CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY… Partly sunny. Patchy blowing and drifting snow. Highs 20 to 25. Temperature falling through the afternoon. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph.

.TONIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. South winds

5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 15. Southwest winds

5 to 10 mph.

.NEW YEARS DAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. Northwest

winds 5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 10.

.SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.

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

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the mid 20s.

.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 30s.

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

.TUESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s.

 

From the 125th Anniversary Calendar of Jamestown History…

date in history, December 30, 1883, Northwestern Hotel, McGinnis Block, and Dakota House Hotel fall victim to disastrous early morning fire.   Photo posed at CSiNewsNow.com

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown city crews will begin plowing residential areas at 11:00 a.m., today, Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Crews will continue to work during the night with the downtown district beginning at 11:00 p.m.
City Ordinance Section 25-10 requires that a property owner keeps the sidewalk adjoining the property clear of snow and ice. Do not deposit snow or ice on the City street after the City plow has cleared the street. These violations are Class B Misdemeanors under the general penalty and will result in a fine.
PLEASE NOTE:
The above schedule is contingent upon changing weather conditions and snow accumulation totals.

Valley City (CSi) Valley City street crews began removing snow from streets early this morning.

The plans starts snow removal in downtown Valley City after midnight Wednesday morning, starting first with emergency routes.

Following that, crews remove snow in residential areas starting in the southwest section of the city and continuing to work clockwise throughout the city until snow removal is completed.

Use caution where the snow removal equipment is working.

 

Jamestown (CSi) Stutsman County Sheriff, Chad Kaiser said Tuesday that the pickup reported stolen and remained on the ice cover at Jamestown Reservoir sank while authorities attempted to remove it.

The vehicle sank in between 15 and 30 feet of water near Pelican Point, as the vehicle came across a pressure ridge on the ice cover.

Jamestown Police reports that multiple charges are pending against a Jamestown man, stemming from a pursuit on Monday morning, that concluded when a vehicle ended up on Jamestown Reservoir ice.

Assistant Police Chief, Major Justin Blinsky says, 19 year old Jon Schuldheisz, was arrested and taken into custody by Jamestown Police, with the assistance of anglers on the reservoir.

 

The rate of positive tests for COVID-19 in North Dakota rose to nearly 13% in the last day after hovering between about 3% and 5% during the Christmas holiday. State health officials said Tuesday there were 294 new cases of the coronavirus in the last day, out of a total of 1,530 examinations. A total of 91,829 people have tested positive since the start of the pandemic. Six new deaths were confirmed in the last 24 hours, lifting the total number of fatalities to 1,276. The COVID Tracking Project reports that death count is fourth highest per capita nationwide at 167 deaths per 100,000 people.

NDDoH

Tues. Dec 29, 2020

Barnes County

New Positives:  1

Total Positives: 1228

Active: 19

Recovered: 1182

 

Stutsman County

Antigen tests (BinaxNOW, etc.) were added to the website beginning Dec. 9.

New Positives:  29

Total Positives:  3099

Active:  114

Recovered: 2915

 

COVID-19 Test Results 
The results listed are from the previous day. Additional data can be found on the NDDoH website.

BY THE NUMBERS

1,530 – Total Tests from Yesterday*

1,301,140 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

294 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

178 – PCR Tests | 116 – antigen tests
91,829 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

12.70% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

1,701 – Total Active Cases

-177 Individuals from yesterday

292 – with a recovery date of yesterday****

88,854 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

115 – Currently Hospitalized

+7 – Individuals from yesterday

 

6 – New Deaths since yesterday*** (1,276 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Woman in her 80s from Bottineau County.
  • Woman in her 70s from Cass County.
  • Man in his 60s from Rolette County.
  • Woman in her 50s from Ward County.
  • Man in his 60s from Ward County.
  • Woman in her 60s from Williams County.

 

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TUESDDAY

  • Barnes County – 1
  • Benson County – 5
  • Bottineau County – 1
  • Burke County – 2
  • Burleigh County – 21
  • Cass County – 71
  • Dickey County – 7
  • Eddy County – 1
  • Emmons County – 1
  • Foster County – 1
  • Golden Valley County – 1
  • Grand Forks County – 20
  • Griggs County – 2
  • LaMoure County – 2
  • McHenry County – 2
  • McIntosh County – 1
  • McKenzie County – 3
  • McLean County – 1
  • Mercer County – 1
  • Morton County – 11
  • Pembina County – 1
  • Pierce County – 3
  • Ramsey County – 8
  • Ransom County – 2
  • Renville County – 3
  • Richland County – 4
  • Rolette County – 7
  • Sargent County – 1
  • Sioux County – 3
  • Slope County – 1
  • Stark County – 9
  • Steele County – 1
  • Stutsman County – 29
  • Towner County – 4
  • Traill County – 6
  • Walsh County – 11
  • Ward County – 35
  • Wells County – 1
  • Williams County – 10

 

* Note that this includes PCR tests and does not include individuals from out of state.

**Individuals who tested positive divided by the total number of people tested who have not previously tested positive (susceptible encounters). Antigen tests (positive or negative) are not included in the calculation.

*** Number of individuals who tested positive with a PCR or antigen test and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19. Please remember that deaths are reported as they’re reported to us by the facility or through the official death record (up to 10-day delay).

 

**** The actual date individuals are officially out of isolation and no longer contagious.

*****Daily positive numbers include people who tested with a PCR or antigen test. Totals may be adjusted as individuals are found to live out of state, in another county, or as other information is found during investigation.

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.

 

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District reports they will hold COVID 19 testing   from 10 am to 12 noon at the Jamestown Civic Center,  using the Rapid Testing, BinaxNow  again Wed., Dec. 30.

By screening with rapid antigen tests, event attendees will be able to receive their test results within 15 minutes via text notification. The test also is less invasive than a PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) test in that it uses a nasal swab to collect a sample from the lower part of the nostril.

If a person tests positive, they should isolate at home immediately and a case investigator will be in touch with them within 24 hours. If the screening yields a negative result, individuals should continue to monitor for symptoms.

Interested individuals should fill out an online survey at testreg.nd.gov for faster registration.

For more information about rapid antigen tests and North Dakota’s screening strategies, visit https://www.health.nd.gov/rapid-antigen-screening

Valley City (CCHD)  The COVID-19 testing site in Valley City  is  again Wednesday, this week, from  from 1pm to 2pm  at the VCSU Fieldhouse, “Bubble.”  No Friday testing this week.

Theresa Will says BiNAX rapid test being offered this  Wednesday Dec 30 and is accurate.

Face masks are required waiting in line at the test site. Those who need assistance should use the east entrance, others can use the west door. Register online at testreg.nd.gov. No need to registered more than one time.

She also says, the first Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in Barnes County will be available the week of December 21, 2020, to be administered first to healthcare workers.

In January of early February the vaccine is anticipated to be available to the general public.

She says a few individuals will be  susceptible to an allergic reaction to the COVID-10 vaccines.

 

Dave Carlsrud

Valley City  (Chamber 12-29-20) Valley City Mayor Dave Carlsrud is again communicating to the community through his regular messages.

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a Blessed and safe “longer weekend”. The weather cooperated, well, “most of the time”.  The Sunday morning snow was a pretty white, it brightened the city and was soft on which to walk. J Decorative lighting even looks more vivid. The snow provides some insulating qualities and should help limit the depth of the frost.

 

Thanks to all of you who have been battling to reduce the COVID numbers in our area.  Barnes County and North Dakota have made great strides though many places around the United States have numbers on the increase. Congratulations on your progress; beware of complacency as it can wreck all you have accomplished.

 

We celebrated Christmas at our house and while the “reason for the season” is the birth of Jesus, we were without our immediate family. We have always gathered with family at Christmas, but with the COVID, this year it was Sue, our dog, our cat and me. I am grateful for the good company and for the ability to communicate with many family members. I hope you had some experiences for which you can be grateful this year as well.

 

This week is New Years; enjoy while using your best judgment.

 

“Never let yesterday use up too much of today.”                               

(Will Rogers)                                                  

 

Blessings, Pray, Be Safe and Be Kind,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s senators declined to say whether they will support President Trump’s request to approve $2,000 in COVID-19 relief payments. Trump recently signed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that provides stimulus payments of $600. He also made it clear to lawmakers that he wants the individual payments increased to $2,000. Republican Sen. John Hoeven said in a statement to KVRR-TV he’s mulling over the change to the bill, which he said includes targeted relief for North Dakota. Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer didn’t immediately say whether he plans to support the president’s proposal.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two strategic U.S. bombers have flown over the Persian Gulf in response to what U.S. officials say are worrying signs that Iran may be planning attacks against American or allied targets in the Middle East in the coming days. The B-52 bomber mission, flown round trip from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, was the second of its kind this month. The missions reflect growing concern in Washington, in the final weeks of President Donald Trump’s administration, that Iran will order further military retaliation for the U.S. government’s killing last Jan. 3 of top Iranian military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A woman died after an ATV she was riding in fell through the ice on Kabekona Lake in northern Minnesota. The Star Tribune reports 60-year-old Rose Peterson, of Brooklyn Park, died Saturday night after she and two family members traveling in an ATV fell through thin ice on the lake, about 8 miles northwest of Walker. Peterson’s son pulled all three out of the water after the ATV plunged into about 18 feet of water. Peterson was unresponsive when her son performed CPR on the ice. She was transported to a Bemidji hospital and later airlifted to Fargo where she was pronounced dead.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Michigan man has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in North Dakota to a federal drug charge. The Bismarck Tribune reports Michael Sinnawi, was arrested in August 2019 at a Bismarck motel. He and two other men were in possession of 450 oxycodone pills and $45,000 in cash. Police also found four cellphones in the room, and text messages on the phones showed that they were selling the pills. The two other men arrested in the case, including Sinnawi’s father, are scheduled for change of plea and sentencing hearings on Feb. 22.

 

In sports….

Valley City  (VCSU)  The Valley City State University men’s basketball game scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 2, has been postponed. VCSU’s opponent, Yellowstone Christian College, has postponed the game until a later date.

The Women’s game versus Yellowstone Christian College has been canceled.

VCSU’s next action is now Sunday, Jan. 3, at VCSU against Oak Hills Christian College. Tip off is at 3 p.m.
The Viking men are off to a 7-1 start this season and received votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. The Vikings have won their last seven games.

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL

Fargo Shanley 73, Valley City 55

Minot 54, Jamestown 50

 

Bismarck Legacy 102, Watford City 34

Bottineau 71, Wilton-Wing 55

Central Cass 56, New Rockford-Sheyenne 55

Dickinson Trinity 62, Four Winds 57

Enderlin 71, Beulah 64

Fargo North 77, Devils Lake 68

Garrison 60, Nedrose 58

Grafton 77, Park River-Fordville/Lankin 23

Heart River 62, Richardton-Taylor 39

Killdeer 64, Grant County 51, OT

LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 72, Glenburn 46

Lemmon, S.D. 49, Hettinger/Scranton 20

Mandan 88, Turtle Mountain 59

Mobridge-Pollock, S.D. 61, Ellendale 50

Northern Cass 61, Cavalier 53

Oak Grove Lutheran 73, Hillsboro/Central Valley 66

Our Redeemer’s 79, North Star 64

Parshall 49, Washburn 46

Surrey 57, Max 47

Towner-Granville-Upham 59, Stanley 42

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS=

Larimore vs. Hankinson, ccd.

 

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL

Minot 68, Jamestown 65

Bismarck St. Mary’s 50, Williston 41

Carrington 56, Velva 43

Central Cass 61, New Rockford-Sheyenne 19

Devils Lake 105, Fargo North 39

Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier 33, Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 25

Glen Ullin-Hebron 57, New Salem-Almont 23

Grafton 93, Park River-Fordville/Lankin 12

Grant County 59, Killdeer 32

Hatton-Northwood 62, Larimore 44

Heart River 60, Richardton-Taylor 28

Kenmare 56, Parshall 47

Kidder County 44, Rugby 38

Kindred 70, Linton-HMB 66

Lemmon, S.D. 45, Hettinger/Scranton 37

Lewis & Clark/Berthold/North Shore Plaza Co-op 32, Towner-Granville-Upham 21

May-Port CG 58, Hillsboro/Central Valley 23

Mobridge, S.D. 58, Ellendale 46

Mobridge-Pollock, S.D. 58, Ellendale 46

Northern Cass 61, Cavalier 35

Our Redeemer’s 58, Drake-Anamoose 28

Surrey 65, Max 15

Watford City 56, Bismarck Legacy 53

West Fargo 78, Grand Forks Central 38

Wilton 49, Dickinson Trinity 33

Wilton-Wing 49, Dickinson Trinity 33

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS=

Westhope-Newburg vs. South Prairie, ppd.

 

BOY’S HOCKEY

Jamestown 5 Bottineau/Rugby 4

GIRL’S HOCKEY

Minot 4, Jamestown 3

Minot 2, Jamestown 1 SO

 

MLB-NEWS

Rays, Padres finalize Snell swap

UNDATED (AP) — The San Diego Padres pulled off one blockbuster deal for a starting pitcher on Tuesday while finalizing another.

The Padres got Cubs ace Yu Darvish, catcher Victor Caratini and cash while sending right-hander Zach Davies and four young minor leaguers to Chicago. The 34-year-old Darvish was 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA in 12 starts for Chicago during the pandemic-shortened season, finishing second in the NL Cy Young Award race. He has three years and $59 million left on the $126 million, six-year deal he signed with the Cubs before the 2018 season.

The deal broke after the Padres finalized their acquisition of ace left-hander Blake Snell from the Rays. The Rays will receive right-handers Luis Patiño and Cole Wilcox and catchers Francisco Mejía and Blake Hunt for the 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner.

Snell went 4-1 with a 3.24 ERA in 11 starts during the pandemic-shortened 2020 regular season. He also posted a 2-2 record with a 3.03 ERA in six postseason starts for the American League champions.

Checking out other major league news:

— The Twins have signed right-handed reliever Hansel Robles to a one-year, $2 million deal. The 30-year-old Robles had 23 saves and a 2.48 ERA for the Angels in 2019 before struggling He posted a 10.26 ERA in 18 games in 2020.

NBA

— Lou Williams led seven Clippers in double figures with 20 points in a 124-101 crushing of the Timberwolves. Paul George added 18 points, Serge Ibaka (ih-BAH’-kah) had 16 and Luke Kennard scored 15 for Los Angeles.

UNDATED (AP) — The Miami Heat knocked out the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals this year before advancing to the NBA Finals. The Bucks gained a modicum of revenge with a 3-point barrage in a 144-97 pounding of the Heat.

The Bucks set an NBA record by nailing 29 3-pointers, breaking the old mark midway through the fourth quarter. They shot 29 for 51 from beyond the arc, two nights after going 7 for 38 in a loss to New York.

Khris Middleton had four 3′s on his way to 25 points. Jrue Holiday made six 3′s in his 24-point night, and Donte DiVincenzo was 5-for-6 from deep to finish with 17 points.

One of the few things the Heat did well was holding Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh) to nine points.

Tyler Herro (HEE’-roh) had 23 points for Miami.

Also on the NBA schedule:

— The Celtics erased a 17-point, second-half deficit as Jayson Tatum provided 14 of his 27 points during a fourth-quarter run in a 116-111 triumph over the Pacers. Jaylen Brown added 20 points for Boston, which outscored Indiana, 33-18 in the final period.

— The 76ers earned a 100-93 victory over the winless Raptors as Joel Embiid (joh-EHL’ ehm-BEED’) furnished 29 points and 16 rebounds. Embiid suffered an apparent leg injury in the third quarter, but he returned a few minutes later with Philadelphia down by 11.

— Stephen Curry dropped in 31 points and Andrew Wiggins had 27 in the Warriors’ 116-106 decision over the winless Pistons. The injury-plagued Warriors have won two in a row after dropping their first two games by a combined 65 points.

— Tyrese Haliburton scored eight of his 13 points in the fourth quarter as the Kings pulled away to beat the Nuggets, 125-115. Sacramento won despite Nikola Jokic, who had 26 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in his team-record 44th career triple-double.

— The Magic are 4-0 for the first time in team history after Nikola Vucevic (nih-KOH’-lah voo-SEH’-vihch) had a season-high 28 points and 10 rebounds in a 118-107 downing of the Thunder. Dwayne Bacon went 9 of 10 from the field and scored 18 points to go with eight rebounds for Orlando.

— Julius Randle recorded his first triple-double in two years by collecting 28 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in the Knicks’ 95-86 victory over the Cavaliers. Randle scored 18 in the first half as New York built a 16-point lead before completing its second straight win since an 0-2 start.

 

— Jae Crowder delivered a season-high 21 points and Cameron Johnson added 18 in the Suns’ 111-86 rout of the Pelicans. Six Suns scored in double figures as they improved their record to 3-1.

— Zach LaVine (lah-VEEN’) scored 23 points, including nine straight in the third quarter of the Bulls’ first win of the season, 115-107 at Washington. The Wizards fell to 0-4 despite Russell Westbrook, who had 21 points, 15 boards and 11 assists in his third straight triple-double.

TOP25 MEN’S BASKETBALL-

Baylor rolls again

UNDATED (AP) — Second-ranked Baylor continued its Big 12 preparations with another easy home win.

MaCio Teague (MAY’-see-oh teeg) scored a team-high 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting as the Bears blew out Central Arkansas, 93-56 to improve to 7-0.

Davion Mitchell chipped in six points, grabbed six rebounds and led the Baylor passing game with 12 assists.

The Bears erupted for 53 points in the first half and outscored the Bears, 40-21 the rest of the way.

Tulsa provided the day’s biggest surprise in top-25 action.

Brandon Rachal capped his 22-point night by draining two free throws with 0.1 seconds remaining to send the Hurricanes past fifth-ranked Houston, 65-64. After Houston’s Caleb Mills made a 7-foot floater with six seconds left, Rachal took a pass, drove the length of the court and was fouled by center Brison Gresham at the rim.

Elsewhere on Tuesday’s top-25 men’s basketball schedule:

— Gonzaga ran the nation’s longest home winning streak to 43 games as Corey Kispert scored 25 points to lead the top-ranked Bulldogs to a 112-67 dismantling of Dixie State. Joel Ayayi (joh-EHL ah-YAH’-ee) added 21 points and 11 rebounds for the 9-0 Zags.

— Derek Culver scored 18 points and ninth-ranked West Virginia used its size advantage to overpower Northeastern, 73-51. Oscar Tshiebwe (SHEEB’-way) had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the 8-2 Mountaineers, who had a 45-34 rebounding advantage and forced 19 turnovers.

— Jordan Bohannon shot 6-for-9 from 3-point range while scoring 24 points to send 10th-ranked Iowa to an 87-72 decision over No. 19 Northwestern. CJ Fredrick added 19 and Luka Garza finished with 18 in the Hawkeyes’ eighth consecutive home win against a ranked opponents.

— Kevin McCullar scored 11 points in his injury-delayed season debut and No. 13 Texas Tech warmed up for the rest of its Big 12 schedule by thumping Incarnate Word, 79-51. Marcus Santos-Silva also had 11 points for the 8-2 Red Raiders, who got a brief holiday break after a two-point win at Oklahoma.

— No. 14 Rutgers was an 81-76 winner against Purdue as Montez Mathis contributed 16 of his career-high 25 points in the second half. Geo Baker had 19 points six rebounds and four assists for the Scarlet Knights, who played without leading scorer Ron Harper Jr. because of an ankle injury.

— Nick Honor delivered all his 13 points in the second half, including the go-ahead 3-pointer, as Clemson rallied past No. 18 Florida State, 77-67. Clyde Trapp scored 15 points and Al-Amir Dawes added 11 for the Tigers.

— Keve Aluma scored a career-high 26 points and No. 24 Virginia Tech made crucial free throws in the final minute to hold off Miami, 80-78. Justyn Mutts added 15 points for the Hokies, who made three free throws in the final 37 seconds after blowing most of a 17-point lead.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL-ARIZONA-POSTSEASON BAN

Arizona men’s basketball self-imposes 1-year postseason ban

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona men’s basketball program has self-imposed a one-year postseason ban related to its long-running NCAA rules infractions case.

The NCAA issued a Notice of Allegations in October accusing the Wildcats of nine counts of misconduct, including five Level I violations. The violations include a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor by the university, and lack of head coach control by basketball coach Sean Miller.

Arizona is 7-1 this season, including a 1-1 mark in the Pac-12 Conference.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-BOWL SCHEDULE

Cowboys get bowl win

UNDATED (AP) — Oklahoma State has ended its season with a bowl game victory.

Spencer Sanders threw for four scores and the Cowboys won the Cheez-It Bowl by building a three-touchdown lead before downing No. 18 Miami, 37-34.

The Cowboys scored on their first three possessions while jumping out to a 21-0 lead. Brennan Presley caught three of Sanders’ TD passes, finishing with six receptions for 118 yards after entering the game with just one catch all season.

Hurricanes starting quarterback D’Erik King threw a 10-yard TD pass but had to leave the game late in the first half with a right knee injury.

Backup quarterback N’Kosi (nuh-KOH’-see) Perry threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns for Miami. Perry’s 5-yard TD pass to Michael Harley helped the Hurricanes close to 37-34 with 5:39 left.

In Tuesday’s other bowl game, backup Casey Thompson passed for 170 yards and four touchdowns as No. 20 Texas hammered Colorado, 55-23 in the Alamo Bowl. Thompson entered the game after starter Sam Ehlinger (EH’-lihn-gur) injured his shoulder late in the first half.

Freshman running back Bijan Robinson had 183 yards on 10 carries with a TD for the Longhorns, who are unbeaten in five bowl games under coach Tom Herman.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-NEWS

Tide’s DeVonta Smith is 1st WR to win AP Player of the Year

UNDATED (AP) — The Associated Press has honored one of this year’s Heisman finalists.

Alabama’s DeVonta Smith is the AP college football player of the year. He is the first wide receiver to win the award since it was established in 1998.

Smith received 26 first-place votes and 114 points to finish ahead of his teammate and quarterback, Mac Jones. They are the first teammates to finish 1-2 in the voting for AP player of the year. Smith is also the first Alabama player to win the award.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished third and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask was fourth.

In other college football news:

— The Texas Bowl has been canceled because of an increase of positive COVID-19 tests within TCU’s program. The Horned Frogs were supposed to play Arkansas on New Year’s Eve in Houston. It’s the 19th bowl canceled this season and the third canceled since the bowl lineup was set earlier this month.

— Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters will return for a third season with the Illini and play for new coach Bret Bielema (BEE’-leh-muh). Peters transferred from Michigan and threw for 1,884 yards with 18 touchdowns this season, his first with the Illini.

NBA-NEWS

Cavaliers’ Love to miss extended time with calf injury

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love could miss more than a month with a calf injury he aggravated Sunday night in a game against Philadelphia.

Love initially got hurt in Cleveland’s first exhibition game and sat out the season opener to give it more rest. The five-time All-Star started against the 76ers before leaving the game in the second quarter.

The 32-year-old’s injury is a setback for the Cavaliers, who are off to their first 3-0 start since 2016.

In other NBA news:

— Reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Ja (jah) Morant will miss three to five weeks after spraining his left ankle in the Grizzlies’ 116-111 overtime win at Brooklyn on Monday. Memphis said that further tests revealed Morant suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain. Morant led Memphis in scoring last season, averaging 17.8 points a game. He also opened this season scoring a career-high 44 points.

NFL-NEWS

Roethlisberger to sit out Steelers finale against Browns

UNDATED (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will sit out the team’s regular-season finale against Cleveland so he can rest for the playoffs. Coach Mike Tomlin says Mason Rudolph will start for the AFC North champions when they face the Browns.

The Steelers will enter the AFC playoffs as the second or third seed. The Browns are trying to end an 18-year postseason drought.

In other NFL news:

— The Rams have placed leading receiver Cooper Kupp on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. Kupp has a team-high 92 catches for 974 yards and three touchdowns this year.

— The Titans have put three-time Pro Bowl punter Brett Kern on their COVID-19 list, one day after kicker Stephen Gostkowski landed on the list. Tennessee visits Houston on Sunday needing a win or an Indianapolis loss to clinch its first AFC South title since 2008.

— The Browns have added three more players to their COVID-19 list. Safeties Andrew Sendejo and Karl Joseph were placed on the list, along with rookie tight end Harrison Bryant It’s not yet known if Sendejo, Joseph or Bryant tested positive for the virus or if they had close contact with an infected person. A positive test would cause them to miss Sunday’s showdown with the Steelers.

NHL-BLACKHAWKS-TOEWS

Toews sidelined indefinitely by illness

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (tayvz) will miss the start of training camp because of an unspecified illness, and there is no timetable for his return. The 32-year-old Toews says he has been experiencing symptoms that have left him feeling “drained and lethargic.”

The veteran center and three-time Stanley Cup champion had 18 goals and 42 assists in 70 games last season, but he also is one of the team’s best defensive forwards and face-off options.

In world and national news..

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s push for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks has stalled out in the Republican-led Senate. With Republican senators deeply split over new spending, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked a swift vote proposed by Democrats. The GOP leader signaled an alternative approach that links Trump’s demand for aid with restrictions the president wants on tech companies and for a new commission to review the election results. McConnell says the Senate will “begin a process” to address the issues. But the next steps are highly uncertain, and it’s quite possible no bill passes. The Democratic-led House has already approved the larger checks.

 

DENVER (AP) — A new variant of the coronavirus that may be more contagious has been found in a Colorado man who had not been traveling. That has triggered a host of questions about how the first U.S. case of the new version showed up in the Rocky Mountain state. The new variant was first identified in England, and infections are soaring now in Britain. The new variant has also been found in several other countries. Colorado officials were expected to provide more details at a news conference Wednesday about how the man in his 20s from a mostly rural area of rolling plains at the edge of the Denver metro area came down with the variant. Experts say the vaccines being given now are thought to be effective against it.

 

LONDON (AP) — The European Union’s top officials have formally signed the post-Brexit trade deal with the United Kingdom, as lawmakers in London get set to vote on the agreement. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel put pen to paper on Wednesday morning during a brief signature ceremony in Brussels. The documents are being flown across the Channel to London in a RAF plane for British Prime minister Boris Johnson to sign them later. In Parliament, Johnson urged lawmakers to support the 1,200-page agreement setting up new trade rules between Britain and the 27-nation bloc. The agreement also needs approval from the EU’s legislature, which is not expected to take up the deal for weeks.

 

LONDON (AP) — Britain has authorized use of a second COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the first country to greenlight an easy-to-handle shot that its developers hope will become the “vaccine for the world.” The United Kingdom government says the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has made an emergency authorization for the vaccine developed by Oxford University and UK-based drugmaker AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot said “today is an important day for millions of people in the U.K. who will get access to this new vaccine. It has been shown to be effective, well-tolerated, simple to administer and is supplied by AstraZeneca at no profit.”

 

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California’s most densely populated area continues to set new death and hospitalization records and public health officials say it will remain under strict stay-home orders for the foreseeable future as another hospital-filling coronavirus surge looms. Los Angeles County, which has recorded 40% of all COVID-19 deaths in the state, reported another 227 new deaths on Tuesday. The county’s public health department also confirmed its highest number of hospitalizations reported in a day, at more than 7,000 people, a nearly 1,000% increase from two months ago. California’s top health official announced Tuesday an extension of the Dec. 6 lockdown restrictions for 23 southern and central counties.

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Documents obtained by The Associated Press show officers visited Anthony Warner’s home in 2019 after his girlfriend told them he was building bombs in an RV trailer at his house. A Metropolitan Nashville Police Department report shows officers went to Warner’s home on Aug. 21, 2019. The report says Pamela Perry told them Warner was building bombs. Her attorney also told officers Warner “frequently talks about the military and bomb making.” Warner did not answer the door when officers went to his home. The report says officers saw the RV in the backyard but it was fenced off. Identifying information about Warner was then sent to the FBI. Police say the agency reported they didn’t find records on Warner.

 

(AP)  Shares have edged higher in world markets as investors wrap up trading for 2020, anticipating a dose of fresh support for the U.S. economy and efforts to speed up coronavirus vaccinations to help curb the pandemic. Shares rose in London, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Tokyo’s benchmark fell back after surging to a 30-year high on Tuesday. Gains were modest after a lackluster day on Wall Street, as the boost from President Donald Trump’s signing of a $900 billion coronavirus relief package faded. On Wednesday, Britain authorized use of a second COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the first country to greenlight an easy-to-handle shot.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign minister says his country and the United States plan to form a joint working group to discuss sanctions that Washington imposed on its ally over its purchase of an advanced Russian air defense system. In a year-end news conference assessing Turkish foreign policy on Wednesday, Mevlut Cavusoglu also told journalists that Turkey wants “healthier” relations with the United States under President-elect Joe Biden’s administration. The U.S. announced sanctions earlier this month to penalize Turkey over its procurement of Russia’s advanced S-400 system, under a U.S. law known as CAATSA which aims to push back on Russian influence. It was the first time that CAATSA had been used to penalize a U.S. ally.