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Timberwolves look sharp in preseason-opening victory over Mavericks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

For a team that stumbled time and time again out of the gates last fall, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch had to be relieved at what he witnessed Thursday in Abu Dhabi — competent basketball.It was better than competent, frankly. The Timberwolves were downright good in just about every aspect in cruising to a 111-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in their NBA preseason opener in Abu Dhabi.The two teams will square off again Saturday to conclude the international trip.Minnesota played with a clear sense of direction and purpose on Thursday. That’s all anyone can ask for when your team takes the floor in a competitive setting for the first team all season. Answering honestly, Finch noted the Timberwolves looked more fluid against Dallas than they had in training camp practices.“We hadn’t in practice, when you’re going against each other in practice and you know the offense and you know the players and everything,” Finch said. “There’s really very little game p...

With opener a week away, Wild strip down to the essentials

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

Down to one group of 22 players and two exhibition games, training camp is beginning to look more like the regular season for the Minnesota Wild.Thursday, for instance, the players went through a typical morning skate before their game against the Blackhawks instead of, say, a special teams practice or three-on-three drills. The big difference was they had to fly to Chicago for the 7:30 p.m. puck drop.Otherwise, head coach Dean Evason is looking for something like the real thing over the last week of camp, starting against the Blackhawks at United Center.“We’re playing a game, we’re two games away from the regular season starting. The intensity should be as high as it’s going to be in that first game,” Evason said after the morning skate. “Why shouldn’t it? They all know, we’ve talked about it, this is our group, this is what we want to play with, so they should be excited and ready to go.”On Wednesday, the Wild stripped down to the bare essentials when they cut the last of the guys...

Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw, Gophers’ Chris Collins consider each other ‘brothers’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

The Gophers and Vikings are linked this season by a lifelong connection that started in Virginia almost 25 years ago.Kimberly Cherry and LaTanya Collins became close friends in the dorms at Virginia State in the late 1990s. Cherry then gave birth to Christian Darrisaw in Petersburg, Va., in June 1999, and they settled outside of Baltimore, Md. Collins had her son Chris Collins that December, and they went to Richmond, Va.The mothers and their soon-to-be very large sons have been connected ever since, and the boys became friends as they grew older and gravitated toward football. The moms will meet up again this weekend in Minnesota, a place they couldn’t have envisioned a reunion.“Super random,” LaTanya Collins said. “But it’s been cool.”With Darrisaw the Vikings’ left tackle and Collins a defensive end for the Gophers, their moms are coming to town to partake in both marquee football games this weekend — Gophers-Michigan on Saturday night, followed by Vikings-Chiefs on S...

Law enforcement officials investigate suspected homicide at Lino Lakes prison

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspected homicide at Lino Lakes prison.A 63-year-old man — who was serving a 19.5 year sentence — was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 10:30 a.m. Thursday, according to a spokesman with the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Prison medical staff and outside emergency medical personnel attempted lifesaving efforts on the man but he was pronounced dead at 11:30 a.m.A 42-year-old man, serving a life sentence, is the lone suspect in the case. The suspect currently is in segregation at the prison.An autopsy will be conduct by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s office. The victim’s identity will be released after notification of family, according to the DOC. DOC officials did not release the identity of the suspect Thursday.The prison has been placed on modified lockdown status — meaning inmates are restricted to their living units — until the investigation is finished.Related ArticlesCrime & P...

Detroit-style pizza, Tennessee hot mac and cheese new on Minnesota Wild’s 2023-24 menu

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

The Minnesota Wild have announced the new food options for the 2023-24 season, and there are some really exciting new players.Most of these new foods are on the swank Club Level, but all fans are welcome at the concessions and eateries there.Wrecktangle Pizza will be available at Minnesota Wild home games in 2023-24. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)Wrecktangle Pizza, the local chain that just opened a full-service restaurant downtown, is serving fun Detroit-style slices, Grand Ole Creamery has a scoop window, Pajarito is back with some killer crispy tacos after joining the concessions midway through last season and Nordy’s Knots is serving German-style pretzels.Xcel Energy Center is also in the process of building a self-serve tap wall that will serve beers and ciders from a bunch of smaller local makers, including Barrel Theory, Sweetland Orchard, Junkyard and BlackStack.There’s also a new Deli stand serving hot beef and turkey sandwiches as well as a vegetarian tomato, mozzarella an...

Moreau Lake State Park reopens

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

GANESVOORT, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The park where a nine year old girl was abducted on Sunday has now reopened with authorities making safety improvements.Moreau Lake state park is back open now, just a few days after a child was abducted here. She's back home safely now, and park authorities are hoping some new  measures will make people feel comfortable returning here.MORE NEWS from NEWS 10Opening day at Lake Moreau. But there wasn't much fanfare, just the stillness of a quiet autumn afternoon. Cars trickling through the front entrance bit by bit. The presence of police and a new security camera clearly on display there as well. Officials at the park hope these elements can drive home a message: The park is safe. New Jersey couple Kate and Scott Hammel came to the park for the first time with their dog to enjoy the foliage. They were staying in the area when everything unfolded!“It’s pretty crazy. I mean our Airbnb was five minutes away from where she went missin...

Longtime funeral director Austin Layne Jr. passes away at 87

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis community is honoring the life and legacy of the late Austin Layne Jr., the longtime president and founder of the funeral home that bears his name.Black bunting drapes the front of the Austin Layne Mortuary, where the founder will be remembered as someone who touched so many lives and had a heart of gold. Layne passed away on Sunday at 87.He was known for his kindness, comforting thousands of families over the years with his music and services at city's most iconic black funeral homes. His duties may have been somber, but he made sure he provided compassionate and dignified services to countless families.Rickey Whittington of Plaza Motor Company considered Layne a father figure. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW “Au...

Man pleads guilty in federal court to 6 armed robberies in 2021

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis man appeared in U.S. District Court on Thursday and admitted to several armed robberies in 2021.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Bruce Franklin, 64, pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to court documents, the robberies occurred on these dates at the following businesses:On Aug. 26, 2021, at the Boost Mobile at 3636 Page Blvd.On Sept. 4, 2021, at the T-Mobile at 4167 Lindell Blvd.On Sept. 10, 2021, at the Boost Mobile at 3636 Page Blvd.On Sept. 17, 2021, at the MetroPCS at 3949 Lindell Blvd.On Sept. 20, 2021, at the T-Mobile at 4167 Lindell Blvd.On Oct. 27, 2021, at the Family Dollar at 11123 Bellfontaine Rd.Franklin told the court he stole cash from the registers and, in one case, took a handgun belonging to an employee of one of the stores.Franklin had an accomplice, Krist...

Rain gives way to sunshine as cold front arrives this weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Promised changes are coming with a series of cold fronts.The week began with temperatures around 90°, but by Thursday afternoon, things were far different.Earlier Thursday morning, showers filled the region, bringing a damp and gloomy start to the day. Over at Forest Park, walkers were in need of umbrellas and golfers were taking their chances despite the rain.But just a few hours later, sunshine returned and temperatures were comfortable. With cold fronts moving through the region, temperatures will be taking a dive, and crisp fall weather will be upon us.After spending last weekend feeling like summer, it will be a huge difference for all the fun fall activities happening around town this weekend. You’ll definitely need to pull out those jackets and sweaters with highs only in the low 60s for Saturday.

Faith & Blue events build bridges between police and public

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:48:12 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Pastors and police officers are working together to combat crime in the Illinois Metro East, building bridges between law enforcement and local residents with special Faith & Blue events.The Christian Activity Center's community garden and orchard are reaching the end of the season. But on Thursday, they were planting seeds for a new initiative in the community in the coming days.“Police vehicles, fire trucks, and a helicopter is going to land just to attract the children,” said Lt. Elbert Jennings, Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations. “We’ll be passing out candy. Just really trying to build a collaborative effort with our faith-based organizations because we recognize we need these organizations to help us make our communities safe and solve crime and make our communities safer.”The groups are hoping to build bridges to more inclusive communities.The first Faith and Blue event will be held Sunday, Oct. 8 at Power of Change Christian ...