CSi Weather…
TODAY…INCREASING CLOUDS. BREEZY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER
70S. SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH.
.TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AFTER
MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE LOWER 50S. SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA, A 40 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S. SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…DECREASING CLOUDS. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S.
SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.
.THURSDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 60S. SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S.
HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S.
.FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S.
HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER
40S. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 30S.
HIGHS AROUND 50.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Public School Board has unanimously approved contracting for a demographics study of the school district.
Superintendent Rob Lech said he met last week with a representative of RSP and Associates, a firm that has done demography studies for several districts across the country, including North Dakota districts in West Fargo, Fargo, Mandan, Watford City and, most recently, Williston.
School board member Gail Martin included a provision in the motion that would urge school administers to seek funding help for the $20,000 study from community organizations, such as the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Park Board has approved the Hillcrest Municipal Golf Course’s new irrigation pond and pumps with on a 4-1 vote on a change order.
Park Board Chairman Mike Landscoot was opposed.
The a new irrigation pond is between holes Number 10 and 17, with the cost a $486,303 bringing the project’s total cost to $1.55 million. The commision will pay for the project by selling bonds through state government.
If work does not start this fall, it may be delayed a year as the best ground conditions for doing this type of work is in the fall.
In other business, the commission scheduled a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. October 28, 2014, to consider what disciplinary action it may take in regard to longtime employee Marlyn Bertsch.
Chairman Landscoot says he was informed by Parks and recreation Director, Doug Hogan that two employees saw Bertsch allegedly fuel his personal vehicle from the department’s fuel depot. Landscoot said Bertsch also allegedly used one of the department’s tractors for work on his personal property without prior permission.
The Park Board decided to not take any action on what Bertsch allegedly did until they have each talked with him.
Valley City (CSi) The mother of 20 year old Andrew Sadek, the State College of Science student who’s body was found in the Red River in June says she thinks another police agency should be handling the investigation.
Sadek was last seen leaving his dormitory on the Wahpeton campus on May first.
His mother Tammy Sadek says the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension won’t look past its initial belief that her son committed suicide by weighing down his backpack with rocks and shooting himself in the head.
Sadek believes her son was murdered by someone he may have implicated in a drug investigation headed by a Southeastern North Dakota Drug Task Force. She says he was pushed into becoming an informant for the task force after he was caught with marijuana.
North Dakota attorney general Wayne Stenehjem has ordered an outside review of the task force based on the concerns of the Sadek family.
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP) – Students at Valley City State University have approved a student fee increase to help fund the operating expenses of the proposed Valley City Health, Wellness and Physical Education Center.
64 percent of students who voted this month favored the idea. University Marketing Director Greg Vanney says the fee would be about $11 per credit hour, capped at 12 credits.
The $16 million wellness center project still needs the approval of city voters. They’ll decide during the Nov. 4 general election whether to dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue to the construction and operation of the wellness center.
The facility would be a joint effort of the university, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and CHI Mercy Health hospital.
Valley City (CSi) The public is encourage to attend a public meeting set for Monday October 27, 2014 concerning the proposed Valley City Health, Wellness, and Physical Education Center.
The 6-p.m.,meeting will offer more on the latest development of the overall project including amenities, floor plan, location, and operating budget.
On November 4, 2014,Valley City residents will vote whether or not to use a maximum of 17% of the existing 1/2 cent city sales tax used for economic development to support the proposed Wellness Center.
For more information call the Valley City Parks & Recreation office at 845-3294, Valley City State University foundation office at 845-7203, Valley Development Group at 840-7820 or the Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation at 490-1596.
Valley City (CSi) A Public Hearing on the 2015 Barnes County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan update will be held on Monday Ocotber 27, 2014, from 7-p.m., to 8:30-p.m., at the Barnes County Highway Department.
The draft of the Plan update is currently available for public comment and review in a hard copy at the Barnes County Highway Department, Barnes County Courthouse and City Hall in Valley City City.
The public review period will officially close at 7:00pm on October 27.
The draft plan will be presented to the County Commission on November 4, 2014, for approval.
After approval from the County Commission, the draft plan will be submitted to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for approval.
When FEMA approval is granted, each jurisdiction included in the plan is required to pass a Resolution to officially adopt the plan before the plan is officially approved by NDDES and FEMA.
A draft plan is also available on the Barnes County Emergency Management website: http://www.co.barnes.nd.us/Dept/emm/, and the Barnes County website: http://www.co.barnes.nd.us/.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Police Department reminds Jamestown residents that all motor homes, camper trailers, RV’s, or trailers of any time should be removed from all city streets by November 1st.
Assistant Chief John Johnson announced that all vehicles found in violation will be tagged and impounded.
MANDAN, N.D. (AP) – A judge has refused to lower bond for a Mandan man accused of killing a neighbor and setting a mobile home on fire to cover up the crime.
The attorney for 49-year-old Rodney Friesz asked Judge Bruce Romanick (roh-MAWN’-ihk) to reduce bond from $250,000 to $100,000. Romanick rejected the request Monday, citing public safety.
Friesz is accused in the Oct. 9 slaying of 62-year-old Gene Jassmann. Authorities allege Friesz shot Jassmann in the head with a .22-caliber rifle after the two argued, then lit the home on fire.
Friesz will enter pleas later to charges of felony murder and arson. He could face life in prison without parole if convicted.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Federal authorities say a man on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation broke into a high school with plans of assaulting a federal officer.
Lyman Black Cloud is charged in federal court with burglary. He was arrested Monday in Fort Yates.
Authorities say the incident took place at Solen High School in June. No further details were made available.
A federal public defender was not available for comment.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – Grand Forks Police Department officers say they tallied 30 criminal mischief calls over the weekend.
Most of the complaints were regarding car windows being shot out. At least two home picture windows were similarly damaged.
The incidents happened between Friday and Sunday. Police say the suspects used either a pellet or BB gun. No injuries were reported.
The department is asking the public’s assistance in identifying any suspects. Authorities are asking that people with information about the incidents contact the police department.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A New Mexico woman who was the passenger in car involved in a high-speed chase near the North Dakota-Montana border last year has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
U. S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon says 32-year-old April Lacey has been sentenced for possession of firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Authorities say the 40-mile chase on September 2013 ensued after the male driver refused to pull over for a traffic stop. Montana authorities then asked for help when the car crossed into North Dakota.
The driver and Lacey surrendered near Arnegard. Officers found about 2 ounces of methamphetamine and a .380 caliber pistol in the car.
Lacey was banned from legally possessing a firearm due to four previous felony convictions.
WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – A well in McKenzie County has been brought under control after leaking oil, gas and brine for more than two days. Oil and Gas Division spokeswoman Alison Ritter says the XTO Energy Inc. well as under control by 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The well had been leaking since at least Thursday afternoon.
DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) – A Canada-based energy company is considering building an oil refinery at Devils Lake.
Forward Devils Lake Executive Director Rachel Lindstrom says Eagles Ledge Energy is planning public informational meetings early next month on the proposed facility that would process 20,000 barrels of oil daily.
Lindstrom says the refinery would cost at least $200 million and would take two years to build.
The company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, didn’t immediately respond to Associated Press requests for comment.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – State Historical Society leaders say they’re confident that the bulk of the work will be done when the expanded Heritage Center on the North Dakota Capitol grounds holds its grand opening celebration in less than two weeks.
Society Director Merl Paaverud (PAH’-vur-ood) says he’s not sure if all of the finishing touches will be done, but he still expects visitors to be impressed.
The state’s official history museum closed in the fall of 2012 for a $52 million makeover. The first two of three new galleries opened to the public in April. The work continues on the third new gallery, which Paaverud says is the largest.
The museum’s grand opening is set for Nov. 2 – the125th anniversary of North Dakota statehood.
WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) – U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is set to host U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro in western North Dakota on Wednesday.
Heitkamp hopes to show Castro the housing challenges facing North Dakota’s oil patch and Indian Country. The two will take driving tours of the area and sit on roundtable discussions in Belcourt and Williston.
Tens of thousands of people have moved to communities in western North Dakota in just the past few years seeking high-paying oil field jobs. Housing has often lagged behind the population growth and the area now has some of the most expensive rents in the country.
Castro was the mayor of San Antonio from 2009 until July of this year when he was sworn in as HUD secretary.
In sports…
The VCSU athletic department and the Viking basketball programs are hosting a Winter Kickoff Social on Thursday at noon in the VCSU Skoal Room. Enjoy a $5 lunch and listen to Viking basketball coaches Jill DeVries and Jeff Kaminsky preview the upcoming season.
The Vikings open the 2014–15 season at home this weekend. The VCSU men host Carroll College at 7 p.m. Friday and Oglala Lakota College at 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. The Viking women host Brandon University at 5 p.m. Saturday.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is reminding duck hunters to think safety on the water.
The agency says eight people have drowned in North Dakota since 1998 while hunting from a boat. None of the hunters were wearing life jackets.
Nancy Boldt is the Game and Fish Department’s boat and water safety coordinator. She says capsizing and falling overboard are the most common causes of fatal boating accidents for hunters.
Boldt says there are no excuses for not wearing a life jacket. She says many hunting coats have life jackets built in and they are light and comfortable.
PREP VOLLEYBALL<<
Garrison-Max def. Wilton-Wing, 22-25, 24-26, 25-18, 25-19, 18-16
Lidgerwood-Wyndmere def. North Sargent, 25-23, 18-25, 18-25, 25-19, 15-12
Richardton-Taylor def. Killdeer, 25-17, 26-24, 25-18
Sawyer def. New Town, 25-9, 25-5, 25-6
Trenton def. Tioga, 25-13, 25-9, 25-18
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Ben Roethlisberger (RAWTH’-lis-bur-gur) was 23 of 33 for 265 yards, two TDs and no interceptions as the Pittsburgh Steelers rallied to beat Houston 30-23 and improve to 4-3. Roethlisberger threw his two TD’s while the Steelers were taking advantage of two Texans turnovers to score 21 points over the final 87 seconds of the first half. Receiver Antonio Brown threw for a touchdown during the scoring flurry and had nine catches for 90 yards.
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Edmonton 3 Tampa Bay 2
VIKES STADIUM…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Officials are confident the Minnesota Vikings’ new $1 billion stadium will be completed on time in 2016. Officials say the new stadium is 23 percent complete as of the end of September. Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgren of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority says more than 650 workers are at the site daily. That workforce is expected to swell to more than 1,100 by next summer.
Pistorius…
LONDON (AP) – The International Paralympic Committee says Oscar Pistorius will be ineligible to compete during his five-year prison sentence.
The double-amputee South African runner, who has won six Paralympic gold medals, was given a five-year jail term Tuesday for killing Reeva Steenkamp.
Although Pistorius could be released after 10 months to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest, the IPC says its rules bar him from running in Paralympic events for the full five years.
That would rule the 27-year-old Pistorius out of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.
In 2012, Pistorius became the first double-amputee sprinter to compete at both the Olympics and Paralympics in London.
WORLD SERIES-STARTERS
Getting ready for Game 1
KANSAS CITY (AP) – The wait is almost over for the opening game of the World Series.
Game 1 for the Giants and Royals will be played Tuesday night in Kansas City, with James Shields taking the mound for the home team against NLCs most valuable player Madison Bumgarner. Shields is getting the opening game assignment for the third time this post season, while Bumgarner hasn’t allowed a postseason run away from home in an MLB-record 26 2/3 innings. That record goes back to 2010.
The Royals advanced with a four-game sweep of the Orioles in the American League Championship Series while the Giants eliminated the Cardinals in five games to win the NLCS.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series will be Wednesday night in Kansas City before the series moves to San Francisco.
Jeff Kellogg will be the crew chief for the World Series and oversee four umpires who are working the Fall Classic for the first time. Hunter Wendelstedt, Jerry Meals, Jim Reynolds and Eric Cooper will call their first Series. Ted Barrett and Jeff Nelson round out the seven-man crew.
WOMEN’S SOCCERE/CONCACAF
Americans win
WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. women’s soccer team has advanced to the CONCACAF semifinals by going undefeated and unscored upon in group play.
Abby Wambach scored twice and the Americans improved to 3-0 by hammering Haiti 6-0 in Washington. Carli Lloyd, Meghan Klingenberg, Christen Press and Morgan Brian also scored for the Americans, who advanced to the semifinals to be played Friday and Sunday at Chester, Pennsylvania.
The U.S. has outscored its opponents 12-0 in the tourney.
In world and national news…
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) – A police van has whisked away double-amputee Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius after he was given a maximum five-year prison term for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The maximum sentence means he could be moved from prison to house arrest in eight months. He was convicted of culpable homicide.
BAGHDAD (AP) – At least 19 people have been killed in explosions today in and around Baghdad as a near-daily onslaught against Shiites continues. The attacks in the capital come as the country’s Shiite-led government grapples with a rampant Sunni insurgency by the Islamic State group. Bombs struck two restaurants, an open air market and another commercial area.
LONDON (AP) – Britain is expanding its role in the U.S.-led coalition trying to make a dent in the Islamic State group’s advances in Syria and Iraq. The defense ministry says Royal Air Force drones will now fly intelligence-gathering missions over Syria, which takes U.K. operations against the Islamic State group beyond Iraq. Defense Secretary Michael Fallon says the drones are not authorized to use weapons in Syria.
ATLANTA (AP) – The official guideline for health workers treating Ebola patients is now head-to-toe protection and federal officials plan to put on a demonstration today before thousands at New York’s Javits Center. The voluntary guidelines set a firmer standard, calling for full-body garb and hoods that protect worker’s necks; setting rigorous rules for removal of equipment and disinfection of hands; and calling for a “site manager” to supervise getting into and out of the clothing.
KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) – Nepal’s worst hiking disaster is prompting a revamping of the way trekkers are dealt with. Starting next season, there will be new rules, improved weather forecasts and better monitoring of trekkers with GPS. At least 41 people were killed last week when a blizzard and avalanches swept the mountains of the Annapurna region in northern Nepal. Of those, 21 were foreign trekkers.