In brief: No Welcome Wagon for T.O.

FOOTBALL: Here’s a potential first to add to the “Not in My Backyard” homeowner’s list of complaints: Terrell Owens.

The Bills’ high-profile receiver’s search for a place to live in the Buffalo area has hit a snag after Owens said he was denied a chance to rent a home in Orchard Park because of the potential “drama” he might bring to the neighborhood.

Owens first announced what happened late Tuesday by posting a message on his Twitter.com site. The message read that he’s “tripping about residents” who won’t rent a home to him because they “(don’t) want any drama (in) their neighborhood!! LOL!!! Wow!!”

Owens then went into further detail about his search – describing the snub as no big deal.

“They didn’t want me to rent this spot because of the extra or added attention that I may bring,” said Owens, who was informed of the news after a real estate agent and his bodyguard viewed the property.

Associated Press

WSU’s Jones gets honor

Baseball: Washington State outfielder Derek Jones was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team, presented by Collegiate Baseball.

Jones finished the season with 31 walks, 37 runs batted in, 91 total bases and 12 home runs, which tied a school freshman record.

Cougar Hicks in trouble again

FOOTBALL: Washington State University starting safety Xavier Hicks was arrested Monday by WSU police and cited for a third degree driving while license suspended.

Hicks was pulled over on campus just after 1 p.m. while driving a teammate’s car.

He was arrested, cited and released. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The senior safety has been suspended from team activities and will have to face the team’s Unity Council – a group of players that decides punishment – before being reinstated, WSU athletic spokesman Bill Stevens said.

This is the second time in less than a year Hicks has been cited for DWLS.

Last spring he pled guilty to third-degree assault and third-degree theft in a case involving a teammate, receiving a 45-day jail sentence. After finishing his sentence during the summer, Hicks was cited while driving back to Pullman from the Whitman County jail in Colfax.

Despite being suspended by coach Paul Wulff and missing WSU’s first three games in 2008, Hicks still finished second on the team in tackles with 79 and tied for the team lead with two interceptions.

Vince Grippi