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Heat, Butler (now ailing) make another playoff statement, push past Knicks 108-101 in series opener

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

The opponent changed, the magic continues.The team that required two chances just to survive the play-in round, entering the NBA playoffs as the No. 8 seed at the bottom of the Eastern Conference bracket, is now three victories from consecutive appearances in the conference finals.No, nothing as dramatic as pushing past the No. 1-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, as they did in five games in the first round, but the Miami Heat made another statement Sunday.This time it was overcoming a 12-point deficit to take a 1-0 lead over the New York Knicks in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals with a 108-101 victory at Madison Square Garden.“We’re a back-against-the-wall type of team,” forward Caleb Martin said.With Jimmy Butler again in playoff mode, the Heat made it a second consecutive series of stealing homecourt advantage, having done it two weeks earlier at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.But the celebration also was muted, with Butler turning his right ankle with 5:5...

Ex-enforcer for Latin Kings gets 12 years in jail

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

A former enforcer for the Latin Kings gang, who authorities say was involved in violent attacks and shootings targeting rivals, has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison, federal prosecutors said.Orlando Santiago-Torres, 27, an enforcer for the New Bedford chapter of the Massachusetts Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, was responsible for planning violence, instilling discipline and organizing security at apartments from which the gang distributed drugs, prosecutors said in a statement.“As a leader of the New Bedford Chapter of the Latin Kings, Santiago-Torres engaged in at least three shootings, two brutal gang beatings, and dealt drugs, destroying any sense of safety on this city’s streets,” Joseph Bonavolonta, head of the FBI’s Boston office said in a statement Friday.The Latin Kings are a violent nationwide gang that distributes drugs to generate revenue and engages in violence to further its influence and to protect its turf, prosecutors said...

6 people shot at Lawrence house party, one killed in Massachusetts’ first mass shooting of the year

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

A person died following a shooting at a Lawrence house party early Sunday morning when six people were struck by gunfire, according to police who are investigating the first mass shooting of the year in Massachusetts.The Lawrence Police Department responded at about 3 a.m. to a disturbance call at 5 Royal Street, Apt. 3, where they found the shooting victims.All six people were taken to Lawrence General Hospital, where one of the victims was pronounced dead.Two of the other victims were flown by medical helicopter to Boston hospitals for additional treatment.“Based on the initial investigation, the shootings are not believed to be a random act of violence,” the Essex County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. No arrests in the shooting had been made as of Sunday afternoon.The name of the person who died is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | 9 teenagers injured in shooting at prom aft...

Oceanside businesses impacted, frustrated by extended closures of SR-78

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

OCEANSIDE, Calif. -- Emergency repairs on State Route 78 remain ongoing, however, some businesses in the area are already over it, saying that the closure to the heavily trafficked highway is hurting their bottom line.The construction to the stretch of road from College Boulevard to El Camino Real began in mid-March, after several metal culverts that ran under the highway collapsed amid the series of storms that battered the region. Officials respond to San Clemente landslide that forced evacuations, halted rail service With the ongoing closures, motorists were detoured at the SR-78 El Camino Real exit and directed to other side streets before making their way back onto the highway.While the emergency repairs were necessary for long-term durability, businesses in the area said they took a hit, given delays that have prolonged the timeline for completion."We’re typically pretty busy here -- we usually have a lot of steady traffic that comes in and out of the store," Amy Everett sai...

Tim Scott sets May 22 announcement for 2024 presidential bid

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina is nearly ready to reveal his decision on entering the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, saying Sunday that he would make an announcement on May 22.Scott didn’t definitively say that he’ll be announcing his official campaign, but he told those gathered at a downtown Charleston school during a town hall that he would be coming out with his decision at an event in about three weeks. Scott, 57, has been inching ever closer to formally entering the GOP nomination race, where he would join other announced candidates, including former President Donald Trump, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and “anti-woke” biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Another of those is Nikki Haley, the former U.N. ambassador and former South Carolina governor who appointed Scott in 2012 to the Senate, where he is the sole Black Republican. Haley hasn’t commented on Scott’s potential entry into the race, while...

CPD: Armed pair robs pizzeria, liquor stores in Logan Square, Belmont Cragin

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department sent out a community alert Sunday to businesses on the City's Northwest Side notifying them of several armed robberies that happened during business hours.Police said two offenders robbed Sarpino's Pizzeria and Liqoures La Caridad in Logan Square and Grand Food and Liquor in Belmont Cragin over the last two weeks.Times and Locations:· 1852 N Damen Ave (Sarpino's Pizzeria) April 15, 2023 at 1:58 a.m.· 3575 W Fullerton Ave (Liqoures La Caridad) April 26, 2023 at 10:08 p.m.· 5128 W Grand Ave (Grand Food & Liquor) April 26, 2023 at 9:45 p.m.In each instance, police said the offenders entered the business, pointed black handguns with extended magazines, and demanded property and/or money from staff on scene, money from a cash register, or went directly behind the counter and took money out of the register before getting into a white sedan — possibly a Volkswagen Jetta — and fleeing the scene.CPD describes the offenders as being two Black males,...

It's gonna be (a wet) May

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- As we begin what is usually our stormiest month in Central Texas, models are coming N*Sync toward an even wetter month than normal.Earlier this year we said Bye Bye Bye to La Niña. With El Niño yet to begin, May's forecast has No Strings Attached to the climate pattern known as ENSO.Rain forecast for May in Central TexasWe previewed the May forecast in mid-April, but on April 30 the Climate Prediction Center released their updated forecast for the month ahead. The original forecast pointed toward a near-normal month of rain, but now a wetter-than-normal month is expected.This means that storms and rain could Pop more frequently, producing beneficial liquid before we head into the hotter and drier summer months.May Rain Forecast (CPC) (Updated April 30, 2023)Central Texas continues to suffer from drought, especially west of I-35, so this wetter outlook is generally a positive development.Drought Monitor (Late April update)May temperature forecast for Central TexasIn ...

In 'Live Music Capital of the World,' Austin nonprofit offers free lessons to low-income students

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Tucked away in a small studio space off I-35 is Anthropos Arts, a nonprofit that has provided musical training and mentorship to thousands of local students from lower-income backgrounds. Now, the organization is celebrating the latest milestone in its tenure, with a 25th anniversary showcase planned for May 7.Dylan Jones, executive director of Anthropos Arts, told KXAN the inspiration for the nonprofit came through the very same musical mentorship he received as a teenager. He credited his bass teacher, Dwayne Heggar, with planting the seed that has since led to Anthropos Arts' musical ecosystem. AUSTIN ART NEWS: Here's the deeper meaning behind Austin's new 'La Mujer" mural "I was at a very critical point in my life and was going off a really bad path, and I credit him with not just changing my life, but saving it, ultimately," he said. "Every kid needs that in their life: That adult, professional non-authority figure to be able to guide and encourage and inspire...

Nickeil Alexander-Walker put together a stunning defensive performance in the playoffs. Can the Wolves keep him around?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

Jamal Murray went ballistic in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals Saturday in Denver, lighting Phoenix up for 34 points and nine assists while burying six triples in a Nuggets victory.The point guard scored 20 points in the second half alone, as a Phoenix team many consider to be the title favorite had no ability to slow him down.That performance made Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s defensive showing against Murray in Round 1 all the more impressive.Murray certainly had plenty of signature moments against the Timberwolves, as well. The guard scored 40 points in Game 2, and helped finish off Minnesota with a 35-point showing in Game 5. He has been stuck in a flame-throwing gear throughout the postseason.But it’s worth noting Game 2 was the lone contest Alexander-Walker didn’t start for the Wolves, and much of Murray’s damage throughout the series was done when someone else was defending him.Murray shot just 36% from the field in the series when guarded by Alexander-Walker, per ma...

Twins debut new Minnesota-themed celebration in win over Royals

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:39 GMT

The Brewers have a cheesehead that they don when they hit a home run. The Mariners have a shiny gold trident that their home-run hitters are greeted with upon their return to the dugout. The Angels have a samurai helmet, courtesy of star Shohei Ohtani.And now, the Twins have their own celebration, one most befitting of a team from Minnesota.As Byron Buxton reached the dugout after smashing a three-run home run, part of a seven-run third inning in the Twins’ 8-4 win over the Royals on Sunday afternoon, his teammates eagerly greeted him, new props in hand.Infielder Kyle Farmer held up a fishing vest, which Buxton slipped on. On the front, the vest is decorated with Twins decals. On the back, it reads “Land of 10,000 Rakes.” As he made his way down the line toward the far end of the dugout, starting pitcher Pablo López reeled him in with a toy fishing rod. He then handed the rod to Buxton, who showed off the Twins’ new prop for the camera.While the Twins only broke out their new home c...