Pandemic-era rise in road crashes in Minnesota declining, officials say

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

Pandemic-era rise in road crashes in Minnesota declining, officials say GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Fatal and serious, life-changing accidents rose by 24% in Minnesota through the three pandemic years, but there’s encouraging news.Serious traffic crashes in Minnesota and the state’s southwestern region are trending downward, according to information presented at the Toward Zero Deaths workshop May 11 at the Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort in Granite Falls.“Not-good things happened,” said Ken Johnson, assistant state traffic engineer with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, as he provided data on the three years of increased serious accidents at the workshop.Fatal and serious crashes in Minnesota rose to 488 in 2021 and dropped to 444 in 2022. The increase is believed to be pandemic-related as driver behaviors changed.An increase in the number of impaired drivers, unbelted occupants and increased speed are believed to be the biggest factors in the increased number of crashes.The encouraging news is that at this point, the fatality rate appears on a trend...

Keeler: “He basically carried me through the finish line.” Meet Standley Lake senior who placed fifth in Colorado state track hurdles, but first in kindness

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

Keeler: “He basically carried me through the finish line.” Meet Standley Lake senior who placed fifth in Colorado state track hurdles, but first in kindness LAKEWOOD — Marcus Mills could’ve crawled to the finish line on scraped ego and bruised knees. But what would’ve been the point?“I didn’t want to finish the race at all,” Mills, a senior sprinter at Sierra High, said of the carnage that capped the Class 4A state boys 300-meter hurdles championship won by Niwot’s Eric Walker Saturday afternoon. “I got DQ-ed anyway.”JeffCo Stadium’s farewell kiss had sent Mills sprawling to the track, three meters from a state title. Last race. Last high school meet. Last CHSAA dance. Last lead. Last stinking hurdle.“I guess I attacked it way too hard,” offered Mills, who went from first place to his keister in a blink as the crowd gasped. “Yeah. I guess the hurdle attacked me.”A shocked Mills watched from his behind while the rest of the field finished. As the times went up on the scoreboard, he sat there like a stray balloon from an Independence Day parade. The party had moved on.“It’s just unfortunate that it happened to me and not anyone else...

Brandon Hills is fastest in Colorado, Cherokee Trail and Valor Christian win Class 5A titles and more notes from Day 3 at Jeffco Stadium

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

Brandon Hills is fastest in Colorado, Cherokee Trail and Valor Christian win Class 5A titles and more notes from Day 3 at Jeffco Stadium After breaking a 33-year-old state record to win the long jump championship on Friday, Vista Ridge star Brandon Hills added the title of Fastest in Colorado to his resume on Saturday.Hills won the Class 5A 100-meter dash in 10.52 and threw his arms in the air in triumphant celebration after crossing the finish line to edge Cherokee Trail sophomore Peyton Sommers. Sommers had Colorado’s best time coming into the state meet, a 10.50 he ran at last weekend’s Centennial League championships to knock Hill off the top of the rankings, but Sommers ran 10.62 on Saturday to finish runner-up.Related ArticlesPreps | Keeler: “He basically carried me through the finish line.” Meet Standley Lake senior who placed fifth in Colorado state track hurdles, but first in kindness Preps | State titles taste even sweeter for first-generation athletes Eboselulu, Odone Omofoma of Dayspring Christian, Daniel Baroumbaye of Grand Junction Central Preps | ...

Alhambra's Lai Lai Ballroom celebrates AAPI Heritage Month with free dance event

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

Alhambra's Lai Lai Ballroom celebrates AAPI Heritage Month with free dance event Alhambra’s Lai Lai Ballroom celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a free celebratory dance event on Saturday.The Alhambra ballroom is where the gunman responsible for killing 11 people in a nearby Monterey Park dance hall, was disarmed by 26-year-old Brandon Tsay on Jan. 21.Saturday's event celebrated the resilience of a community amid tragedy while also honoring the diversity and courage of Alhambra and Monterey Park.Co-hosted by the Tsay Family and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, the free event featured live performances, dancing, kids’ activities, refreshments, a DJ and more.“I really think that this event here today is to rekindle the joys and the festivities of dance culture,” said Brandon Tsay, whose family operates the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio.Tsay welcomed crowds to the ballroom on Saturday for a festive afternoon. KTLA 5 News celebrates Asian American & Pacific Islander Month “They don’t want Lai Lai Studio to only be...

CCS softball playoffs: Saturday’s first-round results, quarterfinal matchups

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

CCS softball playoffs: Saturday’s first-round results, quarterfinal matchups Open Division Saturday’s first roundNo. 3 Hollister 7, No. 6 Capuchino 1No. 2 Archbishop Mitty 3, No. 7 Sequoia 2No. 5 Willow Glen 10, No. 4 Milpitas 1No. 1 St. Francis 14, No. 8 San Lorenzo Valley 0Open Division semifinalsNo. 3 Hollister (25-3) at No. 2 Archbishop Mitty (21-3), TBA p.m.No. 5 Willow Glen (20-6) at No. 1 St. Francis (25-2), TBA p.m.Division ISaturday’s first roundNo. 6 Hillsdale 4, No. 3 Westmont 2No. 2 Sobrato 13, No. 7 Wilcox 12No. 5 Carlmont 14, No. 4 Stevenson 2No. 1 Notre Dame Salinas 1, No. 8 Branham 0Division I Semifinals: No. 6 Hillsdale (16-6) at No. 2 Sobrato (19-3), p.m.No. 5 Carlmont (16-8) at No. 1 Notre Dame Salinas (18-7),  p.mDivision IISaturday’s first roundNo. 6 Los Altos 6, No. 3 Los Gatos 3No. 7 Gilroy (11-12) at No. 2 Salinas (14-11), 12 p.m.No. 5 Leigh 10, No. 4 Fremont-Sunnyvale 0No. 1 Monterey 11, No. 8 Valley Christian 0Division II semifinalsNo. 6 Los Altos (15-9) vs. No. 7 Gilroy (11-12) or No. 2 Salinas (14-11), TBANo. 5 Leigh (19-8) at No....

Free dental care provided to those in need in San Jose

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

Free dental care provided to those in need in San Jose (KRON) -- A free dental pop-up event is taking place this weekend in Santa Clara County. Sheriff's wife arrested after Tesla crashes into home, DUI suspected The San Jose convention center was turned into a 100-chair clinic to provide free dental care to low income residents. The event was put on by the Santa Clara County Dental Foundation, and it is completely run by volunteer dentists and community members.The organization says they need to raise $400,000 to cover the costs of materials and equipment for the event.  If you'd like to donate, please visit the Silicon Valley Healthy Smiles website.The free pop-up will be open again Sunday morning at 6 a.m.

Finally paired at a major, Koepka and DeChambeau play nice and play well at PGA

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

Finally paired at a major, Koepka and DeChambeau play nice and play well at PGA PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau insist they ended their beef long ago.They’ve hugged it out. They’ve made their money. They’ve moved on. They’re at different points in their careers now. Different parts of their lives.As if to prove it once and for all, Koepka and DeChambeau spent five soggy hours at Oak Hill on Saturday quietly and professionally going about their business, largely ignoring catcalls from a gallery half-heartedly attempting to re-ignite the duo’s petty if entertaining feud in which the vast majority of shots weren’t traded on the course but over social media.At the first tee, there were boos that felt more of the “New York being New York” variety than personal when two of the highest-profile players to bolt the PGA Tour for fledgling Saudi-backed LIV Golf were introduced.After nearly every shot there were shouts of “Brooksy,” a chant designed to unsettle DeChambeau that became so ubiquitous in 2021 that ...

New York Yankees cut Aaron Hicks, owe struggling outfielder $27.6M

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

New York Yankees cut Aaron Hicks, owe struggling outfielder $27.6M CINCINNATI (AP) — The New York Yankees cut Aaron Hicks before Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds and owe the struggling outfielder about $27.6 million from more than 2 1/2 seasons remaining in a $70 million, seven-year contract.Hicks was designated for assignment to make room for outfielder Greg Allen, acquired in a trade with Boston on Friday. The 33-year-old Hicks was batting .188 with a homer and five RBIs in 28 games this season. He agreed to a $70 million, seven-year contract with New York in February 2019 but injured his right elbow that Aug. 3, missed the rest of the regular season and for five postseason games, homering in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against Houston’s Justin Verlander. Hicks had Tommy John surgery with Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache that Oct. 30. He returned the following July for the pandemic-shortened season but was never the same player. Hicks hit .212 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs in 244 games after...

Koepka a tough customer on a tough day to lead PGA Championship

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

Koepka a tough customer on a tough day to lead PGA Championship PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Brooks Koepka has his health back, along with his swagger. Now he gets another chance to restore his reputation as golf’s toughest customer in the toughest championships.Oak Hill was every bit of that on a rainy Saturday in the PGA Championship, and Koepka was up to the task. With three big birdies over the last seven holes, Koepka had a 4-under 66 — the low round at Oak Hill for the second straight day — to build a one-shot lead over Viktor Hovland and Corey Conners.“I like it when it’s difficult. Today was super difficult,” Koepka said. And then with the slightest grin he added, “I’ll take 4 under.”Now he has to finish it off, just like he did with such great poise when he won back-to-back in the U.S. Open (2017-18) and then back-to-back in the PGA Championship (2018-19), earning the rank of “Major Brooks.”This is his second straight 54-hole lead in a major. He was two ahead at the Masters until playing it safe in the final round and closin...

1 dog receiving emergency care, 2 others killed in DC apartment fire

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 09:35:59 GMT

1 dog receiving emergency care, 2 others killed in DC apartment fire DC Fire and EMS officials said one dog is at an emergency center receiving treatment after two other dogs were killed in a Northwest apartment fire on Saturday.First responders began fighting the blaze after 6 p.m. in the 4500 block of McArthur Boulevard.Flames in a third-floor apartment were controlled, but not before two dogs were killed. Officials reported no human injuries.The owner of all three dogs reportedly got home shortly after the fire started and removed each dog. Cinder, the only surviving dog rescued from the building, was transported by volunteer first responders with DC’s Friendship Fire Association.The Veterinary Emergency Group facility between Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle is treating Cinder.Update Box Alarm 4500 block McArthur Blvd NW. Fire in 3rd floor apartment under control. Sadly 2 of the dogs we removed are deceased. 3rd has been transported to a vet for emergency treatment. No human injuries reported. Air unit & investigators requested. #DCsBrave...