Nestor Cortes hit hard by Blue Jays as Yankees lefty makes spring debut: ‘Not a nasty start’

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

Nestor Cortes hit hard by Blue Jays as Yankees lefty makes spring debut: ‘Not a nasty start’ DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Blue Jays refused to take it easy on Nestor Cortes in his spring debut on Saturday.The Yankees southpaw, sidelined up to this point by a hamstring injury, faced an Opening Day-esque Toronto lineup in his return to the mound. That combination resulted in Cortes allowing five earned runs, including homers to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Whit Merrifield, over 3.1 innings of work. Cortes also walked three and struck out four.“Not a nasty start,” Cortes said after the game, a nod to his nickname. But considering the hamstring injury and the groin issue that led to a premature playoff exit last October, Cortes was happy with his command and thought his stuff was better than he expected in his first game action of 2023.His manager agreed.“I thought he was all right. I liked the life on his fastball,” Aaron Boone said. “Got some swing and miss with it. Made a couple mistakes probably cutter-, slider-wise.”Boone would have preferred ...

Taconic boys hand David Prouty first loss en route to title

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

Taconic boys hand David Prouty first loss en route to title LOWELL – Taconic boys basketball coach Bill Heaphy has seen his bench step up all season long and Saturday was no different as the top seeds survived a fierce charge from undefeated David Prouty to win the Div. 5 state championship, 53-51, in a wild one.“I was just praying that the clock would tick a little faster, but we managed,” said Heaphy, who saw three starters foul out in the final quarter. “The (bench) has been like that throughout the tournament.”Christian Mateurvitch (11), Tayvon Sandifer (13) and Maimoudou Bamba (12) were all left to watch from the bench as Prouty’s last-second shot to tie, rolled off the rim ensuring Taconic its first outright title in school history. The Thunder shared the crown in the Covid-shortened season in 2020.“The first one we didn’t really get to get there because of Covid,” said Sandifer, who scored seven straight points in a pivotal third quarter for Taconic. “We came here and we finished the mission.”Trailing 51-42 with 5:01 left, the Panther...

UN commission calls for closing the gender digital divide

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

UN commission calls for closing the gender digital divide UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N.’s premiere global body fighting for gender equality on Saturday called for wide-ranging efforts to close the gap between men and women in today’s technology-driven world and urged zero tolerance for gender-based violence and harassment online.In a document approved by consensus after all-night negotiations at the end of a two-week meeting, the Commission on the Status of Women expressed grave concern at the interrelation between offline and online violence, harassment and discrimination against women and girls — and it condemned the increase in these acts.It called for a significant increase in investments by the public and private sector to bridge the gender digital divide. It also called for the removal of barriers to equal access to digital technology for all women and girls, and new policies and programs to achieve gender parity in emerging scientific and technological fields.Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, an entity of the United Nati...

Serbia, Kosovo agree on how to implement EU plan, envoy says

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

Serbia, Kosovo agree on how to implement EU plan, envoy says OHRID, North Macedonia (AP) — The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo have tentatively agreed on how to implement a European Union-sponsored plan to normalize their relations after decades of tensions between the two Balkan wartime foes, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Saturday after chairing talks between them.Speaking at a news conference after nearly 12 hours of talks in the North Macedonian lakeside resort of Ohrid, Borrell told reporters that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti ” have reached an agreement on how to do it.”They agreed last month to the wording of an 11-point EU plan to normalize relations following the neighbors’ 1998-1999 war and Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008.“Objective today was to agree on how to implement the agreement accepted in the last high-level meeting,” Borrell said. “This means practical steps on what has to be done, when, by who and how.”Both countries hope to join the E...

Snowy Michigan pileup ensnares up to 100 vehicles

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

Snowy Michigan pileup ensnares up to 100 vehicles DETROIT (AP) — Up to 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on Interstate 96 during white-out conditions, Michigan police said. There were reports of injuries that do not appear to be serious, police said on Twitter. Early reports said 50 to 100 vehicles were in the Saturday crash near Portland, a city over 100 mile (over 161 kilometers) northwest of Detroit.Officials posted photos of cars backed up along the frigid roads after the crash and said part of the interstate was closed. The weather has since cleared, police said, though it’s unclear when the interstate will reopen. The Associated Press

5 injured, 1 critically, in single-car crash in Arlington Heights

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

5 injured, 1 critically, in single-car crash in Arlington Heights ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — Five people were injured, one critically, in a single-car crash Saturday afternoon in Arlington Heights, according to police.According to a news release from the Arlington Heights Police Department, a driver crashed into a sign for a credit union around 1:15 p.m. near Arlington Heights Road and East Magnolia Street. Suburban doctor indicted on health care fraud scheme A 71-year-old woman, of Chicago, suffered a serious head injury and was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition, police said.The driver, a 32-year-old woman, of Elmwood Park, and three women, 62, 73, and 72, all of Chicago, were taken to Northwest Community Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. First major US railroad merger in 2 decades will go forward As of now, alcohol and drugs aren't suspected of being factors in the crash, police said.Arlington Heights police and the Major Case Assistance Team Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction unit a...

Sunset Hills dentist first in Missouri to use FDA-approved robot

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

Sunset Hills dentist first in Missouri to use FDA-approved robot SUNSET HILLS, Mo. - One St. Louis-area doctor has an extra helper to make the process for dental implants faster and safer. Chances are, you won't find it much elsewhere. Dr. Justin Schlaijker is a periodontist who has served the Sunset Hills community since 2011. Last year, he got the green light to use the only FDA-approved dental robot for implant surgeries. Schlaijker's team is the first in Missouri to use the Yomi Robotic Dental system from Neocis Inc. Yomi is a computerized navigational system that provides guidance and assists doctors with planning and surgical phases of implants. Trending: New highway from south Illinois to St. Louis? Maybe! Dr. Justin Schlaijker is a periodontist who has served the Sunset Hills community since 2011. Last year, he got the green light to use the only FDA-approved dental robot for implant surgeries. "The whole purpose is to ensure that the patient care is as optimal as possible," said Dr. Schlaijker. "It largely hasn't been much of a marketi...

Help wanted as Busch Stadium hosts concessions hiring event

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

Help wanted as Busch Stadium hosts concessions hiring event ST. LOUIS - Job-seekers filled the seats in a makeshift waiting area of Busch Stadium, hoping to land an interview and new opportunity ahead of baseball season. Delaware North Sportservice has been the club’s concessionaire for more than 50 years. They hosted a hiring event Saturday at Busch Stadium for various part-time and seasonal positions."We're still currently looking for stand attendants in the concession stands, retail associates to work in our official Cardinals team store, and also in the premium area," said Martin Bethea, Concessions Manager. Top story: Murder victim’s sister waited nine years to hear triple killer was found guilty Concession employees can earn up to $20 to $30 an hour after tips. They also get discounts on retail items at the Cardinals team store."We are looking for anyone from the age of 16 and up. We are willing to train in our concession area, we're looking for supervisors," said Bethea.Organizers said they plan on having more hiring events like thi...

The NCAA “really likes” Denver. If Broncos build dome it might just bring Final Four

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

The NCAA “really likes” Denver. If Broncos build dome it might just bring Final Four The main concourse at Ball Arena Friday afternoon looked like I-25 without the road rage. Strangers clad in bright blue (Creighton), navy blue (Gonzaga), green (Baylor) or purple (TCU, Grand Canyon) sweatshirts found themselves crammed shoulder-to-shoulder, creeping toward a pricey beverage or restroom stall at a snail’s pace.“The hotels (here) are good. The infrastructure is good. (There’s) a little bit of traffic, for sure,” Baylor guard and Georgia native Adam Flagler told The Post Saturday.“I think they were fixing a little bit of the roads and everything. (Isn’t there) a riverwalk?”There is.“Yeah, I would love to see that. You know, Denver would be a nice place for this tournament to finish out.”Sure would. Denver was one of only two NCAA tourney sites over the first weekend of the Big Dance to feature single-session crowds of at least 19,000. And Ball Arena pulled it off twice.Whether it was Grand Canyon fans going bonkers or TCU’s JaKobe Coles capping the night with a game-wi...

Broncos bringing CB Essang Bassey back on one-year deal, source says

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 02:54:40 GMT

Broncos bringing CB Essang Bassey back on one-year deal, source says After a shopping spree to start free agency, the Broncos are fortifying their depth by bringing a few 2022 players back to the roster.The latest is cornerback Essang Bassey, who is returning to Denver on a one-year deal, a source confirmed Saturday evening to The Post.Bassey, 24, appeared in 14 games for Denver in 2022 and has appeared in all but one of his 28 NFL games with the franchise. He briefly spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 before returning to Denver again last offseason.He didn’t make the roster out of training camp but quickly ended up back with the team due to injuries and turned himself into a special teams regular and depth piece in the secondary.That looks like a likely role for him again in 2023, joining recently signed Tremon Smith as cornerback depth after the top trio of Pat Surtain II, Damarri Mathis and nickel K’Waun Williams.Denver made a similar move at the safety position late in the week bringing P.J. Locke back on a one-year contract.Bassey ...