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Charley Walters: Vikings’ talks with Hockenson could get tricky

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

T.J. Hockenson’s contract status with the Vikings is getting interesting. The former first-round tight end, acquired from the Detroit Lions last season for a second-round and two fourth-round draft picks, is entering the fifth year of his rookie contract, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent.Hockenson, 26, this season is under contract for $9.4 million. A new deal could be worth $15 million a season.The Vikings, though, have leverage in negotiations — they can put a franchise tag on Hockenson for a relatively affordable $12 million for next year if they can’t reach an agreement. Franchising Hockenson essentially would take him off the free agent market because another team signing him would cost two first-round draft picks, and no team is going to do that for a tight end, no matter how productive.The holdup in Hockenson negotiations is believed to be not the overall amount of the contract, but the amount of guaranteed money.— The Vikings the past two years have ranke...

Alton meth dealer sentenced to decades in federal prison

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

ALTON, Ill. - A longtime methamphetamine dealer in Alton convicted of felony charges will spend decades behind bars. A judge sentenced Dane Tannler, 41, to 21 years in prison on multiple drug and weapons offenses. According to court documents cited by the U.S. Department of Justice, a confidential source working with the Alton Police Department purchased meth from Tannler at his home in February 2021. Police later executed a search warrant at Tannler's home and seized a pound of crystal meth, $10,000 in cash, a luxury SUV, and a stolen firearm. Remembering Kait Anderson: a mother’s mission to promote safety and support Tannler was on parole for drug-dealing charges at the time of his arrest in this case. Authorities say he has several other convictions for drug-dealing crimes. Under federal sentencing guidelines, he qualified as a “career offender,” a designation that comes after two previous felony convictions over drugs and oftentimes means longer sentences. “Career offenders l...

Hilary downgraded to Category 2 hurricane as Mexico and California brace for catastrophic impact

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

By IGNACIO MARTINEZ and JULIE WATSON (Associated Press)CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Hilary headed for Mexico’s Baja California on Saturday as a downgraded Category 2 storm that the U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted will bring “catastrophic” flooding for the peninsula and for the southwestern United States, where it was forecast to cross the border as a tropical storm on Sunday.Meteorologists expect the storm also to churn up “life-threatening” surf conditions and rip currents — including waves up to 40 feet (12 meters) high — along Mexico’s Pacific coast.While it’s still likely to enter the history books as the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, Hilary weakened from a Major Category 3 hurricane down to a Category 2 storm at midday Saturday and is expected to weaken further as it treks northward.“Hilary appears to be weakening quickly,” John Cangialosi, a senior hurrica...

Kickin’ It with Kiz: What’s over/under on W’s during Deion Sanders’ career as CU Buffs football coach?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

Would love a CU Buffs’ victory against Nebraska. Five wins during Deion Sanders’ first season would make me smile. Four W’s would make me content. More than five and I would be a Prime believer for the few years he will be in Boulder.Scott, Boise, IdahoKiz: College football ain’t what it used to be. Maybe a good indicator of that fact? Sanders is widely regarded as temporary help, and CU fans seem more than fine with the arrangement. The amateur oddsmakers here at Kickin’ It Headquarters put the over/under of Coach Prime’s stay in Boulder at 20 victories and three seasons. And here’s betting the long-suffering CU faithful would gladly take it.People sleeping on how good CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders is. I expect the Buffs to be bowl eligible with home wins against the Cornhuskers and USC Trojans!Dan, masters runnerKiz: Careful what you wish for. If CU beats both the Huskers and Trojans on their way to a bowl berth, Sanders will be named nat...

Huntington Beach wildlife center urging flatbed truck owners to help evacuate animals ahead of Hurricane Hilary 

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

A wildlife center is in desperate need of flatbed trucks to evacuate 1,000 animals to shelters ahead of Hurricane Hilary. The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach is located near the shore and workers are concerned that the impending storm and potential storm surge will flood the facility.  Live updates: Hurricane Hilary to bring heavy rain, strong winds to Southern California The wildlife center is located at 21900 Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. Employees hope to have all of the animals out by 5 p.m. Saturday evening. The Santa Ana Zoo and the California Wildlife Center in Malibu are sending teams to help assist with the animal evacuation process.To help, call 714-374-5587 and ask for Debbie or Janet. For more information, visit the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center Instagram page or their website.

Julian Alvarez’s first-half goal enough for Man City to beat Newcastle in EPL

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Julian Alvarez’s first-half goal handed Manchester City a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday in the defending English Premier League champion’s first home match since winning the treble last season.Alvarez curled a shot into the top corner after 31 minutes of a tight match at Etihad Stadium that showed the gap between Newcastle and the league’s top teams may have shrunk even more after Eddie Howe’s side finished fourth last season. Newcastle, buoyed by thrashing Aston Villa 5-1 last weekend, was looking for a first league win at City in almost 23 years.Yet the host, despite making just two changes following its European Super Cup game in Athens in midweek, was too strong and successfully nullified the visitor.Pep Guardiola’s players were far from their fluid best, but they produced a professional performance to follow up their opening win at Burnley. In Alvarez and Phil Foden, they had the brightest players on the pitch.City s...

Everybody hits! No, really, everyone gets a turn at bat at the Little League World Series

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

Little League coaches have long been saying it to rally their teams: “Everybody hits!”The old phrase is a lot truer this year. At this year’s Little League World Series and throughout all of Little League, batting format has changed.Now, the batting order consists of every player on the roster, even when teams have 14 players, to “provide more opportunities, make administration of the events more streamlined, and ultimately enhance the overall experience for all involved,” Little League said in a statement last May that announced the change.The change gives the 10- to 12-year-olds playing ball all over the world more chances at the plate. Yet it is also creating a few odd moments at the LLWS, like in Maine’s first game of the tournament Thursday.Washington won via the 10-run rule in the fourth inning by a score of 10-0, and each Maine player only got one at-bat. Maine carried 14 players to South Williamsport, and because of the large deficit, the leadoff hitter never went up to the ...

Hurricane Hilary downgraded to Category 2 storm approaching Mexico and California, National Hurricane Center says

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Hilary downgraded to Category 2 storm approaching Mexico and California, National Hurricane Center says.Source

Crouser retains shot put title at worlds after nearly staying home due to blood clots

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — OK, so, Ryan Crouser didn’t set a new world record. This win felt even better than that.Just before the American shot-putter was scheduled to leave for the world athletics championships in Budapest, Crouser was diagnosed with two blood clots in his lower leg. With it safe to fly, doctors left it up to him and his family if he wanted to compete.He showed up and defended his world title Saturday night with a championship-record throw of 23.51 meters (77 feet, 1 3/4 inches) using a new technique he invented that’s been dubbed the “Crouser Slide.”Moments after his final attempt, Crouser dropped to his knees and lifted his arms in the air.Relief.“After all that it was the best performance of my life, given the health issues, the stress and all of it,” Crouser said. “The last throw was testament to all the hard work and dedication over the last year. The last few days have been hard, so with all that has happened it was a phenomenal throw.”In a p...

Hurricane Hilary downgraded to Category 2 storm approaching Baja Mexico and California, National Hurricane Center says

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:56:10 GMT

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP) — Hurricane Hilary downgraded to Category 2 storm approaching Baja Mexico and California, National Hurricane Center says.Source