Aztecs Coach succumbs to cancer

Public memorial set for June 26

By Trevor Hill and Stevon Marshall

June 17, 2014 (San Diego)--Baseball legend Tony Gwynn passed away on Monday, June 16th at the age of 54. The former San Diego Padre and Aztecs baseball coach lost his long battle with cancer after years of fighting.

Gwynn was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer in February of 2007 after being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

In 2001, Gwynn, properly nicknamed “Mr. Padre,” retired from the major leagues having been awarded eight National League batting titles and five Gold Glove awards, as well as having a statue of his likeness erected at Petco Park. In addition, according to the Union Tribune, Gwynn, a 15-time All-Star, “holds the Padre career record in virtually every non-slugging category, including 2,000 more hits in a San Diego uniform than anybody else and 19 straight seasons with an average of .300.” He also took the Padres to their only two World Series appearances in the history of the team.

By Miriam Raftery

June 5, 2014 (El Cajon)--Six-time NASACAR Champion Jimmie Johnson will be returning to his hometown of El Cajon for a special tribute on Tuesday, June 17. 

Weather permitting, the El Cajon City Council will hold a special celebration to recognize the hometown hero for his racing accomplishments—and also his philanthropic contributions to the community.  The City is encouraging everyone to attend and show support for one of the racing world’s biggest stars.

May 22, 2014 (Dehesa)—Visitors to the Sycuan Casino on Saturday, May 24 will have an opportunity to meet San Diego Padres’ 1984 World Series players-- and have a chance to win the grand prize:  a road trip for two to Chicago to watch the Padres take on the Cubs.

The event takes place Saturday from 12:30 to 2 p.m.  Tickets will be distributed starting at 10 a.m. in the casino’s front lobby. The first 200 people are guaranteed to meet the players.

A free commemorative signed photo plus Padres baseball caps will also be given away, while supplies last.

East County News Service

May 14, 2014 (San Diego)--All California Interscholastic Scholarship Federation (CIF) athletic competitions scheduled for Thursday, May 15 are cancelled in San Diego County.  No contests are to be played in any sport.  

“The fires themselves, the fluidity of circumstances, air quality, traffic/travel, school closures and school access are all issues that have prompted this cancellation,” said Jerry Schniepp, commissioner, CIF San Diego section.  

Padres host “strike out stroke” night May 10

Stroke kills over 1,000 San Diegans every year.

May 8, 2014 (San Diego) - The good news is that the number of stroke deaths has decreased by more than 30 percent in the past decade. Local health officials aim to keep driving the number of deaths down and make San Diego a stroke-free zone by raising awareness about the warning signs and symptoms of stroke.

Injured and Ill Athletes Go Head-to Head in the Annual Horseman Competition

April 26, 2014 (Escondido)--For the fifth year in a row, the injured athletes of Team Semper Fi and Team America’s Fund are saddling up for an incredible challenge.  Ten veteran and active duty service members, some of them amputees, will learn the skills to become cowboys, then go head-to-head in the ring–and they have just three days to do it.

Alexandra Suarez and Ainsleigh Douglas

April 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Members of the San Diego SeaStars Synchronized Swimming Team, which practices in Spring Valley, earned 9^th place in the duet event at the 2014 U.S. National Championships.

Update March 30, 2014:  All four of these individuals made Saturday's cut and are now in the top 30 finalists. 

By David Dickens

 March 29, 2014 (San Diego)--The San Diego Padres have been holding announcer try-outs for the last several weeks. Almost 800 candidates were given a shot.  It looked as if American Idol was in town. All contestants received a script as judges listened in an undisclosed location in Petco Park. Deamers, professional broadcasters, and writers were in the mix to try and become the new voice of the San Diego Padres.

The top 50 contestants have been notified and this will be cut down to 30 later today. The final announcement of the winner and new voice of the San Diego Padres will be announced on April 18, 2014 when the Friars take on the San Francisco Giants.

Many  success stories have come through  East County, including professional ball players, actors-- and now four lucky contestants who made the top 50 from our own East County: Allen Wilde, Doug Herman, and Patrick Connor. of El Cajon and Randy Mann of La Mesa.

March 19, 2014 (El Cajon) – If you’re ready to get in the swing of things this spring, Cottonwood Golf has announced a series of golf tournaments in April, May and June. Many of these events will benefit local charitable causes, from children’s programs to wounded veterans to the Mother Goose Parade.  In addition, Cottonwood will host brunch in its garden area each Sunday through June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with mimosas or champagne for adults and a menu with child pricing.  Cottonwood is located at 3121 Willow Glen Drive in EL Cajon. For reservations call:

619-442-9891 x 22.

By David Dickens

March 6, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Steele Canyon Cougars finished the 2013 varsity baseball season, (4-11) in league, and (14-15) overall. Shortstop Tanner Perry was one of the bright spots last season, as he made all-league. Perry also plays basketball, and is the key senior amongst many returning this season.  Helping the turnaround, first year coach  and former Oakland Athletic Dan Nerat, will be commanding the Cougars this year to assist Perry and his teammates reach the promise land.

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2014 (San Diego) -- A San Diego State University staff member who lost a leg in Afghanistan has been honored by the San Diego Hall of Champions.  Erick McElvenny was named Challenged Athlete of the Year at the 68^th annual Salute to the Champions awards ceremony on February 13 after a year that’s included accomplishments that would be daunting for many able-bodied athletes.

SDSU News Center

January 29, 2014 (San Diego)--San Diego State junior Hayley Miles (Antelope, Calif./Center HS) has been named to the 2014 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today. It is the second straight season that Miles made the initial 50-player list.  View: 2014 USA SOFTBALL COLLEGIATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST

Miles (2013-14), who redshirted last year, and Erin Floros (2007) are the only Aztecs to ever be named to the pre-season watch list.

We're thrilled to have David Dickens, a well known  sports writer join our team -- but we need your support of our sponsor to continue this coverage as nonprofit media.

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