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Vikings get under cap but plenty of work still to do in trimming salaries

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

The Vikings got under the cap on Wednesday but that hardly means they’re done trimming salaries.All teams had to be under the cap number of $224.8 million by 3 p.m. Wednesday. The Vikings were able to become cap compliant after they on Monday restructured quarterback Kirk Cousins’ deal to save $16 million on the 2023 cap.The Vikings announced Wednesday they have agreed to terms with cornerback Byron Murphy, edge rusher Marcus Davenport and tight end Josh Oliver but none has signed yet. All those deals previously had been reported, and Minnesota now must fit the players under the cap.The Vikings also announced that they have re-signed restricted free agents Ben Ellefson, a tight end, and Kenny Willekes, a defensive lineman. A source said Ellefson was not given a restricted free-agent tender, so he signed for salary likely well less than the $2.627 million lowest tender amount. It is believed to be a similar situation involving Willekes.In order to sign Murphy, Davenport a...

Vikings display their relationship with Gophers at UMN’s Pro Day

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

The Vikings caravanned a large group of coaches and front-office staff from Eagan to the Gophers’ Pro Day in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The guests of honor were general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell.It’s a 10-mile drive but a rare sight for such high-profile staff to come to the Gophers’ annual workouts. Previous Vikings GM Rick Spielman stopped coming to the U after 2015. A GM’s duties during the start of free agency can make it tough to attend.In the previous decade, most NFL teams sent one scout to the U, and the Vikings would usually bring a few to check out that year’s crop of talent.“One thing I love is the relationship we have with the Vikings,” Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said. “Since I’ve been here (starting in 2017), we haven’t had that close of a relationship.”Two weeks ago, Vikings staff also were on campus, and the Gophers’ staff will return the visit for Vikings organized team activities this spring. Gophers went to OTAs u...

State girls basketball 4A quarterfinal: Hopkins turns up intensity in win over Roseville

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

Roseville coach Tanysha Scott noted you have to do two things to succeed basketball, play defense and rebound. That’s particularly true when playing the state’s top teams — like Hopkins, which sports four Division-I players.If you don’t, Scott noted, “It can turn real quick. And that’s kind of what it did.”The top-seeded Royals closed the first half of the Class 4A quarterfinals on a 25-5 run to build a 30-point halftime lead on the way to an 81-40 victory over unseeded Roseville on Wednesday at Williams Arena. The defending state champs will meet fourth-seeded Stillwater in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Thursday.“I feel like we came right in and did what we needed to do,” said Hopkins junior guard Liv McGill, who scored 24 points. “Just get that momentum for (Thursday).”What Hopkins (27-2) felt it needed to do Wednesday was anything possible to slow Roseville guard Kendall Barnes. The junior averaged 16.4 points a game this season, scoring 31 points in each of Ro...

Old World Pizza closes abruptly in Inver Grove Heights, but owner plans to reopen this summer

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

Popular Inver Grove Heights restaurant Old World Pizza closed abruptly over the weekend, amid a dispute with its bank following the August 2021 death of a co-owner. Its current owner said the restaurant could reopen elsewhere as soon as this summer.“After 50 years of serving pizza to our community and many loyal customers we want to thank you for your patronage over the years,” according to a statement posted to the restaurant’s Facebook page. “We don’t know what the future holds but have enjoyed serving you.”Co-owner Jason Hines said he was surprised to find that Village Bank had locked down the building on Saturday, March 11. He knew the restaurant’s closure was on the horizon, as the temporary operating structure established in the wake of owner Craig Kristof’s 2021 death had dissolved. But Hines said his requests that Village Bank shutter the business on a mutually agreed-upon date, so Hines could close the restaurant and process final payroll on his own terms,...

Obituary: ‘Auntie Beverly’ Cottman shared African culture through art and stories

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

Beverly Cottman was known as a woman who refused to sit still.After serving 30 years as a teacher, Cottman’s “retirement” was to throw herself into the arts and storytelling, creating work based on African and African-American folktales, myths, fables and traditions in collaborative spaces throughout the Twin Cities.Undated courtesy photo of Beverly Cottman, a former artist and storyteller for COMPAS and North High School biology teacher, in Egypt where she died March 11, 2023. (Courtesy of Kenna Cottman)Cottman, known affectionately as “Auntie Beverly” by many, died in her sleep on March 11 at the age of 80 on a trip to Egypt with some of her oldest friends.Born in California and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Cottman moved to Minneapolis in the ’60s with her husband, Bill, whom she met as a student at Howard University. The duo would become forceful creators and educators in the city, Beverly a science teacher at schools such as North High Sch...

Barnett pleads guilty in funeral home case

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Brian Barnett, a former Johnston funeral home director accused of mishandling remains, pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday. He is scheduled for sentencing on June 26 at 10 a.m. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Fulton County Court clerk's office confirmed to NEWS10 that he pleaded guilty to six counts, including grand larceny. He previously pleaded not guilty to 37 charges in January.Stick with NEWS10 for more on this story as it develops.

One admission price for Saratoga Race Course starts in 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced that Saratoga Race Course will feature one admission price for all fans beginning with the 2023 summer meet, eliminating the traditional two-tiered structure of Clubhouse and Grandstand admission. For the first time, a single admission rate will provide fans with access to both the Clubhouse and Grandstand. Get all of the latest news, weather, sports, and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Admission will be $7 daily when purchased at least 24-hours in advance, a savings from last season’s Clubhouse price of $10. Admission to Saratoga Race Course on the day of the event will be $10. Admission does not include reserved seating. Since 2019, daily Clubhouse admission has stood at $10 and Grandstand admission at $7.The elimination of the Clubhouse and Grandstand exchanges means that fans will now have universal access to amenities and attractions such as the historic Jim Dandy Bar and th...

What to know about the upcoming Mizzou, Illinois 'March Madness' bids

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

(KTVI) - Get your basketball brackets ready! Mizzou and Illinois will open up their NCAA March Madness Tournament bids Thursday afternoon. Before the games begin, here's some key information to keep in mind for the Missouri Tigers and Illinois Fighting Illini, including how to watch both teams in action. MizzouFIRST-ROUND MATCHUPMissouri's Noah Carter, Nick Honor, Kobe Brown (24), D'Moi Hodge and Tre Gomillion, from left, celebrate after the team's overtime win against Mississippi State in an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)Missouri (7) vs. Utah State (10)Game time: 12:40 p.m. CTTV Network: TNTNCAA Region: SouthSEASON STORYThe first season under head coach Dennis Gates was one of Mizzou's most successful since joining the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers began the 2022-23 campaign on a nine-game winning streak, beat Top-25 ranked opponents on six occasions, and soared as high as No. 20 in the AP season rankings. Mizzo...

Archdiocese of St. Louis issues St. Patrick's Day dispensation

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS - For most Christian denominations, Lent is regarded as a period of fasting and sacrifice. Catholics have long adhered to the tradition of forgoing meat eating on Fridays during this period, which spurred the creation of fish fry events in communities.But with St. Patrick's Day falling on a Friday this year, folks who want to celebrate the feast day by partaking in corn beef and cabbage find themselves between the proverbial rock and hard place.The Archdiocese of St. Louis says not to worry; Catholics can have their meat and eat it, too! The archdiocese has issued a St. Patrick's Day dispensation, granting them permission to indulge in meat eating should they so choose.You can read the archdiocese's statement below in its entirety."For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through ...

Lake St. Louis man accused of pointing laser at police helicopter

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:12:35 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A Lake St. Louis man is accused of pointing a laser at a Metro Air Support helicopter in the St. Louis area.David Gammil, 44, was indicted in federal court last week on one count of aiming a laser at an aircraft. Gammil’s indictment alleges the incident occurred on Feb. 23. Top story: Report details fatal encounter between accused cop killer, Hermann police The FBI and aviation authorities have warned that lasers can blind pilots. Such incidents are on the rise, as the Federal Aviation Administration reported nearly 10,000 last year, including dozens which resulted in reported injuries.Gammil was arrested Wednesday and made his first appearance in court. He pleaded not guilty to the federal charge. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison or $250,000 in fines.