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Leah Pruett reflects on her time at Bandimere Speedway

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

MORRISON — The mountains forged Leah Pruett into the racer she is today.It’s where she competed as a junior drag racer before winning multiple Top Fuel titles at Mile-High nationals. It’s where she experienced her first wheelie at the halfway point of the track.Whether Pruett was watching other professional racers, picturing herself in a nitro car, or speeding down the track, Bandimere Speedway has played a role in her career. That’s why she takes pride in competing at the final NHRA Mile-High Nationals at this track.“For me, Mile-High at Bandimere Speedway is the most prestigious race,” said Pruett, driver of the Dodge Direct Connection Top Fuel Dragster. “It’s the most difficult (race) in the most extreme sport on every level.”A cloud of sadness came over Pruett when she learned that the Bandimere Speedway was closing down. She didn’t want to believe it, and even today, she tries to suppress those emotions.“I feel like there’s going to be a wave (of emotions) as this event c...

LIVE: Gavilan Fire breaks out in Riverside County, evacuations ordered

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

Crews are battling a large wildfire that erupted in Riverside County on Saturday afternoon, prompting evacuations.Named the “Gavilan Fire,” the blaze was first reported near Gavilan and Idaleona Roads in Gavilan Hills around 3:28 p.m.The fire has spread from 30 acres to 150 acres so far and is “burning in heavy fuels,” according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. The flames are continuing to grow with zero percent containment.Fire crews are working to extinguish the blaze near Lake Mathews and air tankers can be seen dropping flame retardant on the brush-heavy area.At around 5 p.m., an evacuation warning was issued for all areas south of Country Pine, east of Gold Valley and north of Ida Leona.At around 5:20 p.m., an evacuation order was issued for the following areas:-East of Gavilan Road-North of Santa Rosa Mine Road-West of Crescent Canyon Drive / Homestead Road-South of Gustin RoadThe fire appears to be burning close to a group of homes, although no injuries have been...

Phillies’ Harper ends career-high homerless drought at 166 plate appearances

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryce Harper ended the longest homerless streak of his major league career at 166 plate appearances when he hit a solo drive for the Philadelphia Phillies in the second game of a doubleheader against the San Diego Padres on Saturday night.Harper connected on a curveball from left-hander Ryan Weathers, tying the score 1-1 in the fourth inning. The ball was caught barehanded in the Philadelphia bullpen in center field by closer Craig Kimbrel. It was the fourth homer of the season for Harper, who made his season debut May 2 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The home run was Harper’s first since May 25 at Atlanta against Dylan Dodd.Harper has been limited to batting this season. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said before Friday’s game that Harper could be back in the field for the first time since April 2022, playing first base instead of his customary outfield position, but then said afterward that Harper would not play first against San Diego.Harper, 30...

Former Prince George’s Co. correctional officer pleads guilty in drug-smuggling case

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

A former correctional officer in Prince George’s County, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to charges related to smuggling and distributing drugs to a prisoner she was in a relationship with.Danielle Dominique Smith, 34, of Waldorf, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance in court on Friday. Smith was employed at the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections for 13 years, according to a news release from the Maryland Department of Justice.Smith developed a romantic and sexual relationship with an inmate at PGDOC beginning in June 2021, the release said. In exchange for money from inmates’ relatives and friends on the outside, Smith conspired with her inmate boyfriend to distribute Suboxone, one of the main medications used to treat opioid addiction, and the synthetic cannabinoid K2.Officials said Smith and the inmate discussed the distribution of the drugs on recorded calls, referring to the controlled sub...

Lin Grant shoots 62 in Dana Open, missing chance to become second LPGA Tour player to break 60

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

SYLVANIA, Ohio (AP) — Linn Grant missed a chance to become the second LPGA Tour player to break 60. Putting herself in position for a breakthrough victory in the Dana Open was a big consolation on a long, rainy Saturday at Highland Meadows.Nine under on her first 13 holes, Grant played the final five in even par for a 9-under 62. Fellow Swede Annika Sorenstam is the lone LPGA Tour player to shoot 59, accomplishing the feat in the 2001 Standard Register Ping at par-72 Moon Valley in Phoenix.Two strokes back entering the round, Grant had an 18-under 195 total to take a six-stroke lead over U.S. Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz (68), Stephanie Kyriacou (65), Maria Fassi (67), Matilda Castren (67) and Emily Pedersen (67).Seeking her first LPGA Tour victory, the 24-year-old Grant won the Jabra Ladies Open in May in France for her fifth Ladies European Tour title in two seasons.Grant opened with a par Saturday and birdied the next four. After a rain delay of 3 hours, 48 minutes,...

Detrás del asombroso éxito de MrBeast

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

(CNN) — En el otoño de 2016, Jimmy Donaldson no parecía una futura celebridad multimillonaria.El tímido joven de 18 años había publicado videos en YouTube durante cinco años desde la casa de su madre en Carolina del Norte sin mucha atención.Su madre lo instó a ir a la universidad, pero abandonó la Universidad de Carolina del Este después de dos semanas. En lugar de ir a clase, pasaba la mayor parte de su tiempo en el campus editando videos en su auto.“Eso es todo de lo que hablé en la escuela. Pensé que era un fenómeno de la naturaleza”, dijo a los creadores de contenido y podcasters Colin y Samir en septiembre. “La gente me decía: ‘Todo lo que haces es hablar sobre videos de YouTube. Estás demasiado obsesionado con YouTube. Consigue una vida'”.Después de que dejó la escuela, su madre estaba tan decepcionada que lo echó de la casa, comentó.Pero su decisión valió la pena.Siete años después, Donaldson, más conocido en Internet como MrBeast, tiene 167 millones de suscriptor...

Severe weather and flood warnings issued for DC area add to drought recovery

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

After an uncomfortably hot day of humidity, severe thunderstorms heading into the D.C. area Saturday evening have caused flood alerts and severe thunderstorm warnings across the region. Here’s what you need to know.Flood Watch is in effect for the D.C. metro area until 4 a.m. Flash flooding is possible.Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are in effect through 8:45 p.m. for parts of Maryland.The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the region until 4 a.m. Sunday in anticipation of a large storm system.7 News Meteorologist Mark Peña said the complex of storms and showers moving in from the west could bring an additional 1 to 3 inches of rainfall totals from yesterday’s weather maker.“Most of the area is under another Marginal Risk for severe storms [on Sunday], with the same threats as Saturday,” Peña told WTOP.Thunderstorm warnings are also in effect until 9 p.m. for portions of Southwestern Prince George’s and Charles counties in Maryland. The...

Phoenix to host 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, with US Olympians vs select team format expected

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game is headed to Phoenix, setting up as a home game for Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi and a sendoff to the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced Saturday that the event would be hosted by the Phoenix Mercury.“Since I’ve been in the league, they’ve done so much,” Engelbert said. “They are so great to work with under the new ownership with Mat Ishbia.”Ishbia, who took ownership of the Mercury and the Suns in February, was thrilled to have a chance to host the game that’s being played this weekend in Las Vegas. The All-Star skills competition and 3-point contest that was held on Friday saw a record performance from Sabrina Ionescu, who hit 25 of 27 3-pointers, including 20 straight at one point.“It’s a real big deal for our franchise, elevating us and continuing to make it a franchise that has events like this,” Ishbia said in a phone interview. “It’s big for our community and we’re looking ...

Denver to inaugurate new mayor on Monday: How to watch

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver is set to inaugurate its first new mayor in 12 years, marking a new political era for the Mile High City.Mayor-elect Mike Johnston will take the reins from Mayor Michael Hancock in a ceremony on Monday morning. He will be sworn in as the city's 46th mayor. Mayor Michael Hancock delivers farewell address Hancock has served as Denver’s mayor for three terms. That’s 12 years of leading Colorado’s capital city through a period of major population growth in the metro area and the change that comes with it, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.Voters last month traded one Michael for another. Johnston, a former state senator, was voted into office. He defeated Kelly Brough, the president and CEO of the Denver Chamber of Commerce.Mayor-elect Mike Johnston announced his mayoral transition team. He's pictured here with inauguration chair state Rep. Leslie Herod and transition co-chair Sen. Julie Gonzales. (KDVR)Mayor-elect Mike Johnston's transition teamColorad...

FWC: Bear seen roaming Homestead neighborhood caught, relocated to Florida’s west coast

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:43 GMT

A bear seen roaming a Homestead neighborhood has been caught and relocated to the west coast of Florida, authorities said.Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed on Saturday that the four-legged drifter was caught sometime on Friday.Ring doorbell video captured the wild animal as it walked toward the doorstep of a home and took a stroll in the Isles of Oasis neighborhood, near 147th Avenue and Pacific Drive, Thursday night.The bear was also spotted at a local Publix supermarket and Baptist Health Homestead Hospital.On Friday morning, area residents reacted to the Ring video.“Oh, my God! Is that a bear?” shouted Meracita Johnson. “He’s out in this community? Oh, my God, and I’m out for my walk. Are you serious?”Friday morning, a passer-by snapped a picture of the bear after spotting it near Southwest 152nd Avenue and Campbell Drive.7News cameras captured Homestead Police, Homestead Animal Control and FWC as they worked to track down the animal.A...