Newsmakers

Determined Investigators have determined that a fire that damaged the Bellevue home of Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez started in the laundry room. Damage is estimated at $250,000.

Retired Former Milwaukee Bucks All-Star guard Michael Redd, fourth-leading scorer in Bucks history, will retire today in Milwaukee. Redd was a second-round pick out of Ohio State in 2000, and he played 11 of his 12 NBA seasons in Milwaukee.

Acknowledged The champion Boston Red Sox are saying thank you to fans – of their World Series opponents. The Red Sox took out a full-page ad in Tuesday’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Under a large photo of two boys – one in Cardinals clothing, the other in a Red Sox jersey and cap – the heading reads, “From one great baseball town to another.”

Awarded NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson awarded $470,000 to nine different schools as part of the annual grants he and his wife have given out the last four years. The five-time NASCAR champion and wife, Chandra, have donated more than $3.1 million through their foundation. The money is earmarked for schools in their hometowns of El Cajon, Calif., and Muskogee, Okla., as well as Charlotte, N.C., where the Johnsons reside.

Agreed Catcher Geovany Soto and the Texas Rangers have agreed to a $3.05 million, one-year contract, a raise of $300,000. Soto hit .245 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs in 54 games this season.

• A Utah man who sent an email threatening U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart after USADA stripped Lance Armstrong of his Tour de France titles has agreed to a guilty plea that will not result in jail time if accepted by a judge. Robert Hutchins, 60, of Sandy, Utah, agreed to probation in a plea deal in federal court.

Suspended Guard Dominic Artis and forward Ben Carter have been suspended by the No. 19 Oregon Ducks for violating NCAA rules against selling team-issued apparel. The length of the suspensions has not been determined. Artis and Carter did not accompany the team on its trip to South Korea for the Ducks’ basketball opener against Georgetown on Friday.

Announced Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill says he will remain in the coaching booth and not return to the sideline this week against Penn State. The Golden Gophers (7-2, 3-2 Big Ten) have won three straight conference games, and Kill says he wants to stick with what’s working. Kill left the team to seek more treatment for his epilepsy a month ago.