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Plans for National Soccer Training Center Unveiled

mlsKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City announced plans to build a $75 million National Training and Coaching Development Center.

Sporting chief executive Robb Heineman joined Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Wyandotte County officials Wednesday to announce plans for the 190-acre soccer village about 10 minutes from Sporting Kansas City’s home stadium.

Center supporters say they hope the complex will serve as the future home of the U.S. Soccer Federation. Plans call for 16 fields, including one climate-controlled indoor field, 11 outdoor grass fields and four outdoor synthetic fields.

The center is expected to be completed in 2016.

Oklahoma State Preparing Early for Winston

jameis-winstonSTILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma State is already hard at work trying to figure out how to slow down Jameis Winston.

The Cowboys open the season against last year’s Heisman Trophy winner and defending national champion Florida State on Aug. 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Though practice doesn’t start until Aug. 1, Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer already is stressed about dealing with Winston.

Oklahoma State will face the star passer with a defense that returns just four starters. The secondary, in particular, is inexperienced. Cornerback Justin Gilbert, an All-American, was a first-round draft pick who now plays for the Cleveland Browns. Safeties Daytawion Lowe and Shamiel Gary combined for 62 career starts before exhausting their eligibility. Oklahoma State’s defensive coaches say there is plenty of talent waiting in the wings.

NFL Suspends Jaguars Sanders for 4 Games

jacksonville-jaguarsJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The NFL has suspended Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Ace Sanders without pay for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

The league handed down the punishment Wednesday, one day after Sanders disclosed it was coming and said he would not appeal.

On a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Sanders said “personal issues” caused his misstep. He said he has “been dealing with a lot of stuff, just with life and family and a lot of issues going on.”

A second-year pro from South Carolina, Sanders said he plans to seek counseling and not rehab.

Sanders will be eligible to return to the team’s active roster Sept. 29, after sitting out games against Philadelphia, Washington, Indianapolis and San Diego. He is eligible to participate in training camp and preseason games.

Jerry Jones: Garrett Not Coaching for Job

dallas-cowboysOXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Jerry Jones doesn’t like to repeat his good sound bites, so he found a new way to say Jason Garrett isn’t coaching for his job.

The Dallas Cowboys owner said Wednesday it wasn’t a “make or break” season for Garrett, a year after opening training camp by declaring that last season wouldn’t be “Armageddon” for his coach if the once-proud franchise missed the playoffs again.

The Cowboys have identical endings to all three full seasons under Garrett, losing to NFC East rivals to finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs.

This time, Garrett is in the final year of his contract. While he’s not talking extension, Jones also isn’t talking change.

Dallas has its first camp practice Thursday.

Prosecutor: Eastern Michigan Player Killed for iPhone, Wallet

gavel-and-scaleANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A prosecutor says Eastern Michigan University wide receiver Demarius Reed was killed “for an iPhone and a wallet that were never even used.”

Testimony began Wednesday in the trial of 21-year-old Ed Thomas of Detroit on open murder and robbery charges in the shooting of the 20-year-old football player from Chicago’s South Side.

Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecutor Nimish Ganatra told jurors that Thomas punched and robbed Reed before accomplice Kristopher Pratt shot Reed in the head.

On Friday, Pratt pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The 20-year-old from Detroit admits he shot Reed and has agreed to testify against Thomas.

Thomas’s lawyer told jurors that Pratt’s testimony was “bought and paid for.” Lorne Brown says Thomas came to Ypsilanti to “hang out with friends and have fun,” not rob or kill.

United Way of Midlands CEO Hospitalized

Karen-BricklemyerOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The United Way of the Midlands says its CEO has been hospitalized with a serious heart condition.

The Omaha-based organization says Karen Bricklemyer was admitted to Creighton University Medical Center on Tuesday and is undergoing treatment.

Senior vice presidents are handling day-to-day operations, including work on the annual fundraising campaign that kicks off in August.

The organization says the executive committee of its board of directors will meet later this week to discuss an interim leadership plan.

Bricklemyer’s family has requested privacy. The organization says it will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Box Butte County Public Defender to Be Prosecutor

ne-supreme-court-gavelALLIANCE, Neb. (AP) — Box Butte County’s public defender has resigned to become the top prosecutor in neighboring Scotts Bluff County.

The Box Butte County commissioners have accepted the resignation of Dave Eubanks, which is effective July 31. Commissioners have 45 days to fill the vacancy.

Eubanks has been appointed to fill the remaining term of Scotts Bluff County Attorney Doug Warner, who’s taken a job with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. Eubanks is running unopposed for the position in the Nov. 4 election.

Eubanks was appointed Box Butte County public defender in 2009 and ran unopposed for the position in 2010.

Man Asked to Leave Southwest Flight Over Tweet

Southwest-AirlinesMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minneapolis man and his two children were asked to leave a Southwest Airlines flight in Denver after he tweeted about a boarding disagreement.

Duff Watson says he has priority boarding because of his “A-List” customer status. But a gate agent didn’t allow his two children, ages 6 and 9, to board with him Sunday on a flight to Minneapolis.

Watson says he tweeted that the gate agent was rude and that his family was asked to leave the plane after reaching their seats.

Watson says the agent felt threatened and that his family could not return to the plane until he deleted his tweet.

The family was eventually allowed to re-board. Southwest said in a statement that it is reviewing the matter.

Maverick’s Felton Pleads Guilty in NYC Gun Case

raymond-feltonNEW YORK (AP) — Dallas Mavericks point guard Raymond Felton has pleaded guilty in his New York gun case. He took a plea deal that involves admitting a felony but spares him jail.

Felton pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted criminal possession of a weapon under an agreement prosecutors outlined last month. He was sentenced to 500 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine.

Felton was arrested in February. Authorities said his estranged wife’s lawyer brought a loaded semi-automatic handgun to a police precinct and said it was his.

Felton was charged under a state law that bans many large-capacity ammunition magazines. Prosecutors said Felton’s could hold about 20 rounds.

Felton was then with the New York Knicks. He was traded to Dallas last month.

The NBA has said it’s monitoring the case.

Federal Agency Approves Nebraska Airport Grant

faaCHADRON, Neb. (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration has given its final approval to a nearly $8 million grant for repairs at a Nebraska airport.

The grant will help pay for repairs and repaving of runways and taxiways at Chadron airport. It will also go toward building a new taxiway at the airport.

The city’s public works director expects work to start shortly, with most of it to be done next year.

Chadron awarded a construction contract in April to Upper Plains Contracting of Aberdeen.

The federal agency had announced a $7.5 million grant to the city last August, but later scrapped it after asking the city to include the additional taxiway.

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