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Celebration of life for Alexa Bartell, killed by rock thrown through windshield, draws hundreds to Avada church

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

On a beautiful, sun-filled afternoon, more than 500 people gathered in an Arvada church to celebrate the life of Alexa Bartell, who died at age 20 when a stone was hurled through the windshield of her car.People hugged and wept outside the Storyline Church before the service, and others did the same inside, crossing aisles to embrace and pause. A table in the church lobby was filled with framed photographs of Alexa, smiling in most. Photos included images of Alexa playfully flashing a peace sign; she often wore baseball caps, sometimes with the bill facing back. Dozens of colorful floral bouquets were inside the lobby and the church. Friends left written messages that were displayed.The Rev. JT English, lead pastor, welcomed the gathering, which included many young adults — friends and former classmates of Alexa’s. English said people shouldn’t suppress or deny emotions they’re feeling, including anger and grief, and that it would also be acceptable to laugh ...

Draft weekend gives glimpse at what Sean Payton expects Broncos defense to look like in 2023, beyond

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

If all goes well for the Broncos in 2023, they will not have to rely extensively on Drew Sanders, their third-round linebacker selection.Under new defensive coordinator – and former Denver head coach – Vance Joseph, Denver has an inside linebacking group that features the productive returning duo of Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton plus fourth-year man Jonas Griffith, a starter until he sustained a season-ending foot injury in 2022.In discussing why the Broncos took him at No. 67 overall, head coach Sean Payton provided the most extensive glimpse yet into how he evaluates players on that side of the ball and, perhaps, what to expect from Joseph’s unit in 2023.“We see our schemes very similar to a year ago,” Payton said of how Joseph will play. In 2022, of course, Denver had one of the NFL’s best defenses over the first half of the season under coordinator Ejiro Evero until trades, injuries and a stagnant offense finally wore the group out down the stretch.In drafting Sanders – a 6-fo...

Grading Broncos’ 2023 NFL draft: The Post’s sports staff weigh in on Sean Payton and George Paton’s weekend

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

Mark Kiszla, columnistGrade: BWell, the Broncos traded away any chance to earn an “A” long before this draft began. But my favorite moment of the weekend was when new coach Sean Payton explained why Denver traded up twice on Day 2, while gently ribbing general manager George Paton’s color-within-the-lines style. The GM “is the saver and I try to spend,” Payton quipped. Denver won’t get back to the playoffs by playing it safe. Can receiver Marvin Mims Jr. and cornerback Riley Moss be starters as rookies? Payton is here to find out.Sean Keeler, columnistGrade: B-minusSean Payton was considered a drafting wizard in New Orleans, and time will tell if Marvin Mims Jr. and Riley Moss prove that old dog can still hunt. Still, a lot of boxes got checked off for only five picks to work with, even if the gaps at running back, defensive line and offensive tackle (again) could come back to bite a star-crossed franchise square in the backside.Parker Gabriel, Br...

Keeler: Sean Payton’s first Broncos draft was high quality, low quantity. But why not grab running back insurance for Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine?

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

One question, Broncos general manager George Paton: What happens if Samaje Perine gets hurt?“Sometimes, (a position) just doesn’t fall (to you),” Paton replied when I asked about the Broncos’ running back quandary during the team’s post-draft news conference early Saturday night at Dove Valley.“You may want to address a certain position (and it) just doesn’t fall your way. So you address another position.”Playmaking guys? Check. Depth guys? Check. Character guys? Check. High-IQ guys? Check. Secondary help? Check. Offensive line? Check. Targets for Russ? Check.Guys taking handoffs from Russ? Not so much.Timeout for trivia: Over the last six seasons, the Broncos have managed to feature their designated RB1 in 16 games during just three campaigns (’21, ’19 and ’17), so maybe they’re due for a run of good karma in odd calendar years.With only five draft picks to play with, tailback wasn’t addressed until college free agency. Which is fine and completely understandable. To a point....

Elderly couple injured in Bel Air home invasion robbery

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

Police are searching for the burglars who ransacked a Bel-Air home and left an elderly couple injured late Friday night.Officers received calls of a burglary in progress on the 1300 block of Casiano Road around 1 a.m. When they arrived, they found a man in his 70s and a woman in her 60s, both injured.According to Los Angeles police, at least three suspects rushed into the victims' home as they were watching TV, marking the start of an ordeal that would last for hours.The husband was reportedly struck several times in the head during the break-in. The couples’ son later arrived at the home after police and paramedics were dispatched.A woman who lives near the victims describes them as kind, friendly and dedicated to family.“They’re lovely neighbors and it’s unfortunate to hear what’s going on,” said Amy Rahbar. “I did meet their son this morning and he was very concerned and upset.” 13 arrested for stealing millions from low-income Southern Californians A violent home invasion robb...

DC United blanks Charlotte 3-0 for third straight victory

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taxiarchis Fountas scored on a first-half penalty kick to lead D.C. United to a 3-0 victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday night.Fountas’ PK score came in the 34th minute and helped D.C. United (4-4-2) earn its third straight victory. United, which hadn’t won back-to-back matches since the first two outings last season, won just twice in its previous 20 matches before the streak.Christian Benteke pushed the lead to 2-0 with an unassisted goal in the 75th minute. Jacob Greene capped the scoring with a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Lewis O’Brien and Theodore Ku-Dipietro had assists on the final netter.Both teams posted 3-0 home victories over each other last season.DC United outshot Charlotte 13-7 with a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal.Tyler Miller finished with one save to earn the clean sheet for DC United. George Marks stopped one shot for Charlotte.Charlotte (2-5-3) had gone six straight matches with just one loss for the first time i...

Cheyenne Knight leads by 2 through 3 rounds at Wilshire

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cheyenne Knight shot a bogey-free 4-under 67 on Saturday to take a two-shot lead through three rounds of the LA Championship at Wilshire Country Club.Knight was at 9-under 204 through 54 holes, and her best round of the week had special significance.Knight made a 20-foot putt for eagle on the par-5 13th hole and birdied the par-4 17th to shoot 3-under 33 on the back nine. Her late brother, Brandon, who died in a car crash when Knight was 12, wore No. 33 while playing high school football in Texas.Knight teared up when an LPGA official mentioned her back-nine score.“It’s always special,” Knight said. “I have someone up there watching over me. He’s always with me.”Hae Ran Ryu also shot 67 and was two shots back alongside Hannah Green, who shot 69. Knight and Green are the only players to have three rounds in the 60s at Wilshire.Green played her first 12 holes in 3 over but birdied five of her last six.“I thought the front was actually quite difficult. It was a littl...

Eovaldi 3-hitter leads Rangers over Yanks 2-0 as Judge sits

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Nathan Eovaldi pitched a three-hitter for his first big league nine-inning shutout, Ezequiel Duran hit a two-run homer in the fifth and the Texas Rangers beat the listless Yankees 2-0 Saturday night for New York’s fifth loss in seven games.Yankees captain Aaron Judge missed his second straight game with a mild hip strain, joining Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Harrison Bader on the sidelines. New York was shut out for the first time this season and has scored two runs or fewer in five of its last seven games.Jake Bauers didn’t make it past the first inning of his Yankees debut, crashing headfirst into the left-field wall in a full sprint while catching Adolis García’s drive and leaving with a bruised right knee.The 27-year-old fell to the ground and held onto the ball for the final out of the inning, stranding Travis Jankowski on second base. New York said X-rays were negative.Before 40,027, a record crowd at Globe Life Field, Eovaldi (3-2) struc...

Bengals again use early rounds of draft to focus on defense

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo stood up from the podium late Friday night and said his work for the NFL draft was complete.Though Anarumo was joking, he wasn’t too far off.After taking a defensive player with each of their first three picks for the second straight draft, the Bengals used three of their final five picks Saturday to address offensive needs. They spent another one of those picks on a punter in the sixth round.“I’m excited for how it shook out for us with the eight picks we had,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “I felt like we got value with all the players. Really excited to get them into the mix, and at the same time, it hit some needs that we had as well.”Despite needing depth at tight end, the Bengals elected to stand firm at that position. Taylor made it clear he believes free-agent signee Irv Smith Jr. can be the team’s starter this upcoming season.“By signing Irv and getting Drew (Sample) back, there’s a lot of guys behind t...

XXL draft: Browns get bigger with super-sized selections

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:14:44 GMT

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Along with the usual depth, talent and youth, the Cleveland Browns added something unique during this year’s NFL draft.“The biggest human I’ve ever seen,” said Dan Saganey, the team’s director of player personnel.Behold Dawand Jones.With the first of two fourth-round picks on Saturday, the Browns selected Jones, a 6-foot-8, 375-pound offensive tackle with an 88-inch wingspan, 37-inch arms and a high school highlight tape filled with dunks and other impressive moves on the court a super-sized person like him shouldn’t be making.“A modern-day Goliath,” said Browns general manager Andrew Berry, who is eager to have Jones under the tutelage of renowned offensive line coach Bill Callahan. “You just don’t see humans that are that big. There just really aren’t many people on earth that are his size.“Even in the NFL, he’s a giant among giants.”The jumbo-sized Jones almost dwarfs 340-pound-plus defensive tackle Siaki Ika, a third-round p...