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The South Carolina Gamecocks quickly saw their championship aspirations dampened after suffering a 52-28 loss to Texas A&M to kick off the 2014 NCAA college football season. Just like that, the SEC looks much different after Thursday night's rout.

Steve Spurrier's squad looked to cement itself as a legit SEC contender. Instead, Texas A&Mcame out smelling like roses following a magnificent outing from Kenny Hill, who quickly has fans at College Station renaming their old quarterback "Johnny Who?"

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Johnny Manziel never completed so many passes in any start, let alone his first.

That number, by the way, soared all the way up to 44 before the night ended. Hill finished the evening with 511 passing yards and three touchdowns.

"We were ready to prove everyone wrong," Hill said after the game, according to an Associated Press report, via ESPN. "We were ready to show we could play without Johnny."

The lesson here: Kenny Hill is really good, and the Aggies still must be feared after losing Manziel and wideout Mike Evans to the NFL. The team didn't miss a beat without that duo, either. If anything, the Aggies look stronger.

Without Evans grabbing jump balls, senior Malcolme Kennedy played first fiddle, reeling in 14 catches for 137 yards. A year after catching 97 passes for 1,083 yards, the senior looks poised for a monster season.

ESPN.com

Josh Reynolds, Edward Pope and Ricky Seals-Jones all added a touchdown each to the cause. Bruce Feldman of CBS Sports argued this batch of wideouts is even better than last year's.

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Texas A&M vs. South Carolina: How Early Upset Shakes Up SEC Landscape

Rainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press Texas A&M QB Kenny Hill

Johnny who?

Remember when Texas A&M was a flash in the pan and wouldn't have staying power in the SEC West after quarterback Johnny Manziel moved on early to the NFL?

Yeah, about that.

Manziel's replacement, sophomore Kenny Hill, was phenomenal in his debut as the Aggies' starting quarterback, completing 44 of 60 passes for 511 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-28 rout over No. 9 South Carolina on the road in a hostile environment in Columbia, South Carolina. The 511 yards and 60 passing attempts were both school records.

The performance vaulted Hill, who was a virtual unknown prior to Thursday night, right into the early-season conversation for the Heisman Trophy, according to Todd Fuhrman of Fox Sports 1.

It was a statement performance not just by Hill, but by head coach Kevin Sumlinwho proved that, even without the most dynamic college football player in recent history, his system works at an elite level.

Over the last six years, covering stints as the head coach of Texas A&M and Houston, Sumlin's offenses have finished no worse than 11th in the country in total offense. The only reason Sumlin's Houston offense finished in "lowly" 11th in 2010 was because quarterback Case Keenum was lost for the season after three games and David Piland had to step in on the fly.

Sumlin came out to prove a point, and he did it.

Sumlin doesn't fit quarterbacks to his system, he fits his system to quarterbacks. When he was at Houston, Keenum lit up opposing defenses in an offense that resembled the Air Raid. With Manziel at Texas A&M, it was a nice blend of Air Raid, zone read and Manziel's improvisational skills. Speaking of, a certain someone took notice of Hill's performance tonight as well.

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Opening Night Demolition Shows Kevin Sumlin More Valuable Than Johnny Manziel

View from Creech Hill has become iconic image of the Somerset Levels It overlooks the imposing King Alfred's Tower on the Stourhead Estate But the skyline is under threat after plans were submitted for a turbine Locals and the National Trust fear it will tarnish the treasured landscape

By Leon Watson for MailOnline

Published: 12:27 EST, 26 August 2014 | Updated: 20:11 EST, 26 August 2014

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Astunning rural landscape hailed as one of the finest views in England by the National Trust could be ruined by a 242ft high wind turbine.

The outlook from Creech Hill towards the imposing King Alfred's Tower on the Stourhead Estate has become an iconic image of the Somerset Levels.

It features in the book 'England's 100 Best Views' and features Iron Age forts, a Roman temple and ancient woodlands.

Mocked up plans for wind turbine on Gilcombe Farm. Right showing King Alfred's Tower, left is where the turbine could be

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One of National Trust's best views in England faces being 'ruined' by wind turbine

VOL. 129 | NO. 167 | Wednesday, August 27, 2014

A high-end grocery store chain not currently serving the Memphis market has leased the shuttered former Kroger store at 9050 U.S. 64 in Lakeland and should open in the spring, according to a Lakeland official.

As news of a high-end grocery store chain possibly moving into a shuttered former Kroger in Lakeland and former Schnucks in Germantown, Kroger continues ramping up market improvements.

(Daily News/Andrew J. Breig)

The still-unidentified grocery chain, which is also eyeing the old Schnucks store at The Shops of Forest Hill at Poplar Avenue and Forest Hill-Irene Road in Germantown, signed a lease for the former Lakeland Kroger store with owner Garfunkel Development Corp., which is currently making improvements to the site to prepare it for the new grocer, said Jim Atkinson, director of planning and administration for Lakeland.

Right now, (Garfunkel) is preparing the space for the company to come in and do their own thing, said Atkinson, who declined to identify the grocer, citing a confidentiality agreement. We believe it is a home-run tenant. We heard who it was by accident and we cant let that out yet.

Atkinson said an announcement could be made in the fall and developers are expecting an early spring opening date.

Were pushing them to do it is as soon as possible, said Atkinson, referring to the announcement. This is great news for Lakeland.

A real estate source with knowledge of the two sites said the new grocer was Sprouts Farmers Market. Sprouts, along with chains like Trader Joes and Publix, does not currently have a presence in the Memphis market.

Phoenix-based Sprouts replicates the look and feel of an indoor farmers market and specializes in fresh, healthy food. Recently named one of the top five supermarket chains by Consumer Reports, Sprouts employs more than 17,000 team members and operates more than 180 stores in 10 states.

See the rest here:
Changing Landscape

The Hill Country is renowned for its bucolic terrain marked with pastoral fields, wildflowers and wooded pocket canyons cut by spring-fed rivers.

It is this unique geology and the fossils found within the landscape that is the focus of Geological History of the Hill Country, an exhibit that opens today and continues through Sept. 28 at the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, 228 Earl Garrett St.

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More here:
Exhibit focuses on prehistoric bounty of the Hill Country

By Lisa P. White Contra Costa Times

PLEASANT HILL -- The boundaries separating Pleasant Hill and its neighboring cities are often winding and seldom obvious, often leaving visitors -- and even some residents -- unsure about which city they are in.

City leaders hope a project to design gateway monuments reflecting Pleasant Hill's identity and character will help define its boundaries, spruce up its entryways and enhance its economic vitality.

The City Council included in the fiscal year 2014-16 budget $75,000 for the design process and $200,000 for construction.

San Francisco planning and design firm Wallace Roberts & Todd has held two workshops to solicit residents' feedback about what the monuments should look like and where they should be placed. A third workshop is scheduled for Oct. 7.

Pleasant Hill gateway design option: Refurbished existing monument with image panels. (Courtesy of WRT Planning and Design)

At the first meeting, residents said they love the city's "small-town" feel, strong sense of community and acres of scenic parks and open space. Enhancing the appearance of Contra Costa Boulevard should be a priority, they said, and the gateways should "reinforce a sense of place."

Additional elements, such as directional signage, landscaping, murals or other public art also may be considered. The designers said the city might also explore adding a mural or water feature along the Interstate 680-Monument Boulevard overcrossing to make it more attractive to motorists and pedestrians.

Unlike Walnut Creek, which has a well-funded public art program -- the eye-catching golden head-shaped fountain in downtown has proved to be a draw -- Pleasant Hill does not.

During the most recent workshop, John Gibbs, a landscape architect and urban designer with WRT, described Pleasant Hill as a marriage between a traditional suburb and an urbanized shopping district with open space and rural elements.

Here is the original post:
Pleasant Hill seeks to mark its gateways

By Lisa P. White Contra Costa Times

PLEASANT HILL -- The boundaries separating Pleasant Hill and its neighboring cities are often winding and seldom obvious, often leaving visitors -- and even some residents -- unsure about which city they are in.

City leaders hope a project to design gateway monuments reflecting Pleasant Hill's identity and character will help define its boundaries, spruce up its entryways and enhance its economic vitality.

The City Council included in the fiscal year 2014-16 budget $75,000 for the design process and $200,000 for construction.

San Francisco planning and design firm Wallace Roberts & Todd has held two workshops to solicit residents' feedback about what the monuments should look like and where they should be placed. A third workshop is scheduled for Oct. 7.

Pleasant Hill gateway design option: Refurbished existing monument with image panels. (Courtesy of WRT Planning and Design)

At the first meeting, residents said they love the city's "small-town" feel, strong sense of community and acres of scenic parks and open space. Enhancing the appearance of Contra Costa Boulevard should be a priority, they said, and the gateways should "reinforce a sense of place."

Additional elements, such as directional signage, landscaping, murals or other public art also may be considered. The designers said the city might also explore adding a mural or water feature along the Interstate 680-Monument Boulevard overcrossing to make it more attractive to motorists and pedestrians.

Unlike Walnut Creek, which has a well-funded public art program -- the eye-catching golden head-shaped fountain in downtown has proved to be a draw -- Pleasant Hill does not.

During the most recent workshop, John Gibbs, a landscape architect and urban designer with WRT, described Pleasant Hill as a marriage between a traditional suburb and an urbanized shopping district with open space and rural elements.

See more here:
Pleasant Hill seeks to mark the city's gateways

NEW MILFORD A&T has put its proposal to erect a telecommunications tower on New Preston Hill Road, which drew vehement opposition from area residents and conservationists, on indefinite hold.

While AT&T continues to have a need in the area of northern New Milford and southern Kent, at this time AT&T has no specific timeline to move forward with the proposed site. As such, we will not be proceeding with the technical consultation, Daniel Laub of Cuddy & Feder wrote to Mayor Patricia Murphy in a letter dated Aug. 13 on behalf of the telecommunications company. It was also sent to New Milford, Washington and Kent land-use commissions as well as the first selectmen in the latter two towns, Mark Lyon and Bruce Adams, respectively.

Its a great thing for the area, David DeLuca, a New Milford resident, said in an interview Aug. 13 after receiving word of AT&Ts decision. Its a credit to all the neighbors who came together and all the associations that also opposed the proposal.

The cell tower, he said, would have done real harm to its natural beauty, to the environment and to peoples health.

Sarah Lee Martin of New Preston added, I am delighted that AT&T listened and heeded the voice of the community and cancelled the cell tower project. Our grassroots effort was a battle to preserve this beautiful corner of Connecticut.

The Zoning Commission opened a public information hearing May 27 on New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC (AT&T)s proposal for a wireless telecommunications facility at 17 New Preston Hill Road.

AT&T stated in its technical report that the facility would provide services in the northeastern part of town New Preston Hill Road, Cherniske Road, Sawyer Hill Road and Frenchmen Road as well as nearby residential and commercial areas and the southern part of Kent.

The facility, with a 134-foot monopole, would have been installed at a 1,042-foot elevation, on a parcel of land leased from Maurice and Mary Grossenbacher.

According to the states general statutes, the telecommunications company is required to formally consult with town officials before filing an application with the State Siting Council, which makes the determination.

Several hundred local and area residents responded on record to the proposal. A petition on change.org opposing the tower garnered 370 signatures to date, according to Mr. DeLuca. Continued...

Excerpt from:
AT&T Pulls Application for New Preston Hill Tower Proposal

On the Hill Summer, brought to you by The Steadman Clinic and the Steadman Philippon Research Institute, brings you a video report about a different High Country adventure every weekday.

Today's activity: Cliff diving at Green Mountain Reservoir

On the Hill is shot with a GoScope Extreme 2X Telescoping pole mount, get 30% off your order at Go-Scope.com by using the following promo code: goscopevaildaily

Report: Vail Daily On the Hill host John LaConte shows viewers the cliffs at Green Mountain Reservoir in Summit County, a favorite spot among locals for its cool waters and sheer rock walls. In addition to cliff jumpers, rock climbers also enjoy the natural features at Green Mountain Reservoir. Today's episode was filmed by S. Edward Eastep.

Today's forecast: Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m.. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. National Weather Service

onthehill@vaildaily.com | "Like" us: facebook.com/onhillreport | twitter.com/onhillreport

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On the Hill: Cliff Jumping in Summit

Story Published: Aug 22, 2014 at 6:47 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 22, 2014 at 9:58 AM PDT

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A 33-year-old parolee was arrested after a passenger in his car, which stalled in the Paradise Hills neighborhood, told a bystander she had been kidnapped, police said Friday.

Ben Hill and the 21-year-old victim were in a 2007 Honda Accord that stalled in the vicinity of Landscape Drive and Parkside Avenue shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday, according to San Diego police Sgt. Ray Battrick.

The woman told someone who was helping Hill start the car that she was being held against her will, Battrick said. The bystander alerted police and gave descriptions and the car's license plate number after the pair drove off, he said.

Police caught up to Hill and the victim after responding to a report of a man with a gun in the 17100 West Bernardo Drive shortly before 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Battrick said.

Further details about the incident were not immediately available, but Battrick said the police department's Robbery Unit was investigating.

Hill was arrested and booked into jail on a parole violation, according to police and jail records.

The victim was not injured, the sergeant said.

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Parolee arrested after alleged kidnapping in Paradise Hills