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NWSL’s Portland Thorns purchased by Bhathal family; Previous owner faced persistent calls to sell

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Thorns have been acquired by the Bhathal family, investors in the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, the National Women’s Soccer League team announced Wednesday. RAJ Sports purchased the team for $63 million, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter. Merritt Paulson, whose Peregrine Sports also owns Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers, put the Thorns up for sale in late 2022 amid a series of abuse and misconduct scandals that rocked the NWSL. The Bhathal family was part of the group that bought the Sacramento Kings in 2013. RAJ Sports is led by siblings Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, co-founders and partners in the Southern California-based firm Revitate, which specializes in sports, real estate, and consumer brand investments.The new owners plan to keep the team in Portland, and they will continue to play at Providen...

Rüdiger scores as Real Madrid edges Mallorca 1-0 to secure Spanish league lead in Vinícius’ return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Vinícius Júnior made his return from injury as Real Madrid defeated Mallorca 1-0 with a late goal by Antonio Rüdiger to guarantee first place at the midway point of the season in the Spanish league on Wednesday.The home win gave Madrid a three-point lead over Girona, which hosts third-place Atletico Madrid later Wednesday. Madrid has the tiebreakers against Girona.Vinícius was back in action after an absence of nearly two months because of a muscle injury, but the Spanish powerhouse struggled in attack until Rüdiger broke the deadlock with a header into the top corner after a well-placed corner kick taken by Luka Modric in the 78th minute.“I’m very happy because it was an important goal and an important three points for us,” Rüdiger said.The result extended Madrid’s unbeaten streak to 18 matches in all competitions, since a 3-1 league loss at Atletico in September. That was the team’s lone loss in a season in which it has won 21 matches and drawn three.Mallorca, ...

Lucas Giolito and Red Sox finalize $38.5M, 2-year deal that could be worth up to $58M over 3 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — Lucas Giolito and the Boston Red Sox finalized a $38.5 million, two-year contract on Wednesday, a deal that allows the 29-year-old right-hander to earn up to $58 million over three seasons.Giolito gets $18 million this year and has a $19 million player option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout. If he exercises the 2025 option, the Red Sox have a $14 million option for 2026 with a $1.5 million buyout.If Giolito pitches 140 or more innings in both 2024 and ’25, the 2026 option would become a $19 million mutual option with a $1.5 million buyout.He can earn up to $1 million in performance bonuses in 2025: $250,000 each for 150, 160, 170 and 180 innings.Giolito struggled to an 8-15 record with a 4.88 ERA last year for the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians. He allowed 41 homers, second in the major leagues and three fewer than Lance Lynn. Giolito tied for the major league lead with 33 starts.Mixing fastballs, sliders and changeups with occasi...

Fort Collins man sentenced after dog left in hot car for hours died

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- A 31-year-old man was sentenced on Jan. 2 for the death of his dog, Keef, after leaving his dog inside a car for over four hours in 80-degree heat.Michael Reynolds, of Fort Collins, pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty, a class one misdemeanor, on Oct. 11, 2023. He was sentenced to serve 60 days in jail in addition to two years of probation, 100 hours of useful public service, monitored sobriety, a dog ownership class, court fines and fees, and no dog ownership for two years. Douglas County Canine Rescue faces 9 charges, license revocation sought The judge emphasized in her ruling that Reynold's actions were "not just negligent but highly reckless, as leaving a dog in a car for several hours while drinking beer and golfing is unacceptable and deserving of a jail sentence."The sentence is connected to Reynold's actions on July 4, 2023. According to court documents, Reynold drove from Fort Collins to the Foothills Golf Course in Littleton for an 18-hole rou...

It took decades, but San Francisco finally installs nets to stop suicides off Golden Gate Bridge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kevin Hines regretted jumping off San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge the moment his hands released the rail and he plunged the equivalent of 25 stories into the Pacific Ocean, breaking his back.Hines miraculously survived his suicide attempt at age 19 in September 2000 as he struggled with bipolar disorder, one of about 40 people who survived after jumping off the bridge.Hines, his father, and a group of parents who lost their children to suicide at the bridge relentlessly advocated for a solution for two decades, meeting resistance from people who did not want to alter the iconic landmark with its sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay.On Wednesday, they finally got their wish when officials announced that crews have installed stainless-steel nets on both sides of the 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) bridge.“Had the net been there, I would have been stopped by the police and gotten the help I needed immediately and never broken my back, never shatter...

Police standoff in Boxboro ends with man in custody

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

An hourslong standoff in Boxboro came to an end Wednesday afternoon with one man in custody, officials said.The standoff began at a residential building late Wednesday morning in the area of Hill Road. It ended after several hours moments before 4 p.m. Boxboro police previously said there was an active police investigation in the area of 1195 Hill Road and asked members of the public to avoid the area and stay inside their homes. As their response continued, authorities could be seen gathered with helmets, gas masks and long guns. A K9 was brought out to help search the area and a negotiator at one point could be heard speaking to someone inside the building via a speaker.In an update near 4:30 p.m., a police spokesperson said a person had been arrested on a charge of domestic assault and battery. The scene was clear and the spokesperson said Hill Road had reopened. There were no injuries reported.The spokesperson said Boxboro police were joined in this response by local fire crews,...

Student arrested after firearm found in backpack at high school in Boston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

A high school near Copley Square in Boston went into “safe mode” on Wednesday after school officials say a student allegedly brought a gun onto school grounds.In a letter to parents, school leadership at Snowden International School at Copley said no shots were fired and no students or staff were injured after the discovery was made on Wednesday.Head of School Raquel Martinez stated that both police and Boston Public School officials were immediately alerted and that the gun was safely confiscated as authorities launched an investigation.“I am grateful to my team for following all necessary protocols to keep students safe,” Martinez stated in the letter. “I commend those who immediately reported the firearm to a trusted adult and are grateful to school staff, Safety Specialists, and BPD officers who followed all of our safety protocols and helped manage through a challenging moment.”Boston police confirmed that a juvenile was placed under arrest a...

3 men appear in court after police chase, crash in Georgetown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

Three men were arraigned Wednesday, one day after their arrests in connection with a high-speed police chase and subsequent crash in Georgetown. A not guilty plea was entered on each man’s behalf.State police said the chase started Tuesday afternoon in Boxford when a driver later identified as Gregory Marmolejo, 21, of Lynn allegedly refused to stop for a trooper on I-95 North. Authorities then fanned out around the offramp from I-95 to Route 133 near the Georgetown/Rowley line after Marmolejo and his passengers crashed and fled on foot into a wooded area, police said. Home surveillance video later captured the moment police swarmed a property in Georgetown with guns drawn, arresting Marmolejo and the two alleged passengers. State police on Tuesday detailed a list of charges against Marmolejo including negligent operation of a motor vehicle, street racing and leaving the scene of property damage. His passengers, identified as Abel Severino Reyes, 20, and David Garcia,...

Spot shower Thursday, weekend snow ahead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

It was a decent day with high temperatures slightly above average in the 40s. Temperatures begin a downward trend tomorrow. You’ll feel the difference and drop in temperatures by Friday. The chillier air stays with us through the weekend. The big weather talker is a storm that’ll bring snow, rain and wind to our region Saturday night into Sunday.Tonight, it will be cold, but not quite as cold as this morning. Temperatures will fall into the upper 20s/low 30s with more clouds. Tomorrow, a low stays offshore to our southeast while a cold front drops in later in the day. There’s a chance for a rain or snow shower. The most noticeable aspect of the forecast will be the gusty breeze and drop in temperatures. Expect to see mostly cloudy skies, and highs will be in the upper 30s/low 40s. The gusty breeze will linger into Friday morning. Skies will be mainly clear as temperatures fall in the teens. Wind chill values will be in the single digits, so that’s how youR...

Four children killed as a fire tears through a multifamily home in Connecticut

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:17 GMT

SOMERS, Conn. (AP) — A fire that raced through a two-family home in northern Connecticut on Tuesday night killed four children and several animals as firefighters struggled with rescue efforts because of clutter, authorities said.The four children who died in the Somers blaze were ages 5, 6, 8 and 12 and lived in one side of the house with their mother and three other siblings, fire and town officials said. The mother was not home at the time and her 19-year-old daughter, who was watching over the other children, escaped by jumping out of a second-story window, First Selectman Tim Keeney said.It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the fire in the close-knit town of just under 10,000 people about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Hartford. State and local officials were investigating. The blaze did not appear to be caused by a criminal act, State Trooper First Class Pedro Muniz said.“This is a small community so everybody knows everybody else, and these obviously are four ...