Truex again facing championship elimination in NASCAR playoffs as title field set at Martinsville

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

Truex again facing championship elimination in NASCAR playoffs as title field set at Martinsville For the third time in this year’s playoffs, NASCAR regular season champion Martin Truex Jr. is facing elimination and wondering how his title chances have exploded spectacularly.Truex heads into Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway tied with Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin at 17 points below the cutoff line. There are six drivers vying for two spots in next week’s championship-deciding finale and Truex needs a rapid turnaround to have any shot at racing for a second title.He has just one top-10 finish through the first seven races of the playoffs — it forced him to stave off elimination at the end of the rounds of 16 and 12 — and an engine failure last week at Homestead-Miami Speedway put him in the same spot Sunday at the Virginia short track.“It’s been really tough, and nothing has really gone right,” Truex said Saturday. “I thought we were sitting in a really good position last week. Things were going pretty well, and then we pit and the bottom falls ou...

Charles Co. health department warns of increase in rabies cases

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

Charles Co. health department warns of increase in rabies cases The health department in Charles County, Maryland, is warning of an increase in rabies cases in the area.One raccoon and two skunks have tested positive for rabies since mid-September, according to a news release. The two skunks that tested positive for rabies were found on Sept. 21 and Oct. 24 in the Waldorf or White Plains area. The raccoon was found on Oct. 19 in the area of Bryantown near Edelen Road. The Charles County Department of Health is urging everyone to “avoid contact” with wildlife and unknown animals after the discovery of these cases.The virus is spread through the saliva of a rabid animal, which can happen when it bites or scratches another animal or a person. It can also spread when saliva gets on the coat of an animal who was exposed to a rabid animal. The health department said that the virus can infect someone through open cuts, wounds or through the nose, mouth or eyes. Dogs, cats and ferrets can get rabies from wild animals.Because of this risk, the health dep...

Former Vice President Mike Pence drops his bid for the Republican presidential nomination

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

Former Vice President Mike Pence drops his bid for the Republican presidential nomination LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence drops his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.Source

Banister envisioned World Series at Globe Life Field before it was built, when he was Texas manager

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

Banister envisioned World Series at Globe Life Field before it was built, when he was Texas manager ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jeff Banister envisioned being part of a World Series at Globe Life Field even before ground was broken for construction of the retractable-roof stadium that is the home of the Texas Rangers.That dream is being realized now, just happening in a different role than expected for the bench coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks — and former Rangers manager.“It’s a beautiful place,” Banister said. “To watch from the design phase, to be able to walk into this is pretty incredible.”Banister was manager from 2015-18, during the span when the Rangers announced plans for a new stadium and began building it. But he was fired long before they ever played a game there, so he was on the visiting side when the NL champion Diamondbacks opened this surprise World Series matchup of wild-card teams with Games 1 and 2 in Texas.“The only mixed emotions I have is that we weren’t able to get it done when I was here,” Banister said. “That’s a missed opportunity for us at that time.”When...

Man arrested in connection to Brickell shooting that sent woman to hospital

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

Man arrested in connection to Brickell shooting that sent woman to hospital Police have arrested a man days after a chaotic night in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood that left a woman critically injured.According to City of Miami Police, 41-year-old Angel Arteaga-Abreu is facing several charges, including lying to investigators about his involvement in a dispute that escalated when someone pulled out a gun along the 1200 block of South Miami Avenue, Sunday morning.Cellphone video captured the moment the driver of a red SUV tried to get away as they were followed by a group of people following an argument.Detectives said the victim was shot in the chest and rushed to Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.Her family identified her as Stefani Pinero. They said she is recovering and doing much better.It remains unclear who fired the shot.If you have any information that could help police, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

MLB will examine its playoff format but isn’t rushing to make changes

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

MLB will examine its playoff format but isn’t rushing to make changes ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — After watching Atlanta, Baltimore and the Los Angeles Dodgers lose in the Division Series following 100-win seasons, Major League Baseball will examine its postseason format but isn’t rushing to make changes.MLB expanded the playoffs from 10 teams to 12 for the 2022 season as part of a five-year collective bargaining agreement with the players’ association. Arizona and Texas advanced to the third all-wild card World Series, and the Diamondbacks with 84 wins could have the second-fewest for a champion over a non-shortened season.Three of the four division winners with first-round byes lost after five-day layoffs, and the Orioles and Dodgers were swept.“It will at least motivate a conversation about whether we have it right,” Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday before the World Series opener. “I’m sure that conversation will take place (after) the postseason. Enough has been written and said that we have to think about it and talk ab...

Mexico security authorities raise Hurricane Otis death toll to 39

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

Mexico security authorities raise Hurricane Otis death toll to 39 ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — Mexico’s security authorities raised the death toll Saturday from the Category 5 Hurricane Otis that struck the country’s southern Pacific coast early Wednesday to 39.Mexico Security Secretary Rosa Icela Rodríguez said in a recorded video message with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador posted to the platform X that the probable cause of death for the 39 was “suffocation by submersion.” But she added that investigations continue and that the victims had not yet been identified.The increase comes after the initial death toll of 27 had not changed since it was announced Thursday. The storm’s human toll was becoming a point of contention as local media reported the recovery of more bodies. López Obrador criticized his opponents for trying to make the storm’s death toll a political issue.Rodríguez said the number of missing rose to 10. Hundreds of families have been awaiting word from their loved ones.In Acapulco on Saturday, government workers and volunt...

Police: Mercedes driver arrested after running red light, hitting car near Miami intersection

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

Police: Mercedes driver arrested after running red light, hitting car near Miami intersection Police have arrested a man in connection to a violent car crash in Miami.City of Miami Police units responded to the scene of the incident in the area of Northwest 47th Avenue and Seventh Street, early Saturday morning.According to investigators the driver of a blue Chevrolet Spark was traveling southbound on Northwest 47th Avenue when the driver of blue 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350, traveling westbound on Seventh Avenue, ran a red light and collided into the Spark.Polcie saod the driver of the Mercedes, identified as Osman Edgardo Flores Gonzalez, was speeding and did not have a driver’s license. He was taken into custody and later placed under arrest.Officers temporarily shut down the intersection while they investigated.On the scene were two badly damaged vehicles and a massive hole in a storefront.7News cameras also captured Flores Gonzalez as he was handcuffed and taken away.Police have not specified whether or not anyone was injured, as they continue to investigate

Fire engulfs yacht overnight at Haulover Park Marina; no injuries reported

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

Fire engulfs yacht overnight at Haulover Park Marina; no injuries reported A large yacht went up in flames in Northeast Miami-Dade, leaving it destroyed. Fire rescue officials said the incident happened at Haulover Park Marina, at around 4:45 a.m. on Saturday.They also expressed concern about the fuel of the boat and neighboring yachts. The fire was extinguished after a massive effort by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue later in the morning. No injuries were reported by officials. An investigation is underway as to what caused the fire.

17-year-old shot while leaving party; police search for suspect

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:59 GMT

17-year-old shot while leaving party; police search for suspect SAN DIEGO -- A 17-year-old girl was shot in the back while leaving an overnight party in the Talmadge neighborhood, authorities said.According to the San Diego Police Department, the victim was leaving a gathering on the 4400 block of Winona Avenue shortly after midnight Friday when the incident occurred. Arrest made in 1990 cold case murder of woman in Scripps Ranch Based on witness statements, police say two groups of individuals were reportedly involved in a physical altercation at the location. One of the individuals allegedly produced a firearm and discharged it multiple times. SDPD says the 17-year-old girl was shot once in the upper back. The individuals involved in the altercation then reportedly fled in multiple directions. The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and was treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries, authorities said. Pedestrian killed after being struck by van Witnesses described the shooter as a male of unknown age who was...