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CSi Weather…
.REST OF TODAY…Cloudy. Highs around 40. South winds 10 to 15 mph.
.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 30. South winds 5 to 10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs around 50. West winds 5 to 15 mph.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s.
Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s. North winds
10 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.
.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.
.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 15 to 20.
.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 20s.
.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Highs around 40.
Wed night-Thurs will keep any rain or snow chances
confined to the southwest portion of North Dakota, with
near normal temperatures to close out the work week.
Early this weekend another cold front across the region and brings a
reinforced shot of cold Canadian air for Saturday.
will remain through early next week, with near to
below normal temperatures to close out March and begin April.
Precipitation chances will be minimal
The Hydrologic Outlook…
…FAVORABLE THAW/MELT CONDITIONS TO CONTINUE THIS WEEK…LOCAL
RUNOFF LIKELY TO INCREASE SOUTH OF FARGO…
The region will see high temperatures increase to above the freezing
mark yet again for much of the current week. However, overnight
temperatures are expected to dip below freezing (with possibly the
exception of Tuesday night) and continue to slow down the melting
process.
Little to no precipitation is expected over the course of the next
seven days. The increasing temperatures will likely contribute to
more locations seeing ponding of water. However, river flooding
is not expected to commence through the end of the week.
Bismarck (NDHP) — Early on Monday, the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) located a stolen vehicle traveling westbound along Interstate 94 near Sterling that had previously fled from the Jamestown Police Department.
When the NDHP attempted to pull the vehicle over, it fled west at a high rate of speed. The vehicle’s tires were spiked with a tire deflation device east of Bismarck. The vehicle continued west on Interstate 94 toward Bismarck with two of its tires disabled.
The Bismarck Police Department blocked Exit 161 so the vehicle could not exit. Deputies with the Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department attempted to stop the vehicle with a rolling road block. The NDHP then utilized a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver on the vehicle near Exit 159 (State Street). The vehicle went into the ditch where it stopped. Two occupants were taken into custody at 7:37 am CST.
This incident remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
The NDHP was assisted by the Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department and the Bismarck Police Department.
Jamestown (CSi) This year’s Runnin O’ The Green fundraiser, on March 23 through Jamestown, saw a few less participants than in 2018.
Founder and organizer of the Run Larry Knoblich says this year, 1,550 individuals registered, compared to 1,750 in 2018.
The amount of dollars raised through registrations was still being tabulated on Monday, with five of the 11 participating bars reporting.
Donations through registrations are passed along to both the Elks Camp Grassick, serving both mentally and physically challenged individuals, and selected cancer patients.
Photos from the Run are posted at Facebook.com/TheReplayChannel . Like, Tag, & Share.
Jamestown (CSi) The Dollar Tree parent Company of Family Dollar stores will close nearly 400 stores nationwide including the Southeast Jamestown location. The last day of business in May 18, 2019.
Remaining Family Dollar stores will become Dollar Trees, including the renovation of 1,000 locations.
In his statement, President and CEO of Dollar Tree, Gary Philbin said “Since the merger, (of Family Dollar and Dollar Tree) we have prepaid $4.3 billion dollars of debt, captured significant synergies in both brands, and fully integrated most systems, functions and departments across banners. By July, we will complete the most important phase: unifying our headquarters under one roof in Virginia.”
Earlier, Dollar Tree closed 122 Family Dollar stores in the fiscal year that ended February 2, as 84 stores closed in the fourth quarter, 37 more than planned.
Jamestown (CSi) The City of Jamestown is currently accepting applications for the following:
1 open position on the Forestry Committee – unexpired term to August 2021
1 open position on the Board of Adjustment – unexpired term to January 2021
Anyone interested in serving on the above committees/boards should complete an “Application for Appointment”. The application may be obtained in person at City Hall, 102 3rd Ave SE, Jamestown, ND, by calling 701-252-5900 or online at jamestownnd.org and select government tab/city committees to download the form.
The application should be returned by April 26, 2019 to:
City of Jamestown
Attn: Appointments
102 3rd Avenue SE
Jamestown, ND 58401-4205
Valley City (VCSU) The “What in the World Is Going On?” organization will host a presentation, “The Ins and Outs of Cannabis and Medical Marijuana,” by holistic nurse Gail Pederson on Thursday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in Rhoades Science Center 102 on campus.
Pedersen, SPRN, HN-BC, will provide a brief history of cannabis and hemp, and define the differences between hemp CBD and medical cannabis CBD, THC and Terpenes. Side effects and medication interactions with the use of CBD and medical marijuana will also be addressed. The North Dakota Medical Marijuana Program will be outlined, including what qualifying conditions are approved for certification in North Dakota and how to apply to receive a medical card.
The presentation is open to the public free of charge.
Valley City (VCSU) Valley City State University will host a Regional Science Olympiad for teams of high school and middle school students on campus Thursday, March 28. About 450 students on 17 high school teams and 14 middle school teams will compete at VCSU.
The students will compete in 34 events—including Battery Buggy, Heredity, Roller Coaster, Water Quality, Herpetology, Mousetrap Vehicle, Disease Detectives, Circuit Lab, Crime Busters, Chemistry Lab, and Thermodynamics, among others.
The events are supervised by 25 VCSU faculty, staff, high school teachers, and volunteers from KLJ Engineering. In addition, 60 VCSU science students have volunteered to help at the competition. Teather Sundstrom, Ph.D., VCSU associate professor of chemistry, serves as coordinator for the Valley City Regional Science Olympiad.
Read more at www.vcsu.edu/news/10727/vcsu-to-host-regional-science-olympiad-on-march-28.
Jamestown (JHS) The Jamestown High School Choir, Band, and Orchestra will be performing contest pieces from various local, regional, and state festivals, as well as an elementary ukulele band, on April 7 at 3-p.m., at the Jamestown High School theater. All proceeds go back into the music programs at Jamestown public schools in the form of camp scholarships, supplies, instruments, and other needed items throughout the year.
This year, funds are being raised to help the Lincoln PTO purchase new risers for their gymnasium.
Valley City (VCSU) VCSU will celebrate the 25th annual scholarship auction, Friday, April 12, at the Valley City Eagles Club.
Our theme for this year’s auction is “Viking Gala.” Cost to attend is $45 per person, which includes both live and silent auctions, buffet dinner, two drink tickets and five chances to win $100.
The social hour and the silent auction begin at 5 p.m. A buffet dinner will be served from 6-8 p.m. The live auction will kick off at 7 p.m. This is your chance to bid on some great deals while contributing to a great cause.
Scholarships are vital to VCSU’s success and all proceeds from the auction go directly to V-500 and Century Club scholarships. The goal is to raise $85,000 this year for scholarships.
How can you help in the success of the auction?
- Donate a purchased item or handmade item for the live or silent auction
- Donate a bottle of wine valued at $20 or more for the Mystery Wine Table
- Purchase a ticket
- Attend the auction
To purchase tickets, stop by or call the VCSU Foundation Office at 701-845-7203.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Police say a Fargo man was driving drunk when he crashed his car and critically injured two young children and left four others hurt.
Authorities say the 31-year-old man and a front seat passenger were also injured when the car collided with an SUV Saturday night. Two people in the SUV were taken to the hospital as well.
KFGO reports when police arrived they found a 5-year-old boy had been removed from the car and was lying in the parking lot of a nursing home where medical personnel were performing CPR. A 7-year-old boy was extricated from the vehicle by firefighters. Both children were taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
The car’s driver was arrested for driving under the influence, but remained in the hospital for treatment.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has signed a bill to repeal the state’s longstanding Sunday business restrictions.
The Senate approved the House bill last week aimed at ending the nation’s strictest so-called blue laws.
Burgum signed the bill on Monday that repeals the Sunday business restrictions that have been in place since statehood and rooted in religious tradition. Burgum says the bill “supports freedom, fairness and local control.”
The National Conference of State Legislatures says North Dakota is the only state that prohibits shopping on Sunday morning.
The repeal takes effect Aug. 1.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Senate has rejected adding edibles as a seventh legal form of medical marijuana.
The expansion was sought by advocates and supported by the state Health Department. The bill stipulated that edibles couldn’t be in a form that could be targeted to children, but some lawmakers still expressed concerns.
North Dakota’s approved medical marijuana forms are dried leaves and flowers, concentrates, tinctures, capsules, topicals and transdermal patches. The House in February voted 72-21 in favor of adding edibles. Monday’s Senate vote was 28-17 in favor, but the bill needed 31 votes to pass.
Advocates say edibles have advantages for some patients who use medical marijuana. Committee for Compassionate Care chief lobbyist Steven Peterson says he’s frustrated by the Senate vote, but it isn’t the end of efforts to make edibles legal in North Dakota.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s House has killed legislation that would waive burial fees for a veteran’s spouse and dependents at the state Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan.
Belcourt Democratic Sen. Richard Marcellais is the lead sponsor of the bill that would have waived the $550 fee for spouses and dependents. Veterans may be buried there at no cost.
The legislation would have set aside $125,000 in the next two-year budget cycle to fund the burials.
The Senate gave unanimous support to the bill in February.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Republican-led Senate has killed legislation to allow legal gambling on college and professional sports.
The Senate killed the House bill 38-7 on Monday with no debate. The measure passed the GOP-led House last month, after it failed but was reconsidered in a second vote.
North Dakota was one of many states attempting to capitalize on the U.S. Supreme Court’s lifting of a federal ban on sports gambling.
Backers say sports betting would generate revenue for charities and the state. Opponents believe it would cause more gambling addiction problems.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Republican-led Legislature has increased the punishment for people who tamper with pipelines and groups that help them.
The House passed the Senate bill 76-14 on Monday that more clearly defines that it’s illegal to tamper with “critical infrastructure.”
The bill says someone who intentionally tampers with infrastructure faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It also increases those fines up to $100,000 for an organization found to have conspired with multiple individuals.
GOP Gov. Doug Burgum hasn’t said whether he will sign it.
Seattle resident Michael Foster served six months in prison for a 2016 protest in North Dakota for turning a pipeline valve and stopping oil flow. Foster says the increased penalties would not have stopped him.
In sports…
ABERDEEN, S.D. (VCSU) – The No. 11-ranked Valley City State softball team finished off a dominating series sweep Monday with two more wins against Dakota State University.
Playing inside the Presentation College Dome, the Vikings downed the Trojans 7-3 in game one on Monday, and then finished the four-game sweep with an 8-1 victory in game two. VCSU won Sunday’s games by scores of 5-1 and 6-0.
With the four-game sweep to start NSAA play, the Vikings are now 24-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play. VCSU was the only NSAA team to go 4-0 in the first weekend of conference games. Bellevue, Dickinson State and Viterbo University all went 3-1 to start the NSAA schedule.
Valley City State outscored Dakota State 26-5 in the four-game series. In 28 innings, VCSU allowed just eight hits and committed only two errors. Three different pitchers earned wins and pitched at least eight innings, and 11 different Vikings recorded hits in the series.
Up next: Valley City State will face Dickinson State in a four-game conference series this weekend. VCSU was originally scheduled to host the four-game series, but the final date, time and location of the games are still being determined due to the weather forecast.
VCSU 7, Dakota State 3
Emilee Wilson pitched five shutout innings in relief Monday as the Vikings opened the doubleheader with a 7-3 victory.
Wilson came on with a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the third inning and shut the door the rest of the way to earn her seventh win of the season. The freshman right-hander recorded 10 straight outs to start her appearance and gave up just one hit, walked only one batter and struck out nine over her five innings of work.
Valley City State put up most of its runs early in the game, scoring four in the first inning and two more in the second. Marissa Hawkins‘ two-run single highlighted the big first inning, and Riley Perryman had a two-run double in the second inning. Hawkins added an RBI single in the fourth inning for VCSU’s final run.
The freshman Hawkins had a big game at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with a run and four RBIs – giving her a team-high 25 RBIs through 24 games. Perryman and Tatum Lundin each collected two hits and an RBI. VCSU finished with 11 total hits, compared to just four by Dakota State.
Emily Smith started in the circle for VCSU and went two innings. She gave up three runs and three hits while striking out two. After VCSU put up four runs in the top of the first inning, Dakota State answered back in the bottom half with a three-run home run by Nicole Stewart. That’s all the offense the Trojans could muster.
VCSU 8, Dakota State 1
Amber Stewart and Nichole Reed combined to pitch a one-hitter in game two of the doubleheader, and the Vikings completed the series sweep with an 8-1 victory.
Stewart started and earned the win as she went five innings in the circle, giving up just one hit and one run. She walked one batter and and struck out two. Reed came on to finish the game with two perfect innings in relief.
The Vikings struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning and then broke the game open with three more runs in the third inning. Renee Snyder‘s two-run double scored Joelle Aiello and Voni Culp for a 4-0 lead, and then Marissa Hawkins singled home Snyder to make it 5-0.
Dakota State would trim the Viking lead to 5-1 but VCSU added two more runs in the sixth inning and Kailee Fraser had a pinch-hit home run in the seventh to cap the Viking scoring.
Aiello finished 3-for-4 at the plate and scored a pair of runs to lead VCSU’s offensive attack. The Vikings finished with 11 hits and no errors. Voni Culp was 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, and Snyder was 2-for-3, scored twice and drove in two.
VCSU Baseball…
Monday…
BELLEVUE, NEB. (VCSU) – After a pair of offensive outbursts on Sunday, the Viking baseball team settled into a pair of pitchers’ duels on Monday as they split a doubleheader with Dakota State University.
VCSU scored in the top of the ninth inning to win game one 2-1 during the doubleheader in Bellevue, Neb. In the second half of the doubleheader, Dakota State won 4-3 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh.
Valley City State finishes the four-game game series with three wins against Dakota State. The Vikings won Sunday’s games by scores of 14-10 and 10-1. VCSU is now 7-11 overall this season and 3-1 in conference play.
Up next: Valley City State is scheduled to play a four-game non-conference series on Saturday and Sunday at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
VCSU 2, Dakota State 1
The Vikings scored single runs in the seventh and ninth innings to rally for a 2-1 win in Monday’s opener.
VCSU’s Nate Soulis had a pinch-hit single in the seventh inning to score Brady Smith and tie the game at 1-1. In the ninth inning, Aiden Brook opened the inning with a single, moved to second base on a groundout, stole third base, and then scored the game-winning run on Jorun Hamre‘s groundout. Phillip Almanza then set the Trojans down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth to close out the victory.
Almanza earned the win after pitching four scoreless innings in relief. The junior right-hander gave up just one hit after coming on in the sixth inning. He walked only one and struck out four. Freshman Marcus Niemann started on the mound and pitched five strong innings. Niemann gave up just two hits and one unearned run as he took a no-decision.
VCSU managed just six hits, all coming by different players. Hamre and Soulis each had a hit and an RBI, while Smith and Brook scored VCSU’s two runs.
Dakota State 4, VCSU 3
Dakota State scored single runs in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings as the Trojans rallied for a 4-3 victory.
VCSU trailed 2-1 entering the sixth inning, but Brady Smith came up clutch with a two-run home run to left field, giving the Vikings a 3-2 lead. Dakota State would tie the game in the bottom of the sixth with an unearned run, and then the Trojans put together back-to-back two-out hits in the bottom of the seventh as Chris Burke doubled and then scored on Samuel Drummond’s walk-off single.
Nicholas Vargas pitched the first six innings for VCSU, allowing six hits and two earned runs. He walked two and struck out seven. Jacob Miller came on for the seventh inning and took the loss. Miller set down the first two batters before Dakota State’s two-out rally to win the game.
Brady Smith was 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs for VCSU. Grant Wehseler finished 2-for-4 at the plate, scored a run and had an RBI double in the third inning to put VCSU up 1-0. VCSU outhit Dakota State 9-6. The Vikings committed only one error, but it was a costly two-out error in the sixth inning that allowed Dakota State to tie the game at 3-3.
UJ Baseball…
Monday…
HASTINGS, Neb. (uj.edu) — Dru Fitz (JR/Gresham, OR) and Tanner Roundy (SR/Henderson, NV) turned in quality starts for the University of Jamestown baseball team Monday as the Jimmies swept a doubleheader against Hastings College by identical 3-1 scores.
Jamestown improves to 15-9 overall and 5-3 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Hastings falls to 5-14 and 2-6 in the GPAC.
The Jimmies will be in Mitchell, S.D., for doubleheaders against Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University on Saturday and Sunday.
Game 1: Jimmies 3, Broncos 1
Dru Fitz gave up one run over five innings and UJ used a three-run fifth to take game one by a score of 3-1.
Fitz (2-2) struck out four in his fourth start of the season. Joe Harris (SO/Recluse, WY) pitched two scoreless innings for his first save.
Tanner Roundy and Kaleb Binstock (SR/Grand Forks, ND) each had RBI singles and Jaden Yackley (SR/Lynnwood, Wash.) came home on a Bronco throwing error as the Jimmies led 3-0 after the fifth.
Hastings had runners on second and third with one out in the sixth, but only managed to push one run across.
Game 2: Jimmies 3, Broncos 1
In the nightcap, Roundy went the distance on the mound and allowed just one unearned run as Jamestown won 3-1.
Roundy (2-0) gave up two hits and struck out eight while going the distance.
Matt Meraz (JR/Aurora, CO) took advantage of a Hastings error to score the Jimmies’ first run in the second.
Yackley doubled home Grant Okawa (JR/Mississauga, ON) in the fifth to make it 2-0 in favor of UJ.
After Hastings scored in the bottom of the fifth to cut the lead in half, Yackley singled in Chase Hacker (JR/Millcreek, WA) in the seventh to help Jamestown retake a two-run lead.
Jamestown finished with just four hits in the game but stole two bases and used a Jared Bentley (JR/Washougal, WA) sacrifice bunt to get a runner into scoring position.
Sports Betting…
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Republican-led Senate has killed legislation to allow legal gambling on college and professional sports.
The Senate killed the House bill 38-7 on Monday with no debate. The measure passed the GOP-led House last month, after it failed but was reconsidered in a second vote.
North Dakota was one of many states attempting to capitalize on the U.S. Supreme Court’s lifting of a federal ban on sports gambling.
Backers say sports betting would generate revenue for charities and the state. Opponents believe it would cause more gambling addiction problems.
— Jusuf Nurkic had 32 points and 16 rebounds before suffering a gruesome left leg injury in the second overtime, and the Portland Trail Blazers outlasted the Brooklyn Nets 148-144. Nurkic was hurt when he left bent awkwardly as he battled for an offensive rebound.
— Bruno Caboclo scored a career-high 24 points, Tyler Dorsey added 21 and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-103. Delon Wright finished with 18 points and a career-best 13 assists for the Grizzlies. Jonas Valanciunas added 18 points and 14 rebounds. Oklahoma City lost for the fifth time in six games.
— Rudy Gobert scored a season-high 27 points and set the single-season NBA dunk record to fuel the Utah Jazz to a 125-92 win over Phoenix Monday, despite 59 points from Devin Booker. Derrick Favors and Ricky Rubio each had 18 points and Joe Ingles added 14 as the Jazz have claimed their seventh victory in their last eight games.
NBA-NEWS
Former Knicks, NYU player Cal Ramsey dies at 81
NEW YORK (AP) — Cal Ramsey, who starred at NYU in the 1950s and went on to play for the New York Knicks, has died at 81.
After his playing career, Ramsey worked for the Knicks as a color analyst and later in community relations. The team says he died at a rehab center in Manhattan.
Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan calls Ramsey “one of the greatest ambassadors in New York City basketball history.”
NHL …
Playoff races tighten as season winds down
NEW YORK (AP) — Teddy Blueger scored two goals, Matt Murray made 33 saves and the Pittsburgh Penguins surged to a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers on Monday night.
Justin Schultz, Nick Bjugstad and Matt Cullen also scored for Pittsburgh. Phil Kessel and Marcus Pettersson each added two assists.
Pittsburgh pulled into a tie with the New York Islanders for second place in the Metropolitan Division with 95 points. Both teams trail Washington by one point for first.
Elsewhere on NHL ice:
— Dylan Larkin scored in the first minute, Jonathan Bernier had 38 saves and the Detroit Red Wings beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 Monday night. The Red Wings have won four of their last five games after going 1-9-3 over their previous 13. The Sharks lost their season-high sixth (0-5-1) straight game. It’s their longest skid since going 0-6-0 in March 2017.
— Steven Stamkos scored twice and finished with four points, and the Tampa Bay Lightning became the fourth NHL team to win at least 59 games in a season, rallying from two goals down to beat the Boston Bruins 5-4 on Monday night. With five games remaining, Tampa Bay (59-14-4) has a chance to surpass the NHL record of 62 wins, set by the 1995-96 Detroit Red Wings.
— John Tavares recorded the first four-goal game of his career as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Florida Panthers 7-5 on Monday night. The star centre, who signed a seven-year, US$77-million contract with the Leafs in free agency on July 1, now has 45 goals on the season — the most ever by a player in his first season with the franchise. The Leafs started the night seven points back of the Boston Bruins for second in the Atlantic Division and are almost assured of meeting their rivals for a second straight spring in the first round of the playoffs.
— Tyler Seguin and Radek Faska each scored a pair of goals and the Dallas Stars snapped a two-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. The Stars maintained their hold on the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Jets remain in first place in the Central Division, two points ahead of Nashville, with a game in hand.
— Juuse Saros made 29 saves for his third shutout of the season and Ryan Johansen scored a short-handed goal as the Nashville Predators defeated the Minnesota Wild 1-0. With the victory, the Predators clinched a spot in the Western Conference playoffs. They are in second place in the Central Division, two points behind Winnipeg.
— Ivan Barbashev, Zach Sanford and Ryan O’Reilly scored to help the St. Louis Blues beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 on Monday night. Jordan Binnington made 24 saves for his 21st victory. Vegas could have clinched a playoff berth with a win. The Golden Knights are in third place in the Pacific Division, 11 points ahead of Arizona. St. Louis sits third in the Central Division and also is closing in on a playoff spot. The Blues remained two points behind second-place Nashville.
— The top team in the NHL’s Western Conference tripped on the basement-dweller when the Los Angeles Kings upset the Calgary Flames 3-0. Kings backup goaltender Jack Campbell earned his second career shutout and his first win since Feb. 5 stopping 42 shots. The Kings won their third straight, but won’t see the post-season this year.
— Cory Schneider overcame an embarrassing early, bad-hop goal from center ice, made 45 saves and got the benefit of having a game-tying, third-period tally nullified for goaltender interference in leading the New Jersey Devils to a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday night. New Jersey won its second straight. Miles Wood added an empty-net goal on a length-of-the-ice shot.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS-BRIBERY
Coaches, others in college admissions scam plead not guilty
BOSTON (AP) — There were court appearances Monday in a nationwide college admissions scam. A dozen sports coaches, test administrators and others pleaded not guilty to participating.
The defendants arrested in the Operation Varsity Blues investigation were arraigned in Boston’s federal court on Monday.
They include former Georgetown tennis coach Gordon Ernst, former UCLA men’s soccer coach Jorge Salcedo and Wake Forest women’s volleyball coach Bill Ferguson.
An attorney for Ferguson told reporters his client is innocent and “does not belong in this indictment.”
The coaches are charged with accepting bribes in exchange for helping students get into school by pretending they were athletic recruits.
Hollywood stars Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin and other prominent parents charged with bribing coaches and arranging ways to cheat on their children’s entrance exams are due in court on later dates.
MICHAEL AVENATTI-ARREST
Nike statement says it ‘will not be extorted’
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nike says it has been cooperating with the federal government’s ongoing investigation of college basketball for more than a year.
The company issued a statement Monday saying it “will not be extorted or hide information that is relevant to a government investigation.”
The statement followed the arrest of celebrity attorney Michael Avenatti on federal extortion charges.
Federal prosecutors say Avenatti threatened to hold a news conference to announce damaging allegations against Nike if the company didn’t pay him more than $20 million.
Nike officials told investigators Avenatti claimed to know of rules violations by an amateur basketball team sponsored by the company.
Nike said it “believes in ethical and fair play, both in business and sports, and will continue to assist the prosecutors.”
Avenatti also is charged in Los Angeles with bank and wire fraud. He’s accused of embezzling a client’s money to pay his own expenses.
MLB NEWS
Marlins release Straily
UNDATED (AP) — Greg Holland has earned the closer’s job with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Holland returned from Tommy John surgery and led the NL with 41 saves for Colorado in 2017. The 33-year-old right-hander was 2-2 with a 4.66 ERA with St. Louis and Washington last season, when he earned $14 million. He has a 2.83 ERA in eight major league seasons.
In other baseball news:
The Miami Marlins have released Dan pitcher Straily. The team will give Straily more than $1.2 million in termination pay rather than his $5 million salary. The 30-year old right-hander was 15-15 in two seasons with the Marlins. He was limited to 23 starts last year, when he went on the disabled list twice because of forearm and oblique strains.
ORIOLES-COBB
Orioles’ Cobbs goes on IL, Cashner likely to start opener
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles put scheduled opening-day starter Alex Cobb on the 10-day injured list because of a strained right groin.
He likely will be replaced by Andrew Cashner for Thursday’s game at the New York Yankees. Cobb’s last spring training was cut short after one inning Saturday because of the groin.
Baltimore also placed catcher Austin Wynns on the 10-day IL on Monday because of a left oblique strain.
Baltimore also selected the contract of catcher Jesus Sucre from Norfolk of the International League. Sucre, at spring training with a minor league contract, gets a one-year deal paying at the rate of $850,000 in the major leagues and $250,000 in the minors. Outfielder Mark Trumbo, recovering from September surgery on his right knee, was placed on the 60-day injured list, opening a spot on the 40-man roster.
GOLF: MATCH PLAY
Woods to open Match Play against rookie of year
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Tiger Woods opens the Dell Technologies Match Play against the PGA Tour rookie of the year.
Woods is back in the Match Play for the first time since 2013, when it was held in Arizona and he was eliminated in the opening round. Now it is group play, assuring him of three matches. The winner of the 16 groups advance to the knockout stage.
First up for Woods on Wednesday is Aaron Wise, an NCAA champion from Oregon who won the AT&T Byron Nelson last year. Also in the group are Patrick Cantlay and Brandt Snedeker.
Dustin Johnson is the No. 1 seed and has Hideki Matsuyama, Branden Grace and Chez Reavie.
Jason Day is in the all-major champion group with Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson and Jim Furyk.
NFL NEWS
Packers at Bears to open 2019 season
PHOENIX (AP) — As part of the celebration of its 100th season, the NFL will break from tradition and feature the Packers vs. the Bears in its season opener Sept. 5.
Usually, the Super Bowl champion is the home team for the prime-time opener, but the league wants to salute historic rivalries in 2019. None fits better than Chicago-Green Bay. The teams have met 200 times since 1921, when the Bears were the Chicago Staleys. Green Bay leads the series 97-95-6 in the regular season, with the clubs splitting two postseason games.
Staging the Thursday night game at Chicago’s Soldier Field — even if it is a modernized version of the stadium — adds to the theme.
This will be the first time since 2003 the Super Bowl champion has not hosted the opener. New England instead will open at home in the prime-time game Sunday night, Sept. 8. The opponent has not yet been determined. The full schedule will be announced next month.
Officials also outlined other plans for the 100th season: NFL Films will select the 100 greatest teams, plays, games, characters and game changers; an all-time team is being chosen and will be featured in a TV series; Peyton Manning will talk to fans around the country about the history of the NFL for another television series.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
— The Buffalo Bills are giving cornerback E.J. Gaines an opportunity to win back his starting job by signing the free agent to a one-year contract. Gaines returns to Buffalo after spending last season with Cleveland. The 27-year-old played six games with the Browns before going on the injured-reserve list after suffering his two concussions in three weeks.
— The New York Jets have re-signed outside linebacker Brandon Copeland and tight end Neal Sterling. Copeland had a career-high five sacks last year in his first season with the Jets. He played in every game and started 10, finishing with 47 tackles, 20 quarterback hits and three pass defenses — also personal bests. Copeland also was a key contributor on special teams.
GEORGIA TECH-PLAYER DIES
Medical examiner seeking cause of Ga. Tech player’s death
ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s medical examiner plans further tests to determine the cause of Georgia Tech defensive lineman Brandon Adams’ death.
The 21-year-old Adams died Saturday. An autopsy was performed Monday.
Officer Stephanie Brown, an Atlanta Police spokeswoman, says the GBI’s medical examiner’s office needs more lab tests, including toxicology results, to determine the “cause and manner” of Adams’ death. Brown says in a statement to The Associated Press that police investigators are working with the GBI.
Georgia Tech says its seniors and team captains have decided to start spring practice as scheduled on Tuesday. The practice will be closed to media.
Brown was a rising senior who was expected to be a key member of the Yellow Jackets’ defensive line under new coach Geoff Collins.
In world and national news…
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he welcomes the special counsel’s report but complains that he has been abused by a long, unnecessary investigation.
Trump also told reporters Monday that he believes some people have done what he called “treasonous things” and will be “looked at.”
An outline of the special counsel’s report found no Trump campaign collusion with the Russian government but left to Attorney General William Barr the question of obstruction of justice.
Congressional Democrats say that Barr’s decision that there isn’t sufficient evidence to establish obstruction by Trump isn’t the last word and are pushing for the release of the full report. They also are vowing to continue their multiple investigations into the president’s .
Six House Democratic committee chairmen are asking for the full report by April 2.
JERUSALEM (AP) — Officials at a Palestinian university in the West Bank say undercover Israeli forces have raided the campus and arrested three students.
Lubna Abdelhadi, a spokeswoman for the Bir Zeit University, says the armed commandos, disguised as locals, entered the campus early on Tuesday and grabbed the students, believed to be Hamas activists, while they were sleeping.
The students were apparently hiding on campus to try and avoid arrest. The raid happened as Israel and Gaza’s Hamas militants traded fire overnight after a rocket attack from Gaza struck a home in central Israel early on Monday.
Israeli forces had previously raided the university in 2017 and ransacked the student council, confiscating materials used by political groups.
The Israeli military said it arrested nine Palestinian suspects in routine overnight West Bank raids, but would not specify further.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is nearing a victory over Democrats as the House tries overriding his first veto. Tuesday’s vote seems certain to fail, which means his declaration of a national emergency at the Mexican border would stand.
Trump’s emergency would let him shift an additional $3.6 billion from military construction projects to work on a barrier along the southwest boundary.
Congress has approved less than $1.4 billion. Building the wall was one of his most oft-repeated campaign promises, though he claimed the money would come from Mexico.
Trump’s emergency declaration drew unanimous opposition from congressional Democrats and opposition from some Republicans. Lawmakers objected that he was abusing presidential powers.
The House seems sure to fall short of the two-thirds margin needed to override vetoes.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Attorney Michael Avenatti’s arrest on federal charges is a sharp reversal of fortune for a man who was considering a run for president last year.
Avenatti’s arrest Monday came just over a year after he rose to prominence representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in her legal battles against President Donald Trump.
Avenatti was charged with allegedly trying to extort up to $25 million from Nike and bilking settlement funds from a client. He also faces a bank fraud charge.
Avenatti says he is confident he will be “fully exonerated.”
He was released on $300,000 bond after a brief court appearance in New York.
If convicted of the charges in California and New York, Avenatti could face up to nearly 100 years in prison.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A foundation formed by the father of one of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims says the man’s death is devastating and speaks to the importance of mental health treatment.
Police in Newtown, Connecticut, say 49-year-old Jeremy Richman was found dead of an apparent suicide Monday morning.
He and his wife named The Avielle Foundation after their daughter, who was one of 26 killed in the 2012 shooting. The foundation, whose directors include health professionals, is dedicated to preventing violence by seeking a better understanding of brain health.
The foundation said in a statement Monday that Richman’s death shows how important it is for people to seek help for themselves, their loved ones and others in need.
Richman’s death comes as officials in Parkland, Florida, are publicizing counseling services after two survivors of a high school massacre there killed themselves.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s prime minister has expressed concern over a media report that an influential minor party asked the U.S. gun lobby for donations to help undermine Australian gun laws.
An Al Jazeera documentary showed One Nation party officials Steve Dickson and James Ashby flew to the United States for meetings with the National Rifle Association and other pro-gun interests in September last year weeks before the Australian Parliament banned foreign political donations. It is unclear whether they secured any money.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Tuesday his government had made laws to “criminalize taking foreign political donations so foreign lobbyists cannot seek to influence our politics.”
The Al Jazeera documentary comes ahead of elections expected in May.
One Nation said in a statement party members “have always complied with the law.”
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