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Celtics’ Marcus Smart feeling ‘about 10 percent better’ physically than last year’s playoffs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

Just as these playoffs began, Marcus Smart was feeling so good that he declared himself close to 100% healthy. It was a somewhat surprising statement, given the relentless nature the Celtics guard plays with and the injuries he sustained this season.One month and a few playoff rounds later, Smart has taken his share of knocks but is still standing tall.Among his ailments this spring, Smart suffered a lower back contusion and chest contusion during the first round against the Hawks that he’s still feeling the effects of. Smart is still wearing a chest protector underneath a shirt he wears under his jersey. His back looks like it has noticeably bothered him in recent games. In Game 7 against the 76ers, he corralled a rebound early in the third quarter, landed somewhat awkwardly and grabbed his lower back wincing in some pain as he ran up court. In Game 1 against the Heat, he grabbed at his back at one point again after experiencing further discomfort.Both instances were brief. Smart s...

Mets Notebook: Carlos Carrasco returns from injury to face former team

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

After securing a series win against MLB-best Tampa Bay Rays, the Mets began a three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians — who came across a familiar face.Carlos Carrasco made his return from the injured list against his former team Friday. Carrasco made his first start since April 15, returning from right elbow inflammation caused by a bone spur.The Mets optioned left-handed pitcher Josh Walker to make room for Carrasco.It was his first start against his former team that he played with for 11 seasons.“Just because guys are traded from your organization, you don’t lose you admiration or affection for guys,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said pregame about Carrasco. “I hope we beat his brains out tonight, but I love the kid.”Carrasco was part of the blockbuster deal that sent the pitcher and star shortstop Francisco Lindor from Cleveland to New York in 2021. In return, Cleveland received Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez, Josh Wolf and Isaiah Gre...

Severe injuries from falls skyrocket since taller border wall installed

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – The number of serious injuries stemming from falls from the border wall has risen dramatically in the past three years, a Texas Tech surgeon says. So has the severity of the wounds resulting from said falls, according to a soon-to-be-published study based on emergency room and hospital data.“The main point of our article is (that) in the past three years, we are seeing more numbers of persons brought to our centers after a fall from the border wall compared to the years before 2019,” said Dr. Susan McLean, professor of surgery at Texas Tech University. “There was a wall prior to 2019, but it was shorter, and we saw five to 10 patients a year. For the last two years, we have seen around 250. So, there are more patients, and the injuries are more severe.”Border wall construction and replacement became a centerpiece of the Trump administration’s deterrence strategy against illegal immigration. Trump bragged about building hundreds of miles of new border...

Remains of Marine veteran killed in Ukraine flown home to US

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The remains of a U.S. Marine veteran who was missing in Ukraine for more than a year returned to the United States on Friday and were headed to his hometown in eastern North Carolina.A Turkish Airlines plane flying from Istanbul with the remains of retired Marine Capt. Grady Kurpasi landed at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in the early evening. They were loaded onto a private jet bound for Wilmington, North Carolina.Kurpasi, a 50-year-old Iraq War veteran, volunteered in February 2022 to help evacuate Ukrainian residents and later fought in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion, according to the Weatherman Foundation, the group that located his remains and repatriated them. He was last seen in April 2022 after investigating the source of some gunfire with fellow volunteers in southern Ukraine and was declared dead last month by the U.S. State Department.“There is an unspoken bond between those who serve in uniform,” said Weatherman Foundation President Megha...

Pregnant woman, toddler fatally shot in Idaho, sheriff says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

WALLACE, Idaho. (AP) — A 33-year-old pregnant woman and her toddler son were found shot to death in a home in northern Idaho, authorities said. Deputies responded at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a death at the home, Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey announced on Facebook. There they found the bodies of Elizabeth Lawley and her 2-year-old son. Both had gunshot wounds, and a preliminary investigation indicates that Lawley shot and killed the boy and then herself, according to the sheriff. News outlets reported that the sheriff said Lawley had been pregnant.Lindsey said in her 19 years of service in Shoshone County, she’s never seen the sheriff’s office so somber and devastated.“Today was an extremely difficult day for the family, for our office, and for this community. And I can only imagine what the family is going through,” the Facebook post said.Wallace is a small town east of Coeur d’Alene along Interstate 90. The Associated Press

Colombia on edge as search continues for 4 children who could have survived plane crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Colombians were on edge Friday as a search continued for four Indigenous children who might have survived a deadly plane crash in the Amazon jungle 19 days ago.The accident occurred in the early hours of May 1 when a Cessna C206 with seven passengers on board declared an emergency due to engine failure. Shortly after, the small aircraft fell off radar and a frantic search for survivors began.Colombian troops found the wreckage Tuesday along with the bodies of three adults: the pilot, a guide and the children’s mother. But there was no sign of the youngsters.The children, members of the Uitoto Indigenous community, were identified as Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, 13; Soleiny Jacobombaire Mucutuy, 9; Tien Noriel Ronoque Mucutuy, 4; and Cristin Neriman Ranoque Mucutuy, 11 months.On Wednesday, there appeared to be a breakthrough when Colombian President Gustavo Petro took to Twitter to announce that the four children had been found alive. But any elation was ...

At 99, suburban World War II vet awarded honorary college degree

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — A 99-year-old veteran who fought in World War II can add an honorary degree to his list of accomplishments."It’s so fabulous and very unexpected," said Bernard Bluestein, also known as 'Bernie.'The war veteran was part of the deception unit known as 'The Ghost Army.' Leaving college at 19 to join the Armed Forces, Bluestrin was a prime recruit for a special top-secret unit that would create battlefield illusions to trick the Nazis. 12 year-old set to graduate from Fullerton College with 5 degrees Bluestein was pursuing a degree in art before leaving for the service. Years later, his passion for the craft led him back to Harper College. The Palatine native has been a student of Harper College for 34 years, taking various courses mainly focused on art. Bluestein's son, Keith, a Harper College alum, shared his take on the honor.  "Everything that he’s been through with WWII and then later finding out that he was a part of the Ghost Army and then being a ...

Friends create allergen-free food company in Chicago

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Two moms who met at a book club and while coaching start-ups together have started a growing food business on the West Side of Chicago.They are serving allergen-free food while also serving those in need of a second chance and a job. Beyond batteries: How scientists at Argonne National Laboratory are improving the future of clean energy Under the label Every Body Eat, Trish Thomas and Nicole Wilson started the business that sprung from necessity when Trish developed chronic health issues.Nicole Wilson (L) and Trish Thomas (R)"I ended up with a whole bunch of autoimmune diseases," Thomas said. "I worked with the doctor here in town, changed my diet. So I took out gluten, dairy, soy, corn and egg and really put all of my autoimmune diseases into remission, but there was nothing I could eat."So Thomas started to search for food she could eat and the rest of her family as well. "I always try to be a gracious host, so we would be eating lunch and I'd be like 'Do you wanna eat...

Illinois lawmakers still unable to pass state budget

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois lawmakers wrapped up a busy week in Springfield Friday after still being unable to pass the state's budget by the democratic imposed May 19 deadline.The Illinois General Assembly technically has until the start of the fiscal year in July pass the state budget, but they tend to aim for a May 31 deadline."Well that’s come and gone, and the reason they wanted to do that was essentially to give them the rest of the month to get other things done and do other work.," WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek."By May 31 they can pass a budget with a majority vote, but after May 31, in the month of June prior to the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, it will require a supermajority to pass the budget.” Lawmakers approve south suburban cargo airport study Aside from the budget, things got heated Thursday on the Senate floor during several Democratic-led measures.One of those – an amendment to House Bill 1286 -- that would give businesses the option to create all...

Woman accused 3 armed robberies within minutes of each other in West Town

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:50 GMT

CHICAGO — A 26-year-old woman is charged with multiple felonies following a spree of armed robberies in West Town, Chicago police said Friday. Mercedes Jackson was arrested around 11:20 a.m. in the 800 block of N. Racine Ave on May 18. Police allege that hours earlier, Jackson was responsible for robbing three people at gunpoint. The incidents occurred in the following locations:1700 block of W. Crystal St. (14th Dist.) at approx. 9:05 a.m. - 44-year-old male victim  1800 block of W. Chicago Ave. (12th Dist.) at approx. 9:56 a.m. - 36-year-old male victim  700 block of N. Willard Ct. (12th Dist.) at approx. 10:10 a.m. - 30-year-old male victim. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesJackson was due in bond court on Friday.