Category: Mohegan

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Taj McWilliams Franklin — “Mama Taj, Grandma Taj,” as she was commonly known to hall of famer Lindsay Whalen and countless other players who crossed paths with McWilliams-Franklin — stared into the rafters of Mohegan Sun Arena last Sunday afternoon. She watched as the Connecticut Sun slowly unveiled a fresh new Sun Legends banner including her No. 11 jersey.

McWilliams-Franklin, who was joined by Sun President, Jen Rizzotti; Mystics general manager and former Sun head coach, Mike Thibault; and two members of the Mohegan Tribal Council at center court, tried to hold back tears as she stood at a podium in an arena where she spent the majority of her WNBA playing career. She stepped back and took a deep breath as she soaked up the moment and what it meant to her.

“I never thought I would be here,” McWilliams-Franklin told the Sun faithful who stayed after the game to watch the ceremony. “You belong here!” a fan from across the court interjected loud enough to kickstart another eruption of applause from the crowd. “I just wanted to be part of something special,” McWilliams-Franklin continued. “And I found that here in Connecticut.”

McWilliams-Franklin was drafted by the Orlando Miracle in the third round of the 1999 draft and spent eight years with the franchise (four years with Orlando and four years in Connecticut) before playing into her 40s for various other WNBA teams.

She helped guide the Sun to two WNBA Finals in 2004 and 2005, won a championship with the Detroit Shock in 2008 and was part of the starting lineup that helped push the Minnesota Lynx to their first WNBA title in 2011.

During her time with the franchise, McWilliams-Franklin earned five All-Star appearances (1999-2001, 2005, 2006), made the All-Defensive Second…

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THE DOWNS AT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA

Saturday’s entries; Post time: 1 p.m.

First nw6000L5 $11,000 Pace

1. Calypso Rock N (Ge Napolitano Jr) 12-1

2. Benji’s Best (Ma Kakaley) 5-2

3. Trip Hammer (Br Boyd) 3-1

4. Friskie All Nite (Ri Warren) 6-1

5. Mcneil Z Tam (Ma Miller) 15-1

6. Cigar Smoking Tony (An Napolitano) 9-2

7. The Wall (Ja Pantaleano) 4-1

8. Louie The Horse N (Ja Bartlett) 10-1

Second w4-8PM FM $17,000 Pace

1. Windsun Mojito (Ja Bartlett) 6-1

2. My Little Captain (Ty Buter) 4-1

3. Two Proud (Ma Kakaley) 5-2

4. Spitting Image (Ge Napolitano Jr) 15-1

5. Catie Faye Hanover (An Napolitano) 10-1

6. Hungry For Love (Si Allard) 3-1

7. Shipnstrol Hanover (Br Boyd) 12-1

8. Romantic Evening (Ma Miller) 9-2

Third nw20000L5 $18,500 Trot

1. Kinda Lucky Lindy (Ri Warren) 10-1

2. Miss Mckee (Ge Napolitano Jr) 6-1

3. Breckenridge (An Napolitano) 9-2

4. Great Magic (Mi Whelan) 12-1

5. Special Prosecutor (Ja Bartlett) 15-1

6. Dandy (Ja Ingrassia) 5-2

7. Mystical Wynn (Ma Miller) 4-1

8. Eurobond (Ma Kakaley) 3-1

Fourth 20000CLHC $13,500 Pace

1. Gonnahaveonemore (Ge Napolitano Jr) 8-1

2. Midnight Day (Ja Pantaleano) 7-2

3. Kingstons Bad Boy (Br Boyd) 3-1

4. Artifact Hanover (An Napolitano) 12-1

5. Blow A Cloud N (Ja Bartlett) 6-1

6. Jk Objection (Si Allard) 7-2

7. Mariner Seelster (Ma Kakaley) 5-2

Fifth 30000CLHC $16,500 Pace

1. Shneonucrzydiamnd A (Br Boyd) 12-1

2. Busboy Hanover (Ty Buter) 6-1

3. Make Some Waves (Ge Napolitano Jr) 4-1

4. Modern Rock (Ma Miller) 9-2

5. Cowboy Cool (Ri Warren) 10-1

6. Elwell (Ma Kakaley) 3-1

7. Hot Deuce (Ja Pantaleano) 15-1

8. Park Official (An Napolitano) 5-2

Sixth w4-7PM $17,000 Trot

1. Hand Dover Dan (An Napolitano) 10-1

2. Heart Matters (To Schadel) 5-1

3. Beer Cheese (Ja Pantaleano) 12-1

4. Deliciousstone Dk (Si Allard) 3-1

5. Cantstop Yankee (Ty Buter) 7-2

6. Said N Done As (Br Boyd) 9-2

7. Willing Hanover (Ma Kakaley) 4-1

8. Ilbeneedinstitches (Ma Miller) 8-1

Seventh 20000CLHC $13,500 Pace

1. Lord Of Misrule (Ty Buter) 6-1

2. Lyons Johnnyjnr (Ja Bartlett) 8-1

3. A Bettor Beach (Ma Kakaley) 7-2

4….

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WILKES-BARRE PA – Favorites won all four harness racing divisions of the $155,948 second preliminary round of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing males at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania Sunday night, with Hall Of Fame trainer Linda Toscano sending out two of the PaSS winners.

Ken Hanover and driver David Miller (Curtis Salonick Photo)

The Sweet Lou gelding It’s My Show made his 2023 Sire Stakes bow a successful one while taking a new mark of 1:49.2 for driver Scott Zeron and owners Richard and Joanne Young. The Sweet Lou gelding showed he deserved being favored after two overnight wins, tucking in the pocket early to a :26.2 quarter, rushing to the lead before a :53.3 half, surrendering command to Bamboozler to a 1:21.1 three-quarters, but then being able to rerally past the horse who passed him down the back, winning by 1¾ lengths.

IT”S MY SHOW REPLAY

The second Toscano trainee was the Heston Blue Chip colt Fulton, last year’s Sire Stakes champion and winner of his first 2023 Sire Stakes outing in 1:49.3, who came back here to win in 1:50.2 for driver Dexter Dunn and the ownership of Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Bottom Line Racing LLC. Fulton moved past Lyons Surfing past a :27.1 initial split to take the top and put up midfractions of :54.4 and 1:22.3, then had to dig down to hold off the resurgent Lyons Surfing by a head.

FULTON REPLAY

Joining Fulton as a double Sire Stakes winner was the Captaintreacherous colt Ken Hanover, who was the evening’s fastest stake winner when posting a new mark of 1:49. David Miller reserved the colt off fractions of :26 and :54.2, moved him uncovered and…

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Herodotus, Once In A Lifetime PA All-Stars winners

May 22, 2023, from PHHA / Pocono

Wilkes-Barre, PA – The first clash of the Hambletonian-hopeful 3-year-old trotting males took place Monday afternoon (May 22) at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, with even-money shots Herodotus and Once In A Lifetime earning new speed marks while winning their respective $37,500 divisions.

Herodotus comes up the inside to take his division of Pennsylvania All-Stars competition at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Monday. Curtis Salonick Photo.

Herodotus, named after a Greek historian, certainly has a solid record this year, notching his third win in four 2023 starts with a 1:53 victory for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Hatfield Stables. David Miller moved Herodotus from second past a :28.1 quarter, took the lead, then surrendered it to Commander Frank, who carried the field to splits of :56.3 and 1:24.4, with favored (by $41) French Wine challenging first-over.

In the stretch, the battle fell to the front two inside horses, with Miller tipping Herodotus to the Pocono Pike, and although Commander Frank battled hard, the half-length win margin was not really reflective of the confidence Miller seemed to have in his Bar Hopping gelding late.

Once In A Lifetime, the 2022 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes divisional champ in his section, remained unbeaten in two seasonal outings for trainer Jim Campbell and Sad Frog Farms while winning in 1:53.3. Tim Tetrick made two moves to control the pace through fractions of :28, :57.2, and 1:26.1, then bid the field adieu by tacking on a :27.2 last quarter. Crantini, the second-place finisher in the PaSS Championship last season, did well from the pocket after hard early usage but came up shy by…

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Several universities have announced that Schuylkill County residents have recently earned degrees.

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Lebanon Valley College

More than 50 doctor of physical therapy graduates marked their academic success and achievements during Lebanon Valley College’s 154th Commencement on Saturday, May 13.

Schuylkill County students earning degrees include:

• Andrea Iacoviello of Andreas, a graduate of Tamaqua Area Senior High School, received a Doctor of Physical Therapy from LVC.
• MacKenzie Hasenauer of Pine Grove, a graduate of Pine Grove Area High School, received a Doctor of Physical Therapy from LVC.

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University of Scranton (Undergraduate Degrees)

Schuylkill County residents were among the more than 850 members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 who were awarded bachelor’s and associate degrees at its undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre. Degrees were conferred to graduates who had completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2022, as well as January and May of 2023.

Schuylkill County Students earning undergraduate degrees include the following:

• Emily M. Amershek of New Ringgold earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy.
• Fanny Rodriguez of Sheppton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.
• Zachary J. Turnitza of Cumbola earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

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University of Scranton (Master’s and Doctoral Degrees)

Local residents were among the more than 500 graduates who earned master’s and doctoral degrees at The University of Scranton. Degrees were presented at its graduate commencement ceremony on May 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre. Degrees were conferred to graduates who had completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2022, as well as January and May of 2023.

Schuylkill County Students earning master’s and doctoral degrees include the following:

• Alexa D. Romberger of Valley View earned a Master of Science in biochemistry.
• Gabrielle Aubrey Kuperavage of…

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Global gaming supplier Light & Wonder has announced a systems agreement with Mohegan INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon, South Korea under which it will provide its portfolio of systems solutions to the property.

The agreement also includes the installation of a full complement of Light & Wonder’s slots and electronic table games, the company confirmed overnight.

“A partnership with Mohegan INSPIRE offers a tremendous opportunity for Light & Wonder in the Asian market,” said Siobhan Lane, Light & Wonder’s CEO of Gaming. “INSPIRE will be an incredible all-new, state-of-the-art destination and we look forward to its historic debut.

“We couldn’t be more proud to expand our existing relationship with Mohegan and continue to provide our robust portfolio to enable the highest level of efficiency for the resort, while also allowing guests to enjoy an unmatched player experience throughout the property.”

Mohegan COO Jody Madigan added, “Light & Wonder offers one of the most technologically advanced systems in the industry. Integrating Light & Wonder’s advanced solutions into the new property will be integral to the success of our operations and will allow us to obtain real-time insights to drive business­. Implementing these technologies will help us deliver significant value to our players.”

The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority confirmed last week that it was on track to open the non-gaming elements of Mohegan INSPIRE in late 2023, with casino operations expected to launch in early 2024.

The US$1.6 billion development will comprise a foreigner-only casino, three hotel towers with a combined 1,200 rooms, a 15,000-seat arena and convention space plus dining, retail, a year-round indoor water dome experience and an outdoor family park.

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Buter/Butenschoen sophomore trotter rules at Pocono

May 15, 2023, by Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania

Wilkes-Barre, PA – On Monday (May 15) afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, the theme of the day was “Driver Tyler Buter and Trainer John Butenschoen Click With Another Three-Year-Old Trotter,” as the trotmeisters sent out four winning diamondgaited sophomores, including both winners in the $15,000 featured races.

The faster of the featured performers was the Tactical Landing colt Purple Lord, who bounced back from a break in his seasonal debut at Philly, circling up off cover and catching pacesetting favorite Bella Macchiato by a neck in 1:54.3. Purple Lord, second to Volume Eight in the Kindergarten Final last year, is owned by Harmony Oaks Racing Stable Inc., Berg Brothers Stable, and Rich Preziotti.

Purple Lord was part of a big day for driver Tyler Buter and trainer John Butenschoen on Monday at Pocono. Curtis Salonick photo.

The Helpisontheway gelding Help Page also righted the ship after a Philly break in his 2023 bow, trotting steadily up to the lead in front of the stands and maintaining a length lead over pocketsitter Quite Fast for a 1:56.4 triumph. Harmony Oaks and Preziotti combine in the ownership of Help Page with James Crawford IV.

Buter/Butenschoen also clicked with the Crazy Wow gelding Some Kinda Crazy in 1:55.2 for Crawford, Preziotti, Andray Farms, and VIP Internet Stable LLC, while the Father Patrick filly Baby Take A Vow broke her maiden in 1:58.2 for Butenschoen, David J. Miller (an actual USTA legal entity); Heritage Standardbreds; Lawrence Means; and VIP. Buter would add a fifth sulky success with the pacer Mikiteen, breaking his maiden in 1:52.3.

A $475,000 yearling Unicorn Blue Chip,…

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L-R: Cherokee Nation Community & Cultural Outreach Director Kevin Stretch; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization Board Member Shelby Mefford; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization Board Member Brittany Stovall; Cherokee Nation Veterans Center Director Barbara Foreman; Deputy Chief Bryan Warner; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization Board Member Michele Summerfield; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization Board Member Jennifer Barnett; Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.; Kansas Cherokee Community Organization President Brittney Mason; Council Speaker Mike Shambaugh; and Cherokee Nation Senior Advisor for Community Engagement Canaan Duncan.

KANSAS, OK – Leaders from the Cherokee Nation and Kansas Cherokee Community Organization (KCCO) gathered recently to cut the ribbon on a new community building in Kansas, OK.

The building was constructed through the Cherokee Nation Respond, Recover and Rebuild COVID-19 plan with an investment of approximately $2 million that covered the building, parking lot and a nearby helipad to assist community first responders.

“For many Cherokees, their greatest source of connection to our tribe is through local Cherokee community organizations and this building is going to be so vital to the Kansas community,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “The Cherokee Nation is dedicated to supporting grassroots and the hard work of community groups like the Kansas Cherokee Community Organization. This building and the hard work of the organization and community members will help serve this area for many years to come.”

The new building is approximately 4,000 sq. ft. The project also included substantial infrastructure improvements to the property, which will support future building expansion and overall growth of the site. The new community building, located at 1328 E. Tulsa Ave., is adjacent to property owned by the Town of Kansas, which will be developed into a new local police headquarters.

“There is a long-standing desire…

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