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Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard enters players’ assistance program, cites mental health concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

Samuel Girard will take an indefinite leave of absence from the Colorado Avalanche after entering the Player Assistance Program, the NHL and NHLPA announced Friday.Related ArticlesColorado Avalanche | Greasy goals, more Cale Makar magic leads Avalanche past Canucks Colorado Avalanche | Caleb Jones’ return to Colorado has been positive for him and Avalanche Colorado Avalanche | Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes set for a showdown between two early Norris Trophy favorites Colorado Avalanche | Predators score twice in final minute to stun Avalanche in “heartbreaking” fashion Colorado Avalanche | A few wobbles aside, the Avalanche is a destructive force of nature in third periods this season The Avalanche defenseman has been away from the team since he wasn’t available for the club’s game Monday at Nashville. Coach Jared Bednar said Girard had left the team for personal reasons after the...

Nuggets Journal: Dissecting Nikola Jokic’s officiating beef: “Some guys can say a little bit more”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

HOUSTON — Before ejections were getting passed around in Detroit like Thanksgiving side dishes, Nikola Jokic made sure tensions were festering with a gesture of sarcastic motivation.“Hey, wake up,” Jokic told a referee after disagreeing with a lane violation call early in the Nuggets’ game Monday night. It was caught on broadcast video.“Wake up. Wake up,” he repeated, clapping as though he was encouraging a teammate. He received his first technical foul, setting the stage for his disqualification late in the first half.Jokic’s frustrations with officiating became a theme during Denver’s similarly frustrating five-game road trip this week, sparking a new wave of debate about how the two-time MVP is guarded and whether he receives enough grace from referees in the post.“That’s normal,” Jokic told The Denver Post when asked about opponents not getting whistled for physical defense. “Seems like some guys are getting more ...

Four straight victories help Broncos bring extra energy to work week: “You get to see everyone’s will to win”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

Pros are tasked with having the same approach to their jobs regardless of how a day or week or season is going.There’s no use denying, however, that the energy around a winning team is different.Broncos players this week, on a four-game winning streak, are feeling the impact of that reality.“It’s amazing because you get to see everybody’s will to win,” defensive lineman D.J. Jones told The Denver Post, smiling and pointing down from his locker at kicker Wil Lutz. “No pun intended. But you feel the energy. You feel different energy after two in a row, then three, then four where we’re standing right now. It’s amazing. Even the practice squad, you see everybody working harder and doing what they’ve got to do to get the fifth. …“Winning cures everything. A lot of people have said that, but it’s true. It doesn’t matter how you win. You could win by one point. Doesn’t matter. Winning is everything.”It’ll be no easy task for Denver to get to five straight Sunday against 7-3 Cleveland at h...

Spirit Airlines offers $20 flights for Black Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

These days, $20 doesn't get you very much. But on Spirit Airlines, it's enough to get you on your way to several destinations across the country.For a limited time, Spirit has launched its "Black and Yellow" Friday sale, which offers, among other perks, discounted flights to a variety of cities, including some for as low as $20 one-way.The flights will be taking place between Dec. 5 and Feb. 14, 2024, with some blackout dates near the holidays. The sale itself lasts only through the weekend.In addition to discounted flights, Spirit points members can receive up to 500 additional points when booking a flight during the promotional period. Spirit is also offering discounts and bonus points on vacation packages.Lania Rittenhouse, Vice President of Guest Experience at Spirit Airlines, says these deals will make it easier for families and friends to save on travel together."There are a variety of deals to take advantage of so travelers can plan for 'More Go' in 2024," Rittenhouse said.Di...

Letters: Religious freedom | Reliable landlines | Trump PR | False narrative

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.State is a leaderin religious freedomRe: “Muslim woman settles her jail lawsuit” (Page B1, Nov. 22).The recent Mercury News story on the inappropriate removal of a Muslim woman’s hijab in a Santa Clara County jail rightly highlighted the county’s actions to prevent such incidents from occurring following its new religious services policy. My bill, SB 309, enshrined these religious freedoms into state law this year.Santa Clara County is a national leader in upholding religious expression and civil liberties for Californians, including those who are incarcerated. SB 309 guarantees the protection of religious rights and attire for Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Jews and all others. The law establishes guidelines for religious clothing, headwear and grooming in prisons or jails. I authored SB 309 with support and sponsorship by the Santa Clara County Peace Officers’ Association, CAIR, Tayba Fo...

Woman, 21, charged with murder in recent Oakland shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

OAKLAND — A 21-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with murdering a man in a shooting last September, court records show.Maricela Urias-Martinez was charged with murder in the death of Walter Mancia Menjiva, 25, of Oakland. Mancia Menjiva was shot and killed around 1 a.m. Sept. 27, on the 5700 block of International Boulevard, a few feet away from a nearby hotel. A few days later, a vehicle used in the shooting was set on fire, authorities said.Police say Urias-Martinez and Mancia Menjiva had previously dated, but authorities haven’t released the suspected motive for the shooting. The entire incident was captured on surveillance video, which allowed police to identify Urias-Martinez as a suspect.Police say that Urias-Martinez was arrested about two weeks after the shooting, on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle. She was released, then re-arrested on a murder warrant on Nov. 14. She gave a brief statement denying she had shot Mancia Menjiva, police say.Urias-M...

San Jose Sharks can’t hold lead in shootout loss to Montreal Canadiens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

SAN JOSE — William Eklund scored in the shootout but Mackenzie Blackwood allowed goals to Nick Suzuki and Jesse Ylönen in a six-round shootout as the San Jose Sharks lost 3-2 to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.Blackwood made a save on Cole Caufield in the shootout, among others, and finished with 22 saves for the game before an announced crowd of 16,897 at SAP Center.The Sharks led 2-1 after two periods before Caufield fired a wrist shot past Blackwood at the 3:25 mark of the third to tie the game.The Sharks were hoping to bounce back against the Canadiens after they were thoroughly embarrassed 7-1 by the Seattle Kraken two days earlier. Before the game, Sharks coach David Quinn left it to his veterans to say what needed to be said to set the proper tone.“There are times where the leadership core has to take it upon themselves,” Quinn said. “I think today’s that day.”Something clicked, at least in the second period, as the Sharks scored twice to take a 2-0 lead.Mike Hoffman s...

Authorities ID NY couple who died in explosion at border

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

By John Miller, Elizabeth Wolfe and Celina Tebor | CNNInvestigators have identified the married couple killed Wednesday in a fiery explosion near the US-Canadian border that prompted a massive law enforcement response.Kurt P. Villani and his wife Monica Villani, both 53, died in the car crash on the US side of the Rainbow Bridge crossing, the Niagara Falls Police Department said in a news release. The couple lived in Grand Island, New York, the police department said.Relatives of the couple thanked well-wishers and asked the public for privacy.“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all that extended prayers, condolences and well wishes,” family members said in a statement issued through the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. “We are deeply touched. At this point, we are requesting privacy so we may begin the process of healing. Thank you.”CNN previously reported investigators believed a man was travelling with his wife in a 2022 Bentley at a high rate of speed when the vehicle...

San Jose: Willow Glen’s Copita restaurant will begin serving lunch on Monday, Nov. 27

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

If you’re a diner who has been waiting for the crowds to calm down before trying the newest hotspot in San Jose’s Willow Glen district, there’s good news about options:Copita — officially Copita Tequileria y Comida — will launch seven-day-a-week lunch service on Monday, Nov. 27.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | 7 incredible Bay Area things to do over Thanksgiving weekend Restaurants, Food and Drink | Where to find Miracle and Sippin’ Santa pop-up bars for kitschy Christmas fun Restaurants, Food and Drink | Popeyes adds bone-in wings in 5 flavors — and says they’re here to stay Restaurants, Food and Drink | Sunnyvale: After 29 years, Faultline brewery restaurant will rebrand as Laughing Monk Restaurants, Food and Drink | Site of popular Walnut Creek sports bar is bought At this contemporary Mexican restaurant from celeb chef Joanne Weir and executive c...

Amid higher prices, how much will Bay Area holiday shoppers spend this holiday season?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:52:26 GMT

Shoppers may be feeling squeezed by higher prices, but locally owned stores in the Bay Area are expecting to register big sales this holiday season, providing an anticipated boost to the region’s smaller downtowns after a year of economic challenges.Holiday shopping kicked off in earnest on Friday, with retailers large and small offering deals to lure price-conscious customers, while Christmas tree lots welcomed families eager to ring in the season.For some tree shoppers, prices appeared to have actually come down from what they said they spent last year. Andrew Aguero and his young family drove from Fremont to the Speer Family Farms’ Wonderland Trees lot in Alameda on Friday to find one in particular: a 7-foot Silver Tip Fir that cost about $180 last year. This year’s price tag? $120 for a similar tree.“It seemed a lot less this year, which was nice to see,” Aguero said. “I’m not too worried about what it is today. Luckily, a lot of people ...