AP source: Broncos get Payton as coach in deal with Saints
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — The Denver Broncos have agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Saints that will make Sean Payton their head coach, a person with knowledge of the accord said Tuesday. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams hadn't announced the agreement, said the Broncos would send their first-round pick, No. Payton remained under contract with New Orleans after stepping down from the Saints last season and working in broadcasting this season. The Broncos, who went 5-12 this season and extended their playoff drought to seven years, fired rookie coach Nathaniel Hackett on Dec. 26 after he went 4-11. The Broncos dealt their first- and second-round picks to the Seahawks for Wilson.
wftv.com2nd Colorado library closes due to meth contamination
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — For the second time in a month, a Colorado library has closed its doors to clean up methamphetamine contamination. The city of about 33,000 just south of Denver decided to test for the drug after officials in the nearby college town of Boulder closed its main library after finding meth contamination, Harguth said. They also pointed out that standards for how much meth contamination is acceptable were developed with an eye toward homes, where frequent exposure is more likely than in public buildings. The Englewood library has made some changes to help homeless people who go there. However after some library users said they did not feel safe, the city hired security guards last year, she said.
wftv.com2nd Colorado library closes due to meth contamination
For the second time in a month, a Colorado library has closed its doors to clean up methamphetamine contamination. Officials in the Denver suburb of Englewood shut down the city library last week within a couple of hours of getting test results Wednesday showing that the contamination in the facility's restrooms exceeded state thresholds, city spokesman Chris Harguth said. The city of about 33,000 just south of Denver decided to test for the drug after officials in the nearby college town of Boulder closed its main library after finding meth contamination, Harguth said.
news.yahoo.comWhile Norfolk Southern touts benefits expansion will bring to Englewood, residents and contractors reject railroad promises
The railroad plans to double the size of its intermodal yard at 47th Street and the Dan Ryan Expressway. The City Council is expected to vote on the transfer ordinance Jan. 18.
chicagotribune.comImpatient Penner leads Broncos' wide-open search for coach
Penner made it clear that not only will he lead the search for a new head coach but that Nathaniel Hackett's replacement will report directly to him and not to general manager George Paton. “Yes, the new head coach will report to me, which is the more typical structure in the NFL,” Penner said. The new head coach will have to find a way to fix Wilson and establish an offensive identity to match the team's stingy defense. I brought in the head coach; I brought in most of the players. “It certainly helps, but it’s not necessary,” Paton said of previous NFL head coaching experience.
wftv.comBroncos fire rookie head coach Hackett after 4-11 start
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — The Denver Broncos fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett on Monday with two games left in the season. Firing Hackett with two games left in a lost season allows Penner to begin his search for a replacement immediately. The Broncos scheduled a news conference for Tuesday, when they're expected to name their interim head coach for games at Kansas City next weekend and at home against the Chargers in Week 18. Hackett is the third NFL head coach fired during the 2022 season. The Carolina Panthers replaced Matt Rhule with interim head coach Steve Wilks and the Indianapolis Colts fired Frank Reich and replaced him with coaching novice Jeff Saturday.
wftv.comDenver Broncos fire rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett
The Denver Broncos have fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett with two games left in the season. Owner and CEO Greg Penner said he'll lead the search for a new coach with assistance from GM George Paton, in whom he expressed confidence Monday while announcing Hackett's dismissal. Firing Hackett with two games left in a lost season allows Penner to begin his search for a replacement immediately.
news.yahoo.comBroncos come to Russell Wilson's defense over latest insult
The Denver Broncos haven't been able to adequately protect Russell Wilson, who is on pace to get sacked a career-high 56 times this season behind a patchwork offensive line and a bunch of replacements at receiver and running back. Several of his teammates, though, doggedly defended their clobbered quarterback from the latest arrow directed his way, a report on an NFL Network podcast that the QB had “lost” some members of the locker room as the Broncos spiral through a hugely disappointing season. “I'll say this: I'll say Russ is an amazing leader," safety Justin Simmons said.
news.yahoo.comWhole Foods ‘not a good partner’ for shutting Englewood store, Lightfoot says as City Council OKs $13 million grant for to reopen, rehab Save-a-Lots
The city grant will help reopen an Auburn Gresham store that closed in 2020, plus rehab five more, mostly on the South Side, where food deserts are a problem.
chicagotribune.comFlorida man bitten while trying to remove 4-foot alligator from under U-Haul
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — A Florida man learned a tough lesson when he was bitten as he tried to move a 4-foot alligator camped under a U-Haul on Tuesday. Auzjia Dickerson, who called 911, told the television station that she discovered “a gator in the carport,” according to the television station. “At first, I kind of freaked because I didn’t know what to do,” Dickerson told WINK. So, he came out with like gloves and a sweatshirt,” Dickerson told the television station. “A contracted nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched and removed the alligator from the premises,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a news release.
wftv.comWilliams out with torn ACL, Gregory needs knee surgery
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — Broncos standout running back Javonte Williams is out for the year after tearing his right ACL in Denver's 32-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, and pass rusher Randy Gregory needs knee surgery and will miss multiple weeks. Without being specific, Hackett also said QB Russell Wilson was hypothetically listed as limited Monday on the players’ day off. Williams earned the starting job this season after sharing backfield duties with Melvin Gordon his rookie year in 2021. Williams is the second key offensive starter the Broncos have lost to a season-ending knee injury. “This is part of football; it's a physical game,” Hackett said.
wftv.comAP source: Javonte Williams out for year with torn ACL
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — Broncos standout running back Javonte Williams is out for the year after tearing his right ACL in Denver's 32-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, a person with knowledge of the medical results told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday ahead of coach Nathaniel Hackett's weekly news conference, where he was expected to provide an update on Williams' injury. Williams got hurt on the first play of the third quarter Sunday when he took the handoff from Russell Wilson and was tackled behind the line of scrimmage. Williams had 202 yards on 47 rushes and 76 yards on 16 carries this season. Williams' backups faired poorly Sunday when the Broncos (2-2) lost for the fifth consecutive time to the Raiders.
wftv.comHamstring injuries sideline four Broncos against Las Vegas
Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett declared four players out for Denver's game at Las Vegas on Sunday because of hamstring injuries. Right guard Quinn Meinerz, who pulled a hamstring in the opener and aggravated it during practice this week, was ruled out along with receiver Tyrie Cleveland, linebacker Jonathan Cooper and cornerback Darius Phillips. Also ruled out was right tackle Billy Turner, who has yet to suit up after underoing offseason knee surgery and missing most of training camp.
news.yahoo.comHurricane Ian: Good Samaritan helps locate 84-year-old woman stranded from rising waters
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — A Florida resident living at a retirement community and stranded after Hurricane Ian roared through the area was located by a good Samaritan who responded to a plea on social media from the woman’s daughter. Affolter was living in a retirement community in Englewood, north of where Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm. After not hearing from her mother on Thursday, Bomlitz posted a plea on social media, hoping to find her mother’s whereabouts, according to the AP. “I’m thankful for this stranger,” Bomlitz told the news organization. People are amazing.”Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 55 Lake Ivanhoe An apparent washout happened near Lake Ivanhoe following Hurricane Ian.
wftv.comThe Love Fridge in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood goes solar
The Love Fridge is one of more than 20 across Chicago that allow community members to provide and access food. The long-term goal has always been to go solar to create sustainable sites for communities and to fulfill their mission that “food is a right, not a privilege.”
chicagotribune.comEnglewood Love Fridge goes solar
The Englewood Love Fridge is located at the Libations to the Ancestors garden in Englewood. It's one of more than 20 across Chicago that allow community members to provide and access food. It recently received solar panels because it lost power in November of 2020.
chicagotribune.comStukes: rookie punt returner not to blame for big blunder
The Denver Broncos have admittedly made plenty of rookie mistakes so far. Special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes said rookie Montrell Washington actually did the right thing by not bolting onto the field for a punt return early in the fourth quarter against Houston, forcing head coach Nathaniel Hackett to burn a timeout. “I don't think you can blame Montrell for that, correct?" Stukes said Thursday in his first comments on the sequence that occurred with just under 10 minutes left in Denver's 16-9 victory.
news.yahoo.comCreating green spaces
Cordia Pugh is founder of Hermitage Street Community Garden and Veterans Garden. In Englewood’s gardens and others across the city, participants learn gardening skills and supply fresh vegetables to veterans, seniors and families in need. They master sustainable clean living while fighting against turmoil of heatwave incidents.
chicagotribune.comWilson disputes critical report, calls Seattle special
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — Russell Wilson has started 84 games at Lumen Field in Seattle, including a half dozen playoff matchups. You know, I know how the whole thing went and how it transpired and just the whole situation. “At the same time, I know every second of it I enjoyed in terms of being there and just trying to give my all every day,” Wilson added. “Definitely they tried to (trade me) a couple times and tried to see what was out there,” Wilson said. Wilson, who didn't take a single snap in the preseason, insists he won't get caught up in the emotions of his return to Seattle.
wftv.comEmmanuel Sanders retires after 12-year career in NFL
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders announced his retirement Wednesday after a 12-year NFL career that included six season in Denver, where he helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50. Sanders started his career in Pittsburgh in 2010 and joined the Broncos as a free agent in 2014. He posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in Denver, where he caught 101 passes and nine TD receptions in 2014. Sanders played in three Super Bowls, with the Steelers, Broncos and 49ers, who acquired him from Denver in 2019. ___More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.
wftv.comAP Source: Russell Wilson gets five-year, $245M extension
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — The Denver Broncos and quarterback Russell Wilson have agreed on a five-year, $245 million extension that includes $165 million in guarantees, a person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday morning. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the extension, first reported by ESPN, had not been confirmed by the team or Wilson's representatives. The extension pays Wilson an average salary of $49 million a year and keeps him in Denver through the 2028 season. Wilson is set to earn $24 million this season and $27 million next year before the extension kicks in. Wilson will make his Denver debut on Sept. 12 when the Broncos open the season at Seattle, where Wilson played for a decade, leading the Seahawks to two Super Bowl appearances and one championship.
wftv.comBroncos waive veteran backup QB, trade Reed to Steelers
Josh Johnson might be looking for his 15th NFL team after the Denver Broncos waived the veteran backup quarterback Tuesday. Johnson, an 11th-year pro, started the first two preseason games and got the majority of snaps behind starter Russell Wilson this summer, but he was beaten out by fourth-year QB Brett Rypien. “It was a really close competition,” general manager George Paton said, adding that he hopes to sign Johnson to the Broncos' 16-man practice squad Wednesday.
news.yahoo.comHackett 'sorry' for Broncos' preseason performance vs Bills
Nathaniel Hackett apologized for the Denver Broncos being so disjointed and out-of-sync in their lopsided preseason loss to Buffalo. “Sorry for that game," the first-year Broncos coach said Monday. “We want to see them in real games,” Hackett said two days after a 42-15 loss to the Bills.
news.yahoo.comGM 2Q net income falls 40% as chip shortage slows factories
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) (David Zalubowski)DETROIT — (AP) — General Motors' second-quarter net income fell 40% from a year ago as computer chip and parts shortages hobbled factory output and drove the company's U.S. sales down more than 15%. The company reported an adjusted profit of $1.14 per share, falling short of Wall Street expectations for $1.27. Like other automakers, GM has been forced to slow its factories since late in 2020 largely due to a global shortage of semiconductors. CEO Mary Barra said in a recent interview with the AP that GM will see supply chain challenges into next year. Also Tuesday, GM announced that is has commitments for all the raw materials needed to reach its goal of building 1 million electric vehicles per year by the end of 2025.
wftv.comElderly woman dies after being attacked by 2 alligators in Florida
Alligator myths explained Alligator myths explainedENGLEWOOD, Fla. — An elderly woman has died after she was attacked by two alligators in Florida Friday evening. >> Read more trending newsThe Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office told WTVT that a woman was attacked by two alligators in a pond near Englewood, Florida by her home. According to WTVT, an elderly woman was seen falling into a pond along a golf course and she had a struggle. Investigators believe that the two alligators spotted the woman and grabbed her while she was in the water. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed the alligators from the pond, according to WTVT.
wftv.com‘Big, happy, beautiful village:’ Orlando Kidz Zone lets children explore life skills, hobbies
Alexandre Temes calls her job a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The manager of the Englewood Kidz Zone grew up right in the neighborhood and has worked at the center for 23 years, starting as a summer camp counselor when she was just 16 years old.
Broncos vagabond QB keeps football atop his busy to-do list
Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett admits he worried at first when he saw Russell Wilson jetting off seemingly every weekend to one locale after another. There they are at the White House's annual Easter Egg hunt. Last weekend, Wilson gave the commencement speech at Dartmouth College and after the team's mandatory minicamp concludes this week, he'll root on the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Ball Arena.
news.yahoo.comWalmart heir Rob Walton agrees to buy Broncos in record deal
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — (AP) — The Walton family has won the bidding to purchase the Denver Broncos in the most expensive deal for a sports franchise anywhere in the world. The Broncos announced late Tuesday night they had entered into a sale agreement with the Walton-Penner ownership group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, his daughter, Carrie Walton Penner, and her husband, Greg Penner. “I have enjoyed getting to know Rob Walton, Carrie Walton Penner and Greg Penner throughout this process," Ellis said. Our enthusiasm has only grown as we’ve learned more about the team, staff and Broncos Country over the last few months,” Walton added. We know she will bring her strategic acumen and leadership perspective to our team," Walton said.
wftv.comGM recalling nearly 69K Bolt electric cars due to fire risk
The Chevrolet logo is displayed at a Chevrolet dealership Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Englewood, Colo. General Motors says it will recall nearly 69,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric cars worldwide because the batteries have caught fire in five of them. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)DETROIT – General Motors is recalling nearly 69,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric cars worldwide because the batteries have caught fire in five of them. U.S. safety regulators said the cars should be parked outdoors until the recall repairs have been made. The recall covers Bolts from the 2017 through 2019 model years, including nearly 51,000 in the U.S. GM said it understands owners could be upset about their cars not being fully functional, and it will address complaints on a case-by-case basis.
Eta Becomes An Extratropical Low
Location 85 miles SE of Wilmington North Carolina Wind 45 mph Heading ENE at 21 mph Pressure 29.65 Coordinates 76.8W, 33.3NDiscussionAt 400 AM EST (0900 UTC), the center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Eta was located near latitude 33.3 North, longitude 76.8 West. The post-tropical cyclone is moving toward the east-northeast near 21 mph (33 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue with an increase in forward speed through Saturday. On the forecast track, Eta is expected to gradually pull away from the southeast U.S. Coast today. Eta could intensify a little as an non-tropical cyclone during the next day or so before it becomes absorbed by a larger non-tropical cyclone on Saturday or Saturday night. Tropics Models at 9:10 Friday Morning, November 13thLand HazardsSURF: Swells generated by Eta will affect portions of the southeastern United States coast today.
NFL recommends some sideline players wear masks during games
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)The NFL is recommending that players on the sidelines who are not participating in a game or about to go on the field wear protective masks. Although the NFL stopped short of mandating masks for all players not on the field, it “strongly encouraged” all active players in the bench area who are not about to enter the game to wear masks while standing on the sideline and/or sitting on the bench. While the NFL considers expanding the bench area further down the sideline, teams may consider reconfiguring or adding benches. There’s no change to the status of the game,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told The Associated Press. “There have been 70-plus instances of a team having a player or players who test positive.
Broncos running backs coach tests positive for coronavirus
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Denver Broncos running backs coach Curtis Modkins has tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t accompany the team on its trip to New England. “We will take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our team, opponents and community,” the team added. On Friday, the Broncos held running back Melvin Gordon out of practice because of what coach Vic Fangio said was an illness unrelated to the coronavirus. The Patriots canceled practice Friday and later placed center James Ferentz on the reserve/COVID-19 list. On Saturday, the Broncos announced they had elevated defensive lineman Sylvester Williams to the active roster along with running back Jeremy Cox and linebacker Josh Watson.
Broncos coach: virus outbreak shows who the ‘whiners are’
“Yeah, we compete like hell on Sundays to beat each other, but ultimately we’re all in this thing together,” Fangio said. The Broncos (1-3) were supposed to host the Chargers that week, and that game was moved up to Nov. 1, which was originally Denver’s bye. So, the Broncos will have had a 17-day break between games and won't get another break all season. The Patriots wouldn't be nearly as inconvenienced, simply having to flip-flop their bye week with their game against Denver. “What makes it harder for us compared to baseball is we can’t go and play doubleheaders and we can’t make a nine-inning game and seven-inning game,” Fangio said.
2 QBs from this Central Florida city are now on the same NFL roster
Bortles, the third overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, won’t be able to join the team until the weekend. Driskel took over last weekend when starter Drew Lock injured his throwing shoulder on a sack in Pittsburgh. He has 106 touchdown passes and 75 interceptions in 81 career games, including 76 starts, three in the playoffs. Last year, Bortles backed up the Rams’ Jared Goff but threw just two passes in three appearances. Even without Lock sidelined and Sutton out for the year, the Broncos don’t plan to alter their offense.
AP source: Broncos star Miller sustains serious ankle injury
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press the Denver Broncos fear star linebacker Von Miller suffered a season-ending ankle injury toward the end of practice Tuesday. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team hadn't addressed Miller's injury, said the team was awaiting results of an MRI on Miller. The practice took place indoors because of a snowstorm that struck the Rocky Mountains after a series of upper-90s and 100-degree days. Miller appeared primed for a big season after adding several pounds of muscle in the offseason and rededicating himself. The Broncos open the season Monday night against Tennessee.
NFL extends virtual offseason until June 26
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)The NFL has extended virtual offseason programs for teams through June 26, but no further. The remote programs have taken the place of on-site work, and some teams already have announced they are shutting those down. But on Thursday, the league said it will allow the virtual work for an additional 15 days. The first preseason game is scheduled for Aug. 6, with Dallas against Pittsburgh in the Hall of Fame game at Canton, Ohio. The NFL plans to open the regular season on time with Houston at Super Bowl champion Kansas City on Sept. 10.