BOB DOLE speaking at the 60th anniversary of D-Day in 2005 (Wikipedia).

Bob Dole, the World War Two hero who rose to become not only a top Republican leader but also his party’s nominee for the presidency, has died at the age of 98.

ROBERT “BOB” DOLE

According to the Associated Press, Dole was considered a pragmatist who was willing to work across party lines to get legislation passed.

He was the Republican vice presidential candidate in 1976 (running mate with Gerald Ford against Jimmy Carter) and the presidential candidate in 1996 (against Bill Clinton) losing both times. He served in Congress for 36 years, representing Kansas.

President Joe Biden said Dole was “an American statesman like few in our history. A war hero and among the greatest of the Greatest Generation,” according to The New York Times.

During his service in World War Two, Dole was an infantry lieutenant who suffered wounds so severe he was left for dead on the battlefield. He survived, but his wounds made his right hand useless.

Sports: A sunny Sunday for the Rams, Bolts, Alabama, Bearcats, Bulldogs and Wolverines

Sunday was a good day if you are a fan of the Los Angeles Rams and L.A. Chargers and four college football teams.

At SoFi Stadium, the Rams snapped a three-game losing streak in defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-7 to improve to 8-4. Matthew Stafford passed for 295 yards and three scores in the win. Sony Michel rushed for 121 yards and one TD. Cooper Kupp caught eight passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

The Chargers (now 6-5) broke open a close game with 17 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 41-22. The Bolts were led by Justin Herbert, who passed for 317 yards and three scores.

On Sunday, the four teams which will play in the College Football Playoff were announced, as were the pairings and schedule.

• Friday, Dec. 31: Alabama (ranked number one) vs. Cincinnati (fourth) in Cotton Bowl, 3:30 p.m.; Michigan (second) vs. Georgia (third) in Orange Bowl, 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, Jan. 10: Championship game, 8 p.m.

Weather: Put on a sweater

The forecast for the West Orange County area calls for cool weather the next few days with a strong chance of rainfall. Monday is expected to have a daytime high of 68 degrees (56 overnight) under mostly cloudy skies. By Tuesday, the temp will drop to 64 (53) with a 42 percent chance of rain. Wednesday will be warmer at 66 (55) under mostly sunny skies, but by Thursday, the thermometer will dip to 59 (45) with a 70 percent chance of rain.