| Cardinals' La Russa pleads guilty to drunken driving
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. � St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa pleaded guilty to driving under the influence today, eight months after police found him asleep inside his running sport utility vehicle at a stop light and smelling of alcohol. La Russa said he had decided to plead guilty to the misdemeanor because it was in the best interest of all concerned. ``I accept full responsibility for my conduct, and assure everyone that I have learned a very valuable lesson and that this will never occur again,'' La Russa said in a statement released by his attorney, David Roth. La Russa did not appear in court to plead guilty. As part of his plea agreement, La Russa will serve at least six months' probation, pay a $678.50 fine, complete DUI school and any recommended treatment and complete 50 hours of community service, according to state prosecutors.
Top Scoops
Historic outcome of the national election held on Saturday the November 24, 2007 shows that the Australian nation decided to emerge a new era of Australian politics. More than eleven years old John Howard’s government which considered as strong and stable has been cast off by the people of Australia with clear majority. The political career of Australia's second-longest serving Prime Minister, John Howard has been finally ended. Provided the postal votes, to be announced in couple of days, don’t change the current statistics, John Howard would loose his own seat of bennelong, New South Wales which he held since 1974. The well-known Australian journalist Ms. Maxine McKew who is a new recruit to Australian Labor Party is about to write a historical defeat for John Howard in a close context.
BG's Ayoub shows guarded optimism
As a freshman, Buffalo Grove's Ellen Ayoub was smooth as silk. Today, she's solid as gold. That slick-shooting freshman guard is now a senior for Buffalo Grove's highly-regarded girls basketball team, which returns four starters from a Class AA Elite Eight qualifier. The 5-foot-10 Ayoub makes no secret about how she would like to finish her career. "It's crazy but we're not satisfied yet," said Ayoub, referring to her team's back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. "I literally think about that loss to Bolingbrook (in overtime two years ago when the Bison lost it in the final seconds on a steal). I definitely want this to be our year." If it is, Ayoub will have to be a major factor. Earlier this week, she made a verbal commitment to play for Loyola University.
Swiss players arrested for suspected sex with minor
Twelve current or former players of Swiss soccer club FC Thun were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of having sex with a minor. Nine other men were also taken into custody by police in the Swiss canton (state) of Bern. The men are accused of having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl. .
Sports Briefs: Michael Vick starting prison time early
RICHMOND, Va. — Michael Vick got a head start on a possible long prison stretch, surrendering three weeks before he was to be sentenced for his involvement in a bloody dogfighting ring.The disgraced Atlanta Falcons quarterback surrendered to U.S. marshals in what his lawyer said was another step in his public repentance."From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions, and his self-surrender further demonstrates that acceptance," Billy Martin said in a statement. "Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter, and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time."Vick pleaded guilty in August to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge after his three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities.Federal sentencing guidelines suggest he could expect to serve a year to 18 months, but Vick, who has admitted bankrolling the Bad Newz Kennels, faces a maximum of five years in prison.He’s scheduled to be sentenced Dec.
Gogoi now rushes into award for cricketers
Two days ago, as Team India defeated Pakistan in the first one-day international cricket match at the Nehru Stadium here, the first thing that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi did was to declare a cash award of Rs 1 lakh to each of the Indian team members. What is surprising is that the Assam Government is yet to disburse cash awards that Gogoi had announced for each of the 148 players from Assam who had won medals in the 33rd National Games held here in February. Assam had won 38 gold, 53 silver and 27 bronze medals in the National Games and became the overall third best team, Gogoi had announced Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh each for the gold, silver and bronze medallists, respectively, in individual events. For team events, the awards announced were Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh.
Events
FUNDRAISING RIDE: Ride Without Limits, a national fundraising campaign to benefit United Cerebral Palsy, will take place in the Tampa Bay area today and Sunday. The two-day, 200-mile ride requires a minimum donation of $500 for riders and a $35 registration fee. Visit www.ridewithoutlimits.org or call 1-888-547-3239. SLED HOCKEY: The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation and Fan Development Department offer bi-monthly sled hockey clinics for people with disabilities. All equipment is provided. The next sessions will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 25 at the St. Pete Times Forum. For information, contact David Cole at (813) 301-6822 or send an e-mail to dcole@sptimesforum.com. ANGER MANAGEMENT: Family Service Association, 407 N. Parsons Ave., Suite 104A, Brandon, will begin a five-week program on Anger Management on Wednesday.
Winning football games requires a true team effort
You hear the buzzer and look up at the scoreboard, and it isn't in your favor. Your body feels sore and your spirits broken. That is how I felt on my last football game as a junior. I play football for the Madison Academy Mustangs, and we lost to Leeds High in the first round of the playoffs. Football is probably my favorite sport because of the way the team pulls together. In other sports, you might win with a few good players, but not football. Your team must be solid. If the line doesn't block then the quarterback can't throw the ball. If the quarterback can't be accurate, the wide receiver doesn't get catches. If the running back can't get positive yards, then the offense must look elsewhere to score. You have to be a well-oiled machine to be a great team.
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