Eight volunteers honored for dedication

Eight volunteers honored for dedication

southington

The Warren Sports Hall of Fame and the Local Heroes’ Corner came together last week to recognize those who give their time to the organizations.

Eight volunteers were honored at the Camelot Center in Southington for their hours aiding with horseback riders who may be physically disabled, developmentally delayed, emotionally or mentally disabled, or have no disability. Each volunteer was presented a plaque funded by the Warren Sports Hall of Fame for their many hours of dedication and recognition as the 2015 Local Heroes Honorees.

911 tapes released on NFL DE Ray McDonald

SAN FRANCISCO

The California Highway Patrol has released audio from the 911 call that led to the arrest of NFL defensive end Ray McDonald on suspicion of child endangerment and domestic violence.

KRON-TV reports Tuesday that a woman, mother of the alleged victim, says McDonald was drunk when she called authorities before dawn Monday. McDonald was later arrested at a San Jose home on suspicion of assaulting a woman who was holding the couple’s baby.

The caller says she wasn’t at the home but that her daughter told her to call police, according to the audio. Later in the day the Chicago Bears released McDonald. The arrest follows a pattern of similar incidents.

McDonald’s agent Tom Condon has not returned multiple calls seeking comment. McDonald is a former San Francisco 49er.

Sam focused on football, not making CFL history

MONTREAL

Michael Sam says his priority is helping the Montreal Alouettes win, not making history as the first openly gay player in the Canadian Football League.

Sam was signed to a two-year deal by the Alouettes last week. He was introduced Tuesday at a news conference in Montreal. The 25-year-old Sam came out publicly before last year’s NFL draft. He was selected in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams and became the first openly gay player chosen by an NFL team.

The Rams cut him in training camp. The Dallas Cowboys signed him to their practice squad but released him in October. Alouettes general manager Jim Popp, who called Sam a “trailblazing athlete,” says he believes Sam can excel as pass rusher in the CFL.

Blues retain Hitchcock as coach for next year

ST. LOUIS

The St. Louis Blues are sticking with veteran coach Ken Hitchcock for another season.

The Blues and Hitchcock on Tuesday announced a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Hitchcock took over as Blues coach during the 2011-2012 season. He has led St. Louis to an NHL-best 175-79-27 regular-season record since then. The postseason has been a different story.

Under Hitchcock, the Blues have made it past the first round of the playoffs just once, and never past the second. This season, they lost in the first round to lower-seeded Minnesota in six games.

American Pharoah begins prep for Belmont

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

Trainer Bob Baffert was pleased with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner American Pharoah’s first work as he prepares for Belmont Stakes and his attempt to become horse racing’s first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

The colt breezed four furlongs in :48 at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning after Baffert and American Pharoah’s regular exercise rider, jockey Martin Garcia, flew to Kentucky for the work. Jockey Victor Espinoza will again have the mount in the Belmont set for June 6.

The 3-year-old colt galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.40 and three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.20 after splits for the half-mile breeze of :12.20, :24 and :35.80.

Baffert plans to return to Kentucky this weekend with American Pharoah getting one final work either Sunday or Monday before shipping to New York.

Staff/wire reports