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SEC suspends Florida’s George, Mazzccua and Zanders along with Tennessee’s Norman-Lott for fight

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Southeastern Conference suspended three Florida players and one Tennessee player for their roles in a fight that started on what was supposed to be the last play of their game Saturday night.The half-game punishments were doled out Monday after video review and consultation between the league office and both universities.No. 25 Florida will be without right tackle Damieon George, guard Micah Mazzccua and tight end Dante Zanders on Saturday for the first half against Charlotte in Gainesville. Defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott will miss the first half of No. 23 Tennessee’s game against UTSA on Saturday in Knoxville.The fight started when Florida quarterback Graham Mertz was slow to take a knee on a fourth-and-16 play with 9 seconds remaining in the Gators’ 29-16 victory in the Swamp. Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas bumped into Mertz as he finally took a knee, and Florida left tackle Austin Barber took exception.Benches cleared, and T...

Red Sox rookie 1B Triston Casas not expected to play again this season because of shoulder injury

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Boston Red Sox rookie first baseman Triston Casas isn’t expected to play again this season because of right shoulder inflammation. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Casas was seeing a doctor, and they were looking at an MRI. But even before knowing those results, Cora said it was unlikely the first baseman would get back in the lineup. Casas was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday. Boston, last in the AL East, had only 11 games remaining after the series opener at Texas on Monday night. “To ramp up again … it doesn’t make any sense. That’s where we’re at,” Cora said. “For this season, it doesn’t make sense to get him back here.”Casas hit .263 with 24 home runs and 65 RBIs in 132 games. He ranked first among AL rookies in walks and second in homers. He batted .317 with 15 home runs in 54 games after the All-Star break.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbSource

Bodycam footage shows good Samaritan dropping off bag with loaded gun, IDs belonging to former Florida state representative in Miami Beach

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

When a woman turned over a lost bag to Miami Beach Police, they found a loaded gun that belonged to a former South Florida politician.It was an unusual delivery at the front desk of the Miami Beach Police Department. On Aug. 13, the good Samaritan was seen on officer-worn body camera footage dropping off what she said she found at South Pointe Park.“Thank you,” said the officer.“You’re welcome,” said the good Samaritan. The woman was thanked for taking the loaded pistol off the street.“I did my good deed for the day,” the good Samaritan said. “Oh, no. This counts for like maybe 20 good deeds,” the officer said regarding the high profile find.“Thank you. Have a good day,” she said. According to police, she turned in a black cross body bag that was abandoned.The Samaritan believed that the bag belonged to a police officerAfter inspecting the the badge that was in the bag, it didn’t belong to an officer, but rather a m...

Lipstick Lounge pop-up raises money to help pay treatment for women battling breast-cancer

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

Pucker up fashionistas.The Lipstick Lounge pops up at the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale.It’s the hottest spot in town, where glitz, glamour, and giving, come together.Talk about a glam slam.Lipstick Lounge is popping up at the W Hotel with all kinds of glamourous things to do.Debby Thomas: “The whole idea about Lipstick Lounge is to make it a fun, happy, healthy, great vibe, energy kind of place to be.”Trust me it is the place to be.I’ve always had the best time at this event.The lounge is all about beauty, food, drinks and fashion.Debby Thomas: “We are having a pop-up fashion show that we are collaborating with Colonnade Outlets.”Celebrate all things fashionable with the white look from Balmain Paris and you’ll be on the fringe of fabulousness with these designs from Herve Leger.But if you’re all about sparkle, St. John has just the outfit for you.Plus it’s for a good cause.Debby Thomas: “We raise money for local women who are b...

Recovery efforts continue in Leominster one week after severe flooding

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

Recovery efforts are ongoing in Leominster now one week after severe flooding damaged businesses, homes and infrastructure. Large sections of the city were inundated on Monday of last week. As many continue to deal with the damage, local business owners this week are pleading with the city for more assistance. “We can’t continue to lose our properties, our valuables,” one person said during the public comment portion of a city council meeting Monday night.“What are you guys going to do about this?” another person asked. Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella joined city councilors at Monday’s special meeting, asking to move money into a flood relief fund to pay for the emergency response. While Mazzarella said he’s still waiting for the federal government to provide aid to homeowners and businesses, he said some work is already getting done.“We’ve made incredible strides already,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of streets that were closed open. All the bridges are underway....

Evaluation process goes beyond the numbers as the Chicago White Sox continue to look at bullpen options

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

The Chicago White Sox got an extended look at Luis Patiño in his debut with the team on Sept. 2.Acquired in a trade deadline deal from the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 1, the right-hander got called up on Sept. 1.He pitched four relief innings the next day, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out four and walking three against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field.Patiño has pitched at least three innings in three of his four relief outings with the Sox, including allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts in three innings Sunday against the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field.“To me, it’s important to show what I can do in the role, especially for them to know what I’m capable of doing here for next year,” Patiño told the Tribune through an interpreter before Monday’s game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.The Sox are evaluating several pitchers as possible options for 2024. That process has ...

Solar battery storage container fire prompts evacuation order in Valley Center

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

VALLEY CENTER, Calif. -- A fire that erupted Monday inside a solar battery storage container has prompted nearby buildings to evacuate in Valley Center, authorities said.The blaze occurred around 5 p.m. at 29465 Valley Center Rd, located just east of Vesper Road, according to Valley Center Fire Protection District. SkyFOX was over the location where smoke could be seen spewing from the storage container. California campsite reservation bill heads to governor’s desk As of 6:39 p.m., an evacuation order is in place for residents in the shaded area found below.An evacuation order is in place for the shaded area in Valley Center due to a solar battery storage container fire on Sept. 18, 2023. (San Diego County Emergency Site)The temporary evacuation point is at Valley Center High School at 31322 Cole Grade Road, per the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.Valley Center Rd, between Cole Grande Rd and Sunset Rd, has also been closed due to the fire. Officials advise the publ...

Veteran California pilots racing in Reno killed in mid-air crash shortly after first-second finish

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Two veteran California pilots were killed over the weekend when their World War II-era planes collided in mid-air while preparing to land just after finishing first and second in a title race at the National Championship Air Races north of Reno.Officials identified the victims of Sunday’s crash as Chris Rushing of Thousand Oaks and Nick Macy, 67, of Tulelake.Race officials said they were cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and local authorities to determine the cause of the crash.The crash marred the 59th and final year of the National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport. The deaths brought the number of pilots or performers who have died at the Reno races to 24 since the event began in 1964, along with 10 spectators who died during a crash on the edge of the grandstand in 2011.“It’s a particularly poignant end to our final flag in Reno,” Reno Air Racing Association CEO Fred Telling told ...

Rapper Travis Scott is questioned over deadly crowd surge at Texas festival in wave of lawsuits

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Rap superstar Travis Scott was questioned for several hours on Monday in a civil deposition he gave in connection with hundreds of lawsuits that were filed against him and others over the deaths and injuries at the 2021 Astroworld festival.Scott was questioned in Houston during a deposition that lasted around eight hours, two people with knowledge about the litigation said.Lawyers and others connected to the civil lawsuits are under a gag order, preventing them from saying little beyond what happens during court hearings.“Travis Scott’s deposition is typical legal procedure. What is not typical is how the media continues to focus on him despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by extensive government investigations, including by the Houston Police Department,” Ted Anastasiou, a spokesperson for Scott, said in a statement. “Travis is fully cooperating with the legal process while still remaining committed to his tour in support of his record-breaking album, ‘Utopi...

Biden tells a Broadway theater packed for fundraiser that Trump is determined to destroy the nation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday told a packed Broadway theater full of big-name stars hosting a fundraiser in his honor that he was running for reelection because Donald Trump was determined to destroy the nation. Democracy is at stake, he told the audience at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater. Hate groups have been emboldened, he said. Books are being banned. Children go to school fearing shootings. “Let there be no question, Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy,” he said, referring to the former president’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.” “And I will always defend, protect and fight for our democracy.”Biden also accused Trump and his allies of bowing down to authoritarians: “I will not side with dictators like Putin. Maybe Trump and his MAGA friends can bow down but I won’t.” It was the among the president’s strongest rebukes of the Republican front-runner and former president, who is facing criminal c...