Bitter cold strains power grid in US - Stripes Lite
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021
Bitter cold strains power grid in US
Associated Press Arctic but is increasingly spilling into lower any power.
AUSTIN, Texas — Nearly 3.4 million util- latitudes. Scientists say global warming Blackouts lasting more than an hour be-
ity customers around the United States caused by humans is partly responsible for gan before dawn Tuesday in and around Ok-
were still without power Wednesday in the making the polar vortex’s southward escap- lahoma City, stopping electric-powered
aftermath of a winter storm that over- es longer and more frequent. space heaters, furnaces and lights just as
whelmed power grids unprepared for cli- Utilities from Minnesota to Texas and temperatures hovered around minus 8 de-
mate change, and another blast of snow and Mississippi have implemented rolling grees Fahrenheit. Oklahoma Gas & Electric
ice threatened to impede the efforts to re- blackouts to ease the burden on power grids urged users to set thermostats at 68 degrees,
store service. straining to meet extreme demand for heat avoid using major electric appliances and
The latest storm front was expected to and electricity. turn off lights or appliances not in use.
bring more hardship to parts of Texas, Ar- More than 3 million customers remained Entergy imposed rolling blackouts Tues-
kansas and the Lower Mississippi Valley be- without power in Texas, Louisiana and Mis- day night in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississip-
fore moving to the Northeast on Thursday. sissippi, more than 200,000 more in four Ap- pi and Southeast Texas at the direction of its
“There’s really no letup to some of the mi- palachian states and nearly that many in the grid manager, the Midcontinent Independ-
sery people are feeling across that area,” Pacific Northwest, according to powerout- ent System Operator, “as a last resort and in
said Bob Oravec, lead forecaster with the age.us, which tracks utility outage reports. order to prevent more extensive, prolonged
National Weather Service, referring to Tex- The weather has threatened the nation’s power outages that could severely affect the
as. COVID-19 vaccination effort. President Joe reliability of the power grid,” according to a
More than 100 million people live in areas Biden’s administration said delays in vac- statement from the New Orleans-based util-
covered by some type of winter weather cine shipments and deliveries were likely. ity.
warning, watch or advisory, the weather The worst power outages by far have been The Southwest Power Pool, a group of
service said. in Texas, where officials requested 60 gen- utilities covering 14 states, said the black-
At least two dozen people have died in the erators from the Federal Emergency Man- outs were “a last resort to preserve the relia-
extreme weather this week, some while agement Agency and planned to prioritize bility of the electric system as a whole.”
struggling to find warmth inside their hospitals and nursing homes. The state The weather also caused major disrup-
homes. In the Houston area, one family suc- opened 35 shelters to more than 1,000 occu- tions to water systems in the Texas cities of
cumbed to carbon monoxide from car ex- pants, the agency said. Houston, Fort Worth, Galveston, Corpus
haust in their garage. Another perished as Texas’ power grid manager, the Electric Christi and in Memphis, Tenn. In Houston,
they used a fireplace to keep warm. Reliability Council of Texas, said that elec- residents were told to boil their water — if
Record low temperatures were reported tricity had been restored to 600,000 homes they had power to do so — because of a ma-
in city after city. Blame the polar vortex, a and businesses by Tuesday night, but that jor drop in water pressure linked to the
weather pattern that usually keeps to the 2.7 million households were still without weather.
Vaccinated sailors have some virus restrictions lifted
BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY tions that have been placed on our sailors at longer required to undergo a 14-day restric-
Stars and Stripes sea… The higher the percentage of the crew tion of movement prior to their deployment.
WASHINGTON — Ships with fully vacci- immunized, the less risk there is to a wide- Sailors who have come into close contact
nated crews will soon be able to relax some spread outbreak,” according to the adminis- with an infected person but have received
of the health protection measures put in trative message. their final vaccine dose more than two
place due to the coronavirus pandemic, ac- The Navy has been encouraging sailors weeks prior will not have their movement
cording to a Navy announcement issued through social media about the importance restricted, but must still follow health pro-
Tuesday. of receiving the vaccine as a means to pro- tection measures, according to the Navy
The Navy’s updated coronavirus guid- tect themselves and stop the spread of the message, which is based on CDC guidelines.
ance factors in immunized crews, new Cen- virus. Commands that have a crew with 100%
ters for Disease Control and Prevention Sailors will continue to abide by health immunization can immediately eliminate
guidance on the virus, as well as lessons measures such as wearing masks, accord- the 14-day restriction of movement and re-
learned by the fleet during the pandemic. ing the Navy. lax health protection measures because the
“In short, fully immunized sailors will al- Immunized sailors — people who have threat of an outbreak is reduced, according
low our Navy to begin to unwind the limita- received two doses of the vaccine — are no to the Navy.PAGE 2 • STRIPES LITE • Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Black admiral: Military lags on diversity
BY DAN LAMOTHE the USS Lake Champlain, after streets, but he did not quite un- moil of 1968. In some ways, he
The Washington Post leaving a noose on an African derstand it at the time. said, “we haven’t gotten very
The young midshipman heard American colleague’s bunk last A couple of years later, Haney far” from the days after the as-
the question but kept walking as month. He later admitted to it was a student at Eastern High sassinations of King and Presi-
he neared a group of white stu- under questioning, said a Navy School, a short walk from the dent John F. Kennedy.
dents at the Naval Academy. official, who spoke on the condi- D.C. Armory. He washed cars The admiral took on racism in
“You know, the only reason tion of anonymity because of the and cut grass for money, and the newsletter for the Naval A-
you’re here is the quota system, sensitivity of the issue. An inves- then took a summer job at Naval cademy Alumni Association and
right?” one of them said. tigation is ongoing, said Cmdr. Sea Systems Command, which Foundation, warning colleagues
Cecil Haney, a Black student Nicole Schwegman, a Navy spo- needed operators for its massive that the Navy’s process for inter-
from a Black neighborhood in keswoman. computers that tracked ship- viewing prospective members
the District of Columbia, did not Graffiti that included the yard data. “cannot accurately assess” all of
respond. His family had warned phrase “Nazi life” also was Haney said his bosses —a their beliefs about biases and ra-
him that he could face racism at found on the USS Carl Vinson, Black woman and a white man cial prejudice.
the academy, and more than 40 an aircraft carrier, according to — taught him computer lan- Haney wrote the essay, titled
years later, he remembers the an official familiar with the sit- guages and encouraged him to “A Call to Action for USNA
remark clearly. uation. apply to military service acade- Alumni,” after a member of the
“It’s bad enough having one A new Navy task force on di- mies. They invited a Navy cap- class of 1980 accidentally broad-
individual ask that question,” versity said in a report this tain to walk him through options. cast himself making racist com-
Haney said. “But what hurt the month that although the servic- Until then, he thought he might ments in a Facebook live stream.
most was that tribe he was with e’s inclusion efforts are “admi- enlist in the Army to pay for col- That person, retired Navy Capt.
said nothing to the contrary of rable in many respects,” they lege. Scott Bethmann, apologized and
that kind of thing.” “clearly fell short of adequately Haney said his father, an Ar- resigned from the academy’s
Haney, 65, went on to become addressing the societal chal- my veteran who worked at a bus alumni association board of
one of the first Black four-star lenges of today.” terminal, warned him that he trustees at the request of senior
admirals in Navy history, serv- At the highest ranks, the Navy could face racism in the mili- association officials.
ing as the commander of the U.S. has slid, according to the report. tary. But Haney bonded with his The incident served as a re-
Pacific Fleet and the U.S. Strate- Several minorities and a woman white roommates and brought minder that some people “dis-
gic Command, where he over- have held the service’s highest friends home to visit his parents. like me and disrespect anything
saw nuclear weapons before re- rank in the past, but all 10 of its Haney graduated from the a- I accomplished simply because
tiring in 2017. current four-star admirals are cademy in 1978 and became a of the color of my skin,” Haney
Haney recalled working with white men. submarine officer. His initial as- wrote.
a number of white colleagues Haney said he cannot under- signment on the USS John C. The Navy’s new focus on di-
who were professional and kind stand why it has taken so many Calhoun, named for a former versity, including the task
during his military career. But years for the military to confront vice president who was a devout force’s work, is a positive sign,
he was a rarity: a Black leader at issues such as the Confederate defender of slavery, triggered Haney said. The report’s recom-
an institution that was mostly battle flag, which was banned questions from his father. mendations include adding “re-
white, with a disproportionate last summer. He has issued a Haney said his goal was to spect” as one of the Navy’s core
number of white leaders going call to action to alumni from the command a ship as he rose values, which have included
up through the ranks. academy to fight racism and big- through the ranks. He took “honor,” “courage” and “com-
The U.S. military is still strug- otry. charge of the USS Honolulu, a mitment” since the 1990s.
gling with a lack of diversity, as “I’m a big believer that you fast-attack submarine, in 1996. “It’s a big deal for a service to
well as racism and extremism in have to look at best-case, but you As Haney was considering re- change its core values,” Haney
the ranks, which senior defense also have to look at worst-case,” tiring, he was selected to be- said.
officials say is hard to track and he said. Although it can be easy come an admiral. His wife, Bon- The report also called for a re-
expose. to get wrapped up in the “rah- ny, who died in 2017, played a view of the names that ships and
After recent racist incidents rah of institution,” he said, “any key role in his decision to stay. buildings in the service.
in the Navy, Adm. Mike Gilday, organization has things to work “We had a heart-to-heart, and Unlike the Army, the Navy
the chief of naval operations, on.” frankly she was more excited does not have bases named for
said in a statement to sailors last Haney remembers the race about me becoming a flag officer Confederate officers who fought
week that “we cannot be under riots that erupted in Washington and the opportunity for an Afri- to preserve slavery. But it does
any illusions that extremist be- during his childhood after the can American to do so than I ini- have aircraft carriers named for
haviors do not exist in our Na- Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was tially was,” he said. men who advocated for segrega-
vy.” assassinated in 1968. He saw As protests erupted last sum- tion: former senator John Sten-
In one of the incidents, a sailor neighborhood stores destroyed mer, Haney recalled his child- nis, D-Miss., and former con-
was removed from his warship, and U.S. troops deployed on city hood in Washington and the tur- gressman Carl Vinson, D-Ga.
Stars and Stripes digest is produced by the news desk at our central office in Washington, D.C. The internet address is: http://slite.dma.mil. You may contact us by calling
(202) 886-0003 or by sending an email to SSCcopydesk@stripes.osd.mil. Visit Stars and Stripes online at stripes.com.Wednesday, February 17, 2021 • S T R I P E S L I T E • PAGE 3
Austin vows new US tone at NATO meeting
BY JOHN VANDIVER last year’s election campaign. talks with allies. that countries sending troops
Stars and Stripes “Our alliances and partner- NATO members are expect- on NATO missions wouldn’t be
STUTTGART, Germany — ships are strategic advantages ed to increase overall spending stuck paying the whole cost of
On the eve of a major NATO none of our competitors can for the seventh straight year, the deployment.
meeting, Defense Secretary match. They lend to the mis- even though only nine of 30 The move is likely to be wel-
Lloyd Austin said he would sion-unique capabilities and members will hit the alliance comed by the Pentagon, which
bring a new level of respect to credibility that sometimes each benchmark of dedicating 2% of pays the bill for various high-
the way Washington works of us alone might lack,” Austin gross domestic product to their profile U.S. missions, such as
with allies, but also called on said. “But teams succeed only respective militaries. leading a multinational battle
members to meet their defense when every player is trusted “It is heartening to see many group in Poland focused on de-
spending obligations. and respected. And our alli- of them meeting or exceeding terring potential Russian ag-
“We are not withdrawing ance teammates haven’t al- their obligations, even as fur- gression.
from Europe,” Austin said in ways felt that respect.” ther increases are essential for Stoltenberg, after an initial
an op-ed published in The The tone was likely to be some to get there,” Austin said. round of talks Wednesday, said
Washington Post on Wednes- welcomed by NATO members At NATO headquarters in the Biden administration rep-
day, the first day of a 2-day who faced frequent criticism Brussels, Secretary-General resents a chance “to open a
meeting of NATO defense min- from former President Donald Jens Stoltenberg this week new chapter in relations be-
isters. Trump. He regularly criticized reaffirmed the importance of tween Europe and North
He is now reviewing the allies for underinvestment in meeting the 2% spending tar- America.”
merits of the Trump adminis- defense and at times ques- get, but also said other reforms Later this year, allies will
tration’s plan to withdraw tioned the value of the alliance. are needed. hold a heads of state summit,
nearly 12,000 troops from Ger- Although defense spending Stoltenberg wants defense during which Stoltenberg said
many, a proposal that drew was the hallmark issue for ministers to consider increas- he hopes allies will agree to a
skepticism from current ad- Trump, it’s still likely to fea- ing NATO’s shared budget. new “strategic concept” to deal
ministration officials during ture prominently in Austin’s Such a change would mean with new threats.
Navy sends destroyer to exercise Murkowski: I can’t
free passage in South China Sea fear fallout from
BY MATTHEW M. BURKE China, Vietnam and Taiwan require either impeachment vote
Stars and Stripes permission or advance notice before a foreign
The USS Russell conducted a freedom-of- military vessel engages in innocent passage Associated Press
navigation operation in the South China Sea through the area, a practice the United States JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska Republican
on Wednesday, challenging the “unlawful re- holds is contrary to international law. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Tuesday that
strictions on innocent passage” imposed by “The United States challenges excessive she knows her vote to convict former Presi-
China, Vietnam and Taiwan, the Navy’s 7th maritime claims around the world regardless dent Donald Trump during his recent Senate
Fleet said. of the identity of the claimant,” Keiley wrote. impeachment trial could have political conse-
The guided-missile destroyer steamed “Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in quences, “but I can’t be afraid of that.”
past the Spratlys, a chain of more than 100 the South China Sea pose a serious threat to If the people of Alaska decide that “because
small islands and reefs, according to a state- the freedom of the sea, including freedoms of I did not support my party that I can no longer
ment from 7th Fleet spokesman Lt. Joe Kei- navigation and overflight, free trade and un- serve them in the United States Senate, then so
ley on Wednesday. impeded commerce, and freedom of econom- be it,” Murkowski told reporters during a visit
Six surrounding nations, including China, ic opportunity for South China Sea littoral na- to the state Capitol.
Vietnam and the Philippines, claim all or part tions.” She also said that if the state Republican
of the Spratlys, a commercial fishing zone The 1982 United Nations Law of the Sea Party decides to censure her due to her vote,
with potential oil and natural gas deposits. Convention stipulates that ships of any state, “they can make that statement. But I will make
The islands are west of the Philippine island including warships, have the right to innocent the statement, again, that my obligation is to
of Palawan. passage through territorial seas, Keiley said. support the Constitution that I have pledged to
China has improved seven of the Spratly The Russell’s trip past the Spratlys is the uphold, and I will do that, even if it means that I
features with airstrips, helipads, barracks Navy’s second freedom-of-navigation exer- have to oppose the direction of my state party.”
and other facilities, including anti-ship cruise cise in the South China Sea this month. A day The Alaska Republican Party State Central
missiles, according to the CIA World Fact- after steaming through the Taiwan Strait on Committee earlier this month passed a resolu-
book online. Feb. 4, the guided-missile destroyer USS tion opposing the Senate impeachment trial as
The Spratlys are near commercial ship- John S. McCain sailed near the Parcel Is- “moot” and opposing a conviction. Glenn Cla-
ping lanes that carry 80% of world trade by lands, south of the Chinese island of Hainan. ry, the party chairman, did not respond to
volume, according to the United Nations Con- Possession of that small chain is also in dis- messages Tuesday, including whether the
ference on Trade and Development. pute. party is considering a censure of Murkowski.PAGE 4 • STRIPES LITE • Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Biden reframes goal for reopening schools
Associated Press Angeles, which opened Tues- at a news confernce. “This can Javits Center in New York City
MILWAUKEE — President day along with a similar facility be done safely.” to Plattsburgh International
Joe Biden is promising that a in Oakland. The two locations Decisions about how and Airport.
majority of elementary schools are expected to get about 6,000 when to reopen schools to stu-
will be open five days a week doses of vaccine a day, and are dents are largely left to individ- Arkansas
by the end of his first 100 days intended to vaccinate people in ual districts. Many districts — LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas
in office, restating his goal after communities hit hard by the including Seattle, the state’s Gov. Asa Hutchinson lifted
his administration came under pandemic. largest — have been closed for some restrictions Tuesday on
fire when aides said schools The openings of the mass in-person instruction for almost smaller indoor events and
would be considered open if vaccination sites, heralded by a a year during the pandemic. school sports as the state’s cor-
they held in-person learning number of state and federal of- Inslee said the state was en- onavirus cases continued
just one day a week. ficials, came as California’s vi- couraging local authorities to trending downward and vac-
Biden’s comments, during a rus numbers continue to im- increase the number of days in cine distribution ramps up.
CNN town hall in Milwaukee, prove even as demand for the which children can be back in Arkansas reported 177 new
marked his clearest statement vaccine far exceeds capacity. the classroom. The Democratic cases of the virus Tuesday, but
yet on school reopenings. Biden governor said moving toward testing was greatly decreased
had pledged in December to re- North Carolina more in-person instruction is in because of winter weather that
open “the majority of our CHEROKEE — While mi- line with the scientific consen- hit the entire state a day earlier,
schools” in his first 100 days, nority communities across the sus and the latest guidance Hutchinson said.
but has since faced increasing United States have struggled to from federal officials. But beyond the weather-re-
questions about how he would trust the COVID-19 vaccine, lated decreases, Arkansas’ roll-
define and achieve that goal, the opposite is true for the East- New York ing average of daily new cases
with school districts operating ern Band of Cherokee Indians, ALBANY — Some New over the past two weeks has
under a patchwork of different a Native American tribe of Yorkers are driving hours to dropped by nearly 50%, accord-
virtual and in-person learning 16,000 in western North Caroli- get the COVID-19 vaccine be- ing to researchers at Johns
arrangements nationwide. na, and other tribes across the cause they are unable to find Hopkins University.
He said comments by White country, which were also quick appointments closer to home On Tuesday, the Republican
House press secretary Jen Psa- to adopt coronavirus preven- through a state website. governor lifted a temporary re-
ki earlier this month that one tion measures. Residents of the Albany and striction that required any in-
day a week of in-person learn- The federal Indian Health Buffalo areas in particular have door event of 10 people or more
ing would meet his goal were “a Service said Tuesday that it has complained on social media to obtain state approval in ad-
mistake in the communica- administered nearly 385,300 and to their local lawmakers vance. Indoor events with 100
tion.” doses of COVID-19 vaccines. At that they have had to resort to people or more still require ap-
Asked when the nation would a rate of about 18,490 per signing up for appointments in proval under restrictions put in
see kindergarten through 100,000, that’s higher than all Utica, Rochester, Binghamton place last fall.
eighth grades back to in-person but five U.S. states, according or Syracuse.
learning five days a week, Bi- to an AP analysis of federal da- Jessica Muenter, 48, said she Oklahoma
den said, “We’ll be close to that ta. lives a short drive away from OKLAHOMA CITY — A
at the end of the first 100 days.” The trend owes itself both to the SUNY Buffalo site, but in- winter storm that brought
He said he expected many a harsh reality — Native Amer- stead resorted to booking an heavy snowfall and record-
schools would push to stay open icans and Alaskan Natives are appointment in Rochester, breaking freezing temper-
through the summer, but sug- four times more likely to be which is over an hour away. atures slowed Oklahoma’s dis-
gested reopening would take hospitalized from COVID-19, She was one of several millions tribution of the coronavirus
longer for high schools due to a according to the Centers for of New Yorkers with eligible vaccine on Tuesday.
higher risk of contagion among Disease Control and Preven- health conditions that leave Health officials in many ci-
older students. tion — and tradition. Communi- them particularly vulnerable to ties and counties across the
ty before self has long been a COVID-19 who could start sign- state worked to reschedule vac-
California core principle in Native Amer- ing up for vaccines Sunday. cination appointments. The
LOS ANGELES — California ican culture. Muenter and other newly eli- Tulsa County Health Depart-
is moving toward easing re- gible individuals have grown ment kept delivering vaccines
strictions on businesses now Washington frustrated in recent days with Tuesday at the city’s Expo
that the nation’s most populous SEATTLE — Washington the state’s Am I Eligible sign- Square Pavilion. Still, it cau-
state has emerged from the state is expanding COVID-19 up portal for state-run mass tioned people with appoint-
deadliest surge of the pandem- testing options for many public vaccination sites, which has ments to dress warmly and
ic and is seeing rapid declines schools and Gov. Jay Inslee continued to greet them with wait in their vehicle until their
in new coronavirus cases and said Tuesday that more stu- messages saying “No Appoint- scheduled appointment time.
hospitalizations. dents should have access to in- ments Available” at SUNY Al- Tulsa reported more than
The governor spoke at the person learning. bany and SUNY Buffalo. Mean- 6,000 appointments were res-
site of a new federally support- “This is the best way to edu- while, appointments have been cheduled by the department
ed mass vaccination site in Los cate our children,” Inslee said at times available at sites from due to inclement weather.Wednesday, February 17, 2021 • S T R I P E S L I T E • PAGE 5
AMERICAN ROUNDUP
Valentine’s Day balloon day. investigation of second-degree crossing over the border.
Garrett argued that a 2018 at- murder, while her husband was
cuts power for thousands tack caused him to suffer per-
Snow leopard known for
arrested for investigation of
her 7 healthy cubs dies
CA FRESNO — A Valen-
tine’s Day balloon fil-
manent injuries, including
nerve damage and the inability
fourth-degree assault, the re-
lease states.
led with helium drifted into a
power line Sunday, sparking an
to use his left hand, in addition
to mental health effects. His suit
Explosion destroys NJ CAPE MAY COUNTY
— A snow leopard that
5 garbage trucks gained national attention for
outage that temporarily alleged that the dogs were un-
giving birth to seven cubs has
plunged more than 2,300 Fres- leashed after he returned to his
no households into the dark.
Pacific Gas & Electric spo-
cell following an altercation
with another inmate.
FL PENSACOLA — An
explosion and fire de-
stroyed five garbage trucks and
died at 17 years old, a New Jer-
sey zoo said Sunday.
keswoman Karly Hernandez A dog’s attack in May 2020 Himani, who reared four lit-
damaged two others at a sanita- ters of cubs at a time when snow
said that the outage began about left Johnson requiring more
tion complex in the Florida Pan- leopard breeding success was at
8 p.m. in an area east of Valen- than 20 stitches on his right
handle. a low point, was “peacefully eu-
tine Avenue, The Fresno Bee hand and arm, according to his
The flames erupted Sunday thanized following a battle with
reported Monday. Most lights lawsuit. Johnson said he was ly-
afternoon at the station in Es- cancer” on Friday, according to
were back on an hour later but ing facedown with his arms ex-
cambia County, Emerald Coast a press release from Cape May
some residents were without tended outward after a fight
Utilities Authority said in a County.
power until midnight. with another inmate when a
statement. The complex is lo- Himani was born in June
Last year, metallic balloons handler released a dog onto
cated north of Pensacola. No in- 2003 and came to the Cape May
caused about 450 outages in him. The handler alleged he let
juries were reported but five
PG&E’s service area in North- the dog loose after Johnson ap- County Zoo in 2009 from the
ern and central California, the trucks were destroyed.
proached another officer in a Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee, the
utility reported. The utility rou- News outlets reported the fire
threatening manner. Press of Atlantic City reported.
tinely warns residents of the happened at a fueling station.
1 dead, 1 jailed after fight The authority said the cause of Pizza Ranch expanded in
dangers of balloons before ma-
jor holidays.
over a political sign the explosion is under investi- 2020 despite pandemic
gation.
Men file lawsuits alleging
attacks by prison dogs WA BIG LAKE — One
woman is dead and Bison largely remaining IA ORANGE CITY — Io-
wa-based Pizza Ranch,
another is being held in jail for within boundaries of park known for its buffet of pizza,
VA RICHMOND — Two
men who say they
were viciously attacked by pris-
investigation of murder after a
fight over the alleged theft of a
political sign. MT BOZEMAN — Bi-
son have largely
chicken and other offerings, ex-
panded last year, even as the
stayed in Yellowstone National coronavirus pandemic hit the
on security dogs have filed fed- Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
Park and avoided being cap- restaurant industry harder than
eral civil rights lawsuits against deputies were called to a resi-
tured by park officials or killed most.
the Virginia Department of Cor- dence on Big Lake Road about
by hunters this winter, officials Pizza Ranch, based in Orange
rections, alleging the agency vi- 5:30 p.m. Saturday to a report of
said. City, has over 200 locations in 14
olated protections against cruel a fight, according to the sheriff’s
Montana Fish, Wildlife and states. The chain added five
and unusual punishment. office. Upon arriving at the
Parks spokesperson Morgan Ja- new locations last year and has
Curtis J. Garrett, 29, a former scene, deputies found a 32-year-
inmate at the Sussex II State old Arlington woman dead in cobsen said most of the animals six or seven more openings slat-
Prison, and Corey E. Johnson, the driveway, the release states. have remained within the ed for this year, Chief Adminis-
51, a current inmate at Red On- The two residents of the house, a park’s borders on the slopes trative Officer Ryan Achterhoff
ion State Prison, filed lawsuits 58-year-old man and a 55-year- above Gardiner, The Bozeman told the Sioux City Journal.
this month in U.S. District Court old woman, came out of the Daily Chronicle reported. Bison The National Restaurant As-
in Richmond and Roanoke. The house to speak to deputies, the migrate to lower elevations out- sociation reported in Septem-
two alleged that they were obey- report states. Initial investiga- side of the park annually in ber that almost 100,000 restau-
ing orders from corrections offi- tion has determined that the search of food, which is when rants — nearly one in every six
cers when the canines were let fight began over the theft of a they are trapped at the park’s — closed permanently or long-
loose on them, The Richmond political sign, the release states. Stephens Creek Capture Facili- term due to the pandemic.
Times-Dispatch reported Mon- The woman was booked for ty and killed by hunters after — From wire reportsPAGE 6 • STRIPES LITE • Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Serena returns to form for semfinals
Associated Press Williams’ defense. Both ended ed ability to get where she wants ble 2018 U.S. Open final.
Serena Williams agrees with with forehand misses by Halep. to go as quickly as she wants to The semifinalists on the other
everyone else that her footwork Both helped Williams break get there. half of the draw will be No. 25
and movement are better these serve as part of a five-game, One is that it makes it “tough- Karolina Muchova vs. No. 22
days than they’ve been for a bit match-closing run. er for the opponents to finish the Jennifer Brady. Muchova
— and that’s a big reason she’s Asked how long it’s been point,” Halep explained, and knocked off No. 1 seed Ash Bar-
closing in on what would be a re- since she felt she owned those the other is that it’s “much eas- ty 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, while Brady end-
cord-tying 24th Grand Slam sin- sorts of lengthy, pivotal points, ier” for Williams to properly ed the surprising run of unseed-
gles title. Williams crossed her legs, fold- calibrate offensive shots when ed Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Here’s what she wants to ed her hands and cracked her- she is in the right spot at the In each of her previous two
make clear, though, as a block- self up with a joke. right time. rounds at Melbourne Park,
buster Australian Open semifi- “It’s definitely been a minute. That patience within points is there were drawn-out points in
nal against Naomi Osaka ap- It’s been a long minute. I think helpful, even if not always sec- which Williams sprinted this
proaches on Thursday: This is 1926 — the summer of 1926, I ond nature for players with the way and that, somehow getting
nothing new. think — was the last time I felt sort of quick-strike power that
the ball back over the net, be-
As much as Williams thrives that,” Williams said, before Williams possesses. But by bid-
fore eventually producing a des-
with her best-in-the-game turning more serious. ing her time, tracking down op-
peration defensive lob.
serves, superb returns and “I’m good at rallying and I ponents’ shots and letting it all
And each time, Williams was
booming groundstrokes, her have to embrace the things I’m develop, Williams can let the
rewarded when her opponent
ability to cover the court has good at. I’m good at playing other players’ mistakes help her
power. I’m good at hitting 100 put an overhead into the net.
long been a staple of her suc- as much as her own winners do.
balls,” said the 39-year-old “Movement has always been
cess. Yes, it’s been below par — “When you’re not (having) a
“the last two, three years,” in American, whose most recent good day, you need a Plan B. ... If one of my strengths, and so it’s
her coach’s estimation — but is major championship came at you can’t move well, there is no actually more natural for me to
once again an asset, thanks in the Australian Open in 2017. Plan B; the only plan is attack,” move, than for me not (to). So it
part to finally getting past a “And that’s one thing that’s said Williams’ coach, Patrick was just kind of, like, ‘Oh, that’s
problematic left Achilles. unique about me, that I just Mouratoglou. “I think it cost her how I used to move!’ So it’s pret-
Two key points during a 6-3, need to kind of accept and em- a few important matches. So we ty good,” Williams said. “I’m
6-3 quarterfinal victory over brace and just be good at both.” have decided to find a way to happy that I’m doing that again
No. 2 seed Simona Halep on Halep, a two-time major bring back the footwork that she and that I put it back into my
Tuesday illustrated this ele- champion who beat Williams in used to have in the past.” game. I think I was more fo-
ment of Williams’ game. Com- the 2019 Wimbledon final, cer- That could come in handy cused on other things and not fo-
ing at deuce while Halep served tainly noticed a change. Thursday in the semifinals, cused on something that is ac-
at 3-all in the second set, the She said Williams is “running when Williams takes on three- tually a strength of mine — has
first lasted 21 strokes, the sec- more,” and described two as- time major champion Naomi always been a strength of
ond 13. Both were extended by pects that matter about a renew- Osaka, who won their memora- mine.”
Czech Republic’s Muchova knocks off No. 1 seed Barty
Associated Press home since Chris O’Neil in 1978. Greece. 22nd-seeded Jennifer Brady,
MELBOURNE, Australia — “It’s heartbreaking, of The women’s semifinals who beat fellow American and
Top-ranked Ash Barty built a course,” said Barty, who took Thursday will be the first good friend Jessica Pegula 4-6,
big lead in the Australian Open nearly all of 2020 off because of matches at Melbourne Park 6-2, 6-1. Brady reached her sec-
quarterfinals before her oppo- the coronavirus pandemic, in- with crowds in nearly a week af- ond Grand Slam semifinal, fol-
nent took a medical timeout and cluding opting not to try to de- ter the easing of restrictions im- lowing a run that far at the U.S.
left the court. fend her 2019 French Open title. posed by the Victoria state gov- Open in September.
More than an hour later, it “But the sun will come up to- ernment during a five-day lock- “I hope I make it a habit,”
was Barty heading abruptly for morrow. You’re either winning down in Australia’s second- Brady said. “Hopefully I have a
the exit, upset 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 or you’re learning, and today is largest city to contain the new habit of making finals.”
Wednesday by 25th-seeded Ka- a massive learning curve for spread of a COVID-19 cluster. She struggled at times and
rolina Muchova of the Czech me.” Tournament director Craig gave her racket an angry toss
Republic. No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal Tiley said Wednesday that at- midway through the second set.
Muchova earned her first built a big lead in a night-time tendance will be capped at 7,477 But the unseeded Pegula, who
semifinal berth at a Grand Slam quarterfinal, but his bid for a — about half the capacity of Rod advanced beyond the third
tournament and ended Barty’s men’s-record 21st Grand Slam Laver Arena — for each of the round at a major for the first
bid to become the first Austra- title ended with an upset five-set last four days of the tournament. time, appeared to tire down the
lian woman to win the title at loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas of Muchova’s opponent will be stretch.Wednesday, February 17, 2021 • S T R I P E S L I T E • PAGE 7
Nadal blows 2-set lead in quarters loss
Associated Press ter.” high level of tennis” over the his Grand Slam debut.
MELBOURNE, Australia — At his put-the-ball-where-he- last two sets, the 34-year-old The women’s semifinals
Rafael Nadal entered his Aus- wants-it best in the early going, Spaniard’s play dipped consid- Thursday are Serena Williams
tralian Open quarterfinal with a Nadal went ahead rather easily, erably. vs. Naomi Osaka, and Jennifer
223-1 record when grabbing the winning 27 consecutive points Nadal made a total of only 10 Brady vs. Karolina Muchova.
first two sets of a Grand Slam on his serve in one stretch and unforced errors in the first two Nadal won the 2009 Austra-
match. running his streak of consecu- sets combined, then 32 the rest lian Open, but it is the only ma-
Thanks to his own mistakes — tive sets won at major tourna- of the way — 11 in the third, 14 in jor he hasn’t won at least twice,
and some spirited play by Stefa- ments to 35, one shy of Roger the fourth, seven in the fifth. with 13 titles at Roland Garros,
nos Tsitsipas — that mark is Federer’s record for the profes- The only other occasion in four at the U.S. Open and two at
now 223-2. sional era. which Nadal went from a two- Wimbledon.
A couple of uncharacteristi- Nadal and Federer are cur- set advantage to a defeat in a “Sometimes the things go
cally sloppy overheads and a rently tied at 20 Grand Slam sin- Slam came at the 2015 U.S. well,” Nadal said, “and some-
framed backhand in a third-set gles titles, more than any other Open against Fabio Fognini times the things go worse.”
tiebreaker began Nadal’s undo- man in the history of a sport that (who just so happened to have He came into this year’s first
ing, and his bid for a men’s-re- dates to the late 1800s. lost to Nadal in the fourth round major with doubts about his
cord 21st major championship But Tsitsipas never wavered at Melbourne Park this year). back, citing that as his reason
eventually ended Wednesday and that surprisingly poor tie- So now, instead of Nadal at- for pulling out of the ATP Cup
with 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 7-5 loss breaker by Nadal — thinking tempting to surpass Federer, it team competition that preceded
to the younger, sharper Tsitsi- too far ahead, perhaps? — will be Tsitsipas — a 22-year- the Australian Open and saying
pas. helped hand over the third set old from Greece with a flashy the problem prevented him
“Was little bit of everything, and begin the epic comeback. game — who will meet 2019 U.S. from practicing properly for
no? I missed a couple of balls in “I started very nervous, I Open runner-up Daniil Medve- about three weeks.
the tiebreak that I shouldn’t — won’t lie,” the fifth-seeded Tsit- dev in the semifinals Friday. But Nadal said after the loss
that I could not — miss if I want sipas said. “But I don’t know Neither Tsitsipas nor Medve- to Tsitsipas that his back was
to win. And that’s it,” said Nadal, what happened after the third dev has won a Grand Slam tour- not an issue.
who briefly left the Spanish por- set. I just flied like a little bird. nament. Nadal hadn’t ceded a set at
tion of his post-match news con- Everything was working for me. In the other men’s semifinal, Melbourne Park through four
ference after clutching at his The emotions at the very end 17-time major champion and matches; he also won all 21 sets
cramping right hamstring. are indescribable.” No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic he played at last year’s French
“I have to go back home,” Na- As Tsitsipas played, in Na- will face 114th-ranked qualifier Open, where he picked up his
dal said, “and practice to be bet- dal’s estimation, a “very, very Aslan Karatsev, who is making 20th Slam trophy.
Islanders complete two-game sweep of Sabres
Associated Press review of the offside challenge Sheary and Jakub Vrana scored Avalanche 3, Golden Knights
BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York clearly showed Buffalo captain in the second period, and Wash- 2: Nazem Kadri scored with 41
Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin’s Jack Eichel entering the zone ington stopped a four-game seconds remaining in the third
eyes lit up and he broke into a big before the puck 22 seconds ear- slide by winning at Pittsburgh. period, lifting Colorado to a win
smile in not needing an interpre- lier. The Sabres never managed Lars Eller also scored for the at Vegas.
tation when asked his favorite another shot after that, as New Capitals, and Vitek Vanecek Moments after Marc-Andre
memory of his first NHL win — York completed a two-game stopped 26 shots in his 11th Fleury stopped Mikko Ranta-
and a shutout, no less. sweep of Buffalo. straight start. nen’s backhand with 45.3 sec-
“Video review,” the Russian- Sorokin improved to 1-2-1, and Devils 5, Rangers 2: Yegor onds left, the Avalanche got the
born goalie said. “Canceled it.” began showing the potential he Sharangovich and Nicholas better end of a faceoff from the
There was more to Sorokin’s displayed in establishing him- Merkley scored in the third peri- right circle, eventually setting
20-save performance in the Is- self as one of the Russian-based od and visiting New Jersey sent up Kadri, who was able to lift a
landers’ 3-0 victory over the Kontinental Hockey League’s New York to its fourth straight loose puck into the net for his
Buffalo Sabres than an over- top young netminders. The Is- loss. second game-winner of the sea-
turned goal on Tuesday night. landers’ 2014 third-round pick Pavel Zacha, Will Butcher and son.
But the 25-year-old rookie un- won 25 or more games in each of Mikhail Maltsev also scored for Kings 4, Wild 0: Jaret Ander-
derstood how big of a save he got his past four seasons and had a the Devils, who returned to ac- son-Dolan had a goal and an as-
from coach Barry Trotz in hav- league-leading nine shutouts tion for the first time since Jan. sist, Jonathan Quick made 28
ing Victor Olofsson’s power- last year. 31 after a pause due to a CO- saves and Los Angeles defeated
play goal negated with 6:59 re- His teammates were most VID-19 outbreak. Mackenzie visiting Minnesota.
maining. happy to contribute by building Blackwood made 37 saves and It was the Wild’s first game
Rather than have the Sabres a 2-0 first-period lead. Janne Kuokkanen added three since Feb. 2 due to a COVID-19
cut New York’s lead to 2-1, the Capitals 3, Penguins 1:Conor assists in the win. outbreak.PAGE 8 • STRIPES LITE • Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Ingram, Williamson power James leads
Lakers past
Pelicans past Grizzlies Timberwolves
Associated Press
Associated Press game absence because of COVID-19 proto-
cols and scored 23 points in 24 minutes for MINNEAPOLIS — LeBron James had 30
NEW ORLEANS — Brandon Ingram had the Grizzlies. points, 13 rebounds and seven assists and
27 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high “He really attacked it well tonight and de- Dennis Schröder scored 24 points, helping
four blocks, Zion Williamson capped a 29- fensively did some good things,” Memphis the Los Angeles Lakers pull away from the
point night with a game-sealing dunk in the coach Taylor Jenkins said. “Obviously, his Minnesota Timberwolves for a 112-104 vic-
final minute, and the New Orleans Pelicans minutes will continue to go up and up as he tory on Tuesday night.
beat the Memphis Grizzlies 118-109 on Sat- gets back and reconditions. He was really Montrezl Harrell pitched in 17 points for
urday for their third straight victory. good for us tonight.” the Lakers, who stopped a seven-game los-
Eric Bledsoe scored 11 of his 21 points in Kyle Anderson scored 21 for the Griz- ing streak at Minnesota with their first win
the fourth quarter, when New Orleans fell zlies, and Ja Morant had 16 points and nine at Target Center since March 25, 2015.
behind by seven before storming ahead by assists. But it wasn’t enough to prevent the Nets 128, Suns 124: James Harden
outscoring Memphis 23-7 over the final sev- team from losing its third straight. scored 38 points, Joe Harris added 22 and
en minutes. Lonzo Ball added 16 points for “We kind of lost our pace there in the Brooklyn overcame a 24-point deficit to win
the Pelicans, who broke open a close game fourth quarter. They forced us into some at Phoenix.
despite playing one night after pulling out a tough possessions and some tough shots,” Raptors 123, Bucks 113: Fred VanV-
tight road game in Indiana. Jenkins said. “We still had some good looks leet scored 33 points, Pascal Siakam added
“Everybody just got super aggressive. but didn’t make it, and credit to them. ... 23 and Toronto withstood the loss of Kyle
The momentum shifted a little bit,” Ingram They made some big-time shots. That was Lowry to win at slumping Milwaukee.
said of the final stretch. “We stayed in and kind of the difference there late in the fourth Celtics 112, Nuggets 99: Jaylen Brown
we knocked down shots and we got stops on quarter.” had 27 points and eight assists to help Bos-
the defensive end. So it all came down to the After the teams were separated by a sin- ton withstand a 43-point night from Nikola
fourth quarter where we had to bring a little gle point at halftime and the end of the third Jokic and beat visiting Denver.
extra energy off of a back-to-back. We just quarter, Memphis appeared to be taking Trail Blazers 115, Thunder 104: Da-
couldn’t make (being) tired an excuse, and control when Tyus Jones scored six of his mian Lillard scored 12 of his 31 points in the
just kept going.” eight points during an 11-2 run that put the final 4:11 to help Portland win at Oklahoma
Jonas Valanciunas returned from a five- Grizzlies up 102-95. City.
Camara leads Georgia’s rally over Missouri
Associated Press es, played with even more hunger 6-8) with 16 points. 64: Davonte Davis led four Razor-
ATHENS, Ga. — Losing a big than the Tigers. Camara’s three-point play with backs in double figures with 18
second-half lead made Missouri’s “I believed ... the most desperate 4:55 left broke a 62-all tie, launch- points in a victory over the visiting
third consecutive loss even more team will probably win the game,” ing an 18-8 run to end the game.
Gators.
painful. Camara said. No. 5 Illinois 73, Northwestern
Missouri dropped 10 spots in this 66: Kofi Cockburn had 17 points Arkansas (17-5, 9-4 Southeastern
Toumani Camara scored 15
week’s Top 25. and 10 rebounds, Ayo Dosunmu Conference) entered the Top 25 on
points, including a big three-point
play, and Georgia rallied to beat the Kobe Brown led the Tigers with a added 13 points and the host Illini Monday for the first time since
career-high 21 points. Mark Smith beat the Wildcats. 2018 and has won seven straight
No. 20 Tigers 80-70 on Tuesday
and Xavier Pinson had 11 apiece. Cockburn got his 14th double- league games.
night.
Missouri forward Parker Braun double of the season for Illinois
Missouri (13-6, 6-6 Southeastern Florida (10-6, 6-5) turned a 15-
said the Tigers “stopped being ag- (20-5, 11-3 Big Ten), which took
Conference) blew a 48-35 lead fol- point, second-half deficit into a lead
gressive” after building the big sec- control early in its sixth straight
lowing a dominant start to the sec- with 4:40 left after Tyree Appleby’s
ond-half lead. win.
ond half. “We’ve just got to stay locked in Chase Audige scored 22 points layup. Davis and Jalen Tate made
“You put yourself in a position to for a full 40 minutes and be ready to for Northwestern (6-13, 3-12). back-to-back buckets, Justin Smith
win it on the road, you’ve got to find play down the stretch,” Braun said. Pete Nance added 14 points for blocked Anthony Duruji at the rim
a way to win it,” coach Cuonzo Mar- Missouri center Jeremiah Til- the Wildcats, who lost their 12th
tin said. and Moses Moody made a pair of
mon missed his second consecutive straight.
Camara said it was important game while away from the team The Illini led 25-7 but saw their free throws to push Arkansas back
that the Bulldogs, faced with their following a death in his family. lead cut to two points with 1:30 left. . ahead by two possessions with less
own streak of two consecutive loss- Justin Kier led Georgia (13-8, No. 24 Arkansas 75, Florida than 1:30 left.You can also read
