Yankees minor league manager Rachel Balkovec wrapping up second season with Single-A Tampa
Rachel Balkovec will wrap up her second season as the Single-A Tampa manager this week at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, where on April 8 of last year she debuted with a win as the first woman to manage the affiliate of a Major League Baseball team.
AP source: MLB, players reach minor league union deal
A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that the playersโ association will submit union authorization cards to an arbitrator on Wednesday under an agreement with Major League Baseball that will lead to collective bargaining for approximately 5,500 farmhands.
Gov. DeSantis signs legislation cracking down on opioid dealers & traffickers
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed into law a measure that will increase sentences for trafficking fentanyl and could lead to dealers facing death sentences or life in prison if methamphetamine they distribute kills someone.
Girls hoops state semis: University Christian back in final four, ready for big challenge
The University Christian girls basketball team is one of the final four teams left standing in the Class 2A state playoffs. The Christians face Faith Christian on Wednesday morning in Lakeland. A glance at the matchup.
Publix cancels this Wednesdayโs COVID vaccine signups in Florida
LAKELAND, Fla. โ Because Publix Pharmacy will not have COVID-19 vaccinations appointments during Easter weekend, it announced Tuesday that it is cancelling its Wednesdayโs scheduling opportunity in Florida, according to a news release. The online reservation system will reopen Friday for appointments for the Moderna vaccine. Vaccinations are provided by appointment only, while supplies last, through the online reservation system at publix.com/covidvaccine. With the exception of this week, the online reservation system typically opens every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 a.m. for vaccine appointments at Florida Publix pharmacies. Appointments may not be available in every county during every scheduling opportunity.
Yanks manager Boone feels 'awesome' after getting pacemaker
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone takes a drink of water during a spring training exhibition baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla., Tuesday, March 9, 2021. โJust a lot different, honestly,โ Boone said before Sundayโs road game against the Toronto Blue Jays. โSo I canโt like lift weights like I normally do but that will be hopefully a few more weeks. AdNOTES: Boone said INF-OF Miguel Andรบjar (sore right hand and wrist) and C Robinson Chirinos (broken right wrist) will both see a hand specialist on Monday. Andรบjar first felt discomfort taking a swing in a winter league game.
Impact Christian battles, but canโt keep up with OCP in Class 2A hoops title game
Orlando Christian Prep knocked off the Lions 51-32 to win the Class 2A state championship on Saturday morning at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The loss means that the area will have to wait until 2022 to end a state title drought. AdBut Impact went the final seven and a half minutes without another point as OCP sealed its perfect season and stretched its winning streak to 47 games. But Impact wasnโt about to go quietly in the championship, its third title game appearance in four seasons for coach Benjamin Jones and the Lions. The Lions went the final three minutes of the half without a point.
Miserable quarter sinks Jackson in boys basketball state semifinals
A miserable second quarter ended the Tigersโ season in a 79-71 loss to Bishop McLaughlin Catholic on Wednesday in the Class 3A state semifinals at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The Tigers had finished as state runner-up each of the previous two trips for coach James Collins. The Tigers (19-7) were in sync until the early minutes of the second quarter, up by eight points and settling into a rhythm. AdBy the midway point of the quarter, the Tigers were treading water and trying everything they could to hang on. Sharp had a staggering 24 of his 39 points in the second quarter alone.
Impact Christian roars back in hoops state semifinal, will play for title Saturday
The beat in Lakeland goes on for the Impact Christian boys basketball team. The Lions shook off a rough third quarter and surged back late to beat Southwest Florida Christian 69-54 in the Class 2A state semifinal at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Wednesday morning. The Lions (20-8) are now 3-0 in state final four games. Southwest Florida went ice cold against Impactโs defense, committing five turnovers and missing its first five shot attempts of the final quarter before hitting a basket. Senior Calvin Johnson was stellar in his final state semi, going 10 of 11 from the field to lead the Lions with 21 points.
High school basketball playoffs: Impact, Jackson, West Nassau after state titles
Winner gets: Astronaut or Pine Crest in the state championship game on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.Glance: The red-hot Warriors hadnโt been past the second round of the state playoffs before. Winner gets: Calvary Christian Academy or Miami Country Day in the state championship game on Friday at 4:30 p.m.Glance: Theyโre back. Should Jackson win a state championship season, it would move into first place in area history with titles. Road here: Impact d. Christโs Church, 68-44; d. University Christian, 51-46; d. St. John Paul II, 79-57; d. Southwest Florida Christian, 69-68; d. First Baptist Academy, 56-39; d. Cambridge Christian, 63-53. The next breakthrough is a state championship, which will take a strong performance in the state semi, followed by a seismic upset in the final.
Oakleaf canโt catch up to Tampa Plant in girls hoops state semifinals
The best season in Oakleaf girls basketball history finished two wins short of a state championship. The Knights started fast but cooled off after that in a 69-52 loss to Tampa Plant in the Class 7A state semifinals at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland on Friday afternoon. Nyla Jean led Plant with 26 points. AdOakleaf guard Taliah Scott had 26 points and Fantasia James added 15. Both of those players are sophomores and return in 2022 to try and help to Knights contend for a state championship.
Girls basketball state semifinals: Kenny, Oakleaf, St. Augustine have title game shot in sight
Road here: Oakleaf d. Lake Mary, 66-63; d. Spruce Creek, 65-52; d. Timber Creek, 76-61; Plant, bye; d. Riverview Sarasota, 52-26; d. Oak Ridge, 63-29. Winner gets: Palm Beach Lakes or Miami High in the state championship game Saturday at 8 p.m.Glance: The Knights are in the midst of a season unlike any other. Keystone remains the only team from Clay County to play in an FHSAA state championship game. Road here: St. Augustine d. Lee, 51-17; d. Ponte Vedra, 43-35; d. Fort Walton Beach, 52-47; Palm Bay d. Lake Gibson, 65-28; d. Lake Wales, 62-22; d. Orlando Jones, 71-58. Road here: Kenny d. Raines, 60-55 (OT); d. Ribault 44-39; d. West Florida, 51-27; Lake Highland d. Anclote, 88-17; d. Eustis, 67-57; d. Crystal River, 81-20.
Florida House moves forward on health care liability protections for COVID
The move was a first step in delivering on the Republican-led Legislatureโs priority of shielding health-care providers from COVID-19 lawsuits. The proposal would give health-care providers increased protections from COVID-19 lawsuits by patients and residents alleging medical malpractice or violations of rights as long-term care residents. The proposal also would provide liability protections for non-medical negligence claims against health care providers, similar to protections contained in another bill (HB 7) that limits COVID-19- related lawsuits against non-health care businesses. The Senate has introduced a bill (SB 74) to provide immunity to health care providers, but the bill is not identical to the House proposal. While some Democrats on the committee supported the House proposal, Rep. Michele Rayner D-St. Petersburg, opposed it.
Championship season arrives as area girls hoops teams start playoff road
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The road to Lakeland begins this week for girls high school basketball teams. The addition of G Taliah Scott (22 ppg, 5.1 rpg) has allowed returnee G Kaylah Turner (15.4 ppg) and G/F Fantasia James (16.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) to thrive. But Mainland, a regional finalist in 2020, is battle-tested and unbeaten in five games this season against teams from the area. The step to a third straight state championship game is going to be rugged for Kenny. โฆ Jackson has been one of the areaโs steadier teams this season, paced by G Jasmine Jackson (10.7 ppg), F/C Xaniya Jackson (9.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg) F/C Irene Kabassubabo (9.2 ppg, 7.3 rpg).
Mark Wahlberg donates 1.3 million face masks to students, teachers in Lakeland and other US cities
LAKELAND, Fla. โ Actor Mark Wahlberg is aiding students and teachers across the nation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including those in Lakeland, Florida. KSAT reports that Wahlbergโs activewear brand Performance Inspired recently partnered with the active lifestyle brand LifeToGo to donate 1.3 million disposable face masks to teachers and students across the nation, as announced in a press release. Some areas have already received the donated 3-ply masks, including some students and teachers in San Antonio, the release said. Other places where donated masks have been received include Bentonville (AR), Boise (ID), Chicago (Ill.), Cincinnati (Ohio), Grand Rapids (MI), Minneapolis (MN), Portland (OR), Quincy (MA), Rochester (NY), Salisbury (NC), San Antonio (TX), and Woonsocket (RI). Wahlberg posted a video message on social media thanking essential workers and teachers as they combat the pandemic.
AP source: Yankees vs champ Nationals in DC on opening day
(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)NEW YORK Gerrit Cole could make his New York Yankees debut in a tasty opening-day treat for fans, facing Juan Soto and World Series champion Washington at Nationals Park. The Yankees and Nationals are set meet when the virus-delayed season begins next month, a person familiar with the game told The Associated Press on Saturday. He pitched the Houston Astros past the Nationals 7-1 last October for a 3-2 edge in the World Series. The Yankees and Nationals met twice this year, including New Yorks 6-3 win on March 12 on the final day before MLB stopped spring training because of the virus outbreak. The Yankees are hopeful that slugger Aaron Judge has fully recovered from a rib injury that bothered him during spring training in Florida.
Florida motorcycle officer killed in crash
LAKELAND, Fla. โ A Florida motorcycle officer was killed in a crash while driving his police-issued Harley-Davidson to work Thursday morning, authorities said. Officer Paul Dunn, 50, died shortly before 6 a.m., according to a post on the with the Lakeland Police Departmentโs Facebook page. Passing motorists saw the motorcycle and stopped to help Dunn, Judd said. โWe have suffered a tragic loss out here this morning,โ Garcia said during the news conference. โItโs a tragic loss for the agency and the community as well.
Tornados from T.S. Nestor damage homes in southwest
CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Tornados spawned by Nestor damaged dozens of homes in southwest Florida Saturday, according to police agencies. The Cape Coral Police Department said in a statement that about dozen homes were damaged Saturday morning by a possible tornado, some severely. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said a tornado damaged about a dozen homes and a school near Lakeland but no serious injuries were reported. However, the storm spared an area of the Florida Panhandle devastated one year ago by Hurricane Michael. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.