CSi Weather…

.REST OF TODAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs 20 to 25. East winds around 5 mph shifting to the south in the afternoon.

.TONIGHT….Cloudy. Chance of flurries through the night. Lows 10 to 15. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly cloudy. Chance of flurries in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 20s. Southwest winds around 5 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon.

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

around 5 mph.

.FRIDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. West winds 5 to

10 mph.

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

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

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

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s.

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

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

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 20s.

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

 

Light snow accumulations are possible Thursday and again on

Friday. Snowfall amounts between a dusting to a few tenths are

most likely, but pockets up to one inch and brief reductions in

visibility are possible and may cause minor travel impacts.

 

From the 125th Anniversary Calendar of Jamestown History…

This Day In History, February 26, 1897 – Five feet of snow on the ground.

John McElroy, local weather observer, states that a full five feet of snow is now on the level in this area.

 

Jamestown  (JPD)  Jamestown Police is cautioning the public to be wary of a money extortion scam.

Police Lt. Nick Hardy,  reports that the  dispatch center received a call just after 1-pm Tuesday about a possible kidnapping at the Jamestown Walmart.

Lt. Hardy says, “The male, who was calling from Bismarck, reported his daughter had just been kidnapped and he was on the phone with the abductor. The complainant could hear a female screaming in the background and the abductor was requesting money to get his daughter back.”

After investigating, with assistance from the Bismarck Police Department, it was determined the call was a scam to extort money.

Lt. Hardy adds, “The complainant’s daughter was contacted was determined to be okay and was not the female on the phone screaming. The complainant had a medical emergency and had to be taken to the hospital because of the incident.”

Anyone receiving a call like this, is  asked to report it to local law enforcement.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The public is invited to view a prototype ladder  fire truck that the Jamestown City Fire Department is interested in purchasing, in place of the old truck taken out of service due to equipment malfunctions and replacement costs.

The truck will be at the City Fire Hall on Wednesday February 26, from about 9-a.m. to 11:30-a.m., for public viewing.

Mayor Heinrich said the State of ND has indicated that it will no longer pay the costs for the ladder truck.

At a recent Jamestown City Council Fire Committee meeting, Mayor Heinrich proposed funding options for the $1-millon ladder truck.

Mayor Heinrich proposes the cost to paid from one-third state funds, and the city and local industry cover two-thirds of the cost. He said donations, pledges, payment plans and the like need to extend over a five year period. Once the agreements are reached the city would be able to order the ladder truck.

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther this is the best plan of action, and that it “is doable.”

The committee recommends endorsing the action plan.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Buffalo Mall merchants are sponsoring their Soup Spectacular Cook-off contest to raise funds for the James River Senior Center Home Delivered Meal Program,  Saturday, March, 7 2020 from 11:00am – 1:00pm in the Buffalo Mall common areas.

This is the 14th year for event.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Buffalo Mall Manager, Bev Dawson said, community business leaders and service clubs will enter their favorite soup, or chili.  The entry deadline in March 2.  Entries are free, with community business leaders, or organizations invited to participate.
For a $5.00 donation the public is invited to taste the soup or chili entries and cast their vote for the best soup in Jamestown. Each additional vote is $1.  100% of the proceeds benefit the Home Delivered Meal Program.

Each participant will have a booth to promote their business or organization, and decorating the booth is encouraged.

At 1-p.m., awards will be presented for:

People’s Choice of the Best Soup, as voted on.

Most Money Raised

Best Decorated Booth

Most Unique Soup

 

The last event winners were:

People’s Choice:  Alpha Opportunities

Most Money Raised:  James River Senior Center

Best Decorated Booth:  Jamestown Community Gardens

Most Unique Soup:  Emma Rosie’s Homecookin.

During the March 7 event, The Jamestown Volunteer Center is also having a huge Bake Sale, that also benefits the Home Delivered Meals Program.

James River Community and Senior Center, Office Manager, Rhonda Sahr added, in conjunction with the soup cook-off, the Jamestown Volunteer Center will host a benefit bake sale for the Home Delivered Meal Program.
Entertainment will be provided by R & C School of Rock.

She said for the Soup Spectacular Cook-off a special one way ride ticket to the Buffalo Mall will be offered for $1.50, through James River Transit.

Rhonda pointed out that last year, 16,904 meals were delivered, about 70 meals per day, seven days a week.  Those wishing to be a Volunteer Driver are encouraged to contact the James River Senior and Community Center.

She added that the Center has a café available Tuesday through Friday from 8-a.m., to 4:30-p.m., offering light meals to eat there or take out, including the newest item of Subs.  The cost varies depending on what is ordered off the menu.

Coming up on April 24 this year, is the Center’s Spring Fling, featuring crafters and vendors, and more are welcome to participate.

Several raffle items will be drawn for, including a Carson Wentz autographed jersey.

A raffle ticket is $20 each, with proceeds also going to the Home Delivered Meals Program.

There will also be door prizes given away, with addition prizes accepted by calling the Center.

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Parks and Recreation announces that the warming houses at Meidinger, McElroy and Leapaldt parks outdoor ice rinks will be closed for the season.

The announcement says the ice is in very poor condition.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (Bismarck Tribune) — A Bismarck man has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually assaulting an infant. Thirty-three-year-old Andrew Glasser entered an Alford plea this week to sexual assault. The plea means Glasser does not admit guilt, but agrees there’s enough evidence for a conviction. Prosecutors say the baby had injuries related to sexual assault, rib fractures and leg injuries. The Bismarck Tribune reports Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer says Glasser’s cellphone had been purposely reset to hide evidence and that a forensic search of his computers showed he downloaded child pornography.

 

MANDAN, N.D. (AP) — A settlement has been reached in a legal battle over a Western-themed mural on the outside of a bar in Mandan. The owners of the Lonesome Dove filed a federal lawsuit last year after the city ordered the mural removed. One of the bar’s owners told KFGO Radio he “wasn’t going to lay down because they told me to” and that “They picked on the wrong guy.” A federal judge approved the settlement Monday. The Lonesome Dove was represented by the Institute for Justice, an Arlington, Virginia law firm that specializes in First Amendment issues. The city approved an ordinance in December, allowing the Lonesome Dove to keep its mural but holding new murals in the city to different standards.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — State officials say a roofing company has been banned from doing business in North Dakota. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said he has issued a cease and desist order against McKenna’s Roofing and its owner Joshua McKenna. McKenna lists addresses in Brampton, North Dakota, and Long Prairie, Minnesota. A state investigation started in August showed that McKenna had taken an advance payment of over $5,000 for a roofing job and the homeowner spent the next year trying to get McKenna to do the work or provide a refund, without success. Officials say McKenna’s contractor’s license had already expired when he took the money.

BISMARK, N.D. (CSi) – Five candidates have accepted invitations to visit Bismarck State College to interview for the position of president. Candidates will visit the campus March 2-5. Additional information about each candidate and a schedule of campus and community open forums with the candidates will be released later this week.

The candidates are:

Dr. Clark Harr is Special Assistant to the President

Laramie County Community College

Dr. Douglas Jensen

President and CEO

Rock Valley

College

Dr. Philip Klein

Dean of Health and Public Safety

South Piedmont Community College

Dr. Joan Poor

Executive Director

Slack Farms Foundation, Inc.

Dr. Richard Sax

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Rio Grande & Rio Grande Community College

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education will name BSC’s next president at their March 26 meeting.

A total of 41 applications were submitted for the position. The BSC Presidential Search Committee interviewed 12 candidates last week, narrowing down the field to the top five. Current President Larry C. Skogen will retire on June 30, 2020.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A program aimed at streamlining required oilfield safety training in North Dakota has drawn thousands of people, but some say the training is redundant. More than 16,000 people have participated in the One Basin-One Way program, which aims to combine separate oilfield safety topics into a one program. Alma Cook, owner of Williston-based Cook Compliance Solutions, said missing work to complete duplicative training is problematic because it consumes contractors’ time and money. Steve Braden, chairman of the North Dakota Petroleum Council’s One Basin-One Way Committee, tells The Bismarck Tribune his group is trying to consolidate the training.

In sports…

Tuesday High School Basketball

GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=

Mandan 74, Jamestown 66

Blue Jays play Dickinson Friday 7-p.m. at JHS in the West Region tournament.

 

Bismarck Century 70, Minot 52

Bismarck High 53, Bismarck Legacy 37

Bismarck St. Mary’s 63, Dickinson 55

Devils Lake 63, Fargo North 31

Grand Forks Red River 48, Wahpeton 36

Sheyenne 79, Fargo South 54

West Fargo 59, Grand Forks Central 35

Williston 55, Watford City 52

 

Class B Region 3=

Semifinal=

Kidder County 49, Carrington 44

LaMoure-Litchville-Marion 53, Medina-Pingree-Buchanan 41

Thursday..

3rd Place Game

6-p.m. Medina-Pingree/Buchanan vs Carrington

Championship Game

20 minutes after 3rd place game

LaMoure-Litchville/Marion vs Kidder County

 

Class B Region 1=

Semifinal=

Central Cass 62, Northern Cass 32

Kindred 75, Richland 60

 

Class B Region 2=

Semifinal=

Grafton 78, Cavalier 41

Thompson 57, Midway-Minto 42

 

 

Class B Region 4=

Semifinal=

Four Winds/Minnewaukan 59, Dunseith 53

Langdon-Edmore-Munich 83, St. John 21

Class B Region 5=

Semifinal=

Flasher 61, Center-Stanton 34

Shiloh Christian 60, Underwood 43

Class B Region 6=

Semifinal=

Rugby 55, Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood 41

Velva 39, Our Redeemer’s 36

Class B Region 7=

Semifinal=

Beach 35, Dickinson Trinity 29

Hettinger/Scranton 57, Beulah 45

Class B Region 8=

Semifinal=

Kenmare 44, Mandaree 41

Trenton 61, Parshall 46

 

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=

Jamestown 75, Mandan 72

West Region Tournament

Blue Jays play March 5 at 3-p.m. at the Bismarck Event Center, in the quarter finals of the West Region Tournament as the number one seed, vs winner of the 8/9 game Friday.  The Jays finish the season with an 18-3 overall recored, and 17-3 in the West.

Fargo Shanley 72, Valley City 44

 

Devils Lake 67, Fargo North 49

Dickinson 74, Bismarck St. Mary’s 63

Grand Forks Red River 61, Wahpeton 45

Griggs County Central 55, Barnes County North 52

Minot 61, Bismarck Century 48

Sheyenne 105, Fargo South 50

Watford City 62, Williston 54

West Fargo 79, Grand Forks Central 72

 

LA CROSSE, WIS.  (VCSU) – The Valley City State men’s basketball team was unable to keep up with the hot-shooting Viterbo V-Hawks Tuesday night as the Vikings’ season came to an end during the North Star Athletic Association Postseason Tournament quarterfinal round.

The No. 6-seeded Vikings lost their quarterfinal game at No. 3 seed Viterbo University, 90-69. The Vikings shot 56 percent on the road, but were unable to overcome even better shooting by Viterbo as the V-Hawks made 64 percent from the field and 58 percent from 3-point range Tuesday night.

Valley City State ends the season with a 9-20 overall record. Viterbo (15-13) advances to the NSAA Final Four this weekend in Watertown, S.D.

The Vikings scored on three of their first four possessions to hold an early 7-6 lead. Viterbo scored the next nine points to take the lead for good at 15-7 early in the game. The Vikings trailed by as many as 12 in the first half, 31-19, before putting together a 14-4 run. Five different Vikings scored during the stretch, including 3-pointers by Chris Thompson and Denzel Kennedy. Thompson’s 3-pointer from the right wing pulled the Vikings to within 35-33 with 2:12 left in the half. Viterbo responded with two big 3-pointers to end the half, taking a 41-33 lead into the locker room.

VCSU scored the first five points of the second half on baskets by Austin Lee and Kevin Schramm, closing to within 41-38. Viterbo then took control for good with a quick 14-2 run, taking a 55-40 lead with 15:06 to go. The Vikings could get no closer than 13 points the rest of the way.

Schramm led the Viking offense with 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting. Chris Thompson made three 3’s and totaled 16 points and five assists for VCSU. Logan Nelson and Connor Entzi each had eight points, and Austin Lee made two 3’s to finish with six points.

The Vikings shot 56 percent overall (27-48), 47 percent on 3’s (8-17) and went 7-for-12 on free throws. Viterbo shot even better though, finishing the game at 64 percent from the field (36-56), 58 percent from 3-point range (11-19) and 7-for-9 on free throws.

Noah Fredrickson totaled a game-high 21 points for the V-Hawks, while Jack Monis had a big game with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Both teams committed 12 turnovers. Helped by their hot shooting, the V-Hawks held a 31-15 rebounding advantage, including an 8-1 edge in offensive rebounds.

Viterbo moves on to play No. 2 seed Mayville State in the tournament semifinals Saturday in Watertown.

 

NBA….

Bucks down Raptors for 50th win

UNDATED (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are the NBA’s first team to 50 victories this season after cooling off the Raptors in Toronto.

The Raptors had won 17 of 18 before the Bucks dominated the third quarter of a 108-97 victory against the Atlantic Division leaders. Giannis Antetokounmpo (YAH’-nihs an-teh-toh-KOON’-poh) provided 19 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists for Milwaukee, which trailed by two before outscoring Toronto, 34-19 in the third period.

Khris Middleton finished with a team-high 22 points as the Bucks moved to 50-8.

Pascal Siakam (see-A’-kam) had 22 points for the Raptors.

Checking out Tuesday’s other NBA action:

— LeBron James pumped in 40 points and Anthony Davis had a double-double as the duo led the Lakers to their sixth consecutive win, 118-109 against the Pelicans. Los Angeles improved to a Western Conference-leading 44-12 despite New Orleans rookie forward Zion Williamson, who reached the 20-point plateau for the ninth straight game. Williamson finished with 29 points and Brandon Ingram had a team-high 34 for the Pelicans.

— Jerami Grant scored a career-high 29 points on 12 of 16 shooting as the Nuggets whipped the Pistons, 115-98. Nikola Jokic (nih-KOH’-lah YOH’-kihch) furnished 16 points and a season-best four steals for the Nuggets, whose 40-18 record matches their best 58-game as an NBA franchise.

— Jayson Tatum nailed a career-high eight 3-pointers and scored 26 of his 36 points in the second half of the Celtics’ 118-106 victory at Portland. Jaylen Brown added 24 points in Boston’s 13th victory in 16 games.

— Domantas Sabonis (doh-MAHN’-tahs sah-BOH’-nihs) contributed 21 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists to highlight the Pacers’ 119-80 thrashing of the Hornets. T.J. Warren scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half and Justin Holiday had 16 points as the short-handed Pacers won for the third time in four games.

— Dennis Schroder (SHROO’-dur) scored 21 points and made a huge defensive play in the fourth quarter to help the Thunder secure their fourth straight win, 124-122 at Chicago. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 21 points and 11 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which blew a 24-point lead before setting a team record with its ninth straight road win.

— Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox each had 21 points and Buddy Hield (heeld) added 19 off the bench as the Kings defeated the Warriors, 112-94. Sacramento has won three straight and nine of 13 after sending the Golden State to its seventh consecutive loss.

NBA-NEWS

Curry eyes Sunday return…Simmons out at least 2 weeks

UNDATED (AP) — Stephen Curry is aiming to return to the Warriors lineup on Sunday for the first time since breaking his left hand in October.

Coach Steve Kerr says the hope is that Curry will be able to play against Washington. The two-time NBA MVP has been practicing in recent weeks and will be re-evaluated on Saturday before a final decision is made.

In other NBA news:

— 76ers guard Ben Simmons will miss at least two more weeks with nerve issues in his lower back. The All-Star played just a few minutes in Saturday’s loss to Milwaukee before leaving with the back injury.

— Grizzlies rookie forward Brandon Clarke hurt his right quadriceps and will be re-valuated in two weeks. Clarke left Monday night’s 124-97 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after playing only three minutes with what was called hip soreness.

T25 MEN’S BASKETBALL

 

UNDATED (AP) —  Immanuel Quickley had career highs of eight 3-pointers and 30 points in leading eighth-ranked Kentucky to its seventh straight win, 69-60, over Texas A&M. Quickley is the first Wildcat with consecutive games of at least 25 points since Malik Monk in 2017.

— Cassius Winston scored 19 of his 20 points in the second half and Rocket Watts matched a career high with 21 in helping 24th-rated Michigan State rally to beat No. 18 Iowa. The Spartans are second in the Big Ten at 11-6, 1 ½ games behind Maryland.

— Oklahoma earned a 65-51 win over No. 22 Texas Tech behind Kristian Doolittle’s 19 points and eight rebounds. Brady Manek had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Sooners.

Seventh-ranked Duke is suddenly struggling to beat in-state opponents.

Brandon Childress buried a go-ahead, 3-pointer on the first possession of double-overtime as Wake Forest surprised the Blue Devils, 113-101. Childress missed his first 10 shots before hitting the tying 3 with 15.5 seconds left in regulation. He finished with 17 points, five rebounds and five assists as the Demon Deacons defeated the Blue Devils for the first time since March 2014.

Freshman Wendell Moore Jr. had a season-high 25 points for the Blue Devils, who absorbed a 22-point loss at North Carolina State last week.

In other top-25 action:

— Matthew Mayer delivered 19 points and second-ranked Baylor bounced back from Saturday’s loss to Kansas by thumping Kansas State, 85-66. Jared Butler finished with 16 points and Davion Mitchell chipped in 14 as the Bears improved to 14-1 in the Big 12 and 25-2 overall.

— San Diego State barely avoided its second straight loss since a 26-0 start by getting past Colorado State, 66-60. Malachi Flynn finished with 17 points and Matt Mitchell had 15 for San Diego State.

— Dayton clinched a share of the Atlantic 10 regular-season crown as Obi Toppin (OH’-bee TAH’-pihn) had 19 points and seven rebounds to carry the fourth-ranked Flyers past George Mason, 66-55. Jalen Crutcher had 13 points to help the Flyers extend the country’s longest current winning streak to 17 games.

— Austin Wiley had 15 points and 11 rebounds as No. 15 Auburn held off Mississippi, 67-58. The Tigers improved to 11-4 in the SEC and benefited from the return of Isaac Okoro, who scored 10 points in 27 minutes after missing the previous three games with a hamstring injury.

 

NHL..

 

UNDATED (AP) — — Mikko Koivu (MEE’-koh KOY-voo) ended a 30-game goal drought by scoring twice in the Wild’s 5-4 verdict over the Blue Jackets. Eric Staal added his 18th goal and Alex Stalock (STAY’-lahk) made 24 saves as Minnesota won for the third time in five games under interim coach Dean Evason (EH’-vah-suhn).

— The Blues posted their fifth straight win as Zach Sanford had two goals and an assist in a 6-5 decision over the Blackhawks. St. Louis scored four times in the third period, with Sanford providing the game-winner on a power play with 6:25 remaining.

 

The Boston Bruins continue to lead the NHL’s Atlantic Division by five points over Tampa Bay following losses by both teams.

Sean Monahan scored twice in a 72-second span of the second period to spark the Flames’ 5-2 victory at Boston. Matthew Tkachuk (kah-CHUHK’) had a goal and two assists for Calgary, which led just 3-2 until Mikael Backlund tallied twice in the final 90 seconds.

Brad Marchand scored a short-handed goal for the Bruins, who have dropped consecutive games for the first time since a four-game skid in early December.

In Toronto, John Tavares scored twice and William Nylander (NEE’-lan-dur) notched his 28th goal of the season as the Maple Leafs topped the Lightning, 4-3. Jake Muzzin (MUH’-zihn) also tallied for the Leafs, who ended Tampa Bay’s 11-game home winning streak.

The Lightning suffered their season-high, third straight regulation loss despite Nikita Kucherov’s (KOO’-cheh-rahvz) 30th goal of the season.

 

 

— Alex Ovechkin (oh-VEHCH’-kihn) scored his 701st goal before providing the shootout winner as the Capitals nipped the Jets, 4-3 to take a four-point lead over Pittsburgh in the Metropolitan Division. Goals by Jakub Vrana (vah-RAH’-nah) and Garnet Hathaway helped the Caps take a 3-0 lead before Nikolaj Ehlers (NIH’-koh-ly EE’-lurz) provided a goal and an assist to rally Winnipeg.

— Roope (ROO’-peh) Hintz collected a season-high three points on a goal and two assists as the Stars knocked off the Hurricanes, 4-1. Anton Khudobin (koo-DOH’-bihn) stopped 40 shots for Dallas, which won for the seventh time in nine games despite being outshot 41-16.

— The Flyers won their fourth in a row as Kevin Hayes scored twice in their 4-2 decision over the Sharks. Travis Konecny (kah-NEHK’-nee) and Nicolas Aube-Kubel provided the other goals to support Carter Hart, who stopped 26 shots and improved to 13-1 over his last 14 home starts.

— The Rangers coughed up a 3-1 lead in the last 5 ½ minutes of regulation before Mika Zibanejad (MEE’-kuh zih-BAN’-eh-jad) tallied 28 seconds into overtime to send the Blueshirts to their fourth win in a row, 4-3 over the Islanders. Artemi Panarin (ahr-THE’-mee pah-NAH’-rihn) netted his 32nd goal of the season before feeding Zibanejad for the winner.

— Sonny Milano made a big splash in his first game for the Ducks by scoring twice, including the game-winner in a 4-3 overtime decision over the Oilers. Milano spoiled the Edmonton debuts of forwards Tyler Ennis and Andreas Athanasiou (ath-ah-nah-SEE’-oo), who collected a goal and an assist apiece.

— The Canucks celebrated a 4-3 win at Montreal after Tyler Toffoli (tah-FOH’-lee) scored 1:35 into overtime. Bo Horvat, Alexander Edler, and Jake Virtanen (vur-TAN’-ehn) also scored as Vancouver won for the fourth time in six games since a four-game slide.

— Sergei Bobrovsky (boh-BROHV’-skee) turned back 36 shots and Mike Hoffman scored for the third straight game as the Panthers got past the Coyotes, 2-1. Arizona goaltender Darcy Kuemper (KEHM’-pur) was solid in his return after missing 28 games with a lower-body injury, stopping 23 shots.

— Ryan Ellis and Viktor Arvidsson each scored power-play goals in the second period to push the Predators past the Senators, 3-2. Ellis tied it and set up Arvidsson’s go-ahead tally in Nashville’s second straight win.

 

— Nikita Gusev (GOO’-sehv) had a goal and an assist as the Devils downed the Red Wings, 4-1. Corey Schneider played for the first time in over a month and stopped 27 shots for the first victory in 12 games since last March 25.

NHL-OILERS-YAMAMOTO

Oilers lose winger

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Edmonton Oilers winger Kailer Yamamoto (KAY’-lur yah-mah-MOH’-toh) is listed as week to week with an ankle injury suffered in Sunday’s win over the Kings.

Yamamoto has been a huge surprise for the Oilers since being recalled from Bakersfield of the AHL, providing nine goals and 21 points in 21 games. The 22nd player taken in the 2017 draft scored eight goals and eight assists in 23 games for Bakersfield.

MLB-YANKEES-SEVERINO

Severino will miss 2020 season

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) — The New York Yankees’ starting rotation has taken another hit.

The reigning AL East champs say Luis Severino will undergo Tommy John surgery that will keep him on the shelf until 2021. Severino served as the Yankees’ ace in 2018 while going 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 191 1/3 innings. But he made just three starts last year while battling shoulder problems after signing a four-year, $40 million contract.

The Yankees also open the season without starters James Paxton and Domingo Germán. Paxton will miss the first two months of the season following back surgery. Germán has been suspended for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.

Gerrit Cole, Masahiro (mah-sah-HEE’-roh tah-NAH’-kah) and J.A. Happ are the only hurlers penciled into the season-opening rotation.

NFL-NEWS

Lions release Harrison

UNDATED (AP) — The Detroit Lions have released defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison.

The Lions announced the move Tuesday, less than a year after signing him to an $11 million, one-year contract extension. Harrison went into the 2019 season with two years left on the $46 million contract he signed with the New York Giants.

Harrison started in 15 games last season, but had a career-low 49 tackles and two sacks for the three-win Lions. Detroit acquired Harrison from the Giants in the middle of the 2018 season for a fifth-round draft pick. The 31-year-old Harrison was a 2016 All-Pro selection.

Also around the NFL:

— The Colts say longtime left tackle Anthony Castonzo is expected to return next season after contemplating retirement for more than a month. Castonzo has been the anchor of the Colts line since he was a first-round pick in 2011. He made his first Pro Bowl last season and can become a free agent in March.

— The league negotiating committee met with players union representatives for about four hours at Indianapolis without commenting on progress in negotiations. They got together to hash out their differences in a new labor agreement that was approved last week by owners and was rejected by the union.

— The NFL’s video review system for pass interference calls could be scrapped after one season. An offseason survey by the competition committee shows strong opposition to the system installed last year. The biggest complaint is that subjectivity has been added to the equation, which many owners believe has handcuffed officials.

— The Pro Football Hall of Fame will hold two induction ceremonies this year. The five modern-day players, plus the two coaches and three contributors elected separately as part of the NFL’s centennial celebration, will go into the Canton shrine on Aug. 8. Ten senior players also chosen by a special committee as part of the centennial, will be inducted on Sept. 18, the day after the actual 100th anniversary of the league.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL-OHIO STATE-DAY

Buckeyes reward football coach

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State football coach Ryan Day has received a three-year contract extension and a raise after leading the Buckeyes to a 13-1 record and a berth in the CFP semifinals in his first season at the helm.

Day made a base salary of $4.5 million plus bonuses in 2019. His pay will increase to $7.6 million by 2022, with the remainder of his deal to be decided later. The contract runs through 2026.

Day wasn’t even in the top 20 of the country’s highest paid football coaches last year.

TOKYO-VIRUS OUTBREAK

Tokyo organizers, IOC going ahead as planned with Olympics

TOKYO (AP) — A spokesman for the Japanese government says the International Olympic Committee and local organizers are going ahead as planned with the Tokyo Olympics despite the threat of the spreading coronavirus.

The comments from spokesman Yoshihide Suga follow the assertion by former IOC vice-president Dick Pound that organizers face a three-month window to decide the fate of the games.

The Olympics are set to open on July 24 with 11,000 athletes. The Paralympics open Aug. 25 with 4,400.

Pound told the Associated Press that the fast-spreading virus could cancel the Olympics. Suga says Pound’s opinion does not reflect the official view of the IOC, which has repeatedly said there are no plans to cancel or postpone the Tokyo Games.

In world and national news…

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Democratic foes have unleashed a torrent of attacks on presidential front-runner Bernie Sanders on the debate stage in Charleston, South Carolina. Just four days before South Carolina’s primary, the Tuesday night debate could be their final prime-time opportunity to change the direction of the 2020 nomination fight. Billionaire Mike Bloomberg took some shots, too, and the moderates in the middle strained to be the one survivor who might stick with Sanders through the spring. Sanders was undismayed by the new attention, negative though it was. Now that he’s the front-runner, he mused, “I’m hearing my name mentioned a little bit tonight.”

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Crews are scrubbing everything from money to buses and quarantines are in effect in places from a beachfront resort in the Atlantic to an uninhabited island in the Pacific as the fight against the new virus continues. Worries over the economic fallout from the disease are multiplying. Amid fears of mass gatherings where germs could easily spread, some are even questioning the fate of the Olympics, due to open in Tokyo in five months. A growing list of countries have cases of the virus, which has sickened about 81,000 people around the globe.

 

CLINTON, S.C. (AP) — Parents of a 7-year-old South Carolina girl say she died one minute into a surgery to have her tonsils removed. WHNS-TV reports Paisley Cogsdill died Friday at a medical center in Greenwood. Family members of the girl from Clinton say she snored in her sleep but was otherwise healthy prior to the operation. The girl’s heart stopped and doctors were unable to revive her. An autopsy is expected to determine the official cause of death. A visitation for the girl is planned for Wednesday with a celebration of life service on Thursday.

 

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt has held a full-honors military funeral for former autocratic President Hosni Mubarak, who was ousted from power in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. The 91-year-old Mubarak died on Tuesday at a Cairo military hospital from heart and kidney complications. That’s according to medical documents obtained by The Associated Press. He ruled the most populous Arab country for nearly three decades, serving as a loyal U.S. ally against Islamic militancy and assisting regional peace efforts. But his autocratic rule grew increasingly unpopular in his later years, and he was forced to resign on Feb. 11, 2011, after 18 days of mass protests.

 

NEW DELHI (AP) — A bus carrying members of a wedding party has plunged into a river in western India, killing 25 people. A police official says the driver lost control of the bus after one of its tires burst as it was traveling on a highway. The official says five people survived the accident, which occurred in Rajasthan state. Deadly bus accidents are common in India. Around 150,000 people die every year on India’s roads, often because of reckless driving, badly maintained roads and vehicles overcrowded with passengers.

 

PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix City Council members have voted 5-4 to approve a citizen review board with the power to investigate police after a raucous meeting that stretched over five hours into the evening. The council has been examining different proposals for policing the police after the Phoenix had more officer-involved shootings in 2018 than any other U.S. department. The proposals also came after the uproar over a videotaped encounter between officers and a black family whose young daughter took a doll from a dollar store. The Tuesday vote came after dozens of mostly Hispanic and African American community members spoke for a citizen review board with investigative powers.