOT, N.D. (AP) – Bond has been set at $20,000 for one of two Minot men shot by police following a burglary attempt.

35-year-old Brandon Butler appeared in court on Tuesday on felony drug and burglary charges.

Authorities say 25-year-old Joshua Peterson is in critical condition at a Minot hospital.

Authorities say the men were shot by police after driving a vehicle toward an officer while attempting to flee.

Authorities say Peterson was the driver and Butler was the passenger.

No officers were injured in the incident.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – An advisory team with the Higher Learning Commission has given a mostly favorable report on the North Dakota University System and the state Board of Higher Education but has suggested more monitoring.

The Chicago-based group handles accreditation for colleges and universities. Former Valley City State President Ellen Chaffee filed a complaint with the commission in April 2013 alleging poor leadership amid a controversy surrounding then-University System Chancellor Hamid Shirvani, whose contract was later bought out.

The advisory team visited last April. Commission President Barbara Gellman Danley in a letter late last week said the North Dakota system is in compliance with requirements. But the report also says additional improvement is necessary in some areas and suggests more monitoring.

The commission’s Board of Trustees will consider the report in late October.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A week of rain and cooler temperatures has continued to hinder small grain harvest in North Dakota.

The U.S. Agriculture Department says in its latest weekly crop report that there were 3  1/2 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. It says row crops needed the rain but it was starting to negatively affect unharvested small grain crops.

Only 21 percent of the state’s staple spring wheat crop has been harvested. That’s behind 49 percent at the same time last year and the five-year average of 60 percent. Seventy-seven percent of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition.

Pasture and range conditions are rated 3 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 62 percent good and 22 percent excellent.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – One of the five district judges in North Dakota’s Northeast Central Judicial District says she will resign this year. Judge Sonja Clapp announced her decision to resign Dec. 1. Clapp was elected judge in 2004 and re-elected in 2010. The district oversees Grand Forks and Nelson counties.

FRYBURG, N.D. (AP) – The Billings County Commission has rejected a company’s plans to build a hotel for oil workers attached to the former school in Fryburg.

The  commission decided at its meeting Tuesday that the hotel for more than 300 oil patch workers would be too big for the tiny town in western North Dakota.

Developers of the proposed Morgan Lodge planned to add a four-story hotel onto the former Fryburg school, using the school for a restaurant and dining facility and meeting space.

The commission agreed with its planning and zoning board, which denied the plan at a meeting two weeks ago. Some in the community of 20 people voiced concerns about possible noise, traffic and crime.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A Bismarck shelter is the latest recipient of federal money intended to help victims of abuse.

Sen. John Hoeven says the U.S. Department of Justice awarded of $352,416 to the Abused Adult Resource Center in Bismarck will be used for its transitional housing program that helps victims of physical assault and emotional abuse.

Other recent grants of $3 million went to local and state entities to combat sexual and domestic abuse in the oil patch. The DOJ also gave more than $270,000 to the North Dakota Department of Health.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota State University’s architecture program is marking 100 years of classes.

The program was founded in 1914 when a mechanical arts faculty member organized a few classes for a handful of students. It became accredited in 1971.

The department currently has 22 full-time faculty members at other instructors at the school’s downtown facility.

A centennial celebration is scheduled for Oct. 17-18, highlighted by a gala at the Plains Arts Museum.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s Transportation Department is taking public comments on a draft of its statewide transportation improvement program for the next four years.

The improvements include state and county highways, urban streets, roadway safety features, bikeways and busing programs. They’re being funded with federal highway and transit funds.

Details of the 2015-18 draft plan are available for public viewing on the department’s website, at http://www.dot.nd.gov . The deadline to comment is Sept. 29.

In sports…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The number of pheasant hunters declined in North Dakota last year, along with the number of birds they shot.

The Game and Fish Department says there were about 76,000 pheasant hunters last year, a drop of 11 percent from 2012. They killed 447,000 roosters, down 27 percent over the year. Birds bagged per hunter dropped from 7.2 to 5.8.

The annual pheasant season statistics are determined by a mail survey of resident and nonresident hunters.

This year’s spring pheasant crowing count survey indicated a 6 percent rise in North Dakota’s pheasant population. A late-summer brood survey will give a better indication of pheasant production.

PREP VOLLEYBALL

Baker, Mont. def. Bowman County, 25-13, 25-19, 25-15

Beach def. Glen Ullin-Hebron, 25-14, 25-12, 25-19

Beulah def. Underwood, 25-19, 25-17, 25-15

Bismarck Century def. Jamestown, 24-26, 25-14, 22-25, 25-14, 15-12

Carrington def. Harvey-Wells County, 25-16, 25-14, 25-16

Central Cass def. May Port CG, 26-24, 18-25, 25-12, 16-25, 15-7

Des Lacs-Burlington def. Bottineau, 25-20, 25-18, 25-21

Devils Lake def. Grand Forks Central, 20-25, 25-14, 25-16, 25-16

Drayton/Valley-Edinburg def. Dakota Prairie, 25-13, 25-21, 25-22

Enderlin def. Milnor, 25-16, 25-15, 25-12

Fairmount-Campbell-Tintah def. Wyndmere-Lidgerwood, 25-21, 17-25, 21-25, 26-24, 15-11

Fargo Davies def. Valley City, 25-15, 25-10, 25-12

Fargo Oak Grove Lutheran def. Hillsboro/Central Valley, 21-25, 25-21, 16-25, 25-22, 15-7

Fargo Shanley def. Sheyenne, 25-13, 25-10, 22-25, 25-17

Fargo South def. Fargo North, 25-21, 25-12, 22-25, 20-25, 15-7

Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page def. Barnes County North, 25-9, 23-25, 25-12, 25-11

Grand Forks Red River def. East Grand Forks, Minn., 25-12, 25-14, 25-12

Hankinson def. Kindred, 25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19

Hazen def. New Salem-Almont, 25-16, 25-10, 25-14

Heart River def. Grant County, 25-19, 25-19, 23-25, 21-25, 15-11

Kidder County def. Litchville-Marion/Montpelier, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19

Killdeer def. Hettinger/Scranton, 27-25, 24-26, 12-25, 26-24, 18-16

Lewis and Clark def. Garrison-Max, 25-14, 25-23, 25-13

Mandan def. Minot, 24-26, 25-20, 25-14, 20-25, 15-7

Maple Valley def. Lisbon, 25-22, 25-14, 19-25, 18-25, 15-11

Minot Bishop Ryan def. Washburn, 25-14, 26-24, 25-20

Minot Our Redeemer’s def. Velva, 25-8, 25-6, 25-11

Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood def. Burke County, 25-20, 18-25, 26-24, 25-17

Napoleon def. Ellendale, 25-15, 25-21, 16-25, 25-19

Newburg-Westhope def. St. John, 25-18, 25-20, 25-23

North Border def. Grafton/St. Thomas, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24, 19-25, 15-10

North Star def. Rugby, 25-15, 25-20, 25-11

Northern Cass def. Norman County West, Minn., 25-8, 25-13, 25-12

Powers Lake def. Trinity Christian, 25-21, 25-13, 25-17

Sawyer def. Drake/Anamoose, 25-22, 19-25, 25-15, 25-21

South Border def. Eureka/Bowdle, S.D., 25-9, 25-16, 25-17

Turtle Lake-Mercer def. Surrey, 25-22, 25-11, 25-22

Watford City def. Divide County, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16

West Fargo def. Wahpeton, 25-12, 25-23, 25-16

MLB…

INTERLEAGUE

Final          Baltimore              5    Cincinnati        4

AMERICAN  LEAGUE

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Tyler Flowers’ first career multi-homer game lifted the Chicago White Sox to a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Twins in 10 innings last night. Dayan Viciedo broke a 3-all tie in the 10th with a solo homer off reliever Lester Oliveros. Flowers followed with his second two-run shot of the night later in the inning as the White Sox won for just the fourth time in their last 14 games.

Final          Boston                    9    N-Y  Yankees      4

Final          Detroit                  4    Cleveland          2

Final          Toronto                  8    Tampa  Bay          2

Final          Houston                  8    L.A.  Angels      3

Final          Kansas  City          2    Texas                  1

Final          Seattle                  6    Oakland              5

NATIONAL  LEAGUE

Final          N-Y  Mets                8    Miami                  6

Final          Philadelphia        4    Atlanta              0

Final          Chi  Cubs                7    Milwaukee          1

Final          St.  Louis              6    Pittsburgh        4

Final          San  Francisco    12    Colorado            7

Final          San  Diego              2    Arizona              1

Final          L.A.  Dodgers        4    Washington        1

WNBA  BASKETBALL

PHOENIX (AP) – Diana Taurasi had 31 points to lead the Phoenix Mercury to a 96-78 win over the Minnesota Lynx last night. The win put the Mercury into the WNBA Finals. Taurasi scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter to give Phoenix an 80-67 lead with 7:19 left. Minnesota had eliminated Phoenix in the 2011 and 2013 en route to winning the title.

BASKETBALL-WORLD CUP…

BILBAO, Spain (AP) – The U.S. national team rolled along at the World Cup beating New Zealand 98-71.  Anthony Davis led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds to help the Americans improve to 3-0 in pool play.  Kenneth Faried (fehr-EED’) chipped in with 15 points and 11 boards.

Next up for the Americans is the Dominican Republic Wednesday, before they close group play Thursday against Ukraine.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL….

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota defensive tackle Scott Ekpe may miss the rest of the season because of a significant injury to his right knee. Coach Jerry Kill called the news on the junior a “major blow” to the Gophers. Ekpe was in line to replace Ra’Shede Hageman but was hurt in the first quarter of the opener last week against Eastern Illinois.

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – The head football coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth says some players have been suspended after police cited them for underage drinking.

Coach Curt Wiese says some players have also lost scholarships and two have been stripped of their roles as team captains.

Wiese says the weekend underage drinking party was hosted by football players. Names and individual consequences were not released.

Duluth police say officers responded to a house party late Sunday night where about 75 people had gathered. Officer Matt Nevanen says police spent about an hour and a-half handling the situation and writing citations.

UMD’s season opener is Saturday at home against Concordia-St. Paul.

NFL…

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – The Denver Broncos will be without Wes Welker for the first four games of the season after the NFL said the receiver violated the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. ESPN first reported Welker’s suspension, saying the violation had to do with amphetamines. Welker told the Denver Post in an email that he was as shocked as everyone at the news.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The NFL has suspended Colts owner Jim Irsay for six games and fined him $500,000 after his guilty plea to driving while intoxicated. The 55-year-old Irsay admitted in court that he was driving under the influence of painkillers oxycodone and hydrocodone when he was pulled over in March. He has to undergo drug testing during his one-year probation.

TENNIS…

NEW YORK (AP) – Tenth seed Carolina Wozniacki (wohz-nee-AK’-ee) and Peng Shuai (pehng shway) have become the first players to reach the U.S. Open women’s semifinals. Wozniacki whipped No. 13 Sara Errani 6-0, 6-1 after Shuai downed Belinda Bencic (BEHN’-chihch) 6-2, 6-1. The men’s quarterfinals are set following wins by second seed Roger Federer, sixth seed Thomas Berdych (BUR’-dihch), Frenchman Gael Monfils (GAH’-ehl mohn-FEES’) and Croatia’s Marin Cilic (CHEE’-lihch).

T25-AP POLL…

UNDATED (AP) – The top four teams in this week’s AP college football poll stayed the same, but some of them lost favor with voters following the first full weekend of football.

Top-ranked Florida State picked up 46 first-place votes following their tough win over Oklahoma State. No. 2 Alabama claimed just one first-place vote after failing to dominate against West Virginia.

Oregon is a close third, followed in order by Oklahoma, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan State, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Baylor.  The ninth-ranked Aggies jumped 12 spots from last week after knocking off then No. 16 Clemson by 24 points.

In world and national news…

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) – President Barack Obama says the U.S. will send more Air Force units and aircraft to the Baltics, and he’s calling Estonia’s Amari Air Base an ideal location to base those forces. Obama is in Estonia proclaiming an unwavering and permanent U.S. commitment to the security of its NATO allies, anxious about Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Obama says it’s too early to tell what an announcement of a Ukraine-Russia cease-fire really means. Ukraine announced it today.

NEWPORT, Wales (AP) – NATO leaders, including President Barack Obama, gather in Wales tomorrow for a key summit meeting with a familiar goal: protecting vulnerable alliance members from Russia, without goading the Kremlin into military action. NATO once again is looking for ways to curb the Kremlin’s territorial ambitions without sparking a full-scale return to expensive and risky Cold War confrontation.

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) – A judge plans a hearing today on media requests to release any possible juvenile records of the unarmed 18-year-old who was killed by a Missouri police officer last month. Juvenile records are confidential in Missouri, so it’s not definitively known if Michael Brown was arrested before he legally became an adult. Police have said Brown had no adult criminal record.

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) – President Barack Obama vows to build a coalition to “degrade and destroy” Islamic State militants. Today he condemned the beheading of a second American journalist and says the U.S. won’t be intimidated. Obama’s comments came after he said the United States had verified the authenticity of a video showing the beheading of freelance reporter Steven Sotloff.

BAGHDAD (AP) – An international rights group says the number of Iraqi soldiers slain by Islamic State militants is several times higher than previously reported. Human Rights Watch says new evidence indicates the Islamic State group killed between 560 and 770 men captured at a post near the city of Tikrit. The number previously had been put at between 160 and 190.

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