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CSi Weather…
REST OF TODAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph. Heat index 90 to 95.
TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the Valley City area. Lows in the mid 70s. Breezy. Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph.
.FRIDAY…Sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms
in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. Southwest winds 10 to
15 mph. Heat index 95 to 100.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely
in the evening, then chance of showers and thunderstorms after
midnight. Lows around 70. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of
precipitation 60 percent in the Jamestown area, 70 percent in the Valley City area.
.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers and
thunderstorms in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the upper 80s. South winds around 5 mph.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely
in the evening, then slight chance of showers and thunderstorms
after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of precipitation
60 percent.
.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s.
.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.
.MONDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the upper 50s.
.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 60.
.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.
There is a slight chance of thunderstorms Thursday night. Severe weather
is unlikely.
There is a chance of thunderstorms late Friday afternoon through
Friday night. Some storms may be severe with heavy rain.
Chances for thunderstorms continue on Saturday. Some may be
strong to severe.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…
Spotters are encouraged to report severe weather to the National
Weather Service in Bismarck by calling 701-223-4582 or posting on
our social media pages.
..EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING…
* WHAT…Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to
105 possible.
* WHERE…Portions of northwest and west central Minnesota and
northeast and southeast North Dakota. Including Barnes County.
* WHEN…From Friday afternoon through Friday evening.
* IMPACTS…Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase
the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those
working or participating in outdoor activities.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation. Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-
conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives
and neighbors.
Young children and pets should never be left unattended in
vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during
warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal
temperatures in a matter of minutes.
Update
The Thursday July 23 event/activities CANCELLED, back on July 30th
Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce has set entertainment for this year’s Summer Nights on Central. 6-p.m. to 9-p.m. each evening.
July 30th…Rhyme OR Reason
August 20th…Tripwire
August 27th…Slamabama
Sponsorship opportunities available, contact the Valley City Chamber for more information.
summernightsvc@gmail.com, valleycitynd.org/summernights
Bismarck (CSi) Governor Doug Burgum held his Weekly COVID-19 News Briefing Wednesday afternoon at the State Capital in Bismarck. He was joined by North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott and state Chief Health Strategist Dr. Joshua Wynne.
Burgum said the state’s goal continues to be to save lives and livelihoods, and to stay in a position so as not to have to roll back the state’s reopening of businesses.
The North Dakota Department of Health on Wednesday, July 22, reported a single-day record of 160 new cases of COVID-19.
He said, the numbers released on Wednesday were recalculated, to reflect the accurate counts, due to a batch of tests that needed to be recounted, and put into the combined Monday and Tuesday mix.
NDDoH COVID-19 Stats
Posted Wed. Jul. 22, 2020
COVID-19 Test Results
Results listed are from the previous day.
INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19
- Man in his 70s from Burleigh County with underlying health conditions.
- Woman in her 90s from Cass County with underlying health conditions.
COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED WEDNESDAY
- Barnes County – 1
- Barnes Total 28
- Recovered 26
- Benson County – 5
- Bowman County – 2
- Burke County – 3
- Burleigh County – 39
- Cass County – 42
- Cavalier County – 1
- Eddy County – 1
- Emmons County – 1
- Grand Forks County – 6
- Kidder County – 1
- McKenzie County – 2
- McLean County – 2
- Mercer County – 1
- Morton County – 12
- Mountrail County – 4
- Oliver County – 1
- Ransom County – 1
- Richland County – 4
- Sargent County – 1
- Sioux County – 1
- Stark County – 2
- Stutsman County – 8
- From a single location and part of ongoing group testing.
- The location has not been disclosed.
- Stutsman Total 84
- Recovered 67
- Walsh County – 2
- Ward County – 5
- Wells County – 1
- Williams County – 11
BY THE NUMBERS
270,943 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+4,259 total tests from yesterday)
139,266 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,973 unique individuals from yesterday)
133,899 – Total Negative (+1,813 unique individuals from yesterday)
5,367 – Total Positive (+160 unique individuals from yesterday)
3.8% – Daily Positivity Rate**
317 – Total Hospitalized (+8 individual from yesterday)
52 – Currently Hospitalized (+6 individuals from yesterday)
4,407 – Total Recovered (+88 individuals from yesterday)
96 – Total Deaths*** (+2 individual from yesterday)
* Note that this does not include individuals from out of state and has been updated to reflect the most recent information discovered after cases were investigated.
**Because the serial tests completed and added to the total number of tests completed can result in new individuals who test positive, the daily positivity rate will be calculated using the total positives for the day by the daily number of tests completed instead of the daily number of unique individuals tested.
*** Number of individuals who tested positive and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19.
For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.
For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Burgum said serial testing of long term care facility residents and staff help slow the spread of the virus, specifically retesting staff regularly, and determining if any are asymptomatic, and passing the virus to others in the facility.
With the use of face masks, Burgum said guidelines remain in place to wear face masks at locations including business that have individuals in close contact with customers. He said North Dakota will not mandate the wearing of masks. He said wearing masks do make a difference in slowing the spread of the virus. He said local school districts will make the decision on face mask wearing.
With Higher Education, North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott said, August 24 State University students will return to campus. He said students should wear face masks, and practice safe measures, like social distancing, and frequent hand washing
State Chief Health Strategist Dr. Joshua Wynne, said a testing strategy of students has been developed. Common sense like wearing face masks, and practicing safe measures, like social distancing, and frequent hand washing, is necessary.
Identifying and isolating students that test positive, and to locate those individuals that are asymptomatic, and isolating them is of utmost importance, in not spreading the virus.
The Economic Resiliency Grant Program is helping businesses restore consumer confidence and reduces the spread of COVID-19. Business can apply for up to $50,000 in a grant. NDresponse.gov has more information.
Burgum pointed out that he and state Superintendent Kirsten Baesler Tuesday hosted the fourth annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education, highlighting the progress being made in North Dakota toward personalized, competency-based learning, the role that technology can play in those efforts, and the opportunity for innovation amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 1,300 educators, administrators, school board members, legislators, parents and other stakeholders registered to participate virtually in the summit, which was livestreamed from the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck with nationally recognized speakers joining from across the United States and Canada. Locally led breakout sessions also allowed participants to learn about best practices and innovation in the classroom, and engage in the conversation surrounding a safe restart to school this coming fall.
Burgum asks North Dakotans to thank those wearing face masks in protecting not only themselves, but also others from being infected with the COVID-19 virus, and to stay North Dakota Smart.
Jamestown (CVHD) Central Valley Health District will work in partnership with the ND Dept of Health, the ND National Guard, and local health and safety partners to facilitate a Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing event which will be open to the general public on Thursday July 23 from 3 pm to 6 pm
Outdoor drive-up testing will take place through the north entrance of the STUTSMAN COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.
While this event is open to the general public; we highly encourage those of statistically higher rate of infection by age, which includes those ages 20-39 years old, to attend the free event and get tested.
Appointments are not required but those who wish to receive a test are strongly encouraged to complete the online screening questionnaire in advance, which can be found here: https://testreg.nd.gov/. Completing the online screening questionnaire does not guarantee you a test. If you pre- registered prior to the event in June, you will not need to register again.
Additional details:
- There will be 600 tests available, first come first serve. Once the tests are gone, the event will be over.
- There is no cost for the test and health insurance is not processed.
- Proof of residency will not be required.
- The testing process itself takes approximately 15 minutes. Wait time in line may be longer.
- Those with a positive result will be notified by phone within 24 – 72 hours.
- Those with a negative result will be notified by the state notification system within 5 – 7 days.
- Testing will be conducted using oral swabs. Antibody testing will not be conducted at this event.
- Drive-up testing only. Stay in your vehicle to be tested.
Robin said regular COVID-19 testing is available by appointment at Central Valley Health District on Friday’s, by calling 252-8130.
Other locations for testing including, also by appointment, in Jamestown, Sanford Clinic Medalis, Essentia, and Jamestown Regional Medical Center, when visiting the Emergency Department.
She pointed out that since COVID-19 testing began at the outset of the pandemic, as of Friday 11,000 tests have been performed in Stutsman County.
Daily updates on COVID-19 statistics are available at CSiNewsNow.com
Jamestown (CSi) The Arts Center is excited to hold the Downtown Arts Market in Jamestown this summer at 5:30 pm to 8:30-p.m, in the Hansen Arts Park, each Thursday evening through August.
July 23rd: The Flickertails
With: The Backporch Band
A local trio with over eight decades of shared musical talent, The Flickertail Band is made up of Jon Beyer on bass guitar, Jeremy Gray on drums and Steve Kuykendall on lead guitar and vocals. They play many of your classic rock and blues favorites.
Please observe social distancing and face masks are encouraged.
There will not be vendors or artisans. This prevents the hand-to-contact and allows the street to be opened up for additional seating area (bring your lawn chair).
Jamestown (CSi) The court session to be held at the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse, refurbished courtroom is slated for Tuesday July 28.
On Wednesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, 1883 Stutsman County Site Supervisor, Steven Reidburn said, this will be the first court proceeding at the old courtroom in 40, when the present courthouse was opened.
The July 14 court session was not held due to the case being settled out of court.
The 1883 courthouse has been designated for court proceedings, because the space is larger than the present courtroom, in the new courthouse to allow for social distancing. Spectators at the old courthouse will be allowed to observe in the balcony.
Steve added that Saturday July 25 entertainment during Buffalo Days will be Terry and Linda Schwartz, replacing D.W. Grothe who had to cancel due to health issues.
The concert is at 1-p.m. on the north lawn of the 1883 courthouse. Please observe social distancing, wear face masks, and bring along your own chairs and refreshments. This is the only entertainment this summer at the 1883 Courthouse due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the 1883 Courthouse is open for either guided, or self tours, Wednesdays through Sundays from 10-a.m. to 5-p.m. Please use hand sanitizer before entering and then leaving the building, observe social distancing. Please don’t touch items on display. Only 15 people are allowed in the old courthouse at a time, during the pandemic.
He said visitor numbers have increased, starting slowly in June with the numbers increasing in July.
Out of area visitors this summer so far were from, Arizona, Utah, Washington State, Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota.
The government history exhibit is attracting additional interest, with artifacts including office equipment and other items from many years ago….the only exhibit of its type currently available in the United States.
Valley City (CSi) Barnes County Road 19 The River Road remains closed at the junction of 115th Avenue Southeast, due to the culvert being washed out. there is no detour is provided, and motorists should use alternate routes, and use caution when traveling during and after heavy rainfall, as road conditions can rapidly change.
Officials estimate the repairs will take time.
Valley City (CSi) Officials report the railroad crossing on County Road 21 has reopened, after derailed train cars have been removed.
Just before 9pm Tuesday, several rail cars of the Canadian Pacific Railway left the tracks north of Valley City. No hazardous material was on board at the time of the derailment.
Barnes County Deputy Doug Kiefert says there were no injuries, and the cause is under investigation.
Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Public School Superintendent Robert Lech reports the timeline to allow for the most up-to-date information regarding plans and the process for starting the school year.
July 23 – July 27: Re-Entry Planning Team and Various Sub-Committee Meetings
Week of July 27 – July 31: Draft Re-Entry Plan (i.e. Health and Safety Plan) will be email to all staff and students and posted to the school district’s website.
August 4: Conduct Virtual Presentation via Zoom for Staff to Provide Input
August 5: Conduct Virtual Presentation via Zoom for Public to Provide Input
August 6: Present Required Plan and Revised School Calendar to School Board for Approval at a Special Meeting
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Board of Adjustment Meeting will be held on Wednesday July 29, at 8-a.m., at City Hall.
On the agenda is a Variance Request at 317 10th Street Southwest, requesting to build a detached accessory structure in the front yard.
The property is zoned R2A (One to 12-Family Residential District. A city Ordinance permits accessory structures, in rear yards.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Supporters of amending North Dakota’s constitution to legalize recreational marijuana say they will try again to collect enough signatures to get the issue on the ballot. The group had a year to gather and submit at least 26,904 valid signatures of North Dakota voters to Secretary of State Al Jaeger. The final deadline was Wednesday. Petitioners missed earlier deadlines to make this year’s June and November ballots but continued to collect signatures in hopes of a June 2022 vote. Chairwoman Jody Vetter told The Bismarck Tribune the group gathered just shy of 24,000 signatures and wouldn’t be submitting petitions. But Vetter says supporters are planning to start again with an identical proposal for 2022.
In sports…
(CSi) The 2020 District 6 Babe Ruth Baseball Tournament is at Pirate Field in Steele is Wednesday, July 22nd through Saturday, July 25th.
Wednesday Jul 22
Valley City 16 Ashley 1
Thurs. Noon Valley City plays Oakes in the Winner Bracket
Also Wednesday…
Oakes 2 Steele 1
Carrington 12 Linton/Wishek 2
LaMoure 13 Ellendale 0
Jamestown (JRMC) — Jamestown Regional Medical Center and local athletes are teaming up to support great care for local sports teams.
The JRMC Foundation and members of the Jamestown Outlaws, girls fast-pitch softball players ages 8-18, are selling “bunt” cakes in support of athletic equipment at Jamestown High School.
The JRMC Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Team has served as the Official Sports Medicine Team of the Jamestown High School Blue Jays since 2012.
This Game Ready equipment supports natural healing through compression and cold therapies. It reduces pain, swelling, muscle spasms, enhances lymphatic function, and encourages oxygenated blood flow.
Already, donors supported the purchase of a Game Ready device for the JRMC Rehabilitation Department. This new equipment would reside at Jamestown High School.
“This equipment is important because it allows for faster recovery after injury and competition to stay in the game” said Jay Determan, athletic trainer. “It is used to for many athletes such as any throwing athletes, swimmers, ball players, wrestlers, and athletes of all seasons. We expect to be able to utilize this with anyone. Our JRMC Physical Therapy Team uses it every week. We’ve witnessed how this is makes THE difference in the lives of our athletes.”
The Game Ready equipment costs $3,500 and would be available to athletes as soon as this fall.
“It’s rare that a physical therapy department would have this in not one but two locations,” said Pat Walter, PA-C. Walter works in the JRMC Orthopedics Department. Walter is also a coach for the 16 & under Jamestown Outlaw team. “This is what makes JRMC a destination for healthcare in our region.”
Walter and the sports medicine team are also offering sports physicals this year – a first on the JRMC campus.
The physicals cost $30 and take about 30 minutes.
“Because of the pandemic, we know not everyone needs sports physicals this year. However we want to be available for the students who do. We’re proud to be the only organization in the region to offer comprehensive orthopedics care,” Walter said.
The mini “bunt” cakes are available for sale online or at any Outlaw game. Nothing Bundt Cakes prepares them out of the organization’s commercial kitchen in Fargo.
“This important to the Jamestown Outlaws because we use the equipment too,” said Paula Marker, Jamestown Fast-pitch Softball board member and Physical Therapist at JRMC. “This will make a huge difference to our athletes and others.”
Each cake costs $5 or a dozen buntlettes are available for $25. Also supporting the cause are sponsors Orriginals, and Gun & Reel Sports.
“Seeing athletes and medical professionals work together is heart-warming,” said JRMC Foundation Director Lisa Jackson. “This is what makes JRMC legendary. The people our caregivers treat are not just patients; they are neighbors and friends.”
To order a “bunt” cake, visit jrmcnd.com/bunt-cakes-for-care. To schedule a sports physical, visit jrmcnd.com/sports-physical. “Bunt” cake orders are due Monday, Aug. 3. Walk-up orders as well as contact-free pickup is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. To learn more, call (701) 952-1050.
Minneapolis (The Athletic) Minnesota Timberwolves Owner Glen Taylor is exploring a sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Taylor said in a statement on Tuesday that he has retained The Raine Group, a global merchant bank, to explore a potential sale of the team.
“I was recently approached by The Raine Group to discuss the future of our franchise,” he wrote. “From the time I bought the team in 1994, I have always wanted what’s best for our fans and will entertain opportunities on the evolution of the Timberwolves and Lynx ownership structure.”
Taylor told The Athletic that he will not sell the team to a group that wants to move it out of Minneapolis.
“People have inquired who are interested but they want to move the team,” he said. “They are not a candidate. We’ve made that very clear.”
Sportico, which first reported Taylor’s interest in selling the Wolves, says he’s seeking “at least $1.2 billion” for the franchise. The website also reported that a deal for the team could be agreed to within a month, although Taylor told The Athletic that nothing is imminent.
It wasn’t immediately clear how many groups have expressed interest in buying the Wolves, although former Minnesota star Kevin Garnett wrote on social media that he is part of one of them.
“I’m part of one of the groups trying,” Garnett wrote on Instagram, with fingers crossed and folded hands prayer emojis. “Lawd please let my group get this.”
Garnett shared more thoughts on Twitter, this time about his love for Minneapolis as an organization and as a city.
In regard to the timing of the sale, Taylor told The Athletic that he feels good about where the Wolves are now after a period of uncertainty following Flip Saunders’ death. He said a combination of factors — the desire of some limited partners to move on, his age (79) and work with other companies he owns, the uncertainty of the economy due to the coronavirus — helped lead him to the decision.
Chicago Cubs 4, Minnesota 3
Miami 6, Atlanta 2
St. Louis 6, Kansas City 3
Cleveland 5, Pittsburgh 3
Cincinnati 2, Detroit 1
Toronto at Boston, ppd.
Colorado 7, Texas 3
Milwaukee 5, Chicago White Sox 3
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fox Sports has revealed that it will include computer-generated fans beginning with their three games on Saturday. Fox begins its coverage with Milwaukee at the Chicago Cubs. That will be followed by San Francisco at Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Washington.
The games will be seen on CSi 9 Fos Broadcasting. Fox may draw some jeers for adding fans to empty ballparks judging how fan opinions about crowd noise being added to baseball games have been mixed. But Fox Sports vice president Brad Zager is hoping that people give it a chance before making a definitive opinion.
MLB-NEWS
Betts lands huge contract…No Jays in Steel City
UNDATED (AP) — Mookie Betts has said yes to a huge contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the state of Pennsylvania has said no to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Betts and the Dodgers have struck baseball’s first big-money deal since the coronavirus pandemic decimated the sport’s economics. The 12-year, $365 million contract runs through 2032 and removes the top offensive player from next off-season’s free-agent class.
The 27-year-old outfielder was acquired by the Dodgers from the Boston Red Sox on Feb. 10, along with pitcher David Price for three players. His deal is baseball’s second-largest in total dollars behind the $426.5 million, 12-year contract for Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout covering 2019-30.
The four-time Gold Glove winner captured the 2018 AL MVP award en route to Boston’s World Series title. He hit .295 with 29 homers and 80 RBIs last year, down from a major league-leading .346 average with 32 homers and 80 RBIs in his MVP season.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania health officials won’t allow the Blue Jays to play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh amid the coronavirus pandemic. The state is the latest jurisdiction to say no to the team as the baseball season begins this week. The state’s secretary of health cited a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in southwestern Pennsylvania as the reason to bar the Blue Jays from playing their home games in the Steel City.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said this week his team has more than five contingency plans for a home stadium and was in talks with other teams. He declined to name them. Atkins said if the Blue Jays can’t find a major league park, their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, New York, would be their most likely site for home games.
In other major league news:
— Mike Trout has decided to play for the Angels in the shortened baseball season, although his year will be interrupted in a few weeks by the birth of his first child. The three-time AL MVP confirmed his decision Wednesday before his team’s exhibition game against the Padres at Angel Stadium. Trout expressed uncertainty earlier this month about the safety of this unique major league season, saying he wouldn’t risk his growing family’s health to participate.
— Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman has a torn muscle in his left calf and will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. The All-Star right-hander was expected to follow two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom in a rotation that already will be without No. 2 starter Noah Syndergaard all year because of Tommy John surgery. He was 6-11 with a 2.96 ERA in 21 starts for Toronto last season before going 4-2 with a 3.77 ERA for the Mets.
— Rockies reliever Scott Oberg will start the season on the injured list because of back soreness. Oberg was 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA and five saves in 49 games for the Rockies last season. He got a $13 million, three-year contract last winter.
— Royals outfielder Hunter Dozier has tested positive for COVID-19 and been placed on the injured list. The 28-year-old is coming off a breakthrough season in which he hit 26 homers, drove in 84 runs and tied for the American League lead in triples. He is expected to play a big role for the Royals during their abbreviated 60-game season, which begins against the Indians on Friday night in Cleveland.
— Freddie Freeman is back and ready to anchor the Braves’ lineup after a scary battle with COVID-19 earlier in summer camp. The 30-year-old Freeman had career highs last season with 38 homers and 121 RBIs. The four-time All-Star hopes to lead Atlanta back to the top of the NL East for the third straight season.
— Mets hitting coach Chili Davis hasn’t decided if he will rejoin the team at any point this season because of concerns about the coronavirus. The 60-year-old Davis has been working remotely from his Arizona home during the pandemic. On a video conference call with reporters Wednesday, he said he’s at risk due to underlying health conditions that he preferred to keep private.
— MLB players have the option of having a patch with “Black Lives Matter” or “United For Change” on a jersey sleeve on opening day of the pandemic-delayed season. Teams have the option of stenciling an inverted MLB logo with “BLM” or “United for Change” on the back of the pitcher’s mound during opening weekend games.
— The Nationals are planning to raise a new 2019 World Series champions flag before Thursday night’s opener against the New York Yankees. Other festivities include a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Dr. Anthony Fauci and a previously recorded Presidents Race to be shown during the fourth inning. The Nationals also say a Black Lives Matter stencil will appear on the pitcher’s mound during games on opening weekend.
— Umpire Angel Hernández will serve as an interim crew chief this season after a dozen umps decided to sit out amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hernández sued MLB in 2017, alleging race discrimination and cited that he hadn’t be assigned to the World Series since 2005 and hadn’t been promoted to head a crew. Eight crew chiefs and four other umpires have opted out of working this season.
NBA-NEWS
Westbrook set to return
UNDATED (AP) — Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook is set to practice with the team for the first time since revealing that he tested positive for the coronavirus. Westbrook did not travel with the Rockets on July 9 when they flew to Florida for the NBA’s restart.
The nine-time All-Star revealed on social media that he had tested positive for the virus on July 14 and he did not arrive in Florida until Monday. Westbrook had to quarantine upon his arrival at Disney but was cleared to join the Rockets for their practice Wednesday. He said his only symptom was a stuffy nose.
Also in the NBA:
— Zion Williamson could still make reopening night of the NBA season. The New Orleans Pelicans said Wednesday that Williamson is being tested daily for the coronavirus and continues showing negative results. If that continues, Williamson may have to quarantine for only four days when he returns to the team.
SPORTS-CORONAVIRUS
NHL to be mum on injuries
UNDATED (AP) — The NHL is prohibiting teams from disclosing injuries as a way to maintain player privacy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s an even thicker veil of secrecy for a sport that already uses vague terms like upper- and lower-body injuries. Players asked for the nondisclosure policy to prevent individual coronavirus tests results coming to light. Saying nothing has led to rampant speculation when prominent players like Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby or Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford are missing from practice.
In other sports news related to the pandemic:
— The NFL Players Association says 95 players are known to have tested positive for the coronavirus. That number is up from 72 in the union’s last report on July 10. The NFLPA and the NFL reached agreement Monday on COVID-19 testing as rookies begin reporting to training camps. Most veterans come in next week, though some players rehabbing injuries could report this week.
— The NCAA football oversight committee is asking the association’s Board of Governors to avoid making a decision later this week on whether to conduct fall sports championships. The board is scheduled to meet Friday as college sports leaders try to find a path to play during the pandemic. There has been speculation the board could decide to call off NCAA championship events in fall sports such as soccer, volleyball and lower-division football. That could increase pressure for conferences to cancel their seasons.
— Tulane says the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of its college basketball game scheduled in China this November. The Green Wave were slated to play against Washington in the Pac-12 China Game in Shanghai. A Tulane spokesman says the decision to cancel the event was made in coordination with Washington as well as Chinese-based partners in the event.
— The International Tennis Federation plans to resume its lower-level World Tennis Tour the week of Aug. 17 and its junior and beach tennis tours two weeks later when the U.S. Open is scheduled to begin. All ITF tours have been suspended since March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The ITF also announced its COVID-19 protocols for its tournaments and players.
— The PGA Tour Series-China season has been canceled. The China-based tour’s executive director says attempts to move the qualifying tournaments to other sites in Asia were not practical and restricted access into mainland China made it too difficult to stage tournaments in 2020.
— The head of the Tokyo Olympics says the delayed games could not be held next year if conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic remain as they are. But Yoshiro Mori says he expects conditions to improve and is hopeful a COVID-19 vaccine will be developed soon. The postponed Olympics open a year from now on July 23, 2021.
NFL-BILLS
Charges dropped against Oliver
CONROE, Texas (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped the drunken driving and illegal handgun charges against Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver, who had been arrested in May during a traffic stop in Houston’s northern suburbs.
A spokesperson for the Montgomery County DA’s Office says the decision was due to lack of evidence after blood test results showed no intoxication.
GOLF-BRITISH MASTERS
Law and order at British Masters
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, England (AP) — David Law of Scotland shot a 7-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over Oliver Fisher, Garrick Porteous and Renato Paratore in the opening round of the British Masters at Close House Golf Course near Newcastle on Wednesday.
Aaron Cockerill, Rasmus Hojgard, Lee Slattery and Pedro Figueiredo were another shot back in a share of fifth, holding off a gaggle of nine players on 4 under.
The tournament marks the start of the European Tour’s “U.K. Swing,” a series of six events played in England and Wales over the next six weeks devised primarily for ease of travel for players amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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GOLF-WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN
Women’s British gets sponsorship extension, new branding
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — The Women’s British Open is keeping its title sponsor and getting a slightly different name.
The R&A announced Wednesday that New York-based finance and insurance group AIG.
And now that the R&A is charge on running the event, it said its official title will be the AIG Women’s Open. It previously was called the Women’s British Open.
.
OBIT-HASELRIG
Former Steeler, NCAA wrestling champion Haselrig dies at 54
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Former Pittsburgh Steelers player Carlton Haselrig has died at age 54. Haselrig was a Pro Bowl right guard for the Steelers in the early 1990s and also the only wrestler in NCAA history to win six individual national championships.
Pittsburgh-Johnstown wrestling coach Pat Pecora said Haselrig had been in declining health in recent years. Pecora molded Haselrig into a multiple heavyweight division champion at both the NCAA Division II and Division I levels in the 1980s
Haselrig didn’t play a down of college football after suffering an injury during his freshman year at Lock Haven. He spent five years in the NFL after the Steelers took him in the 12th round of the 1990 draft. His career was cut short in the mid-1990s due to a battle with alcohol and substance abuse.
In world and national news…
MITO, Japan (AP) — European shares have opened higher and U.S. futures also rose after a mixed day of trading in Asia. Benchmarks rose Thursday in Paris, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Sydney but fell in Shanghai and Seoul. Positive momentum from an upbeat close on Wall Street overnight helped offset negative economic data. South Korea’s central bank reported that its economy contracted 3.3% in April-June from the previous quarter, while Australia’s Treasury forecast a 7% drop in GDP. Shares in New York posted solid gains, with the S&P 500 rising 0.6% after a choppy day of trading. Investors are sizing up a mix of company earnings and another flare-up in tensions between Washington and Beijing.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is set to unveil a $1 trillion COVID-19 rescue package. The Republican leader is pushing past a GOP revolt over big spending and differences with the White House as the virus crisis worsens. The package is called CARES II and is to be released Thursday. It’s made up of separate bills from 10 senators as McConnell seeks to replicate an earlier strategy to launch negotiations with Democrats. The path will be tougher this time. GOP senators and President Donald Trump are at odds over priorities. And Democrats say the package is not nearly enough to stem the health crisis, reopen schools and extend aid to jobless Americans.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden is releasing a video of his first in-person meeting with Barack Obama since the coronavirus outbreak began, enlisting the former president to help slam his successor’s response to the pandemic. Snippets offered by Biden’s campaign show the pair wearing masks while arriving at an office, then sitting down well apart from each other to observe social distancing for a bare-faced chat. The full video will be posted on social media on Thursday. Teasers show Biden and Obama discussing passing their administration’s signature health care law and blaming President Donald Trump for stoking division and animosity among Americans.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The South African Medical Research Council is reporting a “huge discrepancy” between the country’s confirmed COVID-19 deaths and the number of excess deaths from natural causes, while Africa’s top health official says the virus is spreading there “like wildfire.” The new report, which came out late Wednesday, shows more than 17,000 excess deaths in South Africa from May 6 to July 14 as compared to data from the past two years, while confirmed COVID-19 deaths are 5,940. South Africa makes up more than half the confirmed cases on the African continent, with the toll expected to surpass 400,000 by the end of Thursday.
TOKYO (AP) — The city of Tokyo has announced a record 366 new daily coronavirus cases, exceeding 300 for the first time as Japan begins a four-day weekend with many people joining a tourism promotion campaign that the government is pushing despite concerns of a new wave of infections nationwide. The number of daily cases in Tokyo had fallen to just several in late May after the government ended a national state of emergency but have climbed steadily since late June, with the number tripling in the first three weeks of July. In other developments in Asia, India added 1,129 deaths to its toll, and wearing masks is now compulsory in Australia’s second-largest city.
BEIJING (AP) — China says “malicious slander” is behind an order by the U.S. government to close its consulate in Houston, Texas, and maintains that its officials have never operated outside ordinary diplomatic norms. The Foreign ministry spokesperson says the order to close the consulate violates international law and basic norms governing international relations, and seriously undermines China-U.S. relations. He says this is breaking down the bridge of friendship between the Chinese and American people. The order this week to close the consulate is seen as escalating tensions between the world’s two largest economies as President Donald Trump ramps up punitive measures against China ahead of the November U.S. election. Beijing said it would draw a firm response if the order is not reversed.
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