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‘Central figure’ in California cocaine ring sentenced to 10 years

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — A San Mateo County man has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine, court records show.Francisco Ricardo Miranda, 37, was sentenced last month by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen. Miranda pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge back in May, court records show.Prosecutors called Miranda a “central figure” in a drug ring that transported methamphetamine and cocaine to the Bay Area from from Mexico and Southern California. He was identified as a supplier during a wiretap aimed at one of his customers, Raudel Macias, who is facing a separate federal case, court records show.Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Pastor wrote in a sentencing memo that the wiretap led to “significant” seizures of cocaine and methamphetamine in 2020, including one where drug agents found 22 pounds of methamphetamine at a “stash house” in Mountain View that Miranda had visited earlier in the day.R...

Bender’s whiskey marks a decade in good spirits

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

When Christopher Cohen was working on his first batch of Bender’s whiskey more than 10 years ago, he could be frequently seen in bars around southern Marin, testing the distillery’s original formulations.That first batch, launched in 2013, came together after 50 iterations. Originally a seven-year-old Canadian rye, it was bottled at Bender’s facility on Treasure Island and cost $30 a bottle. These days, batch No. 1 goes for more than $200 a bottle, if you can find one online.Tastes and markets have changed in those 10 years.“When we first launched, everyone was trying to out-proof each other,” Cohen says. “Mine’s 96 proof, mine’s 106, mine’s 110. Now we are going in the other direction.”Back then, he found, most people were drinking whiskey by taking shots, instead of sipping and savoring the spirit on the edge of their tongues.“That was not the experience that we wanted for our product,” Cohen says.Bender’s latest rye is batch No. 6 rye ($60), a 90-proof blend of five-y...

Antisemitic remarks made during South SF city council meeting: Vice mayor

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

(KRON) -- Several antisemitic and hateful remarks were made during a South San Francisco city council meeting Wednesday night, according to Vice Mayor Mark Nagales. According to the city's website, the city council meeting started around 6 p.m.The remarks were given during public comment and prompted the city council to step off the dais immediately after, the vice mayor said. Following the remarks, the city council reminded the public that South San Francisco is a community that welcomes all. "Hate does not belong in South San Francisco or anywhere," said Nagales.

No. 13 Oregon is heavily favored at home against Hawaii

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

Hawaii (1-2) at No. 13 Oregon (2-0), Saturday, 8:12 p.m. ET (Pac-12).Line: Oregon by 37.5 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Oregon leads 4-3.WHAT’S AT STAKE?It’s the final non-conference tune-up for the No. 13 Ducks before the start of the Pac-12 season. Next week the Ducks host No. 18 Colorado and new Buffs coach Deion Sanders. Oregon has a 31-game winning streak at home against nonconference opponents, the longest active streak in the nation. The Ducks haven’t lost to a nonconference opponent at Autzen since 2008. Oregon is coming off a 38-30 come-from-behind victory over Texas Tech last weekend. Hawaii defeated Albany 31-20 last weekend for the team’s first win of the season after losses to Vanderbilt and Stanford. KEY MATCHUPHawaii coach Timmy Chang, who set passing records during his time as a four-year starter with the Warriors, has established a pass-happy team that’s averaging 324 yards in the air per game. But Oregon is holding opponent...

No. 11 Tennessee is trying to end decades of futility in the Swamp against Florida

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

No. 11 Tennessee (2-0) at Florida (1-1), 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).Line: Tennessee by 6 ½, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Florida leads 31-21, having won 16 of the last 18.WHAT’S AT STAKE?The Volunteers are trying to end two decades of futility in Gainesville. They last won at Florida Field in 2003. The nine-game skid in the Swamp includes late collapses in 2015 and 2017 on 63-yard touchdown passes — one with a little more than a minute to play and the second on the final snap. Florida’s Billy Napier is 0-4 in rivalry games, becoming the first coach in school history to lose to Tennessee, LSU, Georgia and Florida State in the same season.KEY MATCHUPFlorida’s defense versus Tennessee’s ground game. The Vols lead the Southeastern Conference in rushing, averaging 257.5 yards a game and ranking fourth in major college football. The Gators have allowed 151 yards on the ground in two outings.PLAYERS TO WATCHTennessee: LB Aaron Beasley is coming off the best game by a Vols defender ...

No. 14 LSU visits unbeaten Mississippi State to kick off SEC play. Tigers begin West title defense

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

No. 14 LSU (1-1) at Mississippi State (2-0), Saturday, Noon ET (ESPN)Line: LSU by 9 1/2 according to FanDuel.com Sportsbook.Series: LSU leads 77-36-3.WHAT’S AT STAKELSU rebounded strongly from its opening-game loss to Florida State with a 72-10 shellacking of Grambling and begins defense of its West Division title. After surviving Arizona 31-24 in overtime, Mississippi State begins its quest to be in the division title hunt with a daunting league stretch that includes a visit to South Carolina and home game against No. 10 Alabama in the coming weeks. Topping the Tigers will be tough, considering they have won 20 of 23 matchups this century.KEY MATCHUPLSU’s offense vs. Mississippi State’s defense. The Tigers rolled up 627 yards against Grambling and scored touchdowns on their first 10 possessions – five each rushing and passing. They lead the SEC at 540.5 yards per game and are second in rushing at 207.5. MSU ranks in the middle of several SEC defensive categories but held Ariz...

No. 12 Utah seeks to extend unbeaten start vs. Weber State

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Weber State at Utah, 2 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Networks)Line: N/A according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Utah leads 6-0.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Utah is looking to put together a complete game on offense after relying on stifling defense to earn consecutive victories over Florida and Baylor. Weber State is seeking a win over an instate FBS opponent for a second straight season after dismantling Utah State 35-7 a year ago.KEY MATCHUPWeber State’s explosive run-first offense will face a Utah defense that’s has yielded 134 total yards on the ground this season. The Wildcats are averaging 200 rushing yards and 34.5 points per game while Utah has allowed only two touchdowns through its first two games.PLAYERS TO WATCHWeber State: RB Damon Bankston ranks second in the FCS with 131.5 rushing yards per game. Bankston tallied a season-high 144 yards on the ground in a 34-17 victory over Northern Iowa and is averaging 7.5 yards per carry through his first two contests. He has 1,0...

Woman who killed 3-year-old daughter and left burned corpse on ballfield is sentenced to 30 years

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A Delaware woman who pleaded guilty to killing her 3-year-old daughter and dumping her burned remains on a softball field was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison.Kristie Haas, 31, pleaded guilty earlier this year to murder by abuse or neglect and abuse of a corpse in the death of Emma Grace Cole, who prosecutors say endured a life of starvation and torture before she was killed.“I’m sorry for all the hurt that I inflicted and the pain that I caused,” said Haas, who also pleaded guilty to three counts of endangering the welfare of a child for her mistreatment of Emma’s half-siblings.Haas faced a minimum mandatory prison term of 15 years, and a possible life sentence, but Superior Court Judge Noel Primos imposed the 30-year sentence that was recommended by prosecutors and defense attorneys.“I cannot presume to comprehend the grief and the anguish that Emma’s family members here today have been put through because of Ms. Haas’ actions,” Primos said. The judge a...

Indy’s Steichen gets crash course in combining veteran moves with learning lessons as new head coach

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — First-time head coach Shane Steichen already is making some veteran moves.He blames himself for the Indianapolis Colts’ miscues in Week 1, wants more efficiency on third and fourth downs and prods his young team to keep the focus on making steady improvement. Heck, he’s even savvy enough to keep injury updates boring.Yes, after just one official game, Steichen seems tailor-made to excel at his dream job.“I think you’ve got to take accountability for everything,” he said Wednesday. “As a head coach, you’ve got to hold yourself accountable and then it’s the players holding the players accountable. Everyone’s got to be on the same page and don’t take anything personal. Praise them when they do it right and when it’s not right, we’ve got to get you to correct what you do.”Make no mistake — the Colts have plenty to fix following a 31-21 loss to Jacksonville that extended their opening day winless streak to 10.Steic...

Oklahoma State looks to figure out its three-headed quarterback carousel vs. South Alabama

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:44 GMT

South Alabama (1-1) at Oklahoma State (2-0), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Big 12 Now on ESPN+)Line: Oklahoma State by 7 1/2, according to  FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Oklahoma State leads 2-0.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Oklahoma State looks to start the season 3-0 for the seventh straight year. The Cowboys have won their first two games while trying to sort out their quarterback battle between Alan Bowman, Gunnar Gundy and Garret Rangel. All three have earned significant playing time so far. Coach Mike Gundy said all three graded well last week in a 27-15 win over Arizona State. South Alabama is coming off a win over Southeastern Louisiana, but the Sun Belt Conference program is 1-14 all-time against Power Five foes.KEY MATCHUPOklahoma State WR Brennan Presley vs. South Alabama secondary. Presley led Oklahoma State with 67 catches for 813 yards last season. He has two touchdowns this season, but hasn’t had a breakout game yet. South Alabama ranks 131st out of 132 FBS programs in pass effici...