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Russ Francis, tight end on SF 49ers’ 1984 Super Bowl team, dies in plane crash

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

Russ Francis, a popular free-spirited tight end who won a Super Bowl as a member of the 49ers in 1984, was killed along with another aviation enthusiast when the single-engine plane the two men were in crashed shortly after takeoff from an airport in upstate New York.Francis, 70, and Richard McSpadden, 63, had taken off from the Lake Placid Airport shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday in a Cessna 177 plane when the plane had some kind of problem. The New York State Police said it crashed into an embankment at the corner of the airport.A longtime flying enthusiast dating back to before his days in the NFL, Francis was the president of Lake Placid Airways, which runs charter and scenic flights. The airline’s website said Francis had been a pilot for almost 50 years and had run a charter service in Hawaii.Francis played six seasons for New England, made three Pro Bowls and was dubbed “All-World” by ABC announcer Howard Cosell following a big performance on Monday night. He abr...

‘Pearls Before Swine’ comics creator Stephan Pastis doesn’t mean to be prophetic …

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

Stephan Pastis is a lot of things – creator of the comic “Pearls Before Swine,” New York Times bestselling author, Disney movie writer — but one thing he probably never expected was to be a guy who predicted January 6.The moment came in a “Pearls” strip when Rat, a character who’s become president of the United States, is overthrown in a coup staged by a pith helmet-wearing duck. Pastis wrote this plot in 2020 but, due to advanced scheduling, they were slated to run right after the Trump-fueled D.C. riots.“If you do a strip about a plane crash, it’s always a risk because you never know what’s going to happen in the news when the strip comes out much later,” Pastis says. “But when you do a strip about an attempted coup in the federal government — you NEVER think that’s going to happen. That was so strange and unexpected.”The syndicate wound up temporarily pulling the strips. But you can find them in Pastis’ newest comics compendium, “Pearls S...

Feinstein to lie in state at SF City Hall Wednesday

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

The late Sen. Dianne Feinstein will lie in state at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday, the senator's office confirmed Sunday night. The public is invited to pay their respects and sign a condolence book Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.On Thursday, a funeral service for Feinstein will be held at the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in the Herbst Theatre beginning at 1 p.m. Due to limited space, the funeral service will not be open to the public, according to Feinstein's office. SF Fleet Week 2023: schedule, events, what you need to know A simulcast of the service will be available for public viewing at the North Light Court at San Francisco City Hall and online. A link to the online simulcast will be made available later this week, the office said.Following the service, the senator will be buried at a private, family-only ceremony, Feinstein's office said.Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

San Francisco 1 of 7 counties to begin Care Court on Monday

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

(BCN) -- Starting Monday, family members, behavioral health providers and first responders with a history of engagement with individuals struggling with untreated mental illness, may begin using a new program for government assistance called Care Court.San Francisco is one of the first of seven California counties to implement the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act. The new state law includes a civil court process designed to provide community-based behavioral health services to residents who are living with untreated schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. SF Fleet Week 2023: schedule, events, what you need to know "While participation in the program is voluntary, it will provide another tool to engage those who are not currently seeking care," according to a statement from San Francisco Mayor London Breed. But for gravely disabled people who decline voluntary care, this law includes a potential work-around.Care Court can be used by two parties. A pet...

Coach Eddie Jones backed by union amid Australia’s worst Rugby World Cup campaign

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

SAINT-ETIENNE, France (AP) — Rugby Australia has doubled down on backing coach Eddie Jones while the Wallabies are on the brink of missing the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.CEO Phil Waugh also criticized Jones for partly excusing their results as preparation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which Australia will stage.“We’re committed to Eddie in the commitment we made to him earlier in the year,” Waugh said after Australia completed the pool stage by beating Portugal 34-14 on Sunday.“I’ve been pretty forthright around the fact we are committed to Eddie and he probably looks at the campaign and is bitterly disappointed about his performance and the Wallabies’ performance. It’s a pretty challenging world being a coach and I can understand that.”Jones was contracted to the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.He was criticized before coming to France after picking a young squad — 25 of the 33-man squad were going to their first Rugby World Cup — and c...

Mom of Nathaniel and Josh Lowe battling cancer, won’t attend Rangers-Rays playoff series

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The mother of Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe and Texas Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe will not make the trip to Tropicana Field for this week’s AL wild-card playoff series featuring her sons because she is battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy.Younger brother Josh said he called his mother, Wendy, on Monday to ask if she would mind him discussing her situation publicly in advance of the start of the best-of-three matchup that begins Tuesday.“She’s actually battling cancer, so she’s going through chemo right now. She won’t be able to make it, but I asked her if it was OK if I said something, and she said yes because the more people that know, the more prayers that could be had for her,” the 25-year-old outfielder said.The Lowe brothers, who both began their pro careers in the Tampa Bay minor league system, first shared a major league field together when the Rays and Rangers met at Tropicana Field in June. The Rangers acquired Nathaniel, 28...

Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum ready to confront championship expectations for new-look roster

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — After the summer the Boston Celtics have had, Jayson Tatum isn’t surprised they’re entering this season with a spotlight fixed on them.“People expect us to get to the championship and win,” Tatum said Monday. “And if we don’t, we didn’t necessarily meet expectations.”That’s because during an offseason full of movement around the NBA, the Celtics were among the league’s busiest teams.In June, they parted ways with defensive stalwart and emotional leader Marcus Smart in a three-team deal that netted them big man Kristaps Porzingis.The following month, All-Star Jaylen Brown received the richest contract in NBA history when he signed a five-year supermax extension. Then, Sunday on the eve of training camp Boston made another blockbuster move. This time trading reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon and rim protector Robert Williams III to Portland in exchange for five-time all-defensive selection Jrue Holiday.It’s shaken up the core for a team that came up a game s...

How a Fairfax Co. custodian motivates students to attend class

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

On Custodian Appreciation Day, Little Run Elementary honors Frank Sarfo for his work every day at the Fairfax County school. (Courtesy Fairfax County Public Schools)In the cafeteria at Little Run Elementary School in Fairfax, Virginia, on Monday, students stopped focusing on their food and turned their attention to custodian Frank Sarfo.Because Monday is Custodian Appreciation Day, Principal Christie Yarn said, students started chanting “Mr. Frank! Mr. Frank” to celebrate the beloved school employee.The school also put up a banner honoring some of its employees, Yarn said, and planned a staff appreciation lunch.During the day, Sarfo is responsible for opening the building and checking the exterior. He also makes sure teachers have copy paper, cuts the grass and helps keep the property clean so kids don’t get sick, he said.But Sarfo also works to help motivate students to come to class, at a time when many D.C.-area schools are reporting increases in chronic absente...

MATCHDAY: United plays Galatasaray as Champions League back at Old Trafford. Napoli hosts Madrid

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Tuesday:CHAMPIONS LEAGUEManchester United vs. Galatasaray (Group A)The Champions League is back at Old Trafford after a one-year absence. But after the optimism of manager Erik ten Hag’s first season at Manchester United, it’s a different story this time round. Saturday’s loss against Crystal Palace was met with boos from fans inside the stadium as the club’s chances of challenging for the Premier League title already look unlikely. The Champions League visit of Galatasaray offers Ten Hag the chance to focus his attention elsewhere and he will hope a win can lift spirits. United lost its first game in the group 4-3 against Bayern Munich. A second defeat would spark fears of an early exit. Copenhagen vs. Bayern Munich (Group A)Bayern Munich is still looking for consistency ahead of its visit to Copenhagen. The Bavarian powerhouse was somewhat fortunate to draw at Leipzig 2-2 in the Bundesliga on Saturday. It als...

Kevin Durant is in. Steph Curry wants to play. NBA stars have the Paris Olympics already in mind

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:44:00 GMT

Kevin Durant just got done with his summer vacation. He’s planning to go to France for work next summer, and plenty of other big NBA names hope to join him.Stephen Curry is among them.Durant — along with many other top players, including Curry, the all-time 3-point king — said Monday at media days being held around the league that he plans to play for his country at next summer’s Paris Olympics, when the Americans will try for a fifth consecutive gold medal. If he plays and the U.S. wins, Durant would be the first men’s player with four basketball golds.“I will play in the Olympics next year,” Durant adamantly said at Phoenix’s media day.Curry essentially said the same, because if he wants to play, it’s certain that USA Basketball will find him a spot.“Definitely want to be there,” Curry said at Golden State’s media day. “Definitely want to be on the team.”Others expressed the same sentiment: Bam Adebayo has said he’s committed to the team, while DeMar DeRoza...