Klay is back: Warriors star near new career high in 3-pointers

SAN FRANCISCO — When Klay Thompson was nearing his return in January 2022 after missing 2 1/2 years of action, the Warriors medical staff told coach Steve Kerr it would take about a year or so for Thompson to fully get back to where he once was. Fourteen months later, Thompson is closing in on a career mark — the latest sign of how far he’s come since he suffered back-to-back devastating injuries. Thompson entered Monday leading the league in made 3-pointers and is just three shy of tying his regular-season career high of 276, set in 2015-16. After going 5 of 11 from deep in Sunday’s close loss to Minnesota, Thompson has converted on 40.7% of his attempts from beyond the arc. Pacers guard Buddy Hield is right behind Thompson with 271 3-pointers. In Kerr’s mind, Thompson will never lose his scoring touch. “He’ll be able to [bury 3s] until he’s 90,” Kerr recently said. “He’s always going to be able to shoot.” And he’s come a long way from where he was just a few months ago. Thompson spent the first part of

How MLB rule changes can turn the A’s lethargic offense into something intriguing

SAN FRANCISCO — The Oakland A’s hit four home runs in their final exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants on Monday. But unlike previous seasons, they won’t be counting on power to fuel their offense. A roster rife with young players and veterans fit for an MLB-low $53 million payroll will have to get creative to score runs. That means plenty of contact, stolen bases, hit-and-runs and focus on pitch selection; any means necessary to put pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses. “I think the biggest message to these guys is not necessarily to sit back and hit the three-run homer,” manager Mark Kotsay said before Monday’s game. “We have guys in the lineup with power, but the message is to get on base and put together a professional at-bat for the next guy.” The A’s couldn’t find much power in spring training’s dry Arizona air, but had no issue cutting through the marine layer at Oracle Park. Jesús Aguilar, Esteury Ruiz, Ramón Laureano and Seth Brown all homered off Ross Stripling and Tyler Rogers in the A’s 12-6 win. But home runs were

Kurtenbach: Cult hero Sergio Romo ’emptied the tank’ one last time, exiting with a one-of-a-kind legacy

SAN FRANCISCO — One last hop out of the bullpen. One last blast of “El Mechón” on the Oracle Park soundsystem. A few more sliders, for old times’ sake, and a classy exit befitting a Giants legend. Sergio Romo didn’t have much in the tank when he entered the seventh inning of the Giants-A’s exhibition game on Monday night. He admitted as much. But he gave everything he had for the Giants one last time. “A couple of weeks ago, when I was sitting on the couch, they presented me with this opportunity. It didn’t matter how I felt physically. I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass,” Romo said. “I can honestly say that, not just tonight, but my whole career, I emptied the tank. I gave it everything I had, every time.” And it was that attitude that made him a fan favorite throughout his improbable and exceptional 15-year career. “I took a lot of pride in challenging hitters,” Romo said. “I know I never lit up the radar gun, but I always find a way to throw my ’95 to 100′ through

Spring book sale to benefit local libraries

RED BLUFF — The Friends of the Library are having their big spring book sale in Red Bluff. The book sale starts Wednesday and goes through Friday at the Red Bluff library branch, and it will be in the conference room across from the library’s bookstore. Susan Champion, a member of the Friends of the Library, promised great bargains and a massive overflow of selection. “We have a lot to offer our community here,” she said. Funds from the sale will go towards projects that benefit the library, such as paying for a newspaper subscription. Throughout the year, the friends have fundraising events to help purchase children’s books, access to ancestory.com and fund the Hidden Heroes project, which highlights Tehama County’s heroes in a volume book. According to Champion, with the bookstore in the Red Bluff and other locations, the friends hope to give the whole Tehama County community the best library experience with its abilities and support the library and whoever will be or has been charged in the future. Susan Champion gives a tour of the library bookstore. (George Johnston/Daily News) “We have

March 20 sentencing memo

Recent County Jail Commitments: RBPD, & TCSO- People vs. Julio Mora-Farias, (20CR401); HS11370.1, Possession of a  Controlled Substance with Firearm, a felony. (21CR142); PC22210, Possession of a Billy, Blackjack, etc., a felony. (21CR1486); PC1320, Failure to Appear on Own Recognizance, a felony. Brief history: In 20CR401, RBPD located Defendant passed out in his car with narcotics in plain view on his lap. The defendant was arrested. Both he and his vehicle were searched. Two containers of methamphetamine were located, along with a loaded twelve-gauge shotgun. In 21CR142, TCSO received a report of a hit and run. They located a vehicle matching the description provided in the report. They observed that the vehicle had front-end damage, as well as the vehicle being in violation of two vehicle codes. The defendant was the driver and sole occupant. The defendant had warrants for his arrest. A search of his person located methamphetamine in his pocket, 7 Xanax pills, and a billy club was found in his backpack.  In 21CR1486, Defendant failed to appear in 20CR401 when he had been released on his own recognizance.  Sentenced to 2 years