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AN EDITION OF THE SUNYOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1919

HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN

VOL. 98 | NO. 355| $1.00

Monday, December 25, 2017

Comics/Crossword ..... .....................A7

Florida Report .. The News Wire

Highlands Health .................. B1

Local Sports .....................A8, A9

Lottery ..........................SPORTS

Nation .............. The News Wire

Viewpoints ......................A6, A7

Weather..............The News Wire

World ............... The News Wire

SEBRING — Motorists in Sebring and Avon Park will see work done on traffic signals in the new year.

Starting Jan. 8, work crews with the Florida Department of Transportation will install traffic signals on Main Street at Lake Avenue in Avon Park and relocate existing signs on South Ridgewood Drive at South Pine Street.

Motorists should watch for daytime and nighttime single-lane closures and should plan for extra travel time.

Other work projects this week include:

• Drainage work on U.S. 27 from Tomoka Boulevard to South Lakeview Road, Lake Placid

Crews will remove concrete and install ditch blocks and other drain-age modifications along a one-mile segment of the highway. Crews will also install guardrail,

add paved shoulders, lay sod and relocate high-way lighting. Motorists should watch for crews in the road and expect single-lane closures from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It’s expected to be done by the end of the year.

• Driveway work on U.S. 27 southbound from Golfview Road to Tubbs Road

Crews will reconstruct the driveway at the old Mexican Restaurant location soon to be a hotel, and the adjacent property. Watch for trucks entering and exiting the site and for crews working close to the roadway.

• Repaving State Road 66 from Hardee County to west of U.S. 27/U.S. 98 junction

Crews will repave approximately 9 miles of roadway on both the northbound and southbound lanes of SR 66 from the Highlands/Hardee county line to

Signal work slated for

Ridgewood, Lake Avenue

By PHIL ATTINGERSTAFF WRITER

Insurance company turned into a holiday wonderland

Holiday wonderland

SEBRING — Don’t let the brick facade and stately colonnaded front porch filled with elegant but sedate poinsettias fool you.

Open the door to Wells Insurance, at 4101 U.S. 27 N., and enter the world of the Whos of Wells-ville. Santa’s elves worked overtime to turn the ordinary office into a winter wonderland.

Red and white streamers decorate one hall known as Candy-cane Lane. What else would it be called when there are literally candy canes hanging from the ceiling? The other major hallway features happy winter scenes with equal homage to Christmas and Hanukkah.

The front reception area warmly greets guests and customers with a “Welcome to Wells-ville,” a fantasy land that resembles Dr. Seuss’ “The Grinch that Stole Christmas” story.

Carol “Cindy Lou Who” Schott is the office manager of the busy company. The six women at the insurance company have been working non-stop since Hurricane Irma blew through Highlands County.

“It was such a long, hot summer that we just wanted to have a different time,

By KIM LEATHERMANSTAFF WRITER

LAKE PLACID — Frances Martin usually sends hugs by the mail, but this year, she’s sending kisses by wire, and will donate the saved postage to local charities.

“I’ve decided to call as many (friends and family) as I can up to Jan. 1,” Martin said. Everyone I talk to, I’ll say, ‘Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas and happy new year!’”

For more years than she can remember, Martin has sent a Christmas letter to 200 to 250 of her closest family and friends, letting them know how she and her husband have been. Her hairdresser would help her save “hug” coupons to send through the mail, too.

She’s gotten the same kinds of letters back, and has loved every one of them. Her list has changed over the years — adding on new friends and, sadly, removing friends who have died. She still has many old friends on the list. Just this week, she spent 18 minutes on the phone with a high school

classmate.As a former postal

carrier of 20 years, Martin always enjoyed correspondence with her family and her custom-ers at Christmastime, something that’s not as common now, she said.

She and her husband, both involved in wood-working, used to make little mailbox replicas for their four sons to hold rolls of stamps. That way, their boys could send cards and letters to anyone at any time.

This year, it’s been a bit difficult to compose the letter, or even send a picture, Martin said. Bone-on-bone pain in her knees has kept her in a wheelchair for a while. She plans to have knee surgery next year.

Meanwhile, she’ll make her Christmas calls. Whatever she saves in stamps — 49 cents per person — she’ll divide up between the Wounded Warrior Project, Shriners Hospitals, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3880. She figures it will come in at $100 to $200 total.

“This will be our

Woman sends kisses by wire

By PHIL ATTINGERSTAFF WRITER

KIM LEATHERMAN / STAFF

The staff of Wells Insurance in Sebring are better known as the Whovians — at least until the New Year. They invite the public to visit their office decorated with inspiration from Dr. Seuss.

A whimsical and quirky tree greets guests as they enter the Wells Insurance company in Sebring. The Grinch has been captured and forced to sit under the tree for his Grinchiness.

The Winter Wonderland hallway of the Wells Insur-ance company will have clients and guests feeling festive.

WONDERLAND | 5

WIRE | 5

WORK | 5

A2 | HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN | Monday, December 25, 2017 www.highlandsnewssun.com

The Highlands News-Sun (USPS 487-900- ISSN 2473-0068) is published daily by Tim Smolarick at the High-lands News-Sun, 315 US 27 North

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PUBLISHERTim Smolarick863-386-5624

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SEBRING — The Florida Sportsmen’s Inc. held its 33rd an-nual Meet with Santa event Friday afternoon in the field across the street from Bountiful Blessings Church of God. Youngsters of all ages were wide-eyed when they saw the “real” Santa, aka Claude “Bud” Phagan.

A couple of dozen chil-dren sat anxiously while they waited for Santa to appear. When they saw the jolly man, the squeals of delight started. Each child received at least one stuffed animal and sat on Santa’s lap if they were little while the older kids knelt to pose with him.

They got a candy cane and a promise to look at his lists. Huge bags full of stuffed animals were collected by Unity Church in Sebring.

The conversation between a 7-year-old and Phagan was the script of the day with the only deviation being the toy on the wishlist.

“Are you going to get me a dirt bike?” Michael Rowe lisped.

“I have to check my list, Santa said. “I have to check it twice to see if you were nice.”

“I’ve been nice,” Michael replied.

Robert Saffold founded the Florida Sportsmen’s Inc. 35 or 40 years ago. He says he cannot remember the exact year. He started it when he was a teacher and would take kids shopping by trains or buses to Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa.

“We would take several kids shopping to different locations so that they could see that Sebring wasn’t the only place that they could be,” Saffold said. “I wanted them to know that they could be whatever they wanted and go wherever they wanted to go.”

Phagan wears his own costume everyday with long white hair, twinkling blue eyes, and long white

beard and mustache. “I have been playing

Santa since the 1980s and about 12 years for Florida Sportsmen’s Inc.,” Phagan said. “I do it every year because I look like Santa every year.”

Phagan almost missed this year’s event; on

March 22 he suffered a major stroke and has been in rehab or therapy to gain back the use of his legs and arm.

“I wasn’t sure if I would make it,” Phagan said. “I worked really hard this past month so I could get here today.”

Angela Williams brought several of her children out to meet Santa and pick out stuffed animals.

“I brought the kids here because they look froward to it every year,” Williams said. “They are always

excited. Meeting Santa is their favorite thing of the year.”

33rd annual Meet with Santa is a jolly timeBy KIM LEATHERMAN

STAFF WRITER

Santa listened to this youngster patiently as he told Santa his wishlist on Friday afternoon.


Santa is listening to 7-year-old Michael Rowe’s list. He wants a dirt bike and he swears he has been nice.

Jamesa Blackstock and Sheila Carter surround Robert Saffold . Saffold is the founder of Florida Sportsmen’s Inc. His organizatioin put on the 33rd Meet with Santa on Friday afternoon in Sebring.

Some of the kids who participated in the 33rd Meet with Santa by the Florida Sportsment’s Inc. on Friday afternoon in Sebring.

Santa is holding little Kanaiah Jones who got a stuffed animal and a candy cane on Friday’s Meet with Santa.

SEBRING — Central Florida motorists might not have known the name of the man who made sure local media had the latest on construction projects in their area.

They also wouldn’t have known that Robin Stublen, communica-tions specialist with the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 1 and a former Charlotte County political activist, loved Christmas and celebrated each year by decorating the FDOT Bartow office, dressing up as Santa Claus and outfitting his house with music and lights.

He died last Tuesday morning of cancer at age 61, just short of another Christmas.

“It was not necessarily something we saw coming, but not unexpected,” said Zach Burch, his colleague and friend from the FDOT Ft. Myers office. “He knew early on this would ulti-mately be the outcome.”

For the past six months, he was in and out of the office, Burch said. He had been battling cancer for a year. However, his friends and associates hoped

to continue sharing his passion for decorating and sharing holiday spirit

with others, at least one more time.

“Robin (Stublen) loved Christmas more than anything,” Burch said.

“It makes it tougher that it happened at this time of year.”

Burch has known Stublen for 10 years, ever since Stublen worked in the Florida governor’s office at the same time Burch worked for the Florida Legislature. Before his post at the transporta-tion department, he was the founder of the Punta Gorda Tea Party and in 2011 was hired as Gov. Rick Scott’s deputy public liaison director.

They both took jobs with FDOT one after the other. Stublen wanted to continue to work in public service, and enjoyed explaining why FDOT did things a certain way.

“He loved every day of it. He loved working here and with the public on the projects we do,” Burch said. “He even liked work-ing with the reporters,

whether it was an easy issue or a complex one.”

Burch said other FDOT spokespersons like him will take over for Stublen, mak-ing sure people know when

roads will close for repairs or major improvements.

“We can never fill his shoes completely,” Burch said.

However, they plan to

celebrate Christmas fully, not only in Stublen’s honor, but also in his memory.

“Robin wouldn’t want us to mope and be sad,” Burch said.

FDOT Bartow spokesman diesBy PHIL ATTINGER

STAFF WRITER

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Monday, December 25, 2017 | HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN | A3www.highlandsnewssun.com

AVON PARK — It is a white Christmas in Avon Park from atop Main Street’s Brickell Building, which has a new roof with a white membrane.

The two-story building was already in dire need of a new roof prior to Hurricane Irma, which caused more damage, ne-cessitating prompt action to save it from more water intrusion.

The City Council on Oct. 23 approved the $95,000 bid from Coronado Custom Homes to re-roof the Brickell Building with the provision that the project would start within 30 days.

The roof is covered with membrane of .60 mil TPO (thermoplastic olefin), which does not degrade under solar UV radiation and has a 20-year warran-ty from the manufacturer.

The project is done, and Coronado did an “outstanding job,” City Manager Julian Deleon said. “There is a lot of interest in the Brickell for redevelopment. It has been toured several times here recently. If any reasonable offers are presented, we will bring them forward.”

Meanwhile, Coronado also was awarded the contract, with a bid of $45,000, to re-roof the City Council Chambers.

Deleon said the Council Chambers is currently under construction and should be completed very soon.

Also, at the Butler/Station Building on Butler Avenue, on Dec. 15, the insurance company brought an engineer, and an adjuster, with

the needed equipment to evaluate the building, Deleon said,

The Church Services Center was leasing the building from the city to provide services for the needy.

In a Sept. 21 letter, Fire Safety Inspector Kenny Barnett said that both the Brickell Building and the Butler Building have similar roof damage, thus allowing water and mold problems within the structures.

Brickell Building roofing project

completedBy MARC VALERO

STAFF WRITER

COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO

Police Chief Jim Hancock and Sebring Mayor M.F. McGee help Santa Claus in this picture from days gone by while children, including Arnold Belcher and Gene Sauls, gather around to get some candy. It was tradi-tion for years that the mayor would hand out candy in front of the old Santa Rosa before Christmas, according to Louise Sauls.

Christmas past

Jerry Pendarvis of Lake Placid is a volunteer at the Lake Placid Depot Museum and called to say he never sees much in the“Historically Speaking” column in the Highlands News Sun about Lake Placid. So he submitted the following story of growing up in Lake Placid. His memory is about rescuing a small hog that was sure to die if he and his friend hadn’t stumbled upon it. He gave a talk about rescuing the hog to the Lake Placid Historical Society some years ago.

Pendaravis said his career was working for the Lake Placid Police Department. He retired after 21 years as Chief of Police and now is an ac-tive volunteer in the Lake Placid Depot Museum.

Pendarvis said, “It was in the days of steam trains in the 1950s. The pump-house for the Atlantic Coastline railroad was located near Lake Richard also known as Milk Lake. Water was pumped from the lake into a small water tank positioned along the railroad tracks. A fireman

would get off the train and climb up the pump-house and place the hose into the water tank of the train and fill it.

“When the era of the steam trains ended, the pump-house was abandoned. The pump was removed but the well remained. The well had an iron ladder that ran from top to bottom about 20 feet.”

“One day my friend, Happy True Max, and I decided to go exploring. We were around 12 years old. We went into the abandoned pump-house and looked down into the well and we saw some-thing moving at the very bottom. I said, ‘That looks

like a hog!’ Sure enough a small hog had somehow wandered into the pump-house and had fallen 20 feet into the well. The well was dry. There was no way that the hog could get out. It would have to die.”

“From what we could see from above, it didn’t look like it was hurt. So we decided to rescue it. We climbed down the ladder 20 feet, and between the two of us had to somehow figure out how to carry the hog up the steep iron ladder to the top. After what seemed like hours of work, we got the hog to the top of the well. We knew that if we tried to take the hog home our daddies would never believe that we found the hog and that we didn’t steal it. So we had to figure out what to do with the hog now that we rescued it and it was alive and well.”

Pendarvis said, “In those days, hogs were valuable and scarce due to the screwworm fly that had decimated most domestic animals as well as wildlife. We decided to

take the hog to the nearest law enforcement officer. We knew the former Town Marshal Tom Bozeman. His house was close by. He was now a wildlife officer and was the perfect person to help us. We finally made it to his house carrying the hog all the way after a long hard climb up the sand hill from the lake.”

“Carefully holding the hog we went to officer Bozeman’s house and knocked on the door. When he came outside and saw us with the hog, he hollered “Boys you found my hog!” So there we were; tired, sweaty and dirty and the hog was no longer ours.”

“Mr. Bozeman was so happy that we found his hog, he rewarded us with enough money to go to the Pope Theater to see a Roy Rogers movie. Needless to say, we had to take a fast dip in Milk Lake to clean ourselves up before enjoying the movie.”

Elaine Levey can be reached at [email protected].

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I just introduced “The Polar Express” in movie and book form to our little boy. He likes the movie better, but, then, who doesn’t like movies?

I think there’s some-thing magical to the story, and to our son beginning to understand that the tree, lights, decorations and wrapped boxes mean we’re celebrating something special. Seeing

his eyes so full of wonder takes us back to our childhoods.

The movie does too, for me anyway. It has great visuals. I’m a sucker for vintage-style animation. But, I digress.

It’s a fantasy tale of children traveling by train across frozen wilderness to see Santa Claus and have one of them picked lottery-style to get the first gift of Christmas. Spoiler alert: The main

character gets the gift, a silver bell from Santa’s sleigh, which he can only hear once he believes in Santa.

While talking with the boy, Santa identifies both himself and the bell as symbols of the spirit of Christmas generosity and joy.

At the end, the boy — now old — tells how the bell fell silent for all his friends and family, but he can still hear it.

Now, I’m “hearing the bell” through our little boy. His eyes glaze these days with wonder at the glow of the tree. He insists we keep the lights plugged in. He helps hang glass ornaments, and yes, we’ve dropped a couple of them. No biggie.

He reaches out to play with other ornaments, particularly wooden horses, cars and drums. They’re just toys on display, right?

A few times, he’s picked up the biggest box with his name on it and brought it to us. No… we don’t open that until Christmas Day, Little Buddy. That’s the rule.

We did give him a couple ornaments to play with: Plastic or wooden cars that would survive mild play. He loves anything that will roll or looks like it will

He also loves candy canes. He’ll carry one

around, unopened, for hours. When we unwrap it for him, he’ll take all day, all night and the next day to savor it.

He just savors every moment.

May we all do that this Christmas. May we slow down, gaze into our Christmas lights, smile at each other, and make our days merry and bright.

Just watch out for broken ornaments and listen for the bells.

All our little one’s Christmas joysBy PHIL ATTINGER

STAFF WRITER

MONDAY

American Legion Post 25 in Lake Placid-Cafe 11a.m.-7 p.m. chips ahoy 2 p.m. Call 863-465-0975.

American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park-Closed Call 863-453-4553.

AMVETS Post 21 in Sebring- Ham and turkey dinner 1 p.m. bring a dish to pass

VFW Post 4300 in Sebring -Ham dinner 2-4 p.m..Call 863-385-8902.

VFW Post 3880 in Lake Placid- Call 863-699-5444.

Elks #2661 in Lake Placid-Closed Call 863-465-2661.

Elks #1529 in Sebring call 863-471-3557.

Moose Lodge #2374 in Lake Placid – Closed

Moose Lodge #2259- Closed. Call 863-655-3920.

Sebring Recreation Club- 1 p.m. shuffleboard scrambles, 1 p.m. card play noon Christmas Day carry-in dinner. Located at 333 Pomegranate Ave. Call 863-385-2966.

Eagles 4240 in Sebring- Christmas dinner 5-7 p.m.. Call 863-655-4007.

TUESDAY

American Legion Post 25 in Lake Placid- lunch 11a.m.- 4 p.m., euchre 1 p.m. Chips Ahoy 3-5 p.m., dinner 5-7 p.m. Meatloaf and full menu. Call 863-465-0975.

American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park-Bingo at 1 p.m., bar poker 5 p.m. Call 863-453-4553.

AMVETS Post 21 in Sebring- Bingo 12:30 p.m., food, bar poker at 5 p.m. Call 863-385-0234

VFW Post 3880 in Lake Placid-Call 863-699-5444.

VFW 4300 in Sebring- Fish fry 5-6:30 p.m., QOH 6 p.m. He Said/ She Said 5-8 p.m. Call 863-385-8902.

Elks #2661 in Lake Placid- card games 1:30 p.m., Funday bar games 2:30 p.m. BPOE initiation 863-465-2661.

Elks #1529 in Sebring- Call 863-471-3557.

Moose Lodge #2374 in Lake Placid-Poker 2 p.m.

Moose Lodge

#2259- happy hour 2-4 p.m., bar poker at 2 p.m., Mimi’s Cafe Taco Night 5-7:30 p.m. Margarita special 5-7 p.m. Ming Bingo with jackpot at 6 p.m. Call 863-655-3920.

Sebring Recreation Club- Ping-Pong3:15 p.m. Located at 333 Pomegranate Ave. Call 863-385-2966.

Eagles 4240 in Sebring- Bar menu, Wii bowling 7 p.m. Mystery beer $1, tacos 2/$3.50, taco salad $7

WEDNESDAY

American Legion Post 25 in Lake Placid- Ship Captain and Crew 6 p.m. Steve and Don 5-8 p.m. Cafe 11-7. Call 863-465-0975.

American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park-Riders wings 4-6 p.m. Karaoke by Wendy and Dennis 4-7 p.m. QoH 6 p.m. Call 863-453-4553.

AMVETS Post 21 in Sebring- TH 2 p.m. Call 863-385-0234.

VFW Post 3880 in Lake Placid Call 863-699-5444.

VFW Post 4300 in Sebring Washers 1 p.m., Ship Captain and Crew 3 p.m. Happy Hour 5-8 p.m.

Elks #2661 in Lake Placid- shuffleboard 1 p.m. spaghetti nite 5-7p.m. Card games 7:30 a.m. Call 863-465-2661.

Elks #1529 in Sebring. Call 863-471-3557.

Moose Lodge #2374 in Lake Placid- Mega Sounz QOH 8p.m.

Moose Lodge #2259- Pool at noon, Happy hour 2-4 p.m. MiMi’s Cafe, special on kitchen board, Moose games 8 p.m.,Cowboy Jody, call 863-655-3920.

Sebring Recreation Club- 1:15 p.m. Shuffleboard scrambles, 12:30p.m. Bridge, 1 p.m. Pinochle, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Intermediate and EZ line dancing. Located at 333 Pomegranate Ave. Call 863-385-2966.

Eagles 4240 in Sebring- Bar menu, Irish brat $4, steak burger $6, steak burger $6 chicken parm sandwich $4. Call 863-655-4007.

THURSDAY

American Legion Post 25 in Lake Placid-1 p.m., poker, 4 p.m. Chips Ahoy, pool 6:45 p.m., create a pizza. Call 863-465-0975.

American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park-Happy hour all day, Sammy’s famous tacos, euchre 1:30 p.m., trivia 5:30 p.m. Call 863-453-4553.

AMVETS Post 21 in Sebring- line dancing 6-8 p.m. Call 863-385-0234.

VFW Post 3880 in Lake Placid Call 863-699-5444.

VFW Post 4300 in Sebring- Bingo 1:30 p.m.. lunch 11:45 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Bar poker 4 p.m. Call 863-385-8902

Elks #2661 in Lake Placid-Thirsty Thursday $2 margaritas all day burgers and dogs 4-6 p.m. Early Bird Bingo 6 p.m. Card games at 6:15 p.m. Call 863-465-2661.


Moose Lodge #2374 in Lake Placid- Frank E., darts 7 p.m. Jackpot drawing 8 p.m.

Moose Lodge #2259- Happy Hour 2-4 p.m. Bar poker, 2 p.m. p.m.MiMi’s Cafe 5-7:30 p.m. Mega Sounz 5-8p.m. Call 863-655-3920.

Sebring Recreation Club- 10-11:30 a.m. Intermediate/ advanced line dancing. 1 p.m. Euchre, bridge12:30 p.m. Located at 333 Pomegranate Ave. Call 863-385-2966.

Eagles 4240 in Sebring- Bar menu, QOH 50/50 8 p.m. Call 863-655-4007.

FRIDAY

American Legion Post 25 in Lake Placid-Lunch 11a.m.-4p..m., dinner 5-7 p.m. Double Trouble 6-9 p.m.Fish fry/ full menu. Friday game 8:30 p.m. Call 863-465-0975.

American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park-shrimp dinner4-6 p.m., music by Mega Sounz 4-7 p.m. Call 863-453-4553.

AMVETS Post 21 in Sebring- Washers 1 p.m., food, QoH 7 p.m. Call 863-385-0234.


VFW Post 4300- Best pizza in town 5-7 p.m. Harley Archer 5-8 p.m. Call 863-385-8902.

Elks #2661 in Lake Placid-Funday bar games 2:30 p.m., fish fry 5-7 p.m .music Dan Patrick 6-9 p.m. Card games at 7:30 p.m. Call 863-465-2661.


Moose Lodge #2374 in Lake Placid-Texas Hold ‘Em 2 p.m., Spit Fire

Moose Lodge #2259- Pool at noon, Happy hour 2-4 p.m. MiMi’s Cafe5-8 p.m. Fish platter,Center Stage 6-9 p.m. p.m. 50/50 at 8 p.m. Call 863-655-3920.

Sebring Recreation Club- Mini shuffleboard tourney 1:15 p.m. Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. Ping pong 3:15 p.m .Located at 333 Pomegranate Ave. Call 863-385-2966.

Eagle 4240 in Sebring- Bar menu fish or shrimp dinner $8.Call 863-655-4007.

SATURDAY

American Legion Post 25 in Lake Placid- burgers 11:30 .m.- 1:30 p.m., 1 p.m. Chips Ahoy, Texas Hold ‘Em. Call 863-465-0975.

American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park – pi-nochle 1 p.m. . Road kill 3 p.m. Rider meeting 10:15 a.m.Call 863-453-4553.

AMVETS Post 21 in Sebring- foof 5-6 p.m. Dennis & Wendy Karaoke 5-8 p.m. Call 863-385-0234.

VFW Post 3880 in Lake

Placid Call 863-699-5444.VFW 4300 in Sebring-

Turkey pot pie 5-6:30 p.m., Lora Patton 5-6:30 p.m..

Elks #2661 in Lake Placid- Card games at 1:30 p.m. Call 863-465-2661.


Moose Lodge #2374 in Lake Placid- Surprise dinner, Hired Guns

Moose Lodge #2259- poker 9 a.m., . MiMi’s Cafe 4-8 p.m Prime rib dinner. Dan Patrick 6-9 p.m. Queen at 9 p.m. Call 863-655-3920.

Sebring Recreation Club- 1:15 p.m. Ice cream shuffleboard. Board meeting 3 p.m. Located at 333 Pomegranate Ave. Call 863-385-2966.

Eagles 4240 in Sebring- Wing special Music by Mega Sounz Call

863655-4007.

SUNDAY

American Legion Post 25 in Lake Placid- Chips Ahoy 3 p.m., Wendy & Dennis New Year’s Eve party Call 863-465-0975.

American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park- New Year Party tickets available. Call 863-453-4553.

AMVETS Post 21 in Sebring-New Year’s Eve party, finger foods, music by Gary Oliver.


VFW Post 4300 in Sebring- Prime rib 6-8 p.m. Tickets $20 Twitty Road Band9- midnight

Elks #2661 in Lake Placid- Card games at 1:30 p.m. Bar games 2:30 p.m. New Year’s dinner/ dance has been cancelled.

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Christmas and New Year’s wish for the ones we care about — we should care about,” Martin said.

Of course, Martin will get to see family over the holidays. She said they start each Christmas leaving Lake Placid for Sarasota and have breakfast with their second-oldest son Robbie and his family. He’s a agricultural crimes sheriff’s deputy, Martin said.

From there, they drive up to the Fruitville area and the six-generation Floridian family homestead — now kept by their oldest son, Rory. An orange tree planted by an ancestor in 1904 still produces fruit there, she said.

The couple has lunch with Rory’s family, then heads back to Lake Placid. Their two young-est sons, Reese and Rhett, then join them for dinner.

Martin gave hints in her phone interview with the Highlands News-Sun at what she and her husband plan to do for their grandchil-dren, but she couldn’t say much out loud: Her 6-year-old grandson was sitting nearby.

She could speak more freely once he blew her a kiss and left the room. Still, she refused to have that part of the conversation on the record: The boy might read about his gift in the paper.

Martin finished off her conversation the way she has every other one this season: “Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas and happy new year!”

WIREFROM PAGE 1

U.S. 27. They will also install a right turn lane onto Skipper Road; widen right turn lanes at South George Boulevard, Sparta Road, and Woodland Creek Trail and install drainage, curb and gutter, guard-rail, pavement markings and signage. Motorists should anticipate day-time lane closures and delays on SR 66.

• Replacement of Rucks Dairy Road Bridge

Crews will build a new two-lane bridge next to the current one-lane bridge as a replacement. Crews will also resurface

a portion of the road approaching the new bridge and install drainage enhancements, new guardrails and updated signs. A signal system will be installed to control traffic through the work zone. Motorists should expect delays and watch for crews in the roadway. The project should be completed by spring 2018.

• Driveway on U.S. 27 southbound at new Popeye’s location

Crews will reconstruct the driveway/connection at the old Wendy’s/new Popeye’s location and adjacent property. Watch for trucks entering and exiting the site, as well as crews working close to the roadway.

WORKFROM PAGE 1

especially in our industry,” Schott. “We needed a break and we wanted to have fun. We wanted something to make us happy. That’s what we were after.”

This Who family has made itself and everyone who enters their office happy as well.

In the waiting room there are color pages of the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who and others for the youngster and young at heart.

Agent Penny “Grinch” Sapp and receptionist Sandra Ayala came up with the Who-ville theme. Sapp is a very non-Grinchy-Grinch.

“I had all of this stuff at home,” Sapp said. “I am always decorating for something.”

Ayala gave Sapp the credit for the theme.

“Penny came up with the idea,” Ayala said. “I just did what she told me to do.”

The other “Whos” that work in Wells-ville are Kathy Kaleky, Naomi Pearce and Renee Raber. All of the Wells-ville Whos invite everyone to stop in to check out their cute office.

Wells-ville is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They will leave the decorations up until the New Year so everyone who wants to enjoy them has a chance to visit.

WONDERLANDFROM PAGE 1


At Wells Insurance in Sebring, the halls are decked but not with boughs of holly. They are bedecked with fantastical Whovian decor.


Everyone was included in the holiday decorations at Wells Insurance in Sebring. The Winter Wonderland hallway included Hanukkah.

The brick and columns of the exterior of Wells Insurance in Sebring belie the whimsical decor of the interior.

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ANOTHER VIEW

Tim SmolarickPublisher

[email protected]

Romona WashingtonExecutive Editor

[email protected]

JOIN THE CONVERSATIONLetters are welcome on virtually any subject, but we

do have some rules. We will not accept any Letters to the Editor that mention a business in a negative tone, as they have no means to defend themselves. Please keep Letters to the Editor to less than 250 words. Letters will be edited to length as well as for grammar and spelling. All letters must be signed with full name – not initials. An address and telephone number must be included. The phone number and address are not for publication, but must be provided. In the case of letters that are emailed, the same rules apply.

Due to the number of letters received, we are able to run only four letters per person per month.

The Letters to the Editor section is designed as a public forum for community discourse, and the opinions and statements made in letters are solely those of the individual writers. The newspaper takes no responsibility for the content of these letters.

Please send or bring correspondence to the High-lands News-Sun, Letters to the Editor, 315 US 27 North Sebring, FL 33870, or fax to 863-385-1954. Readers may also email Letters to the Editor to [email protected].

VIEWPOINTS

Karen ClogstonEditor

[email protected]

Rob KearlyCirculation Director

[email protected]

A very Merry Christmas to all today — especially to all the children filled with the spirit of joy and wonder on this special day in our calendar.

F or many of us, this is the day that celebrates the birth of Jesus, who post-arrival was laid to rest in a feed-trough in a barn located in

a small Middle Eastern town some two millennia back.

In the Christian tradition, this Jewish son of Mary and Joseph of Nazareth is the savior of humanity. His parents are present at the birth, naturally. Shepherds working on a hillside nearby see a bright star alerting them that something special is up, and they stop by to pay their respects.

Later, three well-respected gentlemen ride from the east for a visit and leave gifts fit for a king: a piece of gold; a bit of aromatic sap from the Boswellia sacra tree, called frankincense; and myrrh, also a type of incense.

That is the Biblical origin story of what grew to become the global Christian church. At its center is a child — the child, if you will. It is a story that still resonates with children today.

Other Western traditions also inform the season.

The eight days of Hanukkah — which concluded last Wednesday — is the Festival of Lights in the Jewish faith. Again, it is an ancient story with particular appeal to youngsters. The miracle of the lamp oil in the temple that lasted far beyond its due date. Small gifts, special foods, the solidarity of family.

Secular traditions of this dark season of the Winter Solstice also have ancient roots. But, beginning in Europe in the 19th Century, our traditions began to evolve into the modern.

Bands of merry Englishmen and women roamed the countryside singing carols to the rich, and receiving vittles, wassail or gifts in return for their songs. Printed Christmas “cards” originated in England in the 1830s, and by mid-century were all the rage in Great Britain and the United States, thanks to efficient postal services.

Charles Dickens created a sensation with his small classic, “A Christmas Carol,” which flew off the store shelves when first printed in December 1843, then went through 13 more printings by the following Christmas. Considered by some a Christian allegory, this ghost story is the tale of the re-awakening and redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge. Again, it is the child — Tiny Tim — who unlocks the miser’s frozen heart and brings him to new life as a generous, decent human.

The central secular figure throughout Western traditions was, and still is, the wondrous Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, Christkindl, Father Christmas, Pere or Papa Noel. He is the magic man who travels about leaving goodies for youngsters who have been good. Ho!

Happy Christmas to all today. May you approach your day — and this season of darkness and light — in the love and company of family and friends, and with the wonder and personal joy of a child, no matter your age.

Child-like wonder

of a special day

Today, many people celebrate Christmas without knowing the roots of the story. Long before Christmas trees and old St. Nick were around there were historic events that gave rise to this holiday that we call Christmas. If your children ask you what is Christmas all about you can teach them though some of the well-known Christmas songs.

For example: The story of Christmas

begins and is centered around Jesus being born in the little town of Bethlehem, which is located south of the city of Jerusalem. Joseph and his wife Mary came to Bethlehem to register for the Roman government census because Joseph’s family line was from there. St Luke tells us: “Joseph also went up from Galilee ... to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. ... to be registered with Mary ... who was with child” (Luke 2:4-7 edited).

We sing the song, “O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the ever-lasting Light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”

Bethlehem was the birthplace of Jesus.

Second, we often see the story recreated in front of churches and homes. Jesus is put in a “manger,” which is an open box or trough for horses or cattle to eat from. They put Jesus in the manger because there was no place in the town for Joseph and Mary to stay. The angel tells Joseph that, “She (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you will call His name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).

We like to sing the song, “Away in a manger, no crib

for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.”

Jesus was born in a lowly stable.

Third, the couple was visited by wise men from the East who came to worship the child and bring gifts. The wise men are usually a part of the display in front of churches. The story goes, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2).

We sing the song, “The First Noel” in which stanza three says, “And by the light of that same star, three wise men came from country far; to seek for a King was their intent and

to follow the star where ever it went. Noel, Noel ...”

The wise men brought gifts and started the tradition of gift giving at Christmas.

Forth, we usually like to close Christmas programs with the song “Silent Night,” which goes like this, “Silent Night, Holy Night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon virgin Mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.”

Jesus began life in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem.

That’s the beginning of the Jesus-story, which starts in Bethlehem, born of Mary, to save the people from their sins. Explain the story to your children and sing the songs and make the Christmas story come alive this Christmas.

Dr. George Janvier is a Sebring resident. Columns are the opinion of the writ-er, not necessarily that of the Highlands News-Sun.

Bethlehem and the Christmas StoryDr. George Janvier

GUEST COLUMN

YOUR VIEWWhat happened to

exit promises, part II

On Dec. 21, a reader wrote a letter about celebrities making empty promises to leave the country if Trump got elected.

In the interest of fair-ness, I should point out that celebrity idiots are not limited to the left.

Stephen Baldwin told Fox News in 2008 that if Obama were nominated, he’d leave the country. In 2012, Ted Nugent said he’d be dead or in jail by the next year if Obama were re-elected. My personal favorite was Rush Limbaugh who said in 2010 that he would move to Costa Rica if ObamaCare passed.

Sadly, they were not men of their word.

I’m not sure why it matters, but I’m a Vietnam era veteran.

Dan JarvisLake Placid

U.S. 27 is not an expressway

I moved to Sebring from Miami a little over a year ago. U.S. 27 is, without a doubt, even more dan-gerous here than in other communities.

Why? Because for some unknown, stupid reason, the speed limit is not lowered going through the town like it is in many other towns along the way. People do not expect to have to drive 55 on a non-expressway road going through town; but, others who are passing through want to do 70 or more.

Anyone knows that it takes longer to stop at 55 mph. Since Florida towns are well known for being speed traps, a simple lowering of the speed limit; and, those traveling through would assume it was being enforced.

Refusal to recognize this dangerous situation on this road is risking lives; and for what? Quit using U.S. 27 as your personal expressway. You can get anywhere within the town in 15 minutes.

Delores D’ErricoSebring

Hate is not a crop we grow here

Protests against the vulgarity and indecency of the current U.S. admin-istration began the day after the inauguration. The 2017 Women’s March on Washington became a global event, with

sister marches around the world.

To commemorate the one year anniversary and to continue the fight for justice and equal-ity, Highlands County Indivisible is sponsoring a one-day county-wide event. Our goal is to show the world and remind our neighbors that “Hate Is Not a Crop We Grow Here.”

On Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, we will exercise our first amendment right to walk peacefully on our sidewalks, carrying signs that express our vision for a just and fair society. We hope that people traveling U.S. 27 will see block after block of citizens cham-pioning a wide variety of issues. A rally will be held in the afternoon, featuring speakers from around the state.

Individuals and groups who would like to adopt a block/intersection are invited to contact Marilyn Lutton at 704-604-8750 or [email protected].

For more information about the objectives of the march, go to womens-marchfl.org/our-mission.html.

For more information about the grassroots movement “Indivisible,” go to indivisible.org/

Lois SchlabachSebring

Mallard Fillmore is too political

Again I find myself so upset at a part of your newspaper that I feel compelled to write about it. It is a comic strip that belongs on your op-ed pages. Why? Because of its heavily politicized content that no child would understand, and a large section of your readers, including me and my family, find insulting.

I subscribe to the Highlands News-Sun annually, and have been a loyal reader for many years, but this spur under my saddle is becoming unbearable. I refer, of course, to Mallard Fillmore, written by an extremely right-leaning Bruce Tinsley.

I like the funnies so I can get a chuckle in the morning with my coffee, not to get riled up po-litically, first thing. And again, no child who reads the comics could ever grasp Tinsley’s snarky, anti-liberal barbs.

Please get this political pundit off the funny pages. If you insist on keeping his strip, relegate it to the op-ed page where it belongs.

Kathy and Bob RabatieSebring


During the Christmas season each year, my family takes a traditional road trip to Santa Land right off Interstate 20 near the East Texas city of Lindale. Santa Land is one of those spectacular drive-through Christmas lights displays, guaranteed to add some dazzle to your holiday with a photosensitive seizure.

We usually try to go early to avoid the incredibly long line that moves at a salted snail’s pace due to waiting for drivers at the entrance recovering from the trauma of the admission fee. This year we were pleased to find that the column of vehicles only stretched back as far as Albuquerque.

The agony of waiting was aggravated by the fact that, once we were stuck in line, I was hit by the urge to go to the bathroom, and since my youngest daughter always sits in my lap as we wind our way through the bumpy gravel trail at Santa Land, my bladder felt like it was subbing for the ball at the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest. (Yes, ladies, now I know what pregnancy feels like. And, no, I’m not interested in experiencing the actual delivery.)

Once we finally entered Santa Land and made it through the first twinkling tunnel of nausea, we were instructed by signs along the path to roll down our windows so we could hear the country Christmas music playing throughout the venue.

Unfortunately, the first speaker we encountered was blown out, making Reba McEntire’s rendition of “O Holy Night” sound like she was auditioning to be a back-up singer for Megadeth.

I was pleased to see that, along with the commercial aspects of Christmas on display

(like a handmade wooden cutout of a giant Hershey’s Kiss that, according to my middle daughter, looks like an enormous turnip), there is a section of Santa Land dedicated to depicting the story of Jesus. Featuring what looked like decommissioned mannequins from a 1970’s K-Mart, a series of dioramas depicted the life of Christ from the Nativity to His Ascension into Heaven.

When we reached the Last Supper scene, my eldest daughter remarked that the apostle Peter appeared to be wearing red lipstick, but I assured her that Peter would never consider wearing that particular shade with a burgundy robe.Another sign we saw instructed passengers to remain inside vehicles at all times.

The exception, of course, is when you reach the end of the trail of lights and your children force you to visit the gift shop. After the light display has lulled you into a state of Yuletide euphoria, the gift shop tempts you with such irresistible souvenirs as decorative toilet paper and holiday grooming kits. (I think I even saw a pair of Donald Trump “Make Christmas Great Again” boxer shorts — or maybe that was the toilet paper.)

Managing to tear ourselves away from the gift shop without adding a single Elvis nutcracker to our collection, we headed to our traditional post-Santa Land dining destination, Cracker Barrel. The joy begins when the server brings out a heaping plate of warm, complimentary carbohydrates (biscuits and cornbread). I usually request some honey, jelly, and butter

to offset the enriched bread products with something healthy and natural.

Another perk is that regardless of what you order, the server almost always asks if you’d like white or brown gravy. One time, I’m pretty sure I saw a guy pouring gravy on his garden salad. Sheer genius! They even have rows of rocking chairs lining the front of the building, just in case you can’t make it back to your car without giving your arteries a minute to recuperate.

I also appreciate the antique ambience of Cracker Barrel. I especially enjoy browsing through the vintage candy and soda as I explain to my daughters, “See, girls, that this is how people got diabetes in the old days.” And then there’s the charming decor of the place with traditional farm implements ornamenting the walls. I mean, where else can you eat a plate of meatloaf and, at the same time, risk being skewered by a falling hay fork?

With full tummies and thoughts elevated with Christmas spirit, we headed home singing carols and looking forward to the rest of the holiday season. I was also looking forward to a few days of sleeping late and lounging around the house in my burgundy robe and my “Make Christmas Great Again” boxer shorts.

Jason Graves is an award-winning humor columnist from East Texas. His columns have been featured in Texas Escapes magazine, The Shreveport Times, The Longview News Journal, and The Kilgore News Herald. Contact Graves at [email protected]. Columns are the opinion of the writer, not necessarily that of the Highlands News-Sun.

Christmas crackersJason Graves

COLUMNIST

Look for a third crossword in

The News Wire section.

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Streaks split pair of games

Offensive force AFS joins with PR1/Mathiasen

Sebring falls to Okeechobee in overtime, defeats Covenant Christian

Avon Park’s Montrae Braswell heads All-Highlands Offense

The Sebring Blue Streaks boys basketball team split their two games head-ing into a short holiday break, defeating Covenant Christian by a score of 84-55 on Thursday and dropping a 77-71 overtime decision at Okeechobee on Friday.

In Thursday’s game, the Blue Streaks broke open a close game with a big second quarter and turned up the heat again in the fourth quarter to post the decisive victory. The teams were tied at 12 at

the end of the first quarter, but a 21-9 second-quarter advantage gave Sebring a 33-21 halftime lead. After a relatively even third quarter, the Blue Streaks outscored the Lions 30-14 in the fourth quarter.

Three Blue Streaks scored in double figures, with Norris Taylor leading the way with 22 points, while Alvin Tumblin had 15 and Mason Hutchins added 12.

“Mason came off the bench and with power moves underneath and good defense and rebound-ing helped end a two-game losing streak,” said Sebring coach Princeton Harris.

Tumblin and Hutchins each had eight rebounds to lead Sebring, with C.J. Paul adding seven. Adolphus Lewis led the Blue Streaks with seven assists and four steals and Tumblin had six blocked shots.

Sebring’s 3-point shots weren’t falling on Friday against the Brahmans, as the Blue Streaks were just 8 for 29 from long range, but a 21-14 fourth-quarter scoring advantage allowed Sebring to catch up and send the game to overtime, where Okeechobee out-scored Sebring 11-5 to take the victory.

Taylor scored 26 points

to lead Sebring, while Jehovany Garcia added 13, Tumblin scored 12 and Lewis scored 10.

Tumblin pulled down 15 rebounds and had 10 blocks to complete the triple-double, while Garcia and Hutchins each grabbed 10. Lewis had 10 assists and seven steals, while Taylor had six assists.

The Blue Streaks strug-gled from the foul line, going 9 of 18.

“Taylor shined in a tough overtime loss,” Harris said. “Norris scored 19 of his game-high 26 points in the second half. He had 10 rebounds and six assists.”

When Montrae Braswell touched the ball, good things usually happened for the Avon Park football team.

The 5-foot 11, 180-pound senior running back rushed for 1,007 yards and added six receptions for 99 yards and scored 19 touchdowns to lead the Red Devils to the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs.

Braswell, who was a four-year varsity starter, gained more than a 1,000 yards rushing for the third consecutive year.

The versatile athlete also started at cornerback and basically never came off the field.

Braswell signed a football scholarship with Central Michigan University on Thursday during the early signing period.

“Montrae did a great job for us on both sides of the ball and has big-play potential every time he touches the ball,” said Avon Park head football coach Wade Jackson. “He was a team leader and I’m excited

to see what the future holds for Montrae at the college level.”

For his ability and accomplishments, Braswell, who has signed to play football at Central Michigan University, has been selected as the

Highlands News-Sun 2017 All-Highlands Offensive Football Player of the Year.

“It’s a great honor to win this award,” said Braswell. “This wasn’t a goal of mine at the start of the season because I was focused

on the team and not individual awards. But it feels good to know all of the hard work I put in paid off. I’m proud to have helped to turn this program around and I hope the winning

Long-time open-wheel racing competitors AFS Racing have joined forces with IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship veterans PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports, and the combined effort — known as

AFS/PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports — makes its WeatherTech Championship debut in January’s Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The team will field the No. 52 Ligier LM P2 machine in the Prototype class for a pair of Colombian co-drivers, Gustavo Yacaman and Sebastian Saavedra, for the full 2018 WeatherTech Championship season.

“As a former owner and driver in open-wheel racing, I’m excited to be joining a great team by

partnering with owner Bobby Oergel’s PR1 team to field a Ligier JS P217 in the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” Team Principal Gary Peterson announced. “Along with Bobby, I hope to continue on building the team along with (Ligier constructor) Onroak (Automotive) for technical support.

“With both our involvement, we have been able to put together a very good selection of drivers to run the races starting within weeks. We selected the drivers in order to aggressively compete, run the entire schedule and contend for a championship.”

Long-time sports car racer Yacaman — who has competed in the WeatherTech Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series — is returning to full-time WeatherTech Championship competition in 2018. Yacaman owns one series victory, which came at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2014.

“I am delighted to be a part of this new adventure, and even better to have Sebastian as my teammate,” Yacaman said. “It’s the first time two Colombian drivers work together for one common goal. We will be an example for many generations to come. Seb comes from IndyCar, where you need to drive at the very limit and push very hard every lap, so I am looking forward to learning something from him on that side.”

Saavedra has been an IndyCar competitor for the past several years, competing for teams such as Chip Ganassi Racing, Andretti Autosport, Bryan Herta Autosport and KV Racing. He’s made 65 career IndyCar starts, with a pole position at the 2014 IndyCar Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He also has three career sports car starts, including the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in 2014 and the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series race at Indianapolis.

“I’m very excited with this new chapter in my career and very honored and humbled to be a part of building this new organization together with Gary Peterson and Bobby Oergel,” Saavedra said. “It’s something that has been in the works for two years now, and making it a reality is definitely one of the highlights of my career.

“I’m looking forward to the whole concept of Team Colombia and building a very strong alliance and performance team in what will be a very compet-itive season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.”

The new venture for PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports is the next chapter for the successful team, which won the Prototype Challenge (PC) class Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup in both 2015 and 2016. The team owns one Rolex 24 At Daytona victory, as well as three victories each at Sebring and the Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

“Every one of the team members were so happy to learn about this opportunity that we’ve been able to assemble,” said Oergel. “AFS and Gary Peterson’s passion for motorsports fits right in with how strong we believe the team can be.

“It’s obviously a bit tough at the moment with how late this has come together, but the big picture is what this partnership is all about. I am looking forward to a long and prosperous future for all of us together.”

HIGHLANDS NEWS SUN SPORTS STAFF

By MARK PINSONSTAFF WRITER

SPECIAL TO HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN

JIM TAYLOR/CORRESPONDENT

Sebring’s Norris Taylor (22) drives to the basket on a fast break. Taylor led Sebring in scoring the past two games.

Avon Park senior running back Montrae Braswell rushed for 1,007 yards and scored 19 touch-downs to lead the Red Devils to the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. For his ability and accomplishments, Braswell has been selected as the Highlands News-Sun 2017 All-Highlands Offensive Player of the Year.

LOCAL SPORTS

MARK PINSON/STAFF

Avon Park running back Thurlow wilkins (10) ran for 1,264 yards and scored 14 touchdowns to help the Red Devils make it to the state playoffs.

FORCE | 9

YACAMAN

2017_12_25_sea_08.pdf 1 24-Dec-17 18:21:07


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tradition continues.”

THE TEAM

Brian Lane, senior, Sebring - Lane was a three-year starter at quarterback and threw for 1,362 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions this past season. He led the Blue Streaks to the Class 6A state playoffs and capped an outstanding season by being named the South’s Offensive MVP for the prestigious FACA All-Star football game.

“Brian is a smart player and had a solid high school career,” said Sebring head football coach LaVaar Scott. “He has a lot of ability, knows how to read defensive coverages and has a bright future.”

Katwan Ward, sophomore, Lake Placid - Ward had a solid season at running back with 106 carries for 577 yards and five touchdowns to help the Green Dragons qualify for the Class 4A state playoffs.

“Katwan was our offensive work horse,” said Lake Placid head coach Jerry Hudnell. “He’s a solid downhill runner who doesn’t shy away from contact.”

Thurlow Wilkins, senior, Avon Park - Wilkins had 103 carries for 1,264 yards and scored 14 touchdowns to help the Red Devils make it to the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Nicknamed “Rocket Man” for a good reason.

“Thurlow was the fastest player on our team and when he got to the second level nobody could catch him,” said Jackson. “He’s a physical runner that can grind out the tough yards as well. He was a great addition to our program and could make a big impact

at the college level.”

Raphael Smith, senior, Sebring - Smith had a solid season at running back with 504 rushing yards and six touchdowns to help the Blue Streaks qualify for the state playoffs. The diminutive speedster capped it off by being named the Central’s Offensive MVP for the South-Central All-Star Football Classic.

“Raphael is a hard worker and was our offensive MVP,” Scott said. “He played a lot bigger than his size, he knew our offense inside and out and is an outstanding young man.”

Javarie White, freshman, Lake Placid - White came on strong as a running back with 76 carries for 562 yards and four touchdowns for the Green Dragons. “Javarie was a great counter to Katwan,” Hudnell said.

“If you gave Javarie a crease, he took it to the house. He is an explosive runner.”

Earl Collins, junior, Avon Park - Collins played wide receiver and had 10 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns for the Red Devils.

“Earl has great hands and if the ball comes near him it will be caught,” Jackson said. “Very physical player that blocks very well. Also a two-way player who started at outside linebacker.”

Norris Taylor, junior, Sebring - Taylor, who had 35 receptions for 494 yards and four touchdowns, gave the Blue Streaks a big weapon at wide receiver. “Norris made a lot of big plays for us,” Scott said. “He has great hands, is a hard worker and we’re looking forward to seeing what he does next year.”

Bryce Walker, senior, Lake Placid - Walker was a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Green Dragons.

“Bryce anchored our offensive

line,” Hudnell said. “When we needed yards we always ran behind Bryce.”

James Beck, senior, Avon Park - Beck played a physical tight end and had four catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. “James was a big contributor to the success of the running game with his physical blocking,” Jackson said.

Kevin Rivera, sophomore, Sebring - Rivera has soft hands and made numerous big plays as a wide receiver for the Blue Streaks with 221 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

“Kevin was a big-time surprise for us,” Scott said. “We knew he had good hands and was talented, but we didn’t know he was that good.”

JJ Rooks, senior, Avon Park - Rooks took over at quarterback in his final season and completed 30 of 51 passes for 588 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.

“JJ made some big plays in the passing game and did a great job of running the offense and giving us some balance to compliment the running game,” Jackson said.

Anthony Healy, senior, Sebring - Healy was a key cog for the Blue Streaks ion the offensive line.

Jalen Wheelock, senior, Avon Park - Wheelock played several positions, including center, as a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Red Devils.

“Jalen is smart and physical and was the leader of the offensive line,” Jackson said. “Very consistent and only had a handful of bad snaps. Handled snapping duties for punting and PAT and was perfect on the year snapping for both.”

Gavin Abell, senior, Sebring - Abell was a stalwart of the offensive line for the Blue Streaks.

Javier Arango, junior, Avon Park - Arango played guard and was a key performer on the offensive line.

“This was Javier’s second year of starting and he is a very physical blocker who blocks from snap to whistle,” Jackson said. “He has great energy and hustle.”

Zach Yanis, junior, Sebring - Yanis paved the way for the Blue Streaks running game as a solid blocker on the offensive line.

James Tomblin, senior, Avon Park - Tomblin was a three-year starter at tackle.

“James battled a shoulder injury all season, but still played physical and tough,” Jackson said. “He has a natural mean streak, which is good for offensive linemen.”

HONORABLE MENTION

Tyrek Dunlap,

sophomore, Avon Park - Played wide receiver for the Red Devils.

Jennings Genho, senior, Lake Placid - Genho was a solid contributer on the offensive line.

Jose Hernandez, junior, Avon Park - Hernandez did a fine job playing guard for the Red Devils.

Will Taylor, sophomore, Lake Placid - Taylor made a positive impact with his blocking on the offensive line.

Coach of the YearFor guiding their teams to

the state playoffs, Avon Park’s Wade Jackson, Lake Placid’s Jerry Hudnell and Sebring’s LaVaar Scott have been selected as the Highlands News-Sun All-Highlands Offensive Coaches of the Year.

FORCEFROM PAGE 8

JIM TAYLOR/CORRESPONDENT

Lake Placid sophomore running back Katwan Ward rushed for 577 yards and scored five touchdowns to help the Green Dragons qualify for the Class 4A state playoffs.


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CLASSIFIEDS, COMICS & PUZZLES INSIDE SECTION B Monday, December 25, 2017

For my fourth-grade science fair project, I tested different soaps to see which ones were the most effective at keeping my hands clean.

Now, nearly 20 years later as a microbiology doctoral candidate, I can’t help but think, “Ugh, the fourth-grade me was such an amateur scientist!”

My experiment lacked obvious control groups and ultimately asked the wrong question. Instead of asking which brand of soap was the most “effective” and classifying all bacteria as germs, I should have been inves-tigating how to prevent the growth and spread of specific disease-causing bacteria, or pathogens.

This question is difficult to answer. You

can’t tell by eye which bacteria growing within a petri dish are the “good guys” versus ones that cause disease, and some pathogenic microbes, like viruses, can’t be detected within agar petri dishes.

Nevertheless, with the upcoming holiday travels, asking how to prevent the spread of disease-causing pathogens isn’t just for aspiring microbiologists but a great question for everyone.

Do we really stand a chance of keeping our hands clean from germs?

Two-fisted approach

There are two main strategies.

The first is to decrease the overall biomass of microbes – that is, decrease the amount of bacteria, viruses and

other types of microor-ganisms. We do this by lathering with soap and rinsing with water. Soap’s chemistry helps remove microorganisms from our hands by accentuating the slippery properties of our own skin.

Studies have shown that effectively washing with soap and water significantly reduces the bacterial load of diar-rhea-causing bacteria.

The second strategy is to kill the bacteria. We do this by using products

with an antibacterial agent such as alcohols, chlorine, peroxides, ch-lorhexidine or triclosan.

Some academic work has shown that antibac-terial soaps are more effective at reducing certain bacteria on soiled hands than soaps without them.

However, there’s a problem. Some bacterial cells on our hands may have genes that enable them to be resistant to a

MICHELLE SCONCE MASSAQUOI UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

SHUTTERSTOCK

Washing hands with warm soap and water is the best way to keep your hands clean.

HANDS | 9

Look into your salad bowl and think: If a fountain of cognitive youth were flowing in there, would you return every day?

In research that gives new meaning to the expression “salad days,” a study published Wednesday finds that older people who ate at least one serving of leafy greens a day had a slower

rate of decline on tests of memory and thinking skills than did people who rarely or never ate these vegetables.

The study was pub-lished in the journal Neurology.

After almost five years, regular consumers of such veggies as kale, spinach, collard greens and lettuce enjoyed a mental edge that was the equivalent of 11 years in age. To be sure, the top tier of leafy-vegetable

consumers started with cognitive scores that were slightly higher than those in the bottom tier. That’s probably a testament to the power of lifelong eating patterns.

But over five years, the pattern of mental aging differed markedly in these two groups. Study participants who ate an average of roughly 1.3 servings of leafy greens a day experienced a decline in test performance that was about half as steep as

that of participants whose daily consumption was near-zero.

Those stark differences were evident even after the researchers took ac-count of a host of factors that are known to affect mental aging, including age, gender, education, exercise, participation in cognitive activities, smok-ing and consumption of seafood and alcohol.

Let’s say you and your

Leafy veggies may make your brain seem youngerBy MELISSA HEALY

LOS ANGELES TIMES

GLENN KOENIG/ LOS ANGELES TIMES (TNS)

Coral Tree Cafe’s Kale Salad in Los Angeles on March 11, 2015. KALE | 10

Right way to wash hands

SHUTTERSTOCK

Not all bathrooms are clean, which poses a problem for holiday travelers trying to keep their hands clean.

Last year, Barbara’s husband thought it would be fun to learn more about their family’s history, so he bought 23andMe gene-testing kits for himself, Barbara and their three daughters for Christmas.

Once she understood it, she realized the information in that report was devas-tating. She has a much higher risk than most people of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia with no cure and no good treatment.

That’s bad news for the whole family. Her husband, who does not have the mutation, may have to take care of her. Her daughters will have lower risk than she does because of her husband’s genes, but they have inherited one copy of a gene that raises their risk too. While she is now “at peace” with the results, Barbara says she probably would not look at them if she had the choice today. “I wish I had known the can of worms I was opening,” she said. The A 67-year-old resident of a Philadelphia suburb spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the “stigma” of Alzheimer’s. “I’m just not ready,” she said.

23andMe launched its “personal genome service,” which included health-risk data, in 2007. It stopped revealing health risks under orders from the U.S. Food and

Drug Administration in 2013, because it had not received authorization.

For several years, customers got ancestry information and reports about relatively benign genetic traits such as

whether they have dry or wet earwax. The company returned to telling people whether they were carriers for diseases like sickle cell anemia in

2015. This year, the FDA allowed 23andMe, which has more than 3 million customers, to release information about genes that increase their risk for 10 diseases, including two particularly scary ones: Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

New customers can choose whether they want only the ancestry reports or are willing to pay more ($199) for ancestry and health-risk reports. Customers who bought the service in previous years can now choose to see reports that weren’t part of the pack-age when they signed up.

Even new customers who purchase the health reports may be blind-sided by unexpected information, experts said. They might, for example, be worried about their family history of the eye disease macular degen-eration — there’s a report on that too — only to find out they’re at high risk for something more serious that wasn’t on their radar. And particularly savvy consumers can download their raw data and plug

Testing forAlzheimer’s genes

forces decisionsBy STACEY BURLING

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

TESTING | 10

What’s proved to prevent the development of dementia after the age of 80?

Not brain training, not med-ication, not regular exercise, not a healthier diet and not a busy social calendar, according to a series of reports published Monday.

But ask the question a bit differently, and the answer is not quite as discouraging: What should you be doing anyway right now that might delay or prevent the develop-ment of dementia late in life?

Some combination of all of the above.

Most of us hope to live

well into old age, and doing so with our marbles intact is typically a condition we attach to that wish. But half or more of Americans over the age of 90 will be beset with some type of dementia, and 1 in 10 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientific research, in its highest and most rigorous form, has done little to illumi-nate a single path to prevent or forestall dementia and cogni-tive decline. That grim conclu-sion emerged in four reports published by the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Culling the highest-qual-ity research it could find on preventing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, the

Minnesota Evidence-based Practice Center concluded that cognitive training has not been shown definitively to work. Neither have prescription medications or over-the-counter dietary supplements. They couldn’t even find a single exercise regimen that fit the bill.

These findings underpinned a recent report by the National Academy of Medicine on preventing dementia. But while the Minnesota group found an absence of decisive effects, it documented some highly suggestive evidence that some things were helpful — in

Preventing dementia: The promising,the disappointing and the inconclusive

By MELISSA HEALYLOS ANGELES TIMES

TNS PHOTO

Scientific research, in its highest and most rigorous form, has done little to illuminate a single path to prevent or forestall dementia and cognitive decline. That grim conclusion emerged in four reports published by the Annals of Internal Medicine. DEMENTIA | 10

Wet, lather, rinse and dryWet, lather,

rinse and dry

B2 | HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN | Monday, December 25, 2017 www.highlandsnewssun.com

The healing energy of yoga is generated in the mind. The thoughts we create and act upon become the invention of our life. As we move into the introspective holidays and resolution of how we intend to live in the “new year,” we remind ourselves that we have a choice.

What will we act upon to create mental/physical/spir-itual vitality and energy that will manifest into our so-called “reality?” What thoughts/ac-tions/directions will we pursue to induce a healthy, healing lifestyle in the cultural context we create?

Do we accept the cultural beliefs of the masses in our environment: Family influenc-es, media, religious affiliations, friends or wherever we place our emphasis/focus to grow and regenerate a positive ener-gy in our mind/body/spirit?

Does the environment control our thinking so we live “remotely” from our inner being or do we manifest our dreams by directing our mental/physical/emotional/spiritual energy into what we want to be and our designing goals?

Yoga is a practice to evaluate our thinking and how it is generated/ manifested in the mind/body/spirit. When we take up a yoga practice we may be not know what to expect or

why we choose to take a class?

But if you made the decision and “begin,” the yoga student will soon discover the many answers/questions and realizations of self-awareness that followed the student up to this point of action.

Yoga is a journey of positive self-discovery and exploration. We have choices on how to create our life: Do we create a positive life steam that is generated from within to the outer world or do we con-sciously/unconsciously accept the status quo of other people’s thinking and control, not even realizing we may have given up the manifesta-tion of our own path?

Do we accept living in the fast food/fast lane life stream as contributing to our health and well-being? Do we focus on positive, uplifting, chal-lenging and forward thinking discussions within our family/friends or do we dwell on living in the past and reliving negative conditions in our mind/body/lifestyle that has infected us, spiraled into our acceptance and life stands still?

What choices are we con-templating to act upon that can initiate new energy for a healthy/fulfilling life? Do we focus on “regeneration” that crosses the lines of age/physi-cal conditions/circumstances or have accepted the dead past as our “new normal?”

A yoga practice focuses on the healing energy that begins by us opening our minds and listening intuitively to the path our mind brings into our awareness? Do we pay attention to our intuition, take up the chalice and walk the unknown/unfamiliar path into an opportunity to regenerate our life?

Yoga creates a healing energy that helps us reshape our muscles, generating more blood/oxygen flow into the body and inspiring us to flow through the discomfort of positive change into living a new reality. Growth generates energy and helps us release the past which is dead, and focus on harnessing a new generated creative life: Our own.

Yoga teaches us to let go and flow into the healing energy we generate, wherever it takes, to inspire us and awaken a higher level of our awareness with focus on sticking with our positive choices.

Eventually, we will see change in our physical well-being, charged with a new positive energy life-source that

generates reflective thinking, shaping and choosing our life direction that we can pass on into our immediate cultural consciousness. Just because the world in our immediate environment may support seemingly limited resources for our growth, this limitation is our own choice in thinking providing an opportunity to grow from within and express manifestations of our positive energy into the world instead of being infected by the nega-tivity of the culture.

Choose life at all stages of physical/mental/spiritual growth and it will, like a little a stone dropped into the stillness of a pond, send out ripples into the world. Reflect

on life/growth and regener-ation that streams though all chronological ages.

Yoga: Ageless body, timeless mindYOGA FOR LIFE

NANCY DALE YOGA CLASSESWEDNESDAYS: 6 to 7 p.m. ALL LEVELS INTUITIVE MASSAGE AND YOGA943 Mall Ring Road (BehindSebring Mall) 863-402-2208 ($10 per class)

FRIDAYS: 5:30-6:30 p.m. ALL LEVELS GOLD’S GYM SEBRING 1720 U.S. 27 ($10 per class fornon-members)

COURTESY PHOTO/ ALECIA DOUGAN

Laura Griffin and Nancy Zachary do the tree yoga pose.

COURTESY PHOTO

Yoga teacher Nancy Dale shows the “extended right angle” pose.

From the Staff of Heartland Skin CenterHave a Happy & Safe Veterans Day

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Monday, December 25, 2017 | HIGHLANDS NEWS-SUN | B3www.highlandsnewssun.com

Did you hear the bells this morning? Were they mild and sweet and did the bells repeat and repeat, providing beauti-ful music and a feeling of peace among all people? Or was last night a silent night and you couldn’t hear anything?

Merry Christmas to all. I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season and, however you celebrate, I wish you peace.

Do you hear what I hear? Can you hear what your friends hear? Remember to wear your hearing instruments to all your gatherings so you can enjoy decking your halls. Many believe this is the most wonderful time of the year, so get out and celebrate.

Do your hearing instru-ments have a dedicated music program in them? A graphic equalizer?

Newer technology does. Put it to the test. Listen to some music. Cut a rug! Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas par-ty hop and some caroling will give you great fun and joy for all.

Get involved. Be active. Don’t sit and have a silent night. Don’t be lonely.

Don’t let anyone you know be lonely, reach out. Jingle your bells and have a holly jolly Christmas. Speak directly to people, especially if your party is full of cheerful noise. Help others to hear you.

It’s a time to be helpful. Don’t let Grandma get run over by a reindeer ... or anything else for that matter.

Let it snow? I don’t think so ... While we don’t have snow or ice, it is the time of year for lots of fog. So enjoy that holiday cup of coffee, call your kids and head over the river and through the woods a little later in the morning after the fog has lifted. New hearing aid technology can allow you

to hear the phone call in both ears, even if you don’t own a smart phone or just have a landline. Remember, there is no place like home for the holidays.

If you are going to be gone most of the day and your batteries have been in more than three to four days, consider put-ting in a fresh set before you leave the house. It’s easier to change them before you leave, than on the run. The busier the environment (you never know when you will run into eight maids a milking), the harder the batteries work. So why not just start your day with a fresh new set.

Enjoy! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Roseann B. Kiefer, B.A., BC-HIS, is owner of Lampe and Kiefer Hearing Aid Center. Sebring, Fla. This infor-mation is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure your condition. Always talk to your doctor before following any med-ical advice or starting a diet or exercise program.

Did you hear the bells on Christmas Day?

Roseann Kiefer

HEARING MATTERS

Language is shaped by many different influ-ences. Over time, certain phrases become part of the vernacular and are spoken to signify how one acts or feels, including phrases about health and well-being. Some phrases may inspire curiosity as to their origins. The following health-related phrases have some interesting backstories.

“Fit as a Fiddle”The phrase “fit as a

fiddle” is often used to describe someone who is very healthy and full of energy. But what does fitness have to do with an instrument, anyway? Actually, very little. According to The Phrase Finder, “fit” didn’t origi-nally mean healthy. It was actually used to represent the words “suitable and seemly.” Therefore, some-thing that is fit as a fiddle would mean it was suitable for its purpose. Now “fit” frequently refers to one’s physical shape, and the phrase has evolved.

“Survival of the fittest”

Again, the word “fittest” initially did not represent physical strength or well-being. Rather, in this phrase, attributed to Herbert Spencer and later to Charles Darwin, fittest referred to those who were best suited to their environment, or more plainly, those who were best able to survive. Today, it can mean anyone who is able to rise above the odds against them.

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

Many believe this phrase to be a helpful rhyming device to remember to eat healthy food to maintain good physical health. However, according to Snopes, the first known version of this proverb comes from Wales in 1866 and stated, “eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” Other sourc-es trace the phrase to ancient Rome. Apples can have many health bene-fits, but no research has

confirmed that eating an apple daily will safeguard individuals from any particular illness. A 2015 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine did find that people who ate an apple required fewer prescription medications than those who did not.

“Strong as an ox”The idiom “strong as an

ox” has long represented a person who is unusu-ally strong and able to persevere. Because oxen are large beasts of burden that were used instead of horses by American settlers before railroads were created, anyone compared to an ox would have to be someone capable of strong physical labor and ability.

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Freezing fat cells may be a way to achieve a slimmer physique without the need for surgery.

Fat freezing is billed as a treatment that can eliminate people’s fat cells in predominately troublesome areas of the body to create a slim physique. Also known as cryolipolysis, this noninva-sive procedure is attracting a growing number of people interested in reshap-ing areas of their bodies without the need for going under the knife.

Liposuction has traditionally been one of the more popular procedures for removing excess fat and helping to mold the body. WebMD says liposuc-tion removes fat using suction. A small, thick, blunt-tipped cannula is inserted through tiny cuts in the skin. Fat is then vacuumed out through these tubes as the doctor moves the tubes around to target certain fat deposits. Although newer techniques, including using var-ious anesthetics, have been introduced to make liposuction more comfortable, swelling, bruising and pain as well as

fluid drainage from the incision sites may result.

Fat freezing, which is primarily known by the name CoolSculpting, is a Food and Drug Administration-cleared, nonsurgical procedure that helps to eliminate fat. The company states that it uses controlled cooling to eliminate

fat that resists the effort of diet and exercise.

The concept of fat freezing actu-ally started with a popular dessert. Scientists at Harvard University discovered that some children who ate popsicles ended up with dimples in their cheeks. Drs. Dieter Manstein and R. Rox Anderson later concluded that the popsicles froze and eliminated small pockets of fat cells without dam-aging skin or surrounding tissue. This was the science behind cryolipolysis.

The doctors developed a system to deliver precisely controlled cooling to target fat cells under the skin. The crystalized cells die and are naturally eliminated from the body through time.

Dermatologists and medical spas are increasingly offering fat-freezing services to their clients. Many people are attracted to CoolSculpting because it doesn’t require surgery.

According to Zeltiq Aesthetics, the original parent company of the CoolSculpting technology, the FDA found the procedures offered “clinically

meaningful” changes in 60 patients after treatment for the reduction of love handles. Six months after treatment, ultrasound measurements found an average 19 percent reduction of the targeted fat layer.

During a roughly one-hour treatment session, a vacuum device pulls on fat bulges and exposes the fat to cold. It may take several treatments to achieve desired results, and decreases in fat do not immediately occur, but can be seen two to four months later, on average. Treatments are not covered by insur-ance and can range from $750 to $2,000 per area.

Currently, there are no safety con-cerns, but the technology is still very new and there are no long-term study results. Side effects can include tem-porary redness, swelling, blanching, bruising, firmness, tingling, stinging, tenderness, cramping, aching, itching, or skin sensitivity, offers CoolSculpting. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, CoolSculpting accounted for almost half of all body-sculpting treatments in 2016.

Fat-freezing techniques ‘heating’ upMETRO CREATIVE SERVICES

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Freezing fat cells is another way that people may be able to rid themselves of stubborn, unwanted fat.

TALLAHASSEE — A statewide long-term care association has chal-lenged a proposal by Gov. Rick Scott’s administra-tion to make permanent a controversial rule that requires assisted-living facilities to have gener-ators and enough fuel

to provide 96 hours of backup power.

Attorneys for the Florida Senior Living Association filed a petition Friday in state administrative court arguing that the Florida Department of Elder Affairs overstepped its legislative authority and that the new proposed rule puts requirements

on assisted-living facilities that are not authorized in state law.

The Florida Senior Living Association, for-merly known as Florida Argentum, also argues in the petition that the proposed rule is vague. The group represents more than 350 assisted living facilities across the state.

“The proposed rule is impermissibly vague as evidenced by DOEA’s (the Department of Elder Affairs’) inability to answer basic questions relating to standards it intends to enforce should the proposed rule go into effect,” one part of the petition says.

The proposed rule closely tracks

an emergency rule the Department of Elder Affairs issued in September following Hurricane Irma. That rule and one issued by Agency for Health Care Administration that af-fects nursing homes were invalidated in October after a trio of industry groups, including The Florida Senior Living

Association, challenged them.

Despite the invali-dation decision by an administrative law judge, the Scott administration maintains that the emergency rules remain in effect and has been enforcing them. A Scott spokesman also fired back against the new rule challenge filed Friday.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — As President Donald Trump completes his first year in office, Americans are increas-ingly concerned about health care, and their faith that government can fix it has fallen.

A new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 48 percent named health care as a top problem for the government to focus on in the next year, up 17 points in the last two years.

The poll allows Americans to name up to five priorities and found a wide range of top concerns, including taxes, immigration and the environment. But aside from health care, no single issue was named by more than 31 percent.

And 7 in 10 of those who named health care as a top problem said they had little to no confidence that gov-ernment can improve matters. The public was less pessimistic in last year’s edition of the poll, when just over half said they lacked confidence in the problem-solving ability of lawmakers and government institutions.

“We are way up there on the cost, and as far as giving good health care, we are way down,” said Rebekah Bustamante of San Antonio, a retired medical imaging techni-cian. “Now in health care, you’re a number.”

Bustamante said she voted for Trump, but “he’s learning on the job, and he’s got a long way to go.”

Trump initially prom-ised his own plan that would deliver “insurance for everybody” and “great” health care, “much less expensive and much better.” But the White House never released a health care proposal from the president.

GOP legislation to repeal and replace

former President Barack Obama’s health care law failed in Congress, although the tax bill scraps the Obama requirement that most people get health insur-ance. Bloodied on both sides, Republicans and Democrats seem to have battled to an uneasy draw on health care.

Meanwhile, conflicting policy signals from Washington, including an abrupt White House decision to cancel insurer subsidies, roiled insurance markets. Premiums on health plans purchased by individuals jumped by double digits. Progress reducing the number of uninsured stalled, and one major survey found an uptick this year.

“There is zero biparti-sanship, and it’s frus-trating,” said Eric Staab, a high school teacher from Topeka, Kansas. “It seems like we have thrown everything at this dartboard, and nothing is improving the coverage.”

Rumblings of dis-content have political repercussions for next year’s midterm elections and the presidential con-test in 2020, said Robert Blendon, a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who follows opinion trends on health care.

“It’s the issue that won’t go away,” said Blendon. “Given the news cycle, taxes should be first, the economy should be second, and this health care thing should be buried.”

Three in 10 Americans listed taxes among their top priorities, about double the percentage who said that last year. About a quarter men-tioned immigration, and just under 2 in 10 mentioned environmen-tal issues and education. Meanwhile, concerns about unemployment plunged to 14 percent, about half the mentions as last year.

Health care was by far the top issue mentioned by Democrats and inde-pendents. Republicans were about equally likely

to mention immigration, health care and taxes.

Democrats were more likely than Republicans to say they have little to no confidence that the government will make progress on health care, 84 percent to 57 percent.

The reason health care doesn’t fade away is that costs aren’t getting any more manageable, said some people who took part in the AP-NORC survey.

Bustamante said she is planning a trip to Mexico for some dental work, because she can obtain quality service for much less there. “Thank God I live in Texas, where getting to Mexico isn’t that far away,” she said. “But everybody doesn’t have that option.”

ShyJuan Clemons of Merrillville, Indiana, said he’s currently uninsured because his previous health plan was costing too much money for the benefit he got from it. He faced his insurance plan’s annual deductible when he went to the doctor, so he’d wind up paying out-of-pocket for visits,

on top of premiums.“You are not constantly

worried about taxes, but you are constantly worried about health care — be it major or minor,” said Clemons, a personal care attendant who works with disabled people. “You catch a cold, and you just think about it in passing — ‘I hope it doesn’t develop into a problem.’”

Clemons, a Democrat, said he’s disappoint-ed that Trump and Republicans in Congress seem to be trying to tear down “Obamacare” instead of building on it. “I would like to see them make the thing

run smoothly so we can do better, instead of just trying to cripple it,” he said.

The lack of confidence in the ability of govern-ment to find pragmatic solutions extended to other problems in the AP-NORC poll, including climate change, immi-gration, and terrorism.

Just 23 percent said that Trump has kept the promises he made while running for president, while 30 percent said he’s tried and failed, and 45 percent said he has not kept his promises at all.

Nearly 2 in 3 said they were pessimistic about the state of politics in

the U.S. About half were downbeat about the nation’s system of gov-ernment, and 55 percent said America’s best days are behind.

———The AP-NORC poll

surveyed 1,444 adults from Nov. 11-Dec. 4 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probabil-ity-based AmeriSpeak panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.

Interviews were con-ducted online and using landlines and cellphones.

Poll: Health care is the issue that won’t go awayBy EMILY SWANSON and

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVARASSOCIATED PRESS

AP PHOTO

In this July 17, 2017 photo, retired family physician Jay Brock of Fredericksburg, Va., joins other protesters against the Republican health care bill outside the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., on Capitol Hill in Washington. A year after a big change in leadership, a survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 48 percent named health care as a top problem for the country.

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LEGAL

NOTICES

CLASSIFIED HOLIDAY

DEADLINESDue to the holidays,

please note our earlierdeadlines for all of

Classifieds.

FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK:Mon. Dec. 18 at 1pm for

Wed. Dec. 20 edition;Tues. Dec 19 at 1pm forThurs. & Fri. Dec. 21 & 22

editions;Wed. Dec. 20 at 1pm forSat. & Sun, Dec. 23 & 24

editions;Thurs. Dec. 21 at 1pm forMon. & Tues. Dec. 25 & 26

editions;Fri. Dec. 22 at 1pm for

Wed. Dec. 27 edition;

FOR NEW YEAR’S WEEKTues. Dec. 26 at 1pm forThurs. & Fri. Dec. 28 & 29

editions;Wed. Dec. 27 at 1pm forSat. & Sun. Dec 30 & 31

editions;Thurs. Dec. 28 at 1pm for

Mon. & Tues. Jan. 1 & 2 editions;

Fri. Dec. 29 at 1pm forWed. Jan. 3 edition.

The Highlands News-Sun office

will be closed Dec.25 and Jan. 1

Get theGet theWord out -Word out -AdvertiseAdvertise

in thein theClassifieds!Classifieds!

NOTICE OF SALE30

Notice of Public Sale for Chaney UsedCars on 1/2/2018 of 2007 LincolnNavigator 5LMFL27527LJ14016;2006 Ford F-1501FTPW14506FA21235; 2007 ScionTC JTKDE177170176764; 2010 Nis-san Maxima 1N4AA5AP5AC815438;2006 Lexus IS350JTHBE262565011049. Location:Chaneys Used Cars Address: 1500U.S. 27 S. Avon Park FL 33825. Thissale will be conducted by Randy Kin-caid FL LIC# AB551-AU905. This is aCASH only sale. The sale will beginpromptly at 10:00 AM

Dec. 25, 2017

1000

REAL ESTATE

“We Are Pledged To The Letter AndSpirit of U.S. Policy For The Achieve-ment Of Equal Housing OpportunityThroughout The Nation. We Encour-age And Support An AffirmativeAdvertising And Marketing Program InWhich there Are No Barriers ToObtaining Housing Because of Race,Color, Religion, Sec, Handicap, Famil-ial Status Or National Origin.”

EQUAL HOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

R.E. AUCTION1015

Mobile Home Auction6 pm Jan. 1, 2018Furnished, 2 bd located at2442 Bayview St., SebringLakeview Mobile Village. Online Only, Go To:

edwardsauctions.comRichard Edwards

937-547-3202 or937-423-2656

FL Lic #AU4859; Ohio Lic#57199773509

HOMES FOR SALE1020

GOT TOO MUCHSTUFF??

Unload it FREE inHighlands News-Sun

For any item $500 orless. Email to:

[email protected]

Please include your name,address & phone number.

PRIVATE PARTY ONLY

Sebring~2/2/1 w/bonus rm& scrn porch. Irrigation sys.,CHA, 1500sf. Dual-pane wind.Private $109k 863-446-0409

HOMES FOR SALESEBRING

1026

Tanglewood 2/2; woodfloors, enclosed lanai, nicelyupdated, New Roof & AC.$35k. 863-449-7689

MOBILE HOMESFOR SALE

1090

Avon Park~ 2/1 in 55+ park.Large lot; rent $300. Full en-closed addition, fully furn. $6kobo. 863-368-2287.

Mallard Park Lorida~ All fur-nished, w/ FL rooms; low lotrent. Near Lake Istokpoga. Newwindows & CHA. 419-208-3107

Paradise Village MHP, LakePlacid~ 2/1.5, furn. w/lrg FLrm, newer AC & fridge.Amenities incl. & sm. petfriendly. 863-840-1682

WANTED TO BUY1120

Lake Placid CASHfor Your Home!Rapid Closing; AnyCondition. Must havesufficient equity. Ken

863-441-2689

HOMES FOR RENT1210

Apartments & Housesfor Rent in Highlands

County Starting at $450. Pet Friendly!

Call Mike 863-243-9191www.Mylakeplacid.com

Lake Placid 2/1.5/1~ LvRm, Dining room, kit. Washer& dryer, $700/mo. 1509 Wal-nut Ave. 305-879-0136

APARTMENTSFOR RENT

1320

AVON PARK2/1 Villa, RENOVATED!

GREAT location.$575/mo.941-722-1533

Avon Park~Lrg 2/1 w/car-port, porch & laundry rm ac-cess. $515/mo+ 1st/sec.Water incl. 561-719-2520

Sebring Lake Front Condos& Houses New kitchens; 1brstarting at $475; 2 br start-ing at $625 1yr lease, NOPETS. 863-382-2221

Sebring 2/1 on Key LakeNear Harder Hall. 1st flr. Yearor seasonal lease. Furn. or un-furnished. 863-699-0419

FURNISHEDAPARTMENTS

1322

Free rent or reduced rentin exchange for handyman &gardening. Giant furnishedstudio apartment overlookinglake in Lake Placid. CallCharley 754-264-4246

UNFURNISHEDAPARTMENTS

1324

2/1 Sebring on canal centrallylocated, remodeled w/tile, nopets. $700, 1st, last, $500security, 863-471-6966.

ROOMS FOR RENT1360

Bedroom with Pivate BathNice area, equip. kit., W/D,cable TV & Wifi. $350.

863-991-1390

COMMERCIALRENTAL

1392

Sebring *Liberty Star Plaza*Leasing 3000-18,000 sqft;

Built out. US 27 Near SR 66863-471-0663

LOTS & ACREAGE1500

Lake Okeechobee LotChannel w/seawall & dock,110 x78, existing slab, emptyseptic, electr. & water hook-ups. REDUCED!! $27K

269-476-2188 or 269-506-6510

ARCADIA 55 acre parcel w/lake for rent or sale. Water, elec-tric, septic on site. Need yourOWN 5th wheel or mobile home.$850/mo. Call 239-693-7270.

2000

EMPLOYMENT

CLASSIFIED HOLIDAY



Classifieds.














HELP WANTED2001

Administrative Services Director/City Clerk

Visit: www.cityofavonpark.ccFor full details of position.Phone: (863) 452-4403

City of Avon ParkHuman Resources/

Risk ManagerVisit www.cityofavonpark.ccFor full details of position.Phone: (863) 452-4403

HELP WANTED2001

Electrical Maintenance TechnicianVisit www.cityofavonpark.ccFor full details of position.Phone: (863) 452-4403

Exp Aluminum Installer/Carpenter Helper~ Needbasic tools & transportation.

Call 863-386-4423

Learn to Drive a TruckGet your Commercial Driver's

License today at SouthFlorida State College.

Scholarships are available toeligible participants. 863-784-7033

HOTEL JACARANDAPosition Vacancies● Bussers● Kitchen Workers● Dishwashers● Servers

Hourly pay rate will be based onexperience. Exp. preferred withservers. Will train all other posi-tions. Open until filled. Apply inperson Mon-Fri, 9-11 a.m. at theHOTEL JACARANDA, 19 E MainStreet, Avon Park. EA/EO/VET’SPREF.

Looking for employment? Please visit

http://sfsc.interviewexchange.comfor position postings. EA/EO.

Vet’s Pref. (eligible career positions)

Open Interviews January 8– January 11, 2018 from9:00am-3:00pm. GENPAKLLC, a leader in the manufac-ture of carry-out food contain-ers in Sebring, FL has animmediate need for MACHINEOPERATORS to operate pro-duction machinery. Must be anenergetic self-starter with apositive attitude. Experience ina manufacturing or productionenvironment preferred. Me-chanical and mathematical ap-titude a plus. Must be able towork with heavy equipment.12 hour shifts available. Com-petitive salary and benefitpackage. You also may submita resume/work experiencewith your contact informationin your response or stop byour office to fill out an applica-tion.

Genpak116 Shicane DriveSebring, FL 33870

863-655-1814

CLASSIFIEDADS SELL

Open Interviews January 8– January 11, 2018 from9:00am-3:00pm. GENPAKLLC, a leading manufacturerin the plastic foodservicepackaging industry in Sebring,FL area has openings forMECHANICS in our Mainte-nance Department. Minimumof three (3) years industrialmaintenance experience. Ap-plicants must have formaltraining or experience in re-lated fields that would be use-ful in maintaining and repairingour production machinery andrelated equipment. Must havea strong industrial/ electrical/electronic background. Trou-bleshooting and repair of me-chanical, pneumatic &hydraulic production machin-ery. Should be familiar with allfacets and procedures of plantmanufacturing operations andwill be expected to diagnoseand repair faulty productionand related plant equipmentwith a minimum of supervision.Must be able to troubleshootand repair electrical controlcircuitry, motor/process con-trols and set up machinery forproduction. Welding and fabri-cation a plus. Applicants mustmaintain a full complement oftools to perform normal du-ties. 12 hour shifts available.Competitive salary and benefitpackage. You also may submita resume/work experiencewith your contact informationin your response or stop byour office to fill out an applica-tion.


863-655-1814

Now HiringSTUCCO MEN & LABORERS

Please call Robby (863) 441-1833

HELP WANTED2001

Open Interviews January 8– January 11, 2018 from9:00am-3:00pm. GENPAKLLC, a leading manufacturerin the plastic foodservicepackaging industry in Sebring,FL has an immediate need forPackers to pack plastic andstyrofoam food containers intoboxes. Light lifting. 12 hourshifts available. Mfg. experi-ence a plus but not required.Competitive salary and benefitpackage. We are an equal op-portunity employer. You alsomay submit a resume/workexperience with your contactinformation in your responseor stop by our office to fill outan application.


863-655-1814

Part-Time Position Vacancies

Night Auditor, Hotel JacarandaFood Service Worker

Library AssistantBusiness Admin. Adjunct

InstructorsMasonry Adjunct InstructorCarpentry Adjunct Instructor

Full-Time Position Vacancies

Dean, Arts and SciencesRadiography Instructor

Coordinator, SAS (DeSoto)Coordinator, SAS (Hardee)

Please visit http://sfsc.interviewexchange.comfor application deadlines anddetailed position postings.

EA/EO (VET’S PREF. eligible career positions)

DEAN, ARTS AND SCIENCES (FT)Application deadline: 2/14/18.

Please visithttp://sfsc.interviewexchange.com

for detailed positionposting. 863-784-7132. EA/EO.

CLASSIFIEDWORKS!

PT Handyman WantedMust be experienced & haveown tools. Duties include:painting, light plumbing, lightelectrical work & apt. turns.Call between 10-4 863-452-6565 TDD 711 (Avon Park);or 941-685-6888. *This institu-tion is an equal opportunity provider& employer.

Now Hiring:Pump Truck Driver*Must have CDL

Apply in Person: 7740 S. George Blvd., Sebring.

863-385-0917

UTILITIES ELECTRICALMAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

Visit: www.cityofavonpark.cc For full details of position. Phone: (863) 452-4403

HELP WANTED2001

SELL FOR FREE!!

For items less than $500Email to:

[email protected]

Please include yourname, address & phone

number

PRIVATE PARTY ONLY

PROFESSIONAL2010

Kid City Daycare & Preschool Now Hiring

Christ Centered Facility isseeking to complete our staff.PT position available. CallDawn at 863-385-3111 orvisit 3599 Thunderbird Rd.,Sebring.

MEDICAL2030

CNA/NURSES★ All Shifts ★ Sign-On Bonus!★ Shift differentialpay/Weekend differential payFOOD SERVERS

Needed Also

Apply online atwww.palmsofsebring.com

Oaks at Avon★ HIRING LPNs★

Full-Time & Part-Time Positions

Career Advancement Opportunities

All Eligible Applicants will be Interviewed Directly.

Highly Competitve Salaries Readers Choice Award FacilityApply at 1010 US Hwy 27

N., Avon Park or fax resume to Tammy Padilla

at 863-453-5308

OAKS AT AVON Is Hiring CNAs Full/Part-Time, all shifts. Apply at1010 Hwy 27N AvonPark or fax resume to

Tammy Padilla at863-453-5308.


MEDICAL2030

Oaks at Avon★★ SIGN ON BONUS ★★

New WagesReaders Choice Award Facility

★ HIRING RNs ★Full-Time & Part-Time

PositionsFlexible Shifts AvailableCareer Advancement

OpportunitiesAll Eligible Applicants will be

Interviewed Directly.Apply at 1010 US Hwy 27

N., Avon Park or fax resume to Tammy Padilla

at 863-453-5308

Seeking Full-Time LPNElectronic Health Recordsand Clinical experience in In-ternal Medicine and Cardiaccare required.

Benefits Provided! Call 863-386-9595

Turn yourtrash into

cash!Advertiseyour yard

sale!

Full-Time Medical Assistant

Position AvailableElectronic Health Records &Clinical knowledge Required. Call 863-386-9595

RESTAURANT/HOTEL

2040

Chicanes is Now Hiring:

★ Assistant Manager★ Line Cooks

Apply at 3101Golfview Rd., Sebring. Email resume to:

[email protected]

“The Season is Here”Cody’s of Sebring nowhiring all positions. Busy,fun, casual restaurant.Competitive Wages

Apply in person daily 2-4pmat 521 US Hwy 27 N.

Or email your resume to:[email protected]

HousekeepingFull and Part-time positionsare now available at the Ra-mada Lake Placid, FL. Applyin person at 2165 US 27 S.

SKILLED TRADES2050

Mechanic/FabricatorGood Pay, Great Benefits!

Call Dwayne Collier 863-381-3505

NEED A JOB?CHECK THE

CLASSIFIEDS!

Mechanic NeededCall to set up interview:Cools Automotive863-658-1652

GENERAL2100

EQUIPMENT OPERATOR For grove equipment. CleanFlorida Driver License is re-quired. Pay based on experi-ence. Drug-free workplace.Apply in person 8am – 11am& 1pm– 4pm Monday – Fridayat 109 Arron Dr., Lake Placid,FL 863-465-2821 oremail: [email protected]

PART TIME/TEMPORARY

2110

PT Cleaning Tech NeededEarly mornings in Avon Park

Call 863-647-1163

6000

MERCHANDISE

CLASSIFIED HOLIDAY



Classifieds.














ARTS AND CRAFTS6025

Scrapbooking Inventory, over$3000.00 invested, will sacri-fice for $500.00 due to health.Call for details, 863-446-0539

SEWING6026

Sewing Machine~ with cabi-net. Hardly used, good condi-tion! $50. 863-386-4733

DOLLS6027

Porcelain Doll, collectible, $10exc. condition, 863-453-3104

HOUSEHOLD GOODS6030

Bake King Keeper w/cover,pure aluminum, vintage, $30,949-413-3706Cake plate, glass, metal cover,vintage, $20, 949-413-3706Candle Sconces (2), gold,$20.00 - 863-273-1834Chandelier, 6 light, beigeglobes w/copper chain, beauti-ful, exc. cond., $55.00, 863-273-1834Coffee Maker, HamiltonBeach, commercial, 2 burnerw/5 coffee pots & case of filtersincluded, $75 - 863-385-6414Coffee Maker~Cuisinart “Cof-fee on Demand” 12 cup cap.;xtra filters & instr. booklet.Clean $25. 727-389-7812.Coffee Maker~Keurig 1 cup;12 cup cap. Clean, gently used.Only $25. 727-389-7812.Coffee Pot, Faberware, stain-less steal, $20 - 863-655-2523Collectible Glassware &household items, $500.00 forall or can separate, call for info.863-414-0481

Cookie Press, Cuisinart, elec-tric, new in box, paid $30.00,selling for $20 - 863-655-2523Corning ware 6 piece placesetting, casserole dishes, $80,949-413-3706Dinnerware Service for 6,Corelle, small white flowersw/blue design, exc. condition,$35.00 - 863-382-4375Double size mattress and boxspring with frame used 8months pd $495 asking $275OBO. (863) 655-0269Dual Basket Fryer, Presto,stainless steal, 12 cup food ca-pacity, 1800 watt, new, box un-opened, $30.00-863-273-7625Fruit & Vegetable Peeler, au-tomatic rotary, uses 4 AA batter-ies, never used, still in box,$12.00 - 863-273-7625Fruit bowl, West bend Alu-minum, vintage, 14”, $10, 949-413-3706

HOUSEHOLD GOODS6030

Hand Mixer, Cuisinart, 7 handmixer, new in box, paid $70.00,selling for $35 - 863-655-2523Kitchen Island w/stainlesssteel top on wheels, wooden,$30.00 - 863-304-8048Longaberger Dishes~ 92pc;12 piece place setting + servingbowls. Beige. $100. 765-278-1540.Matching Lamps, $100.00,201-207-4809Mattress, king size 2” memoryfoam, $38, 863-840-2129Measuring cup, vintage, solidglass, 2 quart, $15, 949-413-3706.Nordic-Ware steak platters (6)No. 24010,, vintage, $5 each,949-413-3706.Oval Mirror, vintage 25” D 37”tall, gold-leaf trim, $30.00, 949-413-3706Sheet Set twin for King-split ortwin beds, 100% pima, new inbox, pale green Orig $169, ask-ing $75.00 (863) 402-9181Turkey Serving Platter, oval16” by Gibson, fine ceramic,micro/dishwasher safe, unused,new in box, $15-863-273-7625Vacuum Cleaner, Bissell, up-right, bagged/bagless, recondi-tioned, 30 day guarentee,$20.00 - 863-402-2285Vacuum Cleaner, Oreck up-right, works great, light weight,new belt and bag $40.00, (863)402-2285Vacuum, Dyson ball upright,only used once, user manual &all the extras, $75.00, 863-655-2523Wall Clock, WestminsterChimes, dark wood, from JCPenny, exc. cond., $95.00,863-453-3104Wall Clocks (2), key wind ex-cellent, strikes hour & half hour,1 is light oak and the other isdark, $40 ea. - 863-531-3297

HOLIDAY ITEMS6031

Apple Baker by Villeroy &Boch, Santa’s Apfelbraeter,$35.00 - 863-414-6226Asst. Silver Bells, 2002-2015& Dashound Ornaments, 2004-2011, all for $450 obo 877-243-2823-captel-863-385-7363Christmas Decor~ tree; lights;ornaments, bags, boxes, table-cloth, bows, etc. $30 for all.863-453-3104Christmas decorations, 5 fullboxes and (2) 4ft artifical trees,$45, 863-214-8179Christmas Lights, white, largecontainer, all work, some new,$15.00, 814-796-0705Christmas Tree, Blue DouglasFir artifical 6ft, like new, $28,863-840-2129Christmas Wreaths, 18” roundand 24” round, some with lights,-$15.00 each - 863-3856414Lots of Christmas Paper &boxes & misc. all for $30.00,caption tel. 877-243-2823-then863-385-7363 when promptedNativity Set, hand made, 3piece set 8 x 16, $40.00 obo949-413-3706Nativity Water Globe, col-lectible, new and boxed, $5.00,863-452-6845Snow village & train set, McDon-alds steam engine 3 coachcars, 40’ track, lighted houses600+ pcs $500 863-257-0259

FURNITURE6035

Antique Bedroom~ dble head& footboard, nightstand, dress-ing table w/mirror & stool,dresser w/mirror, highboy, Exc.cond! $2500 863-385-6414

Bedroom Set~ light ash wood;dble headboard, nightstands,dresser w/mirror & highboyExc. cond $800 863-385-6414Couch, cherry red leather sec-tional, hardly sat on, $500.00201-207-4809Desk- vintage child’s metaldesk, side extensions $20 -949-413-3706Desk~ 3 piece, solid oak desk.Excellent condition! $450. 863-655-2612Dining Room Table onpedestal & 4 wooden chairs withcushions, $250 - 863-402-0905Kitchen Table, $50, 614-452-3196 or 863-314-0107

FURNITURE6035

Antique Dining Room~ Chinacabinet, Oval 3-pedestal table, 3leafs, table pads, 6 chairs. Exc.cond! $2500. 863-385-6414Dining Table w/6 chairs,$125.00 - 863-441-4483 or321-418-4275Dining Table w/leaf, roundoak inlay, 4 chairs w/claw feet,good shape, $375.00 obo,816-820-1442End Tables & Coffee Table,beautiful metal silver & glass,$165.00 - 201-207-4809French provincial shabby chic 4dr dresser winter white w/black hardware $100 (561)907-1950Kitchen Hutch, 2 piece, oak,$125.00 - 863-441-4483 or321-418-4215Kitchen Table & 4 leatherpadded chairs w/steel frames42” round top w/pedestal base,EC, $300.00, 863-385-6414Living Room Set, couch, chair,love seat & pillows, $300.00863-402-0905Love Seat (Ashley), leather,electric recliner, brown, excel-lent condition, $325, 863-655-3652 Loveseat~ 72”, light greencolor, like new! $350. 863-655-2612.Mattress/box spring andframe, Full size Serta, brassheadboard, like new, $250,863-386-5117Office Chair, mid-back armchair, black vinyl, adjustable upand down, exc. cond., $25.00863-385-6414Porch Rocker w/rope caning,oak, excellent condition, mustsee, $60.00 - 863-531-3297 or651-491-5374Recliner & Love Seat, brownmicro fabric, $400.00, 863-402-1683Recliner, black leather, gentlyused, paid $649.00, selling for$375.00 - 863-471-2027Recliner, wing tip flexsteel,good shape, $125.00 obo,816-820-1442Reclining couch tan leather, mid-dle seat folds up w/ cup holders/controls/ vibrating seats goodcondition $50 (317) 402-0914Rocking Chair w/ottoman, bur-gundy, $35.00, 330-442-5439Roll Top Desk, Oak, largew/lock & key, $200 firm, 863-273-2452Roll up desk, $200, 614-452-3191 or 863-314-0107Sofa Bed, queen size, $300.00863-402-1683Sofa Tables (2), 1 light oak &1 dark cherry, exc. condition,$50.00 each, 863-531-3297 Sofa~ 3 pc sectional; light col-ors pink & blue. FREE to a goodhome! 810-623-3861Swivel Barrel Chair, custommade, show piece, all white,$150.00 - 863-465-0066Table, wrought iron 42” round-glass top with 4 padded chairs ,beige, $75.00 - (863) 471-1691Tables, 3 pc. glass top bam-boo/rattan end tables & foyertable, exc. cond., pd $300, sellfor $175.00 - 863-243-2262TV Stand~ 32”x17”x28”; black.good cond. $20 obo. 863-386-4733Wood Chair for kitchen ordesk, pretty, $7.50 - 863-414-0481

ELECTRONICS6038

On Star System for car,$40.00 - 863-655-2523Phone Base plus 2 cordlesshandsets, answering systemw/caller ID & call waiting, AT &T$25.00 - 863-655-2523

TV/STEREO/RADIO6040

46” Samsung TV. LCD book &remote $200 (863) 655-3556APC, 350, brand new in box,$45.00 - 863-465-0066Converter box, zenith in thebox, never used, digital TVtuner, $15, 407-385-4196Flat Screen w/stand, 32” West-inghouse 720p/60, VCR, DVD,w/all manuals, exc condition, Allfor $200, 863-273-1922King Tailgater for Dish, HDTVSatellite receiver w/remote, likenew, $225.00, 863-202-0139.One trunk of new in boxes oldtv and radio tubes, about 100-150 pieces, all brands, $20,863-402-2285

TV/STEREO/RADIO6040

TV - 55” Samsung HDTV, man-ual & remote incl. perfect cond.,$100 obo - 863-253-1802Wave Magnet Radio, Zenithmodle #5724, old, in good con-diton, $150.00 - 863-699-0559

COMPUTEREQUIPMENT

6060

Routers, modems, microsoftmouse, box full, some new inthe box, $10.00 for all, 407-385-4196

CLOTHING / JEWELRY/ACCESSORIES

6065

Costume Jewelry, old andmodern mix, $2.50 each, 863-414-5536

Diamond Ring~ Over 1ct.heart-shaped w/blue tint. Lastappraised over $20k. Asking$12k. 863-414-1535.

Harley Davidson new motorcy-cle jacket 3X $350 (863) 655-3556Jacket, new 100% sheepskin,large, tan, paid $200.00, sellingfor $75.00 - 863-385-0000Ladies Afternoon Dress, Size12, aqua, exc. condition! $20.863-453-3104Ladies Lined Skirt, new, black& grey, size 12, $10.00 - 863-453-3104Ladies Pure Wool Coat~Fulllength; size 12, royal blue, exc.condition! $30 - 863-453-3104Leather Jacket~ ColumbiaMen's size 42 XL black. Barelyworn. $55. 863-243-9986.Men’s Pullover, fleece lined,large tall, dark grey, $8.00,863-382-8745Watch, mens pulsar, new inbox, paid $110.00, selling for$50.00 - 863-655-2523

ANTIQUESCOLLECTIBLES

6070

Calenders, vintage Porsche356 calenders 1992, 93, 94,95,97, 2001, 06 & 07, $5 eachor $30.00 for all-863-471-2027

Antiques WantedUpscale Decorative Items,

Art Glass, Sterling, etc.812-535-1400

Hummel Plates w/boxes,1972 - 1986, $200.00 for all -(863) 699-9995“Little Women” Dolls~ Amy,Beth & Mary. Very old, perfectcondition. $40 each. 863-471-1904Porcelain Plates, set of 12,“Beauties of the Red Mansion”,comes w/display rack, Japan-ese style, $450-863-414-6226 Precious Moments (2),$60.00 for pair, 863-414-5536Private Buyer for Disabled Vetspaying highest prices for metalscoin/stamp collections, die cast& hot wheels & trophies pre1940s 954-234-3028Quilt, Sun Bonnet Baby, perfectcondition, beautiful, never usedVery old. $250. 863-471-1904Vintage Hub Caps (2), V8 andNash, $10.00 each or $15.00for both, 863-471-2027Vintage Military Padlocks (2)w/key-new in box-Eagle, shacklew/9” chain-key comes out whenlocked, $20 ea.- 863-273-7625

MUSICAL6090

Baldwin Upright Piano~Greatcond., hardly used; needs tun-ing; incl. bench & music.$1,200. 863-840-1396

Kareoke Equipment, audiovideo pioneer receiver, JVC 3disc. video CD player, 2 mics,$250.00 - 863-385-0000Kareoke Video CD’s, hun-dreds, $2.00 each or all for$100.00 - 863-385-0000Organ, light wood, great forChristmas, $150.00, 201-207-4809Roland Karaoke Piano~ Elec-tric, Includes mic, stand &books. $13K new, asking $500.863-381-4410

MEDICAL6095

Bike Easy Seat Medically ap-proved still in the box, (splitseat), $5.00, 407-385-4196Lift Recliner, “Pride”, electric,cost $800+ new, exc. cond.,$275.00 - 863-243-2262

MEDICAL6095

INVACARE fully electric twin hos-pital bed w/2 safety side rails,user manual, new, never used$400 (863) 699-6733

Mobility Scooter, Easy MiniRider, batteries and accessoriesincluded. $500. 239-405-3001

Mobility Scooter~3 wh; com-plete lighting & turn signals;basket & swivel seat; new bat-teries $1000 863-446-3056

Walker, Rollator, 4 wheel & feetw/brakes & basket, folds up,great cond., $75.00 obo, 863-451-1989 leave message

BABY ITEMS6120

Infants Hand-knit Wear, (New)$5–$20. 863-453-3104

EXERCISE/FITNESS

6128

Audio Strider 990, NordickTrack , exc. cond., $250.00,863-465-0266

Cross Trainer, Pro-Form XP680, very little use, in great con-dition, $75.00 - 774-264-1036

Exercise Bike, Schwinn air-dyne recumbant, lots of extras,like new, paid $700.00, sellingfor $200.00 - 863-655-2523

Exercise machine, Elliptical,excellent ondition, $100, 863-471-6682

Inversion Table, Teeter 217model, like new, from QVC, callfor more info., $300.00 obo,231-299-4306

Stationary Exercise Bike, LifeCycle, $10.00 - 863-699-9995

Total Gym fitness machine,good condition $75 (863) 314-6423

Trampoline~ 10.5 ft, round.$60. 863-699-6733

SPORTING GOODS6130

Bowling ball and bag, ladies12 pound, $20, 863-452-2534

Bowling shoes ladies size 7,gray and black, $5.00, 863-452-2534

FIREARMS6131

150 Rounds of .45 cal. ammu-nition, 1complete new Reming-ton box of 100 & 50 reloads bygun shop, $50, 863-273-1907

Glock, .45 cal. pistol, 2 clips,13 rounds, like new, still ib box,$500, 863-273-1907

FIREARMSACCESSORIES

6132

Corner gun cabinet, lighted,oak, hols 16 guns, lockingdoors and storage doors on bot-bottom, $150, 863-402-2285

Gun Cabinet, Handmade, pineholds 7 guns w/lock drawer,glass shelves, for curio cabinet,$100, 863-402-2285

PAYING CASH FORGUNS AND

RANDALL KNIVES812-525-2251

HUNTING &FISHING SUPPLIES

6133

Beach Fishing Buggy~ has 7pole holes. $20 obo. 863-386-4733

Buckaroo Jigs, limited numberand colors, 12 to a sheet,$12.00 each sheet, 863-273-0807

BICYCLES/TRICYCLES

6135

2-Wheels Recumbent Bicy-cle, Rand~originally $1,300,asking $250. 812-249-1165

Bicycle Seat by Bell, large, 10”across, exc. cond., $10.00,863-382-4375

Bicycle, ladies schwinn sierra,front & rear lights, exc. cond.,$75.00 - 863-453-3104

Bike Inter tubes (7) or more,1.75/2.125, $5.00, 407-385-4196

Bike seat listed as the mostcomfortable available, no hornwith extra belts, $5.00, 407-385-4196

Bike, girls 20 inch schwinn,$30.00 - 863-414-0815


Humana will buy part of Kindred Healthcare’s home health business, the latest example of a health insurer growing more involved in the delivery of care on top of handling the bills for it.

The insurer said Tuesday it will pay about $800 million in cash for a 40-percent stake in the business, which includes hospice care and serves about 130,000 patients daily. The remaining stake will be purchased by the private equity firms TPG Capital and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. Those firms also will acquire the rest of Louisville, Kentucky-based Kindred Healthcare Inc., which runs long-term acute care and inpatient reha-bilitation hospitals.

Humana, which already operates a home health business, said the deal will help it keep costs down, improve health and manage chronic conditions. CEO Bruce Broussard said in a prepared statement that care delivered at home is a “vital element” in improving the health of older people living

with chronic conditions, which can include diabe-tes or heart disease.

Humana Inc., also based in Louisville, is one of the nation’s biggest providers of Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of the federal Medicare program for people who are over 65 or disabled. It also provides Medicare prescription drug cover-age and offers commer-cial insurance.

Health insurers and other entities have been pushing deeper into managing or providing patient care in order to cut costs and improve quality. The basic idea is to help people stick with treatment plans, stay on medication and live healthy lifestyles in order to ward off expensive care like hospital stays.

The trend is drawing concern from some patient advocates who worry that it could lead to fewer doctor choices or other treatment restrictions.

However, economist Linda Blumberg noted that these deals can give insurers more control over provider payment rates, which might help restrain the cost of coverage.

Humana pushes deeper into delivery of health care

By TOM MURPHYAP HEALTH WRITER

AP FILE PHOTO

This Aug. 8, 2011, file photo, shows the entrance to the Humana building, in Louisville, Ky. Humana announced Tuesday, it will buy part of Kindred Healthcare’s home health business, the latest example of a health insurer growing more involved in the delivery of health care in addition to handling the bills for it.

BICYCLES/TRICYCLES

6135

Bike, Men’s Denali Racer 7005,aluminum 21 speed, cost$225.00, selling for $150.00 -863-243-2262

Bikes, 26” mens & 24” wom-ens, SUN Retro Cruiser, cost$245 ea., exc. cond., $135 eaor both $250 - 863-243-2262

Schwinn Bike, 27” ladies,skinny tire, 12 speed, curledhandle bars, good shape, $20,863-402-2285

TOYS/GAMES6138

2 Games in One! PoolTable/Tennis~ 4’x7’ like new!Includes all accessories & wallrack. $200. 904-583-1764

Chess Set, gorgeous solidonyx handcrafted in Mexico, 17x 17, black & brown, onyx pcs,like new, $75.00-863-381-8739

LAWN & GARDEN6160

Edger-electric, good condition,$20, 810-632-5483.

Lawn ornament, cement bas-ket, 3x2 weighs 80#

Patio rocker and 2 end tables,all custom made, $200, 614-452-3191 or 863-314-0107

Picnic Table, octagon, $300,614-452-3191 or 863-314-0107

Sunjoe CJ601E electric woodchipper/shredder $60. ()863)465-4596

Trimmer, electric, Black andDecker, like new, $20, 814-796-0705

OUTDOOR LIVING6161

Outdoor Fireplace, Sun JoyHardy, slate & steel, $100.00609-731-3049

TOOLS/ MACHINERY6190

Assorted Tools, $2.00 to$20.00 - 863-699-9995

Bush Route Table w/extrarouter bits, $25 - 863-699-9995

Chain Saw, 20” Craftman,w/carrying case, erxcellent con-dition,$195, 706-809-0073

Chain Saw, Homelite Super 2,14” bar, extra bar, chain, oil,gas can, case and sharpener,$60.00, 863-273-6864

Delta 10 ft bench table saw,Model TS200LS, works great,no issues, $75, 863-273-1907

Drill Press, 5 speed, $35.00863-699-0559

Extension Cord Reel, Crafts-man, 20 ft. retractable cord,can be hung in garage for easyaccess, $25.00-863-273-7625

Grinder $5.00-(863) 699-9995

Hand Saws, Circa 1940, $5.00each - 863-414-0815

Hitachi 10 Ft compound saw,Model C10FCE, works great,newer carbide tip blade, $50,863-273-1907

Hoist, electric, Northern Indus-trial tools, $50 - 863-699-0559

Tools, etc., entire box, $15.00call for details, 863-414-0815

Torque wrench, new in box, 5 to80 ft lbs, $15, 863-453-7027.

DOGS6233

YORKIE MINIS CKCAbsolutely Adorable & Healthy

Great Selection, meet the parents! TEACUPS AVAILABLE

Prices starting at $795+. 941-773-0723 • 322-6709

minimagicyorkie.com

LIVESTOCK6235

Hens & a Rooster~ 6 layinghens plus one rooster. Includesall feed, water, equip. etc. $80for all obo. 317-874-6159

PET ADOPTION6238

Kittens-3 mo old F, bl w/somegold & wte thru body, also, 6 moold M & F black kittens. Free togood home - 863-465-0558

APPLIANCES6250

★ Used Appliances ★Up to 90 day warranty.

LOCAL DELIVERY Call 863-655-4995

Freezer~ 4 cu ft. upright.$100. 863-633-9389Gas Stove, Magic Chef, verynice condition, $65.00, 330-442-5439Microwave, LG, extra large ca-pacity, counter top model, usedonly 6 months, $50.00 - 863-304-8048Refrigerator, 18 cu ft. Galaxy,white, works great, $45.00,330-442-5439Refrigerator, Amana 17.6cubic foot w/top freezer & icemaker, stainless look finish,$80.00 - 863-304-8048Refrigerator~ top freezer withice maker. White, 10 yrs old.$175. 863-633-9389

Stove, GE, white, coil, selfcleaning, used only 6 months,$100.00 - 863-304-8048

MISCELLANEOUS6260

AC Adapter, 15-12 volt, 6adaptaplugs, various volts DC300ma, never out of the box,$5.00, 407-385-4196Anti Stress Neck Pillow, $5.863-453-3104

Bird cage, gold, very heavy, 4ft, x2.5 w/no bottom, $40, 863-382-9355Books, Louis L’Amour, 173 pa-perbacks, $100, 863-385-1563

Ceramic Tile, ( 4) cartons, sub-way and floor plank, $50, 863-414-2574Collector Plate, 1993 HouseOf Erte "Symphony In Black",Franklin Mint limited ed. cert.incl. EC - $15.00-863-273-7625Cow Dinner Door Bell, castiron, hand painted, must see!!$30.00 - 863-273-7625

DE-CLUTTERYour Castle! Sellitems for FREE if$500 and under!

Email freeads@highlands

newssun.comPlease include yourname, address &phone number

PRIVATE PARTY ONLY

TROPICAL FRUIT TREESAvocados, Bananas, Citrus,

Starfruit, Peach, Figs, Longan,Soursop, Lychee (6 Varieties), Blueberries, Mamay Sapote, Jujubee, Mulberry, Papaya, Jackfruit, Guava, Tamarind, Coconut, Moringa, Olive, Jabatacaba, Miracle Fruit,

Spiral Flag, Sapodila, CustardApple, Breadnut, Breadfruit,

Persimmon (American &Japanese!), Jamaican RedSugar Apple, Barbados

Cherry, Grumichama, Loquat,Mango (13 Varieties) & More!DELIVERY & INSTALLATIONBarrett’s Tree Nursery

91 Carefree Ct.,Venus, FL 33960

305-216-8452Empty propane tank for gasgrill, $15, 810-632-5483.

Exterior door, 32 X 80 needswork. $20 (863) 385-6518

Grey safe, Fire Fyter, combina-tio lock and inside has 2 ad-justable shelves and drawer,20x16x17, $40, 863-402-2285Gun cases, pistol holds 4, rifleholds 2, $100/125, brand newin box, 863-382-9355Irrigation Pump, 1.5 HP, new,F & W model 94J115G,$325.00 - 863-273-4373Laptop Case, new with tags,grey fabric, $15-863-382-8745Last Supper Tapestry, hard-ware included, 55”L x 36”H,$100.00 - 863-414-6226Liquor Decanter w/6 smallglasses, blue glass with goldrims, exc. cond., $12, 863-382-8745.Luggage, 3 pc “ultralite”, likenew, $60.00 - 863-414-5536

Paint for dock, wood RX red-wood, paid $150.00, selling for$50.00 - 863-655-2523

MISCELLANEOUS6260

Photo Albums (5), $10.00863-453-3104Platoon aluminum boat cradlew/bunks, excellent condition,$475, 863-273-0956.Pocket Watch w/stand, Tim-ber Wolf, Franklin Mint, beauti-ful detail, chain/case incl., ECmust see-$135-863-273-7625Quaker Oats Limited Edition1982 tin, vintage, $15, 949-413-3706.Rack, Quilt or Bedspread, whitewash finish, $22.00, 863-840-2129Rolling Cooler w/Speakers,telescopic handle, collapsiblecanvas, 18”H, blue, side pock-ets, ex cond-$25-863-273-7625Suit Cases, rolling, used once,1 small & 1 large, $50.00 forboth, 863-385-0000Tire Pump, manual foot pump,like new $5.00, 407-385-4196Twin Mattress, like new,$100.00 - 863-699-9995Typewriter-elec, Brother mdl340, memory, spell check, lineerase & more-incls script wheel& 2 ribbons, $50-863-385-6414US Catalytic Heater 8000 BTU-propane fuel/no venting re-quired. Used a few times new$400 sell $150 (513) 293-7406Wolf Musical Water GlobesTune is “Memory” for 1 &“You’ve got a friend” on theother, $35 ea., 863-273-7625

FREE MERCHANDISE6260

Decorative Cement Blocks~22 of size 16 x 16 x 4 and 24of 12 x 12 x 4. FREE TO AGOOD HOME! 765-366-5905

WANTED TOBUY/TRADE

6270

Wanted~Military Items:US, German, Japanese; WWI,WWII, Korea, Vietnam itemsWanted for private collection.Call Brian 863-386-4795

7000

TRANSPORTATIONAUTOMOTIVE

7005

07 Chevy Trailblazer~ $3,900‘03 Honda Civic~ $2,700‘01 Town & Country~ $2,300

Tony’s No Hassle 863-446-1186

CADILLAC7030

Cadillac CTS, needs transmis-sion, $800.00 - 863-441-4483or 321-418-4215

FORD7070

2004 Ford Focus~150k mi;new tires, battery, well-main-tained. $2,000. 863-381-4410

ANTIQUES/COLLECTIBLES

7250

1930 Ford Custom CoupeChopped, dropped, rat rod;327/auto; retro wire wheels,wide wht walls~One of a Kind!$19,500 obo. 863-446-4588

AUTO PARTS/ACCESSORIES

7270

Auto Luggage Cover, for mostPrius, never used, $5.00, 407-385-4196

Gt tthe Classifieds!

VANS7290

Ford Mark III Van, F150, 1998,new battery, tires & recent align-ment, stereo, alarm sys, TLCneeded, $1300-863-385-0000

GOLF CARTS7327

2017 EZ-Go~ 48 volt w/chip,windshield, full mirror, newrear seat. Immaculant condi-tion! $4,850. 863-446-4588

BOATS-POWERED7330

2010 Carolina SkiffJVX16~ 60hp Honda 4-

stroke. Exc. cond! $11,900. 863-699-1528 LP.

Bass Boat~ 18’ Winner;w/trolling motor; 150hp Mer-cury. Includes trailer. $5,000.

863-699-0383

CYCLES/MOPEDS/SCOOTERS

7360

2008 Honda Goldwing Trike~Hannigan conversion kit; under9k mi. fully loaded w/2 gastanks. $30k obo 863-608-0095

Motorcycle Helmet~ Sizemedium. Silver color. Good con-dition. $20. 863-453-7027

7000

TRANSPORTATIONRV/CAMPER PARTS

7382

5th Wheel Hitch, Reese, 15Klbs. slider, short or long bed,$175.00, 863-664-0172 or239-572-0798

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863-453-5777avonparkchiro.com

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given antibacterial agent. This means that after the antibacterial agent kills some bacteria, the resis-tant strains remaining on the hands can flourish.

Further, the genes that allowed the bacteria to be resistant could pass along to other bacteria, causing more resistant strains. Together, the “take-over” of resistant strains would render the use of the antibacterial agent essen-tially ineffective.

Also, the long-term use of some antibacterial products may harm your health.

For example, animal studies investigating the antibacterial agent triclosan, which used to be in soaps, toothpastes and deodorant, has been shown to alter the way hormones work in the body. The Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the use of over-the-counter antiseptic wash products containing triclosan and many other antibacterial active ingredients.

With this in mind, you may want to stick with plain old soap and water.

Best practicesTo clean our hands,

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that we:

•Wet hands with clean water.

•Apply soap and lather/scrub every nook and cranny of your hands for 20-30 seconds (about the time to sing “Happy Birthday” twice).

•Rinse well with clean running water.

•Dry hands with a clean paper towel or air-dry.

I was shocked to read a study that indicated that 93.2 percent of 2,800 survey respondents did not wash their hands after coughing or sneez-ing. Also, a recent study showed that across a college-town environ-ment with observations of 3,749 people, the average hand-washing time was approximately six seconds!

If soap and water are not unavailable, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol. Alcohols have a broad-spectrum of antimicrobial activity and are less selective for resis-tance compared to other antibacterial chemicals.

However, alco-hol-based hand sanitiz-ers may not work on all classes of germs.

Not all microbes are germs

The presence of some bacteria isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

In the lab where I am pursuing my dissertation, our focus is under-standing the complex interactions between animal hosts and bac-teria. I would be remiss to not mention that the bacteria that live on or within us are essential for us as hosts, especially considering their role in protecting us from pathogens.

We live in a microbial world: Trillions of differ-ent bacteria colonize our skin, gut, and orifices. Collectively with yeast and viruses, they are called our microbiota. A plethora of exciting research suggests that the associations of animal hosts with their micro-biota are not rare oc-currences but in fact are

fundamentally important for the host’s biology.

Our microbiota can protect us from germs by training our immune system and by coloni-zation resistance): the characteristic of the intestinal microbiota to block colonization of pathogens.

Although more re-search needs to be done to understand the intri-cate interactions between microbial communities with host cells, consistent work illustrates that a diverse population of

microbes and a balance of this community is important for our health.

Poor diet, lack of sleep, stress and antibiotic use can negatively perturb our microbiota commu-nities, which in turn can put us at risk for diseases . In fact, it is becoming clear that our microbiota are active participants in preventing and some-times driving disease, depending on the state of the microbial commu-nities .

So what is the take-home message?

There is no doubt that washing our hands with liquid soap and water is effective in reducing the spread of infectious microorganisms, including those that are resistant to antimicrobial agents.

When you don’t have the opportunity to wash your hands after touch-ing questionable surfac-es, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Limit the touching of your hands to your mouth, nose and eyes.

Further, maintain a

healthy microbiota by limiting stress, getting enough sleep and “fertil-izing” your gut microbes with a diversity of plant-based foods. It’s not only a small world, but a dirty one as well.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article here: http://theconversation.com/you-and-most-of-the-millions-of-holiday-travelers-you-encounter-are-washing-your-hands-wrong-87158.

HANDSFROM PAGE 1

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neighbor are both 75 and similar in most every way: You both completed the same amount of school, take regular walks together, don’t smoke, and gather with friends over an occasion-al beer.

But while you enjoy a little more than a bowl of greens every day, your pal barely touches the stuff. This long-running study would predict

that at 75, your memory and thinking skills are a notch stronger than your neighbor’s. Over the next five years, hers will decline twice as fast as yours.

By the time you’re both 80, a battery of exercises that test several types of memory, as well as the speed and flexibility of your thinking, may show that your mental age is typical of a 75-year-old’s. Meanwhile, your neigh-bor’s performance on the same cognitive tests may look more like that of an 86-year-old.

“It’s almost unbe-lievable,” said Martha Morris, the senior author of the study who studies nutrition and brain health at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. “Eating these leafy greens was inde-pendently associated with slower cognitive decline. That tells you this single food group contains so many nutrients it could be brain-protective.”

Morris and her col-leagues identified a small cluster of specific nutrients that appear to

offer anti-aging benefits. The leafy greens that participants were asked about are generally rich in vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin K1, lutein and beta-carotene. While inconsistent, research has suggested that some or all of these nutrients may play some role in protecting the brain against inflammation, the accumulation of toxic proteins such as be-ta-amyloid, and neuronal damage and death.

For lifelong avoiders of leafy greens, the study doesn’t show that

a late-life conversion to kale salads and spinach shakes will keep demen-tia at bay. But Morris said she thinks about nutri-tion the same way she thinks about exercise.

“You do get imme-diate benefits from eating healthy foods and exercising,” she said. “And you get long-term benefits.”

Dr. Lon Schneider, a specialist in dementia at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, says the new study offers important insights into

which nutrients in the Mediterranean diet help support health in aging. But it also underscores the complexity of dementia and cognitive aging — and the absence of a “silver bullet” to counter them.

“Dementia is a com-plex illness, as so many chronic illnesses are,” Schneider said. “It’s clearly not caused by one thing, and surely its onset and severity are not caused by one thing. This shows the environ-ment is really important. Diet matters.”

KALEFROM PAGE 1

it into websites that will tell them more than 23andMe does, another potential source of worry.

On the plus side, the information has the potential to encourage participation in clinical trials that scientists hope will lead to discoveries that will prevent or treat Alzheimer’s and other diseases. More than 85 percent of 23andMe customers say they would like to be part of research. The company makes its anonymized data available to academ-ic and drug-company investigators, often for a fee, and it sometimes notifies customers about trials they can join, including two that are seeking people with the gene variant Barbara has, APOE4. The news also gives people time to make lifestyle changes that may lower their risk. And, many people really want this information.

Joyce Tung, vice president of research for 23andMe, said the company’s information not only satisfies custom-ers’ curiosity, but also has the potential to help “prevent, understand and treat disease.”

But many physicians think it would be better for people to get bad ge-netic news from experts who can answer their questions immediately. Some are concerned that ill-prepared customers may wish that they had left Pandora’s box alone.

Consumers may also have to consider new ethical dilemmas. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 protects people with high-risk genes from discrimination on the job or when buying health insurance, but it does not apply to life, dis-ability or long-term care insurance. Companies like 23andMe say their information is secure and well-protected from hackers, but customers may face a quandary if an insurer asks about risk.

Everyone has two

copies of the APOE (Apolipoprotein E) gene, which is involved in the transport of fats. It comes in three varieties. APOE2, the rarest, protects against Alzheimer’s. Most people have APOE3, which does not affect Alzheimer’s risk. But APOE4 is the most common genetic factor associated with late-on-set Alzheimer’s disease. Not everyone who has it gets Alzheimer’s and not everyone who has Alzheimer’s has this gene. However, 23andMe tells customers that 40 to 60 percent of people with Alzheimer’s have one or two copies of APOE4. Doctors say that patients with two copies tend to get the disease earlier than others and that their lifetime risk is much higher. About a quarter of the population has at least one copy of the APOE4 type, with 2 to 3 percent having two.

According to 23and-Me’s disclosure informa-tion, a woman’s chance of having Alzheimer’s at age 85 is 6 to 10 percent if she has no APOE4 variant, 27 to 30 percent if she has one and 60 per-cent if she has two. The risk is lower for men: 5 to 8 percent with normal genes, 20 to 23 percent with one copy of APOE4 and 51 percent with two copies.

Three Philadelphia-area doctors who special-ize in treating dementia said small numbers of

patients have come to them because they were concerned and confused about 23andMe test re-sults. The company asks customers to read infor-mation about Alzheimer’s genes before they click on their results, but the doctors said some pa-tients still misunderstand whether the results mean they have Alzheimer’s or might get it.

“People think of it as the Alzheimer’s test, and I think it’s misleading if they don’t read the small print,” Lippa said. One of Weisman’s patients, who did not have Alzheimer’s but tested positive for APOE4, was already taking Aricept, a demen-tia drug, when she came to him. (A doctor who specializes in Parkinson’s patients at Penn said she has not seen pa-tients who learned they have the much rarer Parkinson’s-risk genes.)

Weisman, who knows of two patients who killed themselves after getting an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, was so con-cerned about 23andMe’s decision to release in-formation about APOE4 that he wrote to the FDA to urge it to change its “terrible decision.”

“This is a travesty,” he said in an interview. “The FDA has allowed this private company to release information and potentially drop bomb-shells into a family with really no control … or professionalism.”

TESTINGFROM PAGE 1

particular, for the effects of exercise, and for strategies, including medica-tions, that manage diabetes and con-trol high blood pressure and worrisome cholesterol at midlife.

Several studies, the group noted, suggested that those who perform aerobic and/or resistance training fare better in staving off cognitive decline and dementia than do more sedentary folk.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota data analysts wrote, studies that follow large populations over a long period of time “mostly showed that diabetes, midlife hypertension, and midlife hyperlipidemia were associated with increased dementia risk” and that use of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen “was associated with lower dementia risk.”

Rigorous clinical trials failed to find clear benefits for such medications, the analysts noted. But the kinds of trials that would do so would have to take into account so many factors that play a role in overall health, and for so long, that that they are “not likely to be logistically or financially feasible.”

Despite the incomplete science, patients still want their doctors to give them concrete advice.

“When people ask me how to prevent dementia, they often want a simple answer, such as vitamins, dietary supplements, or the latest hyped idea,”

wrote Larson, the executive director of Kaiser Permanente’s Washington Health Research Institute.

“I tell them that they can take many common-sense actions that promote health throughout life and may help to avoid or delay” Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Among those actions, Larson includes not smoking, engag-ing in regular physical activity, controlling diabetes, hyperten-sion and cholesterol, and main-taining a healthy diet and weight.

“Engaging in cognitively stim-ulating activities and avoiding social isolation also are probably benefi-cial,” Larson wrote. And as patients age, doctors “should do what we can to correct their vision and hearing loss.”

“Note that none of these recommen-dations has harmful side effects,” he added.

DEMENTIAFROM PAGE 1

D.K. Waldron, D.C.

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The News Wire Monday, December 25, 2017

STATE • NATIONAL • WORLD • BUSINESS • WEATHER

JUDGE PARTIALLY LIFTS TRUMP BAN ON REFUGEES

See page 4.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SHELLY YANG/THE KANSAS CITY STAR

Kansas City’s greatest Secret Santa and his elves visited Topeka this year on Thursday, Dec. 21 before Christmas, passing out $100 bills and spreading love at thrift stores and shelters.

Sharon Bosse of Mayetta, Kan., was thrilled when Secret Santa handed her a $100 bill. She has cancer and was in Topeka for a doctor’s appointment when she met Secret Santa in a thrift store.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas City’s Secret Santa is at it again, this time focusing his annual good cheer on Kansas’ capital city.

A reporter for the Kansas City Star tagged along recently as Secret Santa followed his long tradition of handing out $100 bills to strangers in Topeka places where the hurting and downtrodden gather, including a shelter and thrift store.

At each stop, the arrival of Santa and his “elves” was met with quizzical stares. By the time they left, there were tears of joy and shouts of “praise Jesus.”

Local police and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt accompanied the Secret Santa.

“This is such a heart-warming experience,” Schmidt said. “Such raw generosity.”

The Secret Santa tradition began years ago with a man named Larry Stewart. Stewart was touched by a stranger’s kindness at his lowest point. He later became wealthy and decided to share his good fortune with strangers.

When Stewart was dying of cancer, he asked the current Santa to carry on the mission. He has done so for 11 years.

Today’s Santa has always remembered what Stewart said on his death bed: “I wish I could have helped more people.”

The current Santa insists on anonymity.“It’s not about the person,” he said. “It’s

about the deed.”But occasionally, reporters are invited along

in hopes of inspiring kindness in others. And sometimes, Santa has kindness shown to him.

Debi Widman of Topeka was shopping at a thrift store when a man she didn’t know walked up and told her he liked her coat. The stranger offered her $50. Then $75. Then $100.

“I don’t want any money,” she told him. “I’ll give it to you.”

That’s when Santa revealed himself. He gave Widman $100 and she kept her coat.

“God bless you,” she told him.Widman’s gesture helped make Santa’s day.“Those with the least,” he said, “are always

willing to give the most.”

Secret Santa hands out $100 bills to strangers in Topeka

ASSOCIATED PRESS

CAIRO — Will 2018 dampen the fires that rage across the Middle East? Although skepticism is understandable, there is a glimmer of change.

The fight against the Islamic State group is mostly over, and the war in Syria may finally be winding down. The region is transitioning from fighting those wars to dealing with their aftermath — the destruction and dispersal of populations they wrought and the political fallout. Iran’s influence has grown after its proxies were generally successful, and even its nuclear deal with the West remains in place. In rival Saudi Arabia, a youthful new leader is promising long-delayed modern-ization at home and greater confrontation with Iran in the region. Donald Trump in the White House adds a mercurial element to an exceedingly combustible brew.

If pessimism reigns, much can be traced to the failure of the 2010-11 Arab Spring revolts against despotism. Instead of the democratic tsunami many envisaged, a string of wars has followed. Libya seems doomed to chaos and the war in Yemen is a genuine humanitarian crisis. In many places the old guard remains in place. So spectacular is the wreckage that almost no one refers to the Arab Spring without irony any more.

Egypt, which gripped the world’s attention when street demonstrations — and the military — toppled Hosni Mubarak seven years ago, may be the best example of the scaled-down ambition. After several years of mayhem it seems more stable now, the economy starting to grow and tourism up. Jihadi terrorism remains a problem, though, especially in the Sinai Peninsula and against Christians, and freedoms have been curtailed. Still, there is little sense of foment in the streets — where protests are severely restrict-ed — and barring a surprise, President

For Mideast in 2018, threats and

opportunitiesBy DAN PERRY

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea on Sunday called the latest U.N. sanctions to target the country “an act of war” that violates its sovereign-ty, and said it is a “pipe dream” for the United States to think it will give up its nuclear weapons.

The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved tough new sanc-tions against North Korea on Friday in response to its

latest launch of a ballistic missile that Pyongyang says can reach anywhere on the U.S. mainland. The resolution was drafted by the United States and negotiated with the North’s closest ally, China.

“We define this ‘sanc-tions resolution’ rigged up by the U.S. and its follow-ers as a grave infringement upon the sovereignty of our Republic, as an act of war violating peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the region

and categorically reject the ‘resolution,’” North Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said the sanctions are tantamount to a “complete economic blockade” of North Korea.

“If the U.S. wishes to live safely, it must abandon its hostile policy towards the DPRK and learn to co-exist with the country that has nuclear weapons and should wake up from its pipe dream of our country giving up nuclear weapons which we have developed and completed through all kinds of hardships,” said the statement, carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.

DPRK is short for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The resolution adopted by the Security Council includes sharply lower limits on North Korea’s refined oil imports, the return home of all North Koreans working overseas within 24 months, and a crackdown on ships

smuggling banned items including coal and oil to and from the country.

But the resolution doesn’t include even harsher measures sought by the Trump adminis-tration that would ban all oil imports and freeze international assets of the

government and its leader, Kim Jong Un.

The resolution drew criticism from Russia for the short time the Security Council nations had to consider the draft, and last-minute changes to the text. Two of those changes were extending

the deadline for North Korean workers to return home from 12 months to 24 months — which Russia said was the minimum needed — and reducing the number of North Koreans being put on the U.N. sanctions blacklist from 19 to 15.

North Korea calls latest UN sanctions ‘an act of war’ASSOCIATED PRESS

THREATS | 4

AP PHOTO

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley votes in favor of a resolution, Friday, at United Nations headquar-ters. The Security Council is voting on proposed new sanctions against North Korea, including sharply lower limits on its refined oil imports, the return home of all North Koreans working overseas within 12 months, and a crackdown on the country’s shipping.

AP FILE PHOTO

In this April 13, 2017 file photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, arrives for the official opening of the Ryomyong residential area, in Pyongyang, North Korea.

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Page 2 www.yoursun.com The Sun /Monday, December 25, 2017

TODAY / TONIGHT

Partial sunshine Partly cloudy

HIGH 74° LOW 55°25% chance of

rain10% chance of

rain

Sunshine and patchy clouds

78° / 60°5% chance of rain

TUESDAY

GULF WATER TEMPERATURE

Intervals of clouds and sun


WEDNESDAY

Clouds and sun


THURSDAY

Mostly cloudy with showers


SATURDAY

Pleasant with clouds and sunshine


FRIDAY

1 2 3 2 1 0

TreesGrassWeedsMolds

absent low moderate high very high

absent

0 50 100 150 200 300 500

52

0-50 Good; 51-100 Moderate; 101-150 Unhealthy for sensitive groups; 151-200 Unhealthy; 201-300 Very Unhealthy; 301-500 Hazardous

Source: scgov.net

8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m.The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. 0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme.

RealFeel Temperature is the exclusive AccuWeather.com composite of effective temperature based on eight weather factors.

UV Index and RealFeel Temperature® Today

Precipitation (in inches)



Temperatures

Temperatures

Temperatures

Source: National Allergy Bureau

CONDITIONS TODAY

AIR QUALITY INDEX

POLLEN INDEX

WEATHER HISTORY

WEATHER TRIVIA™

PORT CHARLOTTE

SEBRING

VENICE

64 67 73 75 71 66

Air Quality Index readings as of Sunday

Main pollutant: Particulates

Punta Gorda through 2 p.m. Sunday

Sebring through 2 p.m. Sunday

Venice through 2 p.m. Sunday

24 hours through 2 p.m. Sun. 0.00”Month to date 1.04”Normal month to date 1.40”Year to date 60.36”Normal year to date 50.27”Record 1.04” (1986)

24 hours through 2 p.m. Sun. 0.00”

24 hours through 2 p.m. Sun. 0.00”Month to date 0.60”Normal month to date 1.81”Year to date 37.82”Normal year to date 49.95”Record 1.04” (1963)

High/Low 80°/59°Normal High/Low 75°/53°Record High 86° (2016)Record Low 25° (1989)

High/Low 81°/61°

High/Low 77°/63°Normal High/Low 72°/53°Record High 86° (2016)Record Low 27° (1989)

Pollen Index readings as of Sunday

MONTHLY RAINFALLMonth 2017 2016 Avg. Record/YearJan. 0.88 9.93 1.80 9.93/2016Feb. 0.94 4.09 2.43 11.05/1983Mar. 0.80 1.85 3.28 9.26/1970Apr. 1.59 0.99 2.03 5.80/1994May 2.74 3.46 2.50 9.45/1991Jun. 14.79 14.19 8.92 23.99/1974Jul. 9.02 7.68 8.22 14.22/1995Aug. 13.12 7.81 8.01 15.60/1995Sep. 12.46 7.77 6.84 14.03/1979Oct. 2.54 4.04 2.93 10.88/1995Nov. 0.44 0.05 1.91 5.53/2002Dec. 1.04 0.44 1.78 6.83/2002Year 60.36 62.30 50.65 (since 1931)Totals are from a 24-hour period ending at 5 p.m.

City Hi Lo W Hi Lo W

FLORIDA CITIES Today Tue.

Apalachicola 58 39 pc 62 47 pcBradenton 71 54 pc 74 60 pcClearwater 68 54 pc 71 61 sCoral Springs 80 68 pc 80 70 pcDaytona Beach 64 50 pc 73 59 pcFort Lauderdale 80 69 pc 79 70 pcFort Myers 77 60 pc 81 64 sGainesville 63 38 pc 71 52 pcJacksonville 61 42 pc 68 53 pcKey Largo 79 70 s 78 71 pcKey West 78 69 s 79 69 pcLakeland 70 50 pc 73 57 sMelbourne 71 57 pc 77 64 sMiami 83 68 s 82 71 pcNaples 78 61 pc 80 64 sOcala 66 41 pc 73 53 pcOkeechobee 72 56 pc 76 60 sOrlando 70 52 pc 75 58 pcPanama City 57 37 pc 61 48 sPensacola 54 38 pc 60 47 pcPompano Beach 81 69 pc 80 71 pcSt. Augustine 59 46 pc 68 56 pcSt. Petersburg 71 54 pc 74 61 sSarasota 74 54 pc 76 60 pcTallahassee 57 33 pc 62 47 pcTampa 72 54 pc 75 62 sVero Beach 72 58 pc 77 63 pcWest Palm Beach 79 67 pc 79 70 pc

Punta Gorda

Englewood

Boca Grande

El Jobean

Venice

High Low High Low

Cape Sable to Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs to Apalachicola

Wind Speed Seas Bay/Inland direction in knots in feet chop

TIDES

MARINE

Possible weather-related delays today. Check with your airline for the most updated schedules.

Hi/Lo Outlook Delays

AIRPORT

Today 6:49a 1:48a 8:42p 2:18pTue. 8:14a 3:13a 9:23p 3:06p


Today 3:07a 11:23a 7:02p ---Tue. 4:27a 12:29a 7:33p 12:07p


Today 3:41a 11:13a 5:34p ---Tue. 5:06a 12:08a 6:15p 12:01p

NNE 8-16 1-3 Light

NNE 8-16 1-3 Light

Ft. Myers 77/60 part cldy nonePunta Gorda 76/56 part cldy none Sarasota 74/54 part cldy none

The Sun Rise Set

The Moon Rise Set

Minor Major Minor Major

The solunar period schedule allows planning days so you will be fishing in good territory or hunting in good cover during those times. Major periods begin at the times shown and last for 1.5 to 2 hours. The minor periods are shorter.

SUN AND MOON

SOLUNAR TABLE

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

First

Dec 26

Full

Jan 1

Last

Jan 8

New

Jan 16

Today 12:12 p.m. noneTuesday 12:48 p.m. 12:19 a.m.

Today 7:15 a.m. 5:42 p.m.Tuesday 7:16 a.m. 5:43 p.m.

Today 11:04a 4:53a 11:27p 5:16pTue. 11:51a 5:40a ---- 6:03pWed. 12:15a 6:25a 12:37p 6:50p

Monterrey62/47

Chihuahua77/46

Los Angeles68/49

Washington41/27

New York40/24

Miami83/68

Atlanta43/31

Detroit24/10

Houston56/45

Kansas City31/9

Chicago21/4

Minneapolis2/-9

El Paso69/39

Denver30/10

Billings2/-10

San Francisco59/45

Seattle39/27

Toronto26/7

Montreal19/9

Winnipeg-12/-20

Ottawa20/5

WORLD CITIES

City Hi Lo W Hi Lo W City Hi Lo W Hi Lo W

City Hi Lo W Hi Lo W City Hi Lo W Hi Lo W

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

THE NATION

Cold Warm Stationary Showers T-storms Rain Flurries Snow Ice

Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.

Fronts Precipitation

-10s -0s 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 100s 110s

U.S. Extremes

Publication date: 12/25/17

Today Tue. Today Tue.

Today Tue. Today Tue.

Albuquerque 58 30 pc 57 31 pcAnchorage 27 21 c 24 14 pcAtlanta 43 31 pc 52 36 pcBaltimore 39 22 pc 36 25 pcBillings 2 -10 sn 6 -2 sfBirmingham 42 28 pc 51 34 cBoise 32 18 sn 30 20 pcBoston 39 21 sn 28 15 pcBuffalo 27 10 sf 15 5 cBurlington, VT 27 16 sn 20 0 cCharleston, WV 33 21 c 35 21 pcCharlotte 46 28 s 50 31 pcChicago 21 4 pc 12 2 cCincinnati 30 18 pc 28 8 cCleveland 25 12 sf 18 8 pcColumbia, SC 52 32 pc 54 39 pcColumbus, OH 27 17 pc 26 9 pcConcord, NH 29 17 sn 22 0 pcDallas 49 38 s 46 36 rDenver 30 10 c 30 15 sDes Moines 20 1 pc 14 -2 pcDetroit 24 10 sf 18 3 cDuluth -9 -21 pc -10 -21 sFairbanks 3 -2 pc 7 -8 pcFargo -6 -18 pc -4 -20 sHartford 38 17 sn 27 10 pcHelena 7 -6 sn 12 1 cHonolulu 82 68 pc 82 70 rHouston 56 45 s 57 45 rIndianapolis 27 14 pc 19 0 c

Jackson, MS 50 31 s 54 36 cKansas City 31 9 c 18 3 pcKnoxville 36 27 pc 44 26 pcLas Vegas 65 44 pc 65 43 sLos Angeles 68 49 pc 69 50 sLouisville 34 24 pc 36 14 cMemphis 41 28 pc 45 23 cMilwaukee 19 -1 pc 9 -1 sMinneapolis 2 -9 pc 2 -8 sMontgomery 48 27 pc 54 36 cNashville 37 27 pc 44 22 pcNew Orleans 53 41 pc 62 52 shNew York City 40 24 pc 31 22 pcNorfolk, VA 46 29 pc 42 31 pcOklahoma City 42 23 s 36 20 cOmaha 18 2 c 12 -5 pcPhiladelphia 39 25 pc 34 23 pcPhoenix 70 44 s 72 48 pcPittsburgh 29 16 sf 28 11 pcPortland, ME 27 15 sn 25 4 pcPortland, OR 44 31 r 39 34 rProvidence 40 21 sn 29 15 pcRaleigh 45 27 s 46 29 pcSalt Lake City 43 29 s 41 26 cSt. Louis 34 20 pc 24 8 cSan Antonio 54 46 s 62 43 rSan Diego 66 47 pc 65 47 sSan Francisco 59 45 pc 58 46 pcSeattle 39 27 c 38 30 cWashington, DC 41 27 pc 39 29 pc

Amsterdam 49 39 c 44 37 rBaghdad 69 47 pc 68 46 sBeijing 42 21 s 36 17 sBerlin 49 38 c 49 35 pcBuenos Aires 89 69 s 93 70 sCairo 65 49 s 67 52 sCalgary 2 -16 pc 1 -10 pcCancun 82 70 pc 82 71 pcDublin 47 33 r 40 32 cEdmonton -4 -22 pc -2 -11 pcHalifax 43 22 sn 30 14 pcKiev 43 35 r 41 32 pcLondon 53 40 c 46 36 rMadrid 49 42 pc 51 41 pc

Mexico City 70 45 pc 72 46 sMontreal 19 9 sn 10 -12 sOttawa 20 5 sn 7 -15 pcParis 43 41 pc 47 41 cRegina -7 -19 s -7 -19 sRio de Janeiro 88 75 t 85 76 cRome 57 46 s 58 47 shSt. John’s 31 28 sn 32 21 pcSan Juan 84 76 pc 84 75 shSydney 72 67 c 74 68 cTokyo 62 39 s 55 36 pcToronto 26 7 pc 15 1 pcVancouver 36 26 c 36 29 cWinnipeg -12 -20 c -11 -22 c

High ................. 84° at Immokalee, FL Low ....... -33° at West Yellowstone, MT(For the 48 contiguous states yesterday)

70°

Record cold gripped the East and the Ohio Valley Christmas Day of 1983.

Q: What is the average annual snowfall at the South Pole?

A: Only 12 inches

Port Charlotte

Tampa

Bradenton

Englewood

Fort Myers

Myakka City

Punta Gorda

Lehigh Acres

Hull Arcadia

Bartow

Winter HavenPlant City

BrandonSt. Petersburg

WauchulaSebring

Lake Wales

Frostproof

La Belle

Felda

Lake Placid

Brighton

Venus

Longboat Key

Placida

Osprey

Limestone

Apollo Beach

Venice

Ft. Meade

Sarasota

Clearwater

Boca GrandeCape Coral

Sanibel

Bonita Springs

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’shighs and tonight’s lows.

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WORLD

JERUSALEM — Rabbi Chuck Davidson is a criminal in the eyes of Israeli law. However, he wouldn’t be put behind bars for his crime in most countries. His offense: conducting rogue weddings in defiance of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate.

Even though Davidson belongs to the officially recognized Orthodox stream of Judaism, he is among a growing cohort of Jewish groups running afoul of the law by performing weddings without the rabbinate’s sanction. Critics like Davidson believe the rabbinate has grown too strict in its interpretation of religious law, making it unnecessarily difficult for Jewish couples to marry.

“More and more Israelis are getting married outside the rabbinate,” said Michal Berman, chief executive of Panim, an umbrella group representing Israeli Jewish pluralist organizations. Its affiliates perform Orthodox, liberal and secular weddings in defiance of the rabbinate.

Berman said that an estimated 20 percent of Israelis are getting married outside the rabbinate, compared to 16 percent in 2010. She expects that number to keep growing, which she considers a sign of a growing lack of faith in the religious body. “There

are plural ways of being Jewish and it’s better to acknowledge it,” Berman said.

Israel does not have a system of civil marriage, and Israeli law mandates that Jewish marriages must be conducted by a rabbi authorized by the Chief Rabbinate. That means Jewish couples wanting to marry in Israel have little choice but to undergo an Orthodox marriage.

An amendment to Israel’s marriage law passed in 2013 made the punishment for anyone performing or taking part in an unsanctioned wedding two years in prison. Shortly thereafter, Davidson, a 58-year-old American-born Israeli rabbi, started performing renegade weddings. He said he has conducted over 170 since then.

“An Elvis impersonator in Las Vegas has more meaning to the state than me, an Orthodox rabbi,” said Davidson.

The existing marriage law prevents interfaith and same-sex weddings. It also rejects ceremonies conducted by more liberal streams of Judaism popular with American Jews.

Interfaith, same-sex and civil marriages performed abroad, however, are recognized retroactively by Israel’s Interior Ministry, making nearby Cyprus a popular destination for secular Israeli weddings. Israel also recognizes common

law spouses who share a home, though they don’t have the same rights as married couples.

A poll conducted earlier this year by Hiddush, an organization pushing for religious pluralism in Israel, found that over 70 percent of Israelis support civil marriage.

Davidson has moved into an area where even Jewish men and women who ostensibly meet the rabbinate’s standards run into problems trying to get hitched.

Such couples may lack documentation, such as their parents’ wedding certificate, proving their Jewishness. Some turn to the rebel rabbi out of frustration with dealing with the rabbinate. Others may do it on principle.

He estimates around 400,000 Israeli Jews — or roughly 6 percent of the Jewish population — have “no marriage options” because they do not meet the rabbinate’s stringent standards.

One Ethiopian Jewish woman who was married by Davidson in October said she objected in principle to the manner in which the rabbinate demands proof of Judaism.

“We’re both certifiably Jewish,” she said, speaking on condition of anonymity out of concern for possible legal complications. She and her husband could have legally married

through the rabbinate, “but we don’t believe in the institution itself,” she said. “I have no problem in principle with proving someone’s Judaism, but the very concept of how the rabbinate perceives Ethiopian Jews is problematic for me, and I’m not willing to cooperate with an institution that doesn’t consider me Jewish.” Nonetheless, she said it was important for them to marry according to Jewish tradition.

The group Havaya helps Jewish couples marry outside the rabbinate by organizing wedding ceremonies for partners who are

recognized as common-law couples.

Havaya Director Inbar Oren said the organization has conducted several thousand weddings since it was established in 2007, allowing interfaith and same-sex couples in Israel to enjoy more egalitarian or secular ceremonies than the rabbinate permits.

“People are looking for a solution to their situation,” said Oren.

While sending a defiant message, these weddings are not a complete solution. Because they are not legally binding, the couples must still either go abroad or go to the

rabbinate for a private ceremony. The Ethiopian woman, for instance, said she and her husband are weighing recognition as a common law couple or flying to Cyprus for a civil ceremony.

No one in Israel has been arrested or charged with participating in an illegal marriage, but Oren and Davidson wish someone would.

“I don’t hide this, I do this over the radar, I am hoping to be arrested,” Davidson said, saying it would raise awareness “of how insane this is.”

He said he’s confident the Supreme Court would rule against the law: “If not I’ll sit in jail.”

With few options, Israeli couples turn to rogue weddings

By ILAN BEN ZIONASSOCIATED PRESS

AP PHOTO

In this Thursday, Dec. 14, photo, a bride hugs her friends during her wedding in Ein Hemed. A growing number of Israeli couples are defying the country’s Chief Rabbinate and marrying in unsanctioned weddings.

The Sun /Monday, December 25, 2017 www.yoursun.com Page 3

STATE

ORLANDO — Lawyers for the widow of the man who killed dozens of people at a Florida nightclub say her statement to the FBI after the attack shouldn’t be shown to jurors during her upcoming trial.

Testimony continued Friday in a two-day hearing in an Orlando federal courtroom to determine which evidence can be presented at the trial scheduled to begin March 1. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Judge Paul Byron said he would announce his decision in a written order but didn’t say when he expects to release that order.

Noor Salman, 31, faces charges of aiding a terrorist organization and obstruction of justice. Her husband, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and wounded at least 68 others during the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016.

On Friday, Salman’s attorney, Charles Swift, argued that Salman was in custody from the moment Fort Pierce officers asked her to leave her apartment, sit in an unmarked police car and wait for FBI agents to arrive. Swift argued that everything she told the FBI immediately after the attack should be excluded from trial because she was in custody and not given proper Miranda warnings.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Sweeney argued that Salman was free to leave at any time and gave her statements freely to investigators.

“She was never in custody,” Sweeney said. “A reasonable, innocent person would not feel that they were in custody.”

In court Thursday, FBI agent Ricardo Enriquez, a polygraph examiner assigned to the Miami office, said he drove to Fort Pierce where Salmon lived with Mateen on the day of the attack to interview her. Enriquez spoke with Salman about her husband and then wrote down her statement. The interviews of Salman that day were not audio or video recorded.

After writing the statement, Enriquez said he asked Salman to write a paragraph saying that she wasn’t forced to talk. When she finished writing, she went the bathroom, according to his testimony. While she was gone, he read over her statement with two other agents.

Enriquez said he was surprised by the last sentence.

“I am sorry for what happened. I wish I could go back and tell his family and the police what he was going to do,” she wrote.

“I realized, when I read that, that she knew,” Enriquez testified.

Enriquez said he told Salman that he was

disappointed in her for not telling the truth and that lying to the FBI is a crime.

He then took down more statements from Salman. In the second, he testified, Salman said she suspected Mateen was planning to attack a club but she didn’t know the specifics. In the third statement, she said she knew he was going to attack Pulse nightclub and that they had visited Downtown Disney — which is now known as Disney Springs — and after eating dinner they drove around for about 20 minutes.

Swift countered that claim.

“It would shock you if it wasn’t true,” Swift asked the FBI agent. “It would shock you if the GPS said they never went near the Pulse nightclub?”

Enriquez answered, “I just wrote down what she told me.”

Enriquez testified that Salman said she saw her husband looking at the club’s photo on a website. She told the agent that Mateen told her that was his target and she realized the attack would happen soon.

Byron also heard testimony Thursday from another FBI agent, an Orlando Police Department hostage negotiator and a Fort Pierce police officer.

Swift had said earlier that Salmon might testify but said Friday that she would not.

Lawyers want to exclude statement by Orlando

shooter’s widowASSOCIATED PRESS

JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO/TNS

Eric Sorenson pays his respects as visitors flock to the roadside memorial at the Pulse nightclub on Wednesday, June 29, in Orlando.

3 men arrested in killing of gang

rivalODESSA, Fla. (AP) —

Florida authorities have arrested three members of a motorcycle gang they say gunned down the leader of a rival gang caught in rush hour traffic.

The Tampa Bay Times reported Paul Anderson was gunned down Thursday while waiting at a red light. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said Anderson was president of a local chapter of the Outlaws.

Nocco said that three members of the 69ers Motorcycle Club were on Anderson’s trail. He said one of the members walked up to the truck, knocked on the window and then opened fire.

The sheriff said the gangs have national footprints and that there could be more violence.

The three men were all charged with first-degree murder. They are being held without bail at jails in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. They will be returned to Pasco County to stand trial.

Man fighting for his life after chasing monkeyDESTIN, Fla. (AP) — A

Florida man now living in Bali is fighting for his life after he fell from a roof while chasing a monkey that had stolen his favorite Pittsburgh Steelers cap.

The Northwest Florida Daily News reported that Jeff “Swede” Swedenhjelm fell 33 feet on Monday.

Villagers took him to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe damage to his spinal cord. He currently is paralyzed from the chest down.

Lyric Swedenhjelm, who lives in Destin, said the family is trying to get her father to a country with a spinal specialist. She said Swedenhjelm is in a medically induced coma and is on a ventilator.

The family has started a fundraising page on GoFundMe, which has already raised more than $36,000.

Unemployment rate remains

stable as year ends

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s unemployment rate is remaining stable.

State officials announced Friday that the unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in November. That’s lower than the national rate of 4.1 percent.

Florida lost more than 127,000 jobs after Hurricane Irma struck in September, but has seen job growth since then. Last month the state gained 13,100 jobs.

There are an estimated 369,000 jobless Floridians out of a workforce of 10.1 million people.

National data shows that Florida has been a leader in job growth in the last year. The state added 195,000 jobs since November 2016 and trailed only Texas and California in the number of jobs added.

St. Johns County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3 percent.

Hendry County had the highest

unemployment rate at 7.3 percent.

Unruly traveler forces jet to make

unscheduled Alabama stop

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Police say a Southwest Airlines flight from Tennessee to Florida made an unscheduled landing in Alabama after the flight crew struggled to control an unruly passenger.

Birmingham police Sgt. Bryan Shelton said the passenger assaulted a flight attendant during the Friday evening flight from Nashville to Tampa.

Police tell Al.com that passengers subdued the man and restrained him until the plane landed at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport shortly after 6 p.m. Friday.

Shelton says the flight attendant was not injured.

Police say they tried to remove the man from the plane after it landed, but he became confrontational and resisted the officers. Shelton says he was ultimately apprehended and faces charges related to resisting arrest.

Southwest Airlines spokesperson Dan Landson says the plane arrived in Tampa later Friday evening.

‘The Florida Project’ is reality for young star’s

stand-inKISSIMMEE, Fla.

(AP) — A low-rent motel near Walt Disney World isn’t just the setting for the acclaimed film “The Florida Project” — it’s also home for the 7-year-old stand-in for the movie’s young star.

An Orlando Sentinel report says Rebekah Wiggins has the same brown shade of hair as Brooklynn Prince, who played the spirited girl Moonee in the film.

The girls are the same age and size. Last year, Rebekah posed on set for technicians adjusting lighting and in scenes where cameras showed Moonee shot from behind.

Rebekah has lived for three years in the same sort of motel portrayed in the movie. She lives in a $250-a-week room with her parents and four siblings.

The film’s director, Sean Baker, says he’s been trying to get Rebekah’s family into a housing program so they can have some stability.

4 dead after twin-engine plane

crashes at Florida airport

BARTOW, Fla. (AP) — Four people died Sunday after their twin-engine plane crashed at the end of a runway at a small airport in Florida, authorities said.

The plane already was engulfed in flames by the time fire rescue crews arrived at the scene at Bartow Municipal Airport, Polk County Fire Rescue spokesperson Tina Mann said in a statement.

“There are a total of four confirmed fatalities,” Mann said.

The private plane was heading east into heavy

fog when it took off, according to a separate statement from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The plane crashed shortly after takeoff. The cause wasn’t immediately clear, but the sheriff’s office said it was “likely related to the fog.”

The names of the victims were not released, pending notification of next of kin.

“This is a horrific tragedy, especially on Christmas Eve, and the victims and their families are in our prayers,” the sheriff’s office statement said.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will be investigating the crash

Bartow is about 50 miles southwest of Orlando.

Tracker on Twitter shark ‘Mary Lee’

falls silent in Atlantic

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The transmitter attached to a great white shark being tracked on Twitter has fallen silent.

The research group Ocearch says the transmitter on the shark known as Mary Lee has not sent a signal since June 17, when she was swimming off the New Jersey coast.

Founding chairman Chris Fischer and his crew caught and tagged the 16-foot shark off Massachusetts in 2012. Since then, thousands of people have followed Mary Lee on a Twitter page managed by Ocearch .

In a Florida Times-Union report , Fischer said the transmitter’s batteries simply may have died, partly because Mary Lee surfaced frequently, which triggered more signals.

Fischer said he expected Mary Lee to live another 20 years.

An Ocearch vessel will depart Jacksonville University next month to search for additional sharks to tag.

Christmas time: Florida woman arrested over

card theftCLEARWATER,

Fla. (AP) — Florida authorities arrested a woman who they say tried to pilfer a Christmas card and $25 that had been set aside for a mail carrier.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Deborah McClung on Saturday for burglary, a day after she had been discovered inside a Clearwater woman’s home.

Deputies say a homeowner found McClung standing in her laundry room holding an envelope that she had left for her mail carrier. McClung told the homeowner that “the mailman does not come down here, I will bring it to him.”

Authorities stopped McClung the next day. Inside her car deputies found addressed envelopes and mail from approximately 20 area residences.

Deputies say McClung admitted to investigators she committed the burglary but refused to answer questions about other items found in her car.

STATE NEWS BRIEFS

JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINEL VIA AP

C.J. Ford of Orlando places flowers as visitors continue to pay their respects at makeshift memo-rial at Orlando Regional Medical Center, a few blocks from the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, June 14, 2016.


FROM PAGE ONE ALMANAC

Today is Monday, Dec. 25, the 359th day of 2017. There are six days left in the year. This is Christmas Day.

Today in history

On Dec. 25, 1776, Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey, during the American Revolutionary War.

On this date

In A.D. 336, the first known commemoration of Christmas on Dec. 25 took place in Rome.

In 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned King of England.

In 1818, “Silent Night (Stille Nacht)” was publicly performed for the first time during the Christmas Midnight Mass at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorf, Austria.

In 1926, Hirohito became emperor of Japan, succeeding his father, Emperor Yoshihito.

In 1931, New York’s Metropolitan Opera broadcast an entire live opera over radio for the first time: “Hansel and Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck.

In 1940, the Rodgers & Hart musical “Pal Joey” opened on Broadway, beginning a run of 374 performances.

In 1946, comedian W.C. Fields died in Pasadena, California, at age 66.

In 1961, Pope John XXIII formally announced the upcoming convocation of the Second Vatican Council, which opened in Oct. 1962.

In 1977, comedian Sir Charles Chaplin died in Switzerland at age 88.

In 1991, Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev went on television to announce his resignation as the eighth and final leader of a communist superpower that had already gone out of existence.

In 2006, James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul,” died in Atlanta at age 73.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Dick Miller is 89. Author Anne Roiphe is 82. Actress Hanna Schygulla is 74. Rhythm-and-blues singer John Edwards (The Spinners) is 73. Actor Gary Sandy is 72. Singer Jimmy Buffett is 71. Pro and College Football Hall-of-Famer Larry Csonka is 71. Country singer Barbara Mandrell is 69. Actress Sissy Spacek is 68. Former White House adviser Karl Rove is 67. Actress CCH Pounder is 65. Singer Annie Lennox is 63. Reggae singer-musician Robin Campbell (UB40) is 63.

SEVERNA PARK, Md. (AP) — An anonymous donor in Maryland put her fellow congregants to work spreading Christmas cheer — with $100 bills.

The donor arranged for her pastor at Severna Park United Methodist Church to distribute a $100 bill to each of 100 different congregants on the first Sunday of December as the holiday season began.

Recipients were instructed to use the money wherever they saw a need. Some congregants gave used the money to tip waitresses. One took a cancer patient on a mini shopping spree. Another held a pizza party for a group of homeless people.

The donor told The Washington Post she was inspired to do something positive after feeling glum in the aftermath of the year’s violent white nationalist rally in Charlottesville.

ODD NEWSGreen

Christmas? $100 bills handed

out for holiday giving

Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi can expect to win re-election in a few months.

Across the border in Israel, there is more prospect for change as long-serving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces cor-ruption investigations that could lead to his removal or early elections. Netanyahu, albeit belli-cose, has been cautious — but he also seems wedded to a ruinous status quo with the Palestinians. He could be replaced by a greater firebrand or by the moderate center-left, which would create new opportunities.

Here’s a look at some possible inflection points for 2018:

• • •All Quiet On The

Syrian Front?Syria’s President Bashar

Assad has been embattled since war erupted in his country almost seven years ago, when his de-mise was widely predicted in the early going. But it looks like he’ll survive, for now, as the war appears to draw to a close.

Major military oper-ations have tapered off, with Assad in control of key areas and the war

against the Islamic State group mostly concluded with the recapture of the cities it controlled. Bloodshed still lies ahead if Assad tries to seize areas still under rebel control, including some near the capital and in Idlib province to the north. But local cease-fires brokered by Russia, Iran and Turkey have significantly reduced the daily carnage that kept Syria in the news.

The damage, with half the population displaced and almost a half million killed, is huge. Tens of thousands are missing, many believed held in government detention centers. Syrian Kurds in the north hold nearly 25 percent of the country; Turkey, Russia, the U.S., Iran and Lebanese troops all maintain bases they are likely to keep for now.

• • •A Phoenix

On The TigrisThe war against the

Islamic State group has been declared over after four years of savagery. The group’s epic abus-es — enslaving women, massacring whole pop-ulations, grisly killings, mass terrorism — inspired a furious reaction that has left large parts of Iraq in smoldering ruins. The fight by the U.S.-led coalition was grueling in Fallujah, Ramadi, Hawija,

Tal Afar and finally Mosul. Whether Iraq can rebuild is a key question for 2018, for only then will Baghdad regain the authority to govern the whole country.

The cash-strapped government estimates $100 billion is needed nationwide — while leaders in Mosul say that amount is needed for their city alone. Funding is unclear, and the United States — whose coalition dropped approximately 27,700 munitions around Mosul from October 2016 to July 2017 — seems to be washing its hands.

• • •Promise And Peril

In Saudi ArabiaThe monarchies of the

region — from Morocco to Jordan to the Gulf — were the least affected by the Arab Spring. Perhaps most ossified was Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally and key oil power whose strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islam is blamed by critics for abetting the spread of jihadism worldwide.

Now change appears to be coming, symbolized by the ubiquitous acronym MBS — the widely used nickname for 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who many expect will take over the

throne from his father officially in 2018. He has been stumping for a more moderate view of religion and is widely credited with the recent decisions to end the highly conten-tious, decades-old bans on women driving and cinemas operating.

The Syria war is, to a degree, a proxy fight between the two regional powers, with Tehran supporting Assad and Riyadh many of the rebels. That also drove the seemingly Saudi-inspired and ultimately abortive resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who was seen as too easy on the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which is fighting in Syria. In Yemen, where the Saudis have backed the government with airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, many thousands of civilians have died, the rebels still control key parts of the country and there is starvation and cholera on a historic scale.

• • •A Penultimate

Deal?Perhaps inspired by the

high-profile failures of his recent predecessors to coax the Israelis and

Palestinians into a final peace, Trump speaks repeatedly of the “ultimate deal.” But it is difficult to envision even a more moderate Israeli leader meeting the Palestinians’ terms, which include dividing or sharing Jerusalem and its Old City, holy to three religions. Even if they somehow agree to share, Israel and a future Palestine will likely need a border snaking through the city to keep peace rejectionists apart. And the Palestinians demand recognition of at least a theoretical “right of return” for millions of descendants of refugees, which few Israelis con-template. Two decades of failed negotiations attest to the quagmire.

With this unprom-ising backdrop many Palestinians are talking about ditching the two-state strategy and demanding annexation and equal rights instead. That would make Israel an evenly divided binational state, something its gov-ernment can be expected to resist, even as they face potential accusations of apartheid. With Israel hav-ing already settled 600,000 Jews in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, extricating itself will be difficult.

THREATSFROM PAGE 1

AP PHOTO

Iraqi civilians fleeing walk past the destroyed al-Nuri mosque as Iraqi forces continue their advance against Islamic State militants in the Old City of Mosul, Iraq, Tuesday, July 4.

SEATTLE — A federal judge in Seattle on Saturday partially lifted a Trump administration ban on certain refugees after two groups argued that the policy prevented people from some mostly Muslim countries from reuniting with family living legally in the United States.

U.S. District Judge James Robart heard arguments Thursday in lawsuits from the American Civil Liberties Union and Jewish Family Service, which say the ban causes irreparable harm and puts some people at risk. Government lawyers argued that the ban is needed to protect national security.

Robart ordered the federal government to process certain refugee ap-plications. He said his order applies to people “with a bona fide relationship to a person or entity within the United States.”

President Donald Trump restarted the refugee program in October “with enhanced vetting capabilities.”

The day before his executive order, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats sent a memo to Trump

saying certain refugees must be banned unless additional security mea-sures are implemented.

It applies to the spouses and minor children of refugees who have already settled in the U.S. and sus-pends the refugee program for people coming from 11 countries, nine of which are mostly Muslim.

In his decision, Robart wrote that “former officials detailed concretely how the Agency Memo will harm the United States’ national security and foreign policy interests.”

Robart said his order restores refugee procedures in programs to what they were before the memo and noted that this already includes very thorough vetting of individuals.

In a statement, Department of Justice spokeswoman Lauren Ehrsam said: “We disagree with the Court’s ruling and are currently evaluating the next steps.”

The ACLU argued the memo provided no evi-dence for why additional security was needed and didn’t specify a timeframe for implementing the changes. The groups say the process for imposing the policy violated a federal law.

August Flentje, a Justice Department attorney, told the judge that the ban is

temporary and “is a rea-sonable and appropriate way for agency heads to tackle gaps” in the screen-ing process.

The lawsuits from the two groups were con-solidated and represent refugees who have been blocked from entering the country.

The ACLU represents a Somali man living in Washington state who is trying to bring his family to the U.S. They have gone through extensive vetting, have passed security and medical clearances, and

just need travel papers, but those were denied after the ban.

Lisa Nowlin, staff attorney for the ACLU of Washington, said in a statement they were happy for their client — “who has not yet had the opportu-nity to celebrate a single birthday with his younger son in person — will soon have the opportunity to hold his children, hug his wife in the very near future, and be together again as a family for the first time in four years.”

Another is a transgender

woman in Egypt “living in such extremely dangerous circumstances that the U.S. government itself had expedited her case until the ban came down,” said Mariko Hirose, a lawyer with the Jewish Family Service case.

Yet another is a single woman in Iraq, Hirose said. Her husband divorced her after she was kidnapped and raped by militants because she worked with an American company. Her family is in the U.S. but she’s stranded by the ban, Hirose said.

Judge partially lifts Trump administration ban on refugees

By MARTHA BELLISLEASSOCIATED PRESS

AP FILE PHOTO

On Saturday, U.S. District Judge James Robart partially lifted a Trump administration ban on certain refugees after the American Civil Liberties Union and Jewish Family Service argued that the policy prevented people from some mostly Muslim countries from reuniting with family living legally in the United States.

AP FILE PHOTO

An elderly woman and a child are pulled on a cart as civilians flee heavy fighting between Islamic State militants and Iraqi special forces in western Mosul, Iraq on Wednesday, May 10.


NATION

Days before he was charged with plotting a terror attack, Everitt Aaron Jameson went with his father and some friends to an Oakland Raiders game.

His father said every-thing seemed fine and that his son expressed no anger and plans for violence.

“It was a great time. It was a great game,” Gordon Jameson told the Merced Sun-Star.

His family said they cannot believe charges by the FBI that Everitt Jameson planned to launch a suicide attack on Christmas Day at a popular San Francisco tourist attraction.

Family members say Jameson, a 26-year-old tow truck driver and

former Marine, was de-pressed and even suicidal over losing custody of his children and had begun studying Islam about a year ago. But they insist he never talked about vio-lence or being influenced by terrorist groups.

“He just ain’t no terrorist, no way,” his father told the Sun-Star. “He would never hurt people. Not ever. It’s just unbelievable. That’s not who he is.”

Acting on tips from an informant, author-ities said they saw that Jameson liked and loved pro-Islamic State and pro-terrorism Facebook posts. In the coming weeks, the FBI alleged, Jameson would plot a Christmas suicide terror attack on San Francisco’s Pier 39.

“He had been there be-fore and knew that it was a heavily crowded area,”

an FBI affidavit filed Friday said. “Jameson explained that he also desired to use explosives, and described a plan in which explosives could ‘tunnel’ or ‘funnel’ people into a location where Jameson could inflict casualties.”

Authorities announced terrorism charges against Jameson on Friday. His suspected plot comes as Islamic State has called for attacks on Western cit-ies around the Christmas holiday.

Authorities claim in court documents that Jameson told an under-cover FBI employee he believed to be a senior Islamic State leader that Pier 39 would be an ideal location for a terrorist attack because it is often crowded with tourists. On Monday, he sent the undercover employee a map and photos of the

site, authorities said.Jameson, authorities

said, sought from the undercover employee an assault rifle, ammu-nition, powder, tubing, nails, timers and remote detonators - materials that can be made into a pipe bomb. According to the FBI, he said he “did not need an escape plan because he was ready to die.” He also said he was trained in both the M-16 and AK-47 rifles, the court filing said.

The suspect, au-thorities said, told the undercover employee that “we need something along the lines of New York or San Bernardino,” apparently referring to the Halloween attack in Manhattan when a man crashed a rented pickup into cyclists and runners, which killed eight people, and the terrorist attack in Southern California in

2015 that left 14 people fatally shot.

FBI agents conducted a search warrant on Wednesday at the sus-pect’s Modesto home and found a note signed by Abdallah abu Everitt ibn Gordon al-Amriki, dated Dec. 16, which in part said, “I Abdallah (abu) Everitt ibn Gordon have committed these acts upon the Kuffar (non-Muslims), in the name of Dar al Islam (the Muslim world), Allahu Akbar!”

“You’ve Allowed Donald J Trump to give away Al Quds (Jerusalem) to the Jews. Both You and he are wrong, it belongs to the Muslemeen (Muslims),” the letter allegedly says. “Long Live Isil, Long Live Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.”

The FBI also said that it had seized firearms and ammunition from the home.

Jameson completed basic U.S. Marine Corps recruit training in 2009 and earned a sharpshoot-er rifle qualification, according to the affidavit. He was discharged for failing to disclose a history of asthma.

Late Monday, Jameson told the undercover em-ployee that “I . don’t think I can do this after all. I’ve reconsidered.”

After securing a war-rant, the FBI conducted a search of Jameson’s home Wednesday. Jameson “discussed aspects of the plan to carry out an attack, noting he would be happy if an attack was carried out,” the affidavit said.

Those who knew Jameson said he had been consumed over a court battle for custody of his children but that they never heard him talk about terrorism.

Man accused of plotting S.F. terror attack was depressed over losing childrenBy RONGGONG LIN II, RUBAINA AZHAR AND

SHELBY GRADLOS ANGELES TIMES

ALBANY, N.Y. — When her baby boy is born in March, Kim Lyons will have an added worry. The child needs surgery to remove extra fingers and toes. But she’ll also have an extra safety net.

Under New York’s new paid family leave law, billed as the nation’s most generous, she will be able to take eight weeks off from work at half her regular pay.

“I’m so grateful that I’ll be able to take more time to spend with my new-born,” said Lyons, who lives in Highland in the Hudson Valley. The baby’s father will qualify for paid time-off, too.

On Jan. 1, New York will join California, New Jersey and Rhode Island

in requiring employers to give workers paid leave to bond with a baby, care for a close relative with a serious illness or help loved ones during a family member’s military deployment.

The new benefits, which apply to 6.4 million pri-vate-sector workers, will phase in over four years.

In 2018, employees can take up to eight weeks of paid leave and receive 50 percent of their average wage, up to a cap weekly cap of $652. When the phase-in is complete in 2021, they’ll be able to take up to 12 weeks at two-thirds of their average weekly wage.

“This is going to be life-changing, especially for low-wage workers,” said Nancy Rankin, of the Community Service Society, a group that

advocates for low-income New Yorkers. “Those are the workers who have little or no savings, are in debt, are barely getting by. It’s a real crisis when they have a new child or ill family member.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, announced the paid leave legislation in his 2016 State of the State speech. He said he regretted not spending more time with his dying father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, and noted that many people don’t have that choice because they can’t afford to take time off from work.

He signed the paid leave policy into law in April 2016 along with a $15 minimum wage plan, also being phased in.

Workers — not their employers — will ulti-mately bear the burden

of paying for the leave through a payroll deduc-tion of up to $1.65 a week.

Full-time employees will be eligible after 26 consecutive weeks on the job. Part-time employees qualify after working 175 days in a 52-week period.

“It’s the most signifi-cant human resources law in the last 30 years,” said Frank Kerbein, director of the Center for Human Resources at the Business Council of New York State, a business lobbying group. “It’s going to create a tremendous administrative burden, particularly on smaller employers.”

One staffing and record-keeping headache for employers, Kerbein said, is that leave could theoretically be taken in up to 40 one-day incre-ments over the course

of the year. An employee could take off the days a spouse with cancer gets chemotherapy treatment, or days when a child has an asthma attack.

“It’s just going to be a challenge in 2018 to get our minds around this complex law,” Kerbein said.

New York’s leave policy would be more generous than California’s or New Jersey’s, which provide six weeks paid leave, and Rhode Island’s, which allows for four weeks.

Washington state also enacted a paid family-leave law that will ultimately be more generous than New York’s. In 2020, it will provide up to 12 weeks with 90 percent of wages for employees who earn less than the state’s average wage, with a weekly cap

of $1,000.“We really should have

this at the federal level,” Rankin said. “The United States is the only industri-alized nation that doesn’t have government-guar-anteed paid maternity leave.”

Under the federal Family Medical Leave Act, employers with 50 or more workers must allow parents 12 weeks of job-protected leave to care for a newborn, but the leave is unpaid.

Lyons said she plans to take New York’s tem-porary disability leave benefit, which provides $170 a week for six weeks for an uncomplicated delivery, and then the eight-week paid family leave.

“Without this new law, I wouldn’t be able to take that extra time,” she said.

New York joining states requiring paid family leaveBy MARY ESCH

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Obituary project makes homicide

victims more than just stats

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A new website is working to show that homicide victims in Philadelphia are more than statistics.

Since its launch in June, The Philadelphia Obituary Project has posted more than 30 in-depth obituaries of people who have died in the city since September of last year.

Cletus Lyman, a city lawyer who has spent more than $10,000 to fund the project, says he wants to “show the community that we’re losing real people.”

He says the point is “to talk about the lives of the people, not their deaths. To dignify them. To humanize them.”

Trina Singleton’s 24-year-old son, Darryl, was one of three people killed in separate shootings on Sept. 13, 2016.

She says sharing his life story with the obituary project has helped the family move forward, “so his life isn’t summed up by some gunshots.”

Former Congressman says he was abused

at boys ranchAMARILLO, Texas (AP) — A

former Texas Congressman says he was abused as a teen when he lived at a ranch that houses at-risk children in the Texas Panhandle.

Former Texas Congressman Bill Sarpalius told the Amarillo Globe-News that he was sexually abused by older boys at Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch in the 1960s. British

newspaper, The Guardian , reported earlier this week that generations of former residents allege staffers had abused them from the 1950s through at least the 1990s.

Sarpalius says he believes the abuse happened because judges sent violent teens to be housed alongside low-income boys who had no family.

A statement from the organization said it was aware of the claims regarding “harmful encounters” and apologized. The ranch is a privately funded, faith-based residential program for children ages 5 to 18.

Texas man dies retrieving packages

left on car roofWACO, Texas (AP) — Police

say a Texas man was struck and killed by a car as he retrieved a package that he had accidentally left on the roof of his car after a late-night shopping trip.

Waco police say the 59-year-old man died at the scene of the accident about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Police say the man may have left items on the roof while packing up in the parking lot.

A package flew from the roof into the traffic lane as he pulled out of the parking lot. Police say he stopped his car and walked into the roadway to retrieve the item when a passing car struck him.

Police have not released his name pending notification of his family.

Cincinnati street renamed for child who

killed himselfCINCINNATI (AP) — Part of

a street in Cincinnati has been renamed after an 8-year-old boy who killed himself earlier this year.

A street in the city’s Westwood neighborhood has been renamed “Gabriel’s Way” in honor of Gabriel Taye. Councilman Charlie Winburn presented the proclamation on Wednesday, saying he was bullied as a child.

Taye’s family says the boy hanged himself after being bullied at his elementary school.

The Taye family is suing Cincinnati Public Schools, saying officials ignored a culture of bullying. The district filed a motion in October to have the wrongful death suit dismissed.

The district has said school leaders didn’t cause the boy’s death in January.

White House hopes always high in Massachusetts,

despite sizeBOSTON (AP) —

Massachusetts may be small, but when it comes to the White House, the state’s hopes are always high.

Already there are a handful of Bay State politicians being bandied about as possible 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, from Sen. Elizabeth Warren to Reps. Seth Moulton and Joe Kennedy and former Gov. Deval Patrick.

All have brushed aside 2020 talk, but that isn’t tamping down hopes by some in Massachusetts for a return to the Oval Office for the first time since John F. Kennedy’s 1960 election.

That hope persists despite

a half-century of failed presidential candidates from Republican Mitt Romney to Democrats John Kerry, Michael Dukakis, Paul Tsongas and Edward

Kennedy.Ironically the state’s

most popular politician, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, seems the least likely to make a White House bid.

NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

AP PHOTO

President Donald Trump turns to talk to the gathered media during a Christmas Eve video teleconference with members of the mIlitary at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., Sunday.

Trump sends Christmas greetings to US troops abroad

PALM BEACH (AP) — President Donald Trump is sending Christmas greetings to U.S. troops stationed around the world.

From the Florida estate where Trump is spending the holidays, he spoke by video hook-up on Christmas Eve to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, stationed in Qatar, Kuwait and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Trump told the troops that Americans are thankful for them and their families. He says they’re “the greatest people on earth.”

He offered renewed praise to the Coast Guard for saving thousands of lives during a series of deadly U.S. hurricanes.

Trump told the troops that “every American heart” is thankful for them and is asking God to watch over them and their families.


WASHINGTON — Two things can be true at once. President Donald Trump’s tax overhaul is slanted to the rich, as Democrats say and Republicans like to ignore. It also comes with tax cuts for average people, which Democrats bypass in slamming Trump’s “betrayal” of the middle class.

Trump’s signing of the tax bill into law Friday capped a week also marked by a national security speech in which Trump misrepresented the records of his prede-cessors in his ceaseless effort to claim achieve-ments that in many cases remain ambitions.

A look at statements by a variety of political play-ers over the past week:

• • •TRUMP: “The bottom

line is, this is the biggest tax cuts and reform in the history of our country. This is bigger than, actually, President Reagan’s many years ago.” — remarks to reporters Friday.

THE FACTS: Not so, in either case. For months Trump has refused to recognize larger tax cuts in history, of which there have been many, or to grant that other presidents have enacted big tax cuts since Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. The White House won’t explain how he arrives at his conclusion.

An October analysis by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget found that it would be the eighth biggest since 1918. As a percentage of the total economy, Reagan’s 1981

cut is the biggest followed by the 1945 rollback of taxes that financed World War II. Trump’s plan is also smaller than cuts in 1948, 1964 and 1921, and probably in other years.

Valued at $1.5 trillion over 10 years, the plan is indeed large and expen-sive. But it’s much smaller than originally intended. Back in the spring, it was shaping up as a $5.5 tril-lion package. Even then it would have only been the third largest since 1940 as a share of gross domestic product. The government uses percentage of GDP to measure most budget and tax issues over time because that measure puts tax revenues and federal outlays in context relative to the entire economy.

• • •VICE PRESIDENT

MIKE PENCE: “You’re delivering on that middle-class miracle.” — to Trump at a Cabinet meeting Wednesday.

THE FACTS: Modest doesn’t usually make for a miracle. Pence’s praise to the boss reflects Trump’s assertion that “it’s a tax bill for the middle class,” as he often put it, but average people are not the prime beneficiaries of the tax cuts. Aside from businesses, rich people get the most.

The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates the biggest benefit of the new law will go to house-holds making $308,000 to $733,000. Households making over that should get a tax cut worth 3.4 percent of their after-tax income. For the richest 0.1 percent (making over $3.4 million), the tax cut should be worth 2.7 per-cent of their after-tax in-come. For middle-income

earners: 1.6 percent, the center estimates.

Moreover, only high- income people would get a meaningful tax cut after 2025, when nearly all of the plan’s individual income tax provisions are due to expire.

Republicans argue that the middle class will also see benefits from the business tax cuts, in the form of more jobs and higher wages.

• • •DEMOCRATIC SEN.

CHARLES SCHUMER: “Their bill increases taxes on lots of middle-class people. ... According to the Tax Policy Center, the top 1 percent of earners in our country gets 83 percent of the benefits.” — remarks Tuesday.

THE FACTS: The tax cuts are not nearly as lop-sided as many Democrats are portraying them. Almost all of the middle class would initially pay less in taxes.

For the next eight years, the vast majority of middle-class taxpay-ers — those earning between $49,000 and $86,000 — will receive a tax cut, albeit a small one. In 2018, nine-tenths of the middle class will get a cut, according to the Tax Policy Center. In 2025, 87 percent will. The tax cut won’t be very big: just $930 next year for the middle one-fifth of taxpayers, the center’s analysis concludes. For those paid twice a month, that’s about $40 a paycheck.

• • •REP. NANCY PELOSI,

House Democratic leader: “86 million middle class families get a tax hike.” — tweet Wednesday.

THE FACTS: She’s

ignoring all the mid-dle-class tax cuts before 2027; that year, taxes will be slightly higher for the middle class unless the cuts are extended.

• • •TRUMP on his tax

legislation: “Obamacare has been repealed in this bill.” — remarks Wednesday.

THE FACTS: It hasn’t. The tax plan ends fines for people who don’t carry health insurance. That’s a major change but far from the dismantling of the health law.

Also, the tax law doesn’t repeal fines for uninsured individuals until the start of 2019, meaning the “individual mandate” is still in force for next year unless the adminis-tration acts to waive the penalties.

• • •TRUMP: “When the

individual mandate is being repealed, that means Obamacare is being repealed because they get their money from the individual mandate.” — remarks Wednesday.

THE FACTS: This is also wrong. The fines on people who don’t carry health insurance only provide a small fraction of the financing for the program. Most of the money comes from higher taxes on upper-income people, cuts in Medicare payments to service providers, and other tax increases.

• • •TRUMP on his pre-

decessors: “They put American energy under lock and key.” — speech Monday.

THE FACTS: On the contrary, energy production was unleashed during Obama’s presidency, largely

because of advances in hydraulic fracturing that made it economical to tap vast reserves of natural gas. Oil production also greatly increased, reducing imports. Before the presidential election last year, the U.S. for the first time in decades was getting more energy domestically than it imports. The government estimated this year that the U.S. could switch from being a net importer of energy to being a net exporter as early as 2019, depending on what happens to oil prices, energy resources and economic growth.

Trump, a Republican, has rolled back some obstacles for the coal industry, which indeed complained of overregulation by Obama, a Democrat. But coal’s decline in recent years was driven mainly by competition from cheap natural gas.

Despite his rhetoric about U.S. energy production, one of Trump’s most consequential actions as president has been to open the U.S. to another source of foreign oil, with his approval of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada.

• • •TRUMP: “Over the

profound objections of the American people, our politicians left our borders wide open.” — speech Monday.

THE FACTS: Even as literary license, “wide open” does not describe the border enforcement, refugee vetting or deportation record of recent years, however flawed some controls might have been.

Trump’s get-tough push

has had some effect: Far fewer people have been trying to sneak across the border and more people already in the U.S. illegally have been arrested. But critics once slammed Obama as “deporter in chief.” Agents deported more than 2 million immigrants during the eight years Obama was in office, more than in previous administrations. They sent back 409,000 in 2012 alone, a record.

More than 240,000 people were deported in Obama’s final budget year. Trump-era depor-tations have slightly lagged that pace for most of his first year, despite unquestionably aggressive enforcement. One likely factor: With fewer people sneaking in, there may be fewer to send back home. But the gates were far from ajar before Trump took office.

• • •TRUMP tweet Monday,

knocking the media for re-fusing to say “Republicans are 5-0 in Congressional Races this year.”

THE FACTS: That’s because they aren’t. In this year’s House elec-tions, the score is 5-1 for Republicans. Democrats held a California seat.

Add the Alabama Senate election, and the scorecard is 5-2.

Trump had boasted before the Senate race about a 5-0 scorecard this year. He chanted “Five and 0” at an Iowa rally in June — but the real tally then was 4-1.

Also in his tweet, Trump said he knew Republicans would lose the governor’s race in Virginia and the Alabama Senate race. Publicly, he’d predicted a Republican win in Alabama.

AP FACT CHECK: Tax plan shows 2 things can be true at onceBy CALVIN WOODWARD and

CHRISTOPHER RUGABERASSOCIATED PRESS

Dear Dave,What’s an

appropriate amount for gift cards to send each of our five grandchildren for Christmas?

— Liz

Dear Liz,How much do

you spend on your grandchildren? Enough to make their parents nervous!

Seriously, I think it depends on two things. First, are you two debt-free, or at least able to provide gifts without going into debt or hurting yourselves financially? There’s nothing wrong with spoiling the grandbabies once in a while. But don’t use Christmas as an excuse to lose your minds, blow your budget, or go into debt every December. The amount you spend on gifts? I would suggest making it reasonable, not over the top, and relative to your income and that of the household in which the kiddos live.

The second thing I wonder about is the ages of all the grandchildren. I can’t imagine a four-year-old getting excited over a gift card. So, if that’s the general age range we’re talking about, have some fun with it! Head down to the store, and really put some thought into these decisions. On the other hand, it might be just the thing for a teenager — especially if you know where they

like to shop and hang out. Older kids want to make their own decisions, so depending on the personality of the grandchild, a gift card might be the way to go.

But if your grandkids are still little, please don’t give them gift cards. No, grandma. No!

— Dave

Interview follow-up

Dear Dave,What is the proper

etiquette after the job interview process? I recently had an interview for a sales management position. I’ve sent a couple of follow-up emails in the last few weeks, and I know I’m still under consideration, but I’m not sure what to do now.

— Krista

Dear KristaNext time, since you

obviously have a sales background, how about treating it like a sales call? If you’re on a sales call, and the customer needs to perform some due diligence before deciding, a smart salesperson will ask to schedule a follow-up.

Ask if checking back on a certain day in the next week or two will work. You don’t want to be obnoxious, but you want an appointment of sorts — a time frame — so you’ll know when to follow up without being pushy.

In this situation, I would recommend sending another email. You want to walk right up to that fine line that separates bold from obnoxious, because that’s one of things a good sales manager should be able to do. Respectfully tell them you understand the decision-making process takes time, but you need to know when you can expect an answer.

Use the idea that you’re a great sales person, and you’re treating this as a professional sales call. And don’t be afraid to have a little fun with it. If you’re still under consideration, that means they like you. You could even hint at the fact they don’t want to hire a sales manager who doesn’t know how to follow up!

— Dave

Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 13 million listeners each week on 585 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey.

Gift cards for grandkids?

Dave Ramsey

Fox News correspondent is leaving the

networkJames Rosen, one of the

longest-tenured corre-spondents at Fox News, is leaving the company at the end of the year.

Fox News offered no reason for his exit beyond a statement Friday con-firming his departure.

Rosen, 49, has been in the Washington bureau of Fox News since 1999. He became a news subject himself in 2013, when news reports said the Obama administration was investigating leaks to journalists who included Rosen.

The Justice Department targeted Rosen because it believed he was breaking the law when he sought classified information from a State Department contractor in 2009. No charges were filed.

Fiat Chrysler recalls nearly 1.8M trucks for shifter

problemDETROIT (AP) — Fiat

Chrysler is recalling nearly 1.8 million Ram trucks mainly in North America because they can be shifted out of park without the driver’s foot on the brake or possibly without the key in the ignition.

The recall is mainly in North America and largely covers heavy-duty trucks. All have shifters on the steering column.

Included are certain 2010 through 2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups, many 2011 through 2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs, and 2016 and 2017 Ram 3500

chassis cabs that weigh less than 10,000 pounds. Also covered are some 2009 through 2017 Ram 1500 pickups. Trucks from 2017 built after Dec. 31, 2016 are not included.

The company says the brake-transmission shift interlock device can fail due to long-term exposure to high interior temperatures linked to an electrical problem. That can let the shifter move out of park without the brake pedal being pressed or without a key in the ignition. The problem increases the risk of the trucks rolling away accidentally.

FCA says it knows of seven injuries that may be related, plus a small, unspecified number of crashes. The company says drivers should always use parking brakes as a safeguard.

Fiat Chrysler is working on a fix. Owners will be notified when service is available. Customers with questions can call 866-220-6747.

Woman recounts being groped

by drunken man during flight

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A former education adviser to New York’s governor says she was repeatedly groped by a drunken man on her United Airlines flight to New Jersey.

Katie Campos re-counted the event on Twitter , saying she was groped multiple times by the stranger during the 45-minute flight from Buffalo to Newark. Campos says she was allowed to move seats but the man continued

to harass her and other female passengers until the plane landed.

Campos is an executive director for a Buffalo-area Teach for America chapter and says the man was visibly intoxicated and shouldn’t have been allowed on the plane.

The Washington Post reports the man was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct after the plane landed.

Chicago-based United says it has no tolerance for the behavior described by Campos.

Brazil’s president rejects selling

Embraer to BoeingSAO PAULO (AP)

— Brazilian President Michel Temer has rejected selling control of jet maker Embraer to Boeing.

The Brazilian company confirmed Thursday that it is in talks with Chicago-based Boeing regarding a possible deal.

But the Brazilian government has veto power over a change in controlling interest in Embraer, one of the largest makers of mid-size aircrafts in the world.

At a breakfast with me-dia in Brasilia on Friday, Temer said the govern-ment would welcome an infusion of foreign capital into Embraer, but would not consider ceding majority control.

Temer also said the two companies had not previously informed him that they were in talks.

Boeing’s approach to Embraer is seen as a response to competitor Airbus, which has plans to buy a majority stake of Canadian jet maker Bombardier Inc.

FINANCIAL NEWS BRIEFS

FINANCIAL NEWS



Dr. Roach

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 47-year-old wom-an, and I’ve dealt with inherited major depres-sive disorder since my teens. Drug treatment has always given me moderate relief. Two years ago, I described to my new doctor my lifelong tendency to have shifting moods (best in the mornings, worst in the evenings) and my difficulty staying focused. He added a daily dose of Lamictal to my already-prescribed Pristiq.

Since then, I’ve felt, simply put, “normal” for the first time in my life. My moods are far more stable, and I can concen-trate on whatever I want without extreme effort. Absentmindedness is no longer a problem. I couldn’t believe my relief, and I asked him where this drug had been all this time.

He smiled and qui-etly asked me whether anyone in my family had ever been diagnosed with ADHD. I was shocked. I come from a stable and intelligent family of high achievers. I am not supposed to have what many consid-er a “learning disability,” but now I believe that had I been medicated, I’d have had a much eas-ier, happier life to date. I’m sure my ancestors would have as well.

In short, I am asking you to convey to your readers that they should never stigmatize ADHD like I did, because its symptoms are easily masked within mood disorders, and one problem can worsen the other. Just ask to be screened. It may really help. Thanks for spread-ing the word. — J.M.W.

ANSWER: Making diagnoses in psychiatry can be difficult. There isn’t a lab test or imaging study to confirm the diagnosis, and the symp-toms people notice can overlap among several different conditions, treatment for which can vary widely.

For instance, people with symptoms of depression (such as de-pressed mood and little interest in pleasurable activities) may have an obvious diagnosis: major depression. However, they may instead have bipolar disease type 2. To make this diagnosis, there must have been at least one episode where a person had

“hypomania:” a period of symptoms includ-ing increased energy, elevated mood and little need for sleep, lasting at least four days. This may not be recalled by the patient, and the diagno-sis can go unmade. This is important because the treatments are different.

I mention bipolar 2 because lamotrigine (Lamictal) is a treatment for bipolar disease. It acts as a mood stabi-lizer. It also sometimes is used in people with ADHD, as it helps with the side effects of stimulants.

I honestly don’t have enough information to say whether you have ADHD, bipolar disease, both, or neither. There are diagnostic criteria and a screening test that can be done for ADHD (see https://add.org/adhd-test/).

I should add that many people, both those with ADHD and those with bipolar disease, perform at extremely high levels. I have had people write to me that they feel successful partly because of, rather than in spite of, their ADHD.

In the future, we may have better success prescribing medications based on someone’s genes in addition to their symptoms — there already is promising research in this area. What is clear is that it sometimes takes more than one expert to find the right treatment, including medication (or combination) in people with a serious psychiat-ric illness.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to [email protected] or request an order form of available health news-letters at 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.

Psychological symptoms may overlap among conditions

See more

puzzles in the front

section


BEETLE BAILEY By Mort Walker

HI AND LOIS By Brian and Greg Walker

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE By Chris Browne

THE WIZARD OF ID By Brant Parker and Johnny Hart

B.C. By Mastroianni & Hart

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM By Mike Peters

PICKLES By Brian Crane

MALLARD FILLMORE By Bruce Tinsley

MARMADUKE By Brad Anderson

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Home isn't a location;

it's a heart space — and one that you'll carry with

you wherever you happen to be. Tonight features a

scenario that's both unexplainable and poetic.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A happy family can

come in many forms, some of them not genetic in

the least. You'll reach out to family of all kinds and in

various ways. A reach-out can be an intention of the

spirit, or it can involve a phone or maybe a hug.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The implications of the

holiday will soften the behavior of all, regardless of

age or religious persuasion or any other category.

It's as if there's niceness on the breeze that sooner or

later touches everyone.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). In the very best sense,

what's happening is a direct result of what you

thought about, created and built. You'll stand back

and be satisfied of the sweetness of the moment.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There's a buzzy, excited

feeling that perhaps has to do with getting to be

around people who make you happy. A few laughs

together — enchanting memories are being made.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The day will be

characterized by warmth, extra smiles, unexpected

kindness and good cheer. Relax. Be nice to yourself

these last days of the year. Your heart can be light if

you let it be.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You feel as though you

are very much wanted but not desperately needed.

It's the ideal dynamic — no pressure, just joy and

appreciation. You're free to really be yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Beautiful music will set

the right tone on this day to pull loved ones closer,

enjoy one another and, above all, give a free pass on

all the petty stuff that gets in the way of pure love.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Things will go

according to plan and unfold with the feeling you

had hoped for. Two things are true: 1) All is well at

the moment, and 2) if it's not, you'll fix it later; until

then, refer back to 1.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The action swings

in and out of the fairy tale zone. Though there's a

fantasy quality to the setting, the basics bring you

back and ground you in what's real and the very

practical ways of sharing your love.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It's a cozy, drama-free

day. Even the people who usually find something to

be unhappy about will settle in for some content-

ment. Expect love, sharing, music, good food and

more love.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You're looking for the

brightest potential in each person you encounter,

which is exactly what you'll find. Inside everyone is

something to celebrate, and celebrate you will.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 25). You'll spend this

year doing what makes you money, what makes

you better and what makes you happy. There won't

be a whole lot of room for anything extraneous,

and you'll find the intensity of focus invigorating.

Because your goal is to be a better person, you

don't have to chase success. It finds you. Virgo and

Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 20,

22, 30 and 1.

HOROSCOPE

Cryptoquip © 2011 by King Features Syndicate

Challenger

Yesterday’s Challenger Answers

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5.

God uses many of His people as avenues to reach Him in behalf of others, but remember there is only one advocate and we must come in His name. Jesus said “if ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

BIBLE


DEAR ABBY: Seventeen years ago, I had a (minor) tryst with my wife’s sister. Months later, it came to light during an unfortu-nate phone conversation. Since then, my wife and I have gone through years of counseling.

Our family has re-covered and all is well — except with my wife’s brother-in-law (the hus-band). He considers me “persona non grata,” and I have been excluded from all family functions, at least those he is involved in.

I took my counselor’s advice and sent him a written apology, delivered by my wife. My parents-in-law have forgiven me (as well as their daughter) for the errant behavior, but still a massive wedge remains in our family. My father-in-law is ailing now and is desperate for reconciliation. I’ve done what I can (I think). What now? What more? — PERSONA NON GRATA IN ILLINOIS

DEAR P.N.G.: You have already apologized. You can’t force your brother-in-law to accept it. Because your father-in-law is desperate for reconciliation, he is the one who should appeal to your brother-in-law to heal the breach.

DEAR ABBY: In a world so vast and beautiful, do you think one person could somehow see it all? I’ve often dreamed of doing so, but most of the time I sit in front of a computer doing school-work. So many days I have wanted to drop out and be a hippie or something, but in these times, there are so many requirements to get to where we want to be and have what we’ve always wanted or needed.

You know what, Abby? I’ve got a better question for you. Can you invent a time machine so I can go back to the ’50s? Forever wondering ... — GABRIELLA IN SOUTH CAROLINA

DEAR GABRIELLA: I wish I could provide one, but if I did, I have a hunch it would become very crowded. Your yearning for the ’50s may be hap-pening because life in the 21st century has become stressful. It isn’t just you — for many people, the cycle of life seems to spin increasingly faster.

There’s nothing wrong with dreaming about visiting faraway places. Once your studies are completed, you may be in a position to do that. In the meantime, make an effort to block out time to go to a gym, do yoga, meditate. If that’s not possible, break up your routine with some other form of exercise. I can tell you from experience, it works.

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have a 15-year-old daughter who has a boy-friend her age. Her boy-friend visits our daughter in her bedroom, where they lock themselves in for hours. I object to them being alone in a bedroom, but my wife says she “knows” her daughter and that there’s nothing to worry about. Who is right? — UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE SOUTH

DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE: You are! Your wife is dreaming! Tell your daughter that from now on, her door will remain open when anyone of the opposite sex is in there with her, or the lock will be removed. (Even better — restrict their visits to the living room.) Do it now. Time may be of the essence.

TO MY READERS: A very merry Christmas to you all!

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Good advice for every-one — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

Resentment over brief affair has divided family for years

Dear Abby

Dear Readers: It’s the holiday season, and many of us are with family and friends, or you might be by yourself. Whatever your situation, please know that I send you my warmest and happiest greetings!

Here are a few short hints from me, your friend Heloise:

DO use care when in the kitchen. Watch food on or in the stove, or in the microwave.

DO keep an eye on pets and small children so they don’t get into mischief.

DON’T light a lot of candles around your home and walk out of the room!

DON’T burn wrapping paper in a fireplace!

DON’T put sharp knives in the dishwater — it’s easy to get cut.

My wish for you today? If it can wait, let it wait! Dust, dirt and leaves will be there tomorrow!

Big holiday hug! — Heloise

Fast factsDear Readers: Here are

some additional uses for “sticky notes”:

• Stick one on a bathroom mirror to remind you of your hair/dental/doctor

appointment date and time.• If you’re going some-

where, put one on the back of the door by which you leave to tell yourself what you need to take with you.

• Label clothing by color if colorblind.

• If you have a list of errands you need to get done, write them out on a sticky note and attach it to the car’s steering wheel— Heloise

All bottled upDear Heloise: When

traveling by air, there’s one thing you really need in your carry-on bag: an empty water bottle. After going through security, you can fill it up at a water fountain. Many times I’ve been on a rough flight where refresh-ments were not served, and it came in handy. — Kathy P., Port Charlotte, Fla.

A holiday message

Hints from Heloise

PEANUTS By Charles Schulz

CRANKSHAFT By Tom Batiuk & Chuck Ayers

SHOE By Gary Brookins & Susie MacNelly

ZITS By Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman

GARFIELD By Jim Davis

DILBERT By Scott Adams

REX MORGAN By Terry Beatty

MARY WORTH By Karen Moy and June Brigman

NON SEQUITUR By Wiley


BORN LOSER By Art and Chip Sansom

BLONDIE By Dean Young and John Marshall

BABY BLUES By Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott

MUTTS By Patrick McDonnell

DOONSBURY By Garry Trudeau

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE By Lynn Johnston

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Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating.

The numbers within the heavily

outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners.

Freebies: Fill in single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

12-25-17


PUTNEY, Vt. — A beloved Santa-themed kiddie park has reopened in southern Vermont.

Dave Haversat visited Santa’s Land a dozen times growing up and dreamed of owning it. The 1950s-era park closed several years ago, but Haversat bought it earlier this year and reopened it.

“The kids when they see this, you know, it’s wonderment and enchantment,” said Haversat, who’s also a magician. “Very similar to magic.”

Located in a grove of evergreens on 42 acres, the park reopened in late November with a train ride, holiday dioramas, painted cottages, a kiddie slide, toddler car rides and a carousel. Visitors driving in on Route 5 are greeted with a bright red sign flanked by wooden candy canes and oversized alphabet blocks.

Some of the families who toured the park on a recent weekend said they’d been coming here for generations. “I just love this place. I’ve always loved it,” said Elaine Fortier of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, as she

warmed herself near a stove in the miniature train station. “I brought my grandson here and he’s 40, so that was years ago.”

This time Fortier brought her great-grandchildren to meet Santa, an experience that’s still a highlight, even for 21st century kids. “They get to speak with him, they get to tell him what they want for Christmas,” said Haversat. “So, an iPad or an app will never take that place.”

Santa’s Land opened in 1957. Many original structures remain, including the train track and statues of Santa

Claus and Rudolph the reindeer.

The park faced operational troubles in recent years and closed in 2014 after officials discovered more than a dozen dead deer on the premises. Empty cages remain onsite at the park, relics of the defunct petting zoo. No animals are currently housed at the park and there are no plans to restart the petting zoo, according to Haversat.

A gift shop sells plush gingerbread dolls, ornaments and maple syrup. A sweets shop offers baked goods. Laol Short of Putney, Vermont, manned the shop with her cousin and said that working at Santa’s Land was a family tradition: Her great-grandmother, grandmother, father and two aunts had previously worked at Santa’s Land and her grandmother had baked some of the items in the shop.

Haversat said the park fell into disrepair after it closed. Structures were vandalized, including a Humpty Dumpty statue damaged beyond repair. Trash filled the gift shop

entry and statues were stolen from a nativity scene. He’s been working hard at restoring and maintaining things, including cabins featuring moving displays of polar bears and penguins.

“The internet has changed a lot of things. Sometimes people don’t spend as much time together as a family,” Haversat said. “This is something that you could spend the day, something that may remind you of the past.”

A beloved Santa-themed kiddie park has reopened in Vermont

By BETH GARBITELLIASSOCIATED PRESS

DAVID HAVERSAT VIA AP

In this Nov. 25, photo provided by David Haversat, people visit the Santa’s Land holiday-themed park in Putney, Vt. Haversat, of Oxford, Conn., who visited the park as a child, bought and refurbished the park that had closed in recent years. He reopened it in November for weekend visitors through Christmas Eve.

This Oct. 22, photo provided by David Haversat shows a carosel at the Santa’s Land holi-day-themed park in Putney, Vt. Haversat, of Oxford, Conn.

This Nov. 24, photo provided by David Haversat shows a scene at the Santa’s Land holiday-themed park in Putney, Vt. Haversat, of Oxford, Conn.

This Nov. 25, photo provided by David Haversat shows the gift shop at the Santa’s Land holiday-themed park in Putney, Vt. Haversat, of Oxford, Conn.

This Nov. 19, photo provided by David Haversat shows a scene at the Santa’s Land holiday-themed park in Putney, Vt. Haversat, of Oxford, Conn.

Some say Puerto Rico has the longest Christmas in the world.

For Puerto Ricans, who are 85 percent Catholic, Christmas starts after Thanksgiving, continues through Christmas Day, and extends beyond Three Kings Day, on Jan. 6, with the “octavitas” — an eight-day street party that concludes in the St. Sebastian Festival in Old San Juan in mid-January. Christmas trees and decorations stay up for almost two months. The new year is greeted in noisy fashion, with street concerts and fireworks and guns fired celebra-torily — albeit dangerous-ly — into the air.

At least, that’s the tradition in my country. This year everything is different. In September, hurricanes Irma and Maria both battered

Puerto Rico, killing perhaps as many as a thousand people and destroying much of the island.

Three months later, most Puerto Ricans still contend with some combination of unsafe water, no electricity, blocked highways, broken bridges, lack of internet and food shortages. Some 600 people are still living in shelters.

Can Christmas survive this catastrophe?

Survival firstI’m considering this

question from my home in San Juan, the capital, where a Christmas miracle has occurred: Last week electricity was restored to parts of the neighborhood.

Currently, about 65 percent of the island has electrical power, and everyone else is constantly hunting for it.

But we’re also seeking another kind of power, I think — the strength to

get through this national disaster.

Rural governments are still trying to tend to thousands of people left without water, electricity and medicine. Meanwhile, Gov. Ricardo Roselló is handling Puerto Rico’s hurricane aftermath while also reckoning with the island’s bankruptcy. Everyone has been work-ing so hard for so long.

There are signs of desperation. Suicides and post-traumatic stress are a reality here now. It will be a long time before anything here starts to look normal again, and we know some things may never be the same.

At my job, as a special collections librarian at the University of Puerto Rico’s Humacao campus, our team is working from a tent outside while the library gets a deep clean. The building that houses the library leaked during Maria, so it soon became mold-infested. We lost our reference collection completely, along with all

the furniture and com-puter equipment.

For a while there, I thought maybe Christmas might be one more thing lost to Maria.

After the celebrations

Puerto Ricans, as it happens, are good at adversity. It’s a legacy of our colonial history.

Either way, the coun-try’s resilience is on full display this Christmas season. Despite the blackouts that still affect even places where power’s been restored and the cold showers, we will have our holiday.

It may not be the longest Christmas in the world this year. And there may not be a lot of decorated trees, wreaths or parties. But in homes across the country people are roasting suckling pig right now, preparing blood sausages and stewing rice and peas.

We may have to cook over a charcoal fire, but

to be sure: There will be bananas for our pasteles, meat-filled pastries served wrapped in a leaf.

Families hum along to holiday favorites — “Navidad,” a salsa tune by José Nogueras, and “Los reyes no llegaron,” a Christmas bolero by Victoria Sanabria — ac-companied by the roar of generators.

Since my house has electricity, we’re stringing the Christmas lights and planning to party. Even in homes without power, that’s sometimes the case. As I heard one caller say on the radio, “We’ll turn on the Christmas lights even if it means plugging them into a generator.”

At work, the library team hung a Three Wise Men-themed decoration on our temporary library tent.

Elsewhere, sadness is more tangible. By November, 100,000 Puerto Ricans had fled Hurricane Maria’s aftermath, a number that grows daily. Many

families will be missing their loved ones this Christmas.

Tragedy unites us all right now. In some places — like Santa Isabel, on Puerto Rico’s southern coast, and Moca, a town near Aguadilla — locals have decked out the main square, transforming storm debris into make-shift Christmas trees and wooden nativity scenes, all strung up with lights.

Such scenes reflect the national sentiment that not destruction, or terrible crisis manage-ment, or bankruptcy can take Christmas from Puerto Rico. Celebrating the holidays this year means feeling, if only for a moment, normal. It’s a sign of survival.

Evelyn Milagros Rodriguez does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organi-zation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Puerto Ricans aren’t giving up on ChristmasBy EVELYN MILAGROS

RODRIGUEZRESEARCH, REFERENCE

AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS LIBRARIAN, UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO — HUMACAO

NATION

Monday, December 25, 2017

SPORTSwww.yoursun.com www.Facebook.com/SuncoastSports • @SunCoastSports

INDEX | Lottery 2 | Football 3 | NFL 4 | Scoreboard 5 | Sports Ticker 6

By ROGER MOONEYTampa Bay Times

ST. PETERSBURG — Wednesday’s trade that brought him from the Giants to the Rays did catch Denard Span by surprise, but it was one he welcomed since playing for his hometown team is something the Tampa native always hoped could happen.

“I always thought it would be cool to play here during the latter part of my career,” Span, 33, said.

Span is a 10-year veteran and centerfielder by trade, and has experience playing the corner outfield spots.

Where he fits in with the Rays’ youth movement is to be determined. That is, if he fits in at all.

“Centerfield is spoken for here, so that’s prob-ably not going to be it,” Rays general manager Eric Neander said. “But this is a guy who does have experience playing on the corners, played them extremely well early in his career. Really good bat-to-ball skills, can be an ignitor for an offense, get on base, can do those things. Offensively it’s a different profile than some of the guys we have.”

The addition of Span adds depth to the Rays outfield, which could allow the team to trade Corey Dickerson this offseason.

MLB: Rays

Span excited to play for hometown Rays

AP FILE PHOTO

South Korea’s Marissa Brandt, right, defends against Minnesota forward Nicole Schammel in the first period of an exhibition hockey game in Minneapolis.

By DAVE CAMPBELLAssociated Press

VADNAIS HEIGHTS, Minn. — Marissa Brandt was wrapping up her prosperous small-col-lege hockey career, she believed, when the life-changing phone call came during her senior year.

South Korea’s fledgling national team was build-ing a roster for the 2018 Winter Olympics, and the host nation was inviting her to the country of her birth to try out. Two weeks later, she was departing Minnesota on a journey of reconnection with the place she left when she was

4 ½ months old.“I’m happy I took that

leap of faith,” she said.Three years later, she

is a South Korean citizen who is slowly learning the language and realizing she is a bit of a celebrity. There is another twist to the tale, too, with an even more rewarding result: Her sister, Hannah Brandt, is playing for Team USA , giving their parents, Greg and Robin, the unexpected chance to cheer for both daughters in Pyeongchang in February.

“It would be fun to play her in the Olympics,” Marissa said. “Not awk-ward at all.”

The awkward part of the story actually came years ago, when kindergarten-age Marissa and Hannah were signed up for Korean culture camp.

“I absolutely did not like going,” Marissa said, “but Hannah loved it, so we kept going back. It was funny, actually. She loved the Korean food and the taekwondo, and I didn’t like anything about it.”

Hannah was old enough to know Marissa was adopted from South Korea. She just thought her sister was born at 30,000 feet somewhere above the Pacific.

“Hannah used to tell

me that she wished she was born on the plane instead of Marissa,” Robin recalled, reflecting on her American-born child’s early interest in this foreign land 6,000 miles away that repelled her other daughter despite her roots.

The Brandts were two weeks away from completing Marissa’s adoption in 1993 when they were surprised to learn Robin was preg-nant with Hannah. They brought Marissa home in May, and Hannah was born in November.

WINTER OLYMPICS

Two Olympic hockey sisters playing for diff erent nations

SEE OLYMPICS, 2

SEE RAYS, 3

AP PHOTO

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Jameis Winston (3) fumbles the ball as he his hit by Carolina Panthers’ Mario Addison (97) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday in Charlotte.

AP PHOTO

Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake (32) runs away from Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Will Redmond (24) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday in Kansas City, Mo.

By STEVE REEDAssociated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cam Newton certainly has a flare for the dramatic.

The emotional and char-ismatic quarterback scored on a whacky 2-yard touch-down run with 35 seconds

remaining to lift Carolina to a 22-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and help the Panthers secure a spot in the NFC playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.

The Panthers (11-4) trailed most of the second half, but Newton completed 4 of 7 passes for 52 yards on the final 3-minutes before turning a potential debacle into a mem-orable touchdown. Newton fumbled the shotgun snap

after it hit his knuckles, but the ball bounced back up into his hands and he alertly picked it up and dove across the goal line for the go-ahead score.

“The idea was to put it on the ground, get (the defense) to freeze for a second, and pick it up and score,” joked Panthers coach Ron Rivera. “I tell you when I saw that. ... But the best part is it didn’t ruin my Christmas, which I appreciate.”

Newton celebrated the score by using the football as a prop, pretending to “light a candle on a cupcake” in cel-ebration of his son Chosen’s birthday. Newton brought his son into the news confer-ence after the game for the first time ever, and said it was ironic that he scored on a 2-yard run on his son’s 2nd birthday.

NFL: Panthers 22, Buccaneers 19

Panthers edge Bucs

By DAVE SKRETTAAssociated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kareem Hunt stood in front of his locker room and mused about an up-and-down season, one that was highlighted by five straight wins and low-lighted by six losses in a seven-game stretch.

One that is suddenly looking up again, too.

The Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins 29-13 on Sunday for their third

straight victory, clinch-ing back-to-back AFC West titles for the first time in franchise history and ensuring Kansas City would get another game at Arrowhead Stadium to start off the new year.

“Honestly, we had a lot of up and downs,” said Hunt, who ran for 91 yards and a score in ending the Dolphins’ own play-off hopes. “We started off hot, went through a stretch, had to bring it back together, play as a

team — play hard. And we just took advantage of these opportunities, play by play, and we’re back on the road to the playoffs.”

The Chiefs (9-6) head to their regular-season finale at Denver next week knowing they can rest their biggest names for the playoffs, a luxury of wrapping up the division a week early.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who donned a Santa Claus suit to address his team in the postgame locker room,

said he hasn’t decided what he’ll do for the largely meaningless game against the Broncos.

“It gives you flexibil-ity,” Reid said, “it does do that.”

For now, Reid wants his team to cherish a Christ-mas Eve victory that was dominant in all phases.

Alex Smith threw for 304 yards and a TD. Tyreek Hill had six catches for 109 yards.

NFL: Chiefs 29, Dolphins 13

Dolphins’ playoff hopes disappear

SEE DOLPHINS, 3

Newton’s TD lifts Panthers into playoff s

SEE BUCS, 3

JAGUARS CLINCH

The Jacksonville Jaguars won the AFC South on Sunday despite falling to the 49ers. Page 2

By ROB MAADDIAssociated Press

J.J. Watt had a modest goal when he launched a fundraiser to benefit victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston.

The Texans’ three-time Defensive Player of the Year said he hoped to raise $200,000 in a video he posted on Twitter after a pre-season game on Aug. 26. It took less than two hours to reach that number .

Donations poured in from all over the world, with several professional athletes chipping in. Tom Brady gave $100,000, Chris Paul pitched in $50,000 and more than 200,000 people, includ-ing Jimmy Fallon, Ellen DeGeneres and Drake, contributed more than $37 million to Watt’s campaign.

“I cannot thank every-one enough for their support and donations from across the country and around the world,” Watt said to those who helped him raise funds for Harvey relief. “You have truly shown what is possible when everyone bands together for one common cause.”

The funds raised by Watt are being used to rebuild homes, restore child care centers, pro-vide food and address health needs of those who were affected most by the hurricane.

“It was incredible to

see how people from all over the country, people from all over the world, people from all different backgrounds, all differ-ent communities came together to support a city and a people that were having the toughest time of their life,” Watt said.

Watt was only one of many athletes who heeded the call for help when disasters struck in 2017.

After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico shortly following Harvey’s destruction in Houston, several players stepped up.

Carlos Beltran, who retired after winning the World Series with the Houston Astros, started a fundraiser to help victims by donat-ing $1 million . Several other major leaguers,

including Yadier Molina and Enrique Hernandez, also joined in with their own campaigns.

Members of the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors jumped in to help after wildfires scorched the West Coast in October. Klay Thompson donated $75,000 to fire relief efforts by giving $1,000 for each point he scored during a three-game stretch. The Oakland Raiders organization gave $1 million and the Raid-ers, Warriors and 49ers combined on a donation of $450,000.

“I think it shows Klay’s commitment to the community and his awareness,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I think all of our guys do such a good job of really being aware of helping

other people around them. It’s a great gesture. I noticed other people are chipping in as well.”

Other athletes showed their generosity in vari-ous ways. Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Carson Wentz and former teammate Jordan Matthews went to Haiti on a mission trip in May. Wentz later announced he was helping build a sports complex in that country.

“I feel that this sports complex will be an incredible way for the youth of Haiti to have more opportunities to enjoy sporting compe-tition, to further their education, to have access to healthy meals and to enjoy being around a Christian community to help further their faith,” Wentz said.

Page 2 SP www.yoursun.com Monday, December 25, 2017 / The Sun

Florida Lottery www.flalottery.com

PICK 2Dec. 24N..........................lateDec. 24D ........................... 6-3Dec. 23N........................... 9-0Dec. 23D ........................... 8-6Dec. 22N........................... 5-8Dec. 22D ........................... 3-5D-Day, N-Night

PICK 3Dec. 24N..........................lateDec. 24D ........................4-0-2Dec. 23N........................8-5-7Dec. 23D ........................6-4-2Dec. 22N........................6-7-3Dec. 22D ........................5-7-5D-Day, N-Night

PICK 4Dec. 24N..........................lateDec. 24D .....................7-8-9-5Dec. 23N.....................2-9-0-1Dec. 23D .....................4-1-5-5Dec. 22N.....................4-7-7-6Dec. 22D .....................4-4-7-0D-Day, N-Night

PICK 5Dec. 24N..........................lateDec. 24D ................. 8-7-1-4-0Dec. 23N................. 2-4-3-1-2Dec. 23D ................. 2-5-8-0-6Dec. 22N................. 1-1-6-3-2Dec. 22D ................. 4-1-0-4-5D-Day, N-Night

FANTASY 5Dec. 24 ........................... lateDec. 23 ......... 13-21-27-29-30Dec. 22 ........... 5-12-20-26-32

• • •PAYOFF FOR Dec. 230.....5-digit winners......$0.00301...4-digit winners $555.0010,140.3-digit winners $22.00

CASH FOR LIFEDec. 21 ............. 1-9-25-37-60Cash Ball .............................1Dec. 18 ............ 8-9-12-21-45Cash Ball .............................1

• • •PAYOFF FOR Dec. 210......5-of-5 CB .... $1,000/Day0......5-of-5....... $1,000/Week3......4-of-5 CB .............$2,5009......4-of-5......................$500

LUCKY MONEYDec. 22 ...............15-28-31-35Lucky Ball ..........................11Dec. 19 ...............10-15-37-40Lucky Ball ..........................17

• • •PAYOFF FOR Dec. 220.....4-of-4 LB .....$1.7 Million4.....4-of-4.............$$1,513.0046......3-of-4 LB .........$288.00677.....3-of-4 ................$57.50

LOTTODec. 23 ... 14-16-17-35-46-50Dec. 20 ... 25-35-40-45-48-53Dec. 16 ..... 6-12-32-38-40-45

• • •PAYOFF FOR Dec. 230..6-digit winners $8 million20..5-digit winners $5,145.001,039..4-digit winners $88.50

POWERBALLDec. 23 ............ 1-3-13-15-44Powerball ......................... 25Dec. 20 ........... 1-20-61-64-69Powerball ..........................20

• • •PAYOFF FOR Dec. 230....5 of 5 + PB ..$300 Million0....5 of 5 ...............$1 million2.....4 of 5 + PB .........$50,000101......4 of 5 ..................$100ESTIMATED JACKPOT$337 million

MEGA MILLIONSDec. 22 ........... 1-20-30-33-42Mega Ball ..........................16Dec. 19 ..........28-37-39-42-58Mega Ball ............................2

• • •PAYOFF FOR Dec. 190...5 of 5 + MB ..$223 Million0...5 of 5 ................$1 Million0.....4 of 5 + MB ........$10,00011.....4 of 5 .....................$500ESTIMATED JACKPOT$253 million

Many lottery numbers were unavailable due to early deadlines because of the holiday. Yesterday’s numbers will be updated in tomorrow’s paper.

SPORTS ON TV

COLLEGE BASKETBALL12:30 p.m.ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic, seventh place, Akron vs. Davidson, at Honolulu2:30 p.m.ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic, fi fth place, Princ-eton vs. Hawaii, at Honolulu6 p.m.ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic, championship, Southern Cal vs. New Mexico St., at Honolulu8:30 p.m.ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic, third place, Middle Tennessee vs. Miami, at HonoluluNBA BASKETBALLNoonESPN — Philadelphia at

New York3 p.m.ABC — Cleveland at Golden State5:30 p.m.ABC — Washington at Boston8 p.m.ABC — Houston at Okla-homa City10:30 p.m.TNT — Minnesota at L.A. LakersNFL FOOTBALL4:20 p.m.NBC & NFL — Pittsburgh at Houston8:15 p.m.ESPN — Oakland at PhiladelphiaCRICKET3 a.m. (Tuesday)NBCSN — Big Bash League, Perth vs. Melbourne

AP FILE PHOTO

Anna Ucheomumu, left, high fives Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt after loading a car with relief supplies to people impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Houston.

DISASTER RELIEF

Athletes heeded call for help when disasters struck in 2017

Suddenly, there were two babies in their home in Vadnais Heights, a woodsy suburb about 10 miles north of St. Paul.

The girls did just about everything together: dance, gymnastics, soccer, and like typical Minnesota kids, they quickly took to the ice.

“We were best friends,” Hannah said.

Figure skating was first, but Hannah found hockey more exciting, so Marissa soon followed the puck.

“Even though she’s younger than me,” Marissa said, “I look up to her in so many ways.”

They were almost always on the same team, even helping lead Hill-Murray High School in 2011 to its first girls state tournament appearance. Marissa, a smooth-skating defender, went on to Gustavus Adolphus, an NCAA Division III school in St. Peter, Minnesota. One grade behind her sister, Hannah, a heavily recruited forward, stayed closed to home with the powerhouse University of Minnesota program .

Sometimes the game schedules allowed one to watch the other. The Gophers won three national championships during Hannah’s career, and Marissa was in atten-dance each time. When they lost the 2014 title game at the end of Han-nah’s sophomore season, Marissa couldn’t make it.

Hannah had missed the cut that year for the U.S. team that went to the Sochi Olympics, a defeat off the ice that contributed to her tense wait after try-outs were done last spring to be summoned into a room for a meeting with the coaches as the train-ing camp roster was being assembled. Marissa’s phone rang.

“I was so nervous so I needed to talk to someone. I called her before I headed in. I think woke her up,” Hannah said.

The next ring a few minutes later revealed the news that she was on the team.

“She’s worked so hard to get where she is now,” Marissa said. “I don’t know anyone else more deserving. I’m so excited to be able to share this Olympic experience and journey with her.”

OLYMPICSFrom Page 1

By JOSH DUBOWAssociated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jimmy Garoppolo threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score against one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses and the San Francisco 49ers won their fourth straight behind their new quar-terback, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 44-33 on Sunday.

The day wasn’t a total loss for the Jaguars (10-5), who clinched their first division title since 1999 earlier in the after-noon when Tennessee lost at home to the Rams. But the defeat dealt a big blow to Jacksonville’s hopes for a first-round bye. The Jaguars need to win next week and hope Pittsburgh loses twice to get a bye.

The 49ers (5-10) saw their playoff hopes die a long time ago during an 0-9 start but the mood and play around the team changed dramati-cally after Garoppolo was inserted into the starting lineup earlier this month following a midseason trade from New England.

He has led San Fran-cisco to four straight wins but this one might have been the most impressive, considering the quality of Jackson-ville’s defense. The Jaguars came into the game having allowed the fewest points and yards passing in the league, while recording the most sacks.

Garoppolo carved Jacksonville up, com-pleting 21 for 30 passes

for 242 yards with TD throws to George Kittle and Trent Taylor as San Francisco pulled away in the second half. Garop-polo improved to 6-0 in his career as a starter.

Blake Bortles threw three interceptions for the Jaguars, includ-ing one returned for a touchdown by Dontae Johnson in the first half, after going three straight weeks without one in the best stretch of his career . Bortles threw for 382 yards and two touchdowns but it wasn’t enough for the Jaguars.

FAST STARTGaroppolo got San

Francisco off to a fast start by completing five of six passes for 75 yards on the opening drive that was capped by his 1-yard TD sneak

. That marked the first time the Niners scored a touchdown on their opening drive since Dec. 11, 2016, against the Jets and the first time Jacksonville allowed one this year.

BAD TEMPERSSan Francisco scored

on its first two drives, leaving the Jaguars frus-trated on the sideline. Defensive lineman Malik Jackson and cornerback Aaron Colvin got into a heated argument near the bench that eventu-ally was broken up by teammates. Jackson-ville then committed two personal fouls by Myles Jack and Yan-nick Ngakoue on a TD drive in the second half. Jackson then committed a personal foul with 1:43 remaining to give the Niners a first down.

MOMENTUM CHANGERThe 49ers appeared

in control when Dontae Johnson returned a deflected interception 50 yards for a TD to put San Francisco up 16-0. But the Jaguars blocked the extra point attempt and Colvin returned it for two points. Bortles then led two straight touchdown drives to close the half, while Garoppolo was inter-cepted in the end zone by Barry Church after getting hit on the pass to leave the game tied at 16 at the half.

INJURIESJaguars left tackle

Cam Robinson (abdominal strain) and linebacker Blair Brown (concussion) left the game in the first half and didn’t return.

AP PHOTO

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) scores a touchdown in front of Jacksonville Jag-uars outside linebacker Myles Jack (44) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.

NFL: 49ers 44, Jaguars 33

Garoppolo leads surging 49ers past Jacksonville

2017_12_25_sprt_02.pdf 1 25-Dec-17 01:18:48

Of course, Span’s contract calls for $9 mil-lion this season and $12 million or a $4 million buyout for 2019, so Span could be the outfielder on the move.

“Nothing would sur-prise me if I get traded or flipped or whatever the terminology is,” Span said. “I guess until I show up to spring training then it will probably sink in that I’m a Ray. There are

so many possibilities, but I definitely would love to put on this hometown uniform. It would be a dream come true. It was something I always imagined.”

Span, a product of Tampa Catholic where he won a state title in 2001 and is a member of the school’s hall of fame, attended games at the Trop before the Twins took him in the first round of the 2002 draft.

“I remember vividly going to see Ken Griffey when he came to play

when he was with Seat-tle,” Span said. “That was a treat.”

Span and Neander spoke the day of the trade, so Span is well aware of the transforma-tion that is in the works at the Trop.

“(Neander) said obvi-ously they have a young ballclub. He said they’re still mulling some things over,” Span said. “I’m excited. I’m a Ray today. I’m excited to be a part of this team, hopefully.”

The Rays could keep Span and tap into his

experience since they just shipped Evan Longoria, their most experienced player, to the Giants. A veteran described by Neander as “an A-plus person, a highly skilled player with a track record of suc-cess” is never a bad thing to have in a largely young and unproven clubhouse. Especially if that veteran is willing to be a leader, which Span said he is.

“For sure, I would try my best to fill (Longo-ria’s leadership role) by just being that vet,” Span

said. “I’m not a vocal guy. I lead by example. If something needs to be said, I will say it. I would definitely embrace that and leave my imprint and help some of these guys learn to prepare and learn to compete on an everyday level.”

Will he get that chance?

“We don’t know at the end of the day how it all fits together,” Neander said. “Who plays where, how it all fits is some-thing we’re going to take time to figure out.”

By ROB MAADDIAssociated Press

PHILADELPHIA — All the Philadelphia Eagles need to ensure they stay home in January is one more win.

A victory over the Oakland Raiders (6-8) on Monday night secures the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the Eagles (12-2) and gives coach Doug Ped-erson an opportunity to rest his starters in Week 17.

First, they have to beat the Raiders.

“If we’re in that posi-tion, if we’re fortunate enough to be in that position, to rest, I’ll make a decision at that time,” Pederson said.

“But I think it’s impor-tant here in these next couple of games that we continue to play. I think it’s important to main-tain the edge, maintain the aggressiveness. If it’s one play, one series, one quarter, I’ll make that decision at that time.”

Players and coaches will have an unusual game day because it’s Christmas. Pederson is allowing the guys to spend the morning with their families before they report for work.

“I think it’s important that they spend time with their families Christmas morning, so I’m giving them an opportunity,” Pederson said. “I pushed the schedule back just a little bit. We don’t play obviously till 8.

“Listen, you don’t get these times back. You don’t get them back. It’s too important to me, my family. I want to make sure these players with young kids, coaches with young kids, they get a chance to spend Christ-mas morning together.”

Pederson, a former backup quarterback, is a players’ coach. He gets it. So after the Eagles returned to practice after three consecutive road games, including a long trip to the West Coast, he cut back on their workload.

The extra day to prepare for Oakland gave Peder-son a chance to rest some banged-up players earlier in the week.

“I just make sure I

communicate with the players and see how they feel, see where they’re at, and then just monitor some of the GPS stuff that we’re doing (with sports science), tracking data that’s out there that we have and then just overall injuries, too,” Pederson said.

“The health of the foot-ball team overall. Listening to players and things of that nature, giving them that extra rest, staying off their feet, more up-tempo walkthrough practices this week. It’s been good. Guys are feeling good. We’ve just got to keep guys fresh and healthy.”

Resting players is a priority because the Eagles have suffered a slew of injuries to key players.

Carson Wentz was having an MVP-caliber season when he tore his ACL in Week 14.

Nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, middle linebacker Jordan Hicks, return specialist Darren Sproles and special teams ace Chris Maragos also have sustained season-ending injuries.

Nick Foles makes his second start filling in for Wentz. He tossed four touchdown passes in a 34-29 win at the New York Giants last week and had an historic perfor-mance against the Raiders four years ago.

Foles tied an NFL record with seven TD passes in Philadelphia’s 49-20 win at Oakland on Nov. 3, 2013. His

performance sparked an impressive turnaround and the Eagles went 7-1 in the second half after a 3-5 start to win the NFC East title in Chip Kelly’s first season.

Foles had 29 TD passes — including two in the playoffs — and only two picks that season. He was traded to St. Louis after the 2014 season, spent one year with the Rams, one season with the Chiefs and returned to Philadelphia to back up Wentz.

Now, everyone is counting on Foles to deliver the first Super Bowl title in franchise history.

“One of the great things, anybody that knows Nick, knows he’s very, very comfortable in his own skin, and is very confident in his own abili-ties and is an excellent quarterback,” offensive coordinator Frank Reich said.

“And he exudes that confidence where the guys on this team see that, they feel that. You just know this guy’s been suc-cessful. Just look at what he’s done.”

The Raiders will likely be eliminated from the wild-card race before they take the field. It’s been a disappointing season for Derek Carr and a team that entered with Super Bowl aspirations after going 12-4 in 2016.

“I know there’s things I can do better,” Carr said .

The Sun / Monday, December 25, 2017 www.yoursun.com SP Page 3

RAYSFrom Page 1

AP PHOTO

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (9) throws a pass as quarterback Nate Sudfeld looks on during practice at the team’s NFL football training facility Thursday in Philadelphia.

NFL: Monday Night Football

Eagles can secure No. 1 seed with Christmas victory over Raiders

By CINDY BORENThe Washington Post

Every Christmas needs a holiday heist story and this one is a bitof a doozy. Imagine, if you can, the Green Bay Packers being forced to release quarterback Aaron Rodgers because of a violation of the injured reserve rules.

Fresh from the it-can’t-hurt-to-bring-it-up department, multiple NFL teams have complained to the league because Rodg-ers came off the injured reserve (designated to return) list and then was shut down for the season, going on permanent IR, after the Dec. 17 game, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Teams are taking issue with this because Rodgers reportedly suffered no new injury and NFL rules require that a player must have suffered a new injury that would sideline him at least six weeks to be placed on injured reserve. If that is not the case, the team is obligated to release the player when he is healthy.

Here’s the backstory: Rodgers missed seven games after having sur-gery to repair a broken right collarbone suffered Oct. 15. He was offi-cially activated Dec. 16, although it was widely known that the break had not fully healed in such a short time. He played the following weekend against Caro-lina, although his timing and performance were off in a loss in which he threw three intercep-tions (the first time that has happened to him in a game since 2009) in addition to three touch-downs. The following day, the Packers were eliminated from the playoffs, and on Dec. 18 the team shut him down for the final two games.

Although Rodgers took a beating (12 hits) inthe loss to the Panthers, Coach Mike McCar-thy said only that the quarterback was “sore” multiple times and in “rest and recovery mode.” No new injury was announced and McCarthy added, “he has a distinct rehab plan as he moves forward.” On Saturday night, NBC’s Michele Tafoya reported that Rodgers, who needed two metal plates and 13 screws to repair his displaced fracture, had told her that the plan is for him to have another scan “after the season” and to resume workouts in a month.

There’s another reason that this is all much ado about very little. The NFL has to approve these moves and it clearly did so when the Packers submitted the move last week. So, if any-thing, expect a tweak to the IR rules in the offseason, not a Rodgers relocation.

But, if you’re a con-spiracy theorist, try this on: Rodgers, if released, would go on waivers. There, the Cleveland Browns would have the first claim and their new general manager, John Dorsey, happened to be the Packers’ director of football operations when they drafted ... Aaron Rodgers.

NFL: Packers

Teams think Packers should have to release Rodgers overIR violation

Newton said he lost sight of the snap because he was thinking about whether or not to leap over the pile.

When the play came in, Newton said he had the option to run or pass in the huddle.

He chose a run — and he’s glad he did.

“I’m just happy it wasn’t a pass play because if it was then the offensive line would have been coming back,” Newton said. “But everyone was moving forward, so it might have been good because it froze everybody for a moment. I’m just happy that we scored.”

The Panthers sealed the game when Kawann Short sacked Jameis Winston on Tampa Bay’s final drive, and forced a fumble that Julius Pep-pers recovered. Winston threw for 367 yards and a touchdown but was sacked six times and fumbled three times for the Bucs (4-11).

“The guy’s a warrior,” Bucs coach Dirk Koetter said of Winston.

The Panthers offense struggled all day.

Newton threw for just 160 yards and ran for 52 yards on 14 car-ries. Carolina’s only touchdown in the first three quarters came on a 103-yard kickoff return by Damiere Byrd. Tampa Bay’s defense set the tone early, limiting the

Panthers to just 78 yards in the first half — the fewest in an opening half since Newton took over as Carolina’s starting QB in 2012.

“We found ways and this is what great teams do — they find ways to win,” Newton said.

Added Short: “It was an ugly win. At the end of the day we got the job done. We’re in the playoffs, another step to where we’re trying to get to.”

For the Bucs it was another close loss — the story of their season.

“We play together, but we just have to figure out the last step — that’s it,” said Tampa Bay corner-back Brent Grimes.

PLAYOFF SCENARIO: Carolina can still clinch

the NFC South champi-onship, but it would need a win over Atlanta and a New Orleans loss to Tampa Bay next Sunday.

For now, the Panthers are just happy to be back in the playoffs following a 6-10 season last year.

“To be 11-4 with one game left, that’s solid,” tight end Greg Olsen said.

STRONG RUSH: Short and defensive end Wes Horton each had 1 ½ sacks and a forced fumble for the Panthers. Carolina has 15 sacks in the last three games and forced 10 turnovers.

BIG GAME FOR BUCS RECEIVERS: The Bucs had six plays of 25 yards or longer against the Panthers fifth-ranked defense, including a

70-yard catch-and-run by Chris Godwin. Mike Evans led the way with 107 yards on six catches, while Godwin finished with 98 yards on three receptions.

RIVERBOAT RON: Pan-thers coach “Riverboat” Ron Rivera called a fake punt in the third quar-ter because he felt the offense needed “a shot in the arm.” It worked as punter Michael Palardy threw over the middle for tight end Ed Dickson, who was interfered with by Josh Robinson. That resulted in a first down and led to a Carolina field goal.

“He’s a lefty and he went to Tennessee — so there is a lot of things we can sharpen up,” Newton joked of Palardy’s throw.

BUCSFrom Page 1

Harrison Butker knocked through five field goals. And cornerback Marcus Peters had a hand in two fumbles, giving him a piece of five turnovers in two games since his return from a disciplin-ary suspension.

“It’s huge. Everybody don’t get a chance to have a seat at the table postseason,” veteran Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said with a grin.

“We get a chance to sit down, break bread with everybody and hopefully we can be greedy.”

One of those teams that missed a chance? The Dolphins.

Miami (6-9) needed to beat the Chiefs at frosty Arrowhead Stadium and have six other scenarios break their way to reach the postseason, but couldn’t take care of the first order of business.

“I definitely feel like we left some games out there,” said wide receiver Kenny Stills, who had one

of the Dolphins’ two fum-bles. “We have no one to blame but ourselves.”

As the Chiefs press on and the Dolphins get ready for their finale, here are some takeaways:

THOUSANDS OF MILE-STONES: TE Travis Kelce surpassed 1,000 yards receiving, giving the Chiefs two 1,000-yard pass catchers and a 1,000-yard rusher in the same season for the first time. Kelce now has 1,038 yards and Hill has 1,183 yards through the air, while Hunt has 1,292

yards on the ground.AND THOUSANDS MORE:

Smith surpassed the 4,000-yard passing mark for the first time in his career, a nice feather in the cap of quarterback often criticized for being a game manager. He also threw his 26th touch-down pass on Sunday against just five inter-ceptions. “The thing I’m most pumped about is the whole offense, all together,” he said. “To hit 4,000 passing as a quarterback, that all going on at once, I think

is the most special part. Everyone involved.”

RUN STUFFERS: Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake was coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing perfor-mances, but was held to just 57 yards on 13 carries. Part of that was the fact that Miami spent most of the game playing from behind, but part of it was the Chiefs’ game plan. “Our plan was to stop the run,” Chiefs defen-sive tackle Chris Jones said. “We did that and we started to have some fun.”

DOLPHINSFrom Page 1


All times EST

WEEK 16Saturday’s gamesBaltimore 23, Indianapolis 16Minnesota 16, Green Bay 0

Sunday’s gamesChicago 20, Cleveland 3New England 37, Buffalo 16L.A. Chargers 14, N.Y. Jets 7Washington 27, Denver 11Carolina 22, Tampa Bay 19Cincinnati 26, Detroit 17Kansas City 29, Miami 13L.A. Rams 27, Tennessee 23New Orleans 23, Atlanta 13Jacksonville at San Francisco, lateN.Y. Giants at Arizona, lateSeattle at Dallas, late

Today’s gamesPittsburgh at Houston, 4:30 p.m.Oakland at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 17Sunday, Dec. 31Washington at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.N.Y. Jets at New England, 1 p.m.Carolina at Atlanta, 1 p.m.Houston at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.Green Bay at Detroit, 1 p.m.Dallas at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.Buffalo at Miami, 1 p.m.Jacksonville at Tennessee, 1 p.m.Cincinnati at Baltimore, 1 p.m.New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.Oakland at L.A. Chargers, 4:25 p.m.San Francisco at L.A. Rams, 4:25 p.m.Arizona at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.Kansas City at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

EASTTeam W L T Pct PF PAy-New England12 3 0 .800 432 290Buffalo 8 7 0 .533 280 343Miami 6 9 0 .400 265 371N.Y. Jets 5 10 0 .333 292 356

SOUTHTeam W L T Pct PF PAx-Jacksonville 10 4 0 .714 374 209Tennessee 8 7 0 .533 319 346Houston 4 10 0 .286 319 380Indianapolis 3 12 0 .200 241 391

NORTHTeam W L T Pct PF PAy-Pittsburgh 11 3 0 .786 344 278Baltimore 9 6 0 .600 368 272Cincinnati 6 9 0 .400 259 322Cleveland 0 15 0 .000 210 382

WESTTeam W L T Pct PF PAKansas City 9 6 0 .600 388 315L.A. Chargers 8 7 0 .533 325 262Oakland 6 8 0 .429 281 324Denver 5 10 0 .333 265 355x-clinched playoff spot; y-clinched division

QUARTERBACKSJared Goff, Rams: Threwfor 301 yards and fourtouchdowns in the L.A.Rams’ win over Tennessee.Kirk Cousins, Redskins:Completed 19-for-37passes for 299 yards, threetouchdowns and an inter-ception in Washington’shome win over Denver.

RUNNING BACKSTodd Gurley II, Rams: Ranfor 118 yards on 22 carries,and also caught 10 passesfor 158 yards and twotouchdowns in the Rams’win over Tennessee.Dion Lewis, Patriots: Rum-bled for a career-high 129yards with one touchdownon 24 carries and caughtanother score through theair in New England’s vic-tory over Buffalo.

WIDE RECEIVERSJakeem Grant, Dolphins:Hauled in four passes for107 yards and a touchdownin Miami’s loss to KansasCity.Julio Jones, Falcons:Caught seven passes for149 yards in Atlanta’s loss.

DEFENSEChargers: Sacked Jets’quarterback Bryce Pettythree times, picked him offonce and recovered twofumbles in the Chargers’victory.

Fromwire reports

WEEK16 Monday’s gamesChristmas doubleheader: The Pittsburgh Steelers visit theHouston Texans at 4:30 p.m. EST, and the Oakland Raiderssquare off with the Philadelphia Eagles at 8:30 p.m. EST.

AFCATAGLANCE SUMMARIES

BEARS 20, BROWNS 3CLEVELAND 0 3 0 0 — 3CHICAGO 6 0 14 0 — 20First QuarterChi—Howard 2 run (kick blocked), 1:20.Second QuarterCle—FG Gonzalez 48, :01.Third QuarterChi—Howard 16 run (Nugent kick), 12:23.Chi—Trubisky 4 run (Nugent kick), 3:27.A—58,796.

CLE CHIFirst downs 12 16Total Net Yards 253 258Rushes-yards 20-75 31-97Passing 178 161Punt Returns 4-27 3-27Kickoff Returns 2-26 2-35Interceptions Ret. 0-0 2-21Comp-Att-Int 18-36-2 14-23-0Sacked-Yards Lost 1-4 5-32Punts 7-47.7 8-45.1Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-0Penalties-Yards 8-60 4-25Time of Possession 26:46 33:14INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Cleveland, Crowell 12-44,Johnson 4-20, Kizer 3-8, Dayes 1-3. Chicago,Trubisky 7-44, Howard 22-44, Cohen 2-9.PASSING—Cleveland, Kizer 18-36-2-182.Chicago, Trubisky 14-23-0-193.RECEIVING—Cleveland, Johnson 7-81,DeValve 3-12, Higgins 2-20, Gordon 2-19,Louis 1-35, Njoku 1-13, C.Coleman 1-3,Crowell 1-(minus 1). Chicago, Wright 4-27,Bellamy 3-49, Cunningham 2-62, Inman2-19, Cohen 2-12, Sims 1-24.MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

REDSKINS 27, BRONCOS 11DENVER 3 0 0 8 — 11WASHINGTON 0 10 3 14 — 27First QuarterDen—FG McManus 31, 2:06.Second QuarterWas—FG Hopkins 26, 6:15.Was—Crowder 15 pass from Cousins(Hopkins kick), 2:07.Third QuarterWas—FG Hopkins 29, 3:30.Fourth QuarterWas—Doctson 48 pass from Cousins(Hopkins kick), 12:07.Was—V.Davis 31 pass from Cousins (Hopkinskick), 4:21.Den—C.Anderson 5 run (C.Anderson passfrom Osweiler), 1:18.A—72,889.

DEN WASFirst downs 18 19Total Net Yards 330 386Rushes-yards 29-159 29-87Passing 171 299Punt Returns 3-18 1-3Kickoff Returns 2-26 2-29Interceptions Ret. 1-0 1-0Comp-Att-Int 22-38-1 19-37-1Sacked-Yards Lost 4-22 0-0Punts 6-41.2 5-49.4Fumbles-Lost 3-2 2-1Penalties-Yards 3-30 6-35Time of Possession 30:27 29:33INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Denver, C.Anderson 16-88,Booker 8-47, Osweiler 4-27, Henderson1-(minus 3). Washington, Perine 17-53,Bibbs 7-26, Cousins 5-8.PASSING—Denver, Osweiler 22-38-1-193.Washington, Cousins 19-37-1-299.RECEIVING—Denver, C.Anderson 7-45,Booker 5-24, De.Thomas 4-52, Janovich2-21, Taylor 1-22, Traylor 1-14, McKenzie1-8, Henderson 1-7. Washington, Grant4-85, Crowder 4-47, Perine 3-21, Doctson2-61, V.Davis 2-42, Bibbs 2-28, Quick 1-9,Sprinkle 1-6.MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

CHARGERS 14, JETS 7L.A. CHARGERS 0 7 7 0 — 14NEW YORK 0 0 7 0 — 7Second QuarterLAC—Gates 3 pass from Rivers (Rose kick),8:55.Third QuarterNYJ—Powell 57 run (Catanzaro kick), 10:00.LAC—Gordon 1 run (Rose kick), 4:57.A—77,562.

LAC NYJFirst downs 21 13Total Net Yards 379 295Rushes-yards 30-89 30-197Passing 290 98Punt Returns 3-29 7-30Kickoff Returns 0-0 0-0Interceptions Ret. 1-32 0-0Comp-Att-Int 22-40-0 15-28-1Sacked-Yards Lost 0-0 3-21Punts 9-46.2 9-46.8Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-2Penalties-Yards 8-80 5-34Time of Possession 32:58 27:02INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Los Angeles, Gordon 19-81,Oliver 8-9, Watt 1-3, Rivers 1-0, Benjamin1-(minus 4). New York, Powell 19-145, Petty3-33, Forte 8-19.PASSING—Los Angeles, Rivers 22-40-0-290.New York, Petty 15-28-1-119.RECEIVING—Los Angeles, Gates 6-81,Allen 5-63, Ty.Williams 5-50, Gordon3-47, McGrath 2-26, Watt 1-23. New York,Anderson 5-51, Kearse 5-42, Seferian-Jenkins 4-21, Forte 1-7.MISSED FIELD GOALS—Los Angeles, Rose47.

SAINTS 23, FALCONS 13ATLANTA 0 0 3 10 — 13NEW ORLEANS 3 10 7 3 — 23First QuarterNO—FG Lutz 40, 7:31.Second QuarterNO—FG Lutz 29, 1:19.NO—Ginn 54 pass from Brees (Lutz kick),:14.Third QuarterAtl—FG Bryant 37, 9:34.NO—Ingram 26 run (Lutz kick), 2:52.Fourth QuarterAtl—FG Bryant 48, 10:18.NO—FG Lutz 45, 3:38.Atl—T.Coleman 14 pass from Ryan (Bryantkick), 2:40.A—73,188.

ATL NOFirst downs 15 15Total Net Yards 331 315Rushes-yards 20-67 31-86Passing 264 229Punt Returns 3-29 4-43Kickoff Returns 2-45 2-72Interceptions Ret. 1-41 1-0Comp-Att-Int 22-36-1 21-28-1Sacked-Yards Lost 5-24 1-10Punts 5-46.8 6-44.7Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0Penalties-Yards 10-91 3-30Time of Possession 26:12 33:48INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Atlanta, Freeman 11-36, Gabriel1-12, T.Coleman 6-12, Ryan 2-7. NewOrleans, Ingram 13-44, Kamara 12-32, Ginn2-14, Brees 4-(minus 4).PASSING—Atlanta, Ryan 22-36-1-288. NewOrleans, Brees 21-28-1-239.RECEIVING—Atlanta, J.Jones 7-149,T.Coleman 4-40, Sanu 4-31, Hooper 3-18,Freeman 2-20, Gabriel 1-20, Hardy 1-10.New Orleans, Kamara 7-58, Ginn 4-76,Thomas 4-66, Ingram 3-22, J.Hill 2-11,Snead 1-6.MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

BENGALS 26, LIONS 17DETROIT 7 0 3 7 — 17CINCINNATI 0 6 7 13 — 26First QuarterDet—Ebron 33 pass from Stafford (Praterkick), 4:54.Second QuarterCin—FG Bullock 29, 7:35.Cin—FG Bullock 27, :00.Third QuarterDet—FG Prater 23, 9:26.Cin—Uzomah 1 pass from Dalton (Bullockkick), 5:52.Fourth QuarterCin—FG Bullock 35, 14:13.Det—T.Green 5 run (Prater kick), 9:49.Cin—FG Bullock 51, 4:42.Cin—Bernard 12 run (Bullock kick), 1:54.A—47,732.

DET CINFirst downs 15 28Total Net Yards 276 364Rushes-yards 22-87 34-142Passing 189 222Punt Returns 0-0 1-3Kickoff Returns 5-114 2-27Interceptions Ret. 1-16 1-12Comp-Att-Int 19-35-1 27-41-1Sacked-Yards Lost 2-14 3-16Punts 5-40.4 4-38.0Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0Penalties-Yards 9-74 5-60Time of Possession 27:31 32:29INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Detroit, T.Green 7-43, Abdullah6-21, Riddick 8-16, Stafford 1-7. Cincinnati,Bernard 23-116, Hill 4-17, Mixon 3-12,Dalton 3-(minus 1), Malone 1-(minus 2).PASSING—Detroit, Stafford 19-35-1-203.Cincinnati, Dalton 27-41-1-238.RECEIVING—Detroit, Ebron 5-83, Golladay4-28, M.Jones 3-50, Riddick 3-23, Tate 3-14,Abdullah 1-5. Cincinnati, Bernard 7-52,A.Green 6-81, Boyd 5-39, LaFell 4-8, Mixon2-20, Hill 1-34, Kroft 1-3, Uzomah 1-1.MISSED FIELD GOALS—Detroit, Prater 50.

PANTHERS 22, BUCCANEERS 19TAMPA BAY 3 6 7 3 — 19CAROLINA 3 9 3 7 — 22First QuarterCar—FG Gano 25, 8:13.TB—FG Murray 31, 2:24.Second QuarterCar—FG Gano 28, 8:38.TB—FG Murray 41, 2:58.Car—D.Byrd 103 kickoff return (kickblocked), 2:43.TB—FG Murray 21, :02.Third QuarterTB—Wilson 18 pass from Winston (Murraykick), 10:27.Car—FG Gano 30, 4:49.Fourth QuarterTB—FG Murray 26, 14:57.Car—Newton 2 run (Gano kick), :35.A—71,463.

TB CARFirst downs 20 20Total Net Yards 392 255Rushes-yards 24-66 31-115Passing 326 140Punt Returns 0-0 1-3Kickoff Returns 1-13 6-178Interceptions Ret. 1-28 0-0Comp-Att-Int 21-27-0 16-26-1Sacked-Yards Lost 6-41 2-20Punts 1-50.0 3-39.7Fumbles-Lost 3-3 1-0Penalties-Yards 12-72 6-50Time of Possession 29:30 30:30INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Tampa Bay, Barber 13-51, Martin6-7, Winston 3-6, Rodgers 1-2, Sims 1-0.Carolina, Newton 14-52, McCaffrey 9-39,Stewart 7-19, Whittaker 1-5.PASSING—Tampa Bay, Winston 21-27-0-367.Carolina, Newton 16-25-1-160, Anderson0-1-0-0.RECEIVING—Tampa Bay, Evans 6-107,Godwin 3-98, Humphries 3-51, Brate3-13, Martino 2-57, Barber 2-4, Sims 1-19,Wilson 1-18. Carolina, Bersin 3-45, Olsen3-27, Funchess 3-11, Clay 2-24, McCaffrey2-19, D.Byrd 1-31, Whittaker 1-4, Stewart1-(minus 1).MISSED FIELD GOALS—Tampa Bay, Murray,51.

RAMS 27, TITANS 23L.A. RAMS 6 7 7 7 — 27TENNESSEE 3 10 7 3 — 23First QuarterLa—Gurley 3 pass from Goff (kick failed),8:54.Ten—FG Succop 25, 1:13.Second QuarterTen—Woodyard 4 fumble return (Succopkick), 5:20.La—Gurley 80 pass from Goff (Ficken kick),4:24.Ten—FG Succop 37, :19.Third QuarterLa—Watkins 3 pass from Goff (Ficken kick),6:40.Ten—Murray 6 run (Succop kick), 4:23.Fourth QuarterTen—FG Succop 27, 14:46.La—Kupp 14 pass from Goff (Ficken kick),11:51.A—60,097.

LA TENFirst downs 20 19Total Net Yards 402 366Rushes-yards 26-116 26-97Passing 286 269Punt Returns 1-3 2-12Kickoff Returns 4-85 3-109Interceptions Ret. 1-2 0-0Comp-Att-Int 22-39-0 22-39-1Sacked-Yards Lost 1-15 1-6Punts 4-50.0 4-36.3Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-0Penalties-Yards 5-44 5-54Time of Possession 30:04 29:56INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Los Angeles, Gurley 22-118,M.Brown 1-4, Goff 3-(minus 6). Tennessee,Murray 15-48, Henry 8-25, Mariota 3-24.PASSING—Los Angeles, Goff 22-38-0-301, Hekker 0-1-0-0. Tennessee, Mariota22-39-1-275.RECEIVING—Los Angeles, Gurley 10-158,Kupp 4-65, Woods 3-33, Watkins 3-30,Higbee 2-15. Tennessee, C.Davis 6-91,Decker 6-73, D.Walker 3-33, Murray 3-11,Matthews 2-48, J.Smith 1-13, Henry 1-6.MISSED FIELD GOALS—Los Angeles, Ficken36. Tennessee, Succop 45.

PATRIOTS 37, BILLS 16BUFFALO 3 10 3 0 — 16NEW ENGLAND 0 13 10 14 — 37First QuarterBuf—FG Hauschka 41, 5:30.Second QuarterNE—FG Gostkowski 21, 14:14.Buf—Poyer 19 interception return (Hauschkakick), 10:28.NE—Gronkowski 17 pass from Brady(Gostkowski kick), 7:06.NE—FG Gostkowski 40, 1:55.Buf—FG Hauschka 23, :00.Third QuarterBuf—FG Hauschka 30, 10:21.NE—FG Gostkowski 34, 5:08.NE—Gillislee 1 run (Gostkowski kick), :55.Fourth QuarterNE—Lewis 12 pass from Brady (Gostkowskikick), 9:27.NE—Lewis 4 run (Gostkowski kick), 3:58.A—65,878.

BUF NEFirst downs 17 28Total Net Yards 326 411Rushes-yards 24-84 38-193Passing 242 218Punt Returns 0-0 2-19Kickoff Returns 2-32 2-43Interceptions Ret. 1-19 0-0Comp-Att-Int 21-38-0 21-28-1Sacked-Yards Lost 6-39 2-6Punts 3-48.0 1-44.0Fumbles-Lost 1-0 0-0Penalties-Yards 4-83 2-10Time of Possession 28:16 31:44INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Buffalo, McCoy 17-71, Taylor 3-16,Cadet 1-0, Tolbert 3-(minus 3). New England,Lewis 24-129, Gillislee 6-28, Bolden 2-20,Cooks 1-6, Brady 2-6, Hollister 1-5, Hoyer2-(minus 1).PASSING—Buffalo, Taylor 21-38-0-281. NewEngland, Brady 21-28-1-224.RECEIVING—Buffalo, McCoy 5-76, Benjamin5-70, Thompson 4-91, Clay 4-37, Tolbert 1-11,Tate 1-4, DiMarco 1-(minus 8). New England,Gronkowski 5-67, Lewis 5-24, Amendola 3-28,D.Allen 2-26, Cooks 2-19, Dorsett 1-24, Britt1-16, Gillislee 1-15, Hollister 1-5.MISSED FIELD GOALS—Buffalo, Hauschka 50.

CHIEFS 29, DOLPHINS 13MIAMI 3 10 0 0 — 13KANSAS CITY 3 17 3 6 — 29First QuarterKC—FG Butker 31, 9:41.Mia—FG Parkey 44, 3:29.Second QuarterKC—Kelce 9 pass from A.Smith (Butkerkick), 13:00.Mia—FG Parkey 28, 8:11.KC—K.Hunt 1 run (Butker kick), 3:37.Mia—Grant 65 pass from Cutler (Parkeykick), 3:22.KC—FG Butker 32, :07.Third QuarterKC—FG Butker 21, 10:24.Fourth QuarterKC—FG Butker 29, 12:16.KC—FG Butker 49, 3:41.A—65,325.

MIA KCFirst downs 15 23Total Net Yards 345 404Rushes-yards 16-59 34-103Passing 286 301Punt Returns 0-0 1-1Kickoff Returns 3-40 3-76Interceptions Ret. 0-0 0-0Comp-Att-Int 19-38-0 25-39-0Sacked-Yards Lost 0-0 1-3Punts 2-29.5 1-49.0Fumbles-Lost 3-2 0-0Penalties-Yards 11-75 5-40Time of Possession 22:07 37:53INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Miami, Drake 13-57, Grant 1-3,Cutler 2-(minus 1). Kansas City, K.Hunt 29-91, A.Smith 4-13, Hill 1-(minus 1).PASSING—Miami, Cutler 19-38-0-286.Kansas City, A.Smith 25-39-0-304.RECEIVING—Miami, D.Parker 5-63, Landry5-51, Grant 4-107, Stills 4-54, Derby 1-11.Kansas City, Hill 6-109, Kelce 4-47, D.Harris4-34, K.Hunt 4-15, A.Wilson 3-36, West 3-28,Charles 1-35.MISSED FIELD GOALS—Miami, Parkey 48.Kansas City, Butker 46.

FROM SATURDAY:RAVENS 23, COLTS 16INDIANAPOLIS 0 7 6 3—16BALTIMORE 3 10 3 7—23First QuarterBal—FG Tucker 30, 6:34.Second QuarterBal—Campanaro 6 pass from Flacco (Tuckerkick), 12:16.Ind—Gore 14 pass from Brissett (Vinatierikick), 7:38.Bal—FG Tucker 39, 1:55.Third QuarterBal—FG Tucker 36, 9:24.Ind—FG Vinatieri 48, 7:13.Ind—FG Vinatieri 38, 1:34.Fourth QuarterBal—M.Williams 4 pass from Flacco (Tuckerkick), 8:40.Ind—FG Vinatieri 30, 4:33.A—70,590.

IND BALFirst downs 17 23Total Net Yards 296 323Rushes-yards 24-93 32-103Passing 203 220Punt Returns 1-8 1-0Kickoff Returns 1-34 0-0Interceptions Ret. 0-0 0-0Comp-Att-Int 16-33-0 29-38-0Sacked-Yards Lost 2-12 1-17Punts 2-37.0 3-23.7Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-0Penalties-Yards 2-19 5-25Time of Possession 24:12 35:48INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Indianapolis, Gore 17-68, Mack4-17, Brissett 3-8. Baltimore, Collins 18-51,Allen 8-37, Campanaro 1-9, Woodhead 1-8,Flacco 4-(minus 2).PASSING—Indianapolis, Brissett 16-33-0-215. Baltimore, Flacco 29-38-0-237.RECEIVING—Indianapolis, Hilton 6-100,Doyle 5-41, Mack 2-37, Gore 2-18, Rogers1-19. Baltimore, Watson 5-40, Woodhead5-33, Wallace 4-60, Collins 3-15, Boyle 3-9,C.Moore 2-29, Campanaro 2-21, Perriman2-14, M.Williams 2-6, Allen 1-10.MISSED FIELD GOALS—Indianapolis,Vinatieri 60.

FROM SATURDAY:VIKINGS 16, PACKERS 0MINNESOTA 10 0 3 3 — 16GREEN BAY 0 0 0 0 — 0First QuarterMin—FG Forbath 49, 8:28.Min—Diggs 4 pass from Keenum (Forbathkick), :56.Third QuarterMin—FG Forbath 20, 1:20.Fourth QuarterMin—FG Forbath 27, 2:56.A—78,092.

MIN GBFirst downs 15 12Total Net Yards 236 239Rushes-yards 33-112 24-113Passing 124 126Punt Returns 1-11 3-29Kickoff Returns 1-22 5-96Interceptions Ret. 2-17 0-0Comp-Att-Int 14-25-0 17-40-2Sacked-Yards Lost 3-15 1-4Punts 7-39.6 6-38.5Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0Penalties-Yards 2-10 6-79Time of Possession 31:37 28:23INDIVIDUAL STATISTICSRUSHING—Minnesota, Murray 21-69,McKinnon 7-42, Diggs 1-3, Keenum 4-(minus2). Green Bay, Williams 15-58, Hundley 5-48,A.Jones 3-13, Cobb 1-(minus 6).PASSING—Minnesota, Keenum 14-25-0-139.Green Bay, Hundley 17-40-2-130.RECEIVING—Minnesota, Diggs 5-60, Morgan2-26, Thielen 2-24, McKinnon 1-9, Wright1-8, Rudolph 1-6, Murray 1-6, Floyd 1-0.Green Bay, L.Kendricks 4-36, Cobb 4-22,M.Clark 3-36, Nelson 3-11, Janis 1-12, Allison1-9, Ripkowski 1-4.MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.

EASTTeam W L T Pct PF PAy-Philadelphia12 2 0 .857 438 279Dallas 8 6 0 .571 336 311Washington 7 8 0 .467 332 370N.Y. Giants 2 12 0 .143 228 355

SOUTHTeam W L T Pct PF PANew Orleans 11 4 0 .733 424 295Carolina 11 4 0 .733 353 305Atlanta 9 6 0 .600 331 305Tampa Bay 4 11 0 .267 304 358

NORTHTeam W L T Pct PF PAy-Minnesota 12 3 0 .800 359 242Detroit 8 7 0 .533 375 365Green Bay 7 8 0 .467 309 349Chicago 5 10 0 .333 254 297

WESTTeam W L T Pct PF PAL.A. Rams 11 4 0 .733 465 295Seattle 8 6 0 .571 321 294Arizona 6 8 0 .429 246 337San Francisco 4 10 0 .286 253 337x-clinched playoff spot; y-clinched division

NFCATAGLANCE

RESULTS/SCHEDULE

SUNDAY’SSTARS

SAINTS 23, FALCONS 13:Rookie cornerback Mar-shon Lattimore corralledan unusual, momentum-turning interception off hisback , New Orleans madetwo defensive stands frominside its 2-yard line, andthe Saints clinched theirfirst playoff berth since2013 with a 23-13 victoryover the rival AtlantaFalcons. Mark Ingramused a sharp cutback tobreak loose for a 26-yardtouchdown for NewOrleans ( 11-4), which keptits tenuous hold on firstplace in the NFC Southheading into the final weekof the season. While theloss eliminated the Falcons(9-6) from the NFC Southrace, Atlanta can clinch awild-card berth by beat-ing Carolina in the finalregular-season game onNew Year's Eve.PANTHERS 22, BUCCA-NEERS 19: Cam Newtonscored on a 2-yard runwith 35 seconds remainingto lift the Panthers intothe NFC playoffs. Carolina(11-4) can clinch the NFCSouth championship with

a win over Atlanta and aNew Orleans loss to TampaBay.RAMS 27, TITANS 23:Jared Goff threw a 14-yardtouchdown pass to CooperKupp in the fourth quarterand the Rams held off Ten-nessee to clinch their firstNFCWest title since 2003.The Rams (11-4) came inneeding a win or a lossby Seattle to secure thedivision. They took care ofbusiness themselves, withTodd Gurley and Goff lead-ing the way again.CHIEFS 29, DOLPHINS 13:Alex Smith threw for 304yards and a touchdown,Kareem Hunt ran for 91yards and a score and theChiefs clinched back-to-back AFCWest titles forthe first time in franchisehistory. Tyreek Hill had sixcatches for 109 yards, andHarrison Butker convertedfive field goals, as theChiefs (9-6) dashed whatfaint postseason hopethe Dolphins (6-9) stillharbored.PATRIOTS 37, BILLS 16:Tom Brady passed for apair of touchdowns and

the Patriots stayed ontrack to claim home-fieldadvantage throughout theAFC playoffs. Dion Lewiscaught a touchdown passand rushed for a 4-yardscore. He carried 24 timesfor a career-high 129 yards.It was just his second-career 100-yard game.CHARGERS 14, JETS 7:Philip Rivers threw atouchdown pass to AntonioGates and Melvin Gordonran for a score, and theChargers stayed alive inthe AFC playoff race. TheChargers (8-7) entered theweekend needing to winboth of their remaininggames — including nextSunday at home againstOakland — and get lots ofhelp elsewhere to remainin the mix.BENGALS 26, LIONS 17:Giovani Bernard ran for116 yards and a clinchingtouchdown in the closingminutes that eliminatedthe Lions from playoff con-tention and gave MarvinLewis a good momentin what was possiblyhis final home game asBengals coach. Matthew

Stafford and the Lions(8-7) couldn't take advan-tage of an injury-depletedteam that gave indifferentperformances the last twogames.BEARS 20, BROWNS 3: TheBrowns got pushed to thebrink of a winless season,hurt by two more intercep-tions by DeShone Kizerand two turnovers in thered zone against Chicago.One more loss and theBrowns will join the 2008Detroit Lions as the onlyteams to go 0-16.REDSKINS 27, BRONCOS11: Kirk Cousins threwfor 299 yards and threetouchdowns in what couldbe his final home game forthe Redskins. Cousins was19 of 37 with TD passesto Jamison Crowder, JoshDoctson and Vernon Davisand an interception. Hebecame the first quar-terback in Washingtonhistory with three seasonsof 25 or more TD passes,and needs 65 yards for histhird in a row with 4,000-plus yards.

Fromwire reports

ROUNDUP

The Sun / Monday, December 25, 2017 www.yoursun.com SP Page 5

SCOREBOARD

PRO FOOTBALL

NFLAll times EasternAMERICAN CONFERENCEEAST W L T Pct PF PAy-New England 12 3 0 .800 432 290Buffalo 8 7 0 .533 280 343Miami 6 9 0 .400 265 371N.Y. Jets 5 10 0 .333 292 356SOUTH W L T PCT PF PAx-Jacksonville 10 4 0 .714 374 209Tennessee 8 7 0 .533 319 346Houston 4 10 0 .286 319 380Indianapolis 3 12 0 .200 241 391NORTH W L T PCT PF PAy-Pittsburgh 11 3 0 .786 344 278Baltimore 9 6 0 .600 368 272Cincinnati 6 9 0 .400 259 322Cleveland 0 15 0 .000 210 382WEST W L T PCT PF PAKansas City 9 6 0 .600 388 315L.A. Chargers 8 7 0 .533 325 262Oakland 6 8 0 .429 281 324Denver 5 10 0 .333 265 355NATIONAL CONFERENCEEAST W L T PCT PF PAy-Philadelphia 12 2 0 .857 438 279Dallas 8 6 0 .571 336 311Washington 7 8 0 .467 332 370N.Y. Giants 2 12 0 .143 228 355SOUTH W L T PCT PF PANew Orleans 11 4 0 .733 424 295Carolina 11 4 0 .733 353 305Atlanta 9 6 0 .600 331 305Tampa Bay 4 11 0 .267 304 358NORTH W L T PCT PF PAy-Minnesota 12 3 0 .800 359 242Detroit 8 7 0 .533 375 365Green Bay 7 8 0 .467 309 349Chicago 5 10 0 .333 254 297WEST W L T PCT PF PAL.A. Rams 11 4 0 .733 465 295Seattle 8 6 0 .571 321 294Arizona 6 8 0 .429 246 337San Francisco 4 10 0 .286 253 337x-clinched playoff spoty-clinched division

WEEK 16Saturday’s GamesBaltimore 23, Indianapolis 16Minnesota 16, Green Bay 0Today’s GamesChicago 20, Cleveland 3New England 37, Buffalo 16L.A. Chargers 14, N.Y. Jets 7Washington 27, Denver 11Carolina 22, Tampa Bay 19Cincinnati 26, Detroit 17Kansas City 29, Miami 13L.A. Rams 27, Tennessee 23New Orleans 23, Atlanta 13Jacksonville at San Francisco, lateN.Y. Giants at Arizona, lateSeattle at Dallas, lateMonday’s GamesPittsburgh at Houston, 4:30 p.m.Oakland at Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 17Sunday, Dec. 31Washington at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.N.Y. Jets at New England, 1 p.m.Carolina at Atlanta, 1 p.m.Houston at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.Green Bay at Detroit, 1 p.m.Dallas at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.Chicago at Minnesota, 1 p.m.Buffalo at Miami, 1 p.m.Jacksonville at Tennessee, 1 p.m.Cincinnati at Baltimore, 1 p.m.New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.Oakland at L.A. Chargers, 4:25 p.m.San Francisco at L.A. Rams, 4:25 p.m.Arizona at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.Kansas City at Denver, 4:25 p.m.

NFL INJURY REPORTThe National Football League injury report, as provided by the league (OUT: defi nitely will not play; DNP: did not practice; LIMITED: limited participa-tion; FULL: full participation):TodayPITTSBURGH at HOUSTON — STEELERS: DNP: WR Antonio Brown (calf), LB James Harrison (illness). LIMITED: G Ramon Foster (concussion), CB Coty Sensabaugh (shoulder). FULL: CB Joe Haden (fi bula), LB Tyler Matakevich (shoulder), TE Vance McDonald (shoulder). TEXANS: DNP: G Jeff Allen (concussion), T Kendall Lamm (concussion), LB LaTroy Lewis (shoulder), QB Tom Savage (concussion). LIMITED: LB Jadeveon Clowney (knee, neck), DE Joel Heath (knee), WR DeAndre Hopkins (toe), LB Jelani Jenkins (concussion), LB Brian Peters (illness), G Xavier Su’a-Filo (groin). FULL: T Julien Davenport (shoulder), S Kurtis Drummond (ankle), G Greg Mancz (knee), WR Braxton Miller (concussion), DE Carlos Watkins (knee), QB T.J. Yates (knee).OAKLAND at PHILADELPHIA — RAIDERS: Practice Not Complete. EAGLES: (Philadelphia conducted a walk-through on Friday. The Friday practice report is an estimation.) LIMITED: DE Derek Barnett (groin), CB Jalen Mills (ankle), G Stefen Wisniewski (ankle). FULL: LB Mychal Kendricks (foot), CB Patrick Robinson (concussion), G Chance Warmack hamstring).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

2017-18 BOWL RESULTS/SCHEDULE (National TV in parentheses)Dec. 16Celebration Bowl at AtlantaNC A&T 21, Grambling State 14New Orleans BowlTroy 50, North Texas 30Cure Bowl at Orlando, Fla.Georgia State 27, Western Kentucky 17Las Vegas BowlBoise State 38, Oregon 28New Mexico Bowl at AlbuquerqueMarshall 31, Colorado State 28Camellia Bowl at Montgomery, Ala.Middle Tennessee 35, Arkansas State 30

Dec. 19Boca Raton (Fla.) BowlFAU 50, Akron 3

Dec. 20Frisco (Texas) BowlLouisiana Tech 51, SMU 10

Dec. 21Gasparilla Bowl at St. Petersburg, Fla.Temple 28, Florida International 3

Friday’s GamesBahamas Bowl at NassauOhio 41, UAB 6Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at BoiseWyoming 37, Cent. Michigan 14

Saturday’s GamesBirmingham (Ala.) BowlSouth Florida 38, Texas Tech 34Armed Forces Bowl at Fort Worth, TexasArmy 42, San Diego State 35Dollar General Bowl at Mobile, Ala.Appalachian State 34, Toledo 0

Sunday’s GameHawaii Bowl at HonoluluFresno State (9-4) vs. Houston (7-4), late

Tuesday’s GamesHeart of Dallas BowlWest Virginia (7-5) vs. Utah (6-6), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)Quick Lane Bowl at DetroitNorthern Illinois (8-4) vs. Duke (6-6), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)Cactus Bowl at PhoenixKansas State (7-5) vs. UCLA (6-6), 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Wednesday’s GamesIndependence Bowl at Shreveport, La.Southern Mississippi (8-4) vs. Florida State (6-6), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)Pinstripe Bowl at Bronx, N.Y.Boston College (7-5) vs. Iowa (7-5), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)Foster Farms Bowl at Santa Clara, Calif.Arizona (7-5) vs. Purdue (6-6), 8:30 p.m. (FOX)Texas Bowl at HoustonTexas (6-6) vs. Missouri (7-5), 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Thursday’s GamesMilitary Bowl at Annapolis, Md.Virginia (6-6) vs. Navy (6-6), 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)Camping World Bowl at Orlando, Fla.Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Virginia Tech (9-3), 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)Alamo Bowl at San AntonioStanford (9-4) vs. TCU (10-3), 9 p.m. (ESPN)Holiday Bowl at San DiegoWashington State (9-3) vs. Michigan State (9-3), 9 p.m. (FOX)

Friday, Dec. 29Belk Bowl at Charlotte, N.C.Wake Forest (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (7-5), 1 p.m. (ESPN)Sun Bowl at El Paso, TexasNC State (8-4) vs. Arizona State (7-5), 3 p.m. (CBS)Music City Bowl at Nashville, Tenn.Kentucky (7-5) vs. Northwestern (9-3), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)Arizona Bowl at Tucson, Ariz.New Mexico State (5-6) vs. Utah State (6-6), 5:30 p.m. (CBSSN)Cotton Bowl Classic at Arlington, TexasSouthern Cal (11-2) vs. Ohio State (11-2), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, Dec. 30TaxSlayer Bowl at Jacksonville, Fla.Louisville (8-4) vs. Mississippi State (8-4), noon (ESPN)Liberty Bowl at Memphis, Tenn.Iowa State (7-5) vs. Memphis (10-2), 12:30 p.m. (ABC)Fiesta Bowl at Glendale, Ariz.Washington (10-2) vs. Penn State (10-2), 4 p.m. (ESPN)Orange Bowl at Miami Gardens, Fla.Wisconsin (12-1) vs. Miami (10-2), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Monday, Jan. 1Outback Bowl at Tampa, Fla.Michigan (8-4) vs. South Carolina (8-4), noon (ESPN2)Peach Bowl at AtlantaUCF (12-0) vs. Auburn (10-3), 12:30 p.m. (ESPN)Citrus Bowl at Orlando, Fla.Notre Dame (9-3) vs. LSU (9-3), 1 p.m. (ABC)Rose Bowl (CFP Semifi nal) at Pasadena, Calif.Oklahoma (12-1) vs. Georgia (12-1), 5:10 p.m. (ESPN)Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifi nal) at New OrleansClemson (12-1) vs. Alabama (11-1), 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)

Monday, Jan. 8College Football Championship at AtlantaRose Bowl winner vs. Sugar Bowl winner, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, Jan. 20East-West Shrine Classic at St. Petersburg, Fla.East vs. West, 3 p.m. (NFLN)NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at Carson, Calif.American vs. National, TBA (FS1)

Saturday, Jan. 27Senior Bowl at Mobile, Ala.North vs. South, 2:30 p.m. (NFLN)

FCS PLAYOFFSChampionshipSaturday, Jan. 6At Toyota Stadium, Frisco, TexasNorth Dakota State (13-1) vs. James Madison (14-0), noon

ODDS

PREGAME.COM LINENATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATIONTodayFAVORITE LINE O/U UNDERDOGat New York 1 213½ Philadelphiaat Golden State Off Off Clevelandat Boston 5 204 WashingtonHouston 4 215 at Okla. CityMinnesota 3½ 213½ at L.A. Lakers COLLEGE BOWL GAMESTuesdayFAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOGHeart Of Dallas Bowl at DallasUtah 4½ 6½ 56 West VirginiaQuick Lane Bowl at DetroitDuke 2½ 5½ 47 Northern Ill.Cactus Bowl at PhoenixKansas State 2½ 2½ 59½ UCLAWednesdayIndependence Bowl at Shreveport, La.Florida State 14 17 49 SouthernMiss.Pinstripe Bowl at New YorkIowa Pk 2½ 45½ Boston Col.Texas Bowl at HoustonMissouri +1½ 2½ 60½ TexasFoster Farms Bowl at Santa Clara, Calif.Arizona 4½ 3½ 66 PurdueThursdayMilitary Bowl at Annapolis, Md.at Navy 3½ 1½ 55 VirginiaCamping World Bowl at Orlando, Fla.Oklahoma State 6½ 4 63 Virginia TechAlamo Bowl at San Antonio, TexasTexas Christian 2 2½ 49 StanfordHoliday Bowl at San DiegoWashington St. 4½ 1 46 Michigan St.Friday, Dec. 29Belk Bowl at Charlotte, N.C.Wake Forest 2½ 3 65 Texas A&MSun Bowl at El Paso, TexasNC State 5 6½ 59½ Arizona StateMusic City Bowl at Nashville, Tenn.Northwestern 6 7½ 51 KentuckyArizona Bowl at Tucson, Ariz.Utah State 2½ 4 62 N.M. StateCotton Bowl at Arlington, TexasOhio State 6 7½ 64½ Southern CalSaturday, Dec. 30Taxslayer Bowl at Jacksonville, Fla.Louisville 4½ 6½ 63 Miss. StateLiberty Bowl at Memphis, Tenn.at Memphis 3 4 65½ Iowa StateFiesta Bowl at Glendale, Ariz.Penn State 3 1½ 55 WashingtonOrange Bowl at MiamiWisconsin 6 5½ 45 at MiamiMonday, Jan. 1Outback Bowl at Tampa, Fla.Michigan 7½ 7½ 42½ S. CarolinaPeach Bowl at AtlantaAuburn 8½ 9½ 67 Central FloridaCitrus Bowl at Orlando, Fla.Louisiana State 1 3½ 51½ Notre DameCOLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFSJan. 1Rose Bowl at Pasadena, Calif.Georgia +3 2 60 OklahomaSugar Bowl at New OrleansAlabama 2 3 47 Clemson

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUETodayFAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOGPittsburgh 7½ 9 45½ at Houstonat Philadelphia 7 9 47½ OaklandUpdated odds available at Pregame.com

TRANSACTIONS

HOCKEYNational Hockey LeagueLOS ANGELES KINGS — Assigned D Kevin Gravel and G Jack Campbell to Ontario (AHL).

PRO BASKETBALL

NBAEASTERN CONFERENCEAtlantic Division W L PCT. GBBoston 27 9 .750 —Toronto 23 8 .742 1½New York 17 15 .531 8Philadelphia 14 18 .438 11Brooklyn 12 20 .375 13Southeast Division W L PCT. GBWashington 18 15 .545 —Miami 17 16 .515 1Charlotte 12 21 .364 6Orlando 11 23 .324 7½Atlanta 8 25 .242 10Central Division W L PCT. GBCleveland 24 9 .727 —Indiana 19 14 .576 5Detroit 18 14 .563 5½Milwaukee 17 14 .548 6Chicago 10 22 .313 13½WESTERN CONFERENCESouthwest Division W L PCT. GBHouston 25 6 .806 —San Antonio 23 11 .676 3½New Orleans 17 16 .515 9Memphis 10 23 .303 16Dallas 9 25 .265 17½Northwest Division W L PCT. GBMinnesota 20 13 .606 —Oklahoma City 18 15 .545 2Denver 18 15 .545 2Portland 17 16 .515 3Utah 15 19 .441 5½Pacifi c Division W L PCT. GBGolden State 26 7 .788 —L.A. Clippers 13 19 .406 12½L.A. Lakers 11 20 .355 14Sacramento 11 21 .344 14½Phoenix 12 23 .343 15

Saturday’s GamesToronto 102, Philadelphia 86Charlotte 111, Milwaukee 106

Indiana 123, Brooklyn 119, OTWashington 130, Orlando 103Atlanta 112, Dallas 107Boston 117, Chicago 92Memphis 115, L.A. Clippers 112New Orleans 109, Miami 94Oklahoma City 103, Utah 89Denver 96, Golden State 81Minnesota 115, Phoenix 106Portland 95, L.A. Lakers 92San Antonio 108, Sacramento 99Sunday’s GamesNone scheduledMonday’s GamesPhiladelphia at New York, noonCleveland at Golden State, 3 p.m.Washington at Boston, 5:30 p.m.Houston at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.Minnesota at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.Tuesday’s GamesIndiana at Detroit, 7 p.m.Toronto at Dallas, 7 p.m.Orlando at Miami, 7:30 p.m.Chicago at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.Brooklyn at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.Memphis at Phoenix, 9 p.m.Utah at Denver, 9 p.m.Sacramento at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL THE AP TOP 25 RESULTS/SCHEDULESaturday’s GamesNo. 5 North Carolina 86, Ohio State 72New Mexico State 63, No. 6 Miami 54UCLA 83, No. 7 Kentucky 75No. 10 West Virginia 86, Fordham 69No. 21 Tennessee 79, Wake Forest 60No. 23 Seton Hall 74, Manhattan 62Sunday’s GamesNone scheduledToday’s GamesMiddle Tennessee vs. Miami at Honolulu, Hawaii, 8:30 p.m.

TODAY’S SCHEDULEFAR WESTSOUTHAkron vs. Davidson at Honolulu, Hawaii, 2:30 p.m.Middle Tennessee vs. Miami at Honolulu, Hawaii, 8:30 p.m.FAR WESTPrinceton vs. Hawaii at Honolulu, Hawaii, 12:30 p.m.Southern Cal vs. New Mexico St. at Honolulu, Hawaii, 6 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL THE AP TOP 25 RESULTS/SCHEDULESaturday’s GamesNone scheduledSunday’s GamesNone scheduledToday’s GamesNone scheduled

PRO HOCKEY

NHLEASTERN CONFERENCEAtlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GATampa Bay 35 26 7 2 54 133 87Toronto 37 22 14 1 45 122 104Boston 34 19 10 5 43 101 89Montreal 36 16 16 4 36 98 114Florida 36 15 16 5 35 103 119Detroit 35 13 15 7 33 96 113Ottawa 34 11 15 8 30 92 114Buffalo 36 9 20 7 25 78 120Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts GF GANew Jersey 35 21 9 5 47 113 103Washington 37 22 13 2 46 114 107Columbus 37 22 13 2 46 105 99N.Y. Rangers 36 19 13 4 42 117 104N.Y. Islanders 36 19 13 4 42 130 127Carolina 35 16 12 7 39 99 109Pittsburgh 37 18 16 3 39 104 118Philadelphia 36 15 13 8 38 99 103WESTERN CONFERENCECentral Division GP W L OT Pts GF GASt. Louis 38 23 13 2 48 113 94Nashville 35 21 9 5 47 116 99Winnipeg 37 20 11 6 46 121 105Dallas 37 20 14 3 43 110 106Chicago 35 17 13 5 39 103 94Minnesota 36 18 15 3 39 102 106Colorado 35 17 15 3 37 112 113Pacifi c Division GP W L OT Pts GF GAVegas 34 23 9 2 48 119 100Los Angeles 37 22 11 4 48 109 85San Jose 34 19 11 4 42 95 84Anaheim 37 16 13 8 40 101 108Calgary 36 18 15 3 39 101 106Edmonton 36 17 17 2 36 108 113Vancouver 37 15 17 5 35 98 121Arizona 38 8 25 5 21 85 1332 points for a win, 1 point for OT loss. Top three teams in each division and two wild cards per conference advance to playoffs.

Saturday’s GamesBoston 3, Detroit 1N.Y. Islanders 5, Winnipeg 2Edmonton 4, Montreal 1Anaheim 4, Pittsburgh 0New Jersey 4, Chicago 1Tampa Bay 3, Minnesota 0Florida 1, Ottawa 0Carolina 4, Buffalo 2Columbus 2, Philadelphia 1, SOToronto 3, N.Y. Rangers 2Colorado 6, Arizona 2Dallas 4, Nashville 3, SOVegas 3, Washington 0San Jose 2, Los Angeles 0St. Louis 3, Vancouver 1Sunday’s Games None scheduledToday’s Games None scheduledTuesday’s GamesNone scheduled

ECHLEastern ConferenceNorth Division GP W L OL SOL Pts GF GAManchester 30 19 9 1 1 40 119 82Wheeling 29 16 11 2 0 34 104 92Adirondack 30 15 13 1 1 32 97 101Reading 29 14 13 2 0 30 86 87Brampton 27 13 11 1 2 29 83 95Worcester 26 12 10 2 2 28 69 73South Division GP W L OL SOL Pts GF GAFlorida 27 20 4 1 2 43 90 66South Carolina 28 18 6 3 1 40 88 69Greenville 30 15 12 2 1 33 110 116Atlanta 30 13 15 1 1 28 83 99Orlando 30 11 14 4 1 27 91 109Norfolk 29 11 17 1 0 23 87 114Jacksonville 26 7 15 2 2 18 77 92Western ConferenceCentral Division GP W L OL SOL Pts GF GAToledo 28 17 8 2 1 37 94 76Fort Wayne 26 17 7 2 0 36 106 76Cincinnati 27 16 10 1 0 33 88 77Kansas City 31 15 15 0 1 31 92 105Kalamazoo 25 13 9 2 1 29 85 83Indy 26 9 14 2 1 21 74 84Quad City 27 8 17 2 0 18 60 103Mountain Division GP W L OL SOL Pts GF GAColorado 30 21 5 4 0 46 115 87Idaho 31 18 9 3 1 40 99 81Wichita 28 18 8 2 0 38 99 78Allen 28 16 7 4 1 37 99 84Tulsa 28 12 10 3 3 30 82 88Utah 30 10 12 5 3 28 78 98Rapid City 28 8 20 0 0 16 76 116Two points are awarded for a win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss.

Saturday’s GamesManchester 6, Reading 2Worcester 5, Adirondack 3South Carolina 3, Greenville 2, SONorfolk 3, Orlando 2, SOWheeling 6, Brampton 2Fort Wayne 7, Quad City 0Indy 7, Cincinnati 4Kansas City 7, Wichita 4Allen 5, Tulsa 3Colorado 2, Utah 1Rapid City 3, Idaho 1Sunday’s GamesNo games scheduledMonday’s GamesNo games scheduledTuesday’s GamesNo games scheduled

GOLF

WORLD GOLF RANKINGThrough Dec. 171. Dustin Johnson USA 10.802. Jordan Spieth USA 9.553. Justin Thomas USA 8.604. Jon Rahm ESP 8.265. Hideki Matsuyama JPN 8.226. Justin Rose ENG 8.007. Rickie Fowler USA 7.018. Brooks Koepka USA 6.529. Henrik Stenson SWE 6.1510. Rory McIlroy NIR 5.9211. Sergio Garcia ESP 5.8712. Jason Day AUS 5.3113. Marc Leishman AUS 5.2514. Paul Casey ENG 5.0615. Matt Kuchar USA 4.9116. Tyrrell Hatton ENG 4.7517. Tommy Fleetwood ENG 4.6718. Alex Noren SWE 4.6719. Pat Perez USA 4.3620. Rafael Cabrera Bello ESP 4.0121. Francesco Molinari ITA 3.9722. Louis Oosthuizen SAF 3.9023. Charley Hoffman USA 3.9024. Patrick Reed USA 3.8225. Xander Schauffele USA 3.5326. Kevin Kisner USA 3.4527. Brian Harman USA 3.4228. Daniel Berger USA 3.3229. Matthew Fitzpatrick ENG 3.2630. Branden Grace SAF 3.3131. Adam Scott AUS 3.1632. Charl Schwartzel SAF 3.0433. Ross Fisher ENG 3.0334. Kevin Chappell USA 3.0235. Thomas Pieters BEL 2.8036. Phil Mickelson USA 2.8037. Yuta Ikeda JPN 2.7838. Bernd Wiesberger AUT 2.6939. Jason Dufner USA 2.6840. Patrick Cantlay USA 2.6641. Tony Finau USA 2.6642. Siwoo Kim KOR 2.6543. Webb Simpson USA 2.6144. Jhonattan Vegas VEN 2.5945. Brendan Steele USA 2.5746. Russell Henley USA 2.5047. Zach Johnson USA 2.4848. Kyle Stanley USA 2.4249. Satoshi Kodaira JPN 2.3950. Peter Uihlein USA 2.39

PGA TOUR 2017-18 SCHEDULEOct. 5-8 — Safeway Open (Brendan Steele)Oct. 12-15 — CIMB Classic (Pat Perez)Oct. 19-22 — The CJ Cup at Nine Bridges (Justin Thomas)Oct. 26-29 — WGC-HSBC Champions (Justin Rose)Oct. 26-29 — Sanderson Farms Championship (Ryan Armour)Nov. 2-5 — Shriners Hospital for Children Open (Patrick Cantlay)Nov. 9-12 — OHL Classic at Mayakoba (Patton Kizzire)Nov. 16-19 — RSM Classic, Sea Island Resort (Austin Cook)Nov. 30-Dec. 3 — Hero World Challenge (Rickie Fowler)Dec. 8-10 — QBE Shootout (Sean O’Hair, Steve Stricker)Jan. 4-7 — Sentry Tournament of Champions, Kapalua Resort (Plantation Course), Kapalua, HawaiiJan. 11-14 — Sony Open, Waialae CC, HonoluluJan. 18-21 — CareerBuilder Challenge, PGA West (Stadium, Nicklaus Tournament), La Quinta CC, La Quinta, Calif.Jan. 25-28 — Farmers Insurance Open, Torrey Pines GC (South, North), San DiegoFeb. 1-4 — Waste Management Phoenix Open, TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course), Scottsdale, Ariz.Feb. 8-11 — AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Pebble Beach; Spyglass Hill, Monterey Peninsula CC, Pebble Beach, Calif.Feb. 15-18 — Genesis Open, Riviera CC, Los AngelesFeb. 22-25 — Honda Classic, PGA National (Champion GC), Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.March 1-4 — WGC-Mexico Championship, Club de Golf Chapultepec, Mexico CityMarch 1-4 — Puerto Rico Open, Coco Beach GC, Rio Grande, Puerto RicoMarch 8-11 — Valspar Championship, Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead), Palm Harbor, Fla.March. 15-18 — Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge, Orlando, Fla.March 21-25 — WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Austin CC, Austin, TexasMarch 22-25 — Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, Corales Punatacana Resort & Club, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.March 29-April 1 — Houston Open, Golf Club of Houston (Tournament Course), Humble, TexasApril 5-8 — Masters, Augusta National GC, Augusta, Ga.April 12-15 — RBC Heritage, Harbour Town GL, Hilton Head Island, S.C.April 19-22 — Valero Texas Open, TPC San Antonio (AT&T Oaks Course), San AntonioApril 26-29 — Zurich Classic of New Orleans, TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La.May 3-6 — Wells Fargo Championship, Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C.May 10-13 — The Players Championship, TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.May 17-20 — AT&T Byron Nelson, Trinity Forest GC, DallasMay 24-27 — Dean & DeLuca Invitational, Colonial CC, Fort Worth, TexasMay 31-June 3 — Memorial Tournament, Muirfi eld Village GC, Dublin, OhioJune 7-10 — FedEx St. Jude Classic, TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tenn.June 14-17 — U.S. Open, Shinnecock Hills GC, Southampton, N.Y.June 21-24 — Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Conn.June 28-July 1 — The National, TBAJuly 5-8 — The Greenbrier Classic, The Greenbrier (The Old White TPC), White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.July 12-15 — John Deere Classic, TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Ill.July 19-22 — British Open, Carnoustie GC, Carnoustie, ScotlandJuly 19-22 — Barbasol Championship, Robert Trent Jones Trail (Grand National Lake), Auburn, Ala.July 26-29 — RBC Canadian Open, Glen Abbey GC, Oakville, OntarioAug. 2-5 — WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Firestone CC (South Course), Akron, OhioAug. 2-5 — Barracuda Championship, Montreux Golf and CC, Reno, Nev.Aug. 9-12 — PGA Championship, Bellerive CC, St. LouisAug. 16-19 — Wyndham Championship, Sedgefi eld CC, Greensboro, N.C.Aug. 23-26 — The Northern Trust, Ridgewood CC, Paramus, N.J.Aug. 31-Sept. 3 — Dell Technologies Championship, TPC Boston, Norton, Mass.Sept. 6-9 — BMW Championship, Aronimink GC, Newtown Square, Pa.Sept. 20-23 — Tour Championship, East Lake GC, AtlantaSept. 28-30 — Ryder Cup, Le Golf National (Albatross Course), Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France

PRO BASEBALL

2017 FINAL BASEBALL PAYROLLSFinal 2017 payrolls for the 30 major league teams, according to information received by clubs from the commissioner’s offi ce. Figures are for 40-man rosters and include salaries and pro-rated shares of signing bonuses, earned incentive bonuses, non-cash compensation, buyouts of unexercised options and cash transactions. In some cases, parts of salaries that are deferred are discounted to refl ect present-day values.L.A. Dodgers $243,687,497N.Y. Yankees 208,376,830Detroit 190,815,585Boston 189,218,620San Francisco 186,568,459Chicago Cubs 186,222,249Washington 178,944,530Texas 174,726,776L.A. Angels 173,924,908Baltimore 167,413,907Toronto 165,179,831Seattle 157,588,836St. Louis 155,235,772Kansas City 153,634,135N.Y. Mets 148,604,654Colorado 142,686,009Cleveland 136,096,914Houston 134,076,102Atlanta 122,493,908Miami 116,975,560Philadelphia 114,539,020Minnesota 111,209,586Arizona 105,941,702Cincinnati 99,951,375Pittsburgh 95,865,735Chicago White Sox 87,809,300

Tampa Bay 81,346,870Oakland 76,340,952San Diego 71,292,313Milwaukee 68,190,606Total 4,244,958,541

FREE AGENTS SIGNINGSThrough Dec. 20The 26 free agents who have signed, with name, position, former club if different, and contract. The contract information was obtained by The Associated Press from player and management sources. For players with minor league contracts, letter agreements for major league contracts are in parentheses:AMERICAN LEAGUEBOSTON (1) — Re-signed Mitch Moreland, 1b, to a $13 million, two-year contract.CHICAGO (1) — Signed Welington Castillo, c, Baltimore, to a $15 million, two-year contract.HOUSTON (1) — Signed Joe Smith, rhp, Cleveland, to a $15 million, two-year contract.LOS ANGELES (1) — Signed Zack Cozart, inf, Cincinnati, to a $38 million, three-year contract.MINNESOTA (2) — Signed Michael Pineda, rhp, New York Yankees, to a $10 million, two-year contract; signed Fernando Rodney, rhp, Arizona, to a $4.5 million, one-year contract.OAKLAND (1) — Signed Yusmeiro Petit, rhp, Los Angeles Angels, to a $10 million, two-year contract.SEATTLE (2) — Re-signed Hisashi Iwakuma, rhp, to a minor league contract ($2.5 million); signed Juan Nicasio, rhp, St. Louis, to a $17 million, two-year contract.TEXAS (3) — Signed Doug Fister, rhp, Boston, to a $4 million, one-year contract; re-signed Tony Barnette, rhp, to a $1.5 million, one-year contract; signed Mike Minor, lhp, Kansas City, to a $28 million, three-year contract. NATIONAL LEAGUECHICAGO (3) — Signed Tyler Chatwood, rhp, Colorado, to a $38 million, three-year contract; signed Brandon Morrow, rhp, Los Angeles Dodgers, to a $21 million, two-year contract; signed Steve Cishek, rhp, Tampa Bay, to a $13 million, two-year contract.COLORADO (3) — Signed Chris Iannetta, c, Arizona, to an $8.5 million, two-year contract; re-signed Jake McGee, lhp, to a $27 million, three-year contract; signed Bryan Shaw, rhp, Cleveland, to a $27 million, three-year contract.NEW YORK (2) — Signed Jose Lobaton, c, Washington, to a minor league contract ($1.25 million); signed Anthony Swarzak, rhp, Milwaukee, to a $14 million, two-year contract.PHILADELPHIA (3) — Signed Tommy Hunter, rhp, Tampa Bay, to an $18 million, two-year contract; signed Pat Neshek, rhp, Colorado, to a $16.25 mil-lion, two-year contract; signed Carlos Santana, 1b, Cleveland, to a $60 million, three-year contract.ST. LOUIS (1) — Signed Luke Gregerson, rhp, Houston, to an $11 million, two-year contract.SAN DIEGO (1) — Re-signed Jordan Lyles, rhp, to a $1 million, one-year contract.SAN FRANCISCO (1) — Re-signed Nick Hundley, c, to a $2.5 million, one-year contract.

REMAINING FREE AGENTSThrough Dec. 20The 140 free agents (q-has until Nov. 16 to accept $17.4 million qualifying offer):AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (9) — Pedro Alvarez; dh-1b; Ryan Flaherty, 2b; Craig Gentry, of; J.J. Hardy, ss; Jeremy Hellickson, rhp; Ubaldo Jimenez, rhp; Wade Miley, lhp; Seth Smith, of; Chris Tillman, rhp.BOSTON (6) — Fernando Abad, lhp; Blaine Boyer, rhp; Rajai Davis, of; Eduardo Nunez, inf; Addison Reed, rhp; Chris Young, of.CHICAGO (2) — Mike Pelfrey, rhp; Geovany Soto c.CLEVELAND (4) — Craig Breslow, lhp; Jay Bruce, of; Austin Jackson, of; Boone Logan, lhp.DETROIT (1) — Anibal Sanchez, rhp.HOUSTON (4) — Carlos Beltran, dh; Tyler Clippard, rhp; Francisco Liriano, lhp; Cameron Maybin, of.KANSAS CITY (8) — Melky Cabrera, of; Trevor Cahill, rhp; q-Lorenzo Cain, of; Alcides Escobar, ss; q-Eric Hosmer, 1b; q-Mike Moustakas, 3b; Peter Moylan, rhp; Jason Vargas, lhp.LOS ANGELES (10) — Andrew Bailey, rhp; Jesse Chavez, rhp; Yunel Escobar, 3b; Ricky Nolasco, rhp; Bud Norris, rhp; Cliff Pennington, inf; Brandon Phillips, 2b; Ben Revere, of; Fernando Salas, rhp; Huston Street, rhp.MINNESOTA (5) — Matt Belisle, rhp; Bartolo Colon, rhp; Dillon Gee, rhp; Glen Perkins, lhp; Hector Santiago, lhp.NEW YORK (4) — Todd Frazier, 3b; Jaime Garcia, lhp; Matt Holliday, dh; CC Sabathia, lhp.OAKLAND (0)SEATTLE (6) — Yonder Alonso, 1b; Gordon Beckham, inf; Jarrod Dyson, of; Yovani Gallardo, rhp; Carlos Ruiz, c; Danny Valencia, 1b-3b.TAMPA BAY (7) — Peter Bourjos, of; q-Alex Cobb, rhp; Lucas Duda, 1b; Logan Morrison, 1b; Trevor Plouffe, 3b; Colby Rasmus, of; Sergio Romo, rhp.TEXAS (5) — Andrew Cashner, rhp; Carlos Gomez, of; Miguel Gonzalez, rhp; Jason Grilli, rhp; Mike Napoli, 1b.TORONTO (5) — Brett Anderson, lhp; Darwin Barney, 2b; Jose Bautista, of; Miguel Montero, c; Michael Saunders, of. NATIONAL LEAGUEARIZONA (5) — Gregor Blanco, of; Jorge De La Rosa, lhp; David Hernandez, rhp; J.D. Martinez of; Adam Rosales, inf.ATLANTA (2) — R.A. Dickey, rhp; Jason Motte, rhp.CHICAGO (8) — q-Jake Arrieta, rhp; Alex Avila, c; q-Wade Davis, rhp; Brian Duensing, lhp; Jon Jay, of; John Lackey, rhp; Rene Rivera, c; Koji Uehara, rhp.CINCINNATI (3) — Bronson Arroyo, rhp; Scott Feldman, rhp; Drew Storen, rhp.COLORADO (6) — Alexi Amarista, inf; Carlos Gonzalez, of; Ryan Hanigan, c; q-Greg Holland, rhp; Jonathan Lucroy, c; Mark Reynolds, 1b.LOS ANGELES (6) — Yu Darvish, rhp; Andre Ethier, of; Curtis Granderson, of; Franklin Gutierrez, of; Chase Utley, 2b; Tony Watson, lhp.MIAMI (4) — Mike Aviles, inf; A.J. Ellis, c; Dustin McGowan, rhp; Ichiro Suzuki, of.MILWAUKEE (2) — Matt Garza, rhp; Neil Walker, 2b.NEW YORK (1) — Jose Reyes, inf.PHILADELPHIA (4) — Andres Blanco, inf; Clay Buchholz, rhp; Hyun-Soo Kim, of; Daniel Nava, of.PITTSBURGH (3) — Joaquin Benoit, rhp; John Jaso, 1b; Chris Stewart, c.ST. LOUIS (3) — Zach Duke, lhp; q-Lance Lynn, rhp; Seung-Hwan Oh, rhp.SAN DIEGO (3) — Erick Aybar, ss; Jhoulys Chacin, rhp; Craig Stammen, rhp.SAN FRANCISCO (3) — Matt Cain, rhp; Jae-Gynn Hwang, 1b-3b; Michael Morse, ib-of.WASHINGTON (11) — Matt Albers, rhp; Joe Blanton, rhp; Alejandro De Aza, of; Stephen Drew, 2b; Edwin Jackson, rhp; Howie Kendrick, of-2b; Brandon Kintzler, rhp; Adam Lind, 1b; Oliver Perez, lhp; Ryan Raburn, of; Jayson Werth of.

SOCCER

2018 FIFA WORLD CUPFIRST-ROUND GROUPSGROUP A W L T GF GA PtsEgypt 0 0 0 0 0 0Russia 0 0 0 0 0 0Saudi Arabia 0 0 0 0 0 0Uruguay 0 0 0 0 0 0Thursday, June 14At Moscow (Luzhniki)Russia vs. Saudi Arabia, 11 a.m.Friday, June 15At Yekaterinburg, RussiaEgypt vs. Uruguay, 8 a.m.Tuesday, June 19At St. Petersburg, RussiaRussia vs. Egypt, 2 p.m.Wednesday, June 20At Rostov-on-Don, RussiaUruguay vs. Saudi Arabia, 11 a.m.Monday, June 25At Samara, RussiaUruguay vs. Russia, 10 a.m.At Volgograd, RussiaSaudi Arabia vs. Egypt, 10 a.m.

GROUP B W L T GF GA PtsIran 0 0 0 0 0 0Morocco 0 0 0 0 0 0Portugal 0 0 0 0 0 0Spain 0 0 0 0 0 0Friday, June 15At St. Petersburg, RussiaMorocco vs. Iran, 11 a.m.At Sochi, RussiaPortugal vs. Spain, 2 p.m.Wednesday, June 20At Moscow (Luzhniki)Portugal vs. Morocco, 8 a.m.At Kazan, RussiaIran vs. Spain, 2 p.m.Monday, June 25At Kaliningrad, RussiaSpain vs. Morocco, 2 p.m.At Saransk, RussiaIran vs. Portugal, 2 p.m.

GROUP C W L T GF GA PtsAustralia 0 0 0 0 0 0Denmark 0 0 0 0 0 0

France 0 0 0 0 0 0Peru 0 0 0 0 0 0Saturday, June 16At Kazan, RussiaFrance vs. Australia, 6 a.m.At Saransk, RussiaPeru vs. Denmark, noonThursday, June 21At Samara, RussiaDenmark vs. Australia, 8 a.m.At Yekaterinburg, RussiaFrance vs. Peru, 11 a.m.Tuesday, June 26At Moscow (Luzhniki)Denmark vs. France, 10 a.m.At Sochi, RussiaAustralia vs. Peru, 10 a.m.

GROUP D W L T GF GA PtsArgentina 0 0 0 0 0 0Croatia 0 0 0 0 0 0Iceland 0 0 0 0 0 0Nigeria 0 0 0 0 0 0Saturday, June 16At Moscow (Spartak)Argentina vs. Iceland, 9 a.m.At Kaliningrad, RussiaCroatia vs. Nigeria, 3 p.m.Thursday, June 21At Nizhny Novgorod, RussiaArgentina vs. Croatia, 2 p.m.Friday, June 22At Volgograd, RussiaNigeria vs. Iceland, 11 a.m.Tuesday, June 26At Rostov-on-Don, RussiaIceland vs. Croatia, 2 p.m.At St. Petersburg, RussiaNigeria vs. Argentina, 2 p.m.

GROUP E W L T GF GA PtsBrazil 0 0 0 0 0 0Costa Rica 0 0 0 0 0 0Serbia 0 0 0 0 0 0Switzerland 0 0 0 0 0 0Sunday, June 17At Samara, RussiaCosta Rica vs. Serbia, 8 a.m.At Rostov-on-Don, RussiaBrazil vs. Switzerland, 2 p.m.Friday, June 22At St. Petersburg, RussiaBrazil vs. Costa Rica, 8 a.m.At Kaliningrad, RussiaSerbia vs. Switzerland, 2 p.m.Wednesday, June 27At Moscow (Spartak)Serbia vs. Brazil, 2 p.m.At Nizhny Novgorod, RussiaSwitzerland vs. Costa Rica, 2 p.m.

GROUP F W L T GF GA PtsGermany 0 0 0 0 0 0Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 0South Korea 0 0 0 0 0 0Sweden 0 0 0 0 0 0Sunday, June 17At Moscow (Luzhniki)Germany vs. Mexico, 11 a.m.Monday, June 18At Nizhny Novgorod, RussiaSweden vs. South Korea, 8 a.m.Saturday, June 23At Rostov-on-Don, RussiaSouth Korea vs. Mexico, 11 a.m.At Sochi, RussiaGermany vs. Sweden, 2 p.m.Wednesday, June 27At Yekaterinburg, RussiaMexico vs. Sweden, 10 a.m.At Kazan, RussiaSouth Korea vs. Germany, 10 a.m.

GROUP G W L T GF GA PtsBelgium 0 0 0 0 0 0England 0 0 0 0 0 0Panama 0 0 0 0 0 0Tunisia 0 0 0 0 0 0Monday, June 18At Sochi, RussiaBelgium vs. Panama, 11 a.m.At Volgograd, RussiaTunisia vs. England, 2 p.m.Saturday, June 23At Moscow (Spartak)Belgium vs. Tunisia, 8 a.m.Sunday, June 24At Nizhny Novgorod, RussiaEngland vs. Panama, 8 a.m.Thursday, June 28At Kaliningrad, RussiaEngland vs. Belgium, 2 p.m.At Saransk, RussiaPanama vs. Tunisia, 2 p.m.

GROUP H W L T GF GA PtsColombia 0 0 0 0 0 0Japan 0 0 0 0 0 0Poland 0 0 0 0 0 0Senegal 0 0 0 0 0 0Tuesday, June 19At Saransk, RussiaColombia vs. Japan, 8 a.m.At Moscow (Spartak)Poland vs. Senegal, 11 a.m.Sunday, June 24At Yekaterinburg, RussiaJapan vs. Senegal, 11 a.m.At Kazan, RussiaPoland vs. Colombia, 2 p.m.Thursday, June 28At Samara, RussiaSenegal vs. Colombia, 10 a.m.At Volgograd, RussiaJapan vs. Poland, 10 a.m.

2017 U.S. MEN’S SOCCER RESULTSAll Times Eastern(Won 10, Lost 2, Tied 7)Sunday, Jan. 29 — United States 0, Serbia 0Friday, Feb. 3 — United States 1, Jamaica 0q-Friday, March 24 — United States 6, Honduras 0q-Tuesday, March 28 — Panama 1, United States 1Saturday, June 3 — United States 1, Venezuela 1q-Thursday, June 8 — United States 2, Trinidad and Tobago 0q-Sunday, June 11 — United States 1, Mexico 1Saturday, July 1 — United States 2, Ghana 1a-Saturday, July 8 — United States 1, Panama 1a-Wednesday, July 12 — United States 3, Martinique 2a-Saturday, July 15 — United States 3, Nicaragua 0a-Wednesday, July 19 — United States 2, El Salvador 0a-Saturday, July 22 — United States 2, Costa Rica 0a-Wednesday, July 26 — United States 2, Jamaica 1q-Friday, Sept. 1 — Costa Rica 2, United States 0q-Tuesday, Sept. 5 — United States 1, Honduras 1, tieq-Friday, Oct. 6 — United States 4, Panama 0q-Tuesday, Oct. 10 — Trinidad and Tobago 2, U.S. 1Tuesday, Nov. 14 — United States 1, Portugal 1a-CONCACAF Gold Cup; q-World Cup qualifi er

CALENDAR

MLB2018Jan. 12 — Salary arbitration fi gures exchanged.Jan. 29-Feb. 16 — Salary arbitration hearings, Phoenix.March 29 — Opening day. Active rosters reduced to 25 players.April 17-18 — Cleveland vs. Minnesota at San Juan, Puerto Rico.June 4 — Amateur draft starts.June 15 — International amateur signing period closes.July 2 — International amateur signing period opens.July 6 — Last day to sign for amateur draft picks subject to deadline.July 10 — All-Star Game, Washington.July 29 — Hall of Fame inductions, Cooperstown, N.YJuly 31 — Last day to trade a player without secur-ing waivers.Oct. 2-3 — Wild-card games.Dec. 10-13 — Winter meetings, Las Vegas.

NBAJan. 5 — 10-day contracts can now be signed.Jan. 10 — All contracts are guaranteed for rest of season.Jan. 15 — Last day to sign two-way contracts.Feb. 8 — Trade deadline.Feb. 16-18, 2018 — All-Star weekend, Los Angeles.April 11-14 — Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Portsmouth, Va.).April 11 — Regular Season ends.April 14 — Playoffs begin.April 22 — NBA draft early entry eligibility deadline (11:59 p.m. EDT).May 31 — NBA Finals begin.June 11 — NBA draft early entry entrant withdrawal deadline (5 p.m. EDT)June 17 — NBA Finals latest possible date.June 21 — NBA draft.

NFLDec. 31 — Regular season ends.Jan. 6-7 — Wild-card playoffs.Jan. 13-14 — Divisional playoffs.


SPORTS TICKERIN BRIEF

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Serena to play fi rst match since giving birth

Serena Williams is returning to competition with an exhibition match Saturday in Abu Dhabi against French Open champion Jelena Osta-penko. Williams has not competed since winning the Australian Open last January while she was pregnant. She will face Latvia’s Ostapenko at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in the fi rst year that women will be taking part, tournament organizers announced Sunday.

“I am delighted to be returning to the court in Abu Dhabi for the fi rst time since the birth of my daughter in September,” the 36-year-old Williams said in a statement.

Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, a record for the profes-sional era. She is expected to compete for her 24th at the Australian Open, the fi rst major of the year.

Williams gave birth to a girl named Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. on Sept. 1. She married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in November.

TOYOYAMA, JAPAN

Suzuki hopes to remain in MLB

Ichiro Suzuki, who became a free agent in November when the Miami Marlins declined their option to sign him for the 2018 season, still hasn’t given up hope of remaining in Major League Baseball.

Suzuki was quoted by Kyodo news agency on Saturday as saying: “I feel like a big dog at a pet shop that hasn’t been sold. Of course, I want to play baseball next year.”

Suzuki, who has 3,080 hits in MLB, was in his hometown of Toyoyama to attend the closing ceremony of the Ichiro Cup youth baseball tourna-ment. He was asked if there was any possibility of him returning to play in Japan if he isn’t offered an MLB contract.

“When you use the word possibility, there are many things ... it means anything is possible as long as it’s not zero.” Suzuki said.

The 44-year-old Suzuki has said he wants to play until he’s 50.

LONDON

Austin banned for three games after kicking goalie

Southampton for-ward Charlie Austin will miss three games after accepting a Football Asso-ciation charge for violent conduct.

The FA announced Sunday that Austin had argued that the sus-pension — for kicking Huddersfi eld goalkeeper Jonas Lossl — was exces-sive, but that his case had been rejected.

Danish goalkeeper Lossl was left with a bloodied face and a suspected broken nose following the incident in Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at St Mary’s Stadium.

Austin, who scored his fi fth goal in fi ve starts before departing with a hamstring injury, avoided punishment for the incident during the match, but has now been banned.

—Associated Press

By AARON BEARDAssociated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. — Fifth-ranked North Carolina made use of its few days off to sort out what went wrong during an upset home loss to Wofford. Now sixth-ranked Miami and No. 7 Kentucky have to do the same.

The Tar Heels lost to Wofford on Wednesday — snapping a 23-game home winning streak — before regrouping with a win against Ohio State in Saturday’s CBS Sports Classic in New Orleans. The Wild-cats (9-2) lost to unranked UCLA in that same event in the marquee game of the week for a light AP Top 25 schedule.

“Hopefully we bounce back from this,” Kentucky coach John Cali-pari said. “I told them, “The next four games we play, we can lose every one.”

Then, late Saturday, the Hur-ricanes followed with a loss to New Mexico State in the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii.

The Tar Heels (11-2) were coming off last weekend’s win at No. 21 Tennessee when they turned in a clunker of a performance against the Terriers, from being sloppy with the ball to struggling for consistent defensive stops and offensive flow. It was a perfor-mance that left coach Roy Williams criticizing “bad movement, bad defense, bad coaching” for a team he described as “fat and happy” — and it overshadowed the good news that Pittsburgh graduate transfer Cameron Johnson finally made his season debut after missing the first 11 games because of injuries.

After the 86-72 win against the Buckeyes, Williams said the team used the Wofford film as an extended tutorial.

“We went in and watched the tape of the entire game and they listened to the coaches grade it while they were sitting there,” Williams said. “It was almost 2½ hours, so hopefully they learned something.”

Now it’s the Wildcats’ turn after the 83-75 loss to the Bruins that left Calipari to say: “We’re better than this.”

CANES STUMBLEAs for Miami, the Hurricanes

(10-1) beat Hawaii in Friday’s Diamond Head first round in Honolulu but lost to New Mexico State in the semifinal. A win would’ve sent the Hurricanes into a Christmas Day title game against USC, which was ranked earlier this season.

Instead, Miami will play Middle Tennessee for third place.

ZAGS, TOONo. 12 Gonzaga (10-3) lost to San

Diego State 72-70 on Thursday in a game the Bulldogs never led.

LIGHT SCHEDULEThe week offered no games

matching two ranked teams.

PRACTICE TIMEFourth-ranked Duke (12-1)

finally got some time for prac-tice work after a travel-filled early schedule. It showed in Wednesday’s 64-point rout of Evansville, which followed an 11-day break since the loss at Boston College in the Blue Devils’ Atlantic Coast Confer-ence opener on Dec. 9.

YOUNG’S ROLLFreshman Trae Young has

everyone’s attention for No. 17 Oklahoma.

Young had 26 points and tied an NCAA Division I record with 22 assists in Tuesday’s win against Northwestern State. He followed that with 31 points and 12 assists in Friday’s win against Oklahoma.

Young leads the country in scoring (28.7 points) and assists (10.4), including a 43-point showing in a win against Oregon

in the PK80 Invitational.

ARIZONA’S CLIMBArizona went from No. 2 to

unranked in a week after a 0-3 showing at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas, but the 18th-ranked Wildcats have won seven straight games after Thursday’s win against Connecticut.

TENNESSEE’S ACC SUCCESSNo. 21 Tennessee won at Wake

Forest on Saturday in its final pre-Southeastern Conference game, though the Volunteers would be off to a 3-1 start in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings.

The Wake Forest win joined a victory against North Carolina State in the third-place game at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas and a win at Georgia Tech. Tennessee lost a close one at home last weekend to UNC.

STILL UNBEATENMiami’s loss left three

unbeaten teams in the poll: top-ranked Villanova (12-0), No. 3 Arizona State (12-0) and No. 15 TCU (12-0).

TCU has the nation’s longest winning streak at a school-record 17 games dating to last season’s NIT championship after Friday’s win against William & Mary.

UNC, Kentucky, Miami learning from losses

By KRISTIE RIEKENAssociated Press

HOUSTON — During the really tough times as he fought to overcome cancer, David Quessenberry would daydream about reaching his lifelong goal of playing in an NFL game.

It was a plan that was derailed when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and put on hold for years as he underwent treatment for the disease.

Finally healthy, the guard was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad this week and in what his teammates call a storybook turn coach Bill O’Brien said he’ll make his NFL debut on Monday when the Houston Texans host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“It’s been long, it’s been really tough ... nothing that I’ve been through has been normal, a normal path since I’ve been drafted,” Quessen-berry said. “This is just one of those things that lines up for an awesome opportunity on Monday ... football on Christmas.”

Quessenberry was drafted by the Texans in the sixth round in 2013, but sustained a season-ending foot injury before appear-ing in a game. The following June he was diagnosed with cancer and spent three years fighting the disease before being declared cancer-free and returning to practice in May. He was cut before the season, but signed to the practice squad the next day, where he remained until his promotion this week.

“To overcome what he’s overcome, to be able to step back onto the field in an NFL football game, is an incredible accomplish-ment for him,” O’Briensaid. “And I know for him, he’s such a driven guy, he really wants to go out there and play well.”

And O’Brien was quick to point out that he earned his spot on the roster.

“He doesn’t want to just show up and (say): ‘Yeah, thank you.’ This isn’t a pat on the back,” O’Brien said. “This is a roster move. He’s gotten better every week this week on the practice squad and we think he can help us.”

The 27-year-old lauded his family for their support during his treatment and is excited to share the moment with them on Monday.

“I’m sure it’s going to be special for them. Finally,” he said. “We talked about it and dreamed it and worked for it and now it’s here.For me, I get to play on Monday ... on Christ-mas. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Cancer survivor to make debut for Texans

AP PHOTOS

North Carolina forward Theo Pinson (1) brings the ball up the court against Ohio State guard Musa Jallow (2) in the second half of an NCAA basketball game Saturday in New Orleans. North Carolina won 86-72.

Bouncing back

Kentucky forward Nick Richards (4) dunks over UCLA center Thomas Welsh (40) in the first half of an NCAA basketball game Saturday in New Orleans.

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