Sports

Summer Is Upon Us — and So Is Push to Build and Update Public Swimming Pools

This article was underwritten in part by the Mickey Flacks Journalism Fund for Social Justice, a proud, innovative supporter of local news. To make a contribution go to sbcan.org/journalism_fund. A dunk on a hot summer day, a workout in the lap lanes, a rehabilitation session after an injury, a swim lesson — a public pool […]

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June 19, 2025

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This article was underwritten in part by the Mickey Flacks Journalism Fund for Social Justice, a proud, innovative supporter of local news. To make a contribution go to sbcan.org/journalism_fund.

A dunk on a hot summer day, a workout in the lap lanes, a rehabilitation session after an injury, a swim lesson — a public pool can bring a lot to a community. But in the Santa Ynez Valley, residents have had no public swimming access for about five years.

The Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation is hoping to change that by building a two-pool complex at Santa Ynez High School. The complex will include a 33-meter-by-25-yard competition pool where swim and polo teams can train and compete (the current pool at Santa Ynez High School is not regulated for high school sports and cannot host meets) and the public can swim laps. It will also feature a 25-yard warm-water pool for swim lessons, rehabilitation therapy, and aqua fitness.

Earlier this month, the foundation announced it had received a $450,000 grant from the City of Solvang to put toward the construction of the complex. Lisa Palmer, the foundation’s board president and campaign chair, called the donation a critical step forward and a call to action in a press release.

“We hope it inspires matching contributions and additional support from across the County,” she said.

Palmer told the Independent that discussions surrounding building an aquatic complex started well before valley residents lost public swim access in 2020. In 2017, the foundation purchased the 2016 Olympic Trials pool. That pool was a Myrtha pool — a stainless-steel pre-engineered pool that can be taken apart and put back together. The pool was shipped from Omaha, Nebraska, to the valley, and its pieces are currently in storage.

Solvang’s $450,000 grant adds to the approximately $3.5 million the foundation has raised. In a press release, the foundation said it has about $10 million more to go, with the goal of finishing fundraising by the end of 2026.

A little more than 40 miles away, Carpinteria is planning to simultaneously fundraise and start on updates for its public pool after a report from aquatics engineering firm Counsilman-Hunsaker last month found that it needs just less than $1 million of repairs.

“The Carpinteria community pool is more than just a place to swim — it’s a vital space for health, recreation, and connection. Keeping the facility updated and well-maintained ensures that we continue to meet the needs of families, seniors, and youth alike,” said Jeanette Gant, director of Carpinteria’s Parks and Recreation and Community Services.

[Click to enlarge]

Currently, the Carpinteria Community Pool is open year-round. It’s home to swim and water polo teams for both youth and adults as well as aqua-aerobics, lap and recreational swim sessions, and swim lessons. Carpinteria High School’s swim and water polo teams also use the facility for competitions.

Recommended repairs include replacing the pool’s cantilevered gutters as well as its depth markings and warning signs. Because addressing the gutters will require replacement of part of the deck, the city plans to replace the whole deck simultaneously, ensuring consistency.

The pool’s filter system is in need of repairs; the city has maintained it for 36 years, and it is reaching its end-of-life stage as is the pool’s heater is also nearing the end of its life. Further, Counsilman-Hunsaker found that the pool’s bathhouse is not currently ADA compliant and recommended updating it — Carpinteria’s Parks and Recreation Department says a renovation, which would give the current conditions a facelift along with the required structural changes to reach compliance, will cost about $160,000.

Carpinteria brought its strategic goals to the city’s council last weekend. The plan, says Gant, is to fundraise and begin the project (including creating designs and getting permits) simultaneously, as the renovation process will be lengthy.

“We’re excited to begin ramping up fundraising efforts and invite the public to join us in shaping the future of these essential services,” Gant said.

Finally, in Santa Barbara’s Eastside, plans to replace the Ortega Park swimming pools are in the design stage. Currently, Ortega Park’s pool is open in the summer for children younger than 14 and offers swim lessons. The current proposal is to build a lap pool that can be open year-round, as well as a wading pool for children and two waterslides. The City of Santa Barbara’s Parks and Recreation Department said that it aims to submit plans to Building and Development in a couple of months. The current goal is to have the project “shovel ready,” or ready to be built, to make it more competitive for grant funding. The plans to replace the pool are part of a wider park revitalization project, which is estimated to cost approximately $30 million.

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Peter Duncan Williams – Orlando-News.com

Peter was born in Cape Town, South Africa and grew up in Rhodesia. He was a Rhodesian Olympic breaststroke swimmer, played water polo and rugby. He was a Lieutenant in the Rhodesian African Rifles during the war. Peter held many positions both in South Africa and the USA in the Sales and Marketing field. Peter […]

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July 5, 2025

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Peter passed away peacefully at home in Maitland, Florida on June 25, 2025 surrounded by his family after a long illness with Frontotemporal Dementia.

He is preceded in passing by his father, Derek Williams.

He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Desré, his mother, Kay Gibson, his brothers, Paul Williams (married to Carol), Glenn Williams (married to Nadia), his sister Karen Nel (married to Anthony), his children, Simon Williams (married to Megan), Lisa Williams (married to Stefan), his 8 grandchildren, Blake Burkey, Kate Burkey, Juliet Burkey, Madelyn Burkey, and Vele Burkey, Brianna Williams, Ava Williams, and Camden Williams.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to AFTD – The Association for Frontotemporal Dementia in Peter’s name https://www.theaftd.org/?campaign=488718

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Free water will be on tap for Northwest Water Carnival – Detroit Lakes Tribune

DETROIT LAKES — This year’s Northwest Water Carnival will be living up to its name, even more than usual. In full compliance with a new Minnesota state law, the Detroit Lakes Jaycees will be providing free access to drinkable water for all ticketed events during the water carnival’s 10-day run, from Friday, July 11 through […]

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July 5, 2025

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DETROIT LAKES

— This year’s Northwest Water Carnival will be living up to its name, even more than usual.

In full compliance with a

new Minnesota state law,

the Detroit Lakes Jaycees will be providing free access to drinkable water for all ticketed events during the water carnival’s 10-day run, from Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 20.

“We’re here to keep everyone happy and hydrated to the fullest,” says April Asleson, who is co-admiral of the 89th Northwest Water Carnival alongside Tyler Tretbar.

This means that the Jaycees will have free water on tap in large Gatorade jugs; allow guests to bring in their own bottled water (unopened); and offer bottled water for sale at a flat cost of $2 per bottle.

This will apply to all ticketed events, from the Kickoff Party on July 11 to the Bash on the Beach with Lonestar on July 19.

And on the other side of the spectrum, the Parade of the Northwest on Sunday, July 20 will be offering “no water” zones for spectators who don’t want to get wet, as well as signs for those parade participants who do not want their floats, vehicles or attire to be splashed/drenched with water from spectators. Both spectators and participants are asked to respect these restrictions — and for those who do want to get wet, the traditional “water wars” will kick off this year’s parade rather than taking place at the end.

Speaking of the parade, the traditional route is being upended this year, beginning from the staging area outside Kent Freeman Arena, proceeding east on West Lake Drive to the Pavilion, then north on Washington Avenue to Front Street. The parade will feature 150-plus entries, and is expected to continue for roughly two hours from start to finish.

More than 60 events are planned during the water carnival’s 10-day run, including traditional favorites like the Water Fights and Great Admiral’s Hat Hunt as well as a few new events like a rock-skipping contest during Family Day (July 13) and a jigsaw puzzle competition at the Pavilion (July 14).

The first night of the Bash on the Beach will also be a little different this year, with the event on Friday, July 18, catering specifically to teens, while the second night on Saturday, July 19, featuring Lonestar as the headliner, will have the traditional, adults-only format.

Pickleball, sand volleyball and bean bag tournaments; sky diving for adults and inflatable games for kids; lots of live music on tap; bingo, “Bearsbee” and more: This year’s Northwest Water Carnival is sure to make a splash. A full schedule can be found online at

dljaycees.com,

which is also where you can find ticketing and registration information for all the events.

A reporter at Detroit Lakes Newspapers since relocating to the community in October 2000, Vicki was promoted to Community News Lead for the Detroit Lakes Tribune and Perham Focus on Jan. 1, 2022. She has covered pretty much every “beat” that a reporter can be assigned, from county board and city council to entertainment, crime and even sports. Born and raised in Madelia, Minnesota, she is a graduate of Hamline University, from which she earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature (writing concentration). You can reach her at 218-844-1454 or vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com.

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Kuzey Tuncelli Claims Hat-Trick Of 1500 Free Titles

Kuzey Tuncelli Claims Hat-Trick Of 1500 Free Titles At European Juniors; Luka Hoek le Guenedal Sets Spanish 50 Free Record Olympic finalist Kuzey Tuncelli earned his third consecutive 1500m freestyle title with a 14:45.05 victory at the European Junior Championships in Samorin. The Turkiye swimmer set a world junior record of 14:41.89 in winning this […]

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July 5, 2025

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Kuzey Tuncelli Claims Hat-Trick Of 1500 Free Titles At European Juniors; Luka Hoek le Guenedal Sets Spanish 50 Free Record

Olympic finalist Kuzey Tuncelli earned his third consecutive 1500m freestyle title with a 14:45.05 victory at the European Junior Championships in Samorin.

The Turkiye swimmer set a world junior record of 14:41.89 in winning this title in Vilnius last year and lowered it to 14:41.22 in finishing fifth at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Kuzey Tuncelli: Photo Courtesy: European Aquatics

With his focus having been on his preparations for the World Championships in Singapore, and suffering the after-effects of badly bruising his foot in a training accident, the 17-year-old was in clear water as he secured his hat-trick ahead of Germany’s Johannes Liebermann who took silver in 14:53.15, with bronze going to Spain’s Cristobal Vargas Trujillo, who just held off the challenge of Romania’s Andrei-Theodor Proca, 15:11.34 to 15:11.77.

Now Tuncelli will turn his attention to the defence of his 800m freestyle title.

“Actually it’s a great feeling, coming from training I’m feeling so great about this title,” he told European Aquatics. “This means that my prospects for Singapore are looking better than I thought yesterday. It’s a great time without taper and with an injury so I hope I will be even better in Singapore. It’s so great to have this support from my team-mates and I feel so great with them here cheering for me, I couldn’t do it without them and I want to thank them so much.”

Hoek le Guenedal Sets Spanish 50 Free Record; European Junior Mark For Nowacki

Luka Hoek le Guenedal became the first Spanish man to break 22secs in the 50 free when he went 21.99 in the semis. Javier Noriega had held the national record of 22.04 for almost 16 years since the super-suited 2009 worlds. Hoek le Guenedal however sliced 0.05 from that mark to head the semis going into Friday’s final. It followed the 17-year-old’s 48.14 on the leadoff of the mixed 4×1 free relay on Wednesday, inside the national record but unlikely to be recognised as a new standard given it was a mixed lineup.

The men’s 200 breast semis featured two Championship records in as many races. Turkiye’s defending champion Doruk Yogurtcuoglu, won the first race in a personal best and Championship record of 2:10.63, bettering the mark of 2:10.69 set by Anton Chupkov, who went on to win Olympic bronze and world gold.

Filip Nowacki set a personal best of 2:10.74 in prelims but he dipped inside the 2:10 barrier in the second semi in a time of 2:09.11, a new European junior record. He became eighth all-time British performer and said: “I’m quite speechless to be honest, I wasn’t expecting that time on the board. I knew I had to go fast to make the final as the field is stacked this year.”

Denmark’s Martine Damborg won two golds in less than an hour, Damborg, who won women’s 50m backstroke silver on day two, earned the first of her titles in the 50m freestyle after Croatia’s 2024 silver medallist Jana Pavalic, whom she followed home, was disqualified.

The Croatian was credited with what would have been a personal best winning time of 24.87, but was then ruled to have moved too early at the start and the title went to the 18-year-old Danish swimmer, who had clocked 25.00. Neutral athlete Kira Manokhina and Britain’s Theodora Taylor, from lane 2, shared silver after clocking 25.12.

Damborg re-focused and re-appeared to defend her women’s 100m butterfly title, which she managed comfortably in 58.30, with silver going to Finland’s Aliisa Soini in 58.95 and Poland’s Flawia Kamzol earning bronze in 59.10.

Martine Damborg: Photo Courtesy: Istvan Derencsenyi/European Aquatics

Neutral athlete Mikhail Shcherbakov dominated the men’s 200IM final, winning in a personal best and Championship record of 1:59.04, bettering the mark of 1:59.17 held by three-time Olympic champion Tom Dean. Romania’s defending champion Robert-Andrei Badea, had to settle for silver on this occasion as, after narrowing Shcherbakov’s lead to 0.12 at 150m he was unable to match his rival’s final 50, finishing in 2:00.59. Bronze went to Iason Routoulas of Greece in 2:01.18.

Italy won the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay in a Championship and European junior record of 7:56.06 with 14-year-old Alessandra Mao bringing the quartet home in 1:57.53. Lithuania took silver in 8:02.15, with bronze going to Great Britain – who had women’s 400m individual medley champion Amalie Smith on the last leg – in 8:04.12.

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Dodgers minors

In Dodgers minor league action, Tyler Glasnow took another step back toward the Dodgers rotation, Sean Linan had his best start for Great Lakes, and Ryan Ward continues to slug. Player of the day 20-year-old Sean Linan wasn’t on too many people’s radar coming into this season. Last year, he pitched at Low-A ball, after […]

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July 5, 2025

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In Dodgers minor league action, Tyler Glasnow took another step back toward the Dodgers rotation, Sean Linan had his best start for Great Lakes, and Ryan Ward continues to slug.

Player of the day

20-year-old Sean Linan wasn’t on too many people’s radar coming into this season. Last year, he pitched at Low-A ball, after a stint in the rookie League, starting four games and relieving in eleven, and had an overall ERA of 4.37 over 70 innings pitched. This year, he opened eyes when in his first 30 innings repeating Low-A ball, he had 50 strikeouts, a 0.843 WHIP, and a 1.21 ERA. Since then, he has settled into High-A ball, after being given two Triple-A starts that didn’t go that well. That continued Thursday with five scoreless innings for Great Lakes, with five strikeouts.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Comets pieced together three three-run innings to defeat the Las Vegas Aviators (Athletics) 9-5. Tyler Glasnow started the game for the Comets, making his third rehab appearance after getting shut down from pitching with shoulder inflammation. Glasnow threw 78 pitches (51 strikes) and lasted four and one-third innings, giving up three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight.

Ryan Ward had a big game with three hits, including a home run, a triple, three runs scored, and three RBIs. Ward now leads the Pacific Coast League in home runs (22), RBIs (71), and is hitting .303.

Double-A Tulsa

The score was tied 4-4 going into the ninth inning, but the Wichita Wind Surge (Twins) surged for six runs to win their game over the Drillers, 10-6. Christian Suarez took the loss, giving up six runs (five earned), two hits, three walks, and hitting a batter, without being able to record an out. Jackson Ferris started the game for the Drillers and pitched five innings, giving up three runs, three hits, five walks, and striking out four.

High-A Great Lakes

After Linan’s five scoreless innings for the Loons, but the West Michigan Whitecaps scored a run in the eighth inning to tie the game, and walked it off with a run in the tenth, winning the game 2-1. Zyhir Hope hit his eighth homer and drove in his 50th run for the Loons’ only run.

Low-A Rancho Cucamonga

The Quakes only had three singles, but it was enough to defeat the Visalia Rawhide 4-3. Consecutive sacrifice flies by Eduardo Quintero and Jaron Elkins in the seventh inning were the difference in the game. Aidan Foeller started the game for the Quakes and pitched three scoreless innings. Quintero, who leads the California League in home runs (13), OPS (.966), runs scored (61), and is second in batting average (.309), has fallen into his first slump of the season. He is one for his last 16, and four for his last 33.

Thursday scores

Friday schedule

Great Lakes (Maddux Bruns) at West Michigan (Hayden Minton), 4:05 PM PST
Wichita (C.J. Culpepper) at Tulsa (Chris Campos), 4:35 PM PST
Visalia (Junior Sanchez) at Rancho Cucamonga (Jhalbran Herder), 5:45 PM PST
Oklahoma City (Landon Knack) at Las Vegas (Osvaldo Bido), 5:05 PM PST

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Yankees World Series Champion, St. Louis' Last AL All

Billy Hunter, who became the St. Louis Browns’ last All-Star during a storied career in baseball, has died. He was 97. Hunter moved east with the Browns franchise to Baltimore, which became known as the Orioles beginning with the 1954 season. After being traded to the Yankees in November 1954, he would play 39 games […]

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July 5, 2025

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Yankees World Series Champion, St. Louis' Last AL All

Billy Hunter, who became the St. Louis Browns’ last All-Star during a storied career in baseball, has died. He was 97.

Hunter moved east with the Browns franchise to Baltimore, which became known as the Orioles beginning with the 1954 season. After being traded to the Yankees in November 1954, he would play 39 games for the 1956 World Series champions.

More news: Former Cubs, Cardinals Outfielder Who Made St. Louis History Passes Away

Hunter batted .219 with 16 home runs and 144 RBIs in six major league seasons with the Browns/Orioles (1953-54), Yankees (1955-56), Kansas City Athletics (1957-58), and Cleveland Indians (1958).

After retiring as a player, Hunter went into scouting, and then coaching. He managed the Texas Rangers for two seasons (1977-78), missing the playoffs by only five games in his second year.

Billy Hunter Rangers Yankees Browns Orioles Indians — Billy Hunter, manager of the Texas Rangers baseball team, Dallas, Texas, July 5 1977.
Billy Hunter, manager of the Texas Rangers baseball team, Dallas, Texas, July 5 1977.
UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Although Hunter never managed or coached a professional team again, he spent eight seasons as the head baseball coach at Towson University. He also spent 11 years as Towson’s athletic director.

Hunter’s claim to fame as the Browns’ last All-Star Game representative came during his first year in the big leagues. A shortstop, Hunter appeared in all 154 games for St. Louis’ final season as an American League city. He slashed .219/.253/.259 with one home run and 37 RBIs in 1953.

More news: Former Red Sox, Indians, Angels Pitcher Passes Away

Hunter’s offensive output ticked up in 1954, when he slashed .243/.281/.304 for the rechristened Baltimore Orioles. But he was traded after the season as part of the deal that sent Don Larsen and Bob Turley to the Yankees for 10 players.

Hunter played sparingly (137 games) in his two seasons in New York, slashing .239/.276/.327. He did not appear in the 1956 World Series, which saw the Yankees defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers for the championship.

More news: Former Braves, Red Sox Pitcher Dies Unexpectedly at 54

Hunter was traded again in February 1957, this time to the Kansas City Athletics as part of an 11-player trade. He would go on to play 138 games for the A’s, slashing .186/.253/.321 from 1957-58.

Hunter was traded to Cleveland in June 1958, and he played 76 games for the Indians to conclude his Major League career. Hunter’s final season (1959) as a player came with San Diego of the Pacific Coast League. He batted .249 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs in 1959 for the Padres, who were the Indians’ top minor league affiliate at the time.

More news: MLB News: Former Red Sox, Cardinals Pitcher Passes Away

Rather than move to Toronto to continue his playing career, Hunter took a job with the Indians as a part-time scout in 1960. He worked his way up to a full-time scout, then a minor league manager, and a major league coach in Baltimore.

As the Orioles’ third base coach in 1969, Hunter took over for manager Earl Weaver in Game 4 of the 1969 World Series when the O’s temperamental skipper was ejected; Baltimore lost the game in 10 innings to the eventual champion New York Mets.

More news: Two-Time World Series Champion, Beloved Member of 1969 Mets, Passes Away

Hunter became the last living St. Louis Browns player only recently, when Ed Mickelson died on June 27.

In 1996, Hunter was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame. In 1997 he was inducted into the Towson University Athletics Hall of Fame.

For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.

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U.S. Women’s Water Polo Announces Singapore Worlds Roster with 7 First-Timers

U.S. Women’s Water Polo Announces Singapore Worlds Roster with 7 First-Timers The U.S. women’s water polo team announced its roster for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships on Friday, a group that includes just one holdover from the 2021 Olympics. Seven of the 15 athletes are making their World Championships debut, and seven are held over […]

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July 5, 2025

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U.S. Women’s Water Polo Announces Singapore Worlds Roster with 7 First-Timers

The U.S. women’s water polo team announced its roster for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships on Friday, a group that includes just one holdover from the 2021 Olympics.

Seven of the 15 athletes are making their World Championships debut, and seven are held over from the squad that finished fourth at Paris Olympics last summer.

Amanda Longan is the lone holdover from an Olympic medalist team, the backup goalie on the Tokyo team in 2021. The Singapore group will not include such program mainstays as Maggie Steffens, Maddie Musselman, Ashleigh Johnson and Rachel Fattal.

Longan is one of seven players who were part of the Paris team, joining Tara Prentice, Jenna Flynn, Jovana Sekulic, Ryann Neushul, Jewel Roemer and Emily Ausmus. Seven players are taking part at their first World Championships: Anna Pearson, Julia Bonaguidi, Emma Lineback, Isabel Williams, Rachel Gazzaniga, Malia Allen and Ava Stryker.

Coach Adam Krikorian named a 15-person roster, with only 14 eligible to take part on any individual gameday. The U.S. is Group B and will open against China on July 10. It will play Netherlands and Argentina in group play.

The U.S. women are the reigning World Champions, having won the event at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha. The team lost in the quarterfinals of the 2023 event in Fukuoka, Japan, ending a streak of four straight titles that dated to 2015. The U.S. women have won eight world titles.