CSi Weather…
REST OF TODAY…RAIN SHOWERS LIKELY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF SHOWERS 70 PERCENT.
.TONIGHT…CLOUDY. 80 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS IN THE EVENING…THEN
RAIN SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. NORTH WINDS
15 TO 20 MPH.
.THURSDAY…80 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS. BREEZY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 50S. NORTH
WINDS 20 TO 25 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS
IN THE EVENING IN THE JAMESTOWN AREA, A 60 PERCENT CHANCE IN THE VALLEY CITY AREA…THEN PARTLY CLOUDY AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE
MID 30S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH.
.FRIDAY…SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO
15 MPH.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS AROUND 40.
.SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 40 PERCENT CHANCE
OF RAIN SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S. LOWS IN THE LOWER 40S.
.SUNDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS.
HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF
RAIN SHOWERS. LOWS AROUND 40. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 50S.
.MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS AROUND 40. HIGHS
AROUND 60.
STUTSMAN COUNTY…
THE JAMES RIVER VALLEY WILL SEE THE HIGHEST PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND AGAIN LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
BARNES COUNTY…
SHOWERS WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON INTO WEDNESDAY NIGHT BUT RAINFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE ONE HALF INCH OR LESS. RIVER LEVELS ALONG THE RED RIVER WILL BE HIGHER THAN NORMAL FROM FARGO DOWNSTREAM.
THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY
SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO THURSDAY NIGHT…WITH LOCALLY AN
ADDITIONAL HALF INCH OF RAIN POSSIBLE.
WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) – A search west of Wahpeton failed to turn up any signs of a missing North Dakota State College of Science student.
officials on Tuesday used a boat and a dog to search a stretch of the Wild Rice River but didn’t find any trace of 20-year-old Andrew Sadek.
The student from the town of Rogers left his dorm last Thursday and hasn’t been seen since. Officials have been searching since then, but campus Police Sgt. Steve Helgeson says authorities have found nothing to explain Sadek’s disappearance.
Andrew’s mother, Tammy Sadek says, the public is invited to attend a gathering to pray for the safe return of Andrew Sadek on Thursday night May 8, 2014, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley City at 7pm.
Jamestown (CSi) The Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office reports, pickup truck, boat and trailer submerged in the Pipestem Reservoir since Saturday evening were removed Tuesday afternoon.
Sheriff Chad Kaiser said Mike Bear, of Jamestown, was using the pickup to pull a boat out of the water at the Parkhurst boat landing.
Kaiser said the truck and boat were out of the water but the truck slipped out of park and started rolling backward into the water.
A 7-year-old who was wearing a life jacket in the truck was able to be pulled out before the vehicle went under water.
There were no injuries
The Stutsman County Rescue Dive Team guided the removal of the truck, boat and trailer from the water Tuesday
Kaiser says he didn’t believe there was any damage caused to the reservoir by the vehicles being submerged in the water for three days.
Valley City (CSi) This afternoon at 1:30 Central Avenue in Valley City will be the scene of the “Arrive Alive” mock drill as a section will be blocked from noon to about 2:30-p.m.
The Valley City disaster sirens will sound to start the drill.
The goal of the exercise is to send an important message to children with the “Arrive Alive” demonstration.
Jamestown (CSi) The fourth year of Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) at Jamestown High School will its final exercises on Thursday, May 8, 2014. Approximately 130 students of the freshmen class will be participating in a disaster exercise.
The students will act as the responders during a mock bleacher collapse scenario with JHS drama students acting as victims.
During the exercise, students use their learned response skills under the direction of local emergency response agencies and school staff.
Before the exercise, there will be a brief graduation ceremony with the students receiving their Teen CERT diplomas.
There will be two exercises and graduation ceremonies.
The first group starts at 9:01 a.m. with the second group following at 10:21 a.m.
Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist said on a recent Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, that with the CERT program running four years, all students in JHS have participated in the program.
Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. All members were present.
Approval of Consent Agenda Items included:
Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.
Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $2,128,411.50
A new electric and plumbing licenses for Dan’s Electrical Service, Inc. and On Demand
Plumbing, and renewal of plumbing and heating license for Air Anderson, Inc., Overn Electric LLC and DC Electric.
A raffle permit for St. Catherine’s Knight’s of Columbus and Ladies Golf Association – Town and Country Club, American Cancer Society Relay for Life and Valley Quilters.
An Alcohol & Beer License renewal for Dakota Silver (July – June 30)
Approve Parade Permit for Memorial Day.
Public Forum:
Gary Schalgel spoke about the bridge clearances over the Sheyenne River.
Ordinances:
Approved the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 969, a recodified Traffic Ordinance.
It brings the Ordinances into compliance with the North Dakota Century Code.
Approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 970, an ordinance rezoning of property within the one mile exterritorial jurisdiction from A -Agriculture to R-1 Residential Single Family homes (Svenningsen property). The rezoning and replatting is to allow a residential development.
Approved first reading of Ordinance No. 972, an ordinance amending Section 1-9 of Chapter 1. General provisions of the Valley City Ordinances. City Attorney Russell Myhre says the amendment will allow the city to come under compliance with state law, concerning the amount of dollars that are able to be levied in Municipal Court.
New Business:
Considered an Alcohol license for Mo Eats and designate the license as Class D, for the catering part of the business.
Approved Gaming Site Authorizations for the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie #2192 to conduct games at My Bar Valley City LLC, Hi-Line Hospitality LLC dba City Lights Supper Club, Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie #2192 and The Labor Club.
Approved a Conditional Use Permit for Adam and Marcia Faul for processing and storage of metal and glass at Auditor’s Lot 1 of SE ¼. 6/54 acres (within 1 mile extraterritorial jurisdiction).
Approved a forestry contract with David Dunham for the 2014 summer season.
The City Commission discussed an MRES Electric Rate Study for Valley City in the amount of $17,000, with the city’s share at $8,500. City Administrator David Schelkoph said the study from 2015-19 address the projected growth of Valley City.
Approved a Gaming Site Authorization for the Edgar A Fisher Post No. 60 of the American Legion to conduct games at their location.
Approved a Gaming Site Authorization for the Valley City Hockey and Figure Skate Clubs to conduct games at Valley City Town and Country Club.
Approved the Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. (formerly Fox Lawson & Associates) to perform an updated salary survey for the amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
City Administrator Schelkoph’s Report:
3200 new automated meter have been installed.
At the next City Commission meeting the Commissioners will discuss what can not be flushed or drained into the city’s sanitary sewer system. He said material currently being put into the system is plugging pumps and costing the city more money.
He said a special meeting will be set to finalize the Public Works budget, to be presented to the City Commission.
City Update and Commissioner Reports.
Inspections are being made of properties, with appointments being set by the City Assessor, Sandy Hansen.
Building-Fire Inspector Dave Hansen asked that property owners pick up and clean up their properties.
Fire Chief Retterath reminded residents of using caution using fire pits, and extinguish fires at the end of each use.
Police Chief Thompson reported the city, through a state grant of $1,500, will replace a radar unit.
He added that Mercy Hospital foundation has supplied funds, for replacing five AED units.
Commissioner Luke reminded residents that unused prescription drugs may be disposed at the Valley City Police Department.
Commission Magnuson reminded motorists to be aware of emergency vehicles going to calls.
He added Valley City Citywide cleanup is next week, May 12, 16, 2014.
The entire meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Board of Higher Education has named the interim president of Valley City State University.
The board on Tuesday approved the appointment of Margaret Dahlberg to succeed Steven Shirley, who will take over as president at Minot State University in July.
Dahlberg has served as vice president for academic affairs for VCSU since 2009 and has taught English at the school since 1996. She received her doctorate degree in English from the University of North Dakota.
Dahlberg is currently on the search committee for the school’s next permanent president. She said she will remove herself from the committee to alleviate any concerns.
Jamestown (CSi) Plans are set for the dedication of the gazebo replica at the Stutsman County Memorial Museum in Jamestown.
On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Alden Kollman who conceived the idea, and a major worker on the project said, the dedication will be on Saturday May 17, 2014, beginning at 1-p.m.
The event will feature a historical presentation by Keith Norman, with the Jamestown Middle School Band, performing and the high school band on hand, along with bleachers to be set up for those in attendance, with refreshments available.
Other speakers include Dave Smette from the Jamestown Rotary Club, and major financial contributor to the project.
As part of the project a Peace Poll will be installed nearby, and then dedicated.
School students will be invited to visit the gazebo on field trips, as Kollman added that the gazebo may be used for weddings, and family reunions, or other gatherings, noting that a concession area will be added, later.
Reservations may be made after the Stutsman County Memorial Museum opens later this month at 252-6741, or before that by calling Alden Kollman.
Kollman pointed out that the gazebo is a smaller replica of the original gazebo that was built in 1883 and located along the railroad tracks in Jamestown across from what is now the Memorial Building.
The orginal gazebo was visited by Union, Civil War General, and later President U.S. Grant.
Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown will host a regional event, this summer in connection with North Dakota’s 125th Anniversary celebration.
On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Buffalo City Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund said more information on the specific location date, times and activities will be announced later.
Swedlund pointed out that Memorial Day marks the opening of Jamestown tourist attractions, including Frontier Village, with summer hours for the National Buffalo Museum.
He added that the Frontier Village has a new red entrance gate.
Jamestown (CSi) City-wide cleanup in Jamestown will take place June 2-7 2014. in Jamestown.
City crews will pick up items on the street next to the curb on designated
days for each quandrant of the city.
June 2nd pickup is in the Southeast.
June 3rd pickup is in the Southwest.
June 4th pickup is in the Northwest.
June 5th pickup is in the Northeast.
City Street Crews will begin pickup at 9-a.m., each day, and sanitation crews will join as soon as the normal garbage routes are completed each day.
City crews WILL NOT go back to an area, once that area has been picked up.
Look for the brochure the city will be distributing, which will also be posted on the city’s web site, www.jamestownnd.org indicating what items will and will not be picked up.
The brochure also listed recyclers in Jamestown, and assistance available to senior citizens, and disabled individuals. The Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce will again have trash bags available that week, and encourages groups and individuals to help pick up public areas in Jamestown.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Downtown Association reports that the summer hanging flower baskets in Jamestown will be going up this month.
The Downtowner newsletter reports, annual drive to raise money to support the hanging flower baskets is well underway with a little over $7,500 raised
so far from donations from people who appreciate them and want to help beautify the city during the warmer months of the year. The flower program costs about $11,000 yearly, and donations are still needed.
Sponsorship of a light pole is $150, however, JDA welcomes donations of all amounts.
Send checks to:
Jamestown Downtown Association,
P.O. Box 1026, Jamestown,
ND 58402-1026.
At last report, 58 businesses and individuals have sent in donations.
This year, the flowers will be Wave Petunias and are being planted by Don’s Garden Center of Jamestown.
Jamestown (CSi) On May 31, 2014, the Jamestown Arts Center will host”Plant the Park.”
Arts Center Director, Taylor Barnes says everyone is welcome to help plant flowers in the Art Park located on Main Street downtown Jamestown.
The event will be at 9:30 A.M. and lunch will be provided.
(CSi) The transition from Stop-N-Go to Casey’s General Store, has started in the region. Casey’s announced in February this year that it would be purchasing 24 Stop-N-Go’s in both Minnesota and North Dakota.
Casey’s Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer Bill Walljasper, says over the next two weeks, local Stop-N-Go’s will start seeing sign changes to Casey’s. Current employees at Stop-N-Go will have opportunities to have a job at Casey’s as well. Casey’s will also honor Stop-N-Go gift cards and car washes through July.
The two Stop-N-Go Jamestown locations will be converting to Casey’s over the next several weeks.
COOPERSTOWN, N.D. (AP) – A 3-year-old northeastern North Dakota boy who was missing for nearly six hours managed to find safe shelter underneath the family dog.
Griggs County Sheriff Bob Hook says Carson Urness was found about a mile from his Cooperstown-area farm about 2 a.m. Tuesday after a massive search that included law enforcement officers and others on foot, ATV and horseback. A North Dakota Highway Patrol airplane and bloodhound were also brought in to assist.
Hook says Carson’s German shepherd, Cooper, was found on top of the boy, who was face-down on the ground. Hook says the dog was shielding Carson from the cold and rain.
Carson was reunited with his family before he was checked out at a local hospital and released.
Hook says Carson didn’t even cry.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Bismarck police have arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with a bank robbery.
The suspect was apprehended Tuesday evening, just hours after the midday robbery at Dakota Community Bank. Authorities say a man entered the bank and demanded cash, fleeing on foot with an undisclosed amount. He did not display a weapon.
Police did not immediately provide details of the arrest or identify the suspect. Formal charges were expected to be filed sometime Wednesday.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Charges have been added in a federal case against a fugitive from Tennessee who was believed to be working as a bounty hunter in the North Dakota oil patch.
Steven Goldmann, who was living in Williston, was originally charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. An updated indictment filed this week charges him with an additional illegal weapons charge and four counts of impersonating a federal officer.
Authorities say when Goldmann was arrested he was outfitted with a holster for a firearm, a police-style badge on his hip, handcuffs, pepper spray and T-shirt with a K-9 logo.
Goldmann is wanted on a warrant out of Nashville for failing to pay restitution in a theft of services case. His lawyer was not available for comment.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A man serving seven years in prison for attempted murder in the beating and stabbing of a Bismarck man last year has now been ordered to pay nearly $14,000 in restitution for medical bills.
34-year-old Jose Osorio pleaded guilty in February in the June 2013 assault of Rafael Zayas. Authorities say Zayas was beaten with dumbbells and stabbed nine times.
Judge Bruce Haskell ordered the restitution even though he said it was unlikely Osorio will ever be able to pay the money because he is likely to be deported following his prison term.
Osorio’s co-defendant in the case, Kelvin Oviedo, already has been deported after being convicted of misdemeanor hindering law enforcement.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – More than 200 North Dakota National Guard soldiers have returned home from a yearlong homeland security mission.
The soldiers with the 1st Battalion of the 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment flew into Grand Forks and Bismarck on Tuesday, after going through the demobilization process at Fort Bliss, Texas.
The soldiers served in the Washington, D.C., area, beginning last July, helping protect the air space around the nation’s capital.
The Guard plans a formal public welcome-home ceremony called a Freedom Salute in about three months.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction has approved plans for two school districts to implement four-day school weeks in the coming academic year.
The Dunseith Public School system said in its application to the state that declining funding from the Federal Impact Aid Program has forced officials to cut staff in recent years. Administrators say without a cost-saving four-day week they would need to make further cuts to balance their budget.
The East Fairview elementary and junior high school have also been approved for shorter weeks. The goal is to mirror the four-day week at the high school, which is across the border in Fairview, Montana.
Both schools say four-day weeks could increase attendance and allow for more development days for teachers. No other schools currently have four-day weeks.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple is asking agencies for their spending plans for the state’s next budget cycle.
Dalrymple is slated to address agency directors this afternoon at the state Capitol.
North Dakota departments will use the guidelines in preparing their spending plans for the next two-year budget cycle.
Dalrymple will use the proposals to write his own spending recommendations to the Legislature when lawmakers meet in January.
The state’s current two-year budget including federal aid is $14 billion. It includes $6.9 billion in state general fund spending.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) – Westbound passengers on Amtrak’s Empire Builder line at Grand Forks, Devils Lake and Rugby will have to complete part their trip by bus for the next four months as the tracks will undergo repairs.
Amtrak is suspending railway service to those cities while BNSF Railway Co. conducts the repairs. Amtrak uses BNSF track. The disruptions will last through Sept. 30.
Joe Boardman is Amtrak’s president and CEO. He will visit the affected area this week to discuss the delays with North Dakota leaders.
BNSF is investing $400 million in infrastructure in the state. The company says the detour will allow crews to speed up the repairs between Fargo and Minot.
Eastbound traffic will maintain its usual route along the state’s northern tier.
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A building at North Dakota State University has been re-dedicated in honor of a longtime North Dakota politician. The Industrial Agriculture and Communications Center is now known as the Quentin Burdick Building. Burdick served as a U.S. senator from 1960 until his death in 1992. The Quentin Burdick Building houses NDSU’s main computer center.
In sports…
VALLEY CITY (VCSU CSi) – Valley City State University athletic director Jack Denholm announced Tuesday that Jill DeVries has been named the next head women’s basketball coach at VCSU.
DeVries was previously the women’s basketball coach at VCSU for 14 years before stepping down last June. She replaces Cathy Hanek who resigned after one season.
Denholm says, “Jill has proven herself an effective coach and assistant athletic director during her 14 previous years at VCSU. We are excited to welcome her back to the Viking family. She brings a lot of energy and excitement to the program after qualifying for the national tournament her past three seasons. I’m excited to work with Jill again and excited for her to get started.”
During her previous stint at VCSU, DeVries posted a 219-230 career record on the court. The Vikings had winning records in each of her last five seasons and went 100-57 over that stretch. DeVries’ 2011 squad won the Dakota Athletic Conference tournament championship and earned the program’s first ever appearance at the NAIA National Tournament. Her 2012 and 2013 teams also made the national tournament, and the 2013 team posted a school-record 24 wins.
DeVries says, “There’s not a lot of places that can be competitive nationally in basketball, and VCSU is one of them. It’s a great opportunity to come back and I’m excited to get started. It was good to have a break, but the truth of the matter is I am a college basketball coach. It’s what I love; it’s my passion; and Valley City State is home. I appreciate the opportunity Jack Denholm and the administration have given me to come back to VCSU.”
While at VCSU, DeVries coached 18 All-Conference performers, four Honorable Mention All-Americans, and 27 NAIA Scholar-Athletes. DeVries took the 2013-14 season off from coaching, a move which she said rejuvenated her.
She says, “It’s good to just re-energize your batteries and be excited about the job again. When you have a chance to get away, you gain some perspective. You understand how special VCSU is. It’s important that student-athletes have small campus opportunities and environments like VCSU where they can excel on the court and in the classroom. That’s something you don’t always appreciate until you’re away.”
DeVries begins her job at VCSU immediately. Besides head coach, she will also work as assistant athletic director – a role she previously held at VCSU. DeVries is a graduate of North Dakota State University and was team captain on the 1990-91 Bison national championship team. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Education from NDSU (1992) and a Master’s of Education from NDSU (1997).
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A committee comprised of private agricultural groups and state agency heads has voted against a proposal by the habitat conservation group Ducks Unlimited to buy and conserve property in Foster County.
The North Dakota Natural Areas Acquisition Advisory Committee voted Tuesday 4-2 in favor of a motion to deny the request. The motion was put forward by Mark Watne, the president of the North Dakota Farmers Union.
Ducks Unlimited wants to buy the 47-acre plot of land from the local Carrington owner. The organization has said it plans to restore the wetlands and replant native grasses on the property, most of which is currently used for agriculture. The site would be managed for wetland mitigation.
North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple will decide whether to allow the purchase.
MLB…
INTERLEAGUE
Final Toronto 6 Philadelphia 5, 10 Innings
Final Boston 4 Cincinnati 3, 12 Innings
Final Chi White Sox 5 Chi Cubs 1
Final Colorado 12 Texas 1
Final Kansas City 3 San Diego 1, 11 Innings
AMERICAN LEAGUE
CLEVELAND (AP) – Josh Tomlin pitched into the seventh inning and leading the Cleveland Indians past the Minnesota Twins 4-2 last night. Tomlin allowed one run and four hits in 6 2-3 innings. He was called up from Triple-A Columbus before the game after missing most of last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Final Detroit 11 Houston 4
Final Baltimore 5 Tampa Bay 3
Final N-Y Yankees 4 L.A. Angels 3
Final Seattle 8 Oakland 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Final L.A. Dodgers 8 Washington 3
Final Pittsburgh 2 San Francisco 1
Final Miami 3 N-Y Mets 0
Final Atlanta 2 St. Louis 1
Final Arizona 7 Milwaukee 5
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS
UNDATED (AP) – The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs took Game 1 of their respective NBA conference semifinal series last night. LeBron James scored 22 points and Ray Allen added 19 in the Heat’s 107-86 blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets. The Spurs ripped Portland 116-92 behind Tony Parker’s 33 points and nine assists.
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Wild recovered from a sluggish start for a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks yesterday in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinal series. Erik Haula and Mikael Granlund scored goals less than 3 minutes apart early in the third period. Ilya Bryzgalov made 19 saves for his first shutout in the playoffs in eight years.
Game 4 is Friday in Minnesota.
The Montreal Canadiens have regained the lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series with Boston.
P.K. Subban (SOO’-ban), Dale Weise (wees) and Lars Eller each had a goal and an assist as the Canadiens beat the Bruins 4-2 to take a two-games-to-one lead.
NFL…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota has submitted its final bid to host the 2018 Super Bowl. Minnesota submitted its preliminary bid on April 1st. The state is competing with New Orleans and Indianapolis for the game. A new indoor stadium for the Minnesota Vikings in downtown Minneapolis is due to be completed in 2016.
NBA-MVP AWARD…
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The NBA has a new Most Valuable Player.
LeBron James’ two-year reign is over after Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant captured the honor. Durant averaged a league-high 32 points a game this season, along with 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He helped the Thunder finish second in the Western Conference at 59-23.
Durant totaled 119 first-place votes and 1,232 points in the voting of sportscasters and writers. James picked up sixth first-place votes following Miami’s second-place finish in the East. Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin was third in the balloting.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – The Golden State Warriors have fired coach Mark Jackson after the team’s first-round loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in a seven-game series.
Jackson had the job for three years and compiled a record of 121-109, including a 51-31 mark this season. He was just the third coach in team history to have a 50-win season, joining Don Nelson and Al Attles.
TORONTO (AP) – The Toronto Raptors have rewarded coach Dwane Casey with a three-year contract extension after the team won a franchise-record 48 games this season. This was Casey’s third season with the team, which won the Atlantic Division for the second time and ended a six-year playoff drought before losing to Brooklyn in a seven-game opening round.
NHL…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Nashville Predators have hired Peter Laviolette (lah-vee-uh-LET’) as their new coach, making him only the second head coach in the franchise’s history. Laviolette coached Carolina to a Stanley Cup in 2006 and took Philadelphia to the Stanley Cup finals in 2010. He was fired in October after the Flyers lost their first three games of the season.
TENNIS…
MADRID (AP) – Top-ranked Serena Williams breezed into the Madrid Open third round with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Shuai Peng on Wednesday.
Williams broke her Chinese opponent three times for a 14th straight victory on the clay of the Magic Box tennis center, where the top-seeded American is looking to defend her title.
On the men’s side, Tomas Berdych moved to a perfect 11-0 against Kevin Anderson following his 6-1, 6-4 win over the South African.
“I always like to play here,” the sixth-seeded Czech said. “There was also the aspect of the many matches I’ve played with Kevin and all of them went my way.”
Top-ranked Rafael Nadal began his title defense later against Juan Monaco.
OBIT-ELLIS…
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Former heavyweight boxing champion Jimmy Ellis, who trained with fellow Louisville fighter Muhammad Ali and squared off against some of his era’s best fighters, has died in his hometown at age 74. His brother says Ellis had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in recent years.
Ellis defeated Jerry Quarry to win the WBA crown in 1968. Ellis defended the title by defeating Floyd Patterson, but was stopped by Joe Frazier in a fight to unify the world heavyweight championship in 1970. He was stopped by Ali in the 12th round of their bout in 1971.
In world and national news…
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Democrats are protesting Speaker John Boehner’s plan for a select committee to investigate the attack on the U.S. diplomatic outpost in Benghazi, Libya. Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer accuse Republicans of “extreme and counter-productive partisanship” in their investigations of the 2012 attack, which killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. The Democrats say “a fundamentally different approach” is needed for a select committee, including an equal number of Democrats and Republicans on the panel.
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama flies to Arkansas today, where he’ll tour the Little Rock suburbs devastated by an outbreak of tornadoes 10 days ago. Fifteen people were killed and hundreds of homes destroyed. Obama plans to meet with victims, local officials and emergency personnel.
BEIRUT (AP) – Syrian rebels have been boarding buses to evacuate their last strongholds in the city that until now has been known as “the capital of the revolution.” Homs has been under siege by President Bashar Assad’s forces for well over a year, and has been suffering severe shortages of food and medicine. The ceasefire deal struck last week now leaves the strategic but largely destroyed city under Assad’s control.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – The number of survivors from South Korea’s ferry sinking has fallen by two while the number of missing has grown by the same amount. Three weeks after the disaster, the South Korean coast guard says it miscounted and only 172 people survived. The number of people feared dead is now at 304. Divers are searching the sunken ferry for the 35 people still missing. South Korea’s prime minister says he wants the search completed by the weekend.
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) – A senior U.N. diplomat has arrived in Kiev to meet with Ukraine’s interim government, a day after meeting with Kremlin leaders in Moscow. Britain’s foreign secretary is also in Ukraine as the U.S. and European nations step up diplomatic efforts ahead of Ukraine’s May 25 presidential election, as a pro-Russian insurgency keeps the country’s eastern regions in turmoil. Meanwhile, a leading presidential candidate says there must be “zero tolerance” for the armed separatists who have seized control of several towns.