Harper Lee dead at age of 89: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ author passes away  —  Author Nelle Harper Lee, who won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1961 for her book, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” passed away in her sleep Friday morning at the age of 89, her family has confirmed.  —  “This is a sad day for our family.

Tony Phillips, former A's infielder, dies of apparent heart attack  —  Infielder Tony Phillips, a member of the A's 1989 title team, died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 56, according to former Oakland starter Dave Stewart.  —  “T.P. was like my little brother,” said Stewart …

Cheney woman celebrates 110th birthday  —  “There's days she just gets tickled and tells everyone how old she is,” says Jerri Carver, Flossie Dickey's granddaughter.  —  Flossie Dickey is 110 years old.  To really tell Flossie's story we have to take you back in time to the early 1900's …

Incumbent dealing with oblique strain, likes addition of Giles to bullpen mix  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Speaking with reporters for the first time since the Astros acquired hard-throwing Ken Giles from the Phillies — presumably to be their closer — relief pitcher Luke Gregerson was adamant Thursday he shouldn't lose his job as closer.

Indians To Sign Juan Uribe  —  The Indians have reached agreement on a deal with free agent third baseman Juan Uribe, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports on Twitter.  Uribe will earn just under $5MM in the deal, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports on Twitter.  —  This match-up has long been rumored …

Bart Hernandez indicted on charges of alien smuggling  —  Bart Hernandez, a baseball player agent who has specialized in representing Cuban defectors, has been indicted on charges of alien smuggling by a federal grand jury in Miami, where he was arrested early Friday by agents from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.

Rangers Extend Jeff Banister  —  The Rangers announced on Friday that they have exercised their 2018 club option over manager Jeff Banister and added a new club option for the 2019 season to his contract as well.  Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that Banister essentially receives …

Jerad Eickhoff sidelined with thumb injury  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jerad Eickhoff is unable throw off a mound after suffering a small fracture in his right thumb, but the Phillies insist that the injury will not be prolonged.  —  Eickhoff was hit on the thumb earlier in February …

Local father killed after rescuing child from Buffalo fire; 1 other dead, 3 children injured  —  BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A father of three was killed after saving his eight-year-old daughter from a burning building Friday morning.  —  The two-alarm house fire happened at Litchfield and Humber Avenues in Buffalo.

Longtime Giant Jim Davenport Dies at 82  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Jim Davenport, a longtime third baseman for the San Francisco Giants who later managed the team and worked in the front office, has died.  He was 82.  —  The Giants announced his death Friday, saying he died Thursday night in Redwood City …

16-year-old critically hurt after helicopter crash near Arizona Memorial  —  HONOLULU (KHON2) — A 16-year-old boy is in critical condition after a civilian helicopter crashed into waters near the USS Arizona Memorial Thursday.  —  According to the U.S. Navy, it happened at about 10:30 a.m …