Pacified by pigeons Racing birds injects note of serenity into life of prosecutor Sunday, June 17, 2007 3:50 AM By Holly Zachariah THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Spending the evening watching his homing pigeons take wing takes Madison County Prosecutor Steve Pronai away from a day spent on criminal cases. Pacified by pigeons Racing birds injects note of serenity into life of prosecutor Sunday, June 17, 2007 3:50 AM By Holly Zachariah THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Spending the evening watching his homing...

Cropp, a record-setting jockey in New Zealand, was rubbed out for three months by Queensland Racing stewards after being found guilty of offering a victory salute two strides from the winning post. Cahill returned 500 grams over his allotted 54 kilograms, taking in the 1kg allowance for the safety vest, with chief steward Ray Murrihy labelling it "very unprofessional" He pleaded guilty and was suspended for two weeks with a $1000 fine, although the jockey's "very good record" averted a...

But like Barbaro, the 2006 Derby champ who died after a courageous fight, Carlspur had a lot of people rooting like hell for him. Carlspur was always something of an underdog in harness racing. As a 9-year-old he went 48-flat, at the time one-fifth off the world record, the fastest time of the day on the stakes-heavy Hambletonian card. But his handlers fell in love with Carlspur long before that: his even temperament, his guts that helped him thrive as a 10-year-old. Classic Catskills...

Forgotten Angels Shelter, a no-kill animal shelter that aids in the rescue and rehabilitation of abused and abandoned animals, is in need of volunteers to help with fund raising, provide foster homes for incoming animals and clean the shelter. Moveable Feast, a nonprofit program of Thames Valley Council for Community Action, seeks volunteers to deliver hot meals in Groton, Gales Ferry and New London in the late afternoon to residents undergoing treatment for cancer and other acute medical...

MONTMORENCI Johanna Sommer has spent the better part of her life working with horses, plying her trade in the Thoroughbred industry, and now she's decided to move back home. A cabin dating back to the 1820s is currently being renovated and will serve as the tack store, said Sommer. The coastal hay, timothy alfalfa, feed and shavings are currently here. Aiken native moves back to roots to open tack shop. The product and the people reflect what the company is and what it stands for. Sommer...

So confident was Collins in his ability to do so that he paid the princely sum of $270,000 to purchase Swingin Jess at a private sale. Since then he has been busy buying yearlings at different auctions. Horse racing: Swingin Jess heads Retama's spring meet finale. FDD Dynasty, named for his sire First Down Dash, the most prolific stallion in quarter horse racing, was named 2-year-old colt of the year in 2006. Collins had a similar feeling the first time he saw Swingin Jess in April after...

Cotillion well-attended despite badly needed rain Jon Mayhew, Editor Lincoln Tribune Gaston County -- Sandy and Gary Taylor's new house near the Gaston/Lincoln County line was transformed Saturday night into a cotillion featuring more than 45 young ladies that, by the end of evening, would become debutantes. Cotillion well-attended despite badly needed rain Jon Mayhew, Editor Lincoln Tribune Gaston County -- Sandy and Gary Taylor's new house near the Gaston/Lincoln County line was...

While there will undoubtedly be a lot of criticism stemming from this choice of opponent, as there generally is in boxing regarding most any decision anybody makes that one or two ignorant people do not like, it seems like a terrific business move, and a historically important choice, coming on the part of the Ibragimov team. While there will undoubtedly be a lot of criticism stemming from this choice of opponent, as there generally is in boxing regarding most any decision anybody makes...