PARKS AND REC: Happy New Year, Crook County!

Published 5:00 am Friday, January 9, 2026

As we turn the page to a new year, Crook County Parks and Recreation District (CCPRD) wishes you and your family a happy, healthy and active New Year! January is a time for fresh starts, and there’s no better way to kick off the year than by getting involved in our sports, classes and recreation opportunities designed for all ages and abilities.

Registration opens in January

January marks the opening of registration for Gymnastics, Karate, and Dog Obedience. Registration is also open for the 2026 Daddy Daughter Dance. Whether your goal is to stay active, try something new or connect with friends and neighbors, we have something for you. Our programs are built to support wellness, learning and fun throughout the community.

Popular offerings often fill quickly, so we encourage residents to register early. Programs are led by qualified instructors and coaches who focus on skill-building, teamwork and enjoyment in a welcoming environment.

Sports for all ages

Our sports programs provide opportunities to move, compete and grow — whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player. Youth sports help build confidence and healthy habits, while adult leagues offer a great way to stay active and social during the winter months. Look for registration for Youth Spring Soccer and Adult Basketball to begin this month. CCPRD is also offering Open Gym Adult Basketball on Tuesdays and Thursdays during January and February.  Indoor Pickleball is also running through the winter months.

Start the year moving

Parks and recreation play an important role in quality of life, and we’re proud to provide programs and spaces that bring Crook County together. We invite you to make parks and recreation part of your New Year’s routine.

For program details, registration dates and schedules, please visit our website at ccprd.org. We look forward to seeing you on the field, in class and out enjoying all that our community has to offer in 2026.

Here’s to a year of health, connection and recreation — Happy New Year from Crook County Parks and Recreation District!

Steve Waring is the Crook County Parks and Recreation District’s executive director. He can be reached at 541-447-1209.

Most people hear the words Orange Bowl and immediately think of football. They picture the matchup, the crowds, the fireworks, and the national spotlight on South Florida. But the real story of the Orange Bowl is much bigger than a single game. The Orange Bowl is one of the greatest community engines in our region. It is a volunteer powered organization that lifts neighborhoods, builds opportunities for young people, supports schools, transforms parks, and reinvests millions of dollars right back into South Florida families. If you think this organization is only about football, then you are missing the best part.

The Orange Bowl is more than football. It is a force for good in South Florida.

The heart of this mission is Orange Bowl Cares. This is not just a slogan or a feel-good idea. It is the core platform that guides every investment the Orange Bowl makes. Orange Bowl Cares focuses on four pillars. Youth Sports. Education. Community Engagement. Legacy Projects. These pillars stretch across a geographic footprint that runs nearly two hundred forty miles, from the area around Lake Okeechobee all the way down to Key West. It is one of the widest ranging community missions in Florida.

The Orange Bowl Committee is made up of more than four hundred members who volunteer their time to support this mission. The proceeds generated through Orange Bowl games, events, and programs go directly back into the community. Over the past two decades, more than fifty million dollars have been invested into South Florida neighborhoods, schools, parks, and youth programs. In the most recent Community Report, Orange Bowl Cares documented one point seven million dollars in annual community giveback. That is real money making a real difference.

The economic impact goes even further. During the College Football Playoff era, the Orange Bowl has generated more than one billion dollars in total economic impact and added media value for South Florida. When the Orange Bowl comes to town, the benefits reach hotels, restaurants, small businesses, workers, and families throughout the region.

One of the most transformative parts of the Orange Bowl’s work can be found in its Legacy Gift projects. These are not temporary programs. These are permanent, physical assets built within communities that need them most. In Miami Gardens, the Orange Bowl created a brand new four thousand seven hundred square foot STEAM Center at Bunche Park West, located inside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. This facility is valued at six hundred eighty five thousand dollars and was developed through partnerships with Commissioner Oliver G. Gilbert III, Baptist Health, and Miami-Dade County. Inside this center, students have access to robotics, multimedia labs, hands-on STEAM experiments, and technology that connects directly to future career pathways. It is a place where curiosity becomes opportunity.

Take a short drive through Miami Gardens and you will find the next headline project. The Orange Bowl Field at Walt Frazier Park. This was a two point three million dollar renovation that transformed the entire park. The investment included a brand new football field, a new scoreboard, a press box, shaded seating for families, and improvements to the surrounding buildings. When all legacy projects are added together, the Orange Bowl has delivered more than twenty seven million dollars in park and community facility improvements across South Florida. These are long lasting gifts that will serve generations.

The impact does not stop with buildings and fields. Walk into schools across the region and you will find Media Center Makeovers funded through Orange Bowl Cares. More than thirty media centers have been completely renovated, turning outdated spaces into bright, modern, tech-ready learning hubs. These improvements have directly impacted more than three thousand eight hundred students. The Community Report shows one hundred twenty five thousand dollars invested in these school based upgrades. These centers give students the kind of learning environment they deserve.

Youth sports are another major focus. The Orange Bowl High School Girls Flag Football Showcase, the High School Football Showcase, and the High School Basketball Showcase bring together eligible Florida student-athletes for evaluation, mentoring, and academic support. These events are not just about sports. They are about opening doors. Since 2017, the football showcase alone has generated more than nine million dollars in financial aid and has helped more than four hundred athletes get recruited to colleges and universities. Many of these students would not have had these opportunities without Orange Bowl Cares.

Across all youth sports programming, the Orange Bowl supports more than thirteen thousand football players and cheerleaders through the OBYFA. The international reach is massive as well. More than forty countries participate in events like the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships and the Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta. These events bring global competition and talent to South Florida, enriching the community while elevating young athletes on an international stage.

Education programs continue beyond the classroom. Orange Bowl Cares has awarded twenty thousand dollars in academic scholarships. More than two thousand five hundred students have submitted entries to the Creative Art Contest. Four hundred fifty students have been impacted by the Leadership Academy. More than one thousand seven hundred educators have benefited from professional and classroom resources provided through Orange Bowl initiatives. These numbers tell a clear story. The Orange Bowl invests in students of every age.

Community engagement is another major part of the mission. Through the Big Buddy Program, more than four thousand tickets have been donated to children and families who might not otherwise attend live sporting events. These are memory-making moments for young people who deserve to feel included. Fundraising efforts have engaged more than three thousand supporters, and community events have positively impacted more than two thousand five hundred families across South Florida.

All of this work thrives under strong leadership. Eric Poms, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Orange Bowl Committee, has played a crucial role in expanding the reach and impact of these programs. Through his leadership, the Orange Bowl has strengthened partnerships, elevated community investment, and continued to unite schools, families, and neighborhoods under one shared mission. His guidance has ensured that the Orange Bowl is not only a major sporting institution, but also a major community institution that puts South Florida first.

When you add it all together, the message becomes very clear. The Orange Bowl is one of the greatest forces for community improvement in our region. It builds fields. It revitalizes parks. It strengthens schools. It supports teachers. It lifts families. It connects student-athletes to college opportunities. And it creates permanent, meaningful assets that will serve South Florida for decades.

The Orange Bowl is more than football. It always has been. And our entire community is better for it.

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WALTHAM, Mass. – The No. 24 Bentley women’s basketball team aims to stay perfect in Northeast 10 action when the Falcons host Franklin Pierce Saturday, Jan. 10, at 1:30 p.m. Bentley is hosting a local Youth Day for the game.
 
Making adjustments
In Bentley’s two most recent games, the Falcons (8-2, 4-0 NE10) trailed by two points at halftime against both Saint Anselm (Jan. 7) and Southern Connecticut (Jan. 4). The Falcons came out of the locker room to score 20 points in the third quarter against the Hawks, and 27 points in the third quarter against the Owls. Bentley beat Saint Anselm, 76-67, and it topped Southern Connecticut, 75-62.
 
Armbrister has arrived
After a slow start to her Bentley career (10 points total in her first two games), DI junior transfer Kayana Armbrister is spreading her wings with the Falcons. She recorded her first-career double-double against Saint Anselm (Jan. 7), scoring 24 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Armbrister scored a career-high 29 points on New Year’s Day against Daemen. Through her past three games, Armbrister is averaging 22.0 points and 9.3 rebounds, while shooting 58.7-percent from the floor.
 
Cass kickin’…
Senior captain Cassidy Yeomans is becoming more aggressive in recent games. She started the season scoring in single digits for seven consecutive games. However, she dropped 13 points in the win over Southern Connecticut (Jan. 4), and she scored 11 points in the win at Saint Anselm (Jan. 7). Between those two games, Yeomans shot 50.0-percent from 3-point range (6-for-12).
 
Cherish on top
Freshman Cherish Bryant has been gaining more confidence as the season progresses. She scored a season-high 14 points against Southern Connecticut (Jan. 4), and added nine points at Saint Anselm (Jan. 7). She shot 66.7-percent from the floor (10-for-15) between those two games.
 
Most efficient
Bentley enters the weekend leading the NE10 in field-goal percentage by a wide margin. The Falcons are shooting 47.0-percent from the floor, while the next-best mark is 41.9 percent (Southern Connecticut). Among conference players with 70+ field-goal attempts, Julia Elie ranks second in field-goal percentage (52.1-percent), Niya Morgen is fourth (51.5-percent), and Kayana Armbrister is fifth (48.6-percent).
 
Scouting Franklin Pierce (1-12, 0-4 NE10)
The Ravens rank last in the NE10 for field-goal percentage (32.6-percent) and points per game (48.8). They also allow the most points per game (67.1). Emily Mennillo and Angelisse Melendez are tied as the team’s leading scorers (8.5). Nafi Balde averages a team-leading 5.5 rebounds per game.
 

Rochester, N.Y. — Two people have been arrested following a double shooting Thursday evening on the city’s southwest side.

Officers responded around 5:20 p.m. to the area of Bartlett and Seward streets, where they found two men, ages 20 and 37, who were both shot in the lower body, according to police. Both men were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Two suspects, a 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, were arrested following a police chase that ended on Pullman Avenue.

An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at (585) 423-9300.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A longtime football coach and teacher at Loy Norrix High School has died.

Ted Duckett began teaching and coaching at Loy Norrix in 1969, a career spanning over 50 years.

He served as a gym teacher, track coach, football coach, and basketball coach.

Duckett is deeply respected by the community, with many of his former students commending his mentorship.

He is also the father of Loy Norrix football stars Tico and T.J. Duckett, who both played at Michigan State. T.J. Duckett also played in the NFL.

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The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.

For ten minutes of the opening half Long Beach State proved they can go toe-to-toe with some of the Big West’s best teams. 

However, the Beach couldn’t get into a rhythm as they dropped their road contest 74-64 Thursday night in Irvine at the Bren Events Center in the first round of the Black and Blue Rivalry.

“Credit to Irvine,” Long Beach State coach Chris Acker said. “They did a good job disrupting our best player, and Gavin. We didn’t have enough guys to step up and make plays tonight.”

Gavin Sykes got the Beach off to a nice start with 4 points to give LBSU a 6-2 lead with 17:19 remaining in the first half. UCI responded with a 4-0 run to tie the game.

However, after Petar Majstorovic was fouled hard by UC Irvine’s Harrison Carrington which was later reviewed and upgraded to a flagrant one – the Beach went on a 4-0 run to take a 10-6 lead with 14:51 left in the first half. 

Sykes and Majstorovic did what they could as they went up against the Anteaters who entered the contest with the second-best defense in the Big West allowing 67 points per game. 

Before the contest LBSU found out they’d be without one of their key rotational piece as Shaq Bender did not travel with the team as he deals with the flu. The absence loomed large for LBSU as UCI was able to key on Sykes and Majstorovic. 

After taking a 10-6 lead, the Anteaters went on a 5-0 run to take an 11-10 run with 11:30 left in the first half. Sykes ended the run with a 3-pointer to give the Beach a 13-11 lead.

UCI (11-5, 5-0) answered right back thanks to a basket from Jurian Dixon that tied the game and Tama Isaac gave the Anteaters a 15-13 shortly after and that was enough as they’d lead the rest of the way. 

Sykes scored 21 points and Majstorovic scored 15 to lead the Beach. Cole Farrell chipped in nine as the trio combined to shoot 18-32 from the field while the rest of the team shot 7-28. Majstorovic also had eight rebounds. 

LBSU (5-11,1-3) had plenty of opportunities to score, but the Beach wasn’t able to take advantage of the opportunities. 

Dixon led the Anteaters with 23 points and Kyle Evans had 15 points and six rebounds. UCI extended the lead to 18 midway in the second half before LBSU went on a small run to cut the deficit to 10 points. 

Long Beach will continue Big West play when they host Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday in the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Saturday at 4 p.m.