“This programme represents an important step forward for the Winter YOG,” said Karl Stoss, IOC Member and Chair of the Olympic Programme Commission. “It reflects a clear commitment to sustainability, innovation and youth-focused sports formats. Most importantly, it ensures that Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 will offer young athletes a world-class experience aligned with their development needs and the facilities of the host region.”

The EB’s decision finalises the event programme and athlete quota, following a comprehensive review conducted in close collaboration with the relevant International Federations (IFs). The programme aims to deliver a high-quality, elite-level youth competition that reflects athlete development pathways and youth-specific formats. It also seeks to reduce the scale and operational complexity of the event to better suit its youth-focused nature and the local context, all with a continued commitment to full gender equality.

The approval of the event programme represents a significant step forward in the preparations for Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 and underlines the IOC’s ongoing commitment to finding cost efficiencies for the hosts.

Dakar 2026

At its meeting last week, the IOC Executive Board also received an update on the Dakar 2026 YOG, which are now less than a year away. The Organising Committee recently marked the one-year-to-go milestone with the unveiling of its mascot Ayo, the launch of the OMEGA countdown clock and the Dakar en Jeux festival, which included a testing opportunity through an international futsal competition and a recent equestrian event.

With under a year remaining, the YOGOC has now entered the readiness phase, focusing on finalising venue refurbishments, operational planning and capacity building. It has also launched its volunteer recruitment campaign, Jambaar26, with applications open until 31 January.

WINONA, Minn. (KTTC) – A new face has entered the race for Minnesota Senate District 26, which serves southeast Minnesota.

Cherie Johnson, a mother, teacher, coach, and foster mom, announced her candidacy Monday as a Republican.

“I love Minnesota and all of our neighbors who call this state home. I’m thrilled about the opportunity to run and serve them in the State Senate. Our parks, small businesses, farming communities, and lively towns make District 26 a great place to live and raise a family. I want this to be a place where we can afford to raise our families, where generations stay, and where farms and small businesses can thrive.”

Johnson has served on a number of boards, mentored youth groups at her church, and volunteered at area animal welfare organizations. She has lived in Winona for 13 years with her husband, Ben, a Winona native. Winona is where they raised their seven children.

“To forge a brighter path ahead for our beautiful state, we start with proven policies that will make life more affordable and reducing the tax burden for hardworking Minnesotans, deliver academic excellence in our classrooms for all children, and put a stop to the theft of taxpayer dollars that should be going toward critical services,” Johnson said.

Senate District 26 includes communities in Fillmore, Houston, Mower, and Winona Counties.

Minnesota State Senate District 26 is currently represented by Jeremy Miller (R). He is not seeking reelection in 2026.

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Donald E. Olsommer, Sr., 86, of Sterling, passed away peacefully on December 11, at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit in Dunmore, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Janet (Hinds) Olsommer.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Felix C. Olsommer and Emily (Jones) Olsommer. He was a graduate of Greene-Dreher-Sterling High School, Class of 1958.

Prior to retirement, Don was the founder and owner of Olsommer-Clarke Insurance Group, established in 1972, with offices in Hamlin, Honesdale, and Moscow. He also owned and operated the Olsommer Tree Farm in Sterling. A man of deep faith, he served for 17 years as Pastor of Smith Hill United Methodist Church and was a lifelong member of Sterling United Methodist Church.

A United States Army Veteran, Don served with distinction for more than 30 years in the Pennsylvania National Guard, retiring with the rank of Major. He enlisted at age 18 in 1958 with the Honesdale National Guard and completed basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He initially served with the 109th Infantry in Honesdale, later transferring to the New Jersey National Guard, where he served with the 53rd Tank Battalion and became a full-time supply sergeant.

After completing officer training at the New Jersey Military Academy in Sea Girt, New Jersey, and Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he advanced through the officer ranks. In 1971, he returned to Pennsylvania and served as company commander for National Guard units in Carbondale, Honesdale, Scranton, and Tobyhanna Reserve Unit.

Don dedicated much of his life to public service. He served the citizens of Wayne County as County Commissioner from 1980-1991 and again from 2004-2007. He also served as a Township Supervisor, Former Wayne County Republican Chairman, and was deeply involved in civic and charitable efforts throughout the community.

He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, golf, and tending his tree farm. He was a gifted athlete in high school and remained a lifelong supporter of Delaware Valley and Penn State football. Don was passionate about youth sports, serving as a coach, and was a co-founder of Sterling Little League. He was inducted into the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame, was a member of American Legion Post 807 and a 50 year member of the Salem Masonic Lodge #330.

Most of all, Don cherished time spent with his family.

Surviving in addition to his wife are his three sons: Donald E. Olsommer, Jr. and his wife Alene of Sterling; Pennsylvania State Representative, the Honorable Jeff Olsommer, and his wife Kelli of Sterling; and Keith Olsommer and his wife Mary Ann of Sterling; a sister, Helen Leahey of Georgia; grandchildren Phoebe, Betsy, Garrett, Mackenzie, Logan, and Liam; great-grandchildren Charli, Daisy, and Genevieve; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Ronald F. Olsommer.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday, December 19th at 11:00 a.m. at Sterling United Methodist Church, 567 Sterling Road, Sterling, PA. The service will be live-streamed on the James Wilson Funeral Home Facebook page.

Friends may call Thursday, December 18th from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the James Wilson Funeral Home, 143 Gravity Road, Lake Ariel, and Friday from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the church.

Private interment will be held at Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst.

Memorial contributions in Don’s memory may be made to Sterling United Methodist Church, PO Box 25, Sterling, Pa 18463 or the Smith Hill United Methodist Church, 305 Sunrise Ave. Honesdale, Pa 18431.

For directions, to share a memory, or to leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.jamesfamilyfunerals.com

An MRI confirmed Green Bay Packers star pass rusher Micah Parsons tore his left anterior cruciate ligament, a person with knowledge of the test results told the Associated Press on Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the results, which will knock Parsons out for the remainder of the season. The Schultz Report first reported the MRI results.

The non-contact injury occurred Sunday during the third quarter of Green Bay’s 34-26 loss at Denver, which snapped the Packers’ four-game winning streak and knocked them out of first place in the NFC North. The Packers (9-4-1) visit the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears (10-4) on Saturday.

Parsons had gotten past right tackle Mike McGlinchey and was chasing Broncos quarterback Bo Nix when he pulled up and fell to the ground. Parsons clutched his knee as trainers and teammates came over to check on him.

“I may be sidelined, but I am not defeated,” Parsons said Monday in a social media post. “This injury is my greatest test — a moment God allowed to strengthen my testimony. I believe HE walks with me through this storm and chose me for this fight because He knew my heart could carry it. I’m deeply grateful to the Packers organization and my teammates for their unwavering support, love and belief in me during this season. I trust His timing, His plan and His purpose. I will rise again. I love y’all!”

The 26-year-old Parsons had 12 1/2 sacks in 14 games this year, becoming the first player to have at least 12 sacks in each of his first five NFL seasons since the league started measuring it as an official statistic in 1982.

This marked Parsons’ first season with the Packers, who sent their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks as well as veteran defensive lineman Kenny Clark to Dallas to acquire him. The Packers also gave Parsons a four-year, $188 million contract with $136 million guaranteed, making him the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback.

Parsons had spent four seasons with the Cowboys before a contract dispute caused him to request a trade.

The Packers now must figure out how to apply a consistent pass rush without Parsons. Ranking second on the team in sacks is Rashan Gary, who had 7 1/2 of them in Green Bay’s first seven games but has none in the Packers’ last seven contests.

“I told him to keep his head up and we’re going to finish strong for him,” Gary said after Sunday’s game. “That’s what I told him. I’m going to keep in contact with him throughout what he’s doing. That was my first message to him. It hurt. It hurt.”