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What We Do in the Shadows delivers even more supernatural silliness as it expands its universe and celebrates its characters to great success.
Death comes for us all. It comes for the bees. It comes for the trees. It comes for basically anyone from zero on up
Horror and genre programming have recently been embraced to such levels that topics like vampires, zombies, or werewolves are nearly considered to be played out. Accordingly, its exciting to see properties that approach this material with genuine love and respect and are interested in pushing the concepts to new places rather than cashing in on something thats popular. During a time where the supernatural can unfortunately make people shrug, its inspiring to see a show that causes fits of laughter and gasps. What We Do in the Shadows is a lovely celebration of the horror genre and the last thing that it wants to do is blend in with the crowd. Death still casually gets thrown around as if its as natural as breathing in What We Do in the Shadows. Comedy and the macabre continue to sublimely mix together in this amazing television show that proves that something undead can still be so full of life.
These vampires egos are more inflated than ever before after their journey for power during season one. They still operate on a relatively small-scale, but theyre prepared to seize the world and make it beg for mercy. Its enjoyable to witness how the events of the first season have caused these characters to grow in certain ways, but in spite of any developments theyre all more or less the same characters at their cores.
The entire cast of this series is still fantastic and everyone seems to be even more comfortable in their characters this year. This season also creates more situations to have the entire cast together and those chaotic scenes where everyone gets to play off of each other are often the most satisfying. There are no weak links with this shows cast, but Guillermo and Colin may low-key be the best characters this season. They hit such fantastic grooves this year and theyre properly utilized to get the most out of their characters. Its also probably no mistake that theyre the two characters who arguably have the least amount of power in this series. Theyre consistent highlights through these episodes. Nadja also gains a fantastic companion in the form of a living doll that blossoms into a weird, wonderful relationship. Its a bond thats much more deep than it appears, but it also results in some gloriously surreal visuals.
Ever since Nadja and Laszlos exodus from the vampiric council there have been a slew of assassins who have been trying to take them out, all of which Guillermo disposes of with a certain effortlessness that speaks to his Van Helsing roots. This is highly amusing, but it also results in Guillermo needing to hide this side of himself to his vampire friends. Its a rich storyline for the season that continues to give as Guillermo buries his latent skills and the vampires handle everything else thats happening around them. Guillermos time in the spotlight this season allows for both his insecurities and his passion over his job to get tested. The direction that he gets pulled in and the new friends that he makes this season are strong additions. Its a nice change of pace to get some regular scenes where Guillermo is valued and exists outside of his usual vampire clique.
This season embraces the mystical and supernatural side of horror a little more, with necromancers and sances being major topics. In the same sense, this season widens its scope to include zombies, ghosts, and returns to werewolves, all in a satisfying way that provides quirky takes on all of these iconic horror tropes. This is not to say that What We Do in the Shadows has run out of ideas of what to do with vampires, but its a nice way in which this supernatural pocket of Staten Island gets to broaden itself.
What We Do in the Shadows becomes even more confident this season and now that its established things it plays around with some really clever ideas. Theres a fantastic story that hinges on the idea that if vampires are dead then they should also have ghosts. There are some excellent episodes that are born out of questions that dont get asked enough in the horror genre. This season really has fun challenging old archetypes in absurd ways. Theres a strong sense of continuity from this season that calls back to many episodes and elements from the first season. It actually expands on those ideas and they dont just feel like manipulative excuses to bring back characters. Its a reflection of how the structure of the shows storytelling becomes even more layered this season.
The stories from this season explore plenty of well-known vampire traditions, like glamour/hypnosis, but it pushes them to more daring and surprising places. The show comes up with plenty of brilliant, new ideas that stem from the evolution of old horror concepts. Theres a delightful spin-off of this series that focuses on the cops from the What We Do in the Shadows feature film, thats called Wellington Paranormal. For whatever reason, FX or Hulu hasnt snagged up the rights to air this show, but its had two seasons and has expertly handled a wide range of supernatural topics, a lot of the time in a manner thats even funnier than whats looked at in What We Do in the Shadows. This second season of What We Do in the Shadows feels like it finally rises to the occasion and provides just as challenging and humorous of a look at the macabre as its spin-off. The shows wider ranger only does it favors.
Its very entertaining to watch these vampires acclimate to modern customs, but its also interesting to see how these fantastical characters have certain supernatural hang-ups and how theyre skeptical to certain creatures or superstitions, in spite of how much theyve seen. The concept of skeptical vampires is so wonderfully anachronistic. As many supernatural topics are elegantly handled this season, theres also still plenty of enjoyment to be had over these vampires attempts to indoctrinate themselves into society through mundane events like Super Bowl parties, workplace promotions, or e-mail chain letter curses (which is easily one of the best episodes that the show has ever done). A lot of this season finds humor in forcing these characters out of their comfort zones, even if its in minuscule ways.
This season of the series approaches more adventurous territory and it fits in some very pleasant surprises, much like the shows first season. There are some very satisfying and unexpected guest stars who fit in very well in this exaggerated universe, as well as the appearance of many of the more popular characters from the first season, even when it seems like thats impossible. Its nice to see that What We Do in the Shadows puts just as much effort into its supporting characters and guest roles as it does its main cast.
What We Do in the Shadows continues to be one of the more consistent and hilarious comedies on television and the second season is even better than its strong debut year. In a genre thats flooded with lazy and unearned takes on vampires, its comforting that programs like What We Do in the Shadows work so hard to respect horrors roots and also take it to fun, new places. As much as this is a fantastic horror series, its also just a great family sitcom at the end of the day, too. These are characters that you just want to spend more time with, even if that means getting covered in blood in the process. Hopefully there will be many more years to spend time with this eccentric, bloodthirsty bunch.
The second season of What We Do in the Shadows premieres on FX on April 15th, and the following day on Hulu.
This review is based on the first four episodes of the shows ten-episode second season.
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[Review] Season Two of "What We Do in the Shadows" Bites into Even Bigger Laughs - Bloody Disgusting
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The latest on the coronavirus pandemic.
WASHINGTON The Strategic National Stockpile is nearly out of the N95 respirators, surgical masks, face, shields, gowns and other medical supplies desperately needed to protect front-line medical workers treating coronavirus patients.
The Department of Health and Human Services told the Associated Press on Wednesday that it was deploying all remaining personal protective equipment in the federal stockpile. A small percentage will be kept in reserve to support federal response efforts, the department said. The statement confirms federal documentsreleased Wednesday by the House Oversight and Reform Committee showing that about 90% of the personal protective equipment in the stockpile has been distributed to state and local governments.
House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, D-N.Y. said in astatementthat the Trump administration is leaving states to scour the open market for scarce supplies, often competing with each other and federal agencies in a chaotic bidding war that drives up prices.
Trump has faulted the states for not better preparing for the pandemic and has said they should be relying on the federal stockpile only as a last resort.
Read the full story about the shortage of medical supplies here.
South Korea sees smallest daily jump in new cases since Feb. 20
SEOUL, South Korea South Korea says it has reported 39 more cases of the coronavirus over the past 24 hours, in a continued slowdown of the virus outbreak in the Asian country.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement Thursday the additional cases increased the countrys total to 10,423. It says 6,973 of them have been recovered and released from quarantine. The center says fatalities from the coronavirus rose by four to 204.
But the 39 new cases are the smallest daily jump since Feb. 20. South Korea recorded 47 and 53 new cases on Tuesday and Wednesday.
There are still worries about a steady rise in infections linked to international arrivals, which has helped inflate the caseload in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area.
A total of 22 of the 39 new cases have been reported in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi province.
Coronavirus cluster among hospital staff on Maui
HONOLULU Hawaii officials said Wednesday they have identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Maui islands only hospital as it disclosed 15 employees of the facility have tested positive.
Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said the Maui Memorial Medical Center employees have been sent home to self-isolate. He said plans were being made to isolate the workers at a quarantine site away from their families.
Bruce Anderson, the director of the state Department of Health, said the first case at the hospital was identified in mid-March and many of the initial cases were related to travel. He said it was only Tuesday when the state epidemiologist saw the connections between subsequent cases and recognized the virus had likely been transmitted between workers and from patient to worker.
He said all those who have had close contact with the employees will be tested.
Nevada governor clamps down on public gatherings
CARSON CITY, Nev. Nevadas governor on Wednesday ordered a closure of golf courses, real estate open houses, religious gatherings of 10 people or more and additional restrictions to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Gov. Steve Sisolak said he was adding restrictions because some people have created an unnecessary risk by trying to circumvent the rules he has already put in place. Other restrictions were designed to cut down on the amount of time people spend next to others, he said.
The governor last month ordered a closure of non-essential businesses, including gambling and casinos, and issued a directive telling Nevadans to stay at home, though exceptions were granted for people going outside to exercise.
Sisolak said at a news conference Wednesday night he was ordering the closure of sports and recreational facilities where people congregate, such as golf courses, tennis courts, basketball courts and pools. He said that despite his decision last month to leave golf courses open, he had seen pictures that had been sent to him of people riding together in golf carts and standing together on the greens.
Outcry over racial data grows as virus slams black Americans
As the coronavirus tightens its grip across the country, it is cutting a particularly devastating swath through an already vulnerable population black Americans.
Democratic lawmakers and community leaders in cities hard-hit by the pandemic have been sounding the alarm over what they see as a disturbing trend of the virus killing African Americans at a higher rate, along with a lack of overall information about the race of victims as the nations death toll mounts.
Among the cities where black residents have been hard-hit: New York, Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago and Milwaukee.
Of the victims whose demographic data was publicly shared by officials nearly 3,300 of the nations 13,000 deaths thus far about 42% were black, according to an Associated Press analysis. African Americans account for roughly 21% of the total population in the areas covered by the analysis.
The APs analysis is one of the first attempts to examine the racial disparities of COVID-19 cases and deaths nationwide. It involved examining more than 4,450 deaths and 52,000 COVID-19 cases from across the country, relying on the handful of state and local governments that have released victims race.
A history of systemic racism and inequity in access to health care and economic opportunity has made many African Americans far more vulnerable to the virus. Black adults suffer from higher rates of obesity, diabetes and asthma, which make them more susceptible, and also are more likely to be uninsured. They also often report that medical professionals take their ailments less seriously when they seek treatment.
Second U.S. study for COVID-19 vaccine uses skin-deep shots
WASHINGTON U.S. researchers have opened another safety test of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine, this one using a skin-deep shot instead of the usual deeper jab.
The pinch should feel like a simple skin test, a researcher told the volunteer lying on an exam table in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday.
Its the most important trial that weve ever done, Dr. John Ervin of the Center for Pharmaceutical Research told The Associated Press afterward. People are beating down the door to get into this trial.
The experiment, using a vaccine candidate developed by Inovio Pharmaceuticals, is part of a global hunt for much-needed protection against a virus that has triggered an economic shutdown and forced people indoors as countries try to stem the spread.
A different vaccine candidate began safety testing in people last month in Seattle, one developed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health. About two-thirds of that studys participants have gotten the first of two needed doses.
Inovios study is set to test two doses of its vaccine, code-named INO-4800, in 40 healthy volunteers at the Kansas City research lab and the University of Pennsylvania. Inovio is working with Chinese researchers to also begin a similar study in that country soon.
These early-stage studies are a first step to see if a vaccine appears safe enough for larger tests needed to prove whether it will protect. Even if the research goes well, it is expected to take more than a year before any vaccine could be widely available.
Dozens of potential vaccines are being designed in labs around the world, expected to begin this testing process over the next several months.
Read more about the vaccine experiments here.
Stocks climb 3.4% on Wall Street as hopes build for virus peaks
NEW YORK Stocks shot 3.4 percent higher on Wall Street on Wednesday as investors chose to focus on the optimistic side of data about the coronavirus outbreaks trajectory.
Its the latest about-face in this brutally volatile stretch for the U.S. stock market, which has flip-flopped between gains and losses for six straight days.
The up moves have recently been bigger than the downward swings, though, amid signs that deaths and infections may be nearing a peak or plateau in some of the worlds hardest-hit areas. The S&P 500 has jumped nealry 23 percent since it hit a low two and a half weeks ago.
Trading remained unsettled around the world, though, with European and Asian stock markets mixed. A day before, an even bigger gain for the S&P 500 suddenly vanished in the afternoon.
Read more from Wall Street here.
Hundreds of young Americans have succumbed to coronavirus, data show
Two weeks after her husband died alone in an intensive care unit in Fort Myers, Fla., Nicole Buchanan is quarantined at the home they shared with their 12-year-old daughter, wrestling not only with grief but with why and how the coronavirus could steal someone so young and healthy.
My husband didnt have diabetes, he didnt have asthma, he didnt have high cholesterol. He didnt have anything, Buchanan said. Theres just so much Ill never know, that Ill never get the answers to.
Conrad Buchanan, who died at 39 on March 26 after battling the infection for nearly two weeks, was creative and goofy. A professional DJ, he could entertain huge crowds with his music. But at home, he was fond of singing Bob Marleys Three Little Birds to his 12-year-old daughter, Skye.
He had an amazing sense of humor. He had a big laugh. He was so magnetic, his 37-year-old widow said. He was our universe.
He also was among at least 759 people under age 50 across the United States who have perished amid the deepening pandemic, according to a Washington Post analysis of state data. These deaths underscore the tragic fact that, while the novel coronavirus might be most threatening to the old and compromised, no one is immune.
For the very young people under the age of 20 death is extremely rare in the current pandemic. But it happens: The Post identified nine such cases.
The risk appears to rise with every decade of age. The Post found at least 45 deaths among people in their 20s. (Its hard to give a precise number because of the divergent ways that states present age groups: For instance, this figure does not include 15 deaths under the age of 30 in Louisiana and New Jersey.)
As ages progress, The Post found at least 190 deaths among people in their 30s, and at least 413 among people in their 40s.
Read the full story on the toll of the coronavirus among young people here.
Sales of Dr. Anthony Fauci bobbleheads raise $100,000 to buy masks
Bobblehead Hall of Fame CEO Phil Sklar will present a virtual $100,000 check Wednesday afternoon to the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy after the Milwaukee-based museum launched a fundraising campaign with a Dr. Anthony Fauci bobblehead that became its best-seller ever.
More than 20,000 orders had come in as of Wednesday from 50 states and a dozen-plus countries to support the 100 Million Mask Challenge. The Fauci bobblehead was unveiled April 1.
The creation features Fauci wearing a suit as he makes a motion showing how the nation needs to flatten the curve in the coronavirus pandemic.
The museum picked Fauci because many people see the plain-speaking expert on the coronavirus as a hero right now, Sklar said.
Video courtesy of National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum via Associated Press
Condition of British prime minister, in ICU with coronavirus, is improving
LONDON British Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care with the coronavrus but is improving, a senior official said Wednesday, as the U.K. saw its biggest spike in deaths from the virus to date.
Treasury chief Rishi Sunak said Johnson has been sitting up in bed and engaging positively with the clinical team at St. Thomas Hospital in London, three days after he was admitted.
A shaken U.K. government sought to keep a grip on its response to the outbreak with its leader hospitalized and the number of COVID-19-related deaths approaching the peaks seen in Italy and Spain, the two countries with the greatest number of fatalities.
Britains confirmed death toll reached 7,097 on Wednesday, an increase of 938 from 24 hours earlier. Italy recorded 969 deaths on March 27 and Spain 950 deaths on April 2.
Not all the deaths reported each day occurred in the preceding 24 hours, and the British total only includes deaths in hospitals.
Johnson was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 26 and still had a cough and fever 10 days later. He was admitted to St. Thomas Hospital in London on Sunday and moved to the ICU on Monday after his condition deteriorated. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is standing in for Johnson while he is hospitalized.
Johnson spokesman James Slack said earlier Wednesday that the prime minister continues to receive standard oxygen treatment and is breathing without any other assistance.
Read the full story about Boris Johnson here.
Pentagon says military coronavirus cases near 2,000
WASHINGTON The Pentagon says the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the military has surged to nearly 2,000.
Last weekend the number topped 1,000, and one week ago it stood at 771.
Among the services, the active duty Navy has the most cases, with more than 500. The Army has 470.
Switzerland hopes to lift restrictions soon
GENEVA Switzerland plans to lift some restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus crisis by the end of the month.
Switzerland, like other European countries, has closed nonessential shops and schools and banned events. President Simonetta Sommaruga says the existing restrictions will remain in place until April 26.
But she says officials are planning a gradual reopening, and the government will consider a strategy on April 16.
Sommaruga didnt specify what measures might be relaxed first.
Switzerland has recorded more than 22,000 infections, including 858 deaths, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
Puerto Rico asks to ban flights from certain U.S. cities
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Puerto Ricos governor is asking federal officials to ban all flights from U.S. cities with a high number of coronavirus cases to help prevent the spread in the U.S. territory.
The petition by Gov. Wanda Vzquez to the Federal Aviation Administration comes as officials accuse some visitors of taking medicine to lower their fevers to avoid being placed in quarantine. National Guard members screen people at the islands main international airport.
The National Guard has said at least two passengers from New York who lowered their fever with medication are now hospitalized in the island with COVID-19.
London bus and underground workers demand more protection
LONDON Transit unions and grieving relatives are demanding more protection for bus and subway workers after 14 London transport staff died from the new coronavirus.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says eight were bus drivers.
Londons subways and buses have continued to run a reduced service to transport key workers since the U.K. went into lockdown March 23. Subway travel is down 95% and bus travel down 82% from the same period last year.
Khan says steps are being taken to protect transit staff. He says they include cleaning buses with antiviral disinfectant, blocking off seats nearest the driver and and using protective screens between driver and passengers.
WTO estimates drop in global trade
The World Trade Organization estimates global trade will fall between 13% and 32% this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Geneva-based body, which oversees the rules of trade, says in a report the drop would be worse than during the global financial crisis of 2008-2009.
The wide range in its forecast is due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, as it remains uncertain when business will return toward more normal levels. Governments around the world have locked down on business and travel to contain the outbreak, disrupting supply chains.
WTO Director-General Roberto Azevdo says, The unavoidable declines in trade and output will have painful consequences for households and businesses, on top of the human suffering caused by the disease itself.
These numbers are ugly there is no getting around that. But a rapid, vigorous rebound is possible.
Democrats seek additions to $250 billion emergency virus aid
Congressional Democratic leaders proposed Wednesday adding hundreds of billions of dollars for health care, state and local governments, and food stamps to $250 billion in fresh emergency aid President Donald Trump wants to help small businesses weather the coronavirus epidemic.
Trump requested an additional $250 billion for a just-launched small businesses payroll program and is looking to secure congressional passage this week. For that he will need Democratic support.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer outlined their own priorities in a Wednesday statement.
They say they will approve the $250 billion in assistance to small businesses, but want $125 billion of that channeled through community-based financial institutions that serve farmers, families, women, minorities and veterans.
Read more here:
The Latest: Federal stocks of protective equipment nearly depleted - Press Herald
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After a difficult start in Neal Browns first year atop the West Virginia football program, the Mountaineers closed strong down the stretch winning two of the last three games, both of which were on the road. What are the expectations for West Virginia in 2020 and who are the key players returning?
WVSports.com managing editor Keenan Cummings takes a look.
3 prominent storylines
1 Can the offensive line take that next step? The West Virginia offensively line was bad in 2019, like historically bad as the Mountaineers only mustered 879 yards as a team, good for 2.6 yards per carry. The final total was the worst of the modern era and for the season there were only 25 carries of 10+ yards over the course of the 12-game schedule by the running backs combined. It left the coaching staff scratching their head and trying several different run schemes in order to generate any spark in that department, but it simply never came together. That meant the offense was often starting behind the sticks and struggled to win battles in the trenches that must be won to win football games.
Now, some of this can be attributed to the interior of the offensive line which was littered with young players or newcomers and struggled with some of the talented fronts across the Big 12 landscape but now gone are the top two tackles from last year raising more questions. Because for as many as the run game was, the pass protection certainly did its job. The rest of the line returns a year older and stronger, but the question remains if by simplifying the run game can the Mountaineers make that leap in 2020 on the ground that was never there in 2019?
2Who plays quarterback? The Mountaineers used two different signal callers in 2019 in Oklahoma graduate transfer Austin Kendall or Bowling Green transfer Jarret Doege. The former played the first 9 games, while Doege was the signal caller for the final three games including road wins over Kansas State and TCU to close the year. That has sparked a natural debate over which one gets the call in 2020?
On the surface it seems the success of Doege would be enough to tab him with the job but a nagging finger injury seemed to affect Kendalls play after the Missouri game and Brown has yet to declare which of the quarterbacks will have the job. The success from Doege is enough to sway many of the fanbases minds that perhaps he should be the pick but when you break down their actual numbers, they are very similar although obviously different sample sizes. A decision was likely expected this spring but given the state of college football on hold this is one that could now rage well into the fall.
3Can the Mountaineers make a second-year leap? West Virginia closed 2019 strong to finish with a 5-7 record just outside the reach of a bowl game in year one under Neal Brown. Can they take that next step in the second season in order to perhaps get there or beyond? This is a roster that despite being young has plenty of returning talent as well as some incoming players that could help fill some of the obvious holes. Last years schedule also helped to iron out some of the young mistakes for players that were likely thrown into the fire before they were ready given scholarship numbers.
West Virginia is one of those teams that could easily make a jump up the standings in 2020 but will this team have enough to do so? Thats going to be something we pay close attention to.
3 biggest departures
1OT Colton McKivitz. Given the noted struggles of the offensive line it speaks volumes that the one-time basketball player was selected as the co-Big 12 offensive lineman of the year and a first-team selection on the conference team. The Ohio native made 42 career starts during his career and 49 overall appearances making him the most experienced piece up front for the program across the offensive linemen. It goes without saying that filling McKivitz shoes will not be easy as his departures leaves a massive hole on the roster at one of the most important positions on the field.
McKivitz has participated in both the Senior Bowl and the Combine and is set to be taken in the NFL Draft, but the Mountaineers now must find a way to replace the former basketball player. There are some possible options on the roster and the program is kicking the tires on some graduate transfer options, but it remains clear that filling his spot will be one of the biggest concerns.
2CB Keith Washington. You can make an equal argument for the other departing senior corner in Hakeem Bailey, but Washington gets the nod. The former junior college prospect developed into an impressive shut down cornerback option allowing only 16 of the 36 passes thrown at him to be completed (44.4-percent) while recording 9 pass breakups and 3 interceptions. The Mountaineers cornerback position was a strength with a lot of youth around the rest of the football team a season ago which really helped the defense find its footing. There are some talented options on the roster to potentially replace Washington or Bailey, but each of them are young with limited experience. That means that the loss of the cornerbacks is one that will likely be felt at least early in the year.
3P Josh Growden. It seems almost silly to list a punter here from a 5-7 football team as one of the top three losses from the roster, but if you look back at the story of the 2019 Mountaineers football team it really is not. Yes, cornerback Hakeem Bailey or wide receiver George Campbell could get the nod but Growden helped to stabilize a spot that was a mess throughout spring and fall camp. The Australian born punter who came to Morgantown for one season from LSU did his job at the position averaging 42-yards per punt and routinely flipping the field to set up the defense.
Given the struggles that the offense had last season, it was critical to have a punter that could not only boot the ball with seven kicks over 50-yards but had impressive placement with 18 of those kicks downed inside the 20. Growden even threw a pass that was completed against Oklahoma. In the end, Growden is the selection because out of the other potential candidates there are at least an idea of who is going to replace them but the same issue is back for 2020 here.
3 key returners
1NG Darius Stills. The only other first-team all-Big 12 selection on the roster, Stills took his game to the next level in the first year under new defensive coordinator Vic Koennings scheme. From his spot in the middle on the defensive line, Stills recorded 47 tackles, 7 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss as he was one of the most disruptive linemen in a league full of them. The more lightly recruited of the two Stills brothers, Darius will now look to take his game even further in his final year after bypassing an opportunity at the NFL Draft in order to come back and close things strong.
The challenge now for Stills will be to become more consistent so he is dominating on a week-to-week basis as opposed to peaks and valleys that he saw at times last year. The West Virginia defensive line has a chance to be very good in 2020 and Stills will be a big part of that formula.
2LB Josh Chandler. At a position that has issues, Chandler is one constant. The redshirt junior has only managed to play in a handful of snaps over his two-year career but got his biggest chance last season 74 tackles over 10 games. He did miss time with injury, but his athleticism was a welcomed upgrade to a position room that needed an influx of that. Now, in his third season on the field Chandler should be ready to take that next leap and make the most of his opportunities at either MIKE or WILL.
3WR Sam James. The redshirt sophomore hit a wall during his freshman year but flashed glimpses of how impressive he could be as a lead pass catcher. James led the Mountaineers in receptions (69), receiving yards (677) and target share, but only managed to score a pair of touchdowns. A speedster that can be used at levels across the field, James seems primed to take a massive step in year two on the field as he has already proven his ability to take over contests at various stages throughout 2019.
The West Virginia wide receiver room is one of the bigger positions of strength on the roster and James ability to slide around to various spots, create room after the catch and stretch the field make him an intriguing pick here as one of the key returners this fall.
3 biggest additions
1The bandit linebackers. This is sort of a cheating answer, but no position struggled more (outside of the offensive line get the drift) than finding bodies that could adequately play the bandit spot. The program cycled through multiple options, but injuries, inconsistencies and just outright bad fits played a role in the defense struggling to get much from that spot. Now in addition to returning redshirt junior Vandarius Cowan, who is now healthy, the Mountaineers added three players to play that spot in Lanell Carr, Taurus Simmons and Eddie Watkins. All three were specifically recruited for the position and are excellent pass rushers that can drop back into coverage. The fact that these body types fit here is already a massive upgrade from the square-peg and round hole approach from last season.
2DB Jackie Matthews. West Virginia needs help in the secondary given the loss of two starters at cornerback and Matthews has the versatility to slide around to fill multiple spots. After recording seven interceptions a year ago at the junior college level, Matthews is going to make a play to see the field in some capacity and is physical enough that he can bounce down into the box to play safety if need be. But perhaps the biggest reason for this selection is that he has already enrolled which will help the adjustment curve that typically comes with the jump up a level.
3A graduate transfer offensive lineman. It might seem weird Im leaving the third option here open for now, but that is because recruiting is far from done for the Mountaineers. West Virginia needs help on the offensive line, preferably at tackle where both starters from a season ago are now gone. There have already been offers made here but until the position is filled with an actual name, Ill list the spot.
Expectations for 2020
This is the question for 2020 because this could clearly be a step forward for the program under Brown as he continues to plant his roots in Morgantown. Even at this stage of the spring there are still questions that must be answered with this team but there is a good chance that with the right development and a little bit of luck the program is back to its bowling ways this coming year with the possibility to set the table in 2021 as a potential Big 12 title contending year given the youth.
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Around the Big 12: West Virginia Mountaineers - Rivals.com
Hearthstones newest expansion, Ashes of Outland, has been out for a couple of days now and the Wild format has been rumbling. There have been some changes to the meta due to a new class entering the ring alongside a few new cards aiming to break into the established lists in Wild.
While Standard aims to bring massive changes with many cards taking the spots of ones rotating into this format, newer cards have to work especially hard to even be considered in classes that are already optimized. The 10 lists here try to find at least one new card in most of these classes.
AAEBAea5AwSRvAKvBPoOnvgCDffIA7rGA+a7A9QFo7sDh7oD2LsDpu8C+cgDqAW+0gP+yAPXyAMA
Compared to every other class, which has 17 previous sets of cards behind them, Demon Hunter has a lot of ground to cover to even be a considerable threat in the Wild format. While Demon Hunter has no benefit from using Genn Greymane, the class does get a considerable benefit from Baku the Mooneater, doubling the strength of the Hero Power from one attack gained to two.
Since Demon Hunters card pool is limited compared to every other class, this list seeks to take the best cards from the odd half of Demon Hunters collection and end the opponent with aggressive tactics.
The day two nerfs do hurt Odd Demon Hunters strong start in the meta. Skull of Guldan and Imprisoned Antaens mana cost increase no longer make them valid options in Baku decks and Aldrachi Warblades lost one durability. But the deck should still be potent and have powerful options. You can still tool the deck to the meta.
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This Druid deck aims to use the new Kaelthas Sunstrider to unleash powerful combo turns that the opponent cant hope to recover from. Whenever youre on the verge of dying, always look at how you can chain your cheap spells together when you have Kaelthas in your hand. Every third card cast each turn can be powerful with all of Druids old spells.
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This is a featured deck of Wild Hunter extraordinaire DuwinHS. This list seeks to use all of Hunters powerful Deathrattle synergies alongside the new MokNathal Lion and Teron Gorefiend. Teron Gorefiend is a powerful enabler of previous egg strategies by giving you a strong board and letting you refuel all in the same card.
In addition, MokNathal Lion helps double the value of your fast cards by giving you access to your powerful Deathrattles while providing a strong body with Rush that can contest your opponents board.
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Reno Quest Mage is arguably one of the best decks in the format already. Every competitive deck in the format is built with how to beat this in mind. While the new Evocation fits better with a non-Reno version of Quest Mage, a low-to-the-ground secret shell featuring the new Apexis Smuggler is an avenue to consider if youre aiming to add a new card from the expansion to contest aggressive wild strategies a bit better.
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Mech Paladin is an archetype thats been proven to be one of Paladins strongest Wild strategies alongside Odd Paladin. This list uses no new cards from the expansion since there werent any mech cards or impactful enough buff cards that could compete with the power of Magnetic Minions.
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With Raza the Chained being recently unnerfed, the powerful old Raza and Shadowreaper Anduin combo has returned to wreak havoc on the Wild meta. While the powerful highlander deck has every card competing for a spot in this top-tier deck, the new Renew has a chance to shine since its a cheap spell for Voidform resetting and it replaces itself with a potentially good card depending on your situation.
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While Odd Rogue is one of the stronger Wild Rogue strategies, this list attempts to use a tempo-oriented build by using the new Rogue secrets alongside the old Wild secret-synergy cards.
Blackjack Stunner provides a plethora of tempo and the Pirate Package assists in providing you with a quick and strong board for not much effort at all. Stowaway is a quick board filled with 4/4s in a bottle, provided you already played a Faldorei Strider earlier in the game.
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Even Shaman has been one of the top-performing Shaman decks since Genn Greymanes release in Witchwoodfrom Overload, Spell Damage, and even Big Even strategies. This focuses on the Totemic strategy, using all of the powerful totem synergies and constantly flooding your board with totems to buff and multiply them with Splitting Axe.
This deck doesnt feature any new cards, so if youre diving into Wild on a budget with all your old cards, consider running this list.
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Warlock is one of the most powerful classes in Wild since it has a bunch of tools that enable a vast amount of strategies, from Mechathun to destroy slower decks, Darkest Hour to high roll an opponent, or even Zoo to claim the board early and run over opposing forces. This deck looks to tap into the classic powerful Cubelock lists of old that could respond to all types of decks and strategies.
The new Kanrethad Ebonlocke gives you the chance to play your Voidcallers ahead of curve and provides a similar blowout to Bloodreaver Guldan on a smaller scale with his Prime Form. Use your powerful AoE cards to answer aggro and raise your demonic army from the dead constantly to decimate any slower deck.
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Similar to its standard counterpart, Warriors strongest strategy outside of Odd Warrior is an aggressive Pirate Warrior list. This list comes from Wild streamer Slizzle466 and doesnt feature any new cards, like the Even Shaman deck listed earlier.
This deck uses early pirates to swarm the board and deal as much face damage as possible. Wrenchcalibur aims to shut down Reno strategies while Leeroy tries to close out games when you need that final reach. Dont forget, if you have bombs in your opponents deck, dont concede if theyre close to losing. There have been many times where I have fought against Pirate Warriors where they had me dead to rights if I drew a bomb or two, but they conceded before they ended their turn, not playing to their outs.
While this list aims to provide each class with one viable deck to work with, some classes will be more practical than others.
This article will be updated as the Ashes of Outland meta develops and more powerful decks become apparent.
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday that it would be closing all public fishing platforms and observation decks at the locks and dams on the Mississippi River within the St. Paul District to protect against the further spread of COVID-19.
The St. Paul District operates 13 locks and dams beginning at Upper St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis and ending at Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg, Iowa. This includes Lock and Dam 1, also called the Ford Dam located downstream of Ford Parkway Bridge in St. Pauls Highland Park, and Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings.
The observation decks are a popular place for people to watch boats pass through the lock and dam process.
Over the past week, weve observed that even after being told over and over, people are not maintaining social distancing, said George Stringham, spokesman for the St. Paul District. Were seeing a lot of this in the fishing communities as well.
People can still fish and watch the boats from shore, but for now, cannot congregate on the platforms. The District previously closed visitor centers, campgrounds and field offices to the public amid the same concerns.
The safety and health of our visitors and employees is our top priority, Stringham said.
The Corps operates the locks and dams on the Mississippi River for navigation, not flood control. The locks and dams create slack-water pools for navigation during periods of low- and moderate-level water.
For up-to-date information on modifications, closures or other restrictions related to St. Paul District areas visit http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil.
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As COVID-19 spread to Ohio and cases began to pile up, Marti Bauschka, chief nursing officer at Southwest General, began to see the outreach on social media. Then came the calls and voicemails all from retired nurses in the region and state asking how they could help during the pandemic.
The hospital's chief medical officer was fielding similar calls and began looking at how to re-credential retired physicians who were calling to say, "I can come in, I can help."
MetroHealth, University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic all have checked in with recently retired staff to determine their availability and licensing in case they are needed.
This is just one piece of the all-hands-on-deck strategies hospitals are implementing to ensure sufficient staffing ahead of the anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients.
Though Ohio's measures have begun flattening the curve so that some of the latest projected surge numbers are looking less drastic, Northeast Ohio hospitals are taking every precaution to ensure they have the providers needed to care for patients.
Some clinical staff who work in nonessential surgeries and procedures, which have been put on hold for the time being, are being trained and reassigned. Others are furloughed or working fewer hours, standing at the ready and staying healthy as workforce needs evolve, which is especially important given health care providers' heightened risk of contracting COVID-19.
Another way to possibly expand the workforce if needed is activating the Medical Reserve Corps, a group of volunteer licensed providers available for support during emergency preparedness initiatives, said Lisa Anderson, senior vice president at the Center for Health Affairs, the nonprofit advocate for Northeast Ohio hospitals.
Ohio worked with its licensing boards to survey current and retired licensees to identify unaffiliated personnel (those not already being counted by hospitals) who have clinical or behavioral health skills and may be able to help respond to the potential surge. As of last Thursday, April 9, about 53,000 individuals had responded, more than 22,000 of whom had said they were available and willing to respond.
University Hospitals sent out its own internal skills survey of employees with various licenses, which helped the system set up training and redeployment regimens, said Tom Snowberger, UH's chief human resources officer. The response of people willing to step into whatever role is necessary during the pandemic has been "overwhelming," he said.
UH has communicated to staff its commitment to not let any staff go to an unpaid status, which Snowberger said he considers another way to protect its workforce and ensure patient continuity. Still, some are seeing decreased hours as patient census dips in the short term. Employees can use PTO and potentially borrow future PTO, but if that's exhausted, Snowberger said the system will still work to avoid an unpaid status.
"We're trying to accommodate for the uniqueness of the situation," he said.
Similarly, Cleveland Clinic is maintaining pay and benefits for caregivers whose roles have been temporarily suspended since they will be reassigned. This includes while they wait for reassignment. The system is supporting its caregivers with training and resources so they can respond to changes in assignments, including moving to another department, work site, shift or remote location.
For staff members who don't have the necessary license or credentials to join direct patient care, UH is finding other ways for them to supplement the work environment. For instance, 15 to 20 employees have been in one of the system's cafeterias making masks to distribute to other employees and creating kits for community volunteers who are sewing and donating masks. Others are stationed at entry points to help screen incoming patients.
Some of MetroHealth's medical practice assistants (who typically check blood pressure, weight and temperature at appointments) have been reassigned to help screen people entering buildings in the system. Others are responsible for contacting patients about telehealth visits or are participating in the system's Compassionate Care Rounders program, in which they help patients connect to family members by video chat or read them emails and letters.
At Southwest General, volunteers, many of whom are older, are opting to stay home to protect themselves. Staff members with available time are taking over some of those duties, such as driving the golf carts that help people get to different locations around the hospital.
"We've done our best to keep our staff as whole as we can and to kind of spread that wealth a little bit, so that we're not assigning one person all the time," Bauschka said. "Our HR department is doing a great job of making sure that people get opportunities to pick up time."
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Wizards of the Coast has been forced to deliver yet more bad news for Magic: The Gathering players today.
The CCGs latest expansion, Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, is due to launch digitally on time next week for MTG Arena and Magic Online, with a paper release due to follow next month, May 15th. The staggered rollout is due to manufacturing delays caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which, the company confirms, wont just affect the core Standard set. Five new pre-made decks for the popular Commander format are still on course to release on the same date, though Wizards has warned in a subsequent update that fans may have trouble locating one.
Addressing concerns in the latest episode of Weekly MTG Podcast, Steve Sunu relayed that at the global launch for Commander 2020 there will be less of it than originally planned, adding the effects of COVID-19 have affected our printers and its affected the quantity we originally wanted to print for c20. There is going to be less of it at launch then we intended.
With that said, Sunu assures viewers that it will get the product out there, but customers should prepare to wait a little longer depending on location. Pre-orders will be the most reliable method of ensuring you get hold of each as soon as theyre available. A total of 322 cards are included in C20 with each of the five pre-constructed decks containing an even 100 and they are as follows:
As for Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths, you can check out all the latest developments, including yesterdays reveal of a new Planeswalker and how to get your hands on some neat Godzilla-inspired Card Styles in Magic: The Gathering Arenaby hitting the respective links.
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While the planet experiences massive amounts of cabin fever, many Below Deck yachties view isolation as another day at the office.
A few yachties have discussed on social media that being locked down is pretty similar to a charter season. Essentially, you are out to sea on a yacht with a small group of people. Yacht chefs need to order provisions for what could be up to a month at sea. Plus the crew is required to maintain the yacht and keep it germ-free throughout the charter. Sound familiar?
A few Below Deck crew members have shared their thoughts on quarantine and reflect on how they compare lock-down to being on charter.
Below Deck chief stew Adrienne Gang tweeted, Most of you have never been stuck on a boat for 28 days and longer and it shows. Chef Adam Glick from Below Deck Sailing Yacht shared a photo cooking on the beach. Fluent in isolation tactics, he wrote. Someone replied, Ive been doing this social distancing thing for years. Glick responded, Thats what I was going to caption it with . He also revealed that his photos are taken by either a tripod or a drone too.
Yacht crew members know how to do this. Paget Berry and Ciara Duggan from Below Deck Sailing Yacht were working on a yacht in Italy when the pandemic struck. The couple seemed relatively unphased by lockdown and continued to work. Now that we are in the thick of the quarantine how is everyone coping? I know that people who work on yachts are in a pretty fortunate situation, working on a boat is a little like quarantine anyways! You get used to it! Berrycommented on Instagram.
Duggan shared her own thoughts on Instagram too. Day 18: Were still in Italy, self-isolating as best as we can. No more supermarket runs now that we found a provisioning company to deliver once a week to us. Military presence is strong, no more leaving the zone youre in or going outside unless its for an emergency really. But honestly it feels like time is flying because were still working and able to socialise within our crew. Thankfully we work with some awesome people and we have plenty of gin so that helps. . She is also taking an online class.
Three Below Deck yacht chefs dished with Food and Wine about how cooking on a yacht is pretty similar to being on lockdown. I keep telling people Ive been doing this for years, chefAdam Glick fromBelow Deck Sailing Yachtsaid. This is just like another day in the galley, like Im quarantined on a boat with a lack of new food and supplies.
Some insider tips include purchasing robust produce like root vegetables and use proper storage techniques to make produce last longer. Also, eat fresh food before you dig into your frozen supply. And if having to disinfect groceries is annoying, keep in mind yacht chefs do this on a regular basis. Boxes have to stay on the dock because cockroaches can lay eggs in cardboard and the last thing you need is a bug epidemic aboard your yacht,chef Ben Robinson from Below Deck Mediterranean said.
Glick added you should use the smell test instead of tossing food according to best used by date. The biggest thing I can impart on someone, you need to smell it, he said. 99% of germs stink. When it comes time and its gone bad, it will smell bad.
Chef Matt Burns from Below Deck says being on lockdown it pretty similar to being on charter. I am paying attention to everything, he said. Its been two-and-a-half weeks since we did any type of shopping. This is definitely like a charter.
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'Below Deck' Yachties Take Isolation in Stride - Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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Madison Stalker and Jenna MacGillivray started the season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht on good terms. Madisons professional ability was evident, and Jenna trusted her second stews performance. At some point, maybe due to exhaustion and her unrequited crush on Parker McCown, Madison started to express frustration and negativity towards her work and her boss.
Of course, Jenna didnt help things by constantly complaining about Madison to her moody counterpart, Adam Glick. Maybe it was footage slicing, but Jenna seemed to make a beeline for the galley to complain the moment anything happened with Madison or Parker. The mid-season trailer indicates that the tensions will continue to escalate, maybe even to the point where someone is fired. Will Jenna and Madison be able to work things out?
Jenna spoke to Heavyabout her relationship with Madison. Madisons constant negativity frustrated Jenna. She explained, I really do feel like I tried with Madison and maybe it doesnt seem that way, but I was really frustrated with the fact that you can see in all of our interactions that anything I was telling her to do about the job she rolled her eyes, she mocks the relationship with Adam and me. Shes really the only crew member that acts that way.
I know that Madison is a good worker and she could be good at her job, but there was so much negativity about her being there that it wasnt pleasant to work with her, Jenna continued, Im not the only one who felt that way.
Adam, by proxy of Jenna, also did not want to deal with Madison. Georgia Groblerwas not digging the vibes either during the crew day off. Maybe there will be other crew members irked by Madison as the season progresses.
Jenna also questioned the editing and says viewers didnt get the full picture of her interactions with Madison. She explained, watching scenes with Madison is very hard for me to watch because theyre not necessarily showing the full amount of what happened. She cried almost every day about various things. It was very dramatic and I found it very tiring.
It was Jennas relationship with Adam that seemed to drive a wedge between her and Madison. Madison felt uncomfortable in the galley with the constant sexual innuendos. However, maybe she was just frustrated about Parkerslack of interest in her.
Either way, Jenna picked up on Madisons disdain. She said, as you can see from the episodes, shes constantly ripping on the relationship between me and Adam. Shes telling me I got rejected and really nasty things. That wasnt lost on me. Would you want to work with someone who had these nasty feelings about you? She was going to everyone in the crew who would listen.
Jenna claimed that the other crew members were not bothered about her relationship with Adam. Though it was mentioned that if they split up, it could affect the work onboard. She said, but no one was ripping on me like she does. I never say to her, isnt it clear youve been rejected by Parker? I never said those things because its rude.
Jennasaid that some of her efforts to encourage Madison went unnoticed and were not included in the final footage.
What you see on the show, imagine that times 50 and thats what I dealt with every day with her and her attitude. She really didnt seem to want to be there, Jenna explained.
Jenna added, one thing they didnt show is when we had a conversation where she said she felt like I didnt value her, I wrote her a long letter of appreciation.
Its interesting that Georgia is getting along with Jenna and progressing in her abilities. Maybe a positive attitude can make all the difference.
TELL US- DO YOU THINK MADISON IS NEGATIVE? WAS THE REST OF THE CREW OK WITH JENNA AND ADAMS RELATIONSHIP? DID JENNA DO ENOUGH TO ENCOURAGE MADISON?
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Below Deck Sailing Yacht Star Jenna MacGillivray Says Madison Stalker Cried Almost Everyday About Various Things; Claims Crew Was Bothered By Madisons...
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An electrician who was called to a Deep Creek Lake area home this winter crawled under the structures deck to check the lines.
He came right back out and told the homeowners he would be back in the summer. When he got under there, he came face to face with a sow bear, said Harry Spiker, black bear project leader for the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service.
Each March, Spiker and his crews go to dens where they tranquilize radio-collared sows that have holed up to hibernate and give birth to cubs.
Thats what made this particular bear so different.
She wasnt collared, Spiker said.
Once the homeowners realized they had sub-deck company, WHS was contacted and Spiker put the bear on the den-check list. Still, there were a couple more surprises to come.
This bear had given birth to five cubs, four males and one female, Spiker said. That is only the second sow with five cubs we have encountered in all these years.
The final surprise, according to Spiker, was that he actually knew this bear. The sow was scanned and, sure enough, a microchip had been placed beneath her skin on the back of her neck.
Spikers gang had trapped and chipped this bear in 2015 because she had become a nuisance hanging around the Lakeside Creamery. Since then, she hadnt written, she hadnt called and now, here she was, 9 years old and the mother of five cubs. And, now she is collared so her telemetry signal can be detected.
When denned bears and cubs are discovered in proximity to humans, WHS moves them to a more appropriate wild location and places them in a den-like setting.
In this case, though, what Spiker described as a dog-house sort of structure was used.
It simulates a den with doors on two sides so the bears can go back and forth. Its about four feet square and three feet high. We put it in an appropriate place and take the bears to it. We always go back and check on them later and this group did fine.
Somewhat hampered by restrictions put in place because of the existence of the COVID 19 virus, WHS still managed to check all six bear dens on the list, one each in Frederick and Washington counties and four in Garrett County.
We cut our usual crews of six down to three so we could observe personal distancing, Spiker said. Also, I have always traveled to every bear den visit, but I stayed in Garrett County this year and the staffs stationed in Frederick and Washington took care of those trips.
The fact that only six dens were on the list this year instead of the usual 10 happened at the right time, considering the unusual circumstances, Spiker noted.
Before den season arrived, three radio-collared bears had been killed. One was taken by a Maryland hunter and another killed by a hunter in Pennsylvania where it had wandered. The third was an Allegany County bear on the Green Ridge State Forest that died from mange.
More than one sow preferred denning beneath a Garrett County deck this winter.
In the area of Wisp Resort, a sow slept and bore cubs beneath the porch of a home owned by someone from Pittsburgh.
They had been there a few times during the winter, but had no idea they had a collared bear until we told them, Spiker said. We always ask permission to remove a bear in that setting and nobody has ever said no.
That sow gave birth to three female cubs.
The other Garrett County sows were one in an excavated den west of Wisp Resort and one on the Potomac State Forest near Bethlehem Road under a rock covering.
The Washington County bear was on South Mountain and the Frederick County sow was not far off the boundary of the Frederick City Watershed.
In all, 20 cubs were born, split evenly between the two genders.
NATIVE QUEEN - A CELEBRATION OF THE HUNTING AND FISHING LIFE by Mike Sawyers
The average was 3.3 cubs per sow. Thats on the high end of the range we usually see, Spiker said.
Mike Sawyers retired as Cumberland Times-News outdoor editor in 2018. His column now appears every other Sunday. To order his book, Native Queen, a celebration of the hunting and fishing life, send him a check for $15 to 16415 Lakewood Drive, Rawlings, MD 21557.
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THE SAWYERSPECTIVE: Five bear cubs born beneath Garrett home's deck - Cumberland Times-News
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