thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Dodgers acquire slugger Mookie Betts and starter David Price from the Red Sox

BOSTON — The Red Sox have agreed to trade 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers , packaging the star outfielder with left-hander David Price in a salary dump that is expected to save Boston tens of millions of dollars , according to two people with knowledge of the deal .
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the trade had not been announced .
The Dodgers are sending outfielder Alex Verdugo back to the Red Sox .
The deal also involves the Minnesota Twins , who are getting right-hander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol to Boston .
Los Angeles will also get cash from Boston to offset some of the $ 123 million owed to Betts and Price , but the exact amount was not yet known .
Unable to sign Betts to a long-term deal , Boston decided to move him now rather than let the four-time All-Star leave as a free agent after the 2020 season .
He will earn $ 27 million this season and has expressed eagerness to test the market .
The deal comes a century after Boston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Yankees .
One of baseball ’ s best all-around talents , the popular Betts should fit nicely into a Dodgers lineup that also includes reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger .
Los Angeles has won seven straight NL West titles but hasn ’ t celebrated a World Series championship since 1988 .
The Dodgers lost to Betts and the Red Sox in the 2018 Fall Classic , a year after being defeated by the Houston Astros in seven games .
Price is due $ 96 million over the final three years of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed before the 2016 season .
The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner missed time last year with a wrist issue and went 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA in 22 starts .
The Dodgers finally pulled off the kind of splashy offseason deal that has eluded them in recent years .
They lost out on two primary offseason pursuits when pitcher Gerrit Cole signed with the New York Yankees for $ 324 million over nine years and third baseman Anthony Rendon signed a $ 245 million , seven-year contract with the rival Angels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top addition this winter was reliever Blake Treinen .
Adding Betts ’ bat to a lineup that includes Bellinger , Justin Turner , Max Muncy and Corey Seager makes the Dodgers even more fearsome .
Their offense led the National League with 886 runs and 279 home runs last year .
Verdugo , a left-handed hitter , batted .294 with 44 RBIs and 12 home runs in 106 games before a back injury in August ended his season early .
His outfield defense is average , but at 23 he has time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointment in Boston , where the New England Patriots sat out the Super Bowl for the first time in four years and face the prospect of quarterback Tom Brady leaving as a free agent .
The Red Sox are now without the best player , the top executive and the manager who led them to a franchise-record 108 wins and the World Series championship a year ago .
The deal makes sense only in the complicated economics of baseball ’ s collective bargaining tax , which penalizes a team for spending over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
What ’ s more , a ballclub that surpasses the threshold in three straight years pays a top rate of 95 % ; on the other hand , if a team goes under the limit for a season , the penalty for their next violation resets to the lowest rate of 20 % .
This deal is expected to get Boston below that threshold .
Owner John Henry said in September , after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015 , that the Red Sox “ need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president Sam Kennedy later walked back the comments and said that was “ a goal but not a mandate.
” After he was hired , Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom said : “ The goal remains to be competitive always .
2020 is important .
So are 2021 , 2022 and beyond.
” Undoubtedly , the focus is now on the future .
The Red Sox remain without a manager three weeks after firing Alex Cora for his role in the Houston Astros 2017 sign-stealing scandal ; Major League Baseball has not announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cora implemented a similar scheme when he took over in Boston in ’ 18 .
Pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training in one week .
The new manager will need to sort out a lineup that is missing a player who batted leadoff and won four straight Gold Gloves in the outfield , as well as Price , a five-time All-Star .
Red Sox slugger J.D .
Martinez was among the first to react to reports of the deal on social media , sending out only a sad-face emoji @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ranked 83rd on MLB.com ’ s most recent list of the top 100 prospects in baseball .
He made his major league debut last season with the Twins and posted a 4.66 ERA in 10 relief appearances .
A starter in the minors , he faces questions about his durability but could get a chance to pitch in Boston ’ s rotation .
If not , he ’ s thrown as hard as 102 mph and could be an effective late-inning reliever .
AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick in New York and AP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed .

BOSTON — The Red Sox have agreed to trade 2018 AL MVP Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers, packaging the star outfielder with left-hander David Price in a salary dump that is expected to save Boston tens of millions of dollars, according to two people with knowledge of the deal.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday night because the trade had not been announced.
The Dodgers are sending outfielder Alex Verdugo back to the Red Sox. The deal also involves the Minnesota Twins, who are getting right-hander Kenta Maeda from the Dodgers and sending pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol to Boston.
Los Angeles will also get cash from Boston to offset some of the $123 million owed to Betts and Price, but the exact amount was not yet known.
Unable to sign Betts to a long-term deal, Boston decided to move him now rather than let the four-time All-Star leave as a free agent after the 2020 season. He will earn $27 million this season and has expressed eagerness to test the market.
The deal comes a century after Boston infamously sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.
One of baseball’s best all-around talents, the popular Betts should fit nicely into a Dodgers lineup that also includes reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger. Los Angeles has won seven straight NL West titles but hasn’t celebrated a World Series championship since 1988. The Dodgers lost to Betts and the Red Sox in the 2018 Fall Classic, a year after being defeated by the Houston Astros in seven games.
Price is due $96 million over the final three years of a $217 million, seven-year deal he signed before the 2016 season. The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner missed time last year with a wrist issue and went 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA in 22 starts.
The Dodgers finally pulled off the kind of splashy offseason deal that has eluded them in recent years. They lost out on two primary offseason pursuits when pitcher Gerrit Cole signed with the New York Yankees for $324 million over nine years and third baseman Anthony Rendon signed a $245 million, seven-year contract with the rival Angels.
Until now, the Dodgers’ top addition this winter was reliever Blake Treinen.
Adding Betts’ bat to a lineup that includes Bellinger, Justin Turner, Max Muncy and Corey Seager makes the Dodgers even more fearsome. Their offense led the National League with 886 runs and 279 home runs last year.
Verdugo, a left-handed hitter, batted .294 with 44 RBIs and 12 home runs in 106 games before a back injury in August ended his season early. His outfield defense is average, but at 23 he has time to improve.
Betts’ departure deepens the disappointment in Boston, where the New England Patriots sat out the Super Bowl for the first time in four years and face the prospect of quarterback Tom Brady leaving as a free agent. The Red Sox are now without the best player, the top executive and the manager who led them to a franchise-record 108 wins and the World Series championship a year ago.
The deal makes sense only in the complicated economics of baseball’s collective bargaining tax, which penalizes a team for spending over a preset limit — $208 million for 2020. What’s more, a ballclub that surpasses the threshold in three straight years pays a top rate of 95%; on the other hand, if a team goes under the limit for a season, the penalty for their next violation resets to the lowest rate of 20%.
This deal is expected to get Boston below that threshold.
Owner John Henry said in September, after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015, that the Red Sox “need to be under the CBT.” Team president Sam Kennedy later walked back the comments and said that was “a goal but not a mandate.” After he was hired, Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom said: “The goal remains to be competitive always. 2020 is important. So are 2021, 2022 and beyond.”
Undoubtedly, the focus is now on the future.
The Red Sox remain without a manager three weeks after firing Alex Cora for his role in the Houston Astros 2017 sign-stealing scandal; Major League Baseball has not announced the results of its investigation into whether Cora implemented a similar scheme when he took over in Boston in ’18. Pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training in one week.
The new manager will need to sort out a lineup that is missing a player who batted leadoff and won four straight Gold Gloves in the outfield, as well as Price, a five-time All-Star.
Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez was among the first to react to reports of the deal on social media, sending out only a sad-face emoji.
Graterol is a hard-throwing righty who ranked 83rd on MLB.com’s most recent list of the top 100 prospects in baseball. He made his major league debut last season with the Twins and posted a 4.66 ERA in 10 relief appearances. A starter in the minors, he faces questions about his durability but could get a chance to pitch in Boston’s rotation. If not, he’s thrown as hard as 102 mph and could be an effective late-inning reliever.
___
AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick in New York and AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed.


thedenverpost--2020-02-06--Top U.S. Olympic doctor says he was fired for trying to protect athletes from sexual abuse, lawsuit

Top U.S. Olympic doctor says he was fired for trying to protect athletes from sexual abuse, lawsuit says

A former top medical official with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee filed a whistle-blower lawsuit Wednesday against the organization , alleging that he was fired in retaliation for urging management to better protect athletes ’ health and safety .
Dr. William Moreau , the Olympic Committee ’ s former vice president of sports medicine , claims in the lawsuit , filed in Denver District Court , that he tried to report allegations of sexual abuse against young female athletes , reform mental health processes within the organization and end the practice of creating incomplete medical records for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says , were often met with deaf ears .
He was fired in May 2019 .
“ I feel like in a way , I need to give a voice to the athletes who were raped , the athletes that are hurting , the athletes that aren ’ t getting the care they need , ” Moreau told The Denver Post .
“ I hope that by shining a bright light on this , maybe people will start paying attention.
” The lawsuit comes as the Olympic Committee and its teams face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into its handling of sexual abuse allegations committed against athletes going back decades .
An 18-month Senate investigation last summer found “ alarming and dysfunctional systems ” allowed abuse to persist across several sports.The issue was thrust into national headlines in 2016 when dozens of women came forward with accusations of molestation against former gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
, However , more reporting has shown the pervasiveness of sex abuse against American Olympic athletes .
In a statement , the U.S. Olympic Committee said it has not been served with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We regret that Dr. Moreau and his attorney have misrepresented the causes of his separation from the USOPC , ” Luella Chavez D ’ Angelo , the Olympic Committee ’ s chief marketing and communications officer , said in the statement .
“ We will honor their decision to see this matter through in the courts , and we won ’ t comment on the specifics as that goes forward.
” Moreau , who spent 10 years with the Olympic Committee , is seeking unspecified relief for wrongful discharge in violation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the lawsuit and in an interview , Moreau described “ a lonely battle ” to bring awareness to the organization ’ s leaders about health and safety issues .
In one example in 2018 , a track coach called Moreau to report that a 15-year-old female Paralympic athlete was having suicidal ideations after having sex with a 20-year-old male athlete during the Drake Relays in Iowa .
Moreau informed higher-ups about the statutory rape , but the organization did not report it to law enforcement until four days later — well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come and gone , the lawsuit alleges .
In another instance , Moreau learned that an athlete had attempted suicide in February 2019 and that the individual had stopped attending follow-up psychiatric care .
According to the lawsuit , he urged Olympic Committee leaders to get the athlete more intensive help beyond the organization ’ s internal professionals , who , he argued , were not properly equipped to deal with this type of emergency mental health crisis .
The next day , the athlete died by suicide , the lawsuit said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ management — such as the time an Olympic Committee employee was naked in a public sauna with the under-18 gymnastics teams nearby .
Moreau continued to push for change within the organization until he was fired , according to the complaint .
“ The answer to the question of why the USOC fired Dr. Moreau is this : The USOC terminated him in retaliation for his persistent advocacy in support of public policy that – contrary to the USOC ’ s modus operandi – prioritized athletes ’ health and safety first and foremost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Denver Post that he ’ s never sued anyone and never imagined he ’ d be a part of something like this .
“ You either need to be a part of the solution or you ’ re part of the problem , ” he said .
“ I decided that I was going to be that guy.
” A 2017 Washington Post investigation found more than 290 coaches and officials with the United States ’ Olympic sports organizations had been publicly accused of sexual misconduct since 1982 — an average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 36 years .
The allegations have hit coaches and trainers in gymnastics , taekwondo , figure skating , swimming and more .
In response to the Senate investigation , Senators Jerry Moran , R-Kansas , and Richard Blumenthal , D-Connecticut , introduced a bill last year that would hold the Olympic Committee and national sports governing bodies to stricter legal accountability for failing to protect athletes .
“ We ’ re moving at a glacial pace , ” Moreau said , “ considering lives are on the line here .
”

A former top medical official with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee filed a whistle-blower lawsuit Wednesday against the organization, alleging that he was fired in retaliation for urging management to better protect athletes’ health and safety.
Dr. William Moreau, the Olympic Committee’s former vice president of sports medicine, claims in the lawsuit, filed in Denver District Court, that he tried to report allegations of sexual abuse against young female athletes, reform mental health processes within the organization and end the practice of creating incomplete medical records for its athletes. Moreau’s urgings, he says, were often met with deaf ears. He was fired in May 2019.
“I feel like in a way, I need to give a voice to the athletes who were raped, the athletes that are hurting, the athletes that aren’t getting the care they need,” Moreau told The Denver Post. “I hope that by shining a bright light on this, maybe people will start paying attention.”
The lawsuit comes as the Olympic Committee and its teams face congressional scrutiny and a Department of Justice investigation into its handling of sexual abuse allegations committed against athletes going back decades. An 18-month Senate investigation last summer found “alarming and dysfunctional systems” allowed abuse to persist across several sports. The issue made national headlines in 2016 when dozens of women came forward with accusations of molestation against former gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. However, more reporting has shown the pervasiveness of sex abuse against American Olympic athletes.
In a statement, the U.S. Olympic Committee said it has not been served with the suit and is reviewing the complaint.
“We regret that Dr. Moreau and his attorney have misrepresented the causes of his separation from the USOPC,” Luella Chavez D’Angelo, the Olympic Committee’s chief marketing and communications officer, said in the statement. “We will honor their decision to see this matter through in the courts, and we won’t comment on the specifics as that goes forward.”
Moreau, who spent 10 years with the Olympic Committee, is seeking unspecified relief for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy and extreme and outrageous conduct.
In the lawsuit and in an interview, Moreau described “a lonely battle” to bring awareness to the organization’s leaders about health and safety issues.
In one example in 2018, a track coach called Moreau to report that a 15-year-old female Paralympic athlete was having suicidal ideations after having sex with a 20-year-old male athlete during the Drake Relays in Iowa. Moreau informed higher-ups about the statutory rape, but the organization did not report it to law enforcement until four days later — well after the mandatory 24-hour reporting period had come and gone, the lawsuit alleges.
In another instance, Moreau learned that an athlete had attempted suicide in February 2019 and that the individual had stopped attending follow-up psychiatric care. According to the lawsuit, he urged Olympic Committee leaders to get the athlete more intensive help beyond the organization’s internal professionals, who, he argued, were not properly equipped to deal with this type of emergency mental health crisis.
The next day, the athlete died by suicide, the lawsuit said.
Moreau kept bringing concerning incidents to upper-level management — such as the time an Olympic Committee employee was naked in a public sauna with the under-18 gymnastics teams nearby. Moreau continued to push for change within the organization until he was fired, according to the complaint.
“The answer to the question of why the USOC fired Dr. Moreau is this: The USOC terminated him in retaliation for his persistent advocacy in support of public policy that – contrary to the USOC’s modus operandi – prioritized athletes’ health and safety first and foremost,” the lawsuit stated.
Moreau told The Denver Post that he’s never sued anyone and never imagined he’d be a part of something like this.
“You either need to be a part of the solution or you’re part of the problem,” he said. “I decided that I was going to be that guy.”
A 2017 Washington Post investigation found more than 290 coaches and officials with the United States’ Olympic sports organizations had been publicly accused of sexual misconduct since 1982 — an average of one every six weeks for more than 36 years. The allegations have hit coaches and trainers in gymnastics, taekwondo, figure skating, swimming and more.
In response to the Senate investigation, Senators Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, and Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, introduced a bill last year that would hold the Olympic Committee and national sports governing bodies to stricter legal accountability for failing to protect athletes.
The bill passed out of committee last year and now awaits full consideration in the Senate.
“We’re moving at a glacial pace,” Moreau said, “considering lives are on the line here.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Rush Limbaugh denied smoking risks in 2015: ‘Smokers aren’t killing anybody’

Just five years ago , conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh went on a pro-tobacco rant on his show , during which he downplayed the risks of smoking , said it ’ s “ a myth ” that secondhand smoke causes illness or death and argued that smokers aren ’ t at any greater risk than people who “ eat carrots.
” “ Smokers aren ’ t killing anybody , ” the conservative host declared in an April 2015 segment of the “ Rush Limbaugh Show , ” then argued that tobacco users should be thanked because their purchases generate tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care programs .
“ I ’ m just saying there ought to be a little appreciation shown for them , instead of having them hated and reviled , ” Limbaugh said .
“ I would like a medal for smoking cigars , is what I ’ m saying.
” Fast forward to Monday , when Limbaugh , 69 , went on his radio show to announce that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer .
Or fast forward to Tuesday , when Limbaugh was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom award @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Union address .
First Lady Melania Trump , seated next to Limbaugh in the House gallery , presented him with the award .
On his show Monday , Limbaugh said he had begun treatment for the cancer , but didn ’ t go into details , the Daily News reported .
He only said he had noticed shortness of breath close to his birthday on Jan. 12 , then had two professionals diagnose the cancer on Jan. 20 .
“ There are going to be days that I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I ’ m undergoing treatment or I ’ m reacting to treatment , ” Limbaugh said .
Smoking is not the sole cause of lung cancer , of course , but the American Lung Association reported it was the no .
1 cause — responsible for about 90 percent of lung cancer cases .
Limbaugh , whose syndicated radio show is heard on 600 stations around the country , is popular among grass-roots conservatives and counts President Donald Trump as one of his biggest fans , the New York Times said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ polarizing figure , usually for his controversial statements about race , including when he used the term “ uppity-ism ” in reference to Michelle Obama , the New York Times added .
His show also lost sponsors in 2012 when he called law student Sandra Fluke a “ slut ” and “ a prostitute ” after she spoke to a congressional hearing about birth control .
His 2006 attack on actor Michael J .
Fox , who has Parkinson ’ s disease , was a top trending topic on Twitter Monday after Limbaugh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of exaggerating the symptoms of his Parkinson ’ s disease and mocked his movements .
“ Hard to muster up a lot of compassion for a man who has displayed so little of it himself , ” one man tweeted in reply to this post .
However , someone else , who said she wasn ’ t a fan of Limbaugh ’ s “ in any way , shape or form , ” said cancer had touched her life “ many times ” so “ I won ’ t gloat over his diagnosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rehab to deal with a prescription painkiller addiction in 2003 , started smoking as a teenager , the New York Times reported .
He said he quit cigarettes by the early 1980s , but he continued to smoke cigars and often was photographed puffing on a cigar .
On his show , Limbaugh talked about the glamour of smoking and how “ cool ” it was , the Daily News reported .
In 2011 , he said , “ I have long maintained that smokers deserve our gratitude , ” the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think somebody should be chosen and a smoker should be given the highest medal that this country gives out .
Whatever it is .
The Medal of Honor ?
” Limbaugh continued .
“ If not that , the Congressional Medal of Honor .
Smokers are being told horrible things about themselves .
They are being told they are rotten to the core , they are despicable .
And yet they alone , practically , are funding children ’ s health care programs.
” Limbaugh ’ s 2015 pro-smoking rant began in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logic that society should be thankful to smokers .
When Limbaugh said , “ Smokers aren ’ t killing anybody , ” the caller noted , “ Except themselves.
” Limbaugh scoffed , “ Yeah , but how long does it take ?
Firsthand smoke takes 50 years to kill people , if it does .
Not everybody that smokes gets cancer .
Now , it ’ s true that everybody who smokes dies , but so does everyone who eats carrots.
” Giving up smoking can decrease a person ’ s risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Lung Association says , “ You can still get lung cancer.
” Limbaugh also falsely stated that the World Health Organization had “ disproven ” the dangers of second-hand smoke .
“ There is no fatality whatsoever , ” Limbaugh falsely claimed .
“ There ’ s no … major sickness component associated with secondhand smoke .
It may irritate you , and you may not like it , but it will not make you sick , and it will not kill you.
” In fact , the World Health Organization very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1.2 million premature deaths per year ; 65,000 children die each year from illness attributable to second-hand smoke .
In adults , second-hand smoke causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases , including lung cancer , of course , as well as heart disease , WHO said .
In infants , second-hand smoke raises the risk of sudden infant death syndrome ; in pregnant women , it causes pregnancy complications and low birth weight .
Overall , WHO said the global tobacco epidemic is “ the biggest public health threat the world has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 million people per year , with 7 million of those deaths the result of direct tobacco use , WHO said .
This story has been updated to include information about Limbaugh being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at Trump ’ s State of the Union address .

Just five years ago, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh went on a pro-tobacco rant on his show, during which he downplayed the risks of smoking, said it’s “a myth” that secondhand smoke causes illness or death and argued that smokers aren’t at any greater risk than people who “eat carrots.”
“Smokers aren’t killing anybody,” the conservative host declared in an April 2015 segment of the “Rush Limbaugh Show,” then argued that tobacco users should be thanked because their purchases generate tax dollars that fund children’s health care programs.
“I’m just saying there ought to be a little appreciation shown for them, instead of having them hated and reviled,” Limbaugh said. “I would like a medal for smoking cigars, is what I’m saying.”
Fast forward to Monday, when Limbaugh, 69, went on his radio show to announce that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.
Or fast forward to Tuesday, when Limbaugh was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom award during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. First Lady Melania Trump, seated next to Limbaugh in the House gallery, presented him with the award.
President Trump awards Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom during his State of the Union. Follow live updates: https://t.co/4LdEE5NoRO pic.twitter.com/1YsK1C3P6r — CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) February 5, 2020
On his show Monday, Limbaugh said he had begun treatment for the cancer, but didn’t go into details, the Daily News reported. He only said he had noticed shortness of breath close to his birthday on Jan. 12, then had two professionals diagnose the cancer on Jan. 20.
“There are going to be days that I’m not going to be able to be here because I’m undergoing treatment or I’m reacting to treatment,” Limbaugh said.
Smoking is not the sole cause of lung cancer, of course, but the American Lung Association reported it was the no. 1 cause — responsible for about 90 percent of lung cancer cases.
Limbaugh, whose syndicated radio show is heard on 600 stations around the country, is popular among grass-roots conservatives and counts President Donald Trump as one of his biggest fans, the New York Times said.
But the host has long been a polarizing figure, usually for his controversial statements about race, including when he used the term “uppity-ism” in reference to Michelle Obama, the New York Times added. His show also lost sponsors in 2012 when he called law student Sandra Fluke a “slut” and “a prostitute” after she spoke to a congressional hearing about birth control.
His 2006 attack on actor Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson’s disease, was a top trending topic on Twitter Monday after Limbaugh announced his diagnosis. Limbaugh accused Fox of exaggerating the symptoms of his Parkinson’s disease and mocked his movements.
Just A Quick Reminder Of The Time Rush Limbaugh Mocked Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's By Pretending To Shake Uncontrollably. pic.twitter.com/dX3L0jtnUv — Austin (@austin63867) February 3, 2020
“Hard to muster up a lot of compassion for a man who has displayed so little of it himself,” one man tweeted in reply to this post. However, someone else, who said she wasn’t a fan of Limbaugh’s “in any way, shape or form,” said cancer had touched her life “many times” so “I won’t gloat over his diagnosis either.”
Limbaugh, who acknowledged going to rehab to deal with a prescription painkiller addiction in 2003, started smoking as a teenager, the New York Times reported. He said he quit cigarettes by the early 1980s, but he continued to smoke cigars and often was photographed puffing on a cigar.
On his show, Limbaugh talked about the glamour of smoking and how “cool” it was, the Daily News reported.
In 2011, he said, “I have long maintained that smokers deserve our gratitude,” the Daily News reported.
“In fact, I think somebody should be chosen and a smoker should be given the highest medal that this country gives out. Whatever it is. The Medal of Honor?” Limbaugh continued. “If not that, the Congressional Medal of Honor. Smokers are being told horrible things about themselves. They are being told they are rotten to the core, they are despicable. And yet they alone, practically, are funding children’s health care programs.”
Limbaugh’s 2015 pro-smoking rant began in response to a caller who questioned his logic that society should be thankful to smokers.
When Limbaugh said, “Smokers aren’t killing anybody,” the caller noted, “Except themselves.”
Limbaugh scoffed, “Yeah, but how long does it take? Firsthand smoke takes 50 years to kill people, if it does. Not everybody that smokes gets cancer. Now, it’s true that everybody who smokes dies, but so does everyone who eats carrots.”
Giving up smoking can decrease a person’s risk of developing cancer, but the the American Lung Association says, “You can still get lung cancer.”
Limbaugh also falsely stated that the World Health Organization had “disproven” the dangers of second-hand smoke.
“There is no fatality whatsoever,” Limbaugh falsely claimed. “There’s no … major sickness component associated with secondhand smoke. It may irritate you, and you may not like it, but it will not make you sick, and it will not kill you.”
In fact, the World Health Organization very explicitly says that second-hand smoke causes more than 1.2 million premature deaths per year; 65,000 children die each year from illness attributable to second-hand smoke.
In adults, second-hand smoke causes serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, of course, as well as heart disease, WHO said. In infants, second-hand smoke raises the risk of sudden infant death syndrome; in pregnant women, it causes pregnancy complications and low birth weight.
Overall, WHO said the global tobacco epidemic is “the biggest public health threat the world has ever faced.” It kills more than 8 million people per year, with 7 million of those deaths the result of direct tobacco use, WHO said.
This story has been updated to include information about Limbaugh being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at Trump’s State of the Union address.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Boulder emergency crews rescue woman, dog from pond

Emergency crews were able to rescue a woman and her dog from a frozen pond in south Boulder today .
Witnesses saw the woman and her dog fall through the ice at a pond in the 5000 block of Table Mesa Drive on the University of Colorado Boulder ’ s south campus at 8:28 a.m. , according to a release .
The woman , who had been trying to get her dog from the water , was found by emergency workers with her head and arms above the water about 10 feet from shore .
Rescue crews were able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the water .
The woman was taken to Boulder Community Health ’ s Foothills Hospital while the dog was taken to South Boulder Animal Hospital .
Crews from Boulder Fire Rescue and CU Boulder police responded to the call .
“ I am very proud of combined effort of CU Boulder police officers and the Boulder firefighters , ” said CU Boulder police Chief Doreen Jokerst in a statement .
“ Two agencies working together for the safety of our community.
” Boulder Fire Rescue Chief Michael Calderazzo reminded people to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help rather than going out on ice to try to rescue pets .
“ It is never safe to go out on the ice after a pet , ” Calderazzo said in a statement .
“ Our department trains for incidents just like this .
We will come rescue pets that have fallen through ice .
Please do not endanger yourself by walking out on ice .
”

Emergency crews were able to rescue a woman and her dog from a frozen pond in south Boulder today.
Witnesses saw the woman and her dog fall through the ice at a pond in the 5000 block of Table Mesa Drive on the University of Colorado Boulder’s south campus at 8:28 a.m., according to a release.
The woman, who had been trying to get her dog from the water, was found by emergency workers with her head and arms above the water about 10 feet from shore.
Rescue crews were able to get the woman and the dog safely from the water. The woman was taken to Boulder Community Health’s Foothills Hospital while the dog was taken to South Boulder Animal Hospital.
Crews from Boulder Fire Rescue and CU Boulder police responded to the call.
“I am very proud of combined effort of CU Boulder police officers and the Boulder firefighters,” said CU Boulder police Chief Doreen Jokerst in a statement. “Two agencies working together for the safety of our community.”
Boulder Fire Rescue Chief Michael Calderazzo reminded people to stay off ice and to call for emergency help rather than going out on ice to try to rescue pets.
“It is never safe to go out on the ice after a pet,” Calderazzo said in a statement. “Our department trains for incidents just like this. We will come rescue pets that have fallen through ice. Please do not endanger yourself by walking out on ice.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Suspect charged in armed robbery of Denver marijuana dispensary — may be connected to 5 others

Denver prosecutors have charged a suspect in the armed robbery of a marijuana dispensary last month that law enforcement officials believe is connected to five similar hold-ups in late 2019 .
Sabastian Tremayne Littlejohn , 25 , was arrested on charges stemming from a robbery at Lightshade dispensary at 330 S. Dayton St. on Jan. 8 .
Three additional suspects also were arrested in connection with the Lightshade robbery and subsequently released from custody pending further investigation , Denver police told The Denver Post .
Littlejohn has been charged with five counts of aggravated robbery , one count of second-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance , and with being a special offender , according to an announcement from the Denver District Attorney Beth McCann .
He ’ s scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 24 .
Burglaries at Denver marijuana dispensaries and cultivation sites hit a three-year high in 2019 , with five robberies and 122 reported .
So far in 2020 , detectives have investigated seven burglaries and two robberies at Denver dispensaries , according to police .
Authorities identified Littlejohn after they found his fingerprint on evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to an arrest affidavit .
Surveillance footage showed five masked suspects pull up to the dispensary in a dark-colored Pontiac sedan .
As two people exited the vehicle , a white grocery bag fell on the ground , the affidavit said , and Denver Crime Lab identified one latent print from the bag that belonged to Littlejohn , according to the affidavit .
During the robbery , the suspects pointed handguns at people inside the store and demand cash and merchandise , the affidavit said .
One suspect also fired a shot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , a group of masked and armed suspects robbed other dispensaries in the Denver area , including A Cut Above ( 1911 S. Broadway ) , Green Heart Dispensary ( 19005 E. Quincy Ave ) , Frosted Leaf ( 399 S. Harrison St. ) , Cherry Creek Dispensary ( 4601 E. Mississippi Ave. ) and Green Man Cannabis ( 7289 E. Hampden Ave. ) .
The suspects held employees at gunpoint at the Frosted Leaf before making away with less than $ 10,000 in cash and products , the dispensary ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post .

Denver prosecutors have charged a suspect in the armed robbery of a marijuana dispensary last month that law enforcement officials believe is connected to five similar hold-ups in late 2019.
Sabastian Tremayne Littlejohn, 25, was arrested on charges stemming from a robbery at Lightshade dispensary at 330 S. Dayton St. on Jan. 8.
Three additional suspects also were arrested in connection with the Lightshade robbery and subsequently released from custody pending further investigation, Denver police told The Denver Post.
Littlejohn has been charged with five counts of aggravated robbery, one count of second-degree kidnapping, one count of possession with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance, and with being a special offender, according to an announcement from the Denver District Attorney Beth McCann. He’s scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 24.
Burglaries at Denver marijuana dispensaries and cultivation sites hit a three-year high in 2019, with five robberies and 122 burglaries reported. So far in 2020, detectives have investigated seven burglaries and two robberies at Denver dispensaries, according to police.
Authorities identified Littlejohn after they found his fingerprint on evidence from the Lightshade dispensary robbery, according to an arrest affidavit.
Surveillance footage showed five masked suspects pull up to the dispensary in a dark-colored Pontiac sedan. As two people exited the vehicle, a white grocery bag fell on the ground, the affidavit said, and Denver Crime Lab identified one latent print from the bag that belonged to Littlejohn, according to the affidavit.
During the robbery, the suspects pointed handguns at people inside the store and demand cash and merchandise, the affidavit said. One suspect also fired a shot, it said.
In November and December 2019, a group of masked and armed suspects robbed other dispensaries in the Denver area, including A Cut Above (1911 S. Broadway), Green Heart Dispensary (19005 E. Quincy Ave), Frosted Leaf (399 S. Harrison St.), Cherry Creek Dispensary (4601 E. Mississippi Ave.) and Green Man Cannabis (7289 E. Hampden Ave.).
The suspects held employees at gunpoint at the Frosted Leaf before making away with less than $10,000 in cash and products, the dispensary’s general counsel John Goutell previously told The Post.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Clothing brand Marine Layer set to open first Denver store in former Cold Crush space in RiNo

The River North Art District ’ s emergence as a hot spot for unique retail brands is set to continue this summer .
Marine Layer , a Bay Area clothing company known for ultra-soft fabrics , pastel color palettes and a T-shirt recycling program , will make its Colorado debut there .
Marine Layer has more than 40 stores sprinkled across the nation , with concentrations in California and New York City .
Its incoming 1,900-square-foot shop on the ground floor of the building at 2700 Larimer St. will be the brand ’ s first in the Mountain West .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company at heart of the booming art district , nicknamed RiNo , that overlays parts of four historic north Denver neighborhoods .
“ It ’ s a fun , vibrant neighborhood frequented by our customers day and night .
We love the influence of local artists on the entire neighborhood , ” Josh Gladding , the company ’ s director of real estate , said in a statement .
“ Marine Layer is a brand that wants every store to be unique , and tailor our store design to the look , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ re very excited about what we have planned for RiNo.
” Gladding ’ s comments echo those made by Burton Snowboards ’ s head of retail real estate last month .
The iconic Vermont brand is planning to open its first dedicated Denver retail store at 27th and Walnut streets later this year , joining new RiNo arrival Patagonia as outdoor-focused brands that are giving the area — already known for its art and nightlife scenes — some pull with shoppers .
Born out of founder Michael Natenshon ‘ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the feel and softness of a broken-in old shirt , according to its online origin story , Marine Layer today sells full men ’ s and women ’ s clothing lines and even has a line for kids .
Its Re-Spun T-shirt recycling program , which blends thread from donated shirts with recycled plastic bottles to create new clothes , earned a write-up from Forbes magazine last year .
Re-Spun items start at $ 35 in the company ’ s online store , with most priced at $ 50 or above .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail real estate firm Edens ’ growing Denver empire .
The company bought a prime chunk of RiNo real estate from district pioneer Ken Wolf in 2018 to make its entrance on the Denver real estate scene and has continued to acquire pieces centered around the Denver Central Market , 2669 Larimer St. , building since .
Edens bought the F.M .
Hall building that Marine Layer will soon occupy at the northeast corner of 27th and Larimer streets for $ 1.75 million in May , city records show .
More than 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to popular hip hop club Cold Crush before that establishment was pushed out by the property ’ s then-owner , Poppyseed LLC , in 2017 .
The ground floor most recently hosted the Barcode Lounge , which closed in the last few months .
Marine Layer is the headliner , but it ’ s not the only tenant going into F.M .
Hall .
By early March , Tom Kiler , Edens ’ managing director for its western region , plans to set up shop on the second floor .
The office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headquarters .
“ We partnered with Marine Layer because their commitment to business transparency and social responsibility reflects the RiNo community ’ s values and lifestyle , ” Kiler said in a statement .
In an interview with The Denver Post last month , Kiler hinted at more Edens acquisitions to come in RiNo , likely on blocks that border its other holdings .
“ We would love to continue growing with the neighborhood , ” he said .
“ Proximity and connections are important .
That ’ s what allows us to @ @ @ @ @

The River North Art District’s emergence as a hot spot for unique retail brands is set to continue this summer. Marine Layer, a Bay Area clothing company known for ultra-soft fabrics, pastel color palettes and a T-shirt recycling program, will make its Colorado debut there.
Marine Layer has more than 40 stores sprinkled across the nation, with concentrations in California and New York City. Its incoming 1,900-square-foot shop on the ground floor of the building at 2700 Larimer St. will be the brand’s first in the Mountain West. It’s an address that puts the company at heart of the booming art district, nicknamed RiNo, that overlays parts of four historic north Denver neighborhoods.
“It’s a fun, vibrant neighborhood frequented by our customers day and night. We love the influence of local artists on the entire neighborhood,” Josh Gladding, the company’s director of real estate, said in a statement. “Marine Layer is a brand that wants every store to be unique, and tailor our store design to the look, feel and culture of our local markets. We’re very excited about what we have planned for RiNo.”
Gladding’s comments echo those made by Burton Snowboards’s head of retail real estate last month. The iconic Vermont brand is planning to open its first dedicated Denver retail store at 27th and Walnut streets later this year, joining new RiNo arrival Patagonia as outdoor-focused brands that are giving the area — already known for its art and nightlife scenes — some pull with shoppers.
Born out of founder Michael Natenshon‘s desire to create a new shirt that had the feel and softness of a broken-in old shirt, according to its online origin story, Marine Layer today sells full men’s and women’s clothing lines and even has a line for kids. Its Re-Spun T-shirt recycling program, which blends thread from donated shirts with recycled plastic bottles to create new clothes, earned a write-up from Forbes magazine last year. Re-Spun items start at $35 in the company’s online store, with most priced at $50 or above.
Marine Layer is the latest addition to retail real estate firm Edens’ growing Denver empire. The company bought a prime chunk of RiNo real estate from district pioneer Ken Wolf in 2018 to make its entrance on the Denver real estate scene and has continued to acquire pieces centered around the Denver Central Market, 2669 Larimer St., building since.
Edens bought the F.M. Hall building that Marine Layer will soon occupy at the northeast corner of 27th and Larimer streets for $1.75 million in May, city records show. More than 100 years old, the building was previously home to popular hip hop club Cold Crush before that establishment was pushed out by the property’s then-owner, Poppyseed LLC, in 2017. The ground floor most recently hosted the Barcode Lounge, which closed in the last few months.
Marine Layer is the headliner, but it’s not the only tenant going into F.M. Hall. By early March, Tom Kiler, Edens’ managing director for its western region, plans to set up shop on the second floor. The office will be the firm’s regional headquarters.
“We partnered with Marine Layer because their commitment to business transparency and social responsibility reflects the RiNo community’s values and lifestyle,” Kiler said in a statement.
In an interview with The Denver Post last month, Kiler hinted at more Edens acquisitions to come in RiNo, likely on blocks that border its other holdings.
“We would love to continue growing with the neighborhood,” he said. “Proximity and connections are important. That’s what allows us to do the curation.”


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Partial Iowa results give Buttigieg slight edge over Sanders

DES MOINES , Iowa — Pete Buttigieg held a slight lead over Bernie Sanders in the opening contest of the Democratic race for the presidential nomination , according to partial results released by the Iowa Democratic Party .
The results that came out Tuesday and Wednesday followed a period of caucus chaos .
Technical problems marred the complicated process , forcing state officials to apologize and raising questions about Iowa ’ s traditional place atop the presidential primary calendar .
It was too early to call a winner based on the initial results from Monday ’ s caucuses , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar were trailing in the tally of State Delegate Equivalents , according to the data .
The results reflected 75 % of precincts in the state .
The two early leaders — Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , and Vermont Sen , Sanders — were separated by 40 years in age , conflicting ideology and more .
Sanders , a 78-year-old self-described democratic socialist , has been a progressive powerhouse for decades .
For the 38-year-old Buttigieg , his early standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader to a legitimate force in the 2020 contest .
Buttigieg is also the first openly gay candidate to earn presidential primary delegates .
“ We don ’ t know all of the numbers , but we know this much : A campaign that started a year ago with four staff members , no name recognition , no money , just a big idea — a campaign that some said should have no business even making this attempt — has taken its place at the front of this race , ” Buttigieg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hampshire with his husband looking on .
Buttigieg ’ s early rise was rivaled for possible importance by the struggle of another moderate , Biden .
One of his party ’ s most accomplished figures , the former two-term vice president and longtime senator was mired in the second tier of Iowa candidates with almost two-thirds of precincts reporting .
Biden ’ s campaign sought to play down the caucus results even before they were released , hardly a measure of strength for a high-profile contender who has led national polls for most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe we will emerge with the delegates we need to continue on our path to nomination , ” said Symone Sanders , a senior adviser .
While all campaigns were eager to spin the Iowa results to their advantage , there was little immediate indication that the incomplete results erased the confusion and concern that loomed over the caucuses .
It was unclear when the full results would be released .
During a private conference call with campaigns earlier in the day , the chairman of the state party , Troy Price , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — even whether it would be days or weeks .
“ We have been working day and night to make sure these results are accurate , ” Price said at a subsequent news conference .
The leading candidates pressed on in New Hampshire , which votes this coming Tuesday .
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg , a former New York City mayor , sensed opportunity after Iowa , and said he would double his already massive advertising campaign and expand his sprawling staff focused on a series of delegate-rich states voting next month .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of promoting Iowa as a chance for Democrats to find some clarity in a jumbled field .
Instead , after a buildup that featured seven rounds of debates , nearly $ 1 billion spent nationwide and a year of political jockeying , caucus day ended with no winner , no official results and many fresh questions about whether Iowa can retain its coveted “ first ” status .
Iowa marked the first contest in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories , ending at the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Before he left Iowa late Monday , Sanders said , “ Today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump.
” For the first time , the Iowa Democratic Party reported three sets of results this year : a tally of caucusgoers ’ initial candidate preference ; vote totals from the “ final alignment ” after supporters of lower-ranking candidates were able to make a second choice , and the total number of State Delegate Equivalents each candidate received .
The Associated Press will declare a winner based on the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been the traditional standard .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who represents Iowa neighbor Minnesota , was also in the early running , while outsider candidates including entrepreneur Andrew Yang , billionaire activist Tom Steyer and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard lagged behind .
The state party told campaigns Tuesday the problem was a result of a “ coding issue in the reporting system ” that it said had since been fixed .
It said it had verified the accuracy of the collected data and said the problem was not a result of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , Monday ’ s debacle invited fresh criticism about Iowa caucuses , a complicated set of political meetings staged in a state that is whiter and older than the Democratic Party in general .
Many questioned anew whether it was a quaint political tradition whose time had passed .

Steve Peoples, Thomas Beaumont, Alexandra Jaffe

DES MOINES, Iowa — Pete Buttigieg held a slight lead over Bernie Sanders in the opening contest of the Democratic race for the presidential nomination, according to partial results released by the Iowa Democratic Party.
The results that came out Tuesday and Wednesday followed a period of caucus chaos. Technical problems marred the complicated process, forcing state officials to apologize and raising questions about Iowa’s traditional place atop the presidential primary calendar.
It was too early to call a winner based on the initial results from Monday’s caucuses, but Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar were trailing in the tally of State Delegate Equivalents, according to the data.
The results reflected 75% of precincts in the state.
The two early leaders — Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and Vermont Sen, Sanders — were separated by 40 years in age, conflicting ideology and more.
Sanders, a 78-year-old self-described democratic socialist, has been a progressive powerhouse for decades. For the 38-year-old Buttigieg, his early standing cemented his transformation from a little-known city leader to a legitimate force in the 2020 contest. Buttigieg is also the first openly gay candidate to earn presidential primary delegates.
“We don’t know all of the numbers, but we know this much: A campaign that started a year ago with four staff members, no name recognition, no money, just a big idea — a campaign that some said should have no business even making this attempt — has taken its place at the front of this race,” Buttigieg, said as he campaigned in next-up New Hampshire with his husband looking on.
Buttigieg’s early rise was rivaled for possible importance by the struggle of another moderate, Biden.
One of his party’s most accomplished figures, the former two-term vice president and longtime senator was mired in the second tier of Iowa candidates with almost two-thirds of precincts reporting. Biden’s campaign sought to play down the caucus results even before they were released, hardly a measure of strength for a high-profile contender who has led national polls for most of the last year.
“We believe we will emerge with the delegates we need to continue on our path to nomination,” said Symone Sanders, a senior adviser.
While all campaigns were eager to spin the Iowa results to their advantage, there was little immediate indication that the incomplete results erased the confusion and concern that loomed over the caucuses. It was unclear when the full results would be released.
During a private conference call with campaigns earlier in the day, the chairman of the state party, Troy Price, declined to answer questions about the timeline — even whether it would be days or weeks.
“We have been working day and night to make sure these results are accurate,” Price said at a subsequent news conference.
The leading candidates pressed on in New Hampshire, which votes this coming Tuesday. Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor, sensed opportunity after Iowa, and said he would double his already massive advertising campaign and expand his sprawling staff focused on a series of delegate-rich states voting next month.
The caucus crisis was an embarrassing twist after months of promoting Iowa as a chance for Democrats to find some clarity in a jumbled field. Instead, after a buildup that featured seven rounds of debates, nearly $1 billion spent nationwide and a year of political jockeying, caucus day ended with no winner, no official results and many fresh questions about whether Iowa can retain its coveted “first” status.
Iowa marked the first contest in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories, ending at the party’s national convention in July.
Before he left Iowa late Monday, Sanders said, “Today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump.”
For the first time, the Iowa Democratic Party reported three sets of results this year: a tally of caucusgoers’ initial candidate preference; vote totals from the “final alignment” after supporters of lower-ranking candidates were able to make a second choice, and the total number of State Delegate Equivalents each candidate received.
The Associated Press will declare a winner based on the number of state delegates each candidate wins, which has been the traditional standard.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who represents Iowa neighbor Minnesota, was also in the early running, while outsider candidates including entrepreneur Andrew Yang, billionaire activist Tom Steyer and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard lagged behind.
The state party told campaigns Tuesday the problem was a result of a “coding issue in the reporting system” that it said had since been fixed. It said it had verified the accuracy of the collected data and said the problem was not a result of “a hack or an intrusion.”
Beyond 2020, Monday’s debacle invited fresh criticism about Iowa caucuses, a complicated set of political meetings staged in a state that is whiter and older than the Democratic Party in general. Many questioned anew whether it was a quaint political tradition whose time had passed.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Ubaldo Jimenez returns to Rockies as one of 21 non-roster invites to major league spring training

Ubaldo Jimenez , one of the most accomplished pitchers in Rockies history , is returning to the club as one of 21 non-roster invitations to major league spring training .
The Rockies made the announcement Wednesday , setting up a comeback attempt for Jimenez , 36 , who last pitched in the majors for the Orioles in 2017 , when he was 6-11 with a 6.81 ERA .
The 6-foot-5 right-hander was with Colorado from 2006 to 2010 , amassing a 56-45 record with a 3.66 ERA and throwing the franchise ’ s only no-hitter .
Jimenez , reached in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he still considers himself a starter with a fastball clocking in at 92 to 95 mph .
“ I ’ m pretty confident , ” Jimenez said .
“ I have never hurt my arm .
I worked hard with ( Colorado ’ s Latin American field coordinator ) Edison Lora and he helped get me back in shape .
I have been doing this since I was a kid and I ’ ve been blessed with a healthy arm , so why not ?
” The right-hander said Rolando Fernandez , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and development with whom Jimenez is very close , encouraged the comeback .
Fernandez originally signed the pitcher at 17 years old .
“ In May or June , Rolando saw me throw and said , ‘ You know what , I ’ ve seen you pitch and I think you still have what it takes , ' ” Jimenez said .
“ I never stopped practicing and I never lost my love of baseball .
I kept practicing and kept throwing .
“ Pretty much everyone who knows me works for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have been practicing at the Rockies complex in the Dominican since August .
I ’ ve been working hard there.
” Jimenez was a one-time all-star for Colorado , in 2010 , when he threw his no-hitter and also set the Rockies ’ single-season wins record with 19 .
The Dominican also holds the club ’ s career records for ERA and WAR ( 18.9 ) , is second in career strikeouts ( 773 ) and WHIP ( 1.284 ) , and is fifth in career wins ( 56 ) .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the team ’ s World Series run in 2007 , and was traded to the Indians at the deadline in 2011 .
Jimenez played three seasons in Cleveland , going 26-30 with a 4.45 ERA , before signing with Baltimore as a free agent prior to the 2014 season .
He was 32-42 over four seasons with the Orioles , with a 5.22 ERA .
Jimenez , who played in the Dominican Republic winter league this offseason , said he had a major league contract offer in 2018 from a different team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife , Marivi Jimenez , was going through a difficult pregnancy .
And in 2019 , he elected to not sign a minor league deal anywhere in order to work on his mechanics for a possible comeback .
Whether that comeback is in the cards in purple pinstripes in 2020 will remain to be seen in Scottsdale , but Jimenez ’ s invitation certainly does add some intrigue — or at the very least , a touch of nostalgia — to Colorado ’ s spring training .
The team does have some uncertainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Salt River Fields on Tuesday , when the right-hander said his mindset will be squarely on the Cactus League .
“ I just decided to be part of spring training right now , after being away from the game for two years , ” Jimenez said .
“ That ’ s what I ’ m focusing on.
” The full list of Colorado ’ s non-roster invites to big-league camp :

Ubaldo Jimenez, one of the most accomplished pitchers in Rockies history, is returning to the club as one of 21 non-roster invitations to major league spring training.
The Rockies made the announcement Wednesday, setting up a comeback attempt for Jimenez, 36, who last pitched in the majors for the Orioles in 2017, when he was 6-11 with a 6.81 ERA. The 6-foot-5 right-hander was with Colorado from 2006 to 2010, amassing a 56-45 record with a 3.66 ERA and throwing the franchise’s only no-hitter.
Jimenez still considers himself a starter with a fastball clocking in at 92 to 95 mph.
“I’m pretty confident,” Jimenez said by phone from the Dominican Republic. “I have never hurt my arm. I worked hard with (Colorado’s Latin American field coordinator) Edison Lora and he helped get me back in shape. I have been blessed with a healthy arm, so why not?”
The right-hander said Rolando Fernandez, the Rockies’ vice president of international scouting and development with whom Jimenez is close, encouraged the comeback. Fernandez signed Jimenez at age 17.
“In May or June, Rolando saw me throw and said, ‘You know what, I’ve seen you pitch and I think you still have what it takes,'” Jimenez said. “I never stopped practicing and I never lost my love of baseball. Pretty much everyone who knows me works for the Rockies, so it seemed natural. I have been practicing at the Rockies complex in the Dominican since August.”
Jimenez pitched for Licey in the Dominican Winter League this winter and went 1-4 with a 3.03 with 27 strikeouts and 13 walks.
He made the all-star team for Colorado in 2010, when he threw his no-hitter. He also set the Rockies’ single-season wins record with 19. The Rockies sent Jimenez to Cleveland near the trade deadline in 2011.
The team has uncertainty at the back end of its rotation, with pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to Salt River Fields on Tuesday.
Following is a full list of Colorado’s non-roster invites to big-league camp:
Left-handers: Jimenez, Ryan Rolison, Tim Collins
Right-handers: Tommy Doyle, Joe Harvey, Julian Fernandez, Alexander Guillen, Tim Melville, Wes Parsons
Catchers: Drew Butera, Elias Diaz, Chris Rabago, Brian Serven
Infielders: Bret Boswell, Brian Mundell, Chris Owings, Eric Stamets, Alan Trejo, Colton Welker, Ryan Vilade
Outfielders: Mike Gerber
Subscribe to our Rockies Insider newsletter to get the latest team news sent straight to your inbox.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Fort Lupton unable to match Skyview’s firepower, lose 52-10

The Skyview Wolverines easily handled the Fort Lupton Blue Devils by a score of 52-10 on Tuesday .
Skyview was @ @ @ @ @ Novelo who accounted for 13 points while also collecting two rebounds and two assists .
@ @ @ @ @ 13 points .
Both teams will stay at home in their next contest , with @ @ @ @ @ Fort Lupton taking on Weld Central .
Fort Lupton has not reported any team or @ @ @ @ @ .
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive .
Information accurate as @ @ @ @ @ as more data is available .

The Skyview Wolverines easily put away the Fort Lupton Blue Devils by a score of 52-10 on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Aylin Novelo lead Skyview with 13 points scored while also collecting two rebounds and two assists. Thalia Guardiola helped the effort by chipping in 13 points.
Fort Lupton was lead in scoring by Dina Zito who scored three points, while also recording five rebounds and one assist. Sarah Asebedo helped by contributing three points.
Looking ahead to their next games, Skyview will play host to Riverdale Ridge, while Fort Lupton will travel to play Weld Central.
More Colorado High School Basketball
Subscribe to the Denver Post today
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Fossil Ridge beats Mountain Range in 67-41 win

The Fossil Ridge Sabercats easily handled the Mountain Range Mustangs by a score of 67-41 on Tuesday .
In their @ @ @ @ @ will stay home and play Fort Collins , while Mountain Range will travel to play @ @ @ @ @ player statistics have been reported for this contest .
This story was created with technology @ @ @ @ @ Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available .

The Fossil Ridge Sabercats easily defeated the Mountain Range Mustangs by a score of 67-41 on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Fossil Ridge was paced in scoring by Davin Tonn who scored 11 points while also recording one rebound and two assists. Izzy Missimer and Sophia Hadad also had solid games contributing 10 points each.
Fossil Ridge will play host to Fort Collins, while Mountain Range will travel to play Horizon.
Mountain Range has not reported any team or player statistics from this contest.
More Colorado High School Basketball
Subscribe to the Denver Post today
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-02-05--Cone’s 20 points leads Northridge to 65-48 victory over Greeley Central

Greeley Central drops contest to Northridge in 65-48 loss on Tuesday .
Mckenna Cone lead Northridge with 20 points scored @ @ @ @ @ Beck also had respectable games contributing 12 points and 10 points , respectively .
Northridge @ @ @ @ @ Mountain View , while Greeley Central will travel to play Silver Creek .
Greeley Central @ @ @ @ @ or player statistics from this contest .
This story was created with technology provided by @ @ @ @ @ as of publication and will update as more data is available .

Greeley Central drops contest to Northridge in 65-48 loss on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Northridge was paced in scoring by Mckenna Cone who accounted for 20 points while also collecting seven rebounds and two assists. Seneya Martinez aided the effort by chipping in 12 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
In their next games, Northridge will play host to Mountain View, while Greeley Central will travel to play Silver Creek.
Greeley Central has not reported any team or player statistics from this contest.
More Colorado High School Basketball
Subscribe to the Denver Post today
This story was created with technology provided by Data Skrive. Information accurate as of publication and will update as more data is available.


thedenverpost--2020-02-06--Ask Amy: Daughter wants distance after wedding nightmare

Dear Amy : My husband “ John ” and I were married recently .
We funded the wedding .
At our wedding , my mother behaved erratically .
She drank too much , gave an awful speech , yelled at John , hijacked the DJ for multiple “ surprise ” spotlight dances , groped John ’ s married uncle , and was taken home early .
I had nightmares for weeks .
We met with Mom and my stepfather .
John and I said we were worried and wanted Mom to visit her doctor and begin therapy , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then asked her to acknowledge this and apologize .
Mom began screaming and physically threatened him .
She said she had always disliked him and that she would rather kill herself than apologize .
We left .
My stepfather later told us that he will take care of Mom , and understands if we distance ourselves .
Her only communication since then has been to send short , pleasant texts about how to avoid us .
I find it confusing , exhausting , and upsetting .
I started therapy , read about “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local family mediation center .
For the first time , I ’ m thinking about all of her terrible behavior .
I ’ ve been thinking about future milestones like moving , pregnancy , and parenthood , and I don ’ t know what role Mom is capable of having or what role I want her to have .
Should I be doing something different ?
What happens when we have news to share ?
Dear Unresolved : You have responded to your mother ’ s behavior in a straightforward and honest way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggest you ask your therapist to talk to you about Borderline Personality Disorder .
Some of what you describe sounds typical of someone with BPD , who will have an exaggerated reaction to perceived abandonments .
If your mother does have these characteristics , don ’ t hold your breath for an apology ; it will never come .
As her daughter , you will have to find healthy ways to erect strong boundaries .
When/if your mother behaves well , you can open a door , but you should be prepared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her control you .
Continue to be in touch with your stepfather .
Share any and all lifetime announcements with both of them , and then take your future with her on a case-by-case basis .
A book that might help you explore this challenging dynamic is , “ Stop Walking on Eggshells : Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder , ” by Paul T. Mason and Randi Kreger ( New Harbinger Publications ; Second edition ( January 1 , 2010 ) .
Dear Amy : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over three years .
Things with him are pretty good .
My family and friends love him .
We started dating shortly after my ex and I broke up .
I thought I was ready , but I have been having feelings toward my ex .
Recently , my ex and I began texting , the conversation was something that I missed — we were good friends .
But then he told me that he still thinks of me , so I wished him well and stopped the conversation .
We broke up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together is out of the question , but still , I have lingering feelings .
I know none of this is fair to the current boyfriend .
I feel selfish and ashamed .
I ’ d like the thoughts and feelings toward my ex to stop .
I want to feel like I have properly moved on .
Am I just selfish ?
Dear Wandering : Your current relationship is pretty good .
Your friends and family love him .
Do you ?
Is he your forever guy ?
At the three-year mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This relationship might be a transitional one for you .
But if some element of friendship is missing , you might be able to work on that .
Have you been self-protective ?
Are you being emotionally intimate and available to him ?
Your current guy could be wonderful , loving and kind , but he might not be a match for you .
If that is the case , you owe it to him to be honest .
There is no need to find fault with him ( or you ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the mysterious intricacy of attraction .
Dear Amy : I ’ m another reader objecting to you calling squirrels “ rodents ” and a bunch of scampering squirrels an “ infestation.
” Your reaction to these beautiful and harmless animals is too harsh .
Dear Lover : I once had two squirrels chew their way into my attic , and then chew their way out of the first floor of my house .
The damage was quite impressive .
Yes , squirrels are rodents and yes , they can be very @ @

Dear Amy: My husband “John” and I were married recently. We funded the wedding. At our wedding, my mother behaved erratically. She drank too much, gave an awful speech, yelled at John, hijacked the DJ for multiple “surprise” spotlight dances, groped John’s married uncle, and was taken home early. I had nightmares for weeks.
We met with Mom and my stepfather. John and I said we were worried and wanted Mom to visit her doctor and begin therapy, but also that she had hurt us. John then asked her to acknowledge this and apologize. Mom began screaming and physically threatened him. She said she had always disliked him and that she would rather kill herself than apologize. We left.
My stepfather later told us that he will take care of Mom, and understands if we distance ourselves. Her only communication since then has been to send short, pleasant texts about how to avoid us. I find it confusing, exhausting, and upsetting.
I started therapy, read about “emotional immaturity,” and contacted a local family mediation center. For the first time, I’m thinking about all of her terrible behavior.
I’ve been thinking about future milestones like moving, pregnancy, and parenthood, and I don’t know what role Mom is capable of having or what role I want her to have.
Should I be doing something different? What happens when we have news to share?
— Unresolved
Dear Unresolved: You have responded to your mother’s behavior in a straightforward and honest way. Working on a hunch, I suggest you ask your therapist to talk to you about Borderline Personality Disorder. Some of what you describe sounds typical of someone with BPD, who will have an exaggerated reaction to perceived abandonments. If your mother does have these characteristics, don’t hold your breath for an apology; it will never come.
As her daughter, you will have to find healthy ways to erect strong boundaries. When/if your mother behaves well, you can open a door, but you should be prepared to close it again. Do not let her control you. Continue to be in touch with your stepfather. Share any and all lifetime announcements with both of them, and then take your future with her on a case-by-case basis.
A book that might help you explore this challenging dynamic is, “Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder,” by Paul T. Mason and Randi Kreger (New Harbinger Publications; Second edition (January 1, 2010).
Dear Amy: I have been dating my boyfriend for over three years. Things with him are pretty good. My family and friends love him.
We started dating shortly after my ex and I broke up. I thought I was ready, but I have been having feelings toward my ex. Recently, my ex and I began texting, the conversation was something that I missed — we were good friends. But then he told me that he still thinks of me, so I wished him well and stopped the conversation.
We broke up for a reason, and getting back together is out of the question, but still, I have lingering feelings.
I know none of this is fair to the current boyfriend. I feel selfish and ashamed.
I’d like the thoughts and feelings toward my ex to stop. I want to feel like I have properly moved on. Am I just selfish?
— Wandering Eyes
Dear Wandering: Your current relationship is pretty good. Your friends and family love him. Do you? Is he your forever guy? At the three-year mark, you should have an idea.
This relationship might be a transitional one for you. But if some element of friendship is missing, you might be able to work on that. Have you been self-protective? Are you being emotionally intimate and available to him?
Your current guy could be wonderful, loving and kind, but he might not be a match for you. If that is the case, you owe it to him to be honest. There is no need to find fault with him (or you). It’s a question of chemistry, and the mysterious intricacy of attraction.
Dear Amy: I’m another reader objecting to you calling squirrels “rodents” and a bunch of scampering squirrels an “infestation.” Your reaction to these beautiful and harmless animals is too harsh.
— Squirrel Lover
Dear Lover: I once had two squirrels chew their way into my attic, and then chew their way out of the first floor of my house. The damage was quite impressive.
Yes, squirrels are rodents and yes, they can be very destructive.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-02-06--Andre Iguodala getting traded to Miami Heat, AP source says

MIAMI — A person familiar with the negotiations says Andre Iguodala is headed to Miami after the Heat and Memphis Grizzlies agreed Wednesday night on his long-awaited trade .
As part of the deal , Iguodala agreed to a two-year extension , with the second of those years being a team option , according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been finalized .
The person also said Miami and Memphis were still working to complete terms of what the Heat are giving up in the deal , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a package that would include Danilo Gallinari potentially headed to the Heat — was still in play .
Oft-injured forward Justise Winslow said he was part of the deal and was headed to Memphis , the former Heat starter reaching out to fellow former Duke players Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen with a message .
Jones and Allen are both members of the Grizzlies .
Winslow has missed much of this season with a bone bruise in his back .
Iguodala , speaking to The Undefeated , said he was eager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s young core — saying he looked forward to helping mentor them as well .
“ Jimmy Butler … he ’ s looked at as different but ( is ) very well-respected in terms of the passion and the hard work that he brings to the game , ” Iguodala said .
“ I feel like his temperament and values that he has really resonates with the Miami Heat .
They ’ re very well aligned .
I think he ’ s brought out the best in those young guys.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to playing with him , ” Iguodala said .
Holding the team option for 2021-22 is a critical component for Miami , which intends to have maximum flexibility for free-agent shopping in the summer of 2021 and made clear to all teams in recent days — and even last summer — that it would not compromise those plans .
The 36-year-old Iguodala was the 2015 NBA Finals MVP for Golden State and was traded to Memphis last summer .
He did not play for the Grizzlies , after he and the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was sent elsewhere .
It took several months , but Miami became that destination .
The Heat went into the trade deadline prioritizing perimeter defensive help , which made Iguodala a perfect fit .
It was not immediately clear when he would join the Heat , which was starting a five-game trip in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday .
Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill were both held out of Memphis ’ win over Dallas because they were likely to be involved in the pending trade — presumably as parts that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team was added .
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins , without commenting specifically on the still-not-completed transaction , said Crowder and Hill “ really helped build something great here in Memphis.
” Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks , who said earlier this week that he was looking forward to playing against Iguodala one day “ and show him really what Memphis is about , ” said he was eager to play with Winslow .
Miami would be the fourth team that Iguodala has suited up for — joining Philadelphia , Denver and Golden State .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ career games , plus is a veteran of 145 playoff contests and was with the Warriors for all five of their NBA Finals runs over the last half-decade .
He ’ s a three-time champion and two-time All-Defensive team member , and getting him is a clear sign that the Heat are expecting to be a postseason contender .
“ Excited to get back out there , ” Iguodala said .

MIAMI — A person familiar with the negotiations says Andre Iguodala is headed to Miami after the Heat and Memphis Grizzlies agreed Wednesday night on his long-awaited trade.
As part of the deal, Iguodala agreed to a two-year extension, with the second of those years being a team option, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been finalized.
The person also said Miami and Memphis were still working to complete terms of what the Heat are giving up in the deal, and that a third team — Oklahoma City, in a package that would include Danilo Gallinari potentially headed to the Heat — was still in play. Oft-injured forward Justise Winslow said he was part of the deal and was headed to Memphis, the former Heat starter reaching out to fellow former Duke players Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen with a message.
Jones and Allen are both members of the Grizzlies. Winslow has missed much of this season with a bone bruise in his back.
Iguodala, speaking to The Undefeated, said he was eager to play alongside Jimmy Butler and Miami’s young core — saying he looked forward to helping mentor them as well.
“Jimmy Butler … he’s looked at as different but (is) very well-respected in terms of the passion and the hard work that he brings to the game,” Iguodala said. “I feel like his temperament and values that he has really resonates with the Miami Heat. They’re very well aligned. I think he’s brought out the best in those young guys.”
Iguodala specifically mentioned Heat center Bam Adebayo, a first-time All-Star this year.
“Bam, I’m really looking forward to playing with him,” Iguodala said.
Holding the team option for 2021-22 is a critical component for Miami, which intends to have maximum flexibility for free-agent shopping in the summer of 2021 and made clear to all teams in recent days — and even last summer — that it would not compromise those plans.
The 36-year-old Iguodala was the 2015 NBA Finals MVP for Golden State and was traded to Memphis last summer. He did not play for the Grizzlies, after he and the team agreed that it would be best if he was sent elsewhere. It took several months, but Miami became that destination.
The Heat went into the trade deadline prioritizing perimeter defensive help, which made Iguodala a perfect fit. It was not immediately clear when he would join the Heat, which was starting a five-game trip in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday.
Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill were both held out of Memphis’ win over Dallas because they were likely to be involved in the pending trade — presumably as parts that would enter the fray once the third team was added. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, without commenting specifically on the still-not-completed transaction, said Crowder and Hill “really helped build something great here in Memphis.”
Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks, who said earlier this week that he was looking forward to playing against Iguodala one day “and show him really what Memphis is about,” said he was eager to play with Winslow.
“We’re getting a good player,” Brooks said.
Miami would be the fourth team that Iguodala has suited up for — joining Philadelphia, Denver and Golden State. He has averaged 12.1 points in 1,108 career games, plus is a veteran of 145 playoff contests and was with the Warriors for all five of their NBA Finals runs over the last half-decade.
He’s a three-time champion and two-time All-Defensive team member, and getting him is a clear sign that the Heat are expecting to be a postseason contender.
“Excited to get back out there,” Iguodala said.


thedenverpost--2020-02-06--Aurora officer found drunk, passed-out in patrol car will not face criminal charges

An on-duty , armed , uniformed Aurora police officer who passed out drunk while driving an unmarked patrol car in March will not face criminal charges , according to KCNC-TV .
Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler has scheduled a 9 a.m. news conference Thursday to talk about the March 29 incident involving Officer Nathan F. Meier .
On Wednesday night , Channel 4 ’ s Brian Maass reported that the district attorney will not bring criminal charges against Meier .
In December , Brauchler announced that his office would look into Meier ’ s actions and the subsequent investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have any reason to second-guess the Aurora Police Department ’ s conduct in the investigation at this point , but I ’ m interested in knowing what information exists , ” Brauchler said at the time .
“ That interest stems from the fact it involves an officer in that agency.
” Also in December , Aurora City Manager Jim Twombly called on former U.S. Attorney John Walsh to investigate the police department ’ s handling of the Meier incident .
After the incident went public , Meier was supported by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
“ Finding the balance between discipline and support is critically important .
… Why ?
” Metz wrote in an email .
“ Because I know cops are human beings .
You are not perfect .
You are exposed to higher levels of stress and trauma than the general public will ever truly understand.
” Deputy Chief Paul O ’ Keefe , who was set to become interim chief at the end of the year when Metz retired , was first to respond to the Meier incident .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keefe did not get the interim job .
Instead , O ’ Keefe has announced that he ’ ll retire March 31 .
The March 29 , 2019 , incident began around 3:45 p.m. when two people called 911 after they discovered Meier unconscious in the driver ’ s seat of his unmarked car in the middle of East Mississippi Avenue near Buckley Air Force Base , according to an Aurora internal affairs evidence summary .

An on-duty, armed, uniformed Aurora police officer who passed out drunk while driving an unmarked patrol car in March will not face criminal charges, according to KCNC-TV.
Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler has scheduled a 9 a.m. news conference Thursday to talk about the March 29 incident involving Officer Nathan F. Meier. On Wednesday night, Channel 4’s Brian Maass reported that the district attorney will not bring criminal charges against Meier.
Breaking: @DA18th says he cannot file criminal charges against @AuroraPD Ofc. Meier, found passed out in patrol car. @GeorgeBrauchler says Meier 'beats the system' as fellow cops steered investigation away from a DUI. @CBSDenver at 10, DA calls it preferential treatment pic.twitter.com/dG7S7BgxQS — Brian Maass (@Briancbs4) February 6, 2020
In December, Brauchler announced that his office would look into Meier’s actions and the subsequent investigation by Aurora police. “I don’t have any reason to second-guess the Aurora Police Department’s conduct in the investigation at this point, but I’m interested in knowing what information exists,” Brauchler said at the time. “That interest stems from the fact it involves an officer in that agency.”
Also in December, Aurora City Manager Jim Twombly called on former U.S. Attorney John Walsh to investigate the police department’s handling of the Meier incident.
After the incident went public, Meier was supported by Nick Metz, who was police chief at the time. “Finding the balance between discipline and support is critically important. … Why?” Metz wrote in an email. “Because I know cops are human beings. You are not perfect. You are exposed to higher levels of stress and trauma than the general public will ever truly understand.”
Deputy Chief Paul O’Keefe, who was set to become interim chief at the end of the year when Metz retired, was first to respond to the Meier incident. After the incident became public, O’Keefe did not get the interim job. Instead, O’Keefe has announced that he’ll retire March 31.
The March 29, 2019, incident began around 3:45 p.m. when two people called 911 after they discovered Meier unconscious in the driver’s seat of his unmarked car in the middle of East Mississippi Avenue near Buckley Air Force Base, according to an Aurora internal affairs evidence summary.


thedenverpost--2020-02-06--Resilient Nuggets seize incredible win from the Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY — Five players were injured , and two players were caught in NBA trade purgatory .
That didn ’ t stop Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets from stunning the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night .
Denver had just seven players at its disposal , and it didn ’ t matter .
The Nuggets earned their most improbable — and unlikely — victory of the season in a 98-95 thriller .
“ We were believing it , ” Jokic said .
“ We didn ’ t want to let the game go .
We have excuses .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Jokic drained a one-footed jumper with a minute to go , and Gary Harris nailed two clutch free throws to ice the win .
It capped one of Jokic ’ s most marvelous performances of the season , as he finished with 30 points , 21 rebounds and 10 assists .
Harris , who snatched the rebound off a Mike Conley miss late in the game , was a miserable 0 for 13 for the night but added eight rebounds and five assists .
Jamal Murray more than made up for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help Denver improve to 36-16 .
With Denver up 98-95 , Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic missed a last-second 3-point attempt and the entire Nuggets bench charged onto the floor .
Monte Morris , who finished with 15 points in 42 minutes , gave Harris a giant bearhug .
Jazz star Donovan Mitchell spiked the ball some 25 feet in the air .
Wednesday ’ s win marked Denver ’ s eighth consecutive victory on the second night of back-to-back sets .
It somehow felt even more impressive than monumental wins over Utah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are an unbelievably resilient group that believes in one another and never doubts ourselves , ” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said .
“ We hadn ’ t won here in nine games .
To come in here and have seven guys go out there , and all seven guys , we don ’ t win the game without the plays that each one of them made .
I ’ ve said it a lot recently , but this is our new best win of the year.
” Midway through the third quarter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pull away .
But Jokic and Murray kept plugging away and working their two-man game to perfection .
Murray buried several 3-pointers and the Nuggets reeled off a 10-0 run to hack into Utah ’ s lead .
By the start of the fourth quarter , the Nuggets were within striking distance , down just 75-72 .
The Nuggets weren ’ t allowed to officially comment on Tuesday ’ s mega trade that left them without reserve wings Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez , though their absences were readily apparent .
Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P.J .
Dozier played 25 minutes .
That was the entirety of Denver ’ s bench on Wednesday night .
No starter played less than 36 minutes .
Denver ’ s injury list grew even longer ahead of Wednesday ’ s contest .
Will Barton missed the game with right knee inflammation , as did Jerami Grant , who rolled his ankle in Tuesday ’ s win over Portland .
They were joined on the shelf by Michael Porter Jr. ( ankle ) , Paul Millsap ( knee ) and Mason Plumlee ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve never been a part of a game where you could potentially only have seven guys suiting up , ” Malone said .
“ It got to the point today , I even looked up the rules in a staff meeting to see what happens if you ’ re down to five guys and a player fouls out .
How does the NBA handle that ?
Hopefully we don ’ t get into any bizarre scenarios tonight .
We can get through this game , relatively unscathed and walk out of here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could do was make light of their current injury predicament .
“ It does sound like a broken record , man , this has been a broken record for a while , ” he said .
Despite having just two reserves , the Nuggets held their own in the first half .
Jokic and Murray carried the offense , with 16 points apiece , and Denver swarmed on defense as they tried to limit Utah ’ s chances .
The Jazz , however , took a 57-49 lead into halftime after singeing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Utah ’ s 11 first-half 3-pointers , the Nuggets very well could ’ ve had the lead .
Conley and Bogdanovic knocked down three 3-pointers each , taking advantage of tired legs and reserves thrust into more prominent roles .

SALT LAKE CITY — Five players were injured, and two players were caught in NBA trade purgatory.
That didn’t stop Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets from stunning the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Denver had just seven players at its disposal, and it didn’t matter. The Nuggets earned their most improbable — and unlikely — victory of the season in a 98-95 thriller.
“We were believing it,” Jokic said. “We didn’t want to let the game go. We have excuses. We have seven guys. We have everything.”
Box score
Jokic drained a one-footed jumper with a minute to go, and Gary Harris nailed two clutch free throws to ice the win. It capped one of Jokic’s most marvelous performances of the season, as he finished with 30 points, 21 rebounds and 10 assists.
Harris, who snatched the rebound off a Mike Conley miss late in the game, was a miserable 0 for 13 for the night but added eight rebounds and five assists. Jamal Murray more than made up for the backcourt production with a game-high 31 points to help Denver improve to 36-16.
With Denver up 98-95, Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic missed a last-second 3-point attempt and the entire Nuggets bench charged onto the floor. Monte Morris, who finished with 15 points in 42 minutes, gave Harris a giant bearhug. Jazz star Donovan Mitchell spiked the ball some 25 feet in the air.
Wednesday’s win marked Denver’s eighth consecutive victory on the second night of back-to-back sets. It somehow felt even more impressive than monumental wins over Utah and Milwaukee last week.
“We are an unbelievably resilient group that believes in one another and never doubts ourselves,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “We hadn’t won here in nine games. To come in here and have seven guys go out there, and all seven guys, we don’t win the game without the plays that each one of them made. I’ve said it a lot recently, but this is our new best win of the year.”
Midway through the third quarter, the Jazz were up 15 and threatening to pull away. But Jokic and Murray kept plugging away and working their two-man game to perfection. Murray buried several 3-pointers and the Nuggets reeled off a 10-0 run to hack into Utah’s lead. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Nuggets were within striking distance, down just 75-72.
The Nuggets weren’t allowed to officially comment on Tuesday’s mega trade that left them without reserve wings Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez, though their absences were readily apparent. Reserve forward Vlatko Cancar played 17 minutes and P.J. Dozier played 25 minutes. That was the entirety of Denver’s bench on Wednesday night.
No starter played less than 36 minutes.
Denver’s injury list grew even longer ahead of Wednesday’s contest. Will Barton missed the game with right knee inflammation, as did Jerami Grant, who rolled his ankle in Tuesday’s win over Portland. They were joined on the shelf by Michael Porter Jr. (ankle), Paul Millsap (knee) and Mason Plumlee (foot).
“No, I’ve never been a part of a game where you could potentially only have seven guys suiting up,” Malone said. “It got to the point today, I even looked up the rules in a staff meeting to see what happens if you’re down to five guys and a player fouls out. How does the NBA handle that? Hopefully we don’t get into any bizarre scenarios tonight. We can get through this game, relatively unscathed and walk out of here feeling good about ourselves.”
All Malone could do was make light of their current injury predicament.
“It does sound like a broken record, man, this has been a broken record for a while,” he said.
Despite having just two reserves, the Nuggets held their own in the first half. Jokic and Murray carried the offense, with 16 points apiece, and Denver swarmed on defense as they tried to limit Utah’s chances. The Jazz, however, took a 57-49 lead into halftime after singeing the nets from outside.
Were it not for Utah’s 11 first-half 3-pointers, the Nuggets very well could’ve had the lead. Conley and Bogdanovic knocked down three 3-pointers each, taking advantage of tired legs and reserves thrust into more prominent roles.


thedenverpost--2020-02-06--Two men and a juvenile named suspects in a Aurora forgery scam

Two men and a juvenile are suspected in a forgery scam that targeted a 16-year-old high school student in Aurora .
Hussein Farah , 23 , and Abdihakiin Hassan , 19 , and a 16-year-old male juvenile used social media to contact the victim and entice him to provide banking information , according to a police news release .
The trio allegedly deposited forged money orders into the victim ’ s account and would immediately withdraw funds before the bogus deposits were deemed bad , police said .
“ The victim was promised a small portion of the cash in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the release said .
“ Instead , the victim was held financially responsible for the returned lost funds.
” The Aurora Police Department Economic Crimes Unit began investigating the case in July and charges of money laundering , identity theft , forgery , and other crimes were filed in January by the Arapahoe District Attorney ’ s Office .
On Jan. 25 Hassan turned himself in after an arrest warrant was issued .
The juvenile was arrested by Aurora police on Sunday and Farah is at large .
Investigators believe there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case , or on additional victims or suspects , is asked to call Investigator Myshell Bolton at 303-739-6142 .
Tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 ( STOP ) .

Two men and a juvenile are suspected in a forgery scam that targeted a 16-year-old high school student in Aurora.
Hussein Farah, 23, and Abdihakiin Hassan, 19, and a 16-year-old male juvenile used social media to contact the victim and entice him to provide banking information, according to a police news release.
NEWS RELEASE: Arrest of Forgery Crew that Targeted Juvenile Victims #APDNews Photo on right courtesy of @DenverPolice https://t.co/7m06C3NKuq pic.twitter.com/QLSeo220ZN — Aurora Police Dept. 🚔👮🏼♀👮🏾♂ (@AuroraPD) February 5, 2020
The trio allegedly deposited forged money orders into the victim’s account and would immediately withdraw funds before the bogus deposits were deemed bad, police said.
“The victim was promised a small portion of the cash in exchange for the use of the account,” the release said. “Instead, the victim was held financially responsible for the returned lost funds.”
The Aurora Police Department Economic Crimes Unit began investigating the case in July and charges of money laundering, identity theft, forgery, and other crimes were filed in January by the Arapahoe District Attorney’s Office.
On Jan. 25 Hassan turned himself in after an arrest warrant was issued. The juvenile was arrested by Aurora police on Sunday and Farah is at large.
Investigators believe there are additional victims. Anyone with information in the case, or on additional victims or suspects, is asked to call Investigator Myshell Bolton at 303-739-6142. Tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 (STOP).