Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Mar 11

CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers possibly mixed with snow showers and in the evening. Lows in the upper 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. Northwest winds

15 to 25 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows 15 to 20. Northwest winds

10 to 15 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. Northwest winds 5 to

15 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows 5 to 10 above.

.SATURDAY…Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs in the

lower 20s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Chance of snow in the evening, then

snow likely after midnight. Lows 15 to 20. Chance of snow

60 percent.

.SUNDAY…Snow likely. Highs in the lower 30s. Chance of snow

70 percent.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Cloudy. Snow likely in the evening, then chance

of snow after midnight. Lows 15 to 20. Chance of snow 70 percent.

.MONDAY…Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs in the

mid 20s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow.

Lows 5 to 10 above.

.TUESDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow. Highs

in the lower 20s.

 

 

Snow developing across western North Dakota as early as late

Friday night.

There is the possibility of significant winter weather impacts across the

northern Plains this weekend.

Jamestown   (CSi)  The Jamestown City Fire Department has received a donation of $25,000 in the local fund drive segment toward the purchase of a new ladder truck.

<Similar truck being considered

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther says, the donation was made by the Jamestown Firefighter’s Association.

Chief Reuther stated, “These monies were raised from our annual pancake breakfast that is usually held in July during White Cloud Days over the past 10 years.  Jamestown firefighter’s want everyone to know how important this piece of equipment is in fighting fire, search & rescue and the many uses to will have throughout our great community.”

Firefighters will present a check to the city of Jamestown at the next Police & Fire Committee meeting on March 26th at 4–p.m., at City Hall.

He went on to say, “Please thank your local firefighter next time you see them for the great contribution towards our communities next ladder truck.”

Valley City  (VCPS) Valley City Public Schools Resource Officer, Sean Hagen has issued a news release, statement, after a few drug overdoses and one death from an overdose was reported in Jamestown this week.

Hagen issued this warning to parents and children in the Valley City Public School District.

“It has been reported that there have been a number of drug overdoses in the Jamestown area in the last 4 days resulting in at least one death. Investigators in the police department have reason to believe there is a dangerous substance being distributed in their community. Officers have been administering Narcan, which can be a lifesaving tool in these overdose circumstances. Jamestown police department is conducting an investigation into these cases and has issued a precautionary warning to anyone who may have purchased illicit substances in the last several days.

Based on this information and our close proximity to the Jamestown community we thought a precautionary note was appropriate to send to our parents and community members as well.

We hope these substances do not make their way into the Valley City community and certainly hope they don’t find their way into the schools. However, as a reminder, every building in the Valley City Public School district has Narcan available in each office and inside every AED station. Staff have been trained district-wide in administering Narcan safely to any individual who may need this type of response.”

By SRO Sean Hagen

Valley City  (VCPS)  A second administrative medical lockdown within a week was issued on Tuesday, March 10 at Valley City Public Schools, specifically at Valley City, Jr.-Sr. High.

The lockdown, Tuesday was issued at 11:28-a.m., at the High School, for a 15 minute duration.

School. Superintendent Josh Johnson says once again the situation was dealt with as quickly as the one that occurred  last week. He adds that the student was transported to the hospital with a non-life threatening condition.

Valley City  (CSi)  Two Valley City School Board seats are up of election this June.

Those interested in running to fill the two seats, may file a petition of interest to run on or before April 6, by contacting school district Business Manager Thomas Vanorny at 845-0483.

School Board member Mike Callahan will not seek another term, opening his  At-Large position.

Incumbent school board member Ryan Mathias plans on seeking another term with his  Rural Seat.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) will soon launch the Career Builders program that will fund the creation of new jobs.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, JSDC Business Development Director, Corry Shevlin said funding of $100,000 will come from economic development funds to create 50 jobs over a one year period.  The funding must be approved by the City of Jamestown and Stutsman County.

He said once the program is started JSDC will contact area businesses or they may contact JSDC with interest in the program.

In other news at the monthly Board meeting, JSDC, CEO, Connie Ova reported that legal fees incurred by the Spiritwood Energy Park Association  (SEPA)  in a court dispute with Minnesota Soybean Processors amount to about $350,000.  The case was settled in February with each side covering its own costs and no payment of damages to either side.

The JSDC Board has approved the recommendation for the  fee payment, and is dependent with approvals from the City of Jamestown, and Stutsman County, that will be divided between, Great River Energy to pay about $40,000, the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. will pay $110,000 with $99,000 from the city of Jamestown and $11,000 from Stutsman County development funds, according to the recommendation by the JSDC Board of Directors.

Jamestown (JRMC)  — Suture stitches. Blood types. Ultrasound images.

Area students are invited to Jamestown Regional Medical Center’s annual Scrubs Academy, which exposes them to careers in healthcare.

This year’s event is set for Friday, April 17.

Scrubs Academy encourages high school students from across North Dakota to pursue a career in healthcare. Students participate in hands-on activities and receive information related to a variety of healthcare professions. The academy is an engaging and fun way for high school students to learn about healthcare within a healthcare environment.

JRMC Chief Nursing Officer, Trisha Jungels says,  “Scrubs Academy is a good opportunity for someone interested in learning about what careers are available to them. Students often think of doctors and nurses, however, they don’t always consider radiology, laboratory or any of the other options a career in healthcare offers,”

This year, students may participate in a variety of activities, including:

• a hands-on surgery center featuring laparoscopic equipment, a suture station and calf hearts
• learn about blood types and even type their own blood
• ultrasounds and imaging post-processing

Ms. Jungels adds, that North Dakota, like most rural states, has a growing need for more healthcare professionals. The Scrubs Academy is one of the ways medical centers and the state work together to excite young people about healthcare careers..

Students from JRMC’s nine-county region are invited to apply. The camp can hold up to 54 students. JRMC will give priority to high school juniors and seniors interested in healthcare careers.

To learn more about Scrubs Academy, call (701) 952-4795. To apply, visit www.jrmcnd.com/scrubs. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 25.

About Jamestown Regional Medical Center

Jamestown Regional Medical Center is located at 2422 20^th St. SW, Jamestown, N.D. and serves approximately 55,000 people in nine counties. In 2019, it was named a “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” for the sixth consecutive year. Modern Healthcare named JRMC a “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” each year since 2017.  For more information, visit www.jrmcnd.com or call (701) 952-1050.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (Bismarck Tribune) — North Dakota State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler has been charged with drunken driving nearly two weeks after she was arrested in Mandan. Court documents say a state trooper saw Baesler weaving across the center line before he stopped her and that she failed field sobriety tests, but refused a breath test. The Bismarck Tribune reports the affidavit says Baesler admitted having three beers at a restaurant in Bismarck before getting behind the wheel. Driving under the influence is a misdemeanor which carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine. Baesler indicated earlier she plans to plead guilty when charged.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Bernie Sanders led Joe Biden in North Dakota’s caucuses Wednesday morning, but the state’s biggest location in Fargo hadn’t yet been tallied. North Dakota Democrats expected a big surge in turnout for Tuesday’s revamped caucuses and they got more than they bargained for. The party had to put out an urgent call for volunteers to help with long lines in Fargo and had to hold that site and Grand Forks open about an hour later than planned. Sanders won the state four years ago, but a repeat victory was likely to be little consolation after Biden took the night’s biggest prizes.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden has had another big night in the Democratic presidential primary, capturing four more states, including Michigan. The key battleground state helped propel Bernie Sanders’ insurgent candidacy four years ago, and the loss on Tuesday dealt a serious blow to his 2020 campaign. The former vice president also won Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho, showing strength with working-class voters and African American voters. Sanders’ narrow hopes for good news rested on North Dakota and Washington state, where votes are still being tabulated. Addressing supporters in Philadelphia, Biden noted that many had “declared that this candidacy was dead” only days ago, but “now we’re very much alive.”

In sports…

Jamestown  (uj.edu)  The American Midwest/Great Plains/Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (AMGPKCAC) announces the following men’s volleyball players of the week. The student-athletes were selected for their performances for games played March 2-March 8, 2020 by a vote of conference sports information directors.

AMGPKCAC Men’s Volleyball Players of the Week

Attacker of the Week: Clark Steele, Jamestown (N.D.) (Opposite)   
Steele, a junior from Lake Forest, Calif., had 35 kills and hit .403 in three matches as the Jimmies went 3-0. He had 17 kills and six digs in UJ’s sweep of (RV) Briar Cliff (Iowa). Steele also had 13 kills and hit .440 in Jamestown’s win over Morningside (Iowa).

Defender of the Week: Derek Owens, Jamestown (N.D.) (Middle Blocker)
Owens, a freshman from Andover, Minn., had nine total blocks, including four solo, in helping Jamestown to a 3-0 record. He also hit .542 with 14 kills on the offensive side.

Setter of the Week: Derek Correa, Jamestown (N.D.)
Correa, a freshman from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, had at least 34 assists in all three matches as UJ swept all three of its matches. He had 34 assists and four digs against (RV) Briar Cliff (Iowa). Correa currently leads the NAIA in assists per set (11.43) and has helped the Jimmies to the top ranking in assists (13.13) and kills (14.1) per set.

Previous Winners:
Week One (January 28, 2020): Tyler Gardenhire, Ottawa (Attacker) | Noah Marasco-Ayau, Briar Cliff (Defender) | Jason Harman, Missouri Baptist (Setter)

Week Two (February 4, 2020): Luka Cajic, Missouri Baptist (Attacker) | Caylor Cox, Jamestown (Defender) | Jason Harman, Missouri Baptist (Setter)

Week Three (February 11, 2020): Hiago Crins, Park (Attacker) | Hiago Crins, Park (Defender) | Derek Correa, Jamestown (Setter)

Week Four (February 18, 2020): Felipe Guirau, Park (Attacker) | Hunter Miller, Briar Cliff (Defender) | Jason Harman, Missouri Baptist (Setter)

Week Five (February 25, 2020): Luka Cajic, Missouri Baptist (Attacker) | Leandro Lima, Park (Defender) | Luciano Bucci, Park (Setter)

Week Six (March 3, 2020): Clark Steele, Jamestown (Attacker) | Noah Marasco-Ayau (Defender) | Luciano Bucci, Park (Setter)

 

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=

Tuesday

Class B Region 1=

Semifinal=

Central Cass 72, Kindred 57

Richland 82, Tri-State 59

 

Class B Region 2=

Semifinal=

Hatton-Northwood 56, Cavalier 44

Hillsboro/Central Valley 55, Grafton 33

 

Class B Region 3=

Semifinal=

Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier 63, Ellendale 57

Strasburg-Zeeland 69, Oakes 58

Strasburg-Zeeland faces Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, in the championship game at the Jamestown Civic Center

Class B Region 4=

Semifinal=

Four Winds/Minnewaukan 74, Langdon-Edmore-Munich 43

St. John 68, Dunseith 47

 

Class B Region 5=

Semifinal=

Flasher 70, Standing Rock 45

Shiloh Christian 64, New Salem-Almont 47

 

Class B Region 6=

Semifinal=

Our Redeemer’s 45, Drake-Anamoose 35

Rugby 66, Nedrose 32

 

Class B Region 7=

Semifinal=

Beulah 74, Hazen 68

Dickinson Trinity 59, Bowman County 37

 

Class B Region 8=

Semifinal=

New Town 49, White Shield 37

North Shore Plaza 57, Powers Lake 56

(AP)  A survey of Olympic and other elite athletes across the globe found them more likely to believe in the work their own country’s anti-doping agencies are doing when compared to that of global regulators at the World Anti-Doping Agency.

A total of 491 athletes spread across 48 countries were asked a series of questions about the overall effectiveness of anti-doping organizations, and the answers led to the following conclusions: WADA has work to do to gain their trust; national anti-doping agencies are more reliable than WADA; and there is not enough separation between WADA and the International Olympic Committee, which supplies half of the organization’s funds.

The athlete advocacy group Global Athlete sponsored the survey, which, notably, did not garner any responses from Russia or China, where some of the most high-profile doping cases have emerged over the last several years.

NBA..

(AP) — James Harden poured in 37 points and the Rockets snapped a four-game skid with a 117-111 win over the Timberwolves. Russell Westbrook finished with 27 points as Houston expanded its lead in the Southwest Division to two games over Dallas.

 

UNDATED (AP) — The Boston Celtics have clinched an NBA playoff berth for the sixth consecutive year despite blowing a 19-point, second-half lead.

Marcus Smart’s basket with 49.7 seconds left gave the Celtics a 111-109 lead in a 114-111 victory at Indiana. Smart scored in the lane over Domantis Sabonis (doh-MAHN’-tahs sah-BOH’-nihs), who led the Pacers with 28 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

Jayson Tatum scored 30 points for Boston while Gordon Hayward added 27, 10 boards and five assists in his home state.

Victor Oladipo (oh-lah-DEE’-poh) finished with a season-high 27 points to power a stunning comeback for the Pacers, who fell into an 85-66 hole late in the third quarter.

— Kawhi (kah-WY’) Leonard scored 23 points before he and the rest of the Clippers starters sat out the fourth quarter of a 131-107 rout of the Warriors. Paul George and Patrick Beverley scored 15 points apiece as Los Angeles had seven players in double figures.

Checking out Tuesday’s other NBA action:

— Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 23 points and hit the tiebreaking jumper with 28.3 seconds to play to send the Nets past the Lakers, 104-102. LeBron James had 29 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers, who had a chance to get their fifth straight win until Anthony Davis missed a wide-open 3-pointer at the buzzer.

 

— James Harden poured in 37 points and the Rockets snapped a four-game skid with a 117-111 win over the Timberwolves. Russell Westbrook finished with 27 points as Houston expanded its lead in the Southwest Division to two games over Dallas.

— The Mavericks wasted Luka Doncic’s (DAHN’-chihch-ehz) 38 points in a 119-109 loss to the Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points in his return from injury, and Trey Lyles added 14 points with 11 rebounds.

— Terrence Ross furnished 18 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter of the Magic’s 120-115 downing of the Grizzlies. Michael Carter-Williams added 20 and teammate Nikola Vucevic (VOO’-she-vihch) finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for Orlando.

— Damian Lillard delivered 25 points and the Trail Blazers stopped a two-game skid with a 121-105 victory over the Suns. Trevor Ariza (ah-REE’-zah) and CJ McCollum had 22 points apiece and Hassan Whiteside added 16 with 14 rebounds for Portland.

— Bradley Beal scored 27 of his 40 points in the second half of the Wizards’ 122-115 victory against the Knicks. Beal shot just 5-for-15 in the first half before reaching the 25-point plateau for the 22nd time in 23 games.

— Coby White made his first career start and scored 20 points to help offset his career-high nine turnovers in the Bulls’ 108-103 downing of the Cavaliers. Wendell Carter Jr. added 17 points as Chicago won for just the third time in 16 games.

NBA-NEWS

Cavs, Bickerstaff agree to multi-year contract

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers and coach J.B. Bickerstaff have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract.

Bickerstaff took over the Cavs when former Michigan coach John Beilein (BEE’-lyn) suddenly resigned last month. Bickerstaff had been serving as an associate head coach under Beilein, who cited personal health issues as one of his reasons for stepping down after 54 games. The Cavs are 5-6 under Bickerstaff.

 

BISON HEADING TO NCAA TOURNAMENT

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Top-seeded North Dakota State led from start to finish and overwhelmed No. 6 North Dakota 89-53 in the Summit League Tournament championship game and secured the automatic NCAA Tournament bid. NDSU’s leading scorer, Vinnie Shahid, led the Bison with 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Shahid entered the game averaging 18.2 points per game, but he blew by that early in the second half. De’Sean Allen-Likens led the Fighting Hawks with 17 points.

 

T25 MEN’S BASKETBALL

Zags take conference tourney

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) — Second-ranked Gonzaga has recaptured the West Coast Conference tournament title by thumping a long-time rival.

Drew Timme (TIH’-mee) scored 17 points and Filip Petrusev (peh-TROO’-shehv) had a double-double in the Bulldogs’ 84-66 win over Saint Mary’s. Petrusev had 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Zags, who bounced back from a middling performance in the semifinals to win their eighth WCC tournament title in 10 years.

Joel Ayayi also had 17 points for Gonzaga.

NHL-SCHEDULE

B’s pad lead, end Flyers’ streak

UNDATED (AP) — Tuukka (TOO’-kah) Rask and the Boston Bruins reached milestones while ending the Philadelphia Flyers’ nine-game winning streak.

Rask picked up his 50th career shutout and the Bruins became the NHL’s first 100-point team this season by topping the Flyers, 2-0. He turned back 36 shots to become the sixth active netminder with at least 50 shutouts.

Matt Grzelcyk (GRIHZ’-lihk) and Patrice Bergeron (pah-TREES’ BEHR’-zhuh-rahn) did the scoring as the Atlantic Division leaders moved eight points ahead of the Lightning.

Philadelphia remains one point behind the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals.

Tampa Bay failed to keep pace with Boston as Auston Matthews scored his 47th goal of the season and Frederik Andersen made 32 saves in the Maple Leafs’ 2-1 win over the Bolts.

Mitch Marner and John Tavares put up two assists each for the Leafs, who had star defenseman Morgan Rielly back in the lineup for the first time since breaking his foot on Jan. 12.

Elsewhere on NHL ice:

— Evgeni Malkin scored twice and set up another to lead the slumping Penguins to just their third win in 11 games, 5-2 against the Devils. Evan Rodrigues and defensemen Justin Schultz and Kris Letang (leh-TANG’) also tallied as Pittsburgh pulled within four points of the Metropolitan Division lead.

— Mika Zibanejad (MEE’-kah zih-BAN’-eh-jad) reached the 40-goal mark for the season by scoring for the 10th time in five games to carry the Rangers to their 10th win in 11 road games, 4-2 against the Stars. Kaapo Kakko (KA’-poh KAH’-koh) scored twice and rookie Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves as New York sent Dallas to its sixth straight loss.

— The Hurricanes earned their third straight win as Sebastian Aho (AH’-hoh) provided two goals and an assist in a 5-2 decision over the Red Wings. Morgan Geekie tallied for the third time in two NHL games and Justin Williams broke a 2-2 tie with a power-play goal 1:38 into the third period.

— The Canucks had dropped five of six before J.T. Miller furnished the lone shootout goal to give them a 5-4 triumph over the Islanders. Brock Nelson scored twice for New York, whichi suffered its seventh straight loss and fell a point out of an Eastern Conference playoff slot.

— Filip Forsberg scored twice while the Predators built a 4-0 lead in a 4-2 victory at Montreal. Ryan Johansen and Calle Jarnkrok (KAL’-ee YAHRN’-krahk) also hit the net to back Juuse Saros (YOO’-see SAH’-rohs), who made 32 saves.

— Nicolas Deslauriers (deh-LOHR’-ee-ay) scored twice while the Ducks were taking a 4-0 lead in the first 12 minutes of a 5-2 verdict over the Senators. Brady Tkachuk (kah-CHUHK’) and Colin White each had a goal and an assist for the winners.

SPORTS-VIRUS OUTBREAK

MLB willing to alter sked for virus reasons

UNDATED (AP) — Major League Baseball continues to deal with the virus outbreak.

A person familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press that if MLB can’t play in front of fans at a team’s home ballpark because of the outbreak, the sport’s first preference likely would be to switch games to the visiting team’s stadium if possible.

The Mariners are scheduled to host the Rangers when MLB opens the season on March 26, but the Seattle area has been hit hard by the virus.

MLB anticipates government officials will decide whether it is safe to play in front of fans in each city. If changes to the schedule are necessary, MLB would make determinations at the point when a ballpark has been ruled out.

In other virus-related sports news:

— The Ivy League is canceling its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments scheduled to be played Friday through Sunday in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The league says it will award its automatic NCAA Tournament bids to regular-season champions Princeton women and Yale men. Ivy officials also announced that it will limit spectators at all other sporting events for the rest of the spring season

— The Sharks and the NHL are still determining how to proceed with three scheduled games in San Jose this month. Santa Clara County health officials have banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people in response to the spread of the coronavirus. The games could be moved to a neutral site, be postponed or played without fans in the arena.

— Ohio’s governor is calling for all indoor sports to be played without fans. Mike DeWine’s decision would affect the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.

— Members of Arsenal’s playing squad have gone into two weeks of self-isolation in a precautionary move. That has forced the immediate postponement of the Gunners’ game at Manchester City Wednesday.

— All upcoming professional soccer games in Spain, France and Portugal and some others in Germany will be played in empty stadiums because of the outbreak. But, UEFA is asking governments across the continent to ensure the European Championship goes ahead in three months despite the coronavirus outbreak. UEFA says it’s “completely untrue” that European football federations had requested the 24-team tournament is moved to next year.

NFL-LABOR

NFL and players put off deadline for applying tags

UNDATED (AP) — The deadline for applying franchise and transition tags to NFL free agents has been moved from Thursday to Monday by the league and the players’ union.

The decision comes because the NFL Players Association’s members are still voting on a proposed labor agreement the owners already have approved. That deadline was extended by two days to just before midnight on Saturday.

The last time to use the tags at Thursday made little sense. There would be different tag requirements under each collective bargaining agreement.

NFL-NEWS

Ravens guard Yanda retires

UNDATED (AP) — Ravens guard Marshal Yanda is retiring after 13 seasons in which he was named to the Pro Bowl eight times and helped Baltimore win the 2012 Super Bowl.

The 35-year-old Yanda played in 191 games, including playoffs, and has been an anchor on the Ravens offensive line since being picked out of Iowa in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft. He was a first-team AP All-Pro twice and named to the second team four times, including last season.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

— The Texans have signed free agents Ka’imi (kah-EE’-mee) Fairbairn and Darren Fells to contract extensions. Fairbairn has hit 83.7% of his field goal attempts during his three seasons with the team. Fells set career highs with 34 receptions, 341 yards receiving and seven touchdowns last season, his first with Houston.

— The Browns have released Christian Kirksey after six seasons after the veteran linebacker and the team couldn’t agree on re-working his contract. The 27-year-old made 54 starts for Cleveland but has been slowed by injuries the past two seasons. A chest injury last year kept him out of all-but two games.

— The Panthers have signed quarterback Kyle Allen to a one-year contract extension. The 24-year-old Allen replaced Cam Newton in Week 3 last season. He started off his second NFL season by leading Carolina to four straight wins, but struggled down the stretch and was eventually replaced by rookie Will Grier.

— The Patriots will have the maximum four compensatory picks in next month’s draft. New England has two spots in the sixth round after selecting twice in the third, the highest possible round for compensatory selections. Denver, Houston, Minnesota, the New York Giants, Philadelphia and Seattle each get three picks, while Baltimore and Miami will each have two.

— Two teams have suggested changes to game officiating, including a “sky judge” utilized by colleges. That is among seven rules proposals that will be presented to team owners later this month. The Ravens and Chargers are seeking what they call a booth umpire as an eighth game official, as well as adding a senior technology adviser to the referee to assist the officiating. Also proposed is revamping overtime to minimize the coin toss impact and returning OT to its original 15-minute length and providing alternatives to the onside kick for a scoring team to attempt to keep the ball.

MLB-NEWS

Scherzer scratched from start

UNDATED (AP) — Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled start against Miami because of fatigue on his right side.

The 35-year-old right-hander said his right side has lagged behind the rest of his body as he attempts to build strength in preparation for the season.

Scherzer had made three spring training starts. He expects to pitch Sunday against the Mets and remain on track to start the World Series champions’ opener on March 26 at New York. Nationals manager Dave Martinez has not announced his opening day starter.

In other news from spring training:

— Mets outfielder Michael Conforto has strained an oblique muscle on his right side, but it’s too early to determine whether he will be able to play on opening day against World Series champion Washington on March 26. Conforto was injured Saturday while catching a flyball against the Nationals and returned to New York on Monday night to meet with Mets medical staff. Conforto was an All-Star in 2017 and set career highs last season with 33 homers and 92 RBIs while batting .257 with an .856 OPS in 151 games.

HORSE RACING-MAXIMUM SECURITY

Baffert to train Maximum Security

UNDATED (AP) — Owner Gary West is removing all of his horses from Jason Servis’ barn after the trainer was indicted on multiple counts of administering illegal substances and performance-enhancing drugs.

That includes last year’s 3-year-old champion Maximum Security, who will be trained by two-time Triple Crown winner Bob Baffert.

SANTA ANITA FATALITIES

Racing board finds no use of illegal medications in horse deaths

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A report released by the California Horse Racing Board on a spate of horse deaths at Santa Anita found that no illegal medications were used on the animals and 39% of the 23 fatalities occurred on surfaces affected by wet weather.

The long-awaited report focused on 23 deaths as a result of racing or training between Dec. 30, 2018, and March 31, 2019. The fatalities roiled the industry and led track owner The Stronach Group to institute several reforms involving safety and medication.

The 77-page report found no evidence of animal welfare violations.

In world and national news…

(AP)  Beijing’s city government says all passengers arriving in the city from overseas, regardless of their points of departure, would now be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. The order, which goes into immediate effect Wednesday, is part of stepped-up measures to prevent the virus that was first detected in China from re-entering the country. The move was announced at an emergency meeting on the virus. It reverses a previous order that only required quarantine for those arriving from countries with a large number of cases, including South Korea and Japan. Of the 24 new virus cases reported by China on Wednesday, five had arrived from Italy and one from the United States.

 

RIVER VALE, N.J. (AP) — Authorities say a convenience store owner in New Jersey created and sold a spray sanitizer that left four children with burns in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Authorities issued a summons charging 47-year-old Manisha Bharade with endangering the welfare of children and deceptive business practices. State consumer officials also opened an investigation into the sale and promotion of health and sanitation products at her 7-Eleven store in River Vale. Authorities say Bharade mixed commercially available foaming sanitizer, which wasn’t meant for resale, with water and packaged the bottles in her store. Three 10-year-olds and an 11-year-old had been burned after using the product. It’s not known if Bharade has an attorney.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden went into Tuesday’s primaries riding a wave of voter confidence about his chances of victory in November — and that propelled him to wins in Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi. Democratic primary voters in those states were more likely to think the former vice president could defeat President Donald Trump in the general election, compared with Biden’s top rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. That’s according to AP VoteCast surveys. About 80% of voters in Michigan and Missouri believe Biden could beat the incumbent president, while roughly 90% in Mississippi feel that way. Just about 60% of voters in each state think Sanders would be likely to defeat Trump.

 

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian parliament has approved a sweeping constitutional reform that will allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power for another 12 years after his current term ends in 2024. Wednesday’s vote was the third and final reading. Kremlin critics condemned the move as a cynical manipulation and called for protests. Putin, a 67-year-old former KGB officer, has ruled Russia for more than 20 years. The constitutional reform passed by the Duma on Wednesday would allow Putin to run for presidency two more times after 2024. The revised constitution was passed by a 383-0 vote with 43 abstentions.

 

TOKYO (AP) — Stock markets are subdued amid concerns over the virus outbreak and governments offer economic aid. European indexes were up slightly Wednesday after benchmarks fell in Japan, China, Australia and South Korea. The Bank of England cut its key interest rate as an emergency measure in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. The European Central Bank is likely to offer some financial support as well on Thursday. Countries are shifting into damage-control as infections spread, prompting sweeping controls on travel and other public activities. The price of oil is down again after Saudi Arabia announced a new rise in production to record levels.