CSi Weather…
TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS ZERO TO 5 ABOVE. NORTH WINDS AROUND
5 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 15. EAST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS 5 TO 10 ABOVE. SOUTHEAST
WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.
.THURSDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS AROUND 20. SOUTH WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 10 TO 15. SOUTH WINDS 5 TO
10 MPH.
.FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S.
LOWS 10 TO 15.
.SATURDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 15 TO
20. HIGHS AROUND 30.
.MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS
IN THE LOWER 30S.
.MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW.
LOWS IN THE LOWER 20S.
.TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS
IN THE UPPER 20S.
MODERATING TEMPERATURES FROM THE BRIEF COOL DOWN ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY…WITH WIDESPREAD HIGHS IN THE MID 20S TO MID 30S FOR THE WEEKEND.
THEREAFTER…ENERGY COMING ONSHORE TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THIS WEEKEND IS FORECAST TO PROPAGATE INTO THE REGION MONDAY INTO TUESDAY
THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WEEK MAY BECOME RATHER ACTIVE AND COLD.
Jamestown (CSi) Those dropping donations in the Jamestown Salvation Army Kettles on Wednesday Dec 17, will have the proceeds doubled.
Lt. Mitch Brecto says the Jamestown Lions club and friends of Lions will match kettle donations up to $6,000
Brecto adds, more bell ringers, contact the Jamestown Salvation if intersted in helping.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The U.S. Department of Labor is suing a Fargo-based hotel owner for allegedly failing to pay minimum wage and overtime rates in North Dakota and Montana.
The complaint says that Bharat “Brian” Patel owes about $100,000 in back wages and $100,000 in damages to front-desk clerks, housekeeping staff and other hotel employees. The case involves 193 workers at 13 hotels.
Authorities say Patel incorrectly classified some workers as exempt salaried employees. Hourly employees allegedly received straight-time pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek and were not paid the legally required time and one-half.
Patel has hotels in Fargo, Jamestown, Dickinson, Valley City, Wahpeton and Glendive, Montana.
The hotels involved included Econo Lodge East, Econo Lodge West, Fargo Quality Inn, Super 8 Fargo and Quality Suites, in Fargo; Hampton Inn and Suites, in Jamestown; Travel Inn, Super 8 Motel and Travel Host Motel, which operates as the Relax Inn, in Dickinson; Super 8, in Valley City; Rodeway Inn, in Wahpeton; and the Super 8 Glendive and Comfort Inn Glendive, in Montana. Patel’s company has headquarters in Fargo.
Court documents do not list an attorney for Patel, who could not be reached for comment.
Information on the Fair Labor Standards Act…
http://www.dol.gov/whd/flsa/index.htm
VALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP) – Some eastern North Dakota residents who live near a railroad crossing are complaining about the length of time that a county road has been blocked.
The Barnes County Sheriff’s Office has received complaints from residents about how long County Road 27 near the grain elevator in Peak has been obstructed.
Sheriff Randy McClaflin says his office has recently issued citations to BNSF Railway and Canadian Pacific in relation to the situation. He says the citations have gone nowhere and he is now considering presenting the matter to the state’s Public Service Commission to get their opinion.
The rail crossing in along County Road 27, about two miles north of the Peak exit on Interstate 94 near a grain elevator.
Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. All members were present.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED:
A Tree Trimming permit renewal for Pine Country Nursery.
A liquor license renewal for Boomer’s Corner Keg, American Legion Club,
A Game of Chance Raffle Permit for HHC 231 BSB ND Army National Guard.
A Mobile Home Park license renewal for Rockwater LLC (previously Sunrise Trailer Park)
Approved an LP Gas License for CHS, Inc. DBA Dakota Plains Co-op.
And other license renewals received by December 31, 2014.
PUBLIC FORUM
Gary Schlagel had a question concerning garbage pickup rates, concerning credit for cans used, enforcement of the two can policy. City Administrator Schelkoph said the City Ordinance encourages recycling.
ORDINANCES
Approved a second and final reading of Ordinance 982, an ordinance recodifying the Fire Code, Chapter 9. City Attorney Myhre said the Ordinance was approved by the City Fire Chief. It includes regulation of fire pits, but is essentially in line with the previous Ordinance.
Approved a second and final reading of Ordinance No. 978, an ordinance extending the one-half percent city sales tax to fund the Wellness, Health and Physical Education Center and Permanent Flood Protection. The approval includes language that indicates that any taxes raised exceeding funding purposes would go toward funding Special Assessments relief, which can be applied when there’s a surplus.
NEW BUSINESS
The City Commission approved Year End Transfers from the Electric Fund to the Sewer, Water and Street Funds to eliminate negative cash balances. Details on the transfers were outlined by City Auditor, Richter.
Approved a Maintenance Certification for the Urban Federal Aid Project for the ND Department of transportation.
Approved a Gaming Site Authorization for Valley Twisters Gymnastics Club to conduct games at Woodland Steakhouse Bar and Grill. This is a transfer from Tavern 94 to Woodland for the rest of the license term.
Approved a Gaming Site Authorization for Eagles Aerie 2192 to conduct games at Main Street Off Sale, LLC dba Tavern 94.
Approved 2015 Blue Cross Blue Shield Contract. Auditor Richter said the stop-loss portion increases by 12%, with the overall costs raised by 5.3%. She said a family plan premium will be $1,526, a single $586. The city’s total is $1,063,168.
Commissioners discussed storm water drainage issues west of 9th Avenue, Northwest. Mayor Werkoven outlined the area to commissioners on a map, and includes the installation of small dams. More information will be forthcoming at the next city finance meeting.
On another topic:
Robert Drake asked “Why the citizens of Valley City where told that they couldn’t buy flood homes from the city of Valley City, then move them to lots within the city limits.”
Drake says there is no law enforcing that action, saying other city’s allowed and encouraged such moves.
He pointed out that 20 flood homes were demolished that could have been saved, and thus saving the city demolitions costs.
He also said if citizens were aware of his assertions there would have been more interest in purchasing the homes.
He said the saved homes would go toward reducing the Valley City housing shortage, and kept the houses on the property tax rolls.
Drake went on to say that the City Commission is responsible for investigating the “failure” of the City Administrator, and City Building Inspector, for there interpretation of the laws.
No comments were made by city officials and noaction was taken by the commission at Tuesday’s meeting.
Approved the Final Documented CATEX for Project pertaining to the Main Street Shared-Use Path.
City Commissioners considered economic development request to renegotiate the contract for the Elks parking lot. Valley City/Barnes County Economic Development Director, Jennifer Feist explained the proposed investment exchange concerning the swimming pool, and street lighting the city was responsible for as part of the I-94 Regional Corridor project.
The City Commissioners said Special Assessments should be left out in the agreement. The Resolution was postponed until the next meeting, with Commissioners Nielson and Pedersen voting in opposition.
Discussion was held about the lime pit by the Water Treatment Plant. Commissioner Luke said multiple partners would be involved in transforming the area into a space to be used for multiple purposes, when the land is covered by black dirt. Issues concerning the proposal will be detailed in further discussions with the partners.
Approved declaring North Central Ave, north of 12th Street a cul-de-sac by definition. David Schelkoph said if approved Special Assessments will be reassessed.
CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
No report was given
CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS
Fire Chief Retterath said three bids were received for a new fire truck, which he will give to the city for approval.
Mayor Werkhoven told the commission that he attended an meeting outlining Roberts Rules of Order, that indicated that under certain circumstances the Commission President may second a motion.
The meeting was shown live on CSi 68 followed by replays.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A Turtle Lake man has claimed a Wild Card 2 jackpot worth nearly $328,000.
North Dakota lottery officials say John Morris bought the winning ticket at a Minot convenience store. It won the jackpot in Saturday’s drawing.
The odds of winning the Wild Card 2 jackpot are 1 in about 1.9 million. Morris says he plays the lottery regularly and has never won a prize bigger than $100.
Wild Card 2 is played in the Dakotas, Montana and Idaho. The jackpot starts over at $200,000 for the next drawing, on Wednesday.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s lottery director says player fatigue and smaller jackpots led to a $903,000 decrease in ticket sales during the last fiscal year.
Director Randy Miller says an unaudited financial report released Tuesday shows North Dakota gamblers wagered $26.9 million on lottery games for the fiscal year that ended June 30. That’s down from $27.8 million in fiscal 2013.
Miller says lottery ticket sales set a record in 2013 because of bigger jackpots. He says there is a direct impact to ticket sales depending on the size of jackpots.
FRYBURG, N.D. (AP) – Developers aren’t giving up on plans to build a hotel for oil workers attached to the former school in Fryburg.
The Billings County Commission in September rejected the proposal, deciding a four-story hotel with room for 318 oil patch workers would be too big for the small community. Only 20 people live there.
Morgan Chase Management plans to present a scaled-down proposal to the county Planning and Zoning Commission on Thursday.
The new plan is to build two three-story wings onto the old school, with rooms for 238 workers. The school would be used for food service and training. The company also would donate to the county a fire truck equipped with a ladder.
Zoning Administrator Stacey Swanson thinks a 70-unit facility would be adequate.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s top prison administrator wants counties to share in state penitentiary costs.
The proposal by Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation director Leann Bertsch is being met with stiff opposition from local officials, law enforcement, judges and prosecutors.
Bertsch wants the Legislature to set a county-by-county allocation at state prison facilities using a formula based on the population of each county. Once a county exceeds the allocation, it would have to help pay prison costs.
Bertsch says some judges are sentencing people to prison when they should just be sentenced to time in county jails. She says it’s being done to save money and jail space.
Judges and prosecutors say there is no evidence of that happening.
MANDAN, N.D. (AP) – Mandan school district officials have chosen a calendar for next school year amid predictions of continued student body growth.
The Bismarck Tribune reports the Mandan School Board unanimously selected the calendar Monday that received 60 percent support from nearly 760 people who took an online survey. Students will start school on Aug. 26, 2015 and graduate on May 29, 2016.
Officials expect to have about 170 more students next year than the roughly 3,400 currently enrolled. The district is projected to grow by about 730 students over the next five years.
Superintendent Mike Bitz says the elementary schools will gain more students than the high schools. He says the middle school was built for 800 students but is expected to have over 900 by the 2018-2019 school year.
In sports…
Jamestown (CSi) University of Jamestown’s women’s volleyball coach Jon Hegerle announces the signing of Kennedy Conzemius, Breckenridge, MN who will join the Jimmies in the 2015-2016 season.
Conzemius will be a 2015 graduate of Breckenridge High School. As a sophomore she was awarded titles of leading blocker and most improved. During her junior year, she was team captain and Heart o’ Lakes All-Conference Team Member while receiving titles of most kills, outstanding hitter, outstanding blocker, and most aces. During her senior season, she was once again team captain and all-conference team member but also joined the Minnesota All-State Academic team. She was given titles of outstanding hitter, outstanding blocker (breaking her own record from the previous year), outstanding digger, and was voted MVP by her teammates.
Coach Hegerle says of Conzemius, “I am very excited to have Kennedy join our program. I was able to work with Kennedy in the summer prior to her junior and senior years and I believe that she will be a great compliment to our team culture. I was so impressed with her maturity and character in getting to know her on her visits. Kennedy is a young woman who has excelled in both the athletic arena as well as classroom and has a tremendous team first mentality. I am looking forward to seeing Kennedy’s growth as a Jimmie!”
Conzemius plans to major in exercise science as a stepping stone to UJ’s DPT program offered at the Fargo campus.
The University of Jamestown was established in 1883 and is ranked as a top regional school in both US News and World Report and The Princeton Review. The school features development of the whole person through its distinctive Journey to Success experience.
Jamestown (CSi) University of Jamestown head men’s basketball coach Alan Magnani has announced the signing of Christian Kvilvang of North Star High School, who will join the Jimmies in the 2015-2016 season.
Kvilvang (Cando, ND) averaged 18.6 ppg and 7 rpg as a junior at North Star. Christian was awarded All-District, All-State, and All-State Tournament Team in 2013-14.
Coach Magnani says of Kvilvang, “We are excited that Christian has chosen to attend the University of Jamestown to pursue his degree and to continue his basketball career. For us to sign one of arguably the best basketball players in North Dakota this fall is a testament to what everything at the University of Jamestown is about. We feel his abilities will translate well into our system and style of play.”
Christian plans to major in Mathematics/Secondary Education.
The University of Jamestown was established in 1883 and is ranked as a top regional school in both US News and World Report and The Princeton Review. The school features development of the whole person through its distinctive Journey to Success experience.
In world and national news…
PENNSBURG, Pa. (AP) – Police who’ve been searching for a man suspected in six killings near Philadelphia have found a body in the woods near his home — and they’re waiting for it to be identified. Bradley Stone is accused of going on a 90-minute shooting rampage before daybreak Monday at three homes a few miles apart. The victims were his ex-wife and five of her relatives.
ATLANTA (AP) – Police in Atlanta are linking an additional killing to a man who’s already accused of gunning down two homeless men in their sleep and fatally shooting a hairstylist as she walked to her car. The fourth person was a man who was believed to have been homeless. He was shot and killed at a shopping center outside Atlanta in September. Police aren’t commenting on a possible motive. They describe the suspect, Aeman Presley, as a “very violent individual.” He was arrested last week.
NEW YORK (AP) – Sony is seeing more fallout from the hacking attack that targeted the company. Two former employees of Sony Pictures Entertainment are suing the company for not preventing hackers from stealing nearly 50,000 Social Security numbers, salary details and other personal information from current and former workers. The suit alleges that Sony didn’t act on warnings that its security system was vulnerable.
BOSTON (AP) – A Massachusetts doctor who’s been cured of Ebola says he’s heading back to Liberia — the West African country where he contracted the virus. Dr. Richard Sacra says he plans to resume his work next month at a medical mission outside the Liberian capital, Monrovia. He spent weeks in treatment at a Nebraska hospital before returning home in September.
NEW YORK (AP) – For the first time in three decades, the nation’s most common sexually transmitted disease is a little less common. Health officials say the rate and number of chlamydia (kluh-MID’-ee-uh) cases fell last year, by 1.5 percent. But there were still 1.4 million new cases reported – more than any other sexually transmitted disease. Experts are not sure what to make of the one-year drop.