Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 131

Could this right-hander’s spot in the SF Giants’ rotation be in jeopardy?

SAN FRANCISCO – Jordan Hicks had lost six straight decisions as a starting pitcher last season when the Giants decided to move the right-hander from the rotation to the bullpen.

With wins once again proving to be elusive for Hicks in 2025, manager Bob Melvin could soon be tempted to make a similar move.

Hicks, making his ninth start of the season on Wednesday, didn’t pitch poorly but was still charged with five earned runs on seven hits in what became an 8-7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks before an announced crowd of 30,078 at Oracle Park.

Hicks, looking for his first victory since March 31, only lasted two-plus innings before he was replaced by fellow right-hander Hayden Birdsong with two runners on in the third.

Birdsong promptly allowed a three-run homer to third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who drove a 96-mph fastball to left field for a 6-2 Arizona lead.

Hicks was coming off a six-strikeout performance against the Minnesota Twins last Friday in which he allowed three runs over six innings. But he wasn’t quite as crisp against Arizona as the Giants, despite a late rally, lost for the fifth time in six games.

“I thought his stuff was pretty good again,” Melvin said of Hicks. “Had some hard ground balls find some holes. At some point in time, you’d think they would be hit at somebody.

“But (Birdsong didn’t have) his best stuff either. He gave up some early runs and put us in a hole.”

Hicks said he “got the ground balls I wanted. They’re finding holes, and I don’t really know what else to do about that. It’s just baseball.”

Back in this year’s rotation after spring training, Hicks was brilliant in his first start of the season on March 31, as he struck out six and did not allow an earned run over six innings in 7-2 Giants win over his hometown Houston Astros at Diakin Park.

But after Wednesday, Hicks is 1-5 with a 6.75 ERA in 47.1 innings for the season. That’s the fifth-highest ERA among the 108 starters across MLB who have started at least nine games.

Asked after Wednesday’s game about Hicks’ status in the rotation, Melvin said, “it’s right after the game. It’s really hard to talk about those things right now.”

Hicks started 20 games last season for the Giants, going 4-7 with a 4.07 ERA over 98.2 innings. His last nine starts were the issue, though, as he went 0-6 from May 31 to July 23, with 22 walks compared to 42 strikeouts.

The Giants are off Thursday and Hicks’ spot in the rotation doesn’t come up again until May 20 when San Francisco hosts the Kansas City Royals. If Hicks doesn’t get the start, the Giants could use Birdsong in that spot or turn to left-hander Kyle Harrison, who started 24 games with the team last season.

For now, Hicks who is in the second year of a four-year, $44 million deal he signed with the Giants in Jan. 2024, a contract he agreed to partly because he wanted an opportunity to start, isn’t going to worry about a move back to the ‘pen.

“I’m just going to go out there every time and put my best foot forward,” Hicks said. “That’s really all I can do is (turn) the page, shut the book on the bad outings, and then grow from the good ones. Take the positives from the bad games.

“I feel like there was a high percentage of ground balls today, and that is ideal for me as a ground ball pitcher. It just didn’t find the guys. Just got to live with it and move on.”

The Giants trailed 8-2 after the top of the fourth before they started to chip away at Arizona’s lead.

Heliot Ramos finished with three RBIs and Jung Hoo Lee homered for the second straight day.  The Giants then loaded the bases in the ninth and scored once to cut the Diamondbacks’ advantage to one, but Christian Koss popped out to shallow center field to end it.

In the eighth, with Koss aboard, Ramos reached on an infield single hit down the third base line. After he rounded second, Koss ran face-first into Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. Hurt and on the ground, Koss was tagged out as he could not get back to second base.

But after the umpires conferred, the Diamondbacks were called for obstruction, Koss was awarded second base and Ramos remained at first. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo came out to argue, and was soon ejected by first base umpire Nic Lentz.

In a bit of comic relief, Lovullo motioned to eject the four umpires who made the obstruction ruling.

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The commotion was all for naught, though, as Flores popped out with two out to end the threat.

FITZGERALD UPDATE: Tyler Fitzgerald began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday night, but it remains unclear when the injured second baseman will be able to return to the Giants.

Fitzgerald was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 1, with a left rib fracture, and the Giants’ game against Arizona Wednesday marked the 13th game he’s missed. Melvin said the Giants have different schedules for Fitzgerald’s return, “depending on how he’s doing, what we feel like he needs, how he’s responding each day. It would be nice to get him back sooner than later.”

49ers’ schedule reveal: Easy road map out of NFC West cellar

SANTA CLARA – The 49ers’ schedule is so easy that …

a.) No team has a softer collection of opponents based on both last season’s records (.415 winning percentage) and this season’s projected win totals in Vegas sportsbooks (7.7 wins per team).

b.) The 49ers open with back-to-back road games, which is how their 2019 and 2023 Super Bowl seasons began under coach Kyle Shanahan, as did the 2021 team that came within mere minutes of another NFC crown.

c.) Five 10 a.m. PT kickoffs on the road are offset by five prime-time games, including their lone Thursday night affair that involves only a short trip on short rest to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 2.

d.) The NFL even extended the courtesy of putting Super Bowl LX on the 49ers’ home field, Levi’s Stadium.

OK, that last item was predetermined years ago, and this season’s opponents have been set for months, but it’s not too presumptuous to think the 49ers’ 2025 reboot could lift them from the NFC West cellar and back into playoff contention.

They’ll be road warriors early with six away games in the first nine weeks, all in back-to-back sets – at Seattle and New Orleans in Weeks 1 and 2; at Los Angeles and Tampa Bay in Weeks 5 and 6; at Houston and the New York Giants in Weeks 8 and 9.

After three straight seasons of their bye falling in Week 9, this season’s won’t be until Week 14, on Dec. 7. They won’t play on Thanksgiving or Christmas, and three of the final four games are at home, finishing there with Seattle on either Jan. 3 or 4.

Prime-time kickoffs are set for their games at the Rams (Thursday, Oct. 2) and Indianapolis Colts (Monday, Dec. 28), and at home against the Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, Oct. 19), Carolina Panthers (Monday, Nov. 24), and Chicago Bears (Sunday, Dec. 28).

Here is a game-by-game look (all times PT):

WEEK 1: Sunday, Sept. 7

at Seattle Seahawks (1:05 p.m., FOX)

The 49ers’ only other season opener in Seattle came 15 years ago, a 31-6 defeat under then-coach Mike Singletary. These aren’t the same Seahawks who’ve lost their last three home games to the 49ers since 2022. Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp have taken the place of Geno Smith, D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

WEEK 2: Sunday, Sept. 14

at New Orleans Saints (10 a.m., FOX)

Which quarterback will the 49ers oppose now that Derek Carr has retired – Danville’s own Jake Haener, second-year prospect Spencer Rattler, rookie Tyler Shough … or Aaron Rodgers? Maybe George Kittle can reenact his fourth-down heroics in the 49ers Faithful’s victorious 2019 takeover there.

WEEK 3: Sunday, Sept. 21

vs. Arizona Cardinals (1:25 p.m., FOX)

The Cardinals are 5-3 at Levi’s Stadium in the Shanahan era, including a 24-23 win last October that saw the 49ers shut out after halftime and blow a 10-point fourth quarter lead in the hottest game ever at Levi’s Stadium (89 degrees at kickoff, eventually reaching 100).

WEEK 4: Sunday, Sept. 28

vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1:05 p.m. FOX)

After ousting ex-49ers personnel czar Trent Baalke from their general manager role, they traded up to draft dual threat Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall. Last season’s No. 2 quarterback, Mac Jones, is now the 49ers’ No. 2.

WEEK 5: Thursday, Oct. 2

at Los Angeles Rams (5:15 p.m., Prime Video)

The 49ers look to reclaim SoFi Stadium as friendly territory, having lost their first regular-season game there last season via special teams snafus and Kyren Williams’ three touchdowns. This is the only Thursday night game on the schedule, though they could get flexed into another later this season.

WEEK 6: Sunday, Oct. 12

at Tampa Bay Bucs (10 a.m., CBS)

Good luck topping the drama of last Nov. 10, when the 49ers won on a walk-off field goal by Jake Moody, who was told off earlier by Deebo Samuel after missing his first three field-goal attempts. The Bucs are one of three 2024 playoff teams on the 49ers’ schedule; the Rams and the Houston Texans are the other two.

WEEK 7: Sunday, Oct. 19

vs. Atlanta Falcons (5:20 p.m., NBC)

Washington product Michael Penix returns to the West Coast, presumably as the starter ahead of Shanahan favorite Kirk Cousins. Raheem Morris and new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich bolstered their pass rush with first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.

WEEK 8: Sunday, Oct. 26

at Houston Texans (noon, FOX)

The NFC West 49ers visit the AFC South 49ers? Reunion vibes will be strong as the Texans boast ex-49ers DeMeco Ryans (coach), linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, safety Jimmie Ward, guard Laken Tomlinson and offensive tackle Trent Brown (cousin of 49ers rookie Alfred Collins). Last time here, Jimmy Garoppolo delivered his second straight road win upon taking over as the 49ers’ quarterback in December 2017.

WEEK 9: Sunday, Nov. 2

at New York Giants (10 a.m., CBS)

The New York City marathon is being run this day, so perhaps Christian McCaffrey runs 26.2 miles through the Giants’ defense across the river at MetLife Stadium, where the turf has been replaced since the 49ers’ injury-marred 2020 visit. As this storied rivalry resumes, the Giants will play host with a pair of first-round draft picks, defensive end Abdul Carter (No. 3 overall) and quarterback Jaxson Dart (No. 25).

WEEK 10: Sunday, Nov. 9

vs. Los Angeles Rams (1:25 p.m., FOX)

They’re the reigning NFC West champions for the fourth time over coach Sean McVay’s eight seasons. The 49ers have won the division three times in that span under Shanahan, who also arrived in 2017.

WEEK 11: Sunday, Nov. 16

at Arizona Cardinals (1:05 p.m., FOX)

Yes, last regular season’s finale saw the host Cardinals bait Jauan Jennings into getting ejected 25 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard season, but they also saw Kyler Murray pump four touchdown passes in a 47-24 rout.

WEEK 12: Monday, Nov. 24

vs. Carolina Panthers (5:15 p.m., ESPN)

The 49ers have never scored more in Shanahan’s eight seasons than the 51-13 win they pinned on the Panthers in their previous visit, in October 2019, when then-rookie Nick Bosa had three sacks and an interception.

WEEK 13: Sunday, Nov. 30

at Cleveland Browns (10 a.m., CBS)

The 49ers have not won in Cleveland since their 1984 Super Bowl season. Their fourth straight losing visit came in October 2023, once Jake Moody missed a 41-yard field-goal attempt in the final seconds to spoil the season’s 5-0 start.

WEEK 14: Sunday, Dec. 7

BYE

This is their latest regular-season bye in franchise history, although they had a Week 13 bye in 2000.

WEEK 15: Sunday, Dec. 14

vs. Tennessee Titans (1:25 p.m., FOX)

How quickly can top-pick quarterback Cam Ward get up to speed under Brian Callahan, a De La Salle High-Concord graduate making his Bay Area debut as the Titans’ second-year coach?

WEEK 16: Monday, Dec. 22

at Indianapolis Colts (5:15 p.m., ESPN)

Flash back to the last time the 49ers won in Indianapolis, when coach Steve Mariucci’s counterpart, Jim Mora, famously said after the Colts’ 40-21 loss: “Playoffs?! Don’t talk about playoffs. You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game.”

WEEK 17: Sunday, Dec. 28

vs. Chicago Bears (5:20 p.m., NBC)

Caleb Williams, after a rough rookie year, will be tougher to topple behind a fortified offensive line and a slew of skill-position players, including tight end Colston Loveland, a first-round pick. That assumes everybody is healthy this late in the season. The Bears may have prevailed in Levi’s Stadium’s 2014 grand opening, but they also were the only team the 49ers beat in the final two months of last season.

WEEK 18: Saturday/Sunday, Jan. 3 or 4

vs. Seattle Seahawks (TBD)

Geno Smith won’t be rushing past DeVondre Campbell for a last-second score this time at Levi’s Stadium. And Dre Greenlaw won’t be in the 49ers’ defense making a goal-line stop to preserve a crucial win like in 2019 at Seattle. Did you know the Seahawks have never been shut out in this 54-game series?

PRESEASON

Aug. 7-10: vs. Denver Broncos

Aug. 14-18: at Las Vegas Raiders

Aug. 21-24: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

South African leader and Trump will meet next week after US took in white South Africans as refugees

By GERALD IMRAY and DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — President Donald Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are scheduled to meet at the White House next week following allegations by Trump — and denied by South Africa — that “genocide” is being committed against white farmers in the majority Black country.

The meeting, announced Wednesday by the South African government and set for May 21, also comes after the U.S. welcomed 59 white South Africans as refugees this Monday, the start of what the Trump administration said is a larger relocation plan for minority Afrikaner farmers who Trump has claimed are being persecuted in their homeland because of their race. South Africa denies the allegations and says whites in the majority Black country are not being singled out for persecution.

Ramaphosa’s office said he will be in the U.S. from Monday to Thursday of next week, and will meet with Trump on Wednesday at the White House. Ramaphosa’s trip would aim to “reset the strategic relationship between the two countries,” his office said.

The White House had no immediate comment on the meeting, which would be Trump’s first with the leader of a nation in Africa since he returned to office in January.

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Trump has criticized South Africa’s Black-led government on multiple fronts and issued an executive order Feb. 7 cutting all U.S. funding to the country as punishment for what he said were its anti-white policies at home and anti-American foreign policy.

The Republican president has singled out South Africa over what the U.S. calls racist laws against whites and has accused the government of “fueling” violence against white farmers. The South African government says the relatively small number of killings of white farmers should be condemned but are part of the country’s problems with violent crime and are not racially motivated.

Trump said Monday — the same day that the first batch of Afrikaner refugees arrived at Dulles International Airport in Virginia — that there was “a genocide taking place” against white farmers that was being ignored by international media.

The U.S. criticism of what it calls South Africa’s racist, anti-white laws appears to refer to South Africa’s affirmative action laws that advance opportunities for Black people, and a new land expropriation law that gives the government power to take private land without compensation. Although the government says the land law is not a confiscation tool and refers to unused land that can be redistributed for the public good, some Afrikaner groups say it could allow their land to be seized and redistributed to some of the country’s Black majority.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has issued orders to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government. The administration has also threatened nongovernmental institutions like colleges and universities with the loss of financial aid unless they do the same.

Trump also required government contractors and other recipients of federal funds to certify, under threat of severe financial penalties, that they do not operate DEI programs that violate anti-discrimination laws.

Afrikaners are descendants of mainly Dutch, French and German colonial settlers who first came to South Africa in the 17th century. They were the leaders of the country’s previous apartheid system of racial segregation. There are around 2.7 million Afrikaners among South Africa’s population of 62 million, which is more than 80% Black. There are also nearly 2 million other whites of British and other descent.

Trump has also accused South Africa of taking “aggressive positions towards the U.S. and its allies” in its foreign policy and of being a supporter of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, and Iran.

Trump’s executive order cited South Africa’s decision to accuse U.S. ally Israel of genocide in Gaza in an ongoing case at the International Court of Justice as an example of its anti-American stance. Israel opened a military offensive in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in an October 2023 intrusion into southern Israel.

The Israeli operation has killed over 52,928 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. Almost 3,000 have been killed since Israel broke a ceasefire on March 18, the ministry said.

Israel has resumed blocking food, fuel, medicine and all other supplies from entering Gaza for weeks, worsening a humanitarian crisis for 2.3 million Palestinians

Ramaphosa has spoken repeatedly of his desire to engage with Trump diplomatically and improve the relationship. He says Trump’s criticism is based on false information he’s being given about South Africa’s laws and the attacks on farmers.

Superville reported from Washington.

SF Giants make some late noise, but are doomed by early pitching struggles

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning but could not get the decisive hit in an 8-7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday at Oracle Park.

Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, and Patrick Bailey all reached base with one out in the ninth against Diamondbacks closer Shelby Miller. LaMonte Wade Jr. then drew a walk to cut Arizona’s lead to one, but Christian Koss flew out to shallow center field to end the game.

Offense, perhaps unsurprisingly, wasn’t the Giants’ biggest problem on Wednesday afternoon with the wind mostly blowing out. Pitching was, especially early on, as the Giants dropped the final game of their three-game series against the Diamondbacks despite some late fireworks.

Heliot Ramos drove in three runs and Jung Hoo Lee homered for the second straight day, but the Giants couldn’t dig themselves out of an early six-run hole.

San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee hits a 2-run homer against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 7th inning, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Oracle Park in in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Starter Jordan Hicks struggled again as the Giants allowed eight earned runs in the first four innings and never recovered in dropping the rubber match against the Diamondbacks and losing for the fifth time in six games.

Hicks, looking for his first victory since March 31, allowed seven hits and five earned runs in two-plus innings before Hayden Birdsong replaced him with two runners on in the third. Birdsong promptly allowed a three-run homer to third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who drove a 96-mph fastball to left field for a 6-2 Arizona lead.

Ramos drove in two runs with a fourth-inning double to cut Arizona’s lead to 8-4, and Lee turned on an 86 mph changeup in the seventh inning off Ryne Nelson, hitting it into the right field seats with Wilmer Flores aboard to cut Arizona’s lead to two.

With Koss on first in the eighth, Ramos reached on an infield single hit down the third base line. As he rounded second, though, Koss was hurt and tagged out and unable to go back to second base after he ran face-first into Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo.

But after the umpires conferred, the Diamondbacks were called for interference, Koss was awarded second base and Ramos remained at first. Torey Lovullo came out to argue, and was soon ejected by first base umpire Nic Lentz. Lovullo, comically, then seemed to motion that he wanted to eject the four umpires who made the interference determination.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo argues after getting tossed arguing a player interference call in the 8th inning against the San Francisco Giants, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Oracle Park in in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

The commotion was all for naught, though, as with two out, Flores popped out to end the threat.

The Giants are now 1-5 since their 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on May 7. San Francisco was coming off a 10-6 win over Arizona on Tuesday, snapping a four-game losing streak.

Hicks was brilliant in his first start of the season on March 31, as he struck out six and did not allow an earned run over six innings in 7-2 Giants win over his hometown Houston Astros at Daikin Park.

Since then, though, the Giants are 3-5 in games Hicks starts. In his last seven starts, Hicks before Wednesday, was 0-4 with a 6.75 ERA in 37.1 innings. He struck out 34 and walked 13.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jordan Hicks gives up 5-runs in two plus innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Oracle Park in in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Missouri lawmakers approve referendum to repeal abortion-rights amendment

By DAVID A. LIEB, Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Six months after Missouri voters approved an abortion-rights amendment, Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday approved a new referendum that would seek the amendment’s repeal and instead ban most abortions with exceptions for rape an incest.

The newly proposed constitutional amendment would go back to voters in November 2026, or sooner, if Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe calls a special election before then.

Republican senators used a series of rare procedural moves to cut off discussion by opposing Democrats before passing the proposed abortion-rights revision by a 21-11 vote. The measure passed the Republican-led House last month.

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Immediately after vote, protestors erupted with chants of “Stop the ban!” and were ushered out of the Senate chamber.

Missouri’s abortion policies have swung dramatically in recent years.

When the U.S. Supreme Court ended a nationwide right to abortion by overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, it triggered a Missouri law to take effect banning most abortions. But abortion-rights activists gathered initiative petition signatures in an attempt to reverse that.

Last November, Missouri voters narrowly approved a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to abortion until fetal viability, generally considered sometime past 21 weeks of pregnancy. The amendment also allows later abortions to protect the life or health of pregnant women.

The new measure would seek the repeal the abortion-rights amendment and instead allow abortions only for a medical emergency or fetal anomaly, or in cases of rape or incest up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. It also would prohibit gender transition surgeries, hormone treatments and puberty blockers for minors, which already are barred under state law.

Prosecutor in Trump classified files case takes 5th Amendment in private interview with Congress

By ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key prosecutor on the classified documents case against President Donald Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a congressional interview Wednesday, declining to answer questions because of concern about the Trump administration’s willingness to “weaponize the machinery of government” against perceived adversaries, a spokesman said.

Jay Bratt had been subpoenaed to appear before the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee for a closed-door interview but did not answer substantive questions because of his Fifth Amendment constitutional right to remain silent.

Bratt spent more than three decades at the Justice Department before retiring in January, just weeks before President Donald Trump took office. He was a key national security prosecutor on special counsel Jack Smith’s team, which in 2023 charged Trump with illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and with obstructing the government’s efforts to recover them.

“He did not choose to investigate Mar-a-Lago; rather, the facts and evidence of a serious breach of law and national security led him there,” said Peter Carr, a spokesman for Justice Connection, a network of Justice Department alumni.

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“This administration and its proxies have made no effort to hide their willingness to weaponize the machinery of government against those they perceive as political enemies,” Carr added. “That should alarm every American who believes in the rule of law. In light of these undeniable and deeply troubling circumstances, Mr. Bratt had no choice but to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights.”

The statement describes Bratt as someone who spent his career in public service “protecting our nation from some of the gravest national security threats—including spies, murderers, and other criminal actors—always without fear or favor.”

A federal judge in Florida dismissed the prosecution last year after concluding that Smith had been illegally appointed to the special counsel role. The Justice Department’s appeal of that decision was pending at the time of Trump’s presidential win in November, at which point Smith’s team abandoned that case and a separate prosecution charging Trump with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Since taking office, Trump has engaged in a far-reaching retribution campaign against officials he regards as adversaries.

His administration has issued executive orders aimed at punishing major law firms, including some with current or past associations with prosecutors who previously investigated him. The Justice Department, meanwhile, has fired lawyers who served on Smith’s team and also established a “weaponization working group” aimed at reviewing actions taken during the Biden administration. That group is led by Ed Martin, whose nomination to be the top federal prosecutor in Washington was pulled by the White House last week.

Public Works hosts family-friendly National Public Works Week kick-off

SALINAS – Monterey County will take part in the 65th annual National Public Works Week with a family-friendly event slated for this weekend.

The City of Salinas and the Monterey Bay chapter of the American Public Works Association are teaming up to host a celebration on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Toro Park, 501 Monterey-Salinas Highway 68, Salinas.

The event promises fun, education and appreciation — all under this year’s theme: People, Purpose and Presence.

During the county’s weekly briefing Wednesday, county public officials detailed what to expect and encouraged the public to bring their children, as well as spotlighting the importance of public works professionals and the value they bring to everyday life in Monterey County.

“We take a week out of the year to celebrate and remember those efforts made by public works crews in the field, and support our community,” said Enrique Saavedra, Monterey County Chief of Public Works.

Public works crews will showcase heavy equipment, provide demonstrations and offer hands-on experiences for children — including a sandbox area featuring a small-scale excavator kids can operate under supervision.

Booths hosted by the Monterey Bay Chapter of APWA will provide refreshments, career information, raffle prizes, and fun educational stations for children.

“This event is about recognizing the people who keep our communities running — often without recognition,” said Randy Ishii, Director of Monterey County Public Works. “It’s also a chance to give back and spark interest in future careers in public service.”

The event Sunday kicks off the week of celebration, with goals of honoring the public works departments while garnering new interest in the profession and job.

“This is more than just a celebration — it’s an investment in our community’s future,” said county Communications Director Nick Pasculli. “Whether you’re looking for a career in engineering, finance, or project management, this event opens the door to endless opportunities.”

Trump meets with Syria’s insurgent-turned-leader in Saudi Arabia

By ZEKE MILLER, JON GAMBRELL and AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump met with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, the first encounter between the two nations’ leaders in 25 years and one that could mark a turning point for Syria as it struggles to emerge from decades of international isolation.

The meeting, on the sidelines of Trump’s get-together with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council, marks a major turn of events for a Syria still adjusting to life after the over 50-year, iron-gripped rule of the Assad family.

Trump had announced the day before as he kicked off his three-nation Middle East tour in Riyadh that he would also move to lift U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria under the deposed autocrat Bashar Assad.

People across Syria cheered in the streets and set off fireworks on Tuesday night to celebrate, hopeful their nation — locked out of credit cards and global finance — might rejoin the world’s economy when they need investments the most.

Syrians wave Saudi and Syrian flags in celebration after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans during his visit to Saudi Arabia to ease sanctions on Syria and normalize relations with its new government, in Homs, Syria, late Tuesday, May 13, 2025.(AP Photo/Omar Albam)

Wednesday’s meeting was also remarkable given al-Sharaa, under the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, had ties to al-Qaida and joined insurgents battling U.S. forces in Iraq before entering the Syrian war. He was even imprisoned by U.S. troops there for several years.

And the meeting came even after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier asked Trump not to lift sanctions on Syria, again underscoring a growing discontent between the White House and the Israeli government as its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip rages on.

I am “ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a fresh start,” Trump told the Gulf Cooperation Council after his meeting with al-Sharaa. “It gives them a chance for greatness. The sanctions were really crippling, very powerful.”

A historic closed-door meeting

Trump said on Tuesday that he would meet al-Sharaa, who had flown in to the Saudi capital for the face-to-face.

Even before its ruinous civil war that began in 2011, Syria struggled under a tightly controlled socialist economy and under sanctions by the U.S. as a state-sponsor of terror since 1979.

The Trump-al-Sharaa meeting took place behind closed doors and reporters were not permitted to witness the engagement. The White House later said it ran for just over 30 minutes, making al-Sharaa the first Syrian leader to meet an American president since Hafez Assad met Bill Clinton in Geneva in 2000.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined the meeting between Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and al-Sharaa via a phone call. Turkey was a main backer to al-Sharaa and his rebel faction.

“I felt very strongly that this would give them a chance,” Trump said of Syria. “It’s not going to be easy anyway, so gives them a good strong chance. And, it was my honor to do so.”

He added: “We made a speech last night and, that was the thing that got the biggest applause from the room.”

Trump cited the intervention of Saudi Prince Mohammed as key to his decision.

“We commend the decision made yesterday by President Trump to lift the sanctions on the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic, which will alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people,” he said in a speech to the GCC.

What happened in the meeting?

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Trump urged al-Sharaa to diplomatically recognize Israel, “tell all foreign terrorists to leave Syria” and help the U.S. stop any resurgence of the Islamic State group.

Trump also asked for the Syrian government to “assume responsibility” for over a dozen detention centers holding some 9,000 suspected members of the Islamic State group, Leavitt added. The prisons are run by the U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led forces that spearheaded the military campaign against the extremists and controlled the last sliver of land they once held in March 2019.

As part of a deal reached in March between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led forces, all border crossings with Iraq and Turkey, airports and oil fields in the northeast would be brought under the central government’s control by the end of the year.

Trump’s desire for Syria to take over the prisons also signal the potential of a full American military withdrawal from Syria.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry said Trump and al-Sharaa discussed the Syrian-U.S. partnership in fighting terror and armed groups such as IS standing in the way of stability.

Al-Sharaa’s militant past sparks Israeli concern

Al-Sharaa was named interim president of Syria in January, a month after a stunning offensive by insurgent groups led by al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, that stormed Damascus, ending the 54-year rule of the Assad family.

Many Gulf Arab leaders have rallied behind the new government in Damascus and want Trump to follow, believing it is a bulwark against Iran’s return to influence in Syria, where it had helped prop up Assad’s government during a decadelong civil war.

But longtime U.S. ally Israel has been deeply skeptical of al-Sharaa’s extremist past and cautioned against swift recognition of the new government. The request came during Netanyahu’s visit to Washington last month, according to an Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the subject.

Israel was concerned a cross-border attack similar to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault, could come from Syria. Israel also fears al-Sharaa and his Islamist past could pose a threat on its northern border.

Trump’s move draws cheers from Syrians

Syrians cheered the announcement by Trump that the U.S. will move to lift sanctions on the beleaguered Middle Eastern nation.

The state-run SANA news agency published video and photographs of Syrians cheering in Umayyad Square, the largest in the country’s capital, Damascus. Others honked their car horns or waved the new Syrian flag in celebration.

People whistled and cheered as fireworks lit the night sky.

A statement from Syria’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday night called the announcement “a pivotal turning point for the Syrian people as we seek to emerge from a long and painful chapter of war.”

“The removal of these sanctions offers a vital opportunity for Syria to pursue stability, self-sufficiency and meaningful national reconstruction, led by and for the Syrian people,” the statement added.

Madhani reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press photographer Alex Brandon and writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey; Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.

Horoscopes May 14, 2025: George Lucas, choose brains over brawn this year

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Miranda Cosgrove, 32; Cate Blanchett, 56; Tim Roth, 64; George Lucas, 81.

Happy Birthday: Choose brains over brawn this year. When they go low, you go high. Maintaining integrity, sticking to the truth and delivering what you promise will set the bar high for anyone who wants to compete with you. It’s your year to initiate change and strive to reach your goals by pivoting in a positive direction that benefits you and those you encounter. Refuse to let uncertainty stand between you and an opportunity. Your numbers are 7, 19, 22, 25, 31, 36, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep an open mind and let your intuition take over. Mix business with pleasure, and you’ll be surprised by what you achieve. Communication will help you win the confidence of those you want on your team. Don’t hesitate to travel if it will promote your intentions. Personal growth and physical improvements are favored. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Refuse to let stubbornness set in, which could wreak havoc with others and stand between you and your goals. Look for opportunities that promote positive change and promise stability. Expect to face outside interference from someone trying to compete with you. Be strong, stand firm and get agreements in writing. Put safety first. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep pushing for what you want. Focus on home improvements, nurturing meaningful relationships and personal growth that helps you achieve your desired happiness. Stretch your imagination, and get involved in groups that help you expand your interests and connections. Love and romance are in the stars. 3 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Refuse to let anyone pressure you into something you don’t want to do. Concentrate on keeping the peace and maintaining security. Taking on someone else’s responsibilities or mistakes will make you vulnerable. Offer suggestions, but direct your attention to what will benefit you most. Avoid joint ventures and shared expenses. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let your ego lead the way in self-improvement. Up your game by keeping your image and appearance current and your body language approachable. You’ll connect with the movers and shakers who can offer insight and vision into new possibilities. Get together with an old friend or associate to gain insight into personal prospects. 5 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Look at what’s possible and make changes that encourage financial stability and help you incorporate what you enjoy doing most into a lucrative affair. A shift in your surroundings will feed your soul and imagination, giving rise to new and exciting possibilities. Refuse to let emotional interference stifle your dreams. 2 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take pride in your work, and don’t be shy in showing off your talents, intelligence and kindness. Expand your plans to meet demands, but don’t go over budget. Rally others to pitch in and help, and pay attention to what’s unfolding at home and to meaningful relationships. Romance, communication and travel are favored. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Guard against anyone interfering in your life, position and plans. Set high standards and adjust to changes as they occur. Protect against unsavory situations, arguments and injury. Change is favored, but integrity, peace and love will be necessary. Discipline and moderation are the keys to your success. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You know the rules, and you have the energy and the willpower to put your plans in motion. An innovative idea you can implement into your daily routine will help bring you closer to your dream. Make changes at home that add to your convenience and comfort. A professional upgrade is within reach. 3 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep tabs on your health and financial well-being. Money is available, but it will require time and effort to bring it to fruition. Home improvements that make it easier to complete your responsibilities and spend more time improving and upgrading your qualifications will benefit you. Leave nothing to chance. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep your thoughts and plans to yourself. Someone will be happy to take over or interfere, given the opportunity. Spend more time on money management and using your imagination and resources to improve your work ethic and skills. Bring energy and a positive attitude into the mix, and you will gain ground. 4 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Refrain from sharing your plans until everything is in place. Your success depends on how you handle others and promote yourself. An emotional incident will catch you off guard, so stay calm and avoid being baited into a discussion that can make you look bad. Go about your business and implement your plans privately. 2 stars

Birthday Baby: You are direct, intelligent and self-assured. You are passionate and ambitious.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.
2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.
3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.
4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.
5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

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High School volleyball: Monterey takes down Carmel in DII playoffs

MONTEREY – It wasn’t so much about redemption as it was survival.

Sharing the Gabilan Division volleyball title with Carmel left Monterey in a sour mood — especially since it came on their home court last week.

Dropping the first set Tuesday in the Central Coast Section Division II quarterfinals wasn’t quite the start the Toreadores envisioned.

“I reminded them this is a single-elimination tournament,” Monterey coach Davd Swartz said. “This is your home gym. Play like it.”

Monterey responded by taking the next three matches to secure a 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 25-18 win over the Padres, advancing to the CCS Division II semifinals for the third straight year.

Seeded No. 3 in Division II, the Toreadores (22-10) will visit No. 2 seed and Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League runner-up Harbor (26-4) on Thursday at 6 p.m.

The Toreadores are no strangers to Harbor, having fallen to them on the road in five sets on March 6. The Pirates are 5-0 this year against teams from the Pacific Coast Athletic League.

Six days ago, the Padres (17-10) went into the Monterey gym and swept them on the final day of the regular season to create a co-championship.

Having both advanced to the quarterfinals with wins on Monday, the Toreadores learned before the game that they would be without hitter Dustin LeMaster, who suffered a shoulder injury after a 19-kill, three-block effort in a four-set win over Pionner 24 hours earlier.

“We had to adjust on the spot,” Swartz said. “It threw us off, and we were a little flat at the start. But we finished the first set strong. So I felt we had some momentum.”

With sophomore Ryan Gallagher stepping up at the net and setter Andres Espinoza getting involved in the attack as a hitter as well, the Toreadores regrouped.

“Andres brings a lot of fire and passion,” Swartz said. “When he turns it into intensity, he can get some big swings. Ryan stepped up in the middle.”

One significant difference in the final three sets is Monterey jumped out to leads in all three, although it did trail midway through the third set.

“We had to claw our way out of a hole,” Swartz said. “We got clutch play from veterans and those who fell into bigger roles because of the injury. And our gym was like a seventh man.”

With PK Swartz running the defense in the back row and Noah Bigelow adding some power at the net, the Toreadores seized control of the final set to extend their season.

Carmel came into the match riding a five-game winning streak, beating Palma in five sets in Monday’s opening round — with its last loss coming to Monterey in a tournament.

“We are a slow starting team,” Swartz said. “We put our foot on the gas after the first set. We had a lot of energy and got some big swings in. I think Carmel got frustrated, and we pushed in those moments.”