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Padres and Japanese reliever Yuki Matsui agree to $28 million, 5-year contract

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

At 5-foot-8, Yuki Matsui figures to be among the shortest pitchers in the major leagues.“It's a very a clean delivery. Good mechanics. I think pitchers come in all shape and sizes,” San Diego general manager A.J. Preller said Saturday after the 28-year-old left-hander agreed to a $28 million, five-year contract with the Padres. “He's left-handed. He does things very efficiently. Obviously, there’s been some some great pitchers that have been sub-6-footers and he’s been one of them so far in Japan.”Matsui made his Japanese big league debut at age 18 and became a five-time All-Star for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, leading the Pacific League in saves in 2019, 2022 and this year. He had a career-best 39 saves with a 1.57 ERA and 2-3 record this season, striking out 72 and walking 13 in 57 1/3 innings.He has a 2.40 career ERA, 236 saves and a 1.11 WHIP in Nippon Professional Baseball. Matsui became the youngest pitcher in the Japanese major leagues to reach 200 saves.“He’s got a gre...

38 migrants dropped off in Fox River Grove after being told they were in Chicago

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

FOX RIVER GROVE, Ill. — A group of migrants transported by bus from Texas was dropped off in Fox River Grove early Saturday morning after being told that they had arrived in Chicago, according to city officials.The city shared an update in a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon detailing unscheduled drop-off. Man killed in Gage Park shooting According to the city, a group of 38 migrants from Texas exited a bus at the Fox River Grove Metra station after being told they had arrived in Chicago. The Metra station is about 40 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.Fox River Grove police provided the migrants with access to a warming shelter and by 7 a.m. arrangements were made to provide the migrants with train tickets so they could continue their journey to Chicago. Reports: Veteran Chicago actor Mike Nussbaum dies at 99 "The Village of Fox River Grove remains committed to upholding the values of compassion, safety, and community. The Village will continue to work diligently with all re...

Man killed in Gage Park shooting

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was killed on Saturday afternoon in a shooting on the city's Southwest Side. According to Chicago police, the shooting happened just before 1 p.m. in the 2400 block of West 55th Street in Gage Park. CPD: Man wanted in connection with deadly West Side shooting Officers say the victim, a 28-year-old man, was standing on a sidewalk in the area when a vehicle pulled up and an individual inside opened fire. Authorities were called to the scene after a man who was driving by spotted the victim lying in the street and reached out to police. According to officers the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was taken to the hospital in critical condition where he later succumbed to his injuries. 1 injured after car crashes into Maine Township home Currently, it is unclear what led to the deadly shooting and authorities say no arrests have been made. An investigation is now underway. Anyone with information that could help authorities in their investigation i...

Scattered showers ahead of widespread soaking Sunday morning

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue to push in from south to north, mainly impacting the Austin Metro and our Eastern Counties this evening. CENTRAL TEXAS RADAR Briefly the rain fades during the late evening before a line of widespread storms and downpours develops after midnight in the Hill Country before spreading eastward through Sunday morning.Here's what to expect: Sunday storm timelineWhile severe weather isn't anticipated, a strong storm remains possible Sunday morning with the potential for localized flash flooding. Parts of the Hill Country are at a 2 out of 4 risk for excessive rain overnight into Sunday morning.Flash flooding risk Saturday night through Sunday morning (WPC)Generally speaking most of us should get 0.5"-1.5" of rain through Sunday, but localized amounts over 2" are possible in spots.Potential rainfall through SundayMost of the rain ends by late morning Sunday with quickly increasing afternoon sunshine and highs push...

Former Gophers coach Jerry Kill steps down at New Mexico State

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico State football coach Jerry Kill is stepping down after two successful seasons and will be replaced by receivers coach Tony Sanchez.Kill, who had health issues as the Gophers football coach from 2011-15, announced his decision on Saturday.“This year has been tremendously difficult for me and I gave it everything I had physically, mentally and emotionally,” Kill said in a statement. “New Mexico State holds a special place in my heart as it marks the end of my journey as a head coach. While I’ll remain involved with the Aggies, I recognize the need for a head coach with a lot of energy. Good luck to Coach Sanchez, the student-athletes and New Mexico State University.”Kill led New Mexico State to consecutive bowl games for the first time in 60 years and had the second-highest two-season win total in program history by going 17-11. The Aggies won 10 games this season for the first time since 1960 before losing to Fresno State in the New Mexico Bo...

Calling all volunteers: Minnesota DNR has a job for you

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources uses thousands of volunteers, and needs thousands more.Volunteers play a critical role in everything from monitoring lakes and streams to teaching firearms safety or managing invasive plants in natural areas.“Last year, we were at about 13,000. We could definitely use another 13,000,” said Renée Hartwig, director of volunteer programs. “We have really pretty limitless numbers (of volunteers) that we can have involved in programming.”DNR volunteer numbers peaked at about 35,000 in 2009 according to Hartwig, but like many organizations, the agency now struggles to fill openings.“We’re looking at what people are looking for in volunteer experiences,” she said. The focus will continue to be on natural resources.“But we also need to make them memorable experiences, fun experiences, help people gain skills, or share their skills,” she said, “Making it a win-win for natural resources and wildlife and for the volunteer.”Proximity to the work can...

WWAARC hosts winter tree competition

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

SLINGERLANDS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Warren Washington Albany ARC is hosting its annual holiday tree contest. For the second year, the WWAARC is showcasing decorated trees at their two locations in Slingerlands and Queensbury from now until Dec. 31. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "It’s so great and to see the joy on their faces when they got to come in to see their finished products and see people walking around and commenting about it and congratulating them about what kind of a job they did, there’s not a better feeling,” said Michelle Bielawa.The not-for-profit organization supports people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Each group that the ARC supports was given a twenty dollar gift card to decorate their tree. There are around fifty different trees on display at both locations.  WWAARC scarecrow contest empowering people of all abilities According to the ARC, competitions like these serve as a great te...

Denver weather: Rain turns to snow overnight as cold front hits

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

A cold front heading for Denver will turn rain into snow overnight into Sunday morning, with at least an inch of snow likely to accumulate before Christmas morning.Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Boulder expected the rain to begin across most of the metro area to begin before 9 p.m., and the cold front likely will hit between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.The rain will switch to snow after that as temperatures drop to an expected 27-degree low.Denver has an 80% chance to see at least an inch of snow by Christmas morning, forecasters said on X, but only a 3% chance to see more than 4 inches by then.The foothills near Evergreen have a 76% chance to see more than 4 inches and could get the most snow by Christmas.Even though snow could stay on the low end elsewhere, forecasters warned strong winds developing overnight and into Sunday morning could produce poor visibility and slick roadways.The eastern plains and Palmer Divide, south of Denver, are likely to see the strongest winds, wi...

$30 million lawsuit filed against L.A. County Sheriff's Department for mother's death

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

The family of Naini Finlayson, 27, has filed a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and L.A. County after she was killed during a domestic dispute in Lancaster.A vigil was held Saturday where loved ones honored Finlayson’s memory, saying she was a victim of domestic violence. They said she was shot and killed in front of her 9-year-old daughter while trying to protect them both.On Dec. 4, deputies received a call from Finlayson saying her boyfriend would not leave her alone. Authorities heard screaming and sounds of a struggle during the phone call.Deputies responded to an apartment in the 2100 block of East Avenue J-8 and could hear the sounds of an argument inside.As officers attempted to enter the residence, Finlayson opened the front door while “armed with a large kitchen knife,” said LASD.Finlayson allegedly told deputies she was “going to stab her boyfriend for pushing her daughter.”The family of Naini Finlayson, 27, has filed ...

Founding member of famed country group The Chicks dies in car crash

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 18:31:55 GMT

Laura Lynch, who co-founded the immensely popular country band the Chicks — formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, died in a car crash on Friday.She was 65.Lynch was driving her truck in El Paso, Texas when she was struck head-on by another vehicle and “was pronounced deceased on the scene by a justice of the peace,” according to a report from NPR.The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed the musician’s death via a statement to NPR, which also reported that the “other driver was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries..”The three current members of the Chicks — lead vocalist and guitarist Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and multi-instrumentalists Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer — posted a joint statement about Lynch’s passing on the band’s Instagram page.“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in ...