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Strength-and-conditioning program is underway – Uvalde Leader News

The Uvalde CISD strength and conditioning program is underway. Open to incoming seventh-grade up to incoming 12th-grade boys and girls, the program runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays at Uvalde High School. The workouts, supervised by UCISD coaches, put prospective Uvalde athletes for the 2025-26 school year through a variety […]

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The Uvalde CISD strength and conditioning program is underway. Open to incoming seventh-grade up to incoming 12th-grade boys and girls, the program runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays at Uvalde High School. The workouts, supervised by UCISD coaches, put prospective Uvalde athletes for the 2025-26 school year through a variety of activities to improve on […]



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Corona high school’s Seth Hernandez, Billy Carlson, Brady Ebel and Ethin Bingaman 2025 Draft

Listen around the backstop at a youth baseball tournament, and you’re certain to encounter plenty of opinions — from coaches, parents, and players — about the “right” paths to the MLB Draft. How many innings (or swings) are appropriate? At what age should a young person specialize in one sport? Is this camp, hitting guru, […]

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Listen around the backstop at a youth baseball tournament, and you’re certain to encounter plenty of opinions — from coaches, parents, and players — about the “right” paths to the MLB Draft.

How many innings (or swings) are appropriate? At what age should a young person specialize in one sport? Is this camp, hitting guru, or pitching lab worth the expense?

The more years I spend as a baseball journalist — and youth sports parent — the less I know for certain. Based on personal experience and research I’ve read, I’m a strong advocate for participation in multiple sports. I also admire the passion of kids who fall in love with baseball at a young age and want to play it as much as possible. It’s difficult to tell young people not to spend time on a pursuit they love, even though taking breaks can be beneficial in the long run.

With that perspective, I drove 50 miles east of Dodger Stadium and spent an afternoon with the star-laden varsity at Corona (Calif.) High School.

“It’s a lot,” said Corona shortstop Billy Carlson, reflecting on the volume of intense baseball he’s played. “It’s a lot of playing. Managing the games so you’re not overworking yourself is a big thing. You’re getting invited to events here and here and here. Just learning how to manage the games you’re playing is big, in my opinion. If I could do it over again, I would be more selective of what I’m playing and not playing in.

“Obviously, you love to play baseball. You want to get on the field as much as you can. But there’s a point where it could be a little too much, and it gets expensive, too, for the family.”

Multiple top prospects for the ’25 Draft have taken different journeys to play at Corona, a public school that has produced Major League pitchers Joe Kelly and Tristan Beck. Corona went 28-3 in a dominant season that ended with an upset loss to St. John Bosco in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section semifinal.

Now the focus shifts to the Draft, where right-hander Seth Hernandez (No. 3) and Carlson (No. 7) are near the top of the MLB Pipeline rankings. Infielder Brady Ebel (No. 64) and two-way talent Ethin Bingaman (No. 150) also are candidates to be selected in the early rounds.

At the outset, let’s be clear about what this story isn’t. The quartet didn’t grow up playing on the same city playground, the way Hall of Famers Paul Molitor, Jack Morris and Dave Winfield did at Dunning Park in St. Paul, Minn., during the 1960s and early 1970s.

But Hernandez, Carlson, Ebel, and Bingaman developed friendships with one another while growing up in the Southern California youth baseball circuit. All four train and take online classes at Futures Training Center, the baseball and softball facility co-founded by former Yankees minor league coach Brandon Oliver.

Hernandez, who grew up a Yankees fan, was homeschooled through his sophomore year and didn’t play a varsity game before enrolling at Corona as a junior. Ebel played his first two seasons at Etiwanda High School in his hometown of Rancho Cucamonga. Bingaman and his family relocated from Redlands — 30 miles away — so Ethin could play with and against the best players in the state during his senior year.

The question of whether Bingaman will be a pitcher or position player at the pro level has been a popular one among scouts. He’s comfortable at third base, second base, and in the outfield. Opinions about his future vary from team to team. Bingaman isn’t sure, either. “I’m kind of leaving it up to everyone that’s asking me the question,” he said. “I’m like, ‘Whatever you like me as, that’s what you can go forward with.’”

(By the way, the unique spelling of Ethin is in keeping with a family tradition of names ending with -in, along with father Dustin and brother Landin.)

Carlson is the only one of the four to spend his entire prep career at Corona. He attended his first Corona game as an eighth grader, as the Panthers faced local rival Norco High School. “It was super intense,” Carlson remembered. “I was used to travel ball games, having a few parents in the stands. Attending that game was like, ‘Dang, this is the real deal.’ I wanted to go to Corona after I went to that game.”

Carlson grew up as a fan of the Angels and Mike Trout. More recently, he’s gravitated toward watching Fernando Tatis Jr., because of his “passion and swagger.” Still, Carlson wonders how it would feel if the Angels were to draft him. Their first selection is No. 2 overall.

“It would be awesome to get selected by them,” he said, “but I’m just going with the flow and seeing where God takes me.”

Such perspective is common among Corona players, partially because of the culture instilled by head coach Andy Wise. A former pitcher at Santa Ana College and Long Beach State, Wise equips his players to manage the sport’s inherent failure, often citing principles of the late Dr. Ken Ravizza, a leading voice in sports psychology.

“I wasn’t the best pitcher in the world, but I had enough to compete, and I think I was good enough in the mental game to work through some of that stuff,” Wise said. “[I’m] trying to bring that to these [high school] players. My message to them is, ‘Let’s just be the best we can be on each pitch, and all the other stuff will take care of itself in the end.’

“It’s an ongoing process. [Mental training] is just as important as your swing or your arm care.”

The Panthers’ senior class featured six Division I commits in all, including Gavin Flores (Creighton) and Jason Gerfers (Arizona State). Crucially, parents associated with the program sustain a supportive atmosphere with their conduct during games.

“These kids are a lot like their parents: they’re into it; they’re excited,” Wise said. “You can hear Bill Carlson (Sr.) in the crowd, and he’s not just yelling for his son. I hear him yelling for everybody else, which is just great. Steve Hernandez, Seth’s dad, is kind of like Seth: very stoic, mellow, and a rock-solid dude.”

Ebel’s father, Dino, wasn’t able to attend many Corona games this year, and for a very good reason: He is the Dodgers’ third base coach. The Ebels still share plenty of time together at Dodger Stadium, where Brady and Trey (a junior at Corona this season) join their father for infield drills long before the Dodgers take batting practice.

Baseball is a multigenerational sport for many Panthers players.

Seth Hernandez’s great-grandfather, Joseph Hernandez, played for the Chino (Calif.) All-Stars during the 1920s, a local club that played a role in uniting the community across ethnic groups.

Carlson’s mother, Mary, was born in the Mexican state of Aguascalientes before moving to Southern California during childhood. Mary’s father and grandfather played in a Calvillo, Mexico, municipal league, and her cousin, Aldo Flores, has spent five seasons as an infielder in the Mexican League.

Dustin Bingaman played junior college baseball at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. His son’s collegiate future — unless he signs with an MLB club — is much further from home: Auburn University.

In fact, all of the Panthers’ top-rated prospects are committed to SEC schools: Hernandez, Vanderbilt; Carlson, Tennessee; Ebel, LSU.

The trend will continue next season, when scouts return to Corona to watch center fielder Anthony Murphy (LSU) and infielder Trey Ebel (Texas A&M) before the 2026 MLB Draft.

The SEC claims the last six champions of the Men’s College World Series.

“If you come out here to SoCal and watch a game, there’s going to be less fans,” Bingaman said. “If you go out to the SEC, there’s going to be thousands of people watching your game every single day. That’s the big difference.”

The spotlight has followed Bingaman and his teammates all season. It will follow them to the Draft and beyond, human stories behind the data in an amateur baseball galaxy of unending complexity.



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2025 Food Truck Rally – University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics

Saturday, September 13th 11 AM – 8 PMUAF Patty Center  Nanooks serve at 7 PM in the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium  You’re invited to the 3rd annual Alaska Nanooks Food Truck Rally! Kick off the athletics season with some delicious, local food and the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic volleyball tournament! Game admission is FREE […]

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Saturday, September 13th 11 AM – 8 PM
UAF Patty Center 

Nanooks serve at 7 PM in the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium 

You’re invited to the 3rd annual Alaska Nanooks Food Truck Rally! Kick off the athletics season with some delicious, local food and the Denali State Bank Ice Block Classic volleyball tournament!

Game admission is FREE with a food purchase, and 10% of sales will be donated to supporting your Nanooks volleyball team!

SAVE THE DATE


Day’s Events

Your Nanooks cross-country running teams will have their Forest Frenzy race against UAA the same day at 10 AM. Cheer on your Nanooks on the UAF trails or compete yourself in the community race. 

Nanooks men’s basketball will also be hosting a youth basketball clinic, more details to follow!

Check back for registration updates or follow @AlaskaNanooks across our social platforms for details.



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Addressing America’s affordable housing shortage

CLEVELAND — Two Ohio politicians are calling on the federal government to take action as it gets harder for people across the country to afford their homes.  What You Need To Know According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is not one state or county in the U.S. where a renter working full-time, making […]

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CLEVELAND — Two Ohio politicians are calling on the federal government to take action as it gets harder for people across the country to afford their homes. 


What You Need To Know

  • According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is not one state or county in the U.S. where a renter working full-time, making minimum wage can afford a two bedroom apartment, and demand for affordable housing is far outpacing supply with a shortage of 7.1 million homes for extremely low-income renters across the country
  • Earlier this summer, Congresswoman Shontel Brown co-sponsored a resolution with Rep. Joyce Beatty that calls on the federal government to take action
  • Data shows that rents across the country have increased by about 30% since 2020

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According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is not one state or county in the U.S. where a renter working full-time, making minimum wage, can afford a two-bedroom apartment, and demand for affordable housing is far outpacing supply with a shortage of 7.1 million homes for extremely low-income renters across the country. 

“Housing touches everything,” said Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio. “And when you don’t have access to affordable housing, that impacts your transportation. It impacts your health. It impacts so many tentacles that touch the other aspects of your life.”

Brown said expanding housing access is a priority for her office. Last year, she launched an annual housing expo to bring stakeholders in the local housing market together to come up with solutions. And earlier this summer, she co-sponsored a resolution with Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, that calls on the federal government to take action.

“The resolution highlights the need and incorporates the public private sector to address the problem while also tackling the affordability crisis by putting resources towards helping people with obtaining homeownership,” Brown said.

Data shows that rents across the country have increased by about 30% since 2020. 

Tanesha Seaborn, director of outreach at the Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research, said increases in housing costs are outpacing increases in wages across Ohio. Data from their latest State of Fair Housing report suggests residents in the Cleveland Metro area need to earn at least $21 per hour to afford a two bedroom apartment, but the state minimum wage is just $10.70.

“We know that there are jobs that pay strictly the minimum wage,” Seaborne said. “But even jobs that pay a little bit more than that, jobs that are paying $15 an hour, there is still this disparity there in the amount that’s needed to afford a modest home.”

According the Ohio’s Housing Finance Agency, the racial gap in poverty and income disparities continues to grow in Ohio. The agency reports nearly 20% of Black Ohioans are housing insecure. And, the gap in homeownership between white and Black residents reached 37% in 2021, eight points higher than the national gap. 

“It is especially troubling in the Black community,” Brown said. “With the dismantling and the underfunding of places like HUD, the attempts to eliminate programs like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, that will make accessibility to homeownership that much more challenging.”

Still, Brown said she’s hopeful she can work across party lines to improve housing access for everyone.

“Listen, housing is not a Democrat or Republican issue,” she said. “It is an everyone issue. And so, this is something that I think and hope that we can get buy in, the preservation of affordable housing and again, promoting equitable zoning and infrastructure.”



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Daniel J. Dubois, 47, raised in Grafton | Obituaries

Feb. 7, 1978 – June 29, 2025 Sutton – Daniel J. DuBois, 47, of Sutton, MA, passed away Sunday, June 29, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Dan was born in Worcester on February 7, 1978, during the Blizzard of ’78 and was affectionately known as “the Blizzard Baby.” He was raised in Grafton […]

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Feb. 7, 1978 – June 29, 2025

Sutton – Daniel J. DuBois, 47, of Sutton, MA, passed away Sunday, June 29, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Dan was born in Worcester on February 7, 1978, during the Blizzard of ’78 and was affectionately known as “the Blizzard Baby.” He was raised in Grafton and graduated from Grafton High School in 1996.

In his youth, Dan played in Grafton Little League, often catching not just because he had the skill, but because he loved wearing the gear. He also excelled in the Westboro Red Devils Youth Football program, where, at just ten years old, he broke the league record for most rushing yards in a season. Dan was born to run, and his love for football carried through to high school, where he proudly wore number 39 as a running back for the Grafton Indians from 1993 to 1996. Football remained his favorite sport. He thrived on the physicality, the hits, and the team camaraderie.

Beyond the football field, Dan had a lifelong passion for motorsports. What started with a minibike quickly turned into motocross racing on a 250cc bike. He raced as number 139 in Southwick and Middleboro, rising to the PRO level, where he had the honor of competing inside the Worcester Centrum, his home turf. When his motocross days ended, Dan found a new thrill in drag racing. His 1986 Monte Carlo wasn’t fast enough, so he built it himself, turning it into a beast powered by a 383 Stroker engine. As a proud member of the Central Mass Drag Racers, Dan traveled across New England and New York competing in races during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Dan was a self-taught mechanic and the go-to guy in town for car repairs. He was always willing to help a friend, or even a stranger, in need, asking for nothing in return but a good conversation and maybe a handshake.

In addition to his racing and mechanical talents, Dan had a deep love for coaching. He gave his heart to Grafton Youth Sports, coaching baseball, football, basketball, and softball for many years. His joy came from teaching, guiding, and cheering on his children and their teammates.

His kids were his pride and joy, and there was nothing that made him happier than watching them grow into who they are today.

Dan leaves behind his three children, Trentin DuBois, Abrielle DuBois, and Delaney DuBois, all of Grafton; his former wife Jennifer McAvey DuBois; his parents, George DuBois of Sutton and Beth Hirtle of Auburn; his brother, Keith DuBois, and his wife Jennifer of New Hampshire; two nephews, Alex and Sam DuBois; two aunts; and several cousins.

All are welcome to gather with Dan’s family and friends Thursday July 10th from 4-7pm at Roney Funeral Home 152 Worcester Street N. Grafton, MA 01536. Funeral services and burial will be private.



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Ricky Pearsall hosts youth camp in Tempe, reflects on ASU and path to NFL

Former Arizona State wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, now with the San Francisco 49ers, hosts a free youth football camp at his alma mater Corona Del Sol High School on June 18, 2025. (Photo by Logan Brown/Cronkite News) TEMPE – A little more than seven years ago, an under-the-radar recruit pledged to stay in the Valley […]

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Former Arizona State wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, now with the San Francisco 49ers, hosts a free youth football camp at his alma mater Corona Del Sol High School on June 18, 2025. (Photo by Logan Brown/Cronkite News)

TEMPE – A little more than seven years ago, an under-the-radar recruit pledged to stay in the Valley and take the football field at Arizona State. Since then, that recruit’s journey has taken him across the country and back as he became a first-round NFL Draft selection, and almost missed out on his dream of playing with the pros following a near-fatal encounter.

Now, with NFL training camps about to open, Ricky Pearsall is preparing to suit up at wide receiver for a second season with the San Francisco 49ers. But first, Pearsall, an Arizona native, had a chance to return to his roots in Tempe at Corona Del Sol High School to host a free youth football camp, which he hopes will become a frequent event. He was reminded of his time at Arizona State, where he rose from the bottom of the depth chart to enjoy a breakout season in 2021 before transferring to Florida for his final two years.

“That’s home. Right down the road, 10 minutes away,” Pearsall said before kicking off his camp with more than 300 participants.

“It’s amazing to look back at those memories and all the relationships I developed. At the end of the day, it’s about the people in your life, all the relationships you built in those times, and the guys that really matter. It’s great to look back and see that ASU had a lot of people like that and Florida.”

Although he wasn’t the most sought-after recruit in 2018, Pearsall did leave an impression during his time at Corona Del Sol. He set a 6A single-game receiving yards record with 342 yards on 14 grabs as a junior against Gilbert. He spent three seasons with the Sun Devils before transferring to the Florida Gators and later being selected by San Francisco with the 31st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Still, he calls Tempe his home.

“I was on this turf not too long ago,” Pearsall said. “I know this process. I remember being a kid and looking up to NFL players growing up playing ball. I just took a moment to look around and remember all the memories. It’s really crazy how things go around.”

Ricky’s mother, Erin Pearsall, still an Arizona resident, has been by her son’s side throughout his return. She wants the free football clinic to help him leave a legacy in his former city and give back to a place that sparked his NFL dreams.

Before those dreams could be realized, Pearsall had to overcome the physical and emotional trauma that befell him when he was the victim of a terrifying crime. Pearsall was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in downtown San Francisco in August 2024, just days before he was slated to make his NFL debut. He made a full recovery and took the field seven weeks later, but the brush with death left an impact on how Pearsall wants to be remembered.

Children wearing black Ricky Pearsall T-shirts with a football camp graphic outdoors on a sunny day.

More than 300 participants received a free t-shirt at Ricky Pearsall’s youth football camp at Corona Del Sol High School. (Photo by Logan Brown/Cronkite News)

“It takes a village. It takes a whole city and (the community) had my back through it all,” Pearsall said. “I’ve got a really great support system. I come from a really great place here. I’m so thankful to have that and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Pearsall was shot in Union Square by a 17-year-old who attempted to rob him at gunpoint. The bullet entered through Pearsall’s chest and exited through his back, missing vital organs. Pearsall was released from the hospital the next day, and even made a sideline appearance nine days later at the 49ers’ season opener at Levi Stadium. The then-rookie receiver presented signed jerseys on the field to the first responding officer and a surgeon who operated on him.

Erin believes her son’s life was spared with a special meaning.

“God had him in the palm of his hand,” Erin said. “You think different. Life is short and you’ve just got to live every day to the fullest.”

By returning to his former stomping grounds, Pearsall’s goals of giving back have made an impression on the current Aztecs football team. Eric Lauer, who in December took over the football helm at Corona Del Sol praised Pearsall for developing into such a revered role model.

“Even in high school he wasn’t a great standout,” Lauer said. “He just kept to the grind and did the work and continued to get better. I think that’s the storyline for a lot of our (players). Do the work, stay focused, stay grounded, and who knows what can happen.”

As Pearsall galloped through a tunnel of hundreds of camp participants, his desire to reconnect with his community and give back was clear. While Santa Clara and the 49ers await to see what big plays the Aztecs alum will unleash this season, Pearsall wanted his camp to inspire athletes from his hometown to follow in his footsteps.

“I always had that belief (to make it to the NFL), and I think that just goes back to who I was raised by, my parents,” Pearsall said. “They instilled that belief in me. I had a great group of friends growing up here at (Corona Del Sol) that always believed in me as well. So I had no choice but to believe in myself.”

As his mother cheered from the sidelines while her son showed the campers his moves, she related the camp to those devastating days last summer and what it has taught her and her son.

“I think this is a camp of persistence,” Erin said. “Because of what happened to Ricky, he had to be so persistent to get back on his feet and enjoy every minute. When you’re down on your luck or you’re having a hard time, you’ve just got to get back up and keep going, and the people that you have around you help a lot with that.”



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Robert “Gerry” Robichaux Obituary – Shreveport Times

Robert “Gerry” Robichaux, 88, passed away on July 3, 2025, in Bossier City, Louisiana. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, July 9, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, Bossier City, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Father Fidel Mondragon. Born July 30, 1936, in Baton Rouge to Dr. […]

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Robert “Gerry” Robichaux, 88, passed away on July 3, 2025, in Bossier City, Louisiana. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, July 9, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, Bossier City, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Father Fidel Mondragon.

Born July 30, 1936, in Baton Rouge to Dr. Francis J. and Lucille E. Robichaux, Gerry earned a journalism degree from LSU, where he was a Sigma Chi and sports editor for The Daily Reveille during the 1958 national championship season. He began his career at The Shreveport Times, working there for 27 years, including nine as sports editor. He championed local sports coverage and served as president of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, where he led the creation of a code of ethics, a scholarship fund, and a statewide writing competition. He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Gerry later served as marketing director for the YMCA of Shreveport-Bossier and helped launch the Northwest Louisiana Senior Olympics, producing its Seniorific Magazine. He also served in the Army Reserves, Knights of Columbus, Serra Club of Shreveport, and coached youth sports.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Patricia; daughter, Frances Carter (Chris); son, Joey Robichaux (Brittany); grandchildren, Lauren Whittington (Colby), Zoey Robichaux, Joe Sam Carter, and Luke Robichaux; and great-grandchild, Mary Catherine Whittington. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Frances Bahlinger and Thomas Robichaux.

Pallbearers include Chris Carter, Colby Whittington, Brandon Mitchell, Nicholas Piro, Craig Causey, Joe Wood, and Andy Bahlinger. Honorary pallbearers are Jim McLain and Nico Van Thyn.

In Gerry’s memory, grab a glove, step outside, and play catch with your children.

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Posted online on July 07, 2025

Published in The Shreveport Times



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