Newsmakers

Released Former Chicago Bears star William “The Refrigerator” Perry has been released from the hospital after a month-long stay for complications of a nervous system disorder. Aiken Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Melissa Summer said Perry was released on Wednesday after being treated for Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Signed Veteran cornerback Dre’ Bly signed a one-year deal Thursday with the San Francisco 49ers, who moved quickly to fill the spot created by Walt Harris’ knee injury.

Decided Highly recruited quarterback Robert Marve has chosen to transfer to Purdue instead of walking on at Tennessee. Purdue announced Marve’s decision in a news release. He will have two years of eligibility, starting with the 2010 season. Marve was Florida’s Mr. Football in 2006.

Employed The Minnesota Timberwolves hired former Indiana Pacers executive David Kahn to run their basketball operations, four days after being rejected by Portland Trail Blazers assistant general manager Tom Penn.

Hired The Minnesota Wild hired Chuck Fletcher to take over as general manager, turning to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ front office to find the second GM in their brief history.

Died National Hockey League Hall of Fame player Clint Smith, a two-time winner of the Lady Byng Trophy while with the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers, has died. He was 95. Smith died Tuesday, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

•Former USAC champion and 1978 Indianapolis 500 co-rookie of the year Larry Rice has died of lung cancer in Brownsburg, Ind. He was 63.