Callahan: The Patriots can’t take Demario Douglas off the field anymore

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

Callahan: The Patriots can’t take Demario Douglas off the field anymore Thank God for the little guy out of Liberty.The 5-foot-8 firecracker exploding out of the slot.The best pure receiver Bill Belichick has drafted in 10, 15 … maybe 20 years?Yes, Demario Douglas is that good, and the Patriots just might be winless without him.Let’s review.In Week 3, Douglas secured a long third-down catch the play before the Pats scored their only touchdown in a tight win over the Jets. Against Buffalo last weekend, the Patriots let Douglas play more than half of their offensive snaps for the first time all season. From those snaps, he squeezed 74 yards and half-dozen first downs that led directly to scores in a 29-25 triumph.Sitting Douglas for more than half of any future game would be coaching malpractice. He can fumble or flip a couple birds at the crowd. It shouldn’t matter.The kid has to play.The Pats average 2.67 more yards per play with Douglas on the field versus when he’s off, the second-highest differential among their offensive regu...

Nigeria’s Supreme Court refuses to void president’s election and dismisses opposition challenges

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

Nigeria’s Supreme Court refuses to void president’s election and dismisses opposition challenges ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s Supreme Court refused Thursday to void the recent election of President Bola Tinubu and dismissed the political opposition’s challenges, which argued that the vote was flawed and that Tinubu was not qualified to seek or hold the presidency.The court held in a majority ruling that the grounds of the challenges were “devoid of merits,” ending a dispute that had put Africa’s most populous country on the edge after the February election. An appeals court in Nigeria also rejected the petitions last month.Two other candidates in the election separately challenged Tinubu’s win, alleging that he failed to meet the minimum educational qualification to run, did not secure the required number of votes and that the country’s election commission did not follow its own provisions in collating and announcing the election results.During a televised hearing in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, the Supreme Court dismissed the challenges from the Peoples Democratic Par...

2 injured in Mississauga shooting

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

2 injured in Mississauga shooting Two people are in hospital following a shooting in Mississauga early Thursday morning.Peel Regional Police officers were called to the area of Derry Road East and Cattrick Street near Airport Road just after 5 a.m.Police say two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries.There is no word on suspects.No further details are available at this time.

Precision Drilling reports $19.8M Q3 profit, down from $30.7M a year ago

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

Precision Drilling reports $19.8M Q3 profit, down from $30.7M a year ago CALGARY — Precision Drilling Corp. reported a third-quarter profit of $19.8 million, down from $30.7 million a year earlier, as its revenue edged higher.The company says the profit amounted to $1.45 per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, down from $2.03 per diluted share in the same quarter last year.Revenue for the quarter totalled $446.8 million, up from $429.3 million a year earlier.Precision Drilling says the 4.1 per cent increase in revenue compared with a year ago was due to further strengthening of drilling and service revenue rates, partially offset by lower activity.Drilling rig utilization days in Canada were down 2.7 per compared with a year ago, while its U.S. operations saw a 27.8 per cent drop. International drilling rig utilization days were up 0.4 per cent compared with last year.The company says its service rig operating hours for the quarter were down 10.4 per cent from a year ago.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 26, 2023.Compan...

Suspect in custody following Etobicoke stabbing that left man with serious injuries

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

Suspect in custody following Etobicoke stabbing that left man with serious injuries A man is in hospital with serious injuries and one person is in custody following an early morning stabbing in Etobicoke.Emergency crews were called to a residence near The East Mall and Rathburn Road around 5:15 a.m. for reports of a stabbing inside a home.A male victim was found injured at the scene. He was rushed to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.Police say one person was taken into custody.

Kardinal Offishall named 2023 recipient of Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

Kardinal Offishall named 2023 recipient of Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour TORONTO — Canada’s Walk of Fame has announced Kardinal Offishall as this year’s recipient of the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour.The hip-hop star is set to be honoured at the 25th anniversary celebration of Canada’s Walk of Fame during a tribute to the 2023 inductees and honourees at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Dec. 2.With 2008’s “Dangerous,” the Toronto native became the first Canadian rapper to crack the Billboard Hot 100 charts, topping out at No. 5.The multi-award-winning artist currently serves as a judge on “Canada’s Got Talent.”The Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour, which launched in 2010, celebrates the achievements of Canadian musicians who have inspired and driven positive impact in the music industry.Last year’s honourees were Arkells, with past recipients including such artists as Serena Ryder, The Weeknd and Drake.“Kardi … has pushed for the betterment of new artists, raised money to he...

Entrepreneurs with disabilities activate allies, rewrite the narrative

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

Entrepreneurs with disabilities activate allies, rewrite the narrative Inna and Vladimir Giterman tinkered with several business ideas before finding their niche — and their version of the American dream — with crepes.Both immigrants, and both deaf, the Gitermans started Crepe Crazy in 2007. What began as a mom-and-pop shop at festivals has grown into a full-blown family business with multiple food trucks, two brick-and-mortar restaurants in Texas and a franchise location in Baltimore.Everyone who works for the company, including the Giterman’s two adult children, are either deaf or “deeply involved with the deaf community,” Inna Giterman said in an email. Staff communicate using American Sign Language. Customers who can’t sign still order with their hands: by pointing.Crepe Crazy is one of roughly 1.8 million businesses in the United States that is owned by someone with a disability, according to the American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau (though experts believe that number to be conservative).And while the path to entrepreneurs...

Man in custody for shooting Illinois State Trooper allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend in Chicago, family says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

Man in custody for shooting Illinois State Trooper allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend in Chicago, family says SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A man arrested in Springfield after authorities say he shot an Illinois State Police trooper may be linked to a deadly shooting in Chicago.ISP said the suspect, 37-year-old Cristobal Santana, was believed to be wanted in connection with a recent homicide in the city. The family of Adriana Lopez believes Santana is responsible for her death. "I still can't accept it," said Michelle Martinez, the niece of Lopez. "I'm in denial. She was a very happy soul. She always found a solution to everything. She was like a mom to me. She was my best friend."  Police fatally shoot sledgehammer-wielding man in Round Lake Beach In a phone interview with WGN News, Martinez said her aunt took pride in being a teacher. Lopez spent the last three years teaching special education at Nathan Davis Elementary School in Brighton Park.She aspired to be a principal."An amazing educator," said Nathan Davis Elementary School principal Francisco Oliva Gonzalez. "The parents and the...

Thursday Forecast: Temps near 70, cloudy and rainy

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

Thursday Forecast: Temps near 70, cloudy and rainy CHICAGO — Cloudy Thursday with a 90 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Winds: SSW 10-15 G30. High: 69. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Cloudy tonight with scattered rain and storms. Winds: SSW 10-15 G30. Low: 64.Friday Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 650% rain and t'storm, W 10-15 G25. High: 74.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

1st Florida Man Games will feature 'evading arrest' obstacle course

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:46:55 GMT

1st Florida Man Games will feature 'evading arrest' obstacle course ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) — It ain’t the Olympics, but a group of Floridians plan to host competitions themed according to the collective antics of the beer-loving, gator-possessing, rap-sheet heavy, mullet-wearing social media phenomenon known as “Florida Man.”Organizers of the “Florida Man Games” describe the competition as “the most insane athletic showdown on Earth.” The games will poke fun at Florida’s reputation for producing strange news stories involving guns, drugs, booze and reptiles — or some combination of the four.Among the contests planned for next February in St. Augustine, Florida, according to organizers, are the Evading Arrest Obstacle Course in which contestants jump over fences and through yards while being chased by real police officers; the Category 5 Cash Grab in which participants try to grab as much money in a wind-blowing booth; and the self-explanatory beer-belly wrestling.“This isn’t just a competition; it’s a one-of-a-kind Floridian spectacle!” organizers...