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40 cats rescued in Loudon Co. pet hoarding investigation, shelter asks for donations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

After a pet hoarding investigation, 40 cats were removed from a house with unsafe living conditions by Loudon County Animal Services earlier this month. The Virginia shelter was already overwhelmed with surrendered cats and has set up additional emergency housing to accommodate the rescued cats.LCAS conducted a welfare check at a Sterling residence on Aug. 1 and found multiple cats inside and outside the home, according to a news release. Officers said the cats were being kept in conditions consistent with severe hoarding that were a direct threat “to their life, health and safety,” including numerous surfaces in the home being covered in feces and urine.“Ammonia readings in the home were significantly elevated beyond safe levels for prolonged exposure for both humans and animals,” wrote the animal shelter in a statement.The cats’ previous owner was issued an indefinite ban on pet ownership and fined $7,141 in restitution costs during a civil hearing he...

Alford’s 79-yard punt return TD helps Falcons to a 19-3 win over Dolphins in preseason opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dee Alford scored on a 79-yard punt return, Breon Borders returned one of Atlanta’s three interceptions for a score and the Falcons defeated the Miami Dolphins 19-3 in the teams’ preseason opener Friday night.Facing a Dolphins special teams unit that was among the NFL’s worst in 2022, Alford broke multiple tackles for the touchdown with 4:36 left in the game.On Miami’s next possession, Skylar Thompson was intercepted by Borders on a throw that was too high for Chris Coleman. Borders returned the pick 26 yards for a touchdown. Yunghoo Koo then missed his second extra-point attempt of the game.Atlanta’s Logan Woodside was 14 of 22 with 146 yards.Desmond Ridder, the Falcons’ projected starter, didn’t play. Ridder, who as a rookie started Atlanta’s final four games last season, has impressed teammates and coaches with his poise and command in his second training camp as he looks to end the Falcons’ streak of five strai...

Liberty top Sky 89-73 and win fifth straight to match franchise record with 23rd victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 21 points and 12 rebounds to help the New York Liberty beat the Chicago Sky 89-73 on Friday night for their fifth straight victory.New York (23-6) equaled the franchise record for victories in a season, matching the 2015 team. “It’s pretty cool, I didn’t know that,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “I think we won five in a row for the first time this year, so that was nice. I didn’t want to bring that up and jinx us. We had big goals coming in, and continue to grow.”While New York clinched a playoff spot Thursday night by virtue of a few other teams losing, Chicago (12-17) is currently sitting in eighth place in the standings. The game was tied at 14 before New York scored 12 straight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers by Betnijah Laney. The Liberty led 28-16 after the end of the first. New York held a 57-53 advantage late in the third quarter before scoring seven of the final nine points of the period.The Liberty kept the m...

‘Fernandomania’ lives again at Dodger Stadium with retirement of Valenzuela’s jersey

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Fernandomania” broke out again 42 years after first taking hold at Dodger Stadium and spreading nationwide. The Dodgers retired Fernando Valenzuela’s No. 34 jersey on Friday night before hosting the Colorado Rockies. His number was cut into the center-field grass and stenciled in white on the back of the mound.“It’s very emotional,” Valenzuela told a crowded room of English and Spanish-language media before the ceremony. “I never expected it.”Retired pitcher and current broadcaster Orel Hershiser and retired Dodger Manny Mota lifted off a blue cloth to reveal Valenzuela’s number high above the field.Fans, some wearing sombreros, were on their feet cheering, along with Valenzuela’s children and grandchildren. He held hands with wife Linda as they walked down the left-field line to watch the unveiling.Earlier, a mariachi band broke out in music and song as Valenzuela was introduced and walked from the dugout to the stage set up in front of t...

Mayfield takes another step to follow Brady in the Buccaneers’ 27-17 preseason loss to the Steelers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield continued his bid to follow Tom Brady as Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback and jumpstart his career with a solid, if not overly impressive preseason debut for the Buccaneers in a 27-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday night.The competition between the 2018 No. 1 overall pick and Kyle Trask to win the starting job that opened when Brady retired after last season has been described as too close to call.Mayfield posted better statistics in 1½ quarters against the Steelers, however it’s always difficult to assess performances in outings during which starters from both teams play sparingly while coaching staffs take extended looks at backups and young players hoping to make the final roster.Steelers starter Kenny Pickett, who worked one series, completed six of seven passes for 70 yards on a 10-play, 83-yard drive and finished with a 33-yard TD throw to George Pickens.Pickett was sharp, but the Bucs only started one regular on defense...

Morton untouched despite career-high 7 walks as the Braves beat the Mets again, 7-0

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Eddie Rosario had three RBIs and Charlie Morton won despite issuing seven walks — his most in 345 career starts — over five-plus innings as the Atlanta Braves beat the New York Mets 7-0 on Friday night.Austin Riley finished a triple shy of the cycle and had two RBIs for the major league-leading Braves, who are 6-1 this year against the Mets and need one more win to clinch the season series for the sixth straight season. Atlanta is 57-36 versus New York since 2018.Ozzie Albies added a run-scoring single for the Braves.Morton (11-10) gave up three hits and struck out four. He had just one 1-2-3 inning but limited the Mets to one hit in 11 at-bats with runners on. The 39-year-old right-hander became the 11th starting pitcher in big league history to throw five scoreless innings while walking at least seven.Morton is the third starting pitcher this season to win while walking seven, joining Jack Flaherty (April 1) and Dylan Cease (Aug. 7).Morton entered Friday having wal...

Lions beat Giants 21-16 on undrafted rookie Adrian Martinez’s late QB sneak

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Adrian Martinez scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 1:51 left to give the Detroit Lions a 21-16 preseason victory over the New York Giants on Friday night.After Graham Gano’s third field goal gave the Giants a 16-14 lead with 7:59 to play, Martinez led the Lions on a 69-yard drive. New York stopped former Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. twice from the 1, but Martinez — an undrafted rookie who had 49 TD runs in 45 college games for Nebraska and Kansas State — dived over the goal line for the score.Tommy DeVito’s desperation pass was intercepted by Brandon Joseph to clinch the game.Giants cornerback Deonte Banks, the 24th overall pick in April, had one tackle in limited action.Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit’s top draft pick, carried the ball six times for 19 yards and had an 18-yard reception. Jack Campbell, the Lions’ second pick of the first round, made four tackles.The Lions received the opening kickoff and were behind after 85 seconds. Jason Pin...

Astros’ Jon Singleton hits his first homer since 2015, then makes it twice as nice in second at-bat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton hadn’t homered in the majors in eight years and 13 days entering Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels.Then he hit a home run in each of his first two at-bats.Singleton, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, hit a soaring three-run shot to the second deck in right field off Reid Detmers to put Houston on top 3-1 in the second inning.There was one on and one out in the third when he connected off Detmers again to make it 7-3 and end the left-hander’s night.They were his first major league homers since he hit one for the Astros in a 6-3 win over the Angels on July 29, 2015. That’s the longest stretch between home runs by a position player in the majors since Rafael Belliard went 10 years and 144 days between the only two homers of his career — for Pittsburgh in 1987 and for Atlanta in 1997. And it’s the longest homer gap by any player since pitcher Jake Peavy went nine years, 52 day...

NHRA Menards Nationals Qualifying

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

FridayAt Heartland Motorsports ParkTopeka, Kan.Qualifying ResultsTop Fuel1. Steve Torrence, 3.764 seconds, 326.24 mph; 2. Clay Millican, 3.813, 316.15; 3. Justin Ashley, 3.818, 322.88; 4. Leah Pruett, 3.834, 293.41; 5. TonySchumacher, 3.835, 316.15; 6. Josh Hart, 3.867, 314.68; 7. Austin Prock, 4.039, 254.71; 8. Lex Joon, 4.106, 251.39; 9. Terry Totten, 4.193, 274.33; 10. ScottPalmer, 4.208, 223.36; 11. Brittany Force, 4.309, 168.98; 12. Antron Brown, 4.438, 184.85; 13. Doug Kalitta, 4.725, 159.63; 14. Mike Salinas, 4.978,140.80; 15. Buddy Hull, 5.633, 120.46; 16. Jacob McNeal, 6.094, 97.81. Not Qualified: 17. Shawn Langdon, 7.934, 74.60. Funny Car 1. Robert Hight, Chevy Camaro, 3.948, 321.19; 2. Ron Capps, Toyota Supra, 3.950, 314.17; 3. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.967, 316.60; 4. John Force,Camaro, 3.977, 317.12; 5. Paul Lee, Dodge Charger, 4.014, 308.35; 6. J.R. Todd, Supra, 4.023, 318.77; 7. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.040, 312.93; 8. TimWilkerson, Mustang, 4.044, 304.74; 9. Cruz ...

Maui resident scrambles to get home from Denver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:27 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A Maui resident, who had traveled to the Denver metro area for a job interview, has finally found a flight home after wildfires decimated parts of the island. Private chef John Sandbach said he flew into Denver just before the historic Maui wildfires broke out."The economic impact’s gonna be huge," he said. "It's like Colorado losing Breckenridge." His wife and three children were evacuated safely from the area of Kihei. Maui wildfire disaster: How can I donate to help? For the past couple of days, Sandbach has tried frantically to book flights with United, Southwest and even Hawaiian Airlines, but to no avail. On Friday morning, he caught a break and was able to catch a flight home on Southwest. "I think it's more mourning for a place that's sacred to me," he said. The catastrophe has claimed the lives of at least 67 people, officials said Friday.