US strike targets Iran-backed militia - Stripes Lite
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021
US strike targets Iran-backed militia
Associated Press to a base for Iranian-backed militias in Bou- The Biden administration in its first
BAGHDAD — President Joe Biden or- kamal. weeks has emphasized its intent to put more
dered an airstrike in Syria, targeting facil- “I’m confident in the target that we went focus on the challenges posed by China,
ities belonging to a powerful Iranian- after, we know what we hit,” Defense Secre- even as Mideast threats persist. Biden’s de-
backed Iraqi armed group. tary Lloyd Austin told reporters flying with cision to attack in Syria did not appear to
The Pentagon said Friday’s strikes were him from California to Washington, shortly signal an intention to widen U.S. military in-
retaliation for a rocket attack in Iraq earlier after the airstrikes. volvement in the region but rather to dem-
this month that killed one civilian contrac- The Washington Post reported that Rus- onstrate a will to defend U.S. troops in Iraq
tor and wounded a U.S. service member and sia was warned an attack was imminent. and send a message to Iran.
other coalition troops. Russia was given about four to five min- The U.S. has in the past targeted facilities
Iraqi militia officials said the attack killed utes warning, according to Russian Foreign in Syria belonging to Kataeb Hezbollah,
one fighter and wounded several others. Minister Sergey Lavrov. But he said the which it has blamed for numerous attacks
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for warning came too late to “deconflict” the targeting U.S. personnel and interests in
Human Rights said 22 Iranian-backed situation. Iraq. The Iraqi Kataeb is separate from the
fighters were killed, according to The “Our military was warned four or five Lebanese Hezbollah movement.
Washington Post. The group said the death minutes in advance. Of course, this has no The Syrian Observatory for Human
toll could rise. value even from the angle of deconfliction, Rights, a Britain-based group that monitors
The Iraqi militia official told The Associ- as they say in relations between Russian the war in Syria, said the strikes targeted a
ated Press that the strikes against the Ka- and U.S. servicemen,” Lavrov told a Mos- shipment of weapons that were being taken
taeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, hit cow news conference. “This kind of notice by trucks entering Syrian territories from
an area along the border between the Syrian given at a time when the strike is already be- Iraq. The group said 22 fighters from the
site of Boukamal facing Qaim on the Iraqi ing delivered.” Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi um-
side. He spoke on condition of anonymity Russia emerged as a key player in Syria brella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries
because he was not authorized to speak of when President Vladimir Putin deployed that includes Kataeb Hezbollah, were
the attack. Syria war monitoring groups forces in 2015 to back Moscow’s longtime al- killed. The report could not be independent-
said the strikes hit trucks moving weapons ly, President Bashar Assad. ly verified.
Austin weighs warship needs in Pacific and Mideast
Associated Press resources in the right place so can respond.” litias.
ABOARD THE USS NIMITZ — Defense The Nimitz, which left its homeport of Just a year ago, the U.S. poured more than
Secretary Lloyd Austin told sailors on the Bremerton, Wash., last April, has been at sea 20,000 additional troops into the Middle
USS Nimitz on Thursday that he hopes to for nearly 300 days, including several weeks East to counter escalating tensions with Iran
avoid long ship deployments like the more of pre-deployment exercises. By the time it that peaked with the missile attack on Amer-
than 10 months they just spent at sea. But as gets home in March, the ship and its strike ican forces in Iraq in early 2020.
he made his first aircraft carrier visit as group — which includes the USS Princeton The Nimitz’s lengthy deployment was
Pentagon chief, he acknowledged the de- and the USS Sterett — will have sailed about largely due to decisions to keep it in the Mid-
mand for American warships around the 99,000 nautical miles around the globe. dle East last year and this year to serve as a
The ship’s return home has triggered re-
globe as he wrestles with security threats deterrent to Iran. Sailors late last year were
newed debate over whether the U.S. should
from China in the Pacific and Iran in the just starting to head home, after being held
keep a persistent aircraft carrier presence
Middle East. in the Gulf region for an extended time. But
in the Middle East as a deterrence to Iran.
Standing in the ship’s hangar bay, Austin And it underscores the persistent compe- in early December, as the U.S. pulled troops
said he will make a decision soon on whether tition for Navy ships as the U.S. and the Pen- out of Afghanistan and Iraq, then-acting de-
to send a carrier back to the Middle East, tagon focus on China as a key threat that has fense chief Christopher Miller announced
where the Nimitz had been. But he said required an escalating presence in the Indo- that they would be staying in the region —
there have been times when the U.S. has opt- Pacific. forcing the ship to turn around and head
ed not to have a carrier strike group in that Over the past year, however, military back to the Gulf.
region. commanders have successfully argued for a On Dec. 31, Miller announced the ship was
“There’s going to be gaps,” he said. “As we carrier presence in the Gulf region because finally going to head home. It’s now off Cali-
do that, we do things to make sure we have of threats from Iran and Iranian-backed mi- fornia.PAGE 2 • STRIPES LITE • Friday, February 26, 2021
2 Navy warships in Mideast hit by virus
Associated Press support have been coordinated with the atic progression that kept enough sailors
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Two host nation government and Bahrain Min- on the ship to keep it secure and running.
U.S. Navy warships operating in the Mid- istry of Health.” The failure of the ship’s leaders to prop-
east have been struck by coronavirus out- The San Diego sails with nearly 600 sail- erly handle the outbreak exploded into one
breaks, authorities said Friday, with both ors and Marines aboard, while the Philip- of the biggest military leadership crises in
returning to port in Bahrain. pine Sea carries some 380 sailors. recent years. The ship’s captain, who
A dozen troops aboard the USS San Die- The 5th Fleet patrols the waterways of pleaded for faster action to protect his crew
go, an amphibious transport dock, tested the Mideast. Its vessels often have tense from the rapidly spreading virus, was fired
positive for COVID-19, said Cmdr. Rebec- encounters with Iran in the Persian Gulf and the one-star admiral on the ship had
ca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the Bah- and the Strait of Hormuz. his promotion delayed.
rain-based 5th Fleet. The guided-missile The Navy’s largest outbreak so far in the Earlier this month, three sailors tested
cruiser USS Philippine Sea also has “con- pandemic was aboard the aircraft carrier positive as the aircraft carrier was con-
firmed several cases of COVID-19," she USS Theodore Roosevelt, which had to be ducting operations in the Pacific. The sail-
said. sidelined in Guam for nearly two months ors and those exposed to them were isolat-
“All positive cases have been isolated on last year. More than 1,000 sailors tested ed, and the Navy said it is “following an ag-
board, and the (ships) remains in a restrict- positive and one died. Eventually all of the gressive mitigation strategy,” including
ed COVID bubble,” Rebarich told The As- 4,800 crew members were sent ashore on masks, social distancing, and proper hand-
sociated Press. “The port visit and medical Guam for weeks of quarantine, in a system- washing and hygiene measures.
Academies see drop in Senators press DOD
sexual assault reports on troop vaccinations
BY CAITLIN M. KENNEY the report. BY ROSE L. THAYER Jeff Taliaferro, vice director of
Stars and Stripes The annual report on sexual Stars and Stripes operations for the Joint Chiefs
WASHINGTON — The three harassment and violence found Roughly 60% of military of Staff, who told the House
military service academies had the service academies received health care workers have now Armed Services Committee
fewer reports of sexual assault a total of 129 reports during the received the coronavirus vac- that about one-third of all U.S.
and sexual harassment in the 2019-2020 academic year that cine, Pentagon officials told service members had turned
2019-2020 school year after stu- involved students as survivors members of the Senate Armed down inoculation when offered
dents transitioned to online or perpetrators, a decrease of Services Committee on Thurs- it.
classes at home due to the coro- 20 reports from the previous day. However, they said more Yet Salesses offered little in-
navirus pandemic, according to year. Of those reports, 105 were educational efforts are needed formation about the next tier of
a Pentagon report released made by or about current stu- to encourage the rest of the Defense Department personnel
Thursday. dents, 11 were reports for as- force to accept the vaccination. eligible for the vaccine.
However, the number of sex- saults prior to service, 10 were “We’ve only been at this for
Sen. James Inhofe, of Oklaho-
ual assault reports matched the from active-duty members or about 60 days, but [locations]
ma, the ranking Republican on
same quarterly trend as the civilians after they had left the where we’ve seen vaccine rates
the committee, said he’s seen
previous academic year before academy, and three were pre- at lower acceptance rates, the
data that shows about one-third
cadets and midshipmen were paratory school students, ac- commands are getting involved,
of service members are opting
sent home in mid-March, said cording to the document. providing education forums,
Nathan Galbreath, the deputy In addition to the report, the having town halls and those out of getting the vaccine.
director of the Pentagon’s Sex- biennial survey on the preva- type of things to provide that in- “I have a hard time under-
ual Assault Prevention and Re- lence of sexual assault and sex- sight,” Robert G. Salesses, act- standing why it’s true, but so
sponse Office. ual harassment at the acade- ing assistant secretary of de- many people are reluctant to
But by the fourth quarter of mies was not conducted in fense for homeland defense and use the vaccine,” Inhofe said.
the academic year, there was a March and April. With the offi- global security, said during a Because the vaccine is ap-
noticeable decrease in reports cial reports, the survey helps hearing about the Defense De- proved as an “emergency use,”
that is attributed to students understand how often sexual partment’s support of combat- the Defense Department cannot
leaving the schools, he said. Stu- assault happens. ing the pandemic. require service members take
dents in their senior year at the “It's something that we were The comments Thursday by it, Salesses said when ques-
Air Force Academy in Colorado very disappointed not to be able Salesses followed testimony last tioned by senators on why it
stayed on campus, according to to capture,” Galbreath said. week by Air Force Maj. Gen. can’t be made mandatory.
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.Friday, February 26, 2021 • S T R I P E S L I T E • PAGE 3
House set to vote on virus bill
Associated Press The relief bill would provide millions of ades shows no sign of closing.
WASHINGTON — Democrats are people with $1,400 direct payments. It The House bill would also hoist the
ready to shove a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 contains billions of dollars for vaccines federal minimum wage to $15 hourly by
relief package through the House on Fri- and COVID-19 testing, schools, state and 2025, more than doubling the current
day, despite a setback that means a mini- local governments, the ailing restaurant $7.25 floor that’s been in effect since 2019.
mum wage boost is unlikely to be in the and airline industries and emergency job- But that proposal seemed highly likely
final version that reaches President Joe less benefits while providing tax breaks to to die in the Senate after that chamber’s
Biden. lower earners and families with children. parliamentarian said Thursday that the
A near party-line vote seemed certain Republicans oppose the sweeping mea- cherished progressive goal must be drop-
on the measure, Biden’s first crack at his sure, saying it’s too expensive, not target- ped from the relief legislation, Senate
initial legislative goal of acting decisively ed enough at the people and businesses Democratic aides said.
against the pandemic. In the year since that most need it and a grab bag of gifts Democrats can afford little dissension
the coronavirus has taken hold, it has for Democratic allies. Not one has publi- over the minimum wage or anything else
stalled much of the economy, killed half a cly said they will support the legislation, in the COVID-19 relief bill. They have just
million Americans and reshaped the daily an ominous sign that the partisan gulf a 10-vote edge in the House and no votes
lives of virtually everyone. that has enveloped Washington for dec- to spare in the 50-50 Senate.
US implicates Saudi crown prince in murder
Associated Press idation of power. men had discussed the countries’ long-
WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia’s crown Still, since the finding had not been offi- standing partnership. The kingdom’s state-
prince likely approved an operation to kill cially released until now, the public assign- run Saudi Press Agency similarly did not
or capture a U.S.-based journalist inside the ment of responsibility amounted to an ex- mention Khashoggi’s killing in its report
Saudi consulate in Istanbul, according to a traordinary rebuke of the ambitious 35- about the call, rather focusing on regional
newly declassified U.S. intelligence report year-old crown prince and was likely to set issues such as Iran and the ongoing war in
released Friday that could escalate pres- the tone for the new administration’s rela- Yemen.
sure on the Biden administration to hold the tionship with a country President Joe Biden The prince said in 2019 he took “full re-
kingdom accountable for a murder that has criticized but which the White House al- sponsibility” for the killing since it hap-
drew bipartisan and international outrage. so regards in some contexts as a strategic pened on his watch, but denied ordering it.
The central conclusion of the report was partner. Saudi officials have said Khashoggi’s killing
widely expected given that intelligence offi- The report was released one day after a was the work of rogue Saudi security and in-
cials were said to have reached it soon after later-than-usual courtesy call from Biden to telligence officials. Saudi Arabian courts
the brutal Oct. 2, 2018, murder of Jamal Saudi King Salman, though a White House last year announced they had sentenced
Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mo- summary of the conversation made no men- eight Saudi nationals to prison in Khashog-
hammed bin Salman’s authoritarian consol- tion of the killing and said instead that the gi’s killing. They were not identified.
Mr. Potato Head drops mister in rebranding effort
Associated Press “Mr.” and “Mrs.” names are less promi- ways: expand the brand, while not killing off
NEW YORK — Is it Mr. Potato Head or nently displayed at the bottom of the box, in- its most iconic characters, which appeared
not? stead of the top. in the “Toy Story” films.
Hasbro created confusion Thursday “While it was announced today that the “They are looking to broaden the fran-
when it announced that it would drop the POTATO HEAD brand name & logo are chise,” said Robert Passikoff, founder of
“Mr.” from the brand’s name in order to be dropping the ‘MR.’ I yam proud to confirm marketing consultancy Brand Keys. “You
more inclusive and so all could feel “wel- that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD aren’t take the focus of what is essentially one
come in the Potato Head world.” It also said going anywhere and will remain MR. & character and now allow it to be a platform
it would sell a new playset this fall without MRS. POTATO HEAD,” the company for many characters.”
the Mr. and Mrs. designations that will let tweeted. GLAAD, an LGBTQ advocacy group, ap-
kids create their own type of potato families, The tweet came after news of the brand plauded the more inclusive Potato playset.
including two moms or two dads. name change exploded on Twitter, with “Hasbro is helping kids to simply see toys
But in a tweet later that afternoon, Has- people asking if Barbie will change her as toys, which encourages them to be their
bro clarified that while the brand is chang- name next. “I think Hasbro needs to drop authentic selves outside of the pressures of
ing, the actual Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head the “Bro” and just be “Has,’” another per- traditional gender norms,” said Rich Ferra-
characters will still live on and be sold in son tweeted. ro, GLAAD’s chief communications officer,
stores. In a picture posted on Twitter, the Hasbro appears to want to have it both in a statement.PAGE 4 • STRIPES LITE • Friday, February 26, 2021
Biden marks 50M vaccine doses in 5 weeks
Associated Press Phase 1B rollout took effect Court judge granted a stay on wearing are key to making these
WASHINGTON — Days after Thursday. It allows people 16 Thursday that will allow the par- limits work, the governor said.
marking a solemn milestone in and older with underlying health ties to go forward with the terms The Republican governor
the pandemic, President Joe Bi- conditions, such as heart disease of the settlement they had nego- called the measures “a bridge”
den is celebrating the pace of his or diabetes, to register for a shot. tiated. back to normal life, but one built
efforts to end it. About 2.4 million vaccines Since the start of the pandem- on vaccinations and continuing
On Thursday, Biden marked have been administered state- ic, at least 47 inmates have died to follow safety protocols such as
the administration of the 50 mil- wide. of COVID-19, while more than mask wearing.
lionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine 9,500 have been infected, ac-
Missouri cording to state Department of Alabama
since his swearing-in. The mo-
O’FALLON — Missouri teach- Public Safety data. HOMEWOOD — State regula-
ment came days after the nation
ers and child care providers will tors have suspended the alcohol
reached the devastating mile- Florida
be eligible for COVID-19 vacci- license of a Birmingham-area
stone of 500,000 coronavirus
nation in mid-March, Gov. Mike FORT LAUDERDALE —
deaths and ahead of a meeting bar over alleged violations of the
Parson said Thursday. Florida will open coronavirus
with the nation’s governors on state’s pandemic health order in
Parson said during his weekly vaccine sites in six underserved
plans to speed the distribution what an official described as the
media briefing that the state minority communities around
even further. first such case under COVID-19
plans to open up vaccinations to the state, Gov. Ron DeSantis an-
“The more people get vacci- rules.
those in Phase 1B, Tier 3, effec- nounced Thursday, responding
nated, the faster we’re going to Regulators accused Grocery
tive March 15. That group in- to criticism that such neighbor-
beat this pandemic,” Biden said Brewpub in Homewood of vio-
volves an estimated 550,000 ad- hoods had been previously
at the White House ceremony, lating rules about face mask re-
ditional residents. The new date skipped.
noting that his administration is is about a month earlier than DeSantis also said he expects quirements, occupancy limits
on course to exceed his promise state leaders originally project- that Florida will be able to ex- and social distancing, Alabama
to deliver 100 million shots in his ed. pand the list of who is eligible for Alcoholic Beverage Control
first 100 days in office. In addition to teachers and a vaccine in March and is opti- spokesman Dean Argo said
“We’re halfway there: 50 mil- child care workers, those newly mistic that by some time in April, Thursday. The emergency sus-
lion shots in 37 days,” Biden said. eligible will include school staff, inoculations will be widely avail- pension, issued Tuesday, was
“That’s weeks ahead of sched- water and waste employees, en- able as more vaccine becomes Alabama’s first license suspen-
ule.” ergy workers, critical manufac- available. sion linked to a failure to enforce
All told, more than 45 million turing workers, and food and Currently, Florida restricts health rules meant to slow the
Americans have been adminis- agricultural workers. the vaccine to residents 65 and spread of the virus, he said.
tered at least one dose of the ap- Teachers have been urging older and frontline medical pro- Argo said inspectors visited
proved vaccines from Pfizer and the state to move them up on the viders such as doctors and nurs- the business after receiving sev-
Moderna since they received ap- vaccination priority list, as many es. The state has said it soon ex- eral complaints, including one
proval from the Food and Drug other states have done. Most pects to start vaccinating teach- that included a photograph cir-
Administration in December, Missouri schools are open for in- ers and police officers who are culated on social media showing
with more than 20 million re- person learning even though 50 and older. a huge, unmasked crowd at the
ceiving both required doses. teachers are not yet being vacci-
Ohio bar. ABC staff met with the man-
Illinois nated.
COLUMBUS — Outdoor and agement to discuss the problem,
SPRINGFIELD — The North Carolina indoor sports and entertainment Argo said, and they returned Fri-
130,021 COVID-19 vaccinations RALEIGH — North Carolina facilities can reopen with limited day night to see the same situa-
administered Wednesday set a civil rights groups struck a deal attendance under rules an- tion despite the earlier discus-
record for the state, the Illinois on Thursday with Gov. Roy nounced Thursday by Ohio Gov. sion.
Department of Public Health an-
nounced Thursday.
Cooper’s administration to allow Mike DeWine. He also said guid- New York
for the early release of 3,500 in- ance for proms, banquets, wed-
Heath officials made the boast NEW YORK — Tens of thou-
mates in state custody over the ding receptions, fairs, festivals
as they reported 1,884 new cases sands of New York City middle
next six months. and parades is coming soon.
of the coronavirus and 32 new school students returned to their
If the state abides by its com- The attendance limits could
deaths. mitment to trim about one- be further eased depending on school buildings on Thursday for
The number of shots Wednes- eighth of its more than 28,000- the progress of the coronavirus the first time since city schools
day shattered Illinois’ previous person prison population, the pandemic this spring and sum- were closed in November amid a
high of 95,375 inoculations given North Carolina branch of the Na- mer, but could also be restricted surge in coronavirus infections.
Feb. 11. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in tional Association for the Advan- if things worsen because of the Classroom doors opened for
a statement he expects six-fig- cement of Colored People would coronavirus variant, the gover- the 62,000 students in grades 6
ure vaccination days to become dismiss its lawsuit alleging pris- nor said. through 8 whose parents chose a
the norm as pharmaceutical on conditions during the corona- DeWine said outdoor venues mix of in-person and remote
companies bolster production virus pandemic have violated in- can reopen with a maximum learning for their children.
and states receive larger ship- mates’ rights under the state 30% capacity and indoor venues There are about 196,000 stu-
ments. constitution. with 25% capacity. Social dis- dents in those grades in the city’s
Pritzker’s expansion of the A Wake County Superior tancing and continued mask public schools.Friday, February 26, 2021 • S T R I P E S L I T E • PAGE 5
AMERICAN ROUNDUP
‘Call 911’ sign in window survive, firefighters said. ing safely removed the baby and tember, The News & Observer
“The shed had been insulated the umbilical cord from around of Raleigh reported.
leads to man’s arrest and heated to house the turtles the baby’s neck. The baby was “A year without a State Fair is
and it is believed that one of the wrapped in a jacket while med- almost unendurable,” Troxler
PA LATROBE — A
woman’s hand-
scrawled “Call 911” sign in the
heating elements started the
fire,” the department said.
ical personnel cut the cord, po-
lice said. Peyton pinched the
said in remarks streamed on
Facebook by the North Carolina
window of a Pennsylvania home cord while Taing carried the ba- Farm Bureau. “So we’re work-
led to the arrest of her boy- Naked man shot outside by into the emergency room, po- ing very hard to make this the
friend. lice said. best State Fair that anybody has
State troopers said they found
apartment complex The officers met the mother ever seen, and with your help, it
a “visibly distraught” woman
who was bleeding after some- FL PEMBROKE PINES
— A naked man who
was knocking on doors at a
and the baby, Anna, on Wednes-
day. Both are “doing well,” po-
lice said.
will be the biggest State Fair
that we’ve ever seen.”
one who saw the sign called
state police to the Westmore- South Florida apartment com- Funky electronics chain
land County home over the plex was shot on Wednesday by Fast moving fire destroys
weekend. someone who then called 911 to
Fry’s is closing for good
115-year-old church
According to court docu-
ments, the woman told troopers
turn himself in, police said.
The man was carrying a Bible
and knocking on doors at the VT MIDDLESEX — A
fast moving fire de-
CA SAN FRANCISCO —
Fry’s Electronics,
the go-to chain for tech tinker-
she was beaten and attacked by
her boyfriend, James Vickers, Sunshine Garden Apartments stroyed a 115-year-old church in ers looking for an obscure part,
45, who she said had smashed when someone there shot him, the Vermont town of Middlesex is closing for good.
her phone during an argument. Pembroke Pines police Maj. Al on Wednesday. The company, perhaps even
The woman told troopers she Xiques told the South Florida The fire in the Middlesex more well known for outlandish
thought she was going to die be- SunSentiniel. United Methodist Church was themes at some of its stores,
cause Vickers had strangled The man was taken to a hospi- reported around 11 a.m. from Aztec to “Alice’s Adven-
her. tal in critical condition, police Wednesday. The fire quickly tures in Wonderland,” said
The woman managed to put said. consumed the church. Wednesday in an online posting
up the “Call 911” sign to draw at- Police were already on their No injuries were reported. that the COVID-19 pandemic
tention. way to the area to investigate re- There was no immediate had made it impossible to con-
ports of a naked man when an- word on the cause. tinue.
Heating element eyed in other 911 caller said he had just The church hadn’t been used Fans immediately took to
shot the man, police said. regularly during the winter. Twitter to post images and
deadly fire at exhibit memories (good and bad).
Police aid mom who Ag commissioner says
OH MEDINA — Offi-
cials suspect a heat-
ing element caused a fire that
delivered baby in car State Fair coming in fall
The chain was concentrated
on the West Coast, but had 31
stores in nine states. It was
claimed the lives of some turtles
at a turtle exhibit in northwest
Ohio.
NJ ATLANTIC CITY —
Two police officers in
New Jersey took immediate ac-
NC RALEIGH — North
Carolina’s agricul-
ture commissioner declared
founded 36 years ago.
The pandemic has done
heavy damage to retailers, but
Firefighters responded to a tion when a woman gave birth in Wednesday that there will be Fry’s was already getting ham-
report of a shed fire at Turtle a car outside a hospital. state fairs this fall, and he en- mered by online competition
World of Medina on Wednesday Officers Auttika Taing and couraged people to get vacci- and a battle between heavy-hit-
afternoon. Justin Peyton were leaving the nated to ensure the events will ters Best Buy and Amazon.com.
In a Facebook post, the de- AtlantiCare Regional Medical be safe in light of the COVID-19 Fry’s Electronics Inc. said its
partment said firefighters re- Center when a vehicle pulled pandemic and will lead to re- operations have ceased and the
moved approximately 10 tur- behind them and the driver said cord attendance. wind-down of locations will be-
tles, which included two large her friend needed help, Atlantic Agriculture Commissioner gin immediately. Customers
tortoises, from the smoke-filled City police said. Steve Troxler said plans are un- with electronics being repaired
shed and used specially de- The woman had just given derway not only to bring back in-store store are being asked to
signed masks to administer ox- birth and the baby was inside the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh, pick them up. The stores' online
ygen to the reptiles. her pants. but to hold the Mountain State presence appears largely to
About half the turtles did not Body cam video showed Ta- Fair as well in Fletcher in Sep- have been shut down.PAGE 6 • STRIPES LITE • Friday, February 26, 2021
NBA-best Jazz hitting all the right notes
Associated Press 20 points in 19 of them and led wire-to-wire Mitchell and Gobert on the squad; not
Looking at individual stats reveals noth- six times. They are third in the NBA in enough voters agreed, quite possibly over-
ing about the Utah Jazz. points per game scored — despite playing at looking him because averages like his are
They have one player among those with the league’s 22nd-slowest pace — and are fairly common — going into Thursday’s
the 50 highest scoring averages so far this second in points per game allowed. games, 24 players had those averages in
season. They have only one player among And what they’re doing from beyond the both categories.
the top 50 per game in rebounding. They arc is historic. Utah is averaging 17 three- What voters might not have realized is
don’t have anyone with a top-30 assist aver- pointers per game, well ahead of the NBA this: Conley is averaging that in only 29 min-
age. record of 16.1 per game set by the 2018-19 utes per game. The Jazz often are playing
And they have the NBA’s best record — Houston Rockets. The Jazz have made 544 reserves by the midpoint of the fourth quar-
by a considerable margin. threes, the most in NBA history by any team ter, a perk that comes when games have
Take note: The Jazz are off to the best in its first 32 games. turned into blowouts.
start in franchise history, are on pace to “At the end of the day, everybody’s com- “A lot of these games we’ve played we’ve
shatter the NBA record for three-pointers ing for us,” guard Donovan Mitchell said. won by double digits, so you’re not normally
made per game, have won 20 of their last 22 When counting all players, not only those playing late in the fourth quarter and stuff
games and just handed the reigning cham- who have made enough appearances to like that,” Conley said. “Our team is that
pion Los Angeles Lakers their worst loss of qualify for the league leaders in various cat- good right now.”
the season. egories, the Jazz don’t have anyone ranked Tests are coming, though.
“They’re the hottest team in the league,” in the top 20 in points per game and only one The Jazz end the season’s first half with a
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said after his in the top 50; Mitchell is 21st. Rudy Gobert, four-game road trip that starts Friday in
team, which was without Anthony Davis ranked third, is the only Utah rebounder in Miami. Once the All-Star break ends, Utah
and Dennis Schroder, lost 114-89 in Salt the top 50. plays five of its first six second-half games
Lake City on Wednesday night. “Nobody’s Mike Conley leads the Jazz in assists per on the road as well.
playing as well as the Utah Jazz in the NBA game; he entered Thursday ranked 32nd in “The way they’re shooting the ball, the
right now.” the league in that stat. Conley is averaging way they’re connected defensively, the con-
At 26-6, the Jazz sit atop the NBA. That 16.3 points and 5.7 assists. Those are good tinuity bump that they’re getting by having
alone is impressive. numbers, hardly eye-popping ones, but this the same team come back,” Vogel said. “All
The rest of the team numbers only adds to is where just looking at the stats the Jazz are those things are playing out well. Coach
the story. putting up can be dangerous. Quin Snyder is doing a phenomenal job with
They have led by double figures at some Utah openly clamored for Conley to make them. They’re playing like the best team in
point in 26 of their 32 games, led by at least his first All-Star team this year and join the league right now.”
Irving, Harden lead Nets rout of Magic
Associated Press but Durant doesn’t. ing Los Angeles. Sixers to the best record in the
NEW YORK — Kyrie Irving Landry Shamet added 19 Dillon Brooks added 19 Eastern Conference at 22-11.
had 27 points and nine assists, points and nine rebounds for points for Memphis, and Jonas Knicks 140, Kings 121: Im-
James Harden scored 20 points the Nets, who blew open the Valanciunas and Ja Morant manuel Quickley scored 18 of
and the Nets extended their game with a 26-4 run spanning had 16 each, with Valanciunas his 25 points in the first half and
longest winning streak since halftime. The NBA’s highest- adding 15 rebounds. Jones was Julius Randle had 21 points and
moving to Brooklyn to eight scoring team reached 120 9-for11 from the floor, includ- 14 rebounds to help host New
games with a 129-92 rout of the points for the 20th time, al- ing 2-for-3 from outside the arc. York beat Sacramento.
Orlando Magic on Thursday ready tying a franchise record Leonard scored 17 points, While the Knicks cruised to
night. in only 34 games. and George and Serge Ibaka their fifth win in their last sev-
The Nets have the longest Bucks 129, Pelicans 125: had 13 points each, although en games, Sacramento’s free-
current winning streak in the Giannis Antetokounmpo George was stymied by a 3- fall continued. The Kings (12-
NBA and their longest since a scored 38 points, Khris Middle- for-12 shooting night, part of 20) dropped their ninth
franchise record-tying 14- ton added 31 and host Milwau- the Clippers shooting 41%. straight, a stretch in which they
game run late in the 2005-06 kee outlasted New Orleans for 76ers 111, Mavericks 97: have allowed 126.3 points per
season. They moved from New its fourth straight victory. Joel Embiid had 23 points and game.
Jersey to Brooklyn in 2012. Zion Williamson scored 34 nine rebounds, Ben Simmons Wizards 112, Nuggets 110:
This roll has come almost en- points, and Brandon Ingram scored 15 and host Philadelphia Bradley Beal scored 33 points
tirely without Kevin Durant. added 23 for the Pelicans. beat Dallas. and visiting Washington escap-
He missed his sixth straight Grizzlies 122, Clippers 94: Simmons and Embiid ed Denver with a victory when
game with a strained left Tyus Jones scored a career- wrecked the Mavericks in the Facundo Campazzo missed a
hamstring. They’re explosive high 20 points, his team’s de- second quarter, and with each hurried three-pointer at the
enough with their other two fense held Kawhi Leonard and steal, dunk and drive showed buzzer.
All-Stars, improving to 7-2 Paul George to sub-standard why they were again selected Rui Hachimura added 20
when Irving and Harden play nights and Memphis beat visit- as All-Stars and have led the points for the Wizards.Friday, February 26, 2021 • S T R I P E S L I T E • PAGE 7
No. 3 Michigan rolls over No. 9 Iowa
Associated Press night. added 18 and the host Illini beat overs, which it turned into 27
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Hun- Timme was a big reason why the Cornhuskers. points.
ter Dickinson gave Luka Garza the Bulldogs (23-0, 14-0 West Illinois (17-6, 13-4 Big Ten) Colorado 80, No. 19 South
fits around the basket, and Coast Conference) were finally played without star Ayo Dosun- ern California 62: Jeriah
Franz Wagner scored 21 points able to pull away in the second mu, who broke his nose Tues- Horne hit a career-best six
to lead No. 3 Michigan to a 79- half. day against Michigan State and three-pointers on his way to 24
57 victory over No. 9 Iowa on Guglielmo Caruso led the is expected to miss at least two points, McKinley Wright IV
Thursday night. Broncos (10-7, 4-5) with 19 more games. had a career-high 14 assists and
The Wolverines (17-1, 12-1) points. Freshman guard Andre Cur- the host Buffaloes routed the
passed yet another test against Michigan State 71, No. 4 belo narrowly missed a triple- Trojans.
a highly ranked opponent, and Ohio State 67: Aaron Henry double with 10 points, 12 re- Wright added 15 points for
they look increasingly alone had 18 points to help the host bounds and eight assists. Colorado (18-7, 12-6 Pac-12),
atop the Big Ten, where every Spartans improve their chanc- Trey McGowens led Nebras- which has won six straight
other team has at least four es of making the NCAA Tour- ka (5-17, 1-14) with 18 points. against USC (19-5, 13-4).
conference losses. Dickinson nament with a win over the No. 12 Houston 81, Western The loss was a blow to USC,
more than held his own against Buckeyes, two days after coach Kentucky 57: Quentin Grimes which fell a half-game behind
Garza in a much-anticipated Tom Izzo’s team beat No. 5 Illi- scored a career-high 33 points rival UCLA (17-5, 13-3) for first
matchup of two standout big nois by nine points. and had six rebounds to help place in the Pac-12 race.
men who have known each oth- Michigan State (13-9, 7-9 Big the host Cougars beat the Hill- No. 22 San Diego State 78,
er for years. Ten) rallied from a nine-point, toppers. Boise State 66 (OT): Matt
Garza led the Hawkeyes second-half deficit with Gabe Grimes scored 21 points in Mitchell scored 24 points, in-
(17-7, 11-6) with 16 points, but Brown finishing with 11 points the first half, including 18 cluding four in overtime, and
he shot 6-for-19 from the field. and Josh Langford making key straight at one point. The junior the host Aztecs overcame 29
No. 1 Gonzaga 89, Santa plays at both ends of the court. guard finished 11-for-21 from points by Derrick Alston Jr. to
Clara 75: Corey Kispert scored Ohio State (18-6, 12-6) fin- the field, making 8 of 16 three- beat the Broncos for their ninth
25 points, Drew Timme had 16 ished the game without coach pointers. straight win.
of his 18 points in the second Chris Holtmann, who was Marcus Sasser and Tramon Trey Pulliam matched his
half and the Bulldogs won their ejected for arguing with offi- Mark each had 12 points, and career-high with 18 for SDSU
50th straight at home, beating cials when he was called for a DeJon Jarreau had nine points (18-4, 12-3), which blew a 17-
the Broncos. second technical foul with 1.4 for Houston (19-3). The Cou- point second-half lead before
Gonzaga won its 27th seconds left. gars shot 46%, including 13- recovering in overtime to take
straight overall dating to last No. 5 Illinois 86, Nebraska for-31 on three-pointers. the inside track to repeat as
season, but struggled to shake 70: Kofi Cockburn scored 24 Houston forced Western Mountain West Conference
Santa Clara for most of the points, freshman Adam Miller Kentucky (15-5) into 20 turn- regular-season champion.
NCAA reveals contingency plans for tournaments
Associated Press compete in the NIT. Single-bid conferences like- place in San Antonio and the
Turns out the top four teams The contingency plan only wise can choose their replace- neighboring cities of Austin
left out of March Madness applies to the short period be- ment provided the team has and San Marcos. The Final
won't have their bubbles burst tween the announcement of gone seven days without a pos- Four is set for the Alamodome
quite yet. the brackets — March 14 for itive test. with the title game April 4.
Under a contingency plan men and March 15 for women Due to the pandemic, the en- The basketball committees
released Thursday by the Divi- — and the start of games later tire men's tournament will take formulated their contingency
sion I basketball committees, that week. Once a tournament place in Indianapolis and the plan based on four core tenets:
those four at-large teams that begins, any team whose oppo- surrounding area beginning once the bracket is released, it
don't make the original field in nent is forced to withdraw with First Four games March will not be changed or reseed-
the men's and women's NCAA would automatically advance 18 at Mackey Arena in West ed; it will attempt to ensure a
tournaments will be placed in to the next round. Lafayette and Assembly Hall full field before the tourna-
order and serve as the replace- If there are COVID-19 issues in Bloomington. The Final ment with no replacement
ment teams should any confer- with a qualifying school lead- Four will take place at Lucas teams once play begins; every
ence with multiple bids have a ing up to the NCAA Tourna- Oil Stadium with the cham- participating conference
school that is unable to partici- ment selection, conferences pionship game scheduled for should have at least one team
pate due to COVID-19 issues. get to designate a replacement April 5. in the field; and the replace-
If the tournament begins team and it will be seeded in The women's tournament, ment teams should be the best
without any withdrawals, the the bracket based upon its own which begins with first-round teams considered for an at-
four would still be eligible to body of work. games March 21, will take large that still remain.PAGE 8 • STRIPES LITE • Friday, February 26, 2021
Islanders cruise past Halak, Bruins
Associated Press od, Blake Wheeler had a goal left in the game. Subban had which he has three goals and
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — An- and two assists, and Pierre-Luc 26 saves to record his second seven assists.
thony Beauvillier scored the Dubois and Mark Scheifele shutout in 72 NHL games and Senators 6, Flames 1: Colin
tiebreaking goal in New York’s each had a goal and an assist. his first as a member of the White scored twice, Matt Mur-
five-goal third period and the Connor Hellebuyck made 18 Blackhawks. ray made 29 saves and host Ot-
Islanders beat the first-place saves. The Jets have won three Lightning 3, Hurricanes 1: tawa routed Calgary for its
Boston Bruins 7-2 on Thursday in a row to improve to 12-6-1. Curtis McElhinney stopped 31 third straight victory.
night. Montreal fired coach Claude shots and had an assist in host Drake Batherson, Erik Gud-
Mathew Barzal had a goal Julien and associate coach Tampa Bay's victory over Car- branson, Connor Brown and
and an assist, and Adam Pe- Kirk Muller on Wednesday, olina. Erik Brannstrom also scored
lech, Jordan Eberle, Jean-Ga- promoting Ducharme to inter- Mikhail Sergachev, Yanni for Ottawa, with Batherson
briel Pageau, Anders Lee and im head coach. The Canadiens Gourde and Barclay Goodrow running his goals streak to four
Oliver Wahlstrom also scored have lost four straight to fall to scored for Tampa Bay. The games. The Senators improved
to help the Islanders get their 9-6-4. Lightning have won three of to 7-14-1.
second straight victory and im- Capitals 5, Penguins 2: Tom the four straight meetings be- Red Wings 5, Predators 2:
prove to 6-0-1 at home. Semyon Wilson scored the go-ahead tween the teams. Sam Gagner scored three
Varlamov stopped 34 shots. goal on a power play with 7:20 Panthers 3, Stars 2: Frank goals, ending a 17-game
New York, which got its left and host Washington beat Vatrano scored the go-ahead drought that lasted nearly a
highest scoring output of the Pittsburgh for its second victo- goal with 3:10 remaining and year, and host Detroit beat
season, beat Boston for the ry in six games this season be- host Florida rallied to beat Dal- Nashville.
third time in three meetings — tween the rivals. las. Luke Glendening and Adam
three of the Bruins’ four regu- Nicklas Backstrom scored Aleksander Barkov and An- Erne also scored for Detroit,
lation losses this season — to his team-leading ninth goal of ton Stralman also scored in the which set a season high for
move one point behind Boston the season, and T.J. Oshie had final 6 1/2 minutes as the Pan- goals. Jonathan Bernier made
and Washington in the East. one for the highlight reel in the thers overcame a 2-0 deficit. 37 saves.
Nick Ritchie and Craig third period when he dived Sergei Bobrovsky made 37 Oilers 3, Canucks 0: Mike
Smith scored for Boston, and one-handed to poke the puck saves. Smith made 32 saves for his
Jaroslav Halak had 30 saves in past Tristan Jarry. Devils 4, Sabres 3 (OT): Pa- second shutout of the season
his first game against the Is- Blackhawks 2, Blue Jackets vel Zacha converted Jesper and 41st overall and visiting
landers since leaving after the 0: Patrick Kane broke a score- Bratt’s drop pass to score 1:17 Edmonton beat Vancouver.
2017-18 season. less tie in the third period with into overtime and visiting New Alex Chiasson and Jesse
Jets 6, Canadiens 3: Kyle his 399th goal, Malcolm Sub- Jersey rallied to beat Buffalo. Puljujarvi had power-play
Connor scored twice and host ban got his first shutout of the Bratt, Miles Wood and Nico goals to help the Oilers win
Winnipeg spoiled Dominique season and visiting Chicago Hischier also scored for the their fifth straight and improve
Ducharme’s debut as Mon- beat Columbus to sweep the Devils, and Mackenzie Black- to 14-8-0. Connor McDavid
treal’s coach. two-game series. wood stopped 29 shots. Zacha padded his lead atop the
Nate Thompson scored the Carl Soderberg added an had two assists to extend his NHL’s scoring race with an
go-ahead goal in the third peri- empty-net goal with 50 seconds points streak to eight games in empty-netter.
Sorenstam returns to LPGA Tour with fewer birdies
Associated Press Sorenstam was 10 shots be- after a three-win season to start and Sorenstam found about 150
ORLANDO, Fla. — Annika hind another Lake Nona mem- a family. people gathered around the first
Sorenstam doesn’t remember ber, Lydia Ko, who opened with It was the rest of the game tee. That constitutes a sizeable
golf being this difficult. a 7-under 65 for a two-shot lead. that felt so foreign. crowd in the COVID-19 pan-
She still managed plenty of But then, this week isn’t about “I could have been more ag- demic era.
smiles Thursday when the most Sorenstam adding to her 72 ca- gressive on the putts, I could “I was quite nervous. I’ve
dominant player of her era reer victories or even starting a have been more aggressive on been nervous for a few days,”
played her first LPGA Tour comeback at age 50. The LPGA iron shots,” she said. “I’m at a said Sorenstam, adding that she
event in more than 12 years. Tour came to her home course point in my life that it’s not auto- practiced meditation that morn-
With one birdie and one bad and she wanted to play. matic. It’s not a pin-seeker the ing to help calm her down.
hole, Sorenstam had a 3-over 75 With that early head turn and way it was. Now it’s more a The highlight was a gap
in the LPGA Gainbridge on her tee shots that more often than green-seeker. I did OK. A little wedge from about 95 yards on
home course at Lake Nona. not found the fairway, it didn’t more stressful golf, but overall, the 14th hole that landed some
“It seems a little bit more seem like Sorenstam had been it’s fun.” 10 feet behind the hole and spun
stressful, this kind of golf,” she away from the LPGA Tour since Lake Nona members and a back to a foot away for a tap-in
said. Nov. 23, 2008, when she retired few family guests were allowed, birdie.You can also read
