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CFL commissioner Cohon gets extension

Written by on Friday, February 10th, 2012 in Latest News.

CFL commissioner Mark Cohon is staying place.

The league announced Friday that Cohon has signed a three-year contract extension.

“Our board of governors is unanimously pleased to have Mark at the helm at a time of positive growth and enormous potential for our league,” board chairman John Butler said in a statement. “We have come a long way together and all want our forward momentum to continue and accelerate.”

The 45-year-ancient Cohon became the league’s commissioner in 2007, signing a five-year deal to succeed Tom Wright.

The deal was expected.

During his annual state of the union address during Grey Cup week in Vancouver, Cohon said he wanted to remain with the league and the CFL’s board of governors shared that sentiment.

“I’m thrilled to continue this work because I know there is so much more we can achieve, and our teams, and most importantly our fans, are counting on us to elevate our league to yet another level,” Cohon said in a statement.

Prince George, B.C., grieves 5 killed in crash

Written by on Friday, February 10th, 2012 in Latest News.

Matt Altizer, 40, his wife Leah and their two children, Jonathan, and Emily, died when their SUV collided head-on with a semi-trailer outside the town of McLeese Lake, B.C., on Thursday. Matt Altizer, 40, his wife Leah and their two children, Jonathan, and Emily, died when their SUV collided head-on with a semi-trailer outside the town of McLeese Lake, B.C., on Thursday. ((Facebook))

People in Prince George, B.C., are feeling a “sense of loss” the morning after a couple and their two children and a family friend were killed Thursday in a fiery crash five kilometres outside McLeese Lake.

Matt Altizer, 40, his wife Leah and their two children, Jonathan, a Grade 8 student, and Emily, a Grade 6 student, as well as family friend Heather Kress died in the crash.

The five were on their way to Vancouver to watch the Davis Cup tennis competition when RCMP say their SUV crossed the centre line of Highway 97, about 60 kilometres north of Williams Lake.

The SUV burst into flames as it crashed head-on with a semi-trailer. Police say the driver of the semi-trailer is in hospital in Williams Lake with minor injuries.

“There’s just a real sense of loss here, in Prince George,” said CBC reporter Brady Strachan. “Everybody knows everybody, or knows someone who knows someone here. People are just shaking their head about such a tragedy, to have taken so many lives.”

Altizer had been the IT manager at the Prince George Citizen for over a decade, said interm publisher Coleen Sparrow.

“Quite honestly, right now, I can’t even believe it’s for real,” said Sparrow through tears. “It’s just a huge loss for this community. I know Leah worked at School District 57, and the kids were at school and they were just his pride and joy. We’ll miss him. “

The roads at the time of the crash were bare and dry with excellent visibility, said RCMP. But it’s too early to tell if alcohol or speed was a factor.

Officers continue to investigate why the Altizer family’s SUV crossed into oncoming traffic.

Grammy Awards gala set to celebrate 2011 music

Written by on Friday, February 10th, 2012 in Latest News.

The Grammy Awards gala Sunday promises an array of musical favourites, trotting out ancient-timers such as Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen as well as young talent such as Kelly Clarkson and last year’s huge winners, Lady Antebellum.

With Kanye West leading with seven nominations, there are also hotly anticipated appearances from the likes of Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood, and The Beach Boys, are reuniting for their 50th anniversary.

Toronto dance-music DJ deadmau5 makes his Grammy debut and rapper Drake steps forward as a presenter at the largest music night of the year in Los Angeles.

But no one’s appearance will garner more attention than Adele, the British singer who stepped away from touring five months ago to undergo vocal cord surgery. She is giving her first live performance at the Grammys and also is a favourite to win in the six categories in which she is nominated.

Adele’s sophomore album 21, which features hits like Rolling in the Deep and Someone Like You, soared on the music charts in 2011 and was one of the year’s bestselling releases.

The Grammys returns to a hosted format for the first time in a decade, with LL Cool J doing the honours.

Other performers include Jason Aldean, Chris Brown, Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton, Coldplay and Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Minaj and Katy Perry.

Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt are set to pay tribute to the late blues singer Etta James.

The televised gala Sunday night is mainly a celebration of pop’s largest stars, with a few key prizes, including best album, best recording and best single given out in between.

The bulk of the Grammys are given out earlier in the day, and the MusiCares gala is set for Friday night. McCartney is to be honoured for his humanitarian work at that event, which has tapped performers such as Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Diana Krall and the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s Like.

It’s the first ceremony since the academy shaved its categories from 109 to 78, and the reshuffling involved has angered some members of the music community, who have threatened to protest outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

This year marked West’s return to Grammy prominence. His seven nominations include a bid for song of the year for his all-star hit All of the Lights, though his My Gorgeous Dark Twisted Fantasy was overlooked in the best album category.

Bruno Mars and Foo Fighters are contenders in six categories and Lil Wayne in five. Other multiple nominees include deadmau5, Minaj, The Band Perry and Bon Iver.

The Grammy Awards will be broadcast Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.



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