Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers, clear way to take a QB such as Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick

FILE – Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Pittsburgh. The Bears traded Fields to the Steelers on Saturday, March 16, 2024, according to a person informed of the deal. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers a 2025 sixth-round draft pick that could potentially become a fourth-rounder this year in return. The move is a strong signal the Bears will draft a QB — perhaps USC’s Caleb Williams — with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Fields figures to back up Russell Wilson, who signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh on Friday.

Sidney Crosby stars as the Penguins beat the Red Wings 6-3

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates after his goal as Detroit Red Wings goaltender Alex Lyon (34) collects himself during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby matched Wayne Gretzky for the seventh-most goals with a single franchise in NHL history, and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings 6-3. Crosby, Lars Eller, Reilly Smith and Valtteri Puustinen each had a goal and an assist for Pittsburgh, which won for the second time in three games following a four-game losing streak. Michael Bunting and Drew O’Connor also scored. Crosby’s 583rd career goal, his first in 12 games and No. 33 on the season, helped the Penguins keep their playoff hopes alive after dealing star winger Jake Guentzel at the trade deadline.

Steelers trade Kenny Pickett to the Eagles

FILE – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) scrambles out of the pocket with Arizona Cardinals cornerback Kei’Trel Clark (13) defending during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Friday, March 15, 2024. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The brief and tumultuous Kenny Pickett era in Pittsburgh is over. The Steelers are trading the quarterback to the Philadelphia Eagles, multiple sources told The Associated Press. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not official. Pittsburgh will receive a third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft and two seventh-round choices in the 2025 draft in exchange for Pickett and Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick this year. The move comes just hours after the Steelers signed nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson to a one-year deal.

Russell Wilson has agreed to sign a 1-year deal with the Steelers, AP source says

FILE – Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Denver. Wilson has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press on Sunday night, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

A person familiar with the details told The Associated Press that quarterback Russell Wilson has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday night because the contract hasn’t been finalized and added Wilson will receive the veteran’s minimum of $1.21 million while the Denver Broncos pay the remainder of his $39 million salary. Wilson posted his intentions on X, formerly known as Twitter. He was 11-19 in two seasons with the Broncos.

Penguins send Jake Guentzel to Carolina for Michael Bunting, 3 prospects and 2 conditional picks

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Jake Guentzel (59) celebrates with Bryan Rust, left, Sidney Crosby (87), and Chad Ruhwedel after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Panthers won 5-2. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jake Guentzel is heading to Carolina. The Pittsburgh Penguins traded the high-scoring forward to the Hurricanes in exchange for forward Michael Bunting, three prospects and two conditional 2024 draft picks. The 29-year-old Guentzel gives the Hurricanes a proven goal scorer who thrives in the postseason spotlight. Guentzel has reached the 40-goal plateau twice in eight seasons and has 58 points in 58 playoff games. His 13 goals during the 2017 playoffs led the league and helped the Penguins become the first team in nearly 20 years to win back-to-back Stanley Cups.

Tom Wilson scores hours after grandfather’s death to lead inspired Capitals by reeling Pens 6-0

Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, center, celebrates after assisting on a goal by teammate Hendrix Lapierre (not shown) as Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) and Valtteri Puustinen skate back to their bench during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, March 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Tom Wilson scored just hours after the death of grandfather, Alex Ovechkin scored his 840th career goal and added an assist and the Washington Capitals drilled the reeling Pittsburgh Penguins 6-0. Ovechkin’s two points moved him past Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey and into 15th on the NHL’s career scoring list. He has 1,532 career points. Nick Jensen, Sonny Milano and rookies Hendrix Lapierre and Ivan Miroshnichenko also scored for the Capitals. Charlie Lindgren stopped 39 shots. The Penguins have dropped four of five and were shut out for the fourth time this season. After the game it was announced they had traded star forward Jake Guentzel to Carolina.

Carter and Smith score late as Penguins pull away from Blue Jackets 5-3 to end 3-game skid

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin (71) returns to the bench after after scoring against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jeff Carter and Reilly Smith scored just over a minute apart midway through the third period and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3. The Blue Jackets tied it earlier in the period on a short-handed goal by Jack Roslovic before Carter and Smith beat rookie goaltender Jet Greaves to give the Penguins some breathing room. Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell and Jesse Puljujarvi also scored for Pittsburgh. The Penguins are 10-0-1 in their last 11 games against Columbus. Johnny Gaudreau and Andrew Peeke also had goals for the Blue Jackets.

Hinson scores 27 points to lead Pitt past Florida State 88-73

Pittsburgh’s Blake Hinson (2) reacts after hitting a 3-point shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida State Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Blake Hinson scored 27 points and Jaland Lowe scored 17 points and Pittsburgh controlled most of the way and beat Florida State 88-73. Cam Corhen scored 25 points shooting 8 for 12; 9 for 10 from the foul line for Pitt. Following Pitt’s 42-31 halftime lead, the Panthers went on a 13-4 run to start to extend their margin to 53-35 in the first three minutes of the half. Florida State closed the gap to 56-49 with a jump shot from Watkins but the Seminoles never got closer. Pitt reached the 20-win mark for the second straight season.

Local Schools competing in Bocce Regional championships today at Geneva College

Story by Sandy Giordano – Beaver County Radio. Published March 6, 2024 9:14 A.M.

(Beaver Falls, Pa) The Bocce Regional championships are taking place today. Aliquippa High School’s team is the number 1 seed, they average 6.13 points per game. They are in the Beaver South division. Hopewell is a wild card team with 7.17 points. Central Valley is a wild card with 4.67 points per game in the Beaver Central division along with Freedom that has 5.25 points per game.

The regionals are being held at Geneva College’s Metheny Field House with opening ceremonies at 9:40 am and the tournament starts at 10 a.m.

Ed Ott, catcher who helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1979 World Series, dies at 72

FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates’ Ed Ott slides across home late out of reach of Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey to score the winning run in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the World Series at Baltimore, Oct. 11, 1979. Ott, a former major league catcher and coach who helped the Pirates win the 1979 World Series, died Sunday, March 3, 2024. (AP Photo, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ed Ott, a former major league catcher and coach who helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1979 World Series, has died. He was 72. The Pirates say Ott died Sunday in the central Pennsylvania town of Danville. No further details were provided by the team. Ott was selected by Pittsburgh in the 23rd round of the 1970 amateur draft out of high school. He batted .259 with 33 homers and 195 RBIs in 567 major league games. Ott and Steve Nicosia were the main catchers when the Pirates won it all in 1979.