CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. Southwest winds around 10 mph.

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 10 to 15. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 20s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above. East winds

around 5 mph.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s. West winds around

5 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows around 10.

.TUESDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 20s.

 

Saturday looks to be the warmest day this week, then temperatures to near late December normals and increased chances for precipitation.

Currently, the next chance of precipitation arrives late Christmas Eve into Christmas Day.

 

(CSi) Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent, Robert Lech has passed along information reminders on the School Hot Lunch program.

Lech says according to  policy, students will always have access to lunch and will not be denied a meal because of the amount of support provided by various programs.

More information on the school lunch program.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s, Finance & Legal, Building, Planning & Zoning, Civic Center & Promotion Committees met Tuesday Evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

The committee recommends approving  the request from Jamestown Tourism to authorize up to $15,000 to match a Cultural Heritage Grant for the purpose of hiring staff to inventory, identify and document artifacts at the Frontier Village, with $2,413 paid from the Jamestown Tourism (BCTF) New Projects Fund and any remainder paid from the Jamestown Tourism (BCTF) Capital Improvement Fund.

The request was approved by the Tourism, Grant/Executive Board, at the November 2019 meeting.

Jamestown Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund said the match is on a one to one basis, and will serve to help determine items that have been donated or loaned to the Frontier Village

 

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

The committee considered accepting the proposal from SRF Consulting for Planning and Zoning Technical Services for 2020 in an amount not to exceed $60,000. Mayor Heinrich said developers are unnecessarily paying an excessive amount, regarding platting fees, and delays stemming from an Ordinance change and that improvement costs can be reduced.

The committee recommends accepting the proposal, with Mayor Heinrich voting opposed.

 

Recommended for approval was an Application for Abatement for 235 20th Avenue, Northeast.  For tax year 2019. (74-2180360) The value is recommended for adjustment from $460,000, to $396,000.

 

The committee recommends approving the 18-42 Frontier Village Road project special assessments for the city-owned parcels in the amount of $119,213 to be paid from the Special Assessment Deficiency Fund.  Council Member Buchanan commented that the National Buffalo Museum as a lessee should pay their fair share of the specials.

Council Member Buchanan vote no on the approval.

 

The committee discussed the employee annual leave policy.  Deputy Auditor  Jay Sveum, outlined the changes, he said would benefit new and veteran employees, and would be in line with Stutsman County policy.  The committee voted to recommend approval,  in the change of policy.

 

The committee recommends amending the job description for Utility Operations Director, including overseeing the sanitation and solid waste disposal operations.

 

INFORMATIONAL: Appointment applications to be considered at the January 6, 2020, City Council meeting:

Board of Adjustment for a three year term to January 2023

Civil Service Commission for a five year term to January 2025

 

Considered was allowing a City Council Member to attend and participate in Committee Meetings and Council Meetings remotely by clear, uninterrupted, two-way telephone or electronic means if the Council Member is unable to physically attend and upon approval by the Members present.

The Committee recommends allowing.

 

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

No agenda items at this time.

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

 

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:

Approved was a 6 month (January 1 – June 30, 2020) Liquor license for :

My Bar

Woodland Steakhouse

 

The city Commission approved the 2020 Tree Trimming & Removal Service License for

PLCL/Johnny B’s Trees & Service

Ross’ Tree Service

Z’s Trees

Pine Country Nursery LLC

 

Approved was 2020 Mobile Home Park License for:

Olsberg Properties, LLLP

Richard Plecity Trailer Court

Rockwater, LLC

Viking Drive Estates

Raffle Permit for Express Wrestling

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  No One Spoke

Attorney General’s “A Citizen’s Guide to North Dakota Open Records & Open Meetings Laws” *A member of the public does not have the right to speak to the governing body at an open meeting. The public is only entitled to see and hear what happens at a meeting, and to record or broadcast those observations.

No personal attacks to persons present or not

No inflammatory language used during time that you have the platform

5 minute maximum or as directed by the chair

 

NEW BUSINESS

City Commissioners approved the appointment of Bill Corwin to the Renaissance Zone Authority Board for remainder of three year term expiring June 30, 2022.

 

Following a discussion the City Commission approved a Renaissance Zone Authority Board recommendation for 5 year income tax exemption and 5 year property tax exemption for rehabilitation of 239 2nd Avenue Northwest by L & B Properties and designate it as VC-121.  Karen Berg explained the building, the former home of Valley Drug, will be renovated into a dental office.

 

Approved was an Application for Property Tax Exemption for Improvements to a Residential Building at 617 10th Avenue Southwest.  City Assessor Hansen recommends approval, it is one side of a duplex.

 

Approved was $50,000 per year for 3 year period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022 with funds from City sales tax dedicated to economic development for Recruiting & Retention (R&R) Coordinator Position.  Economic Development Director,  Jennifer Feist said the position has been funded the past year and a half, replacing some of the previous work of Job Service. She added that the three year funding is for $115,000 over the three year period, and funded through economic development funds.

 

Approved was the designation of the Main Street Program to include East Half Block 10, West Half Block 11, North Half of Block 18 and East Half of Block 19 of Original Townsite. Jennifer Feist said the program provides grant funds for rehabbing structures in the downtown area.  The designation process including inventory, and inspection, moves on to other entities for their approval under the program specifications, including matching percentages, under a scoring and ranking process, with the Regional Council, as Administrator.

 

Approved was the designation of voting places for each precinct for 2020 election.  City Auditor Richter said the Barnes County Courthouse as the polling location, and to administer vote by mail.

 

Approved was a Gaming Site Authorization for ND Chapters of Delta Waterfowl Inc on February 22, 2020 at the Valley City Eagles Club 2192. City Auditor Richter said this is the annual convention.

 

Approved was a Gaming Site Authorization for Valley City Baseball Association from January 1 – June, 30, 2020 at The Clubhouse Lounge.  City Auditor Richter that this is a new authorization previously under the American Legion.   

 

Approved  was accepting Project No. SU-2-990(054)058 – Concrete Pavement Repairs, Curb & Gutter & Incidentals (Paving Improvement District No. 116).  KLJ  said the project occurred in 2018 and was closed out this year.  

 

The City Commission approved the contract of employment between City of Valley City and Chief of Police, Phil Hatcher.  City Administrator Schelkoph said, this is a new four year contract.

 

Following discussion, City Commissioners, approved the Proposed Public Works Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and Streetscape II requests for 2020.  Public Works Accountant Jacobson presented a copy of the operating budget, including budget increases, and decrease, and no changes.  He said the snow removal budget was increased by $57,000, with a total 2020 calendar year budget of $11.8 million.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:

David Schelkoph said the State Water Commission has approved a loan, funding for the next two years  the city’s permanent flood control protection.

He said after a snow event vehicles need to be removed to another area, to allow for efficient snow removal. He said Snow Emergency Routes need to be cleared, and all vehicles must be removed for plowing, or will be ticketed/towed.

 

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS:

City Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said residents are asked to clear fire hydrants near their property.

He warned parents to keep children of the river’s unsafe ice cover.

The new city fire truck is expected to arrive this Friday.

 

City Police Chief Phil Hatcher said the Cops and Kids shopping through the Fraternal Order of Police will be this coming Saturday in Downtown Valley City.

Mayor Carlsrud said the snow removal cost the city $20,000.  He wished the community a Blessed Christmas, and holiday season.

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

 

Valley City  (CSi) A $1,000 donation from Bank of North Dakota has been received for distribution, by the Valley City Dollars for Scholars program.

Their collaboration with the high school and community to host College Application Month, the Financial Aid Night presentation, and presentations to Valley City High School Seniors on the Dollars for Scholars scholarship process in 2019 allowed them to qualify for the donation.

The events encouraged families to become more aware of the opportunities available in the state for planning and financing post-secondary education.

Valley City Dollars for Scholars plans to distribute over $7,500 to Valley City High School students and recent graduates attending college.

(AP)  The parents of a premature baby who died are accused of missing medical appointments for the child and keeping a filthy home in Bismarck. Ashlynn Seymour and Marcus Reineke, both 20, are charged with child neglect. Their baby boy was born 3 1/2 months premature in December 2018 and spent three months in neonatal intensive care. Police investigated the baby’s death in August after Seymour found him face down and unresponsive in his bassinet, which doctors said was an unsafe sleeping environment. Court documents do not list a cause of death.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A group seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota can begin circulating petitions to try to bring the issue to voters. Secretary of State Al Jaeger approved the format of the petition on Monday. LegalizeND would need to gather and submit nearly 13,500 signatures by July 6 to get a proposed measure on November ballot. The proposed measure would allow any person over the age of 21 to use, possess, and transport up to 2 ounces of prepared marijuana, but it would ban home growing of the plant.

In sports…

Isaiah Dobson (SR/Stillwater, MN) of the University of Jamestown men’s basketball team has been named Great Plains Athletic Conference Player of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday.

Dobson averaged 35 points last week as the Jimmies split a pair of games. Against Dickinson State, he set a career high with 42 points in a 101-89 victory. Dobson’s 42 points were second-most in school history, and his 16-for-16 performance at the free throw line tied a school mark. Dobson had 28 points and five rebounds in the Jimmies’ 76-68 loss to No. 1 Morningside (Iowa).

For the week, Dobson shot 63.3% (19-of-30) overall and 61.1 % (11-for-18) from three-point range, and was 21-for-21 from the foul line.

The Jimmies are back in action with a 7 p.m. home game against Dakota State (N.D.) on December 28.

 

Tuesday High School Hockey…

BOYS HOCKEY…

Jamestown 7, Detroit Lakes/Perham, Minn. 1

 

Bismarck Century 5, Mandan 0

Fargo North 4, Grafton-Park River 2

Minot 2, Bismarck High 1

West Fargo 3, Fargo South/Shanley 2

GIRLS HOCKEY

Bismarck High 12, Mandan 1

Fargo Davies 3, Devils Lake 0

Fargo North/South 6, West Fargo-Sheyenne United 1

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

Jamestown vs. Grand Forks Knightriders, ppd.

 

Tuesday…

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=

Jamestown 63, Bismarck Legacy 54

31st consecutive win

Sheyenne 92, Valley City 39

 

Cavalier 65, Grafton 51

Des Lacs-Burlington 78, Parshall 37

Dickinson 92, Watford City 56

Fargo Davies 65, Grand Forks Red River 42

Grand Forks Central 59, Fargo North 52

Linton-HMB 79, Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 56

Milnor 47, Lisbon 30

Minot 76, Bismarck St. Mary’s 56

Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 81, Westhope-Newburg 41

Towner-Granville-Upham 43, Rolette-Wolford 20

Turtle Mountain 62, Bismarck Century 59

West Fargo 66, Wahpeton 51

Roughrider Tournament=

First Round=

Bowman County 77, Richardton-Taylor 57

Dickinson Trinity 72, Killdeer 45

Hettinger/Scranton 58, Heart River 45

Stanley Lions Holiday Tournament=

Consolation Semifinal=

Lewis and Clark-Berthold 65, Tioga 33

First Round=

North Shore Plaza 73, Divide County 52

Powers Lake 74, Burke County 43

Velva Invitational=

First Round=

South Prairie 53, Velva 51

Underwood 55, Glenburn 44

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=

Bismarck Legacy 44, Jamestown 34

Bismarck Century 88, Turtle Mountain 46

Bismarck St. Mary’s 53, Minot 50

Carrington 62, New Rockford-Sheyenne 48

Central Cass 62, Richland 35

Des Lacs-Burlington 46, Garrison 34

Divide County JV 43, Alexander/Trinity Christian 37

Enderlin 49, Maple Valley 48

Fargo Davies 61, Grand Forks Red River 53

Flasher 51, New England 44

Glen Ullin-Hebron 54, Center-Stanton 43

Grand Forks Central 65, Fargo North 43

Grant County 58, Hettinger/Scranton 57

Hankinson 52, Sargent Central 45

Hillsboro/Central Valley 42, Hatton-Northwood 33

Kindred 93, Wyndmere-Lidgerwood 39

LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 48, Ellendale 20

Lakota 54, Griggs County Central 41

Larimore 65, Warwick 24

Mandan 65, Bismarck High 43

Medina-Pingree-Buchanan 51, South Border 32

Milnor-North Sargent 47, Lisbon 30

Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 61, Westhope-Newburg 41

Rugby 39, Harvey-Wells County 32

Strasburg-Zeeland 59, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier 55

Surrey 55, Drake-Anamoose 20

Thompson 59, Northern Cass 29

Towner-Granville-Upham 58, Our Redeemer’s 54

Tri-State 0, Oak Grove Lutheran 0

Underwood 38, Hazen 27

Watford City 44, Dickinson 40

West Fargo 75, Wahpeton 50

Wilton-Wing 53, New Salem-Almont 25

 

Class B Boy’s, Girl’s Basketball Polls

Boys

  1. Four Winds-Minnewaukan (10), 0-0, 169
  2. Hillsboro-Central Valley (2), 0-0, 153
  3. Rugby (3) 134
  4. Shiloh Christian (3) 1-0, 132
  5. Richland 0-0, 113
  6. Beulah 0-0, 62
  7. Linton-HMB 2-0, 57
  8. Ray 0-0, 42
  9. Dickinson Trinity 0-1, 36
  10. Langdon-Edmore-Munich 1-0, 25

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Thompson, Central Cass, Enderlin St. John, Oakes, Dakota Prairie, New Rockford-Sheyenne, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier, Hatton-Northwood, Oak Grove, Powers Lake

Girls

  1. Kindred (15) 4-0, 175 [1]
  2. Langdon-Edmore-Munich (2) 2-0, 159, [2]
  3. Grafton (1) 4-0, 147, [3]
  4. Kidder County 6-0, 125, [4]
  5. Trenton 4-0, 103, [6]
  6. Linton-HMB 4-0, 81, [8]
  7. Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 4-0, 78, [7]
  8. Thompson 4-1, 55, [5]
  9. Rugby 5-0, 26, [NR]
  10. Four Winds-Minnewaukan 4-1, 21, [10]

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Oakes, Richland, Carrington, Hettinger-Scranton, Our Redeemer’s, Underwood

 

UND Men’s Basketball…

(AP)  Billy Brown sank five 3-pointers, scoring 17 to lead six players in double figures as North Dakota breezed to a 109-50 victory over Division III-member Northland College. Brown added seven assists for the Fighting Hawks (5-7), who shot 64% from the floor and 48.5% from 3-point range (16 of 33).

Valley City (VCSU) VCSU athletics is offering free admission for all fans to the men’s basketball game on Weds Dec 18. The Vikings host University of Maine at Fort Kent for a 7 p.m. game.

Instead of a gate fee, the athletic department is accepting donations for the Barnes County Food Pantry. Fans are asked to bring their donation items to the game, and the athletic department will take care of delivering those items to the food pantry.

 

Jamestown  (uj.edu)  The University of Jamestown’s Men’s Volleyball team  scrimmaged  against each other lastevening,  to showcase themselves.

The team will play as an NAIA championship level sport.

 

NBA…

Lakers’ streak comes to an end

UNDATED (AP) — The Indiana Pacers have put an end to the Los Angeles Lakers’ seven-game winning streak.

Domantas Sabonis (doh-MAHN’-tahs sah-BOH’-nihs) scored 26 points and Malcolm Brogdon made a tiebreaking reverse layup with 36.4 seconds left to send the Pacers past the Lakers, 105-102. Brogdon finished with 16 points and six assists for Indiana, which trailed by four midway through the final period.

LeBron James had 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists but missed a 3-pointer that would have given the Lakers the lead with 11.7 seconds to go. Los Angeles also missed two shots on its final possession.

The Pacers are 19-9 following their fourth straight win.

The Lakers ended a 14-game road winning streak and fell to 24-4, tying them with Milwaukee for the NBA’s best record.

Checking out Tuesday’s other NBA action:

— Paul George scored 24 points and the Clippers returned from a two-week road trip to crush the Suns, 120-99. Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard and Lou Williams each added 20 points and contributed to a 32-16 run that put Los Angeles ahead, 90-69.

— The Pelicans stretched their team-record losing streak to 13 games as Spencer Dinwiddie delivered 31 points in the Nets’ 108-101 overtime win at New Orleans. Joe Harris chipped in 24 points, including a right-wing jumper that put Brooklyn ahead 104-98 with 1:28 to go.

— Donovan Mitchell scored eight of his 30 points in a 19-5 run that allowed the Jazz to turn a 97-90 deficit into a 109-102 triumph over the Magic. Bojan (BOY’-ahn) Bogdanovic scored nine of his 30 points during the late surge, and Joe Ingles finished 16 points and 12 rebounds in Utah’s third consecutive win.

— Malik Monk furnished 14 of his season-high 23 points in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ fourth win in five games, 110-102 over the Kings. Cody Zeller had 17 points and nine rebounds, and Bismack Biyombo added 10 points and 12 boards for Charlotte.

— Rookie RJ Barrett poured in a season-high 27 points and Mitchell Robinson added a career-best 22 points with 13 rebounds as the Knicks crushed the Hawks, 143-120. Marcus Morris also scored 22 to help New York win for the third time in four games since a 10-game losing streak.

NBA NEWS

NBA: Stern remains in serious condition after brain surgery

UNDATED (AP) — Former NBA Commissioner David Stern remains in serious condition following emergency brain surgery last week.

The league says Stern is surrounded by his loved ones and receiving great care. The 77-year-old Stern suffered a brain hemorrhage Thursday while having lunch in New York.

Stern spent 30 years as NBA commissioner and has remained affiliated with the league, holding the title of commissioner emeritus.

In other NBA news:

— Wizards rookie forward Rui Hachimura (ROO’-ee hah-chee-MOOR’-ah) will miss at least the team’s next five games after hurting his groin during Monday’s win over the Pistons. The first player from Japan to be a first-round pick in the NBA draft is averaging 13.9 points and 5.8 rebounds while starting in all 25 games for Washington this season.

T25 MEN’S BASKETBALL-SCHEDULE

Buckeyes coast

UNDATED (AP) — Fifth-ranked Ohio State improved to 10-1 by winning a tuneup for Saturday’s big matchup against No. 6 Kentucky.

Kaleb Wesson had a double-double and the Buckeyes bounced back from their first loss of the season by hammering Southeast Missouri State, 80-48. Wesson had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Ohio State, which took control with a 22-2 run early in the second half.

Andre Wesson scored 14 points, while Kyle Young and D.J. Carton each had 10 points for OSU.

In other top-25 men’s basketball finals:

— Jalen Crutcher and Ryan Mikesell scored 16 points apiece in No. 13 Dayton’s 71-58 victory over North Texas. Obi Toppin and Mikesell hit 3s during a late first-half run that built the Flyers’ lead to 16 points.

— Balsa Koprivica (koh-prah-VEET’-suh) contributed 15 points and fellow big man Dominik Olejniczak (oh-LEH’-nih-chuhk) added 11 as 19th-rated Florida State dumped North Florida, 98-81. M.J. Walker had 11 points as one of seven Seminoles who scored in double figures.

— Isaiah Stewart’s 27 points and 13 rebounds carried No. 22 Washington to an 81-59 trouncing of Seattle. Quade Green added 20 points for the Huskies.

NHL…

UNDATED (AP) —  Mark Stone set up second-period goals by Chandler Stephenson and Shea Theodore in the Golden Knights’ 3-2 win against the Wild. Tomas Nosek also scored and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 24 shots in his 453rd career win.

Auston Matthews scored twice and the Toronto Maple Leafs hung on to beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-3. Frederik Gauthier had a goal and an assist, and Dmytro Timashov and Ilya Mikheyev also scored for Toronto, which got 27 saves from Frederik Andersen. Tyson Barrie chipped in with two assists. Matthews became the second player in franchise history to score at least 20 goals in each of his first four NHL seasons, joining Dave Keon, who did it in six straight from 1960-66. Rasmus Dahlin and Jack Eichel had a goal and an assist each, and Kyle Okposo scored for Buffalo.

The Boston Bruins were able to close the gap on Washington atop the NHL’s Eastern Conference race despite losing for the sixth time in seven games.

The Bruins blew a late 3-2 lead and absorbed a 4-3 setback to the Kings on Anze Kopitar’s (AHN’-zhay KOH’-pih-tahrz) goal 3:23 into overtime. Los Angeles pulled goaltender Jonathan Quick for a sixth attacker before Matt Roy tallied with 2:01 remaining in regulation.

Blake Lizotte had a goal and an assist for the Kings, and Quick finished with 37 saves.

Danton Heinen had a goal and assist for Boston, which fell to 1-5-1 in its last six and has lost two straight at home.

The Bruins are within four points of the East-leading Capitals and lead the Atlantic Division by 10 points over Buffalo.

— Auston Matthews scored twice and Frederik Anderson turned back 27 shots as the Maple Leafs topped the Sabres, 5-3. Matthews joined Hall of Famer Dave Keon as the only players in Toronto history to score at least 20 goals in each of his first four NHL seasons.

 

Elsewhere on NHL ice:

— Taylor Hall made his Arizona debut and assisted on Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s tiebreaking goal with 2:37 remaining in the Coyotes’ 3-2 win at San Jose. Carl Soderberg and Derek Stepan (STEH’-pahn) also scored as the Coyotes reclaimed sole possession of the Pacific Division lead, two points ahead of the Oilers.

— The Predators erased a 3-1 deficit by scoring the last seven goals in an 8-3 trouncing of the Islanders, ending New York’s 13-game home point streak. Craig Smith had two goals and an assist as Nashville completed a sweep of their two New York games on consecutive nights.

— Sebastian Aho (AH’-hoh) provided two goals and an assist while the Hurricanes scored four times in the second period of a 6-3 victory over the Jets in Winnipeg. Jordan Staal also tallied twice and Dougie Hamilton collected three assists in Carolina’s fifth win in six games.

— Evgeni Malkin scored his 400th career goal for the Penguins in a 4-1 win at Calgary. Tristan Jarry made 33 saves for his fifth win in six starts for Pittsburgh.

— Carter Hart stopped 40 shots as the Flyers beat the Ducks, 4-1 on a night Philadelphia honored cancer-stricken teammate Oskar Lindblom. The Flyers played their first home game since Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a cancerous tumor that grows in the bones or in the tissue around bones.

— The Lightning pulled out a 4-3 win over the Senators on Anthony Cirelli’s (sih-REH’-leez) goal at 4:47 of overtime. Tampa Bay also got goals from Nikita Kucherov (KOO’-cheh-rahv), Cedric Paquette and Brayden Point to support Andrei Vasilevskiy’s (va-sih-LEHV’-skeez) 25-save effort.

 

— Tomas Tatar (tah-TAHR’) and Shea Weber scored power-play goals 1:34 apart early in the third period to send the Canadiens past the Canucks, 3-1. Carey Price stopped 38 shots and blanked Vancouver over the last two periods of Montreal’s fourth win in five games.

 

— Pierre-Luc Dubois (look doo-BWAH’) scored early in the third period and Gustav Nyquist added an empty-net goal in the closing seconds to complete the Blue Jackets’ 5-3 victory at Detroit. Cam Atkinson and Oliver Bjorkstrand had goals 1:04 apart to put Columbus ahead midway through the first.

 

NFL NEWS

UNDATED (AP) —  The league has suspended Broncos safety Kareem Jackson without pay for the final two regular season games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Jackson was arrested Sept. 19 for driving under the influence. The Broncos said Jackson informed the team of his DUI arrest and that it was reported to the NFL.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are sticking with Devlin “Duck” Hodges as their starting quarterback.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says Hodges will start Sunday against the Jets despite throwing four interceptions in Pittsburgh’s last game, a 17-10 loss to Buffalo over the weekend. Pittsburgh is 3-1 this season when Hodges starts and 4-2 when he plays.

Tomlin has started Hodges and Mason Rudolph since Ben Roethlisberger (RAWTH’-lihs-bur-gur) suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2. Hodges has completed 67.8% of his passes for 884 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions.

In other NFL news:

— The Cowboys have signed former Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith to bolster a depleted linebacker group that lost rookie Luke Gifford to a broken arm. Gifford was injured in the first half of a 44-21 win over the Rams on Sunday. Smith was the MVP of the 2014 Super Bowl with Seattle, returning an interception 69 yards for a touchdown and recovering a fumble in the Seahawks’ 43-8 rout of Denver.

— The Saints have acquired former Giants starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins off waivers. New York dropped Jenkins after he declined to acknowledge wrongdoing when he used offensive language in an exchange with a fan on social media.

— The Lions are retaining general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia for the 2020 season despite the team’s 3-10-1 record. The Lions have dropped 10 of their last 11 since a 2-0-1 start and will carry a seven-game losing streak into Sunday’s game at Denver. Detroit hired both away from New England in the hopes of replicating the Patriots’ formula for success.

— The Giants have placed tight end Evan Engram on season-ending injured reserve after he missed the last five games with a foot injury. New York also said wide receiver David Sills had been signed off the practice squad and tackle Nate Wozniak was signed to the practice squad.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS

LSU’s Ed Orgeron is AP college football coach of the year

UNDATED (AP) — Ed Orgeron of LSU is The Associated Press Coach of the Year after leading the top-ranked Tigers to an SEC championship and their first College Football Playoff appearance.

Orgeron received 33 of 56 votes from AP Top 25 voters to become the third different LSU coach to win the award since it was established in 1998, joining Nick Saban and Les Miles. The Tigers have improved in each of Orgeron’s three full seasons as head coach.

Orgeron and the Tigers will face No. 4 Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Dec. 28 at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

Baylor’s Matt Rhule was second in the balloting, followed by Ryan Day of Ohio State and Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck.

OBITS

(AP) The family of former NHL player Scot Kleinendorst says he has died of injuries suffered in a workplace accident in northern Minnesota. Kleinendorst sustained severe brain trauma and numerous broken bones Dec. 7 at UPM Blandin paper plant in Grand Rapids. He was airlifted to a Dululth hospital. His daughter, Kelby Kleinendorst, posted on a CaringBridge website that her dad died on Tuesday. He was 59. The accident remains under investigation. Authorities have not said how Kleinendorst received his injuries. Beginning in 1982, Kleinendorst played eight seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers and Washington Capitals.

UNDATED (AP) — Longtime Iowa football coach Hayden Fry has died at age 90.

Fry’s family announced through the school that the coach died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

Fry took over the Hawkeyes in 1979 and immediately revitalized a program that hadn’t had a winning season in 17 years. He coached Iowa for 20 seasons, winning 238 games and three Big Ten championships.

MLB NEWS

Astros re-sign Smith, Brewers add Garcia

UNDATED (AP) — Reliever Joe Smith and the Houston Astros have agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract.

The 35-year-old Smith is 6-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 84 appearances during his two seasons with the Astros. He missed the beginning of last season recovering from Achilles tendon surgery before returning in July and posting a 1.80 ERA in 28 regular-season appearances.

Smith didn’t allow a run in eight of his 10 postseason appearances.

Also around the majors:

— Free-agent outfielder Avisaíl (av-ih-sah-EEL’) García has finalized a two-year, $20 million contract with the Brewers, a deal that includes a $10 million club option for 2022. García batted .282 with a career-high 20 home runs and 72 RBIs for the Rays last season.

— The Cardinals have announced the signing of left-hander Kwang Hyun Kim to a two-year contract. The 31-year-old South Korean went 17-6 with a 2.51 ERA in 190 1/3 innings last season for the SK Wyverns.

— The Tigers are retiring Lou Whitaker’s No. 1 this coming season. Whitaker will become the ninth Tiger to have his number retired by the team, and the first to be so honored without being inducted into the Hall of Fame.  He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1978, went to five straight All-Star games, won three Gold Gloves and compiled a .276 average with 244 home runs and 1,084 RBIs in a 19-year career spent entirely with Detroit.

TOKYO-UNPRECEDENTED TICKET DEMAND

Latest Tokyo Olympic ticket lottery: 1M offered; 23M sought

TOKYO (AP) — Tokyo’s Olympic tickets continue to be very hard to find — especially in Japan.

Organizers say there were 23 million tickets requested in the latest lottery for Japan residents only. Only 1 million tickets were available. Which means that almost everybody went away empty handed.

Next summer’s Olympics have generated unprecedented demand. Organizers say 3.57 million tickets had been awarded to Japan residents in previous lotteries. Organizers confirm for the first time the demand was almost 20 times over supply — about 60 million tickets requested.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is on the cusp of being impeached by the House, with a historic debate set to begin on charges he abused his power and obstructed Congress. The House convenes at 9 a.m., with votes on the articles of impeachment expected by Wednesday evening. Trump sent a fiery letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday, denouncing what he called the “vicious crusade” against him. A tally compiled by The Associated Press shows Pelosi has the votes to approve the charges. That would sent the charges to the Senate for a trial expected in early January.

 

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bernie Sanders and Michael Bloomberg are making the broadest efforts so far to win California, the biggest prize in the Democratic presidential primary. Sanders has hired 80 staff members to knock on doors and organize volunteers to promote his message of political revolution. Bloomberg is spending millions of dollars to flood TV screens with ads. But the former New York major will not be one of the seven candidates who will gather Thursday in Los Angeles for the sixth and final debate of 2019. He is unable to qualify for the contests because he is not accepting campaign donations.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — A new survey shows about 1 out of 5 high school students in the U.S. have vaped marijuana in the past year. The report out Wednesday found marijuana vaping has been growing faster than nicotine vaping. The annual University of Michigan survey asked middle school and high school students about smoking, drinking and drugs. Vaping nicotine is still more popular: about 1 in 4 high schoolers said they had done it at least once in the previous year. Overall, marijuana use _ in all its forms _ is holding steady among teens.

 

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada says the U.S. Energy Department is engaged in a “secret plutonium smuggling operation” that threatens Nevada’s health, safety and environment. It’s again asking a federal judge to order the removal of weapons-grade material that the government shipped to a security site near Las Vegas over the state’s objections. The state’s latest filing this week in Reno is part of a yearlong legal battle. It urges a judge to reject the government’s motion to dismiss Nevada’s lawsuit challenging the shipments. The Energy Department says the issue is moot because it’s already promised no more plutonium will come to Nevada.

 

MILAN (AP) — Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot have signed a deal for a 50-50 merger, creating the world’s fourth-largest automaker with annual sales of 8.7 million cars. The companies announced in a statement on Wednesday the binding terms for the merger, which had been first unveiled in October. The companies say the new group will be led by PSA’s cost-cutting CEO Carlo Tavares, with Fiat Chrysler’s chairman John Elkann as chairman. The deal would give the companies the scale they need to confront big challenges facing the auto industry. Those include adapting to stricter emissions regulations and transitioning to new driving technologies.

 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A European spacecraft has launched from South America on a three-year mission to study planets in other solar systems. The Characterising ExOPlanets Satellite mission, known as CHEOPS, blasted off from French Guiana early Wednesday atop a Russian Soyuz rocket. The launch came 24 hours after a first attempt was delayed shortly before liftoff because of a software problem in the upper stage of the rocket. The European Space Agency says the satellite is the first mission dedicated to studying bright nearby stars that are already known to have planets. That is a first step toward understanding the planets better.