Machado leads 11-HR Mexico City slugfest, Padres top Giants

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Machado leads 11-HR Mexico City slugfest, Padres top Giants MEXICO CITY (AP) — Manny Machado put San Diego ahead in the seventh inning with his second homer and the 11th of the night, and the San Diego Padres outslugged the San Francisco Giants 16-11 Saturday night in Major League Baseball’s first game in Mexico City.Nelson Cruz, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis and Xander Bogaerts also went deep for the Padres, who outhomered the Giants 6-5 and outhit them 17-13 in the thin air of Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, which opened in 2019. At 7,349 feet above sea level, this two-game series is the highest elevation for big league games. MLB’s previous regular-season trips to Mexico were for games in Monterrey.San Francisco’s Brandon Crawford, Lamonte Wade Jr. and Mitch Haniger homered off Joe Musgrove. Blake Sabol hit a two-run homer in the seventh against Steven Wilson that tied the score 10-10, and David Villar homered five pitches later.That lead didn’t last long against the Padres, who were the home team and scored in seven of eight innings in which they...

Maple Leafs end 19-year first round playoff drought with OT win over Tampa

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Maple Leafs end 19-year first round playoff drought with OT win over Tampa The Toronto Maple Leafs exorcised two decades’ worth of playoff demons, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in overtime Saturday night to win their opening round NHL playoff series in six games. John Tavares scored the game-winner at 4:36 of overtime to send Toronto into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The Leafs captain threw a puck in front on the winning sequence that went in off Lightning defenceman Darren Raddysh’s skate and in to send Toronto players spilling off the bench.Auston Matthews opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs with his fifth of the postseason almost 14 minutes into the second period. That lead stood until early in third when Steven Stamkos notched the tying goal."We're still a long way from where we wanna go."Auston Matthews talks with @SNkylebukauskas after the Maple Leafs break the pattern as they advance to the Second Round for the first time since 2004. pic.twitter.com/HmfLaRNKel— Sportsnet (...

Known for laughs, DC dinner spotlights risks of journalism

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Known for laughs, DC dinner spotlights risks of journalism WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner — known for its fun albeit ferocious jabs at Washington — took a more solemn tone this year as what many see as the brazen attack on press freedom across the globe was on painful display.Upon arriving at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden met privately with the parents of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been imprisoned in Russia since March. He was charged with spying, despite strong denials from his employer and the U.S. government. Some guests wore buttons with “Free Evan” printed on them.Also among the 2,600 people attending the gala is Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, who has not been heard from since disappearing at a checkpoint in Syria in 2012. U.S. officials say they operate under the assumption that he is alive and are working to try to bring him home.“They are among hundreds of journalists around the world who are wrongfully ...

The Chicago Bears' 2023 NFL Draft Class

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

The Chicago Bears' 2023 NFL Draft Class KANSAS CITY — With the conclusion of the NFL Draft in Kansas City Saturday, here is a quick recap of the Chicago Bears' 10-player haul they took home in this year's NFL draft.1. Darnell Wright - OT/Tennessee - Rd. 1, Pick 10FILE - Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) plays against Ball State during an NCAA football game Sept. 1, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. The Chicago Bears selected Wright with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday, April 27, 2023. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)Even after the Bears shipped off the no. 1 overall pick to Carolina for a trove of selections and wide receiver D.J. Moore, there was still widespread ideations being made on what need Chicago would address with their top draft pick.Would it be a pass rusher? A defensive tackle? Perhaps an offensive tackle? Another wide receiver? A corner? Every single one of those position groups needed to be addressed after an abysmal 3-win season a year ago, and as fate would have it, the Bears decided it ...

Williamson County enters cooperation agreement with Korean trade-investment agency

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Williamson County enters cooperation agreement with Korean trade-investment agency WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell signed a mutual cooperation agreement with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Thursday at the grand opening of its Global Partnering Center in Austin.Gravell said KOTRA is like a 'department of commerce' for South Korea, the partnership aims to make it easier for foreign business to build operations in the county and Central Texas.“In visiting with them, we realize there are many businesses that need to set up local offices. They [the center] help them [the company] to onboard to their workplace there at WeWork in Austin, and then we help them on board with a permanent location here in Williamson County," Gravell said.The agreement comes a week after Williamson County leaders returned from a visit to South Korea with KOTRA leaders. Many of the businesses poised to move to Williamson County, Gravell said, will likely be support businesses for the Samsung Semiconductor Plant under construction in T...

Rebuilding Together St. Louis: Free home repairs for those in need

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Rebuilding Together St. Louis: Free home repairs for those in need ST. LOUIS -- More than 300 volunteers with "Rebuilding Together St. Louis" will rehab 19 homes for people who need it most. For 30 years, the non-profit has provided free home repairs to veterans, people with disabilities, and low-income homeowners. Repairs include ramps, grab bars, plumbing, and electrical issues. For the first time in over a decade, the volunteer group includes a team of renovators composed entirely of women.

Celebration of life for Alexa Bartell, killed by rock thrown through windshield, draws hundreds to Arvada church

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Celebration of life for Alexa Bartell, killed by rock thrown through windshield, draws hundreds to Arvada church On a beautiful, sun-filled afternoon, more than 500 people gathered in an Arvada church to celebrate the life of Alexa Bartell, who died at age 20 when a stone was hurled through the windshield of her car.People hugged and wept outside the Storyline Church before the service, and others did the same inside, crossing aisles to embrace and pause. A table in the church lobby was filled with framed photographs of Alexa, smiling in most. Photos included images of Alexa playfully flashing a peace sign; she often wore baseball caps, sometimes with the bill facing back. Dozens of colorful floral bouquets were inside the lobby and the church. Friends left written messages that were displayed.The Rev. JT English, lead pastor, welcomed the gathering, which included many young adults — friends and former classmates of Alexa’s. English said people shouldn’t suppress or deny emotions they’re feeling, including anger and grief, and that it would also be acceptable to laugh ...

Masseuse accused of sexually assaulting patient at Riverside clinic

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Masseuse accused of sexually assaulting patient at Riverside clinic A masseuse was arrested and accused of sexually assaulting a patient at a Riverside clinic. Police are now searching for additional victims.The suspect was identified as 67-year-old Jungsik Mo from Anaheim Hills by the Riverside Police Department.Mo works as a masseuse at the Healing Tree Acupuncture & Wellness Center located on the 3900 block of Jackson Street. Detectives investigated a sexual assault that reportedly took place at the clinic which is also owned by Mo’s wife, police said.On April 24, Mo was taken into custody in Riverside and later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for sexual assault violations. He was released on $75,000 bail.Authorities discovered Mo did not have a valid license to operate as a masseuse. The couple also owns another location in Fullerton called Haim Healing Center.Detectives believe there may be additional victims who sought treatment at the Riverside center, but have not yet come forward. Elderly couple injured in violent Bel ...

Five more Bay Area MS-13 members sentenced in massive RICO case

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Five more Bay Area MS-13 members sentenced in massive RICO case SAN FRANCISCO — Five more members of a Bay Area-based subset of the MS-13 gang have been sentenced to lengthy federal prison terms as part of a 20-defendant racketeering case charging the gang with murders, drug dealer shakedowns, robberies, and other violence.Each of the five defendants received either 17 or 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to racketeering and various levels of violence to benefit the San Francisco-based 20th Street Clique of MS-13. The sentences were all handed down by U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg.Rogelio “Smiley” Belloso-Aleman, 29, Abner “Coche” Alegria, 42, Kevin “Nesio” Campos, 33, all received 17-year prison terms, while Edwin “Muerte” Alvarado-Amaya, 25, Kevin “Nesio” Campos, 33, and Kevin “Neutron” Reyes-Melendez, 30, both were sentenced to 25 years behind bars, court records show. Now only seven of the original 20 defendants’ charges remain unresolved...

Mexico City baseball an explosion of colors and home runs for Giants, Padres

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:13:59 GMT

Mexico City baseball an explosion of colors and home runs for Giants, Padres MEXICO CITY — With the colorful luchador masks dotting the sold-out stands, the vendors hawking cervezas and the mariachi band that serenaded a captivated crowd between the second and third innings, there was no mistaking where the San Francisco Giants were playing baseball Saturday afternoon.“You can see anything from cowboy hats to gorilla outfits to big blowup heads that guys are wearing, little maraca-type noisemakers, there’s all these things that you can find, especially out here in Mexico,” said Sergio Romo, the former Giants closer of Mexican heritage serving as a crowd-favorite ambassador on this trip (who was swarmed by fans at every turn and estimated he signed about “two hours worth” of autographs).With the Giants the designated visiting team — and 16-11 losers in a home run marathon against the San Diego Padres — there was also no mistaking the rooting preferences of at least three-quarters of the fans, giving loud cheers for the Padr...