Mountain West power ratings: UNLV on top (again) as dream season continues, Fresno State falls and SJSU rises

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

Mountain West power ratings: UNLV on top (again) as dream season continues, Fresno State falls and SJSU rises Last season, the Hotline published weekly ‘Best of the West’ power ratings that considered not only Pac-12 teams but those in the Mountain West and Brigham Young. The exercise was so popular that we’re adding a MW-specific column to our array of offerings this season.(All times Pacific)With one week of regular-season play remaining, the Mountain West has six bowl-eligible teams and two more that could reach the threshold with victories in their finales.For context, consider the following:— The MW placed seven teams in the postseason last year and six in 2021.— The conference is tied to five bowl games with the potential for a sixth (depending on openings elsewhere).— Any teams with at least six wins that aren’t placed into a conference-affiliated game would become free agents available to fill spots in bowls with vacancies.— The selection process could get interesting if Colorado State and/or Utah State win this week.To the power ratings …1. UNLV ...

Driver arrested in hit-run death of San Lorenzo pedestrian

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

Driver arrested in hit-run death of San Lorenzo pedestrian SAN LORENZO — A driver suspected of fleeing the scene after his vehicle struck and killed a 56-year-old man crossing a street Sunday morning was later arrested, the California Highway Patrol said.The name of the man killed was not immediately released.The fatal collision happened about 8:52 a.m. Sunday on northbound Hesperian Boulevard south of Bockman Road.The CHP said the 56-year-old man was crossing Hesperian Boulevard outside of a marked crosswalk when he was hit and killed by a black 2007 Ford Mustang which kept going northbound on Hesperian Boulevard.CHP Officer Jennifer Pabst said the Mustang was found unoccupied by Alameda County sheriff’s deputies a short time later, a half-mile away from the scene of the collision, in a residential area.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Less driving but more deaths: Spike in traffic fatalities puzzles lawmakers Crime and Public Safety | Hit-and-run driver kills man standing outside disabled ve...

Single-family residence sells in Los Gatos for $3.1 million

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

Single-family residence sells in Los Gatos for $3.1 million 15727 Orange Blossom Lane – Google Street ViewA 1,500-square-foot house built in 1952 has changed hands. The property located in the 15700 block of Orange Blossom Lane in Los Gatos was sold on Nov. 7, 2023, for $3,050,000, or $2,033 per square foot. This single-story house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. Additionally, the house is equipped with a two-car garage, accommodating vehicles and storage needs efficiently.Additional houses that have recently been purchased close by include:A 2,715-square-foot home on the 16400 block of Camellia Terrace in Los Gatos sold in July 2023, for $3,480,000, a price per square foot of $1,282. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Camellia Terrace, Los Gatos, in July 2023, a 3,560-square-foot home was sold for $4,405,000, a price per square foot of $1,237. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In April 2023, a 1,587-square-foot home on Orange Blossom Lane in Los Gatos sold for...

Mayor Breed announces retail theft law enforcement operations

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

Mayor Breed announces retail theft law enforcement operations (BCN) -- San Francisco police plan to expand their retail theft enforcement strategies during the holiday shopping season thanks in part to a multi-million-dollar state grant, according to Mayor London Breed. Breed announced the $17 million grant in September and said in a news release Monday that police have conducted 40 anti-theft operations that have led to more than 300 arrests since last year. Will San Francisco streets remain clean even after APEC? The funding helps pay for officers' overtime while running targeted retail theft operations, which Breed says will "significantly increase" during the next three years. The grant also includes money for the San Francisco District Attorney's Office to fund a prosecutor and investigator dedicated to retail theft cases. The money is also being used to buy and install 400 automated license plate readers to cover 100 intersections throughout the city. Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

SF man convicted of kidnapping wife at gunpoint facing up to 29 years in prison

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

SF man convicted of kidnapping wife at gunpoint facing up to 29 years in prison SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A San Francisco man who kidnapped his wife at gunpoint and threatened to kill her faces up to 29 years in prison after being convicted, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office announced on Monday. Rabira Pollano, 27, was found guilty of kidnapping, domestic violence and criminal threats, among other charges.Pollano kidnapped his wife at gunpoint, threatened to kill her and committed several assaults on her before she was able to escape, the DA said. Pollano forced his wife into a car at gunpoint and threatened to dump her body in the bay at an East Bay waterfront park in Albany, according to evidence presented at the trial. When they arrived at the park, Pollano's wife was able to escape the car and run to another car for help. Suspects kidnap Amazon delivery driver in San Ramon, force him to withdraw cash: police Two young women from Berkeley stopped to help and she jumped into the back of their car to escape. Pollano also jumped into the car and atte...

Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer and Chase Utley among 12 newcomers on BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer and Chase Utley among 12 newcomers on BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer, Chase Utley, David Wright, José Bautista and Matt Holliday are among 12 new candidates on the Hall of Fame ballot released Monday.Todd Helton, who fell 11 votes short this year in ballots cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, and Billy Wagner, who was 27 shy, are among 14 holdovers.Bartolo Colon, Adrián González, Victor Martinez, Brandon Phillips, José Reyes and James Shields also are making their first appearances on the ballot.When Scott Rolen was elected this year, Helton got 72.2% of the vote and Wagner 68.1%,Other holdovers include steroids-tainted Alex Rodríguez (139 votes, 35.7%) and Manny Ramírez (129, 33.2%) along with Andruw Jones (226, 58.1%), Gary Sheffield (214, 55%), Carlos Beltrán (181, 46.5%), Omar Vizquel (76, 19.5%), Andy Pettitte (66, 17%), Bobby Abreu (60, 15.4%), Jimmy Rollins (50, 12.9%), Mark Buehrle (42, 10.8%), Francisco Rodríguez (42, 10.8%) and Torii Hunter (27, 6.9%).Sheffield will be maki...

Packers have found a couple of building blocks in rookie receivers Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

Packers have found a couple of building blocks in rookie receivers Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — This season of transition for Green Bay’s offense gives the Packers plenty of opportunities to figure out which of their young players could emerge as long-term key performers.It appears they’ve found a couple of keepers in rookie wide receivers Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. Reed scored on a 32-yard end-around and Wicks had three catches for a career-high 91 yards Sunday in a 23-20 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.“They’re playmakers,” quarterback Jordan Love said after the game.Reed, a second-round pick from Michigan State, has a team-high 463 yards receiving. After catching four touchdown passes in the Packers’ first nine games, Reed showcased his versatility Sunday by scoring his first career rushing touchdown.Love faked a handoff to Aaron Jones and then flipped the ball backward to Reed, who raced around the right end. Reed also caught four passes for 46 yards.“He was a little banged up, as well,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “Nothing serious,...

US women’s soccer team adding new players for final games of the year

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

US women’s soccer team adding new players for final games of the year CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. women’s national soccer team will give some younger and less experienced players an opportunity in a pair of exhibition matches against China next month. Veterans Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn, Alyssa Naeher and Crystal Dunn won’t be with the team for the games against China on Dec. 2 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and on Dec. 5 outside of Dallas. Instead, interim head coach Twila Kilgore’s 26-player roster announced Monday includes midfielder Jenna Nighswonger, who plays for Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Korbin Albert. It is the first national team call-up for both players. Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie, who has yet to appear in a match, also joins the team. Kilgore chose the roster in consultation with U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker and Emma Hayes, the new head coach who will join the team in May after finishing out the season with Chelsea. “We value these p...

Atlanta to host opening game, Miami gets the final for 2024 Copa América

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

Atlanta to host opening game, Miami gets the final for 2024 Copa América ATLANTA (AP) — Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was awarded the 2024 Copa América opener and South Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium will host the final of the tournament, held outside of its home continent for only the second timeA joint announcement was made Monday by soccer’s governing bodies of South America and of North and Central America and the Caribbean. Other sites and the schedule for the 16-team tournament were not revealed.The tournament is set to begin on June 20 at 71,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United has set numerous attendance records. Defending Copa América champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will presumably be one of the teams taking part in the opener.The retractable-roof stadium near downtown Atlanta, which opened in 2017, will install a grass field over its artificial playing surface for the tournament.Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens already has a Bermuda grass field and seats about 65,000 after a $50...

Syracuse athletics director says late-season swoons, failure to get to 7 wins led to Babers’ firing

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:10:45 GMT

Syracuse athletics director says late-season swoons, failure to get to 7 wins led to Babers’ firing SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Syracuse athletics director John Wildhack says the latest November swoon and failure to achieve a 7-5 regular season record led to firing football coach Dino Babers after eight seasons.“The decision was not a knee-jerk reaction, not an emotional decision,” athletics director John Wildhack said Monday, a day after firing Babers. “We evaluated the program on a consistent basis … what it boils down to is November. We’ve not had success in November.” The Orange (5-6, 1-6 ACC) have one last chance to become bowl eligible by hosting Wake Forest (4-7, 1-6) on Saturday. Syracuse had just two bowl appearances under Babers.After opening the season 4-0, Syracuse has dropped six of seven following a 31-22 loss at Georgia Tech on Saturday. The pattern is similar to last year when the Orange opened 6-0 start before closing 1-6, including a loss to Minnesota in the Pinstripe Bowl.“There’s a consistent theme, ”Wildhack said. “We’ve not had the success we need and that re...