CSi Weather…
REST OF TODAY…SUNNY. HIGHS 5 TO 10 ABOVE. NORTHWEST WINDS
10 TO 15 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILLS AROUND 25 BELOW IN THE MORNING.
.TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS NEAR ZERO. SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH. WIND CHILLS AROUND 20 BELOW.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. NOT AS COLD. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S. WEST
WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA A 30 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA.
LOWS AROUND 10. NORTH WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE
SOUTHEAST 5 TO 15 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT.
.FRIDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE MID 20S. EAST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 10.
.SATURDAY…CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF SLEET POSSIBLY MIXED WITH
FREEZING RAIN. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 20S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION
40 PERCENT.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY. CHANCE OF SLEET POSSIBLY MIXED WITH
SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN IN THE EVENING…THEN CHANCE OF SNOW AFTER
MIDNIGHT. LOWS 15 TO 20. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 50 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE
OF SNOW. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S. LOWS 15 TO 20.
.MONDAY AND MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 20S.
LOWS 15 TO 20.
.TUESDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF SNOW. HIGHS
IN THE UPPER 20S.
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP-CSi) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol says a Minnesota man was killed at Jamestown when his pickup was hit by an oncoming vehicle whose driver had fallen asleep.
The patrol says it happened Monday morning on Interstate 94 when 18-year-old Ashley Birkle, of Killdeer, was going east in a Chevy Tahoe, fell asleep, lost control, crossed the median and struck a westbound Ford pickup.
The 61-year-old Garfield, Minnesota, man driving the pickup, David Herold, died at the scene.
Birkle and 35-year-old Matthew Schroeder of Dalton, Minnesota, who was a passenger in the pickup were taken to Jamestown Regional Medical Center, by Jamestown Area Ambulance Service, with injuries that weren’t life threatening.
The interstate was partially blocked for several hours after the crash, which is still under investigation.
Spiritwood (CSi) A fund has been set up to help a family of four displaced by the Saturday house fire in Spiritwood.
A “go fund me,” link has set up and so far, $3,005 have been raised.
The owner of the home, Rosemarie Jasmann, was not home when the fire broke out.
Her daughter-in-law Dawn Jasmann, says the community support that she has received has been fantastic.
Charlie Johnson, who came across the fire when it broke out, suffered burn injuries to his head and neck from the blaze.
The American Red Cross provided assistance to more than 20 firefighters throughout the night.
The cause of the fire was a partially collapsed chimney attached to a wood stove, that was lit just before the fire broke out, destroying the house..
Jamestown (CSi) On a 4-1 vote,the Stutsman County Commission has approved loaning up to $400,000 to the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation, allowing the $10 million Spiritwood Energy Park Association rail loop can connect to the BNSF mainline.
Commissioner Craig Neys voted in oppostion.
Commissioner Mark Klose said, if the JSDC needs to use county funds for the rail connection, the loan would be for 10 years with 10 percent paid back each plus the London Interbank Offered Rate, which as of Tuesday was 0.65 percent.
In other business, the county commission denied approval of a quit claim deed requested by the JSDC for the remaining seven lots in the I-94 Business Park to the city of Jamestown.
Commissioner David Schwartz said he didn’t see the benefit for JSDC to quit claiming the remaining lots to the city and having the city sell those lots.
Jamestown (CSi) Another unexpected cattle roundup on Tuesday evening as Jamestown police officers spent about an hour rounding up 21 head of cattle.
The animals got loose after a single-vehicle accident, when a truck pulling a cattle trailer attempted to go up the hill on 17th Avenue Southwest around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The vehicle lost traction, slid back down the hill and ran into an obstacle.
The gate on the back of the trailer broke and the animals got loose.
Officers were able to round up 20 of the cattle and one was still be sought last evening.
Another cattle roundup occurred last Friday morning when a cattle hauler flipped over near JRMC, with several of the animals getting loose.
Twenty-three of the 88 cattle onboard died.
Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met Tuesday evening at City Hall, in Regular Session. All members were present.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPPROVED:
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 $1,603,495.91
A Game of Chance Raffle permit to BC/VC Ducks Unlimited.
A Tree Trimming License renewal for Belling Tree Service.
PUBLIC FORUM
Gary Schlagel spoke concerning using fill material during a street project.
Nellie Degen from Jamestown introduced herself as the Police liaison for the Jamestown and Valley City Police Department.
She said she had also met with the Valley City Police, Barnes County Sheriff’s Office, and Barnes County Commissioners.
NEW BUSINESS
Approved electrical department increases. Commissioner Luke said the rate is from $32 to $34 per hour.
The City Commission approved Year End Transfers from the Electric Fund to the Sewer, Water and Street Funds to eliminate negative cash balances.
Materials presented by City Auditor Avis Richter included the balances and transfer, from between the departments.
Approved a bid for a 2015 Police Chevy Tahoe from Perkins, Inc., in the amount of $33,987.
Approved local funding for the lighting project (Project No. S-NHU-2-094(126)932) on I-94 Exit 294. City Administrator Schelkoph said the amount is between $31,000 and $32,000.
Approved a 5 year extension for the Renaissance Zone program. Bobby Koepplin from the Renaissance Zone Board, said the present agreement expires in 2015. The zone will not be amended at this time. He said with approval by the city, the completed paperwork will be presented to the state for approval.
Approved a construction engineering agreement with KLJ in the amount of $1,150,000,000 for the Permanent Flood protection project.
Considered an Amendment to Engineer-Owner Agreement for Sheyenne River Valley Flood Protection (Phase 1 – University District). Mayor Werkhoven moved to delay action pending further review by commissioners, for clarification. Commissioners voted to delay action.
Approved revisions to the Urban Limits Map for Valley City, as presented by KLJ.
Added were areas of Northwest, Southeast, and Northeast Valley City. The revision is made every ten years.
Approved the Request for funding from the State Water Commission for Permanent Flood Protection Master Planning.
Approved a Storm Water Management Feasibility Study from Barnes County Soil Conservation District in the amount of $500 for the area northwest of 9th Avenue Northwest.
CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
David Schelkoph reported that about 98 percent of the AMI electrict meters have been installed, and 80-percent of the water meters have been installed.
A sewer main break is being repaired on the south side of Valley Avenue. The break is being by-passed with no intruption in service.
He noted that while no snow plowing has been performed due to lack of snow, however, with freezing rain over the past few weeks, sanding trucks have spread a large amount of sand on city streets. He added as conditions allow street sweepers will be out to clean up the large amount of sand on the streets.
CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS
City Assessor Sandy Hansen said she testified before the state legislature in favor of changes in the Homestead Credit Act.
City Building/Fire Inspector Dave Andersen and City Fire Chief Gary Retterath explained the need for property owners to install Carbon Monoxide detectors, and suggested the digital readout type indicated the amount of CO in the air.
Police Chief Thompson said at the Barnes County Commission meeting, the county commissioners approved rolling over the 845-3110 number at the dispatch center, from 8-a.m., to 5-p.m. In an emergency dial 9-1-1.
Chief Thompson indicated that with construction of the CHS plant in Spiritwood, he was told a 5,000 person man camp, over a five year period, will mean the need for additional law enforcement efforts in Valley City.
He noted that in the near future another police officer may need to be hired.
The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68, followed by replays.
Jamestown (CSi) 2014 proved to be a good year for tourism in Jamestown, with an increase in tourist economic impact, along with an increase in revenue from the city restaurant and lodging taxes.
On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Jamestown Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund said, in 2014 the lodging tax revenue was up 8% over 2013, while the restaurant tax proceeds were up 6% over 2014.
Tourism economic impact in 2014 was 2% higher than numbers from 2013.
Swedlund pointed out that traffic at the Frontier Village in 2014, was about steady with numbers from 2013.
In 2015, Swedlund said a goal is to enhance the tourist the tourism experience for visitors, by “bringing the story,” of the area to guests.
Selling the area’s camping experiences is another goal, along with assisting the Jamestown Arts Center expanding to the surrounding area.
Swedlund pointed out that in 2015 the World’s Largest Buffalo statue and the adjacent area will be reassessed for future projects.
He said the new on line calendar is planned to by up in May this year.
Setting groundwork to build another campground in the area is another goal.
In February the tourism Grant Board will hear from all the agencies that want to express their funding needs in 2015.
Jamestown (CSi) Now through February 15, 2015, the Community Health Partnership committee is conducting a community health assessment survey.
Responses will be used to prioritize areas where improvement is needed, as well as recognize where the committee is doing well.
In an E-Mail the information says that he brief survey will help in developing the most accurate perspective on what priority improvements are most needed.
The committee’s vision is to be the healthiest community in which to live, learn, work, and play.
Click here to complete the brief survey.
The community health assessment survey is conducted every three years.
Partners will use the assessment process to formulate a community health improvement plan aimed at striving to provide effective, quality health services and an environment that enables community members to reach their full potential through assessment, leadership and partnerships.
The results will be available at the end of June and released in great detail sharing specific improvement priorities for the community health partnership team.
Jamestown (CSi) A new Open Budget Transparency Portal from Stutsman County officials has gone live, to show a clear view of the county’s operations, and how tax dollars are budgeted for and spent.
County officials is hoping to have on line within a month, a more detailed version to indicate departmental expenditures.
Stutsman County officials ask for feedback, and to contact then with concerns or questions.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s House has approved legislation that would allow concealed-carry permit holders to pack guns at schools, if officials allow it.
The House endorsed the measure 52-38 on Tuesday. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Education officials have opposed the measure. They say teachers should not take on the role of law enforcement.
The proposal would require someone who wants to carry a gun in school to undergo training with local law enforcement.
A similar measure that would allow teachers and other school officials to carry guns at school failed two years ago in the Legislature.
Republican Rep. Dwight Kiefert, of Valley City, says the bill is especially aimed at rural schools where it may take law enforcement a long time to respond.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A freshman lawmaker from Fargo is pushing for the legalization of medicinal marijuana in North Dakota.
Democratic Rep. Pam Anderson’s bill has bipartisan support. The House Human Services Committee is slated to take testimony on the bill Wednesday.
Anderson says she introduced the legislation at the request of one of her constituents who suffers from chronic pain.
The bill says patients suffering from certain diseases can possess up to 2 1/2 ounces of pot or cannabis-related products for medical use.
The measure also would allow North Dakotans with a prescription for medical marijuana to grow up to six pot plants.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Tobacco foes want the North Dakota Legislature to raise the state’s tobacco tax for the first time since 1993.
Rugby Republican Rep. Jon Nelson is pushing the bipartisan bill that would raise the state’s cigarette tax from 44 cents a pack to $1.54. The tax on a can of snuff would jump from 60 cents to $2.72.
State data show that the tax increase on tobacco prices would raise more than $138 million over the next two years.
Nelson says raising the price on a pack of cigarettes acts as an incentive to quit smoking, as well as raise money for health programs.
North Dakota ranks 46th among states in the amount of tax smokers pay.
Retailers and the state Chamber of Commerce are opposing the bill.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A West Fargo man who ran for mayor in 2010 is going to federal prison for six years on a child porn charge.
The U.S. attorney’s office says 52-year-old Peter Karl was sentenced Monday for the receipt of materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors. After serving his prison time, he’ll be on supervised release for the rest of his life.
Karl has lived in West Fargo since 2005 and received 2 percent of the citywide vote when he ran for mayor in 2010. He also made an unsuccessful bid for a city commission position in 2012.
Authorities say Karl has a child pornography conviction in New York state for which he was given probation.
LEITH, N.D. (AP) – The mayor of a North Dakota town that survived a takeover attempt by a white supremacist says he won’t comment on a criminal charge filed against him stemming from a fire.
Leith Mayor Ryan Schock is facing a charge of failure to control or report a dangerous fire. The misdemeanor carries a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. He’s due in court Feb. 17.
The charge stems from a state Bureau of Criminal Investigation probe into the burning of structures in Leith that the city deemed to be nuisance properties. The burning was part of an effort to clean up the town after Cobb was put on probation for terrorizing and menacing residents and left the community.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A judge has ordered a mental health examination for a woman accused of leaving her 2- and 4-year-old daughters to die in a remote area of northwestern North Dakota.
The defense for Michelle Wounded Face requested the exam, and federal prosecutors didn’t object.
U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland says there’s reasonable cause to believe Wounded Face is “suffering from a mental disease or deficit.” She’ll spend up to a month being examined in a federal facility, likely in Rochester, Minnesota.
The 24-year-old Wounded Face is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. She’s been living on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. She’s accused of abandoning her daughters in a car for more than three hours on Jan. 3, in bitter cold weather. They survived.
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – The first ladies of the Dakotas are urging birthing hospitals in both states to help cut the number of early deliveries done for non-medical reasons. Linda Daugaard (DOO’-gard) of South Dakota and Betsy Dalrymple (DAHL’-rim-pahl) of North Dakota say many hospitals already have developed or are setting up policies to reduce what are known as early elective deliveries, or EEDs. They’re done before 39 weeks of pregnancy for no specific medical reason. The first ladies are challenging all birthing hospitals in the two states to sign a pledge to help reduce EEDs.
In sports…
BOYS HOCKEY
Devils Lake 6 Jamestown 0
BOYS BASKETBALL
Benson County 57, New Rockford-Sheyenne 48
Bottineau 74, Sawyer 60
Central Cass 73, Hankinson 56
Dakota Prairie 55, Lakota/Edmore 45
Dickinson Trinity 88, Bowman County 39
Drayton/Valley-Edinburg 64, Park River/Fordville Lankin 61
Dunseith 72, North Star 64
Ellendale 49, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier 29
Fargo Oak Grove Lutheran 92, Milnor 68
Fargo Shanley 63, Grand Forks Central 41
Four Winds/Minnewaukan 88, Harvey-Wells County 58
Grafton/St. Thomas 58, Cavalier 55
Hatton-Northwood 72, North Border 38
Hazen 75, Glen Ullin-Hebron 58
Hettinger/Scranton 53, Heart River 49
Kidder County 55, Medina-Pingree-Buchanan 43
Killdeer 54, Mandaree 26
LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 52, Oakes 47
Langdon-Munich 55, Midkota 37
Lewis and Clark-Berthold 60, Minot Our Redeemer’s 59
Linton-HMB 75, Napoleon 47
Lisbon 62, Sargent Central 30
Max 41, Washburn 40
May Port CG 53, Larimore 43
Midway-Minto 60, Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page 47
Minot 70, Bismarck High 50
Minot Bishop Ryan 74, Des Lacs-Burlington 49
Mott-Regent 87, Beach 44
New England 60, Richardton-Taylor 32
Richland 80, Fairmount-Campbell-Tintah 41
Rolette-Wolford 67, Drake/Anamoose 44
Rugby 59, Velva 24
Sheyenne 82, Devils Lake 46
Strasburg-Zeeland 72, South Border 58
Surrey 66, Glenburn 65
Thompson 43, Griggs County Central 41
Towner-Granville-Upham 51, Westhope-Newburg 48
Trinity Christian 81, Powers Lake 50
Turtle Lake-Mercer 63, Wilton-Wing 58
Valley City 74, Fargo South 58
Wahpeton 70, Fargo North 54
West Fargo 85, Fargo Davies 65
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Barnes County North 38, Enderlin 33
Bismarck Century 68, Mandan 42
Bismarck Legacy 57, Napoleon 43
Devils Lake 79, Sheyenne 43
Divide County 70, Burke County 25
Fargo Shanley 65, Grand Forks Central 41
Fargo South 66, Valley City 50
Grafton/St. Thomas 60, Langdon 48
Hillsboro/Central Valley 51, Central Cass 47
Lidgerwood-Wyndmere 58, Lisbon 48
Max 46, Washburn 36
Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 38, Ray 35
New Salem-Almont 57, Flasher 43
Shiloh Christian 81, Solen 51
Standing Rock 62, Grant County 48
Stanley 52, Trenton 49
Turtle Lake-Mercer 52, Wilton-Wing 44
Underwood 72, Center-Stanton 32
Wahpeton 57, Fargo North 38
Watford City 71, Parshall 51
West Fargo 71, Fargo Davies 67
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Philadelphia 105 Denver 98
Final Boston 108 New York 97
Final Detroit 108 Miami 91
Final Golden State 121 Sacramento 96
Final Portland 103 Utah 102
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Devan Dubnyk stopped 24 shots to lead the Wild to a 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks last night. Mikko Koivu, Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund each scored for the Wild. The Blackhawks haven’t won consecutive games in over a month.
Final Arizona 4 Columbus 1
Final Florida 4 N-Y Islanders 2
Final Washington 4 Los Angeles 0
Final New Jersey 2 Ottawa 1
Final Buffalo 3 Montreal 2
Final OT St. Louis 2 Tampa Bay 1
Final Nashville 4 Toronto 3
Final 2OT Colorado 3 Dallas 2
Final OT Anaheim 5 Carolina 4
Final OT Vancouver 3 Winnipeg 2
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Frank Kaminsky scored 23 points as No. 5 Wisconsin’s athletic frontcourt overwhelmed Indiana in a 92-78 win last night. Kaminsky was 9 of 12 from the field for the Badgers. An eight-point halftime deficit turned into a 30-point deficit with 10 minutes left after Indiana opened the second half by shooting 2 of 11 from the field.
Final ( 1) Kentucky 69 Georgia 58
Final ( 9) Louisville 63 Miami 55
Final (14) N. Iowa 61 Indiana St. 51
Final (21) Oklahoma 71 (15) West Virginia 52
Final (22) Butler 85 St. John’s 62
TOP-25 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Geno Auriemma (aw-ree-EH’-muh) reached 900 victories faster than any other college coach when second-ranked UConn routed Cincinnati 96-36 last night.
MLB…
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -With spring training just around the corner, Los Angeles Angels slugger Josh Hamilton could be out for two months after surgery on his right shoulder. Hamilton, who was the 2010 American League MVP, will have surgery to repair his AC joint today.
GOLF…
SAN DIEGO (AP) – A group of PGA Tour caddies is suing the PGA Tour in federal court for making them wear bibs that have the logo of the tournament sponsors without sharing in what it estimates as $50 million in endorsement revenue. The class-action suit on behalf of 81 caddies was filed in San Francisco, where former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon successfully sued the NCAA for keeping college players from selling their marketing rights.
NFL..
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) – Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank says he has seen enough of the NFL’s investigation of fake crowd noise at Atlanta’s home games to acknowledge wrongdoing. The NFL has said it is trying to determine if the Falcons pumped artificial crowd noise into the Georgia Dome for home games the last two years. Apparently, the answer is yes.
BOSTON (AP) – Shortly after the Patriots completed their victory over the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, quite a few fans brought up the notion that MVP Tom Brady should give the truck he won for being named MVP to defensive back Malcolm Butler. The reasoning was that it was Butler who saved the game for the Patriots with his key last second interception.
Well, Brady has told listeners to A radio station in Boston that he intends to do just that, transfer ownership of the vehicle to the undrafted rookie out of West Alabama.
In world and national news…
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) – The father of a captive Jordanian pilot purportedly burned alive by Islamic State group extremists is calling on Jordan to avenge his son. Jordan has already executed two al-Qaida prisoners, including a woman the IS wanted in exchange for the pilot. Meanwhile there is outrage throughout the Middle East. The head of Sunni Islam’s most respected seat of learning says the militants deserved the Quran-prescribed punishment of death, crucifixion or the chopping off of their arms.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Officials say 15 people survived with injuries when a Taiwanese flight carrying 58 people banked sharply onto its side, clipped a highway bridge and careened into a shallow river, killing at least 23 people. The plane had just taken off from Taipei. Another 20 people are missing.
VALHALLA, N.Y. (AP) – Six people on a crowded commuter train are dead along with the driver of an SUV that was hit by the Metro North train north of New York City. Officials say the train burst into flames and the impact was so severe that the electrified third rail came up and pierced the train. Nearly a dozen people were seriously injured.
BEIJING (AP) – China has made another move in its efforts to reverse a deepening economic slowdown. The central bank is cutting the minimum level of reserves its banks are required to hold to make more money available for lending and support small and rural enterprises, construction projects and other activity.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – An abandoned limestone mine in Louisville, Kentucky is being recycled to include a giant underground bicycle park with miles of dirt trails, jumps and stunt courses. The owners of the 320,000-square foot park say it will be the largest indoor course in the nation. The repurposing started about five years ago with zip lines in a section of the mine and more recently an underground Christmas light show that draws long lines of cars during the holidays.