The Colorado Rockies acquired the innings-eating veteran starter they have been searching for all offseason. In a trade yesterday, the Rockies got Jeremy Guthrie from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for starting pitcher Jason Hammel and reliever Matt Lindstrom. Guthrie has pitched over 200 innings in each of the last three seasons. The 32 year-old right-hander went 9-17 with a 4.33 ERA for the Orioles last season. Hammel was a part of the Rockies starting rotation for the last three seasons, but lost his starting spot for the final weeks in 2011. Lindstrom went 2-2 with 2 saves in 63 games in his lone season in Colorado. Guthrie agreed to avoid arbitration with the Rockies and signed to a one-year contract worth 8.2 million. He is likely to be the Rockies starting pitcher on Opening Day.
Month: February 2012
Nuggets Lose Gallinari, Then Lose Game
Without three of their regular starters, and with a fourth suffering a significant injury in the game, the Denver Nuggets fell to the Houston Rockets 99-90 at the Pepsi Center last night. Nene, Arron Afflalo and Timofey Mosgov all sat out the game with injuries, and the team’s leading scorer, Danilo Gallinari, suffered a chip fracture in his ankle in the third quarter. Poor shooting was to blame for the Nuggets in the defeat, as they missed 19 of 22 three-point attempts and 14 of 33 free throw attempts. Despite his injury, Gallinari led the Nuggets with 14 points. Rudy Fernandez also added 14 points off the bench, and Ty Lawson chipped in 13 points. The Nuggets have now lost three straight games and fall to 15-10 on the season. They’re back in action Wednesday night, hosting the world champion Dallas Mavericks.
Broncos RB Moreno Arrested on DUI Charge While Driving Car With “SAUCED” License Plate
Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno had a rough season on the field in 2011, and now has some difficulties off the field as well. Moreno was arrested last Wednesday on drunken driving charges in Denver after being stopped driving 70 miles per hour in a construction zone. After being given a breath test and a field sobriety test, Moreno was taken to a detox facility. He was charged with driving under the influence, as well as careless driving and failing to have insurance. It surely didn’t help his cause that the vanity license plate on the Bentley that Moreno was driving read “SAUCED”. Moreno is recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL he suffered against the Kansas City Chiefs in November. The Denver Broncos released a statement saying they are reviewing the facts of the incident.
Not gonna do it: Kerrey says no
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Former Sen. Bob Kerrey says he won’t seek the Democratic nomination to replace retiring Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska.
Kerrey’s announcement Tuesday shuts down hopes for a bid both parties called Democrats’ best chance to hold on to the seat.
Kerrey himself had described it as a longshot.
The 1992 presidential candidate and former Nebraska governor moved to New York City after giving up his seat. He spent nearly a week in Nebraska this month to seek advice about whether to run in a state that’s drifted ideologically away from him since he left.
Nelson’s decision not to seek another term this year came as a boon to Republicans, who must net four seats to retake the Senate.
And they’ve prioritized capturing the lone Democratic seat in Nebraska’s congressional delegation.
Nebraska roads worker rescued from snow pile
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say a Hall County roads worker has been rescued from a pile of snow.
The worker was dumping snow from his truck on Monday when he became trapped in a pile with only his head and an arm free.
He used his cellphone to make a call for help, and Grand Island firefighters soon responded.
He was dug out and taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island, where he was treated for scratches and bruises.
His name has not been released.
Hall County officials say it’s unclear whether the worker violated any safety guidelines.
One county, one school district?
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A state lawmaker wants to study the potential cost and impact of switching to single, countywide school districts throughout Nebraska.
Omaha Sen. Bob Krist will present a proposal (LB991) Tuesday to the Legislature’s Education Committee. The proposed study would examine how a county-by-county district system might work, and whether school districts spanning more than one county should be exempted.
The measure would establish a committee with at least 12 members, including two business representatives from each congressional district, two teachers from each congressional district, and Nebraska Education Commissioner Roger Breed.
Committee members would report their findings to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2013.
Uhhhhhh….yeah….about that…..
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Potential raises for Nebraska lawmakers would be put in the hands of the voters, under a resolution up for debate in the state Legislature.
Lawmakers on Tuesday will discuss whether to boost lawmaker salaries from $12,000 per year to $32,000 per year.
The move requires a constitutional amendment, which means the final say on the proposed pay hike would be with the Nebraska voters.
The measure, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh, would place the issue on the November general election ballot.
The new pay rate would take effect on Jan. 9, 2013, if approved.
The constitutional amendment is being offered in an effort to bring legislative compensation in line with the current economy.
Legislative compensation has not been adjusted for 24 years.
Bad Idea # 345- Threaten to Kill the President
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A Nebraska inmate has pleaded guilty to threatening President Barack Obama.
Loren Hamlin, of McCook, was indicted in November with making threats against the president. Federal prosecutors say he sent a letter from prison saying he would “track down” and kill the president.
Hamlin pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Lincoln last Friday. He faces up to 5 years in prison when he’s sentenced in April.
Hamlin is currently serving 3-to-5 years in prison for burglary in McCook in 2010.
It’s cold in them thar hills…
Today: A slight chance of flurries before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. North wind between 8 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. North wind between 5 and 8 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Wind chill values as low as -3. Calm wind becoming south between 4 and 7 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -2. South southeast wind around 6 mph becoming west.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 37. Northwest wind between 7 and 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
(Update) More dogs found in storage unit of charged Fremont couple
FREMONT, Neb. (AP) – Authorities say seven dogs were found in a storage unit rented by a Fremont couple who already face animal cruelty charges.
The dogs were found Tuesday in large pet carriers inside the unit. They are expected to survive their ordeal.
The Dodge County attorney is reviewing a report from the sheriff’s office to determine whether more charges should be filed against 56-year-old Daniel Newcomer and his wife, 46-year-old Ellyn Newcomer. They face two felony counts and 11 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty over the nine dogs, three cats and a potbellied pig that were removed from their Fremont residence, which was later was condemned and demolished.
A phone listed for the Newcomers has been disconnected. Online court records don’t list the name of their attorney.