Westbrook hits 30 in OT clincher as Thunder top Mavs
Nueva Ecija warehouse making fake cigarettes raided, 29 Chinese workers nabbed Westbrook’s go-ahead three-point play in the final minute of overtime put him at 30, and the Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 111-110 on Wednesday night.Westbrook, who had 11 rebounds and seven assists, drove for the tying layup and made the free throw with 38 seconds left in OT to help the playoff-contending Thunder salvage a four-game split of the season series against a one-time postseason rival now among the NBA’s worst teams.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSTim Cone, Ginebra set their sights on elusive All-Filipino crownSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkThe reigning MVP had 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the first quarter after scoring eight in a win over Orlando. Westbrook cooled off from there and missed all five of his 3-pointers, but scored seven of Oklahoma City’s 11 points in overtime.“Just keep going, man,” said Westbrook, who was 11 of 25 from the field and made eight of nine free throws. “Regardless of missed or made shots, my mentality never changes throughout the game and I always continue to stay in attack mode.” Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook gestures to his teammates during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)DALLAS — Russell Westbrook didn’t waste much time putting just his second single-digit scoring game of the season behind him.The Oklahoma City star won it with the play that wrapped up his 20th game with at least 30 points.ADVERTISEMENT Steam emission over Taal’s main crater ‘steady’ for past 24 hours Westbrook has gone without a 3 in four of the past six games and is 2 of 24 (8 percent) from long range in that span. The slump has dropped the career 31 percent shooter from 3 to 28 percent for the season.UP NEXTThunder: At Phoenix on Friday.Mavericks: At Chicago on Friday, the only road game in a stretch of seven games.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next UK plans Brexit celebrations but warns businesses may suffer Phivolcs records 2 ‘discrete weak ash explosions’ at Taal Volcano Sea turtle trapped in net freed in Legazpi City Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. The Mavericks almost turned it over on the final possession of regulation but Wesley Matthews kept the play alive before missing a wild layup, with Powell grabbing the rebound on the other side of the basket and laying it in.Carmelo Anthony had put the Thunder ahead with 1:23 to go on a layup after three offensive rebounds on the same possession, including two from Steven Adams.Paul George had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Adams had nine points and 12 boards.TIP-INSThunder: F Jerami Grant was called for a flagrant foul for a swipe at the head when Powell made a layup in the first half. … The Thunder outrebounded the Mavericks 56-36, including a 19-8 edge on offensive rebounds.Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki, who is sixth on the NBA scoring list, reached 31,000 points with his patented one-legged fadeway in the middle of the second quarter. The 39-year-old German, in his 20th season, all with the Mavericks, finished with 12 points. … Powell led Dallas with eight rebounds. … J.J. Barea scored all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter and matched Westbrook with a game-high seven assists.NOEL RETURNSDallas center Nerlens Noel had four points, three rebounds and four fouls in 16 minutes in his return after missing 42 games following surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb. He was rusty, failing to get off a shot on two alley-oops and missing another attempt. He led Dallas with three first-half turnovers, but had a highlight in the second half with a block on a soaring Westbrook going for a layup.Before the injury was announced in December, Noel had appeared to fall out of favor with coach Rick Carlisle. The first six of those 42 missed games were listed as coaching decisions. He’s playing on a one-year contract after he couldn’t agree on a long-term deal with the Mavericks, who acquired him at the trading deadline last season.SLUMPING FROM 3
It’s too early to present Duterte’s ‘legacy’ – Lacson Phivolcs records 2 ‘discrete weak ash explosions’ at Taal Volcano View comments LATEST STORIES Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Warriors pull away in 3rd, quiet Beal to win in Washington Dwight Powell forced overtime at 100-all with a follow shot at the buzzer to match his career high with 21 points. It was the first points for Dallas since Powell’s alley-oop dunk with 4 minutes remaining.Harrison Barnes scored 26 points for the Mavericks, who beat the Thunder in the Western Conference finals in 2011 before getting swept in the first round by them as defending champions a year later.“People look at their record and think they aren’t a very good team,” Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan said. “They are a good basketball team. They have not been able to close out some games.”Dallas had a chance to win in overtime on an inbound play with 6 seconds left, but could only get a desperation jumper at the buzzer from rookie Dennis Smith Jr., who scored the first eight Dallas points in the extra period and finished with 17.“The last shot was a tough shot but a makeable shot,” Smith said. “Learn from it, learn from it. You can look at it as a loss or a lesson.”ADVERTISEMENT GALLERY: Barangay Ginebra back as PBA Governors’ Cup kings MOST READ
A fire of unknown origin destroyed the upper flat of a two-storey house in ‘A’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, on Sunday, rendering the lone occupant homeless.A Sunday blaze destroyed the upper flat of an A Field, Sophia houseBased on reports reaching Guyana Times the fire started just before 12:00h and the owner of the concrete and wood house, Nandkishore Ragnauth, was not home.According to neighbours, smoke was observed from the upper flat of the house and an alarm was raised. Neighbours immediately formed a bucket brigade but were unable to save the house since the intense inferno quickly consumed the house.“After we realised that we couldn’t do anything to save the house, we start soaking the neighbours’ houses,” one woman said.Another neighbour, a male, continued that “the heat was so much that de gutter pon the neighbour house start melting out so we come together as a community and help them wet the other house them… we couldn’t save that one, so we try to at least save de rest.”Meanwhile, the residents related that the Fire Service was summoned and upon arrival, the entire upper flat was already engulfed.After about an hour or so of rigorously battling the inferno, the blaze was doused but only after completely destroying the upper flat of the house.This newspaper could not verify the extent of the damage in the bottom concrete flat.Nevertheless, investigators from the Guyana Fire Service have launched an investigation to determine the origin of the blaze.
A father of one was in the wee hours of Sunday killed after he reportedly lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.Dead is 32-year-old Sankar Seenauth, also called “Chiney”, of Lot 151 GAC Old Road, Timehri , EBD.Dead: Sankar Seenauth also called “Chiney”The wreckage of Seenauth’s motor carInformation reaching Guyana Times revealed that the man overtook another vehicle and soon after lost control of his motor car, slamming into the utility pole.He was reportedly trapped in the driver’s seat of the mangled car and had to be pulled from the wreckage by public-spirited citizens, who were awakened by the impact of the crash.According to information, Seenauth might have sustained a broken neck and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.A sister- in- law of the dead man, when contacted, told this publication that they received news of the accident about 1:15h. She explained that the young man left home about 01:00h, but did not tell them where he was heading.She explained that one of his brothers informed them that “Chiney” was involved in an accident and without hesitation, she, along with his parents and other relatives, rushed to the scene.As they arrived, the injured man was lying on the ground, motionless. He was bleeding from the head. The now dead man operated a sandpit on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.Attempts to speak with the parents of the dead man proved futile.Meanwhile, one eyewitness claimed that Seenauth was speeding. “He passed me like a jet, but as he attempted to get back into his lane, like he misaveraged and went too close to the parapet and is then he collided with the pole,” the man related.After crashing into the pole, the car was propelled into the air before landing on its four wheels, the eyewitness recounted to Guyana Times.“People rushed out their homes to assist… he was pinned and we had to wrench out the driver’s side door, but when we realise he was trapped we went to the passenger’s side and pulled him out from there.”Seenauth was already dead, the witness said.The wrecked car was taken to the Madewini Police Station and a probe was launched. Seenauth leaves to mourn his parents, son, four siblings and other relatives.
With their begging bowls spread on the streets, the 16-time Kenyan Premier League champions found favor in the eyes of Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko who purchased 30 return tickets for them as well as financing their accommodation in Pretoria.Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko handing Gor Mahia players money ahead of their trip to South Africa to face SuperSport United in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup playoff. Photo/COURTESYBut despite the pre-match drama, head coach Dylan Kerr has chosen to focus on the Wednesday night job that requires his side to avoid defeat in Atteridgeville and book a historic slot in the Confederation Cup group stage.“For us, the work is to focus on what we do on the pitch. It is true sometimes what happens outside has an influence but we need to have our focus on the game and get a result. We are out here representing millions of Kenyan hopes and we have to deliver,” Kerr told Capital Sport.Gor were scheduled to travel out to South Africa on Monday night but with that impossible, Kerr hurriedly organized a 6am session at the Camp Toyoyo on Tuesday morning as they kept their eyes on the prize.-Miss key players-Gor Mahia forward Jacques Tuyisenge celebrating after scoring in a past KPL match. PHOTO/Raymond MakhayaHe will be missing three influential players for the Wednesday night match; mid fielder Ernest Wendo is suspended having picked up two consecutive yellow cards while Jacques Tuyisenge, who scored the first leg’s lone goal and Ephraim Guikan were denied visas to South Africa.A huge blow to the tactician who will need his strikers to fire from all cylinders against a SuperSport side that is eager to show that their appearance in the final of the same tournament last year was not by sheer luck.A little advantage on his side though, SuperSport have domestic troubles to deal with. Matsatsantsa are pegged at the bottom of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) log lying 14th, just one point off 15th placed Ajax Cape Town and with three matches left.Gor Mahia’s Meddie Kagere vies for the ball with SuperSport United’s Mogan Gould during the first leg of a CAF Confederation Cup play-off round in Machakos on April 8, 2018. PHOTO/Raymond MakhayaThey have played consecutive 0-0 draws against Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City over the last seven days.“Definitely their focus now will be on surviving relegation and not so much more on the Confederation Cup. Nonetheless, they got to the final last year and have a point to prove. We will take our chances and give our all for Kenyan football,” the passionate Kerr further stated.“We will be playing at a better pitch and hopefully, we can execute our tactics well. We don’t want to concentrate on who is there and who is not. I have a good group of players and everyone is capable of coming in and giving a good performance worth the green shirt of K’Ogalo,” the tactician further explained.-Gor line-up-Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi in action against the Leones Vegetarianos of Equatorial Guinea during their CAF Champions League first leg clash hosted at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on February 11, 2018. Photo/RAYMOND MAKHAYAThe tactician also asserted that his side will not be employing a defensive tactic heading in to the second leg but he might just need to change that with Tuyisenge and Guikan both missing.Among the options he has at his disposal include playing Meddie Kagere through the middle supported by either Kevin Omondi or Francis Kahata.Midfielder Philemon Otieno who has featured for right-back over the last three games might keep his place while Lawrence Juma might be strapped into midfield to partner Humphrey Mieno in the absence of the suspended Wendo.Meddie KagereGor Mahia, winners of the defunct Nelson Mandela Cup in 1987, are seeking to get their feet back on the table of African football royalty and a place in the group stages of the Confederation Cup might just be a step for this direction.At stake as well if they manage that feat will be a pay-out of Sh27mn, one that will come in handy especially now that they are struggling for financial stability. A place in the group stages might also be a cashing point for them to earn more sponsors.Kerr has insisted that the players should look at the ‘bigger picture’ with qualification not only earning more points on their CVs but also earn them better exposure.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today) 0Shares0000Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr (left) having a chat with Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko at City Hall after receiving a sigh of relief from the County boss. Photo/COURTESYNAIROBI, KENYA, Apr 18- Gor Mahia landed in Pretoria, South Africa at around 3am EAT Wednesday, less than 17 hours before they tackle SuperSport United in the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup playoff at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.K’Ogalo’s travel down south was shrouded in drama, first over delay in visa acquisition and secondly, they didn’t know whether or not they would even have tickets to travel to Johannesburg from where they would connect via train to Pretoria.
AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREGame Center: Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, 10 a.m.The City Council unanimously approved the $120,000-a-year program at its Tuesday meeting. The move marks the fulfillment of a campaign pledge Mayor Frank Scotto made last year. “This is the first time we’ve done anything like this in Torrance,” he said. “It’s not the perfect program, but it’s a step in the right direction to help people who are truly in need.” City officials estimate about 130 people in the half-dozen or so mobile home parks in Torrance could meet the income guidelines for the program and qualify for the subsidy. Up to 100 participants would divide the $120,000 subsidy. “This is like giving them one month free rent (annually),” Scotto said. “We’re hoping the $100 a month gives them the ability to buy food for their table.” To qualify for the program, at least one senior 62 or older who owns their mobile home and meets federal income guidelines must reside in the household. The program will be administered by the Community Development Department. To Scotto’s disappointment, no one from the public spoke in favor of the program Tuesday – but no one spoke in opposition either. Chet Craft, chairman of the city’s Commission on Aging, applauded the move. “I feel that whatever break seniors can get along the way is very good for seniors,” he said. “The cost of living in this area is pretty high for seniors.” The monthly rental subsidies would be paid directly to mobile home parks owners who agree to participate in the program. Mobile home park owners who participate in the program will also be asked to freeze the rents of the small minority of residents who qualify. If the mobile home park owners don’t agree to participate, the city might explore other options they certainly wouldn’t like. “There’s other alternatives we might have to suggest that we might go down the path of,” said Scotto, carefully avoiding the politically loaded term rent control. “It actually is a form of rent control because we’re asking the landlords to participate, and we’re actually rolling back (residents’) rents by giving them a subsidy,” he added. “Socially, this is the right thing to do. I’m disappointed we can’t offer more, but we’ve got to be realistic, too.” The city currently offers rental subsidies in two apartment buildings, officials said. Those projects were built by the city’s Redevelopment Agency in conjunction with private developers. nick.green@dailybreeze.com160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! TORRANCE: Mobile home residents who meet income qualifications could get at least $100 a month. By Nick Green STAFF WRITER Torrance will begin a one-year pilot program to provide a monthly rent subsidy of at least $100 to some low-income senior citizens living in mobile home parks. 
Workers were expecting generous concessions during the talks, to conclude before the end of December. Sarkozy, elected in May, has held firm on his promise to reform France from top to bottom with economic, social and political changes to make the country more competitive. However, political rivals fear that Sarkozy will dismantle labor protections considered part of the French way of life and scrupulously watched over by unions. The reform in question was one small but crucial part of the whole. “The political gain for Sarkozy is completely clear,” said sociologist Guy Groux, of the prestigious Institute for Political Science in Paris. The president’s electorate, he said, “will see a move of firmness” and a break with the past when reform plans folded under strike pressure. But unions apparently cannot be counted out. The rail strikes were useful, Groux said, because “the unions were able to get their demands on the negotiating table in a very public way.” Sarkozy faces other protest movements, from students to civil servants who have demanded talks over salary hikes before the end of the month. Some 3,000 students marched Thursday through Paris to protest a law that opens the way for private funding at universities and, students fear, selectivity in a system renowned for its open-door policy. Students, backed by leftist unions, have blocked dozens of universities for weeks. The special retirement reform that triggered the transport strikes struck a special chord. Under the plan, which concerns about a half-million people, employees will have to work for 40 years to qualify for full pensions compared to 37.5 years currently. Previous governments have reformed the pension system in increments since 1993 but left the special retirement benefits alone. Trying to retool it in 1995 led to a three-week wave of strikes widely considered the worst since the protests of May 1968 that shook the government of then-President Charles de Gaulle.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREPettersson scores another winner, Canucks beat KingsPrime Minister Francois Fillon called on rail workers to restart traffic “completely and without delay.” He thanked the French for their patience and unions for their “responsible attitude.” It can take days to return the vast rail system to full speed. Both the SNCF train authority and the RATP which runs Paris public transport indicated there would be clear improvements today but nothing close to full service. Pockets of resistance remained in southern France where strikers held out. “We seem to be moving toward a total return to work by the weekend,” said Didier Larrigualdie, head of the Workers’ Force union at the RATP. SNCF spokeswoman Julie Vion said a “dynamic” of returning to the job was in place. The turnaround began Wednesday night after a first round of talks with unions protesting Sarkozy’s plans to do away with retirement privileges reserved for rail workers and several other sectors. The government believes the reform is essential to modernizing the economy and saving the pension system. PARIS – A transport strike that has crippled France for nine days in open defiance of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s reform agenda was in its last gasp Thursday as rail workers around the country voted “yes” to return to the job. The collapse of the strikes a day after the start of negotiations suggested defeat for labor unions – and could clear the way for the president’s ambitious program to retool France. In 42 of 45 Thursday morning meetings, rail workers voted to return to work today, a tendency that continued in the afternoon, union officials said. The development was good news for travelers who have been forced to cancel trips and invent new ways to get to work. Parisians stung by a subway strike have walked or used bikes and scooters to cross town. 
Voodoo Venue, Donegal’s No 1 nightspot, provided another series of stellar nights out this weekend. At Voodoo, revellers have the opportunity of sampling the sounds of Voodoo Lounge, Voodoo Club and Voodoo Vintage, that diversity which caters for all ages is what ultimately makes Voodoo Venue so unique in the entertainment industry.Every week, Voodoo in conjunction with Donegal Daily are giving ONE lucky reader that has been pictured enjoying themselves a wonderful prize.This week Voodoo Venue are giving away a €50 voucher to use in any part of the entertainment venue. You can enjoy all the bars, dance areas, or get some delicious food in HOUSE Wine Bar & Tap Room.The lucky winner is circled in purple below, congratulations!Simply contact Voodoo via their Facebook page to claim your prize NOW. Voodoo Venue Picture Special: Are you this week’s winner? was last modified: December 12th, 2016 by Rachel McLaughlinShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:competitiongalleryVoodoo Venue
Kilcar man and FG Seanad candidate John McNulty.DONEGAL businessman John McNulty has said tonight that he will resign if he is elected to the Seanad tomorrow.He told Fine Gael party officials that he will not take up his seat.Mr McNulty, co-manager of his local senior football club Kilcar, has been caught up in a political storm not of his own making. Earlier today former junior minister Dinny McGinley blamed party headquarters for the fiasco which began when he was appointed to a museums quango just days before being nominated to run in the Seanad by-election.Ironically many Government TDs had already voted for him before the political crisis erupted.So Mr McNulty may still be elected to the seat.However a source close to the Kilcar man told us tonight: “John has assured Fine Gael that he will immediately resign his seat if he is elected. “John’s an honourable man and won’t want to see a new political crisis engulf the party.” McNULTY: ‘I’LL RESIGN SEANAD SEAT IF ELECTED’ was last modified: October 9th, 2014 by John2Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window) Tags:john mcnultykilcarresignSeanad
Haunted Jailhouse & Halloween Carnival will feature department displays, game booths, a costume contest and hauntingly fun jail cells, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s station, 23740 W. Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia. A $1 donation is requested. Call (661) 255-1121. To submit an event to the Daily News Halloween Calendar, contact Sharon Cotal at (661) 257-5256, fax her at (661) 257-5262, e-mail her at sharon.cotal@dailynews.com or write her at 24800 Avenue Rockefeller, Valencia, CA 91355.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set! AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MOREThe top 10 theme park moments of 2019 Ghost story event will feature spooky tales of unexplained events in the Santa Clarita Valley, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Saugus Train Station in Heritage Park Junction, 24101 San Fernando Road, Newhall. Admission is free, but donations to the SCV Historical Society will be accepted. Call Pat Saletore at (661) 254-1275. Fall Festival will feature carnival games, a magic show, a silent auction, food, an obstacle course and a costume parade, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Castaic Sports Complex, 31230 Castaic Road, Castaic. Call (661) 294-1242. Molar Manor, a haunted-house fundraiser, will feature entertainment and an “evil clown carnival,” 5-10 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Valencia Industrial Center at 27820 Fremont Court, Unit 1, Valencia. Cost: $5 for spectator pass, $10 general admission and $20 for a fast pass. Proceeds benefit Children’s Dental Health Foundation, Children’s Liver Association for Support Services and Community and Law Enforcement Aware Response. Call (661) 259-6142. Golftoberfest will feature golf played at night with glowing golf balls, a dinner of bratwursts, sausages and sauerkraut served with Octoberfest beer and an auction, all to benefit the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, 5-11 p.m. Oct. 28 at Vista Valencia Golf Course, 24700 Trevino Drive, Valencia. Call Sara Hagen at (661) 678-5116. Monster Mash Dance will feature dancing to the music of Jimmy Sax and Flat Broke, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the SCV Senior Center, 22900 Market St., Newhall. Costumes are encouraged. Cost: $5. Call (661) 259-9444. “Frankenstein” will be presented, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 29 at the Canyon Theatre Guild, 24242 San Fernando Road, Newhall. Tickets: $10-$13 for adults and $8-$10 for students and seniors. Call (661) 799-2702. “I Sincerely Doubt That This Old House is Very Haunted” will be presented, 2 p.m Saturdays and 6:30 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30 at the Canyon Theatre Guild, 24242 San Fernando Road, Newhall. Tickets: $10-$13 for adults and $8-$10 for students and seniors. Call (661) 799-2702. Lombardi Ranch will offer thousands of pumpkins to choose from, wagon rides, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides and Scarecrow Alley, Saturdays and Sundays in October at 29527 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus. Admission is free, with a small fee for certain activities. Call (661) 296-8697. Fright Fest will feature live entertainment, ghosts, goblins, mazes and plenty of spooky special effects, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Oct. 31 in October beginning Saturday at Six Flag California’s Magic Mountain, 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia. Admission: $49.99. Parking: $10. Call (661) 255-4111. 
The popular Metro Orange Line busway across the San Fernando Valley might be helping to ease traffic congestion on the Ventura Freeway during the morning commute. The first attempt to gauge the busway’s impact on freeway volume found a slight improvement in the morning commute. Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley studied commutes since the 14-mile Orange Line opened Oct. 29 and determined that traffic between 7 and 10 a.m. had sped up about 7 percent – from an average of 43 mph to 46 mph. The study also found that the amount of time that morning commuters waste being stuck in congestion – defined as traffic slower than 35 mph – declined about 14 percent. AD Quality Auto 360p 720p 1080p Top articles1/5READ MORERose Parade grand marshal Rita Moreno talks New Year’s Day outfit and ‘West Side Story’ remake “The freeway is operating more efficiently,” said Hamed Benouar, director of the California Center for Innovative Transportation at Berkeley, which is primarily funded by the California Department of Transportation and conducts research for other government organizations. Saving even a minute or two a day adds up over time and results in less smog and gas savings, researchers said. “When more vehicles go through at higher speeds, the pollution is less,” Benouar said. “That has an impact on the environment.” The busway now handles about 16,400 passenger boardings a day, much higher than the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s initial estimates of 5,000 to 7,000 daily boardings. Officials don’t know how many of the Orange Line riders used to drive the freeway. 160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!