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Chicago Cubs announce Craig Counsell’s staff, featuring bench coach Ryan Flaherty: ‘I’ve always had great respect for him’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell didn’t know Ryan Flaherty well when he began the search for his bench coach.Counsell actually liked that aspect of the process, though Flaherty had a connection to general manager Carter Hawkins, his teammate at Vanderbilt. However, Counsell was more interested in how well Flaherty had done his job the last four years, explaining last month that he was looking forward “to a new and a fresh set of eyes there to help me see different things” with Flaherty.He officially became one of four additions to the Cubs’ 2024 coaching staff Tuesday as Counsell’s right-hand man in the dugout. Flaherty’s eight-year big-league career ended after 2019, and the 37-year-old’s transition to the coaching ranks led him to the Padres, with whom he most recently served as bench coach last season.“I’ve always had great respect for him,” Counsell said at the winter meetings. “He’s done really good thin...

van Riemsdyk, Bruins best Blue Jackets on the road, 4-1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

The Bruins may not have been at their best at all times on Tuesday night in Columbus, but they didn’t have to be to take care of an undermanned Blue Jackets team.The B’s received goals from four different players – and one each from all three third line players – to put away the Jackets, 4-1, at Nationwide Arena. James van Riemsdyk had a three-point night – a goal and two assists – to lead the B’s offensively and Linus Ullmark made 25 saves.After sputtering into the Christmas break, the B’s have won the four games since the three-day haitus.The first period was a low-event 20 minutes in which the B’s were outshot 12-5 despite having the only two power plays.The only decent scoring chance they had was on an in-tight spin move by David Pastrnak but he was too close to Spencer Martin to lift it over the goalie.The B’s did nothing with the man advantages – gifted to them by a Columbus delay of game and an after-the-whistle punch – and the Blue Jackets...

San Diego Vietnamese restaurant lands on Yelp's top soup spots in California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Plenty of soup for you!Yelp recently named the top soup spots in each U.S. state based on a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews mentioning "soup."San Diego's-own Thanh Tinh Chay represents California with its Roasted Duck Wonton Soup. The $21.60 dish features eggless noodles, shredded mock duck, wonton, mushroom, bok choy and carrot.Located at 4591 El Cajon Blvd in the Teralta East neighborhood, the Vietnamese vegan restaurant offers a plethora of soup dishes from Vegan Phở and Curry Soup to Beef Stew Soup and Vietnamese Sausage Poridge. Top 50 places to eat in San Diego: Yelp "I came here again and brought my friend to try. She loved it!!! This time we had the veggie fried rolls, crispy dumplings, Helen's steamed buns, house banh mi, and roasted duck soup!!! My faves this time (were) Helen's steamed buns and the roasted duck soup. Wow the "duck" was crispy and I loved the sauce on top," Yelper Valerie S. commented."I had the Roasted ...

Australia launches inquiry into why Cabinet documents relating to Iraq war remain secret

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ordered an inquiry into why 20-year-old Cabinet documents relating to Australia joining the United States-led Iraq invasion remain secret, saying Wednesday that Australians have a right to know why their country went to war in 2003.On Monday, the National Archives of Australia released 2003 Cabinet records in keeping with an annual Jan. 1 practice following the expiration of a 20-year secrecy provision. But 78 documents relating to the Iraq war were withheld because they were prepared for the National Security Committee, a subset of Cabinet ministers who make decisions relating to national security and foreign policy.Committing Australia to war was the committee’s decision.Albanese blamed the former conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison for failing to follow the usual practice of handing over all documents to the archive three years before their due release date.Retired public servant Dennis Richards...

Ex-celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi found competent to stand trial for alleged $15 million client thefts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Disgraced Los Angeles celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi has been found competent to stand trial on charges that he stole more than $15 million from his clients.A federal judge filed a notice of the brief order Tuesday under seal. Lawyers for both sides were given five days to identify any information in it that they would like the judge to keep confidential. Girardi, 84, is the estranged husband of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Erika Jayne. Girardi pleaded not guilty in Los Angeles last year to wire fraud on charges that he embezzled from clients, including an Arizona widow whose husband was killed in a boat accident; a Los Angeles couple injured in a car wreck that paralyzed their son; and a man who was severely burned in the 2010 San Bruno gas pipeline explosion. If convicted, he could be sentenced to decades in federal prison.The Associated Press sent messages to his public defenders seeking comment.At issue in the competency hearing was whether Girard...

Opinion: Marvin Harrison Jr. should be the Bears No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

CHICAGO — After the Carolina Panthers' shutout loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars on New Year's Eve, the Chicago Bears now hold the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NFL Draft, and it should be Marvin Harrison Jr.Harrison Jr's unique level of talent, paired with how Chicago's season has unfolded and the lack of an obvious top defensive line prospect in this year's draft, is creating a perfect storm for the Ohio State product to become the first wide receiver to go first overall since the University of Southern California's Keyshawn Johnson in 1996. Last week: Why Jim Harbaugh isn’t going to be a Chicago Bear Let's break down how this situation can play out.From a historical perspective, a wideout being taken with the first choice in any given NFL draft is a rarity, but not totally unheard of. A wide receiver has been the No. 1 overall choice in the NFL draft three times, with the last such time being Johnson some 27 years ago when he was the first overall choice of the New York...

Chicago firefighter charged in connection with apparent road rage shooting in Andersonville

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

CHICAGO — Charges have been filed against a Chicago firefighter accused in a shooting that stemmed from an apparent road rage incident on the North Side on New Year's Eve.According to Chicago police, 34-year-old Omotayo Kassim is facing several felony charges including aggravated battery by discharge of a firearm, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm from an occupied vehicle.Police say the charges stem from a shooting that unfolded just before 8 p.m. in the 1600 block of West Foster Avenue in Andersonville on Sunday night.The Chicago Fire Department confirmed to WGN-TV that Kassim is a firefighter, but did not provide further details on his role. 2 adults, toddler pulled to safety after crashing car into pond in Naperville Police say a 35-year-old man who was driving a jeep in the area attempted to make a U-turn when Kassim allegedly exited a Chevy Tahoe and opened fire.Police say the victim suffered a gunshot wound to his face and was taken to the h...

Body of Florida mom who vanished in 2012 found in pond near Disney World, divers say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — A group of volunteer divers believe they have found the remains of a woman in a vehicle submerged in a retention pond near Walt Disney World, apparently solving a 12-year-old mystery about what happened to her.Divers from Sunshine State Sonar said they believe they found the remains of Sandra Lemire on Saturday while diving in a small retention pond at the Disney World exit on Interstate 4 in Kissimmee, Florida. ‘Black Panther’ actor seriously injured in NYC crash on New Year’s Day Lemire disappeared in May 2012. She was last seen leaving a restaurant in Kissimmee, driving the minivan that was found.The group of divers had been searching for Lemire in 63 bodies of water over the last year and a half. Last week, a tip from an Orlando Police Department detective about the location of a cellphone tower that last received a call from Lemire's phone helped them narrow the search to the retention pond, the group said in a statement on social media.A gro...

WCSO identifies teen killed in shooting near Round Rock

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A teenager was identified as the victim of a shooting that happened over the weekend near Round Rock, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Tuesday.The teen was identified as 17-year-old Aundair Bowser, according to officials.The Williamson County Sheriff's Office said Monday officials are investigating a suspicious death in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Williamson County Sheriff's Office said Monday officials are investigating a suspicious death in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)The Williamson County Sheriff's Office said Monday officials are investigating a suspicious death in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Shortly before 9 a.m. Monday, WCSO responded to the 8000 block of Arezzo Drive. That's north of U.S. Hwy. 79 and near Kerley Elementary School.Furthermore, a juvenile was charged with manslaughter, WCSO said. However, due to the juvenile being underage, officials are not releasing the suspect's identit...

Mental Health Court offers substance abuse treatment with or without insurance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:52:02 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- People going through the Hays County Mental Health Court can now get help treating substance abuse regardless if they have insurance or not. RELATED COVERAGE: Hays County fills mental health court positions, currently taking cases On Tuesday, County Commissioners approved a partnership with treatment center, Evoke Wellness in San Marcos.The specialty court is an alternative to jail for situations where mental health problems played a role in an arrest.It started taking participants in 2022 and is now up to 20 people, according to Mental Health Court Administrator Kaimi Mattila. "We will plan to get individuals into you know, either residential treatment or IOP (intensive outpatient treatment), probably starting like next week," Mattila said. 'Feel like a new lease on life'This court gave one of its participants a sense of hope for the future. The person, who wishes to remain anonymous, said it's completely changed their life. "Before I started the co...