Rich Hill, Boston Red Sox agree to contract pending physical (report) - masslive.com

Starting pitcher Rich Hill and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a one-year contract pending a physical, The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier reported Wednesday.

Hill is the third starting pitcher who the Red Sox have added in the past four days. Boston inked Michael Wacha to a one-year, $7-million contract Saturday. The Sox agreed to terms Tuesday with James Paxton on a one-year, $10-million deal with a two-year option worth $25 million.

Hill, a Milton High graduate, will turn 42 on March 11. The 2022 season will mark his 18th year in the majors.

He posted a 3.86 ERA, 4.34 FIP and 1.21 WHIP in 32 outings (31 starts) for the Rays and Mets in 2021. He threw 158 ⅔ innings.

Hill pitched for the Red Sox as a reliever from 2010-12. He then started four games with them at the end of 2015 after signing out of Indy Ball.

He posted a 1.55 ERA (29 innings, five runs) in those four starts. He has a 3.15 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 1.10 WHIP In 127 outings (125 starts) since September 2015. He has recorded 734 strikeouts and 218 walks in 663 ⅔ innings during that stretch.

Hill is known for his plus curveball and inducing weak contact. He finished in the 79th percentile in hard hit percentage last season. His curveball spin was in the 81st percentile.

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Attorney General Alan Wilson speaks on pending lawsuits against federal vaccine mandates - WIS10

South Carolina’s attorney general said more lawsuits could be coming if the state decides to challenge other pandemic-related actions from the Biden administration.

To this point, South Carolina has already joined other states to file three lawsuits challenging federal vaccine requirements.

In September, President Joe Biden announced a multipronged mandate, which he said was necessary to end the pandemic and which the federal government has maintained is legal to enforce.

Attorney General Alan Wilson said during a news conference Wednesday that South Carolina’s lawsuits challenging these mandates are not about fighting vaccinations or public health but about stopping government overreach.

“I can only presume that these will go to the Supreme Court, and we are totally committed,” Wilson said.

In two of the lawsuits, South Carolina and the other states suing the federal government have been successful in stopping these requirements from being enforced for now.

One lawsuit challenges a facet of the mandate that would require people who work for private companies with 100 or more employees to be vaccinated or be tested weekly. In November, a federal judge in Louisiana temporarily blocked the federal government from enforcing that requirement through OSHA. That lawsuit has been consolidated with similar suits brought by other states and will be heard in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.

Another lawsuit challenges a vaccine mandate for workers at healthcare facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid, and on Tuesday, another judge in Louisiana temporarily blocked that requirement from being enforced nationwide, as the result of the lawsuit South Carolina and other states brought about. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans will hear those arguments.

Wilson said he expects those two lawsuits will be heard in early 2022, though schedules have not been set yet.

The state’s third lawsuit challenges a vaccine requirement for workers who contract with the federal government. There is no ruling on that one yet, with a hearing scheduled for Friday in Georgia.

Wilson said while local governments and private businesses could impose their own vaccine mandates, South Carolina’s lawsuits are based on the argument the federal government does not have that power.

“I will vigorously defend the right of our state to govern itself the way it sees fit, and not distant bureaucrats basically ruling through executive fiat,” he said.

While the mandates for private business employees and healthcare workers cannot be enforced right now, the attorney general noted the federal contractor requirement is still valid until a judge issues a ruling saying otherwise.

The University of South Carolina has announced plans to comply with that federal contractor vaccine mandate.

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State pauses new applications for Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program, pending funding - KTVZ

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ)  — Oregon Housing and Community Services and Local Program Administrators say they continue to make strong progress on processing applications for the Oregon Emergency Rental Assistance Program, but must pause new applications until more funding is made available, possibly from an upcoming special session of the Legislature. 

As of Wednesday, OHCS and LPAs have paid $157.5 million in federal emergency rental assistance to 23,155 applicants, up from $149.8 million and 22,128 applicants last week. The agency said it is ranked eighth in the nation in the percentage of funds paid and obligated. 

Media briefing on new application pause for OERAP

During Wednesday’s media briefing, OHCS announced that the pause in accepting new applications for OERAP starts at 11:59 p.m. Based on the amount of funding that has been requested through the applications that have been paid and are currently in the queue, the state estimates nearly all the $289 million in federal emergency rental assistance we’ve received so far has been requested by renters.  

“As we look to the December holidays, our top priority continues to keep families safely and affordably housed. We know Oregonians who’ve fallen behind on rent are stressed and scared,” said OHCS Director Margaret Salazar. “The governor’s call for a housing special session to keep families housed during this difficult time is the right call and we are confident the Legislature will come to consensus on additional measures to protect renters. Oregon renters need more time, and the program needs more funding.”  

There is rental assistance available in many localities – through programs that are operating independently from OERAP. Some cities and counties received emergency rental assistance funding directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and these programs should have funds available. They include: 

People can also contact 211 or Community Action Agencies in their area. 

If a person has previously submitted an application or began an application, the pause will not impact them. Those who started their applications will still be able to complete them, and those applications that were previously submitted will still be processed. Applicants can continue to log on to the OERAP portal to complete their application or check the status of their finished application. They will be alerted by email as their application advances. 

Anyone who has fallen behind on rent or may get behind on December rent is encouraged to apply for emergency rental assistance before 11:59 p.m. Dec. 1 at oregonrentalassistance.org.

Progress and updated numbers  

Through its three-point plan, OHCS and its processing partner, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), have made significant strides to drive rapid application processing in the past several weeks. Currently, 150 PPL staff are processing applications with a focus on applications outside the 60-/90-day safe harbor period. In the past week, PPL processed close to 547 applications, exceeding their 500-application target.

To date, OHCS and LPAs have: 

• Paid $157,576,939 to landlords and tenants to help 23,155 Oregon households.
• Processed and obligated an additional $27.4 million in funds for 3,265 households.
• Received more than 55,736 completed applications.

Visit the OERAP dashboard for more data.  

Applications in review process  

About 20,987 applications are in the review process. The 60-/90-day window of protection begins when a tenant shows proof they applied for the program. However, this data is not currently available. As proxy, OHCS is tracking when a tenant completes an OERAP application and the number of applicants who have not been paid outside of the 60-day window (90 days in Multnomah County and unincorporated areas of Washington County). Applications outside the 60-/90-day window are being moved from the LPA in their county to PPL. 

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Attorney General Wilson holds news conference, comments on pending lawsuits against federal vaccine mandates - WIS10

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Attorney General Alan Wilson held a news conference on pending lawsuits he’s filed against federal vaccine mandates.

The conference took place at 1:30 p.m. at the State Grand Jury Room on Assembly Street in Columbia.

Below is the entire conference:

The state filed three lawsuits in total against vaccine mandates.

South Carolina filed a lawsuit against people contracted by the federal government to be vaccinated. As of Wednesday, there is a hearing scheduled for this lawsuit on Friday.

RELATED | UofSC to require vaccinations for some employees

South Carolina filed another lawsuit against the requirement that private companies with 100 or more employees require their workers to be vaccinated or be tested weekly. As a result of this lawsuit that portion of the mandate, which would be enforced by OSHA, has been blocked.

South Carolina has also joined with 13 other states in a lawsuit against the facet of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate requiring healthcare workers be fully vaccinated. On Tuesday, a federal judge in Louisiana issued a nationwide injunction, blocking that mandate from being enforced across the country.

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Teresa Giudice's pending house offer falls through, $2.25M home relists - New York Post

Teresa Giudice can’t seem to shake off her past just yet.

After nine long months under contract, the “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star’s longtime home she bought with ex-husband Joe Giudice is back on the market after the sale fell through, The Post has learned.

Initially pending an offer since last March, the six-bedroom, 5 ½-bathroom mansion has sat in escrow for longer than usual.

The home was first listed back in September 2020 for $2.5 million. It later received a $250,000 price cut when no offers were made.

Just before Thanksgiving, the home was back on the market for $2,248,888.

The Post has reached out to Teresa’s reps for comment.

Situated on almost 4 acres of land, the stone and stucco structure spans 10,000 square feet.

A turret-like entryway and a Juliet balcony create a regal exterior to the palatial home.

Realtor.com

The inside of the front door has sculpted wings as handles, opening onto a black marble floor and a two-story foyer with a Cinderella staircase.

Realtor.com

As is fitting for the author of hit cookbook “Fabulicious!” Giudice’s kitchen is decked out with stainless steel appliances and a butler’s pantry.

Realtor.com

The stone and stucco house has a formal dining room with a hand-carved fireplace, a two-story great room with a wood-burning fireplace, a wine cellar and an office.

Realtor.com

The “RHONJ” star’s six-bedroom, 5 ½-bathroom mansion spans 10,000 square feet on 3.7 acres of property.

Realtor.com

The now-split couple bought the property for $530,000 in 2002 and custom built the house, which was completed in 2008.

Realtor.com

The entertainment room.

Realtor.com

Features include a gourmet chef’s kitchen with a center island, stainless steel appliances and a butler’s pantry. The estate comes with a formal dining room, family room, wine cellar and a two-story great room with a wood-burning fireplace, according to the listing.

Upon entry is a Cinderella staircase that leads to the primary suite, two other bedroom suites, two additional bedrooms, an office and a family/game room.

The primary suite is complete with a fireplace, a dressing area, three walk-in closets and a primary bathroom suite made with onyx tile throughout.

Exterior features include a covered patio, a lush landscaped backyard and an in-ground pool.

Teresa Giudice and Luis Ruelas in Central Park on May 11, 2021.

Felipe Ramales / SplashNews.com

Last spring, Teresa opened up about her decision to sell the marital home she shared with Joe.

“It’s hard for me to sell the house,” she revealed on camera in a “RHONJ” confessional. “[My ex-husband] Joe and I built the house together; we raised our four daughters in that home.”

“I am ready for a new beginning,” she added. “I’m looking for a fresh start.”

The reality star has since moved in with her fiancé, Luis Ruelas, to a $3.35 million property they purchased in February.

Joshua Baris of Coldwell Banker Realty holds the listing.

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Charges pending after Maryland State Police trooper struck by vehicle during traffic stop - FOX 5 DC

Maryland State Police Trooper struck by vehicle during traffic stop

A Maryland State Police Trooper on a traffic stop was struck by a vehicle in Montgomery County early Wednesday morning.

ROCKVILLE, Md. - Charges are pending against a driver after a Maryland State Police trooper was struck alongside a busy highway Wednesday morning during a traffic stop in Montgomery County.

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The incident happened around 6:10 a.m. on southbound I-270 near the Route 28 exit.

Investigators say Trooper Brian DeHaven was outside of his patrol car shoulder between the jersey wall and the driver’s side of a vehicle he stopped when a passing SUV struck him and both vehicles.

The driver of the striking vehicle, identified by officials as 44-year-old Jose Ascencio, and the driver of the parked vehicle were both uninjured.

Trooper DeHaven was transported to Suburban Hospital with injuries.

Charges against Ascencio are pending at this time. Traffic in the area was delayed for several hours.

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Pending Home Sales Jump 7.5% in October 2021, National Association of Realtors® Reports - Sierra Sun Times

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Key Highlights

• Contract signings increased 7.5% in October from September, a reversal of last month's decline. 
• Compared to the prior month, contract signings increased in all regions.
• Compared to one year ago, contract signings were 1.4% lower. 

December 1, 2021 - WASHINGTON – Pending home sales increased in October, rebounding after a decline the month prior, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Contract activity rose month-over-month in each of the four major U.S. regions. On a year-over-year basis, however, transactions were split, as two regions reported drops and two others posted gains.

The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI),* www.nar.realtor/pending-home-sales, a forward-looking indicator of home sales based on contract signings, rose 7.5% to 125.2 in October. Year-over-year, signings fell 1.4%. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.

"Motivated by fast-rising rents and the anticipated increase in mortgage rates, consumers that are on strong financial footing are signing contracts to purchase a home sooner rather than later," said Lawrence Yun, NAR's chief economist. "This solid buying is a testament to demand still being relatively high, as it is occurring during a time when inventory is still markedly low.

"The notable gain in October assures that total existing-home sales in 2021 will exceed 6 million, which will shape up to be the best performance in 15 years."

While the market is expected to remain robust, Yun forecasts home prices will rise at a gentler pace over the course of the next several months and expects demand to be milder as mortgage rates increase.

Realtor.com®'s Hottest Housing Markets(link is external) data revealed that out of the largest 40 metros, the most improved metros over the past year, as of November 18, were Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla.; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas; and Nashville-Davidson, Tenn.

October Pending Home Sales Regional Breakdown

Compared to the previous month, contract signings rose at the strongest pace in the Midwest and South regions. Month-over-month, the Northeast PHSI increased 6.9% to 99.5 in October, a 10% drop from a year ago. In the Midwest, the index climbed 11.8% to 124.6 last month, up 5.1% from October 2020.

Pending home sales transactions in the South rose 8.0% to an index of 149.7 in October, up 0.6% from October 2020. The index in the West grew 2.1% in October to 107.5, down 6.2% from a year prior.

The National Association of Realtors® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

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*The Pending Home Sales Index is a leading indicator for the housing sector, based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing.

Pending contracts are good early indicators of upcoming sales closings. However, the amount of time between pending contracts and completed sales are not identical for all home sales. Variations in the length of the process from pending contract to closed sale can be caused by issues such as buyer difficulties with obtaining mortgage financing, home inspection problems, or appraisal issues.

The index is based on a sample that covers about 40% of multiple listing service data each month. In developing the model for the index, it was demonstrated that the level of monthly sales-contract activity parallels the level of closed existing-home sales in the following two months.

An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, which was the first year to be examined. By coincidence, the volume of existing-home sales in 2001 fell within the range of 5.0 to 5.5 million, which is considered normal for the current U.S. population.
Source: National Association of Realtors®

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