– Wayne Byers Show – Morning – Jan 15

CSi Weather…

Update 12 Noon, Friday.

…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST FRIDAY EVENING…

* WHAT…North winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* WHERE…La Moure, Rolette, Foster, Pierce, Stutsman, Kidder,Logan, Dickey, Wells and McIntosh Counties. Towner, Cavalier, Benson, Ramsey, Eddy, Nelson, Griggs, Barnes and Western Walsh Counties.

* WHEN…Until 6 PM CST Friday evening.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects.
Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may
result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high
profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

Forecast…

REST OF TODAY…Cloudy. Slight chance of flurries. Windy. Highs

in the upper 20s. Temperature falling through the afternoon.North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around

45 mph.

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. Northwest winds 5 to

15 mph.

.SATURDAY…Decreasing clouds. Highs in the lower 30s. Northwest

winds 5 to 15 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 20s.

Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the lower 30s. Northwest winds

10 to 15 mph.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of snow after

midnight. Lows around 20.

.MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY…Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of

snow. Highs in the upper 20s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in the

evening. Lows around 15.

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

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

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

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Decreasing clouds. Lows 15 to 20.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A weather system packing hurricane-force wind gusts has caused extensive damage and power outages in western and central North Dakota. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts of 77 mph at Garrison, 81 mph in Hettinger County and 93 mph in Williston on Thursday. The weather service defines hurricane-force as sustained surface winds of 74 mph or greater. The winds flipped a mobile home upside down in Williams County and toppled a wind turbine in New Town. Hundreds of power customers lost service. Most had been restored by Friday.

Lesser wind in Jamestown with the peak wind gust 58 mph, in Valley City it was 51 mph.

Jamestown (JPD) Jamestown Police reports that on Thursday at approximately 2:22-p.m.,, a Jamestown Police Officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on the 800 block of 4 Ave NE in Jamestown.

Assistant Police Chief, Maj. Justin Blinsky reports that the vehicle was a 2009 Ford Focus owned by a Jamestown resident. The vehicle immediately fled from officers driving in a reckless manner. The male driver of the vehicle was later determined to be wanted on a warrant and had a passenger in the vehicle with him. The vehicle fled from officers through northeast Jamestown before leaving the city limits on Stutsman County Road 40. The vehicle drove on several county gravel roads in northeast Stutsman County. The vehicle entered the town of Spiritwood, ND. At approximately 2:40-p.m., the fleeing vehicle drove through several private yards,before striking a utility trailer and coming to a stop. The male driver exited the vehicle and ran from officers on foot. He was taken into custody a short distance away from the vehicle. The 35-year-old female passenger immediately gave up to officers. She was briefly detained and questioned by officers, before being released.

The male driver was taken into custody and has been identified as 45-year-old Gary Frederick Zinck, Jr. of Jamestown. Zinck has been arrested on suspicion of Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police, Felony Reckless Endangerment, and on a Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Warrant of Arrest. Zinck was also cited for Possession of Marijuana

.The Jamestown Police Department was assisted by the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office and the Barnes County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation into this incident continues and other charges are possible.

Jamestown (CVHD) – Central Valley Health District (CVHD) would like to provide an update regarding COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Stutsman and Logan counties. This week, CVHD finished vaccinating those in priority group Phase 1A, including healthcare workers, first responders, and long term care staff and residents. Priority groups were determined by the North Dakota COVID-19 Vaccination Ethics Committee.

Despite changes with vaccination distribution changes nationally, North Dakota has not changed its distribution plan at this time. Robin Iszler, Unit Administrator, stated “vaccine doses continue to be very limited. North Dakota receives approximately 10,000 doses per week to be split up throughout the state.” CVHD is working with area clinics and pharmacies in our community to distribute the vaccine.

To date, 1,448 doses have been administered in Stutsman County. Central Valley Health has administered 678 doses. To view the North Dakota vaccine dashboard, visit https://www.health.nd.gov/covid19vaccine/dashboard.

CVHD has now began to transition into the next priority group, Phase 1B, specifically those persons age 75 and older. We encourage individuals 75 and older interested in the COVID vaccine to get complete our Phase 1A/1B Vaccination Interest Survey located on our website www.centralvalleyhealth.org. Completing the survey does not register participants for an appointment, rather collects information for participants to be contacted with upcoming vaccine clinic information.

Robin adds, “We know that there is a lot of interest in the vaccine and we encourage the public to continue to be patient while waiting for your turn to be vaccinated.”

For the most up-to-date information on the COVID vaccine, follow Central Valley Health on Facebook.

Stutsman/Logan County Vaccination Interest Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VaccineInterestCVHD

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The elderly and people with underlying health conditions in North Dakota are beginning to receive their first COVID-19 vaccine doses as the state enters the second phase of vaccine priority groups, health officials said. Sanford Health Bismarck on Thursday began vaccinating some of its first patients eligible for the next phase. Jim Wheeler received his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a Sanford vaccination clinic and called it “a piece of cake.” Sanford Health Fargo is scheduled to begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine Friday. Fargo Cass Public Health officials say they’re expecting to begin distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday.

NDDoH

COVID 19 Stats

Thurs. Jan 14, 2021

11-a.m.

Barnes County

New Positives: 2

Total Positives: 1268 (Revised)

Active: 18

Recovered: 1220

Stutsman County

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

New Positives: 5

Total Positives: 3204

Active: 46

Recovered: 3086

More updates anticipated from NDoH

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

BY THE NUMBERS

9,471 – Total Tests from yesterday*

1,435,657 – Total tests completed since the pandemic began

248 – Positive Individuals from Yesterday*****

179 – PCR Tests | 69 – Antigen Tests
95,378 – Total positive individuals since the pandemic began

3.00% – Daily Positivity Rate**

1,764 – Total Active Cases

+15 Individuals from yesterday.

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

92,249 – Total recovered since the pandemic began

78 – Currently Hospitalized

+6 – Individuals from yesterday.

8 – New Deaths*** (1,365 total deaths since the pandemic began)

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

Woman in her 70s from Burleigh County.
Man in his 70s from Cass County.
Man in his 90s from Cass County.
Man in his 90s from Emmons County.
Man in his 70s from Pembina County.
Woman in her 70s from Sargent County.
Man in his 60s from Ward County.
Man in his 80s from Ward County.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED THURSDAY

Adams County – 4
Barnes County – 2
Bowman County – 6
Burke County – 3
Burleigh County – 35
Cass County – 54
Dickey County – 1
Eddy County – 1
Golden Valley County – 14
Grand Forks County – 19
McKenzie County – 2
McLean County – 3
Morton County – 12
Mountrail County – 1
Nelson County – 4
Pierce County – 2
Ramsey County – 6
Richland County – 9
Rolette County – 1
Sioux County – 2
Stark County – 20
Stutsman County – 5
Traill County – 3
Walsh County – 8
Ward County – 19
Williams County – 12

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

**Individuals (PCR or antigen) who tested positive divided by the total number of people tested who have not previously tested positive (susceptible encounters).

*** 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.

Valley City (CCHD) Free COVID-19 testing events continue for VCSU and Valley City community members from 1-2-p.m. at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, “The Bubble,” with rapid testing BinaxNow tests.

The next testing is on Friday Jan. 15.

These are WALK-In Testing events indoors. Park vehicles, and then enter through the west entrance. Handicap parking spaces and access available at the east entrance. Preregister at testreg.nd.gov. Only one time only registration is necessary.

Face masks are required while waiting in line at the test site, along with physical distancing required..

Those who need assistance can use the west door.

Bismark (NDDoH) The North Dakota State Health Department reports that on Friday January 15, 2021 at noon, there will be a COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall meeting, to be live streamed.

Health Department experts will be live to answer questions.

Submit questions in advance to: http://health.nd.gov/expertquestion

Access to the live stream information at the State Health Department web site.

Bismarck (ND Aeronautics Commission) North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports finished calendar year 2020 with a statewide total of 572,093 airline passenger boardings. This is a decrease of 619,476 passengers or an 52% decrease from 2019 and is the lowest passenger count that the state has recorded since calendar year 2003.

North Dakota passenger numbers have been adversely affected since the beginning of the pandemic when the state experienced an immediate 95% percent decline in passenger numbers during the month of April.

Since that time, the state has been trending in a positive direction and has recovered to approximately

50% of pre-pandemic levels.

The recent growth in demand has encouraged airlines to begin slowly adding back flights and seat capacity to our airports. Today, North Dakota still has a high level of air service availability based upon historical standards as the state’s airports still provide the public with 10 non-stop destinations (three are seasonal).

All eight of the commercial service airports in North Dakota also continue to provide their communities with reliable jet service.

Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, says, “Our airports rose to the challenge that this past year brought for the aviation industry which resulted in significant negative impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our airports never closed and they quickly worked to implement recommended mitigations to help ensure that a safe environment exists for those who need to travel. They were also able to accommodate emergency related personnel and products to efficiently enter and depart our state. As we look forward to 2021, I remain optimistic that airline passenger numbers will continue their current positive trend towards recovery.

The reports shows that 2020 Boardings at Jamestown Regional Airport were 5,655, compared to 11,175 in 2019, a decrease of almost 50 percent.

In December of 2020, Jamestown Regional Airport boarded 604 passengers, compared to 1119 in December of 2019.

Jamestown (Chamber) Members of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Jamestown Gymnastics Club. The Jamestown Gymnastics Club recently completed a large renovation project. The Club had been saving funds for the project for more than ten years, and they are excited to be opening in the new space. This business is located at 1310 10^th Ave. NE in Jamestown. You can reach them at 701-252-7446.

Businesses qualify for a ribbon-cutting ceremony if they open, move, remodel, are under new ownership or change their name. For more information, contact Emily Bivens by emailing: director@jamestownchamber.com or call the chamber at 701-252-4830.

Carrington (CSi) Carrington Mayor Tom Erdmann says the City is accepting applications to fill the position of Police Chief, followed by initiating the hiring process.

At the city meeting, this month, the city accepted the resignation of Police Chief Nathan Kruse.

Mayor Erdmann says Carrington has hired an officer, who is currently going through academy training, plus another officer who recently completed their academy training.

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A North Central District Court judge has denied a defense request to lower bond for a Minot man charged with fatally shooting his wife. Erik Rod’s attorney told Judge Gary Lee during Wednesday’s court proceeding that the shooting was an accident and it was not “premeditated” or “done in cold blood.” The prosecution has argued that the shooting was not accidental. Connie Rod died at the hospital days after the May 21 shooting. Erik Rod was arrested in August and charged with felony murder and felony reckless endangerment in his wife’s death. He’s being held on $250,000 bond at the Ward County Jail.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Republican North Dakota lawmaker wants to prohibit businesses from banning cash as a payment. Rep. Ben Koppelman says cashless transactions create economic barriers for some residents. The legislation would bar businesses from refusing to accept cash from someone making an in-person purchase. Koppelman, says not everyone has a bank account or credit or debit cards. There is no federal law mandating that businesses or individuals accept paper currency or coins for payment. But states may develop their own laws. Some other states and municipalities already ban cashless businesses.

In sports…

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Conference officials say the Summit League men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be held without fans and moved to a smaller venue in Sioux Falls because of the COVID-19 concerns. The tournament is scheduled March 6-9. It has been originally slated for the Denny Sanford Premier Center, which seats about 12,000, and now will be held at the 3,250-seat Sanford Pentagon. Conference commissioner Tom Douple says that while the move is disappointing, the welfare of all those involved is the highest priority.

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=

Thursday

Barnes County Boy’s B

Barnes County North 59, Finley-Sharon/Hope-Page 50

Wyndmere-Lidgerwood 57, Sargent County 50

Also Thursday

Bismarck Legacy 63, Bismarck Century 60

Drake-Anamoose 64, Nedrose 41

Garrison 63, Central McLean 46

Glen Ullin-Hebron 75, Killdeer 60

Linton 58, Kidder County 44

North Border 75, Grafton/St. Thomas 61

Rugby 63, North Star 52

West Fargo 90, Moorhead, Minn. 75

Wilton-Wing 46, Washburn 37

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS=

Dakota Prairie vs. Langdon-Edmore-Munich, ppd.

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=

Center-Stanton 60, Max 10

Central McLean 43, New Salem-Almont 35

Des Lacs-Burlington 66, South Prairie 27

Ellendale 38, Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier 37

Four Winds 80, Warwick 41

Glenburn 60, Surrey 31

Hatton 64, Midkota 35

Hatton-Northwood 64, Griggs Central/Midkota Co-op 35

Kindred 74, Oak Grove Lutheran 19

Linton 67, Strasburg 29

Linton-HMB 67, Strasburg-Zeeland 29

Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 65, Lewis and Clark-Berthold 34

Moorhead, Minn. 53, Fargo Shanley 50

Mott-Regent 53, Glen Ullin-Hebron 49

Napoleon/Gackle-Streeter 68, South Border 39

Nedrose 45, Drake-Anamoose 43

Northern Cass 57, Lisbon 30

Oakes 66, Sargent County 59

Our Redeemer’s 59, Bishop Ryan 51

St. John 63, Rolla 60

Thompson 57, May-Port CG 35

Tioga 59, Alexander/Trinity Christian 21

Velva 60, Westhope-Newburg 28

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS=

Bismarck High vs. Dickinson, ppd.

Heart River vs. Hazen, ppd.

Hillsboro/Central Valley vs. Midway-Minto, ppd.

Killdeer vs. Beulah, ppd.

Richardton-Taylor vs. Hettinger/Scranton, ppd.

Thursday

UJ Basketball

Women

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa– The University of Jamestown women’s basketball team outscored Dordt University 17-7 in the second quarter, opening up a 14-point halftime lead on the way to victory Thursday night.

The Jimmies withstood a couple of second-half rallies by the Defenders and held on for a 69-58 win.

Jamestown improves to 10-6 overall and 7-6 in the GPAC while Dordt falls to 10-7 overall and 9-5 in the conference.

Kia Tower (SO/Bigfork, MN) (10 points) and Noelle Josephson (JR/Ramsey, MN) (9 points) combined to shoot 8-for-13 in the first half, pacing the Jimmie offense.

UJ trailed 13-10 with 3:25 left in the first quarter but closed on a 9-2 run to lead by four heading into the second.

Hannah DeMars (SO/Grand Rapids, MN), Tower, and Audrey Rodakowski (FR/Dickinson, ND) all scored to open the second quarter and UJ went ahead by 10. The Defenders struggled to find any offense in the period, making just two of 14 shots overall and one of seven from three-point range. UJ led 36-22 at the break.

Rodakowski scored the first points of the second half as Jamestown’s lead grew to 16. However, the Jimmies saw their offense have some troubles of its own, going scoreless for a span of 4:26. During that time Dordt was only to get as close as six points.

A 5-0 run capped off by a pair of Jordyn Winterfield free throws made it a 51-46 Jimmie lead with 6:15 to play. Jamestown answered with a rally of its own as DeMars went off for eight of UJ’s next 11 points, and the lead was back up to 12.

Tower and Josephson each finished with 16 points. DeMars added 14 and Emma Stoehr (SR/Woodbury, MN) was also in double figures with 10. Josephson grabbed a team-best seven rebounds.

UJ forced 20 turnovers and made 10 steals.

The Jimmies shot 39 percent (23-of-59) for the game, 5-of-16 (31.3 percent) from three-point range, and 18-of-22 (81.8 percent) at the free throw line. Dordt finished at 32.8 percent shooting (20-61), 11-of-32 (34.4 percent) on three-pointers, and 7-of-10 (70 percent) from the free throw line.

Karly Gustafson came off the bench to score 17 points, one of three Defenders in double figures.

Jamestown concludes their road trip Saturday at College of Saint Mary (Neb.) with a 2 p.m. start.

Men

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa– (UJ) The University of Jamestown men’s basketball team lost its second straight game Thursday night, falling 87-68 to Dordt University.

Jamestown is now 12-5 overall and 8-4 in the GPAC. Dordt improves to 14-4 overall and 9-4 in the conference.

The Jimmies put four players in double figures, led by Mason Walters (SO/Jamestown, ND) with 18. Allante’ Pickens (SR/Chicago, IL) and Jack Talley (SR/Sioux Falls, SD) came off the bench to score 12 points and 11 points, respectively, and Cole Woodford (FR/Redwood Falls, MN) finished with 11.

UJ led 16-11 after Talley sank a three-pointer with 11:31 left in the first half. The Defenders then responded with a 10-0 run to take a five-point lead of their own at the 8:13 mark.

Dordt kept the lead between three and eight points for the majority of the half, and the Jimmies made it a three-point game after a Pickens three with 2:26 before the break. Six straight by the Defenders were part of a 10-4 run to end the first and give Dordt a 44-35 halftime edge.

A 28-9 run to open the second half broke the game open for Dordt. Bryce Coppock’s free throws closed out the run and put the home team ahead 72-44 with 9:10 remaining.

Will Cordes (FR/Shakopee, MN) knocked down a three-pointer to make it 79-61 Dordt with 4:35 to play, and the Jimmies would get no closer the rest of the way.

Jamestown shot 43.9 percent (29-for-66) from the field, making 9-of-21 three-pointers (42.9 percent), and 1-of-2 free throws (50 percent). Dordt shot 50.8 percent (31-of-61) overall, including 12-of-24 (50 percent) from three-point range, and went 13-of-15 (86.7 percent) at the foul line.

Cade Bleeker scored 18 to lead four Defenders in double figures.

The Jimmies return home to host Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) University next Wednesday at 7 p.m.

NBA-…

—Christian Wood had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-105 in their first game since trading away franchise cornerstone James Harden. Sterling Brown, who took Harden’s spot in the starting lineup, had 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes. Spurs forward Keldon Johnson had a career-high 29 points and Lonnie Walker IV added 16 points while tying a career-high with four 3-pointers. Houston staged a 15-2 run to lead 105-101 with 1:46 left.

—Nikola Jokic scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half to help Denver overcome the blazing shooting of Stephen Curry as the Nuggets beat the Golden State Warriors 114-104. Jokic also had 14 rebounds and 10 assists for his 46th career triple-double. Curry finished with 35 points on 14-of-23 shooting. He hit five 3-pointers to give him 2,545 for his career. Curry is 15 from tying Reggie Miller for second place on the league’s all-time list.

UNDATED (AP) — Shake Milton scored 31 points and Ben Simmons had 10 points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 125-108 win over the Miami Heat. The Sixers swept the two-game home set against a Heat team that continues to play with a depleted roster because of COVID-related issues. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic again sat out for the Heat. Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 22 points, and Gabe Vincent had 21.

—Domantas Sabonis had 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers past the Portland Trail Blazers 111-87. Malcolm Brogdon added 25 points and seven assists for the Pacers, who improved to 4-1 on the road this season and snapped an 11-game losing streak in Portland. The loss was costly: During the third quarter, center Jusuf Nurkic left the court holding his right wrist and the Trail Blazers later announced he had sustained a fracture.

—Chris Boucher had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Kyle Lowry had 16 points and 12 assists, and the Toronto Raptors beat the Charlotte Hornets 111-108. Pascal Siakam (see-A’-kam) added 15 points and seven rebounds as Toronto ended a two-game skid and improved to 3-8. Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 22 points and P.J. Washington had 20 points and 11 rebounds. LaMelo Ball had 14 points and 11 assists as Charlotte played without leading scorer Gordon Heyward, who strained his left hip in Wednesday night’s 104-93 loss to Dallas that ended a four-game winning streak.

NBA-TRAILBLAZERS-NURKIC

Portland’s Nurkic fractures right wrist against Indiana

PORTLAND (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic fractured his right wrist Thursday night during a game against the Indiana Pacers.

Nurkic could be seen holding the wrist after swiping at the ball, before falling on it during the third quarter. At a timeout he went to to the locker room and did not return.

In other NBA news:

—The Celtics expect their weeklong coronavirus break to end Friday when they’re scheduled to host the Orlando Magic. Three of Boston’s games were postponed. In all, eight NBA games since Sunday have been postponed.

—The NBA is considering even more testing if teams can enlist local labs to save time. Teams in all 28 NBA cities have been told to investigate if there is a local lab that can process PCR tests relatively quickly; the extra tests would be conducted on game-day mornings and turn in results no later than one hour before tip-off. The league regimen already includes daily PCR tests for players and coaches, and rapid tests on game days.

T-25 BASKETBALL-PEPPERDINE-GONZAGA

No. 1 Gonzaga beats Pepperdine 95-70, runs win streak to 17

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Corey Kispert had 23 points and eight rebounds as top-ranked and undefeated Gonzaga beat Pepperdine 95-70 for its 17th consecutive victory over the past two seasons.

Drew Timme scored 20, Joel Ayayi 19 and Jalen Suggs 18 for Gonzaga), which has defeated Pepperdine in 40 straight games dating to 2002. That includes 23 straight wins in Spokane. Gonzaga has also won 46 straight home games, the longest streak in the nation. Kessler Edwards scored 14 for Pepperdine, which was playing its first game since Dec. 23 because of COVID-19 protocols.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Villanova returns from 10-day COVID break

UNDATED (AP) — The No. 3 Villanova Wildcats have ended a 10-day break for COVID-related reasons and returned to practice on Thursday.

Coach Jay Wright said he hoped he could field a full roster when the Wildcats play Seton Hall on Tuesday at the Pavilion. Villanova hasn’t played since a Dec. 23 win at Marquette. Wright said he hoped Caleb Daniels and Jermaine Samuels would get cleared in time for next week’s game. The Wildcats are 8-1 overall but just 3-0 in the Big East. The Wildcats need to play the scheduled Big East minimum of 20 games to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

In other virus-related developments:

—The Atlantic 10 Conference is pulling its men’s basketball championship out of Barclays Center in Brooklyn because of concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The new location of the championship, which will be played March 10-14, is under review. This marks the first time since 2004 that the full championship will be contested on a campus. Barclays Center has served as the conference championship home for six years.

—Michigan State is postponing a second straight men’s basketball game due to a COVID-19 outbreak within its basketball program. The school says it will not host Indiana on Sunday as scheduled. The Spartans previously postponed a game at No. 5 Iowa because three players tested positive for the coronavirus.

—Two more Georgetown men’s basketball games — against Providence and Marquette — have been postponed after the Hoyas reported a positive COVID-19 test. Georgetown was supposed to play at Providence on Saturday and host Marquette on Jan. 20. Those will make it three consecutive postponements for Georgetown and five overall this season.

—Georgia State has postponed its third straight game because of COVID-19. The Panthers halted all team activities for a week after multiple positive tests within the program, including athletes, coaches and support staff. That forced the postponement of two games against Sun Belt Conference rival Troy. Georgia State was scheduled to play back-to-back games against Coastal Carolina this weekend, but the Friday contest was called off. The teams are still set to play on Saturday.

—South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin and two other staffers will not travel with the Gamecocks for a game Saturday night at LSU. The school said Martin, assistant coach Chuck Martin and Doug Edwards, who’s in charge of student-athlete development, are staying home because of COVID-19 “health and safety protocols.”

NFL-NEWS

Urban Hire: Meyer returns to sidelines with NFL’s Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Urban Meyer has agreed to become head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He leaves the broadcast booth and returns to the sidelines after a two-year absence that followed a health scare. The 56-year-old Meyer was team owner Shad Khan’s top target. Khan waited nearly a week to get it done. They met last Friday on Khan’s yacht in Miami, again Wednesday and one final time at the facility Thursday.

Meyer has won three college national championships with a staggering winning percentage of more than 85%. Hiring the longtime college coach with three national championships signifies a new direction for a franchise that has lost 105 of 144 games since Khan took over in 2012.

In other NFL news:

—The New York Jets reached an agreement in principle with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (SAH’-luh) to hire him as their head coach. Saleh replaces Adam Gase who was fired on Jan. 3 after going 9-23 in two seasons. The 41-year-old Saleh is recognized as an energetic leader who is well liked by his players and had been the 49ers’ defensive coordinator under Kyle Shanahan since 2017.

—Quarterback Jared Goff will start the Los Angeles Rams’ playoff game at Green Bay on Saturday, and John Wolford will be inactive. Coach Sean McVay announced his decision Thursday ahead of the final workout for the Rams before they travel to face the top-seeded Packers at Lambeau Field. Wolford started the Rams’ last two games, but the second-year pro was injured early in Los Angeles’ 30-20 win at Seattle last Saturday.

—Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is back with his team after having COVID-19. Stefanski returned to the team’s facility Thursday, 10 days after he tested positive with the virus and after he missed Cleveland’s playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. He’ll make his playoff debut Sunday when Browns play the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

—The Pittsburgh Steelers are shaking up their coaching staff. The team announced offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner and assistants Shaun Sarrett and Tom Bradley will not be back following a first-round playoff loss to Cleveland. The decision to not retain Fichtner could impact whether quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returns in 2021. Roethlisberger and Fichtner have a close relationship dating back to 2010.

—The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with Brad Holmes to be their general manager. Holmes led the Rams’ college scouting department for eight years and started his 18-year career with them as a public relations intern in 2003.

—Four stars from Alabama’s national championship team, including Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Mac Jones, are leaving early to enter the NFL draft. Jones, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and defensive lineman Christian Barmore announced their intentions to leave. All are considered potential first-round picks.

CAPITOL BREACH-OLYMPIAN

Olympic swimmer released but ordered to stay away from DC

DENVER (AP) — A five-time Olympic swimming medalist charged with participating in a deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol was released from federal custody Thursday but ordered to stay away from Washington, D.C. until after next week’s inauguration.

Klete Keller, who lives in Colorado, appeared during a brief hearing in Denver federal court following his arrest on charges brought by prosecutors in Washington. At the insistence of prosecutors, Keller cannot travel to Washington before Jan. 21. After that, Keller is allowed to travel to Washington for court appearances and to meet with his lawyers.

Keller was charged Wednesday in federal court in Washington after a video emerged that appeared to show him among those storming the Capitol last week.

DOPING-ROLLINS-MCNEAL

Olympic champion Rollins-McNeal suspended in doping case

MONACO (AP) — Olympic hurdles champion Brianna Rollins-McNeal has been provisionally suspended for a doping rules violation. Rollins-McNeal won gold in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The 29-year-old American was also world champion in 2013.

The Athletics Integrity Unit says it charged Rollins-McNeal with “tampering within the results management process.” It did not specify details of the case.

NHL..

UNDATED (AP) — T.J. Oshie had a goal and two assists in Peter Laviolette’s debut as Washington’s coach and the Capitals opened the season with a 6-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night. Jakub Vrana stripped Eric Staal of the puck in front of Buffalo’s net and scored 46 seconds into the third period to preserve the win after the Capitals were in jeopardy of squandering a 4-1 lead. Vrana’s goal came 26 seconds after defenseman Jake McCabe cut Buffalo’s deficit to 4-3 by roofing a shot from the right point. John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and assist each and Brenden Dillon also scored for the Capitals.

In other ice action:

—Mark Stone scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Robin Lehner made 20 saves and the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 in the season opener for both teams. The Golden Knights improved to 9-2-2 against Anaheim since they entered the league in 2017. Jonathan Marchessault, Tomas Nosek, Max Pacioretty and Alex Tuch also scored for Vegas. Maxime Comtois scored Anaheim’s goals, both in the first 7:58 of the game, marking the fastest two goals by an NHL player to start a season in more than 15 years.

—Kirill Kaprizov scored his first NHL goal with 1:13 remaining in overtime and finished with three points as the Minnesota Wild rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in the season opener for both teams. The 23-year-old Russian scored on a breakaway, putting the puck past Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick. Kaprizov is the third Russian-born player to make his NHL debut with the Wild.

—Patrik Laine scored his second goal of the game in overtime to give the Winnipeg Jets a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night in the opener for both teams. Mark Schiefele and Kyle Connor also scored for the Jets, and Connor Hellebuyck stopped 23 shots. Elias Lindholm, Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau scored for Calgary. Markstrom made 30 saves in his Calgary debut after signing a six-year, $36 million deal in free agency.

—Nino Niederreiter scored early and Petr Mrazek had to make just 14 saves for a shutout, helping the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-0 in the season opener for both teams. Detroit goalie Thomas Greiss stopped 40 shots to give his offensively challenged team a chance for two-plus periods. The Red Wings played for the first time since they lost to Carolina at home on March 10, 2020. Carolina’s layoff was less than half as long because it swept the New York Rangers in the playoffs after the pause before being eliminated by Boston.

—Brad Marchand had a goal and an assist, then scored the only goal in the shootout as the Boston Bruins beat New Jersey 3-2 to spoil Lindy Ruff’s debut as Devils coach. Marchand scored a power-play goal and set up another by Nick Ritchie for the Bruins, who won the Presidents’ Trophy for having the best record in the NHL during the 2019-20 regular season. The teams play again in New Jersey on Saturday afternoon.

—Brock Nelson, Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal scored in the opening period and the New York Islanders beat the New York Rangers 4-0 at Madison Square Garden. Semyon Varlamov stopped 24 shots for his 28th career shutout and third with the Islanders. Defenseman Nick Leddy added two assists. Igor Shesterkin made 29 saves as the Rangers fell in the first of eight games between the rivals.

—Connor McDavid had a hat trick and an assist, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored twice and added an assist and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-2 on Thursday night. Leon Draisaitl, the NHL’s top scorer last season, had four assists to help the Oilers rebound from a 5-3 loss to the Canucks a night earlier in the opener for both teams. Mikko Koskinen made 38 saves for the Oilers. Nate Schmidt and Tyler Motte scored for Vancouver, and Thatcher Demko stopped 41 shots.

—Filip Forsberg scored the tiebreaking goal at 5:48 of the third period to lead the Nashville Predators over the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 in their season opener. Luke Kunin and Calle Jarnkrok also scored for the Predators, who have won 11 of their last 14 home openers. Juuse Saros made 29 saves. Boone Jenner had the goal for Columbus.

NHL-BLACKHAWKS-TOEWS

Blackhawks place Jonathan Toews on long-term injured reserve

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (tayvz) will miss at least 10 games and 24 days after the team placed him on long-term injured reserve Thursday because of an unspecified illness.

The 32-year-old Toews announced prior to the start of training camp last month he was experiencing symptoms that left him feeling “drained and lethargic” and there is no timetable for his return. The veteran center has asked for privacy while he focuses on his health. Toews helped lead the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships from 2010 to 2015.

In other NHL news:

—St. Louis Blues forward Sammy Blais was suspended for two games without pay by the NHL on Thursday for an illegal check to the head of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews. Blais received a minor penalty for elbowing in the first-period incident in the Blues’ 4-1 victory at Colorado on Wednesday night in the opener for both teams. The suspension will cost Blais $25,862. He had six goals and seven assists in 40 games last season.

MLB-NEWS

Knebel agrees to one year deal

UNDATED (AP) — New Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Corey Knebel has agreed to a $5.25 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. The 29-year-old was acquired from Milwaukee on Dec. 2. Knebel was an All-Star in 2017 and a key part of the Brewers’ bullpen during their run to the 2018 NL Championship Series. The right-hander missed the 2019 season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and struggled after returning.

In other MLB news:

—Left-hander Alex Wood has agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants. The 30-year-old Wood can make an additional $3 million in performance bonuses for games in which he gets 10 or more outs. An All-Star in 2017, Wood went 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in two starts and seven relief appearances last year, striking out 15 in 12 2/3 innings.

—Right-handed reliver Mychal Givens and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $4.05 million, one-year contract. Colorado acquired Givens in a deal with Baltimore on Aug. 30. He allowed at least a run in five of 10 appearances for the Rockies. Givens appeared in 12 game for the Orioles before the trade and allowed two runs over 13 innings. Combined, he was 1-1 with a 3.61 ERA with Colorado and Baltimore. He turns 31 on May 13.

— José Martínez and the New York Mets agreed Thursday to a one-year contract that pays $1 million while he is in the major leagues and $225,000 while he’s in the minors. The 32-year-old first baseman and outfielder hit .182 with four doubles, two homers and 10 RBIs last year for the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.

— Left-hander Nik Turley has been traded to the Athletics from the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash, giving Oakland a reliable reliever for late in games after losing closer Liam Hendriks in free agency. Turley went 0-3 with a 4.98 ERA and one save over 25 relief outings — the most by any big-league rookie — spanning 21 2/3 innings for the Pirates in the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season.

—The Philadelphia Phillies and reliever Archie Bradley have agreed on a $6 million, one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The deal is pending Bradley passing a physical. The right-hander was 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA and six saves in 16 games last season with Arizona and Cincinnati. Bradley had a career-best 18 saves in 2019.

PGA-SONY OPEN

Niemann finishes with eagle and shares the lead at Sony Open

HONOLULU (AP) — Joaquin Niemann finished a lot better four days later and on a different Hawaiian island.

Niemann chipped in from 50 feet for eagle on the 18th hole for an 8-under 62. That gave him a share of the lead in the Sony Open with Jason Kokrak (KOHK’-rak) and Peter Malnati. Niemann had to settle for a pair of pars on the par-5 18th hole at Kapalua last week. That led to a playoff loss to Harris English and he stewed about it for two days. Niemann took the positives from the week and put it to good use at Waialae.

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least 21 current or former members of the U.S. military or law enforcement have been identified as being at or near last week’s Capitol riot, with more than a dozen others under investigation. That’s what an Associated Press review of public records and social media found. In many cases, those who stormed the Capitol appeared to employ tactics, body armor and radio headsets that were similar to those of the police they were confronting. Experts have long warned about extremists recruiting people with military and law enforcement training, and they say the Jan. 6 insurrection saw some of their worst fears realized.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is tracking an “extensive amount of concerning online chatter,” including calls for armed protests leading up to next week’s presidential inauguration. That’s according to FBI Director Chris Wray, who participated in a law enforcement and military briefing for Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday. Wray says the FBI remains concerned about the potential for violence at protests and rallies in Washington and in state capitols around the country. But he says it’s a challenge to distinguish between what is aspirational versus what is intentional.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden has unveiled a $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan to end “a crisis of deep human suffering” by speeding up vaccines and pumping out financial help to those struggling with the pandemic’s prolonged economic fallout. Biden said Thursday that the nation faces “a crisis of deep human suffering.” He hopes his multipronged strategy will put the country on the path to recovery by the end of his administration’s first 100 days. The plan includes $1,400 checks for individuals, on top of $600 provided in the last COVID-19 bill. There’s also money for a mass vaccination campaign and a major expansion of local public health efforts.

(AP) Global shares have declined after a worse-than-expected U.S. jobs report and late slide in several Big Tech stocks left major indexes lower on Wall Street. U.S. futures also traded lower after President-elect Joe Biden announced his plans to propose a $1.9 billion package to help along a recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Biden spoke about the plan after Thursday’s close of markets, where the S&P 500 retreated in the last hour of trading to close 0.4% lower. The benchmark index was weighed down by losses in Apple, Microsoft and other huge tech companies. Small-company stocks continued to rally, a sign that investors are feeling more optimistic about the economy. Treasury yields also rose.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — The U.S. government has executed a drug trafficker for a series of slayings in Virginia in 1992, despite his recent COVID-19 infection. Corey Johnson received a lethal injection Thursday at the federal prison complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. He’s the 12th inmate put to death there since President Donald Trump resumed federal executions in July. Attorneys for the 52-year-old Johnson argued the injection would cause excruciating pain due to lung damage from his coronavirus infection last month. Johnson’s execution and Friday’s scheduled execution of Dustin Higgs are the last before next week’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, who opposes the federal death penalty and has pledged to end its use.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — A prosecutor says a retired Air Force officer who was part of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol carried plastic zip-tie handcuffs because he meant “to take hostages.” Retired Lieutenant Colonel Larry Rendall Brock Jr. appeared at a detention hearing in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday. The 53-year-old is charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. A judge said he would release Brock to home confinement. Brock’s attorney says there is no evidence that he did anything violent inside the Capitol.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Federal agents have accused an Arkansas man of beating a police officer with a pole flying a U.S. flag during last week’s riot at the U.S. Capitol. In an arrest affidavit filed Thursday in federal court in Washington, an FBI agent said Peter Francis Stager is shown in video and photographs striking a prone police officer repeatedly with the flagpole. That was after rioters had dragged the officer down stairs on the Capitol’s west side. Confidential informants led agents to Stager, who is charged with interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder.