Run for the Wall makes stop in Wentzville 

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

 Run for the Wall makes stop in Wentzville  WENTZVILLE, Mo. - Members of the Wentzville community put their support for veterans on display Monday. VFW Post 5327 welcomed hundreds of bikers traveling the central route of the annual Run for the Wall. Flags lined the streets, and supporters cheered as the bikers rolled in for the night. Laura Ricord is from Colorado and is making the cross-country journey. She said the support she has witnessed has been breathtaking. The run to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is a way to honor those killed in action, call for an accounting of all prisoners of war and those missing in action, and help veterans and their families heal. “Society, in general, seems to forget some of the sacrifices that are made by the vets when they sign that contract, and they go overseas," said Michael Bischoff, a combat veteran showing his support. "They take the actions they take to preserve the freedoms that we have." Retired Post-Dispatch sports writer Rick Hummel dead at 7...

Renewed sense of hope regarding St. Louis criminal cases

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

Renewed sense of hope regarding St. Louis criminal cases ST. LOUIS – While some criminal cases in the St. Louis justice system continue to see delays, not all are being met with the same tension and despair as in recent years.One delayed case was scheduled to proceed Monday as a trial. But unlike past delays, prosecutors from the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office showed up this time.Victim Neekia Danfort said the circuit attorney’s office is also finally talking to her.“I feel good now,” Danfort said as she walked out of the courthouse with her oldest son Justin.“We actually had some people to call out to reach out to us and let us know, ‘Hey, I'm going to be your new attorney,’ so the communication got a lot better the communication got a lot better.” Suspect remains at large in St. Peters triple shooting Danfort’s son, Isaiah, was killed in January 2022 in the Carondelet neighborhood by a suspect with an AR-style rifle. He was 25.The accused shooter, Quinton Roberts, was supposed to go to trial in April, but no prosecutor showed up....

MetroLink asks public for help to pick new line for north St. Louis County

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

MetroLink asks public for help to pick new line for north St. Louis County RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo, - St. Louis County residents are being asked for their input on how to improve MetroLink, which is currently limited but in high demand.Following a recent streak of crime at MetroLink stations, safety has been a priority. Parts of increased safety options include real-time cameras, fencing, and adding a new kind of MetroLink that runs in the street like a trolley.On Monday afternoon, St. Louis County and MetroLink officials held the first open house to gauge how to improve accessibility for residents, specifically in north St. Louis County, where transportation is limited.According to a county survey with over 2,300 respondents, 10% of workers in those neighborhoods rely on transit, and over one-quarter of households don't own a car. Suspect remains at large in St. Peters triple shooting "The one they have closest to me is not viable for me; it's not usable, it's not convenient, so I have to resort to traveling south," said Jordan Wilson, a county resident. "...

Keeler: “I know I would cry.” Nuggets’ takedown of LeBron James, Lakers rocked Ball Arena, brought longtime fans to tears.

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

Keeler: “I know I would cry.” Nuggets’ takedown of LeBron James, Lakers rocked Ball Arena, brought longtime fans to tears. Rick Driscoll kept the angels up late Monday. Even from a mile high, you could just about hear him dancing on Cloud 9, rocking a Carmelo Anthony jersey and waving his harp at Chick Hearn and Wilt Chamberlain.“He was a huge sports fan,” Denee Driscoll said as she watched her late husband’s beloved Nuggets clinch their first-ever NBA Finals from 1,000 miles away at a Ball Arena watch party. “And he would be thrilled right now.”Rick Alan Driscoll, lifelong Nuggets fan, passed away this past February. He went to eight or 10 games a year, blue and gold through thick and thin. As a member of Iron Workers Local 24, he gave the skyline his hands and Chauncey Billups his heart.“You know, it’s bittersweet,” Denee said softly before Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Nuggets and hated Los Angeles Lakers. “But it’s awesome.”Nuggets 113, Lakers 111. A 4-0 sweep. Los Angeles in tatters.This was for Rick. For all the Ricks everywhere, the grown men who wept with joy on Chopper Cir...

Nikola Jokic’s Game 4 triple-double punches Nuggets’ first trip to the NBA Finals

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

Nikola Jokic’s Game 4 triple-double punches Nuggets’ first trip to the NBA Finals LOS ANGELES — Nikola Jokic stood near halfcourt and unleashed a roar that had been years in the making.Late in the fourth quarter of Monday’s gripping Game 4, after one of Jokic’s sublime dimes found Aaron Gordon for a dunk, Jokic screamed at the history he and the Nuggets were approaching. Not four minutes later, in front of championship banners that Denver was only allowed to dream about, the Nuggets seized the Western Conference crown over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, 113-111.Their victory punched Denver’s first-ever trip to the NBA Finals by virtue of its first-ever playoff sweep in franchise history.As James drove to the hoop in the final seconds, Jamal Murray got his hands on the ball in an attempt to thwart James. At the same time, Aaron Gordon soared over and appeared to block the ball. Game over, and Denver’s reserves stormed the court.Jokic, named the Western Conference Finals MVP, finished with a 30-point, 14-rebound, 13-assist triple-double, setting an ...

Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic named Western Conference Finals MVP after sweep of Lakers

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic named Western Conference Finals MVP after sweep of Lakers LOS ANGELES — What LeBron can do, Joker can do crazier.A 38-year-old LeBron James highlighted his 31-point first half Monday with a circus 3-pointer that wasn’t even a shot. It was an attempted pass toward the rim.So how did Nikola Jokic respond? With a pair of high-arcing, clumsy yet graceful, ugly yet acrobatic 3s with hands in his face throughout the remainder of Game 4. It helped the Nuggets earn their first-ever playoff series sweep and the franchise’s first-ever trip to the NBA Finals.Jokic, already a two-time league MVP, was named MVP of the Western Conference Finals after Game 4. It was a fitting coronation after Jokic broke Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record with his eighth triple-double of this postseason: 30 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists.“We always talk about an aggressive Nikola Jokic is a very effective Nikola Jokic,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said during the series.Jokic registered a triple-double in three out of four games in t...

Nuggets 3-pointers: Denver struck in Game 4 as soon as LeBron James cooled off

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

Nuggets 3-pointers: Denver struck in Game 4 as soon as LeBron James cooled off Initial observations from Los Angeles after Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Nuggets and Lakers.1. Aaron Gordon’s arrival: All five Denver starters were in double figures by the end of the third quarter, an impressive team effort from the top seed in the West. The most notable stat line among those five: Gordon’s 22-point night came on top of the first three games of the series when he averaged 9.7 points, well down from his regular-season average of just over 16 points. Game 4 revealed a suddenly far more willing aggressor in Gordon, pulling the trigger confidently when the Lakers dared him to shoot and attacking when he saw an opening.2. Theme of Denver’s comeback quarter: As the Nuggets erased a 15-point halftime deficit to take their first lead of Game 4 with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter, LeBron James did not score a point. Consider the stark contrast: The first 24 minutes Monday marked LeBron’s highest point total in a single ha...

Rockies’ beat Marlins behind red-hot Jurickson Profar

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

Rockies’ beat Marlins behind red-hot Jurickson Profar Jurickson Profar has a megawatt smile that could light up Broadway. That smile was beaming Monday night at Coors Field.The left fielder put on a boffo performance, ripping two doubles to right field, including a two-run liner off the wall in the seventh inning in the Rockies’ 5-3 victory over Miami. The victory, in front of an announced crowd of 20,331, snapped Colorado’s three-game losing streak.“Jurickson is playing as he expects to play and what we envisioned when we signed him in March,” manager Bud Black said. “We thought there was a hitter in there and it’s showing up.”Profar extended his on-base streak to 30 games, the longest active streak in the majors. Since May 7, Profar is hitting .360, with two home runs, seven doubles and nine RBIs. He’s recorded multiple hits in each of his past four games.Catcher Elias Diaz, the Rockies’  provided Colorado with the go-ahead run with a one-out solo homer in the sixth off Miami star...

Evacuations ordered lifted after brush fire erupts in Riverside County

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

Evacuations ordered lifted after brush fire erupts in Riverside County Authorities in Riverside County lifted evacuation orders for residents whose homes were threated by the Ramona Fire, which broke out just west of San Jacinto Monday afternoon. Firefighters responded to the blaze near the Ramona Expressway and Warren Road just after 2 p.m. The blaze grew to 328 acres and was 20% contained by 8:30 p.m., when fire officials said "all evacuation warnings on the Ramona Fire are lifted and residents are permitted to return to their residences."Authorities also said that Warren Road, between Ramona Expressway and Esplanade Avenue, has been opened. Footage from Sky5 showed crews creating fire breaks in front of homes in the area, spraying retardant and clearing brush before, while firefighting aircraft made water drops on hotspots along the fire's path. Crews with Riverside County Fire Department battle a blaze in vegetation west of San Jacinto in Riverside County on May 22, 2023. (Cal Fire Riverside)Evacuation orders and warnings issued for the following a...

Nuggets sweep LeBron, Lakers and will head to franchise's first NBA Finals

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 13:55:24 GMT

Nuggets sweep LeBron, Lakers and will head to franchise's first NBA Finals Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, and the Denver Nuggets advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in team history Monday night, sweeping the Western Conference finals with a 113-111 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.Jamal Murray scored 25 points for the top-seeded Nuggets, who overcame LeBron James’ 31-point first half and a 15-point halftime deficit with a tenacious finish in Game 4 to earn their first conference title in their 47 NBA seasons.James finished with 40 points after the highest-scoring postseason half of his career, but even the top scorer in NBA history couldn’t keep the deep, dynamic Nuggets from their sixth consecutive victory overall.James missed two tying shots in the final seconds, with Aaron Gordon appearing to block his shot at the buzzer.Jokic earned his eighth triple-double of the playoffs by the third quarter, breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s 1967 NBA record for triple-doubles in a single postseason. The Serbian big man also led the Nu...