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WSU takes the “field” out of Track & Field

In what may be a sign of more to come, WSU Athletic Director Anne McCoy this week announced that the school will eliminate all field events from its track & field program. WSU will also limit sprint and hurdle events. Here’s the entire brief announcement: Earlier today, WSU Athletics leadership met with members of the […]

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In what may be a sign of more to come, WSU Athletic Director Anne McCoy this week announced that the school will eliminate all field events from its track & field program. WSU will also limit sprint and hurdle events.

Here’s the entire brief announcement:

Earlier today, WSU Athletics leadership met with members of the men’s and women’s track and field team to inform them that the program will be shifting to a distance-focused approach. This change gives the WSU Track & Field program the best opportunity to remain competitive at the conference and national levels in distance events in cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. It does mean, however, that field events (e.g., jumps, throws) will no longer be supported, effective immediately, and the number of sprint and hurdle opportunities will be limited moving forward.

Impacted student-athletes will have their scholarships honored should they choose to remain at WSU. WSU understands the significant impact this decision has on Cougar student-athletes, coaches, and fans. Transition support and services will be provided to those student-athletes who choose to seek to continue their academic and athletic careers at other institutions.

That’s all we’ve heard from WSU and McCoy, as neither she nor track head coach Wayne Phipps have commented publicly.

John Blanchette, writing for The Spokesman-Review this week, talked to former athletes and legendary coach John Chaplin for their reactions. Let’s just say their feelings aren’t great, especially Chaplin’s:

“I feel like going over to the alumni center and chopping that tile with my name on it out of the floor,” former Cougars coach John Chaplin said.

And then this:

Most of the track and field alums grasp the realities of today’s college landscape, even if they don’t like it or understand. They’re more saddened than disgusted.

That doesn’t make this wholesale gutting of the program easier to swallow. Chaplin, a long-time donor as well as the builder of the program, insisted he’s taking the Rono statue project he’s ramrodded off campus.

“I don’t want my name attached to the university in any way,” he said. “I’m embarrassed to be a graduate of WSU.”

The brief statement—which, again, is all we’ve heard from anyone at the university—tries to put a positive spin on things: “This change gives the WSU Track & Field program the best opportunity to remain competitive at the conference and national levels in distance events in cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.”

That’s a lot of digital ink that could have been spared and replaced with, “Look, we just don’t have the funds anymore.”

And that’s what this is all about (and why not just come out and be honest about it?). It’s not like the WSU brass woke up one day and felt the urge to gut the field events and become a distance-only school (much like Gonzaga). To remain Division I, schools have to field a minimum amount of sports. With the perilous financial situation WSU is in, cutting positions and spending is the only way out, but if they want to remain Division I, hard decision like this have to be made. It’s awful for the athletes affected by it.



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Siebel Newsom visits San Anselmo library

Jennifer Siebel Newsom and author JaNay Brown-Wood read to about 50 children Monday at the San Anselmo Public Library. “It was awesome. Our Monday morning story time was always popular,” said Linda Kenton, the library director. “They were a great team up there.” The library recently received a $1,000 grant from the state library to […]

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Jennifer Siebel Newsom and author JaNay Brown-Wood read to about 50 children Monday at the San Anselmo Public Library.

“It was awesome. Our Monday morning story time was always popular,” said Linda Kenton, the library director. “They were a great team up there.”

The library recently received a $1,000 grant from the state library to install a story walk. The book featured in the installation, “Here are the Seeds” by Brown-Wood, centers on two children who learn to garden.

The book has been selected for inclusion in Siebel Newsom’s children’s book club, which launched in June. About 900 libraries receive the book club selections, said Abby Lunardini, a spokesperson for Siebel Newsom.

Siebel Newsom, who was raised in Marin, lives in Kentfield with Gov. Gavin Newsom and their children.

“Growing up, this library was such an escape for me,” Siebel Newsom said in a prepared statement. “I just loved walking up the steps, eager to uncover the mystery of a new book to read.”

“This place and the incredible public servants who work here — our librarians and library staff — supported me, spurred my curiosity and creativity and instilled a lifetime love of books and storytelling,” she said.

The grant is meant to encourage families to use the library year-round, and promote early childhood literacy and educational programming, Lunardini said.

“San Anselmo has been doing amazing things on that forefront,” Lunardini said. “Today was an example of that.”

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Author JaNay Brown-Wood reads one of her books during an appearance with Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Brown-Wood’s 8-year-old daughter Vivian during a story time outside the library in San Anselmo on Monday, July 28, 2025. (Alan Dep/Marin Independent Journal)

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OVC Tennis Teams and Athletes Earn ITA Academic Honors

• Complete ITA Academic Releases Ohio Valley Conference women’s tennis teams and student-athletes have been honored for academic success by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Four programs were named an ITA All-Academic Team by having a team GPA of 3.2 or above.  The teams were Bryant, Southeast Missouri, SIUE and Western Illinois. Additionally, 31 student-athletes were […]

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OVC Tennis Teams and Athletes Earn ITA Academic Honors

Complete ITA Academic Releases

Ohio Valley Conference women’s tennis teams and student-athletes have been honored for academic success by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA).

Four programs were named an ITA All-Academic Team by having a team GPA of 3.2 or above.  The teams were Bryant, Southeast Missouri, SIUE and Western Illinois.

Additionally, 31 student-athletes were deemed ITA Scholar-Athletes for having at least a 3.5 GPA during the 2024-25 academic year.

OVC Tennis Players Named ITA Scholar-Athletes
Natalia Vera, Bryant
Caitlyn Munson, Bryant
Bella Tan, Bryant
Gia Fenton-Noriega, Bryant
Athmika Sreenivas, Bryant
Nicole Isman, Bryant
Lucia Pino, Bryant
Aurora Pedwell, Bryant
Amy Maalouf, Bryant
Hannah O’Brien, Bryant
Kristina Kozakova, Southeast Missouri
Yontha Tadoum, Southeast Missouri
Mia Mayerova, Southeast Missouri
Claudia Casas Gasol, Southeast Missouri
Lera Valeeva, Southeast Missouri
Maja Bajorek, Southeast Missouri
Chloe Koons, SIUE
Cydney Rogers, SIUE
Stefaniya Anikina, SIUE
Noelle Compton, SIUE
Amelia Gorman, SIUE
Payton Tomichek, SIUE
Denver Johnson, Western Illinois
Nour Gueblaoui, Western Illinois
Lara Rosetto Diniz de Souza, Western Illinois
Anna-Evelina Trush, Western Illinois
Aubrey Brumbaugh, Western Illinois
Paige Grice, Western Illinois
Mana Fawcett, Western Illinois
Richardlynne Francois, Western Illinois
Chloe Routier, Western Illinois
 

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SAY WHAT?: Popcorn vs. potato chips – things get salty in skirmish over snacks

Welcome to Say What?!, a newsroom feature wherein important issues are debated and petty scores get settled. In today’s edition, Surrey Now-Leader reporter (and Say What?! instigator) Tom Zytaruk faces off against Peace Arch News reporter Tricia Leslie in an important battle for snackers everywhere. Today’s topic: What’s better, popcorn or potato chips? Tom says: Why popcorn is prime Mmm, […]

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Welcome to Say What?!, a newsroom feature wherein important issues are debated and petty scores get settled.

In today’s edition, Surrey Now-Leader reporter (and Say What?! instigator) Tom Zytaruk faces off against Peace Arch News reporter Tricia Leslie in an important battle for snackers everywhere.

Today’s topic: What’s better, popcorn or potato chips?

Tom says: Why popcorn is prime

Mmm, caramel popcorn – what a treat. 

Or simply unadulterated. Or lightly buttered, maybe with a dash of salt?

Just as excellent.

Caramel potato chips, on the other hand, are inconceivable. Might as well eat spider goulash. In fact, I apologize outright for introducing the concept, a faux pas on par with expelling gas in a crowded elevator.

Firstly, let’s consider the history of popcorn – a go-to snack for thousands of years, probably before even potatoes, let alone potato chips, were invented.

Have you ever heard of cave popcorn? It’s a thing. Might be even older than in the beginning, when darkness was over the surface of the deep and God’s spirit hovered over the waters.

Cave chips? What’s that, flint? Can’t eat flint, no.

Secondly, there is utility in popcorn. It made for an inexpensive meal during the Great Depression – and sure, while it can get stuck in your teeth, at least you have a snack for later.

You see, popcorn is food. Fibrous, and nutritious. Potato chips are junk.

Popcorn can be a suitable snack for people with diabetes. But chips?

If there were a Latin term for potato chips, it would probably be carbohydratilicum commotio cordis. Steeped in heart-busting trans-fats, over-processed, greasy, can’t microwave them, troublesome.

Ever heard of acrylamide? Google it, if you dare. Dr. Eric Berg, author of The Healthy Keto Plan, says it’s “The #1 Most Dangerous Ingredient in the World.” Guess where you’ll find it?

Don’t fear the kernel. Popcorn generally has a lower level of this compared to the lowly potato chip.

Thirdly, eating popcorn is iconic.

When you’re on the edge of your seat in a movie theatre – stuffing your face – that’s popcorn you’d be putting down your neck, as opposed to potato chips getting stuck in your neck.

That’s what the theatres are selling; Hollywood knows what you want. (And people, I’m told, are willing to pay a premium for it). 

Finally, when you order popcorn, that’s what you get. With chips, you can’t be too sure. French fries? Crisps?

What the heck? It’s too risky.

So pop the popcorn, and skip the chips. Because, essentially, chips plus dips equals mighty, giant hips.

Tricia says: Why chips are champ

There’s something so tasty about a salty, crunchy snack, and chips are a favourite choice for many munchers.

Chips come in so many flavours, and as someone who adores having plenty of options, it’s great to have such a variety, from plain to salt and vinegar, tikka masala to all-dressed, dill pickle, honey dijon, avocado lime or even sweet ghost pepper.

There’s also a wide range of yummy chip dips, and chips made from whole grains, such as Sun Chips, or tortilla chips, which are fantastic by themselves or elevated with cheese and toppings into a delicious plate of nachos.

Chips — unlike popcorn — don’t get stuck in your teeth, remaining impervious to dental floss and brushing.

Popcorn is also pretty pricey, especially at the movies, where they charge extra to add a substance called “butter topping” (but is actually, butter-flavoured oil with less water content than butter to prevent sogginess). Yikes. 

Some chips offer stackable fun, like Pringles.

Ever try to stack popcorn? 

It would be a slippery, salty hot mess. 

Literally. 

The earliest known recipe for chips is from 1817, in an English cookbook that included a recipe for “potatoes fried in slices or shavings.”

Another popular tale says they were invented in 1853 by a restaurant chef, when a finicky customer kept sending back his French-fried potatoes, so the cook sliced the potatoes ridiculously fine and fried them — and the customer loved them. 

Present-day Michelin-star chefs know the value of potato chips, with many creating their own delicious versions of the snack, or incorporating chips into Michelin-starred dishes including omelettes, cannoli, and wagyu beef carpaccio.

Wagyu beef car-popcorn-o?

No thanks. 

With Trump’s ongoing tariff war, many Canadians have been purchasing products only made in Canada, dubbed the “Elbows Up” movement. 

Old Dutch is one brand of Canadian chips that offers several flavours to Canadian-minded consumers, as well as Hardbite, owned by fourth-generation farmers Peter Schouten and Braden Douglas of Surrey-based Naturally Homegrown Foods Ltd. — chips made from potatoes grown locally by the Heppell family. 

Orville Redenbacher?

American. 

Chip is also the name of our adorable (unofficial) office kitten, and he’s the coolest.

In short, chips are the cat’s pyjamas. 

Popcorn?

Something people throw at movie screens when watching A Minecraft Movie. 

Got an opinion about this battle? Got an idea for a future battle? Contact the newsroom.



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Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has passed away

As you all know, Ryne Sandberg has been fighting prostate cancer for a couple of years. Today, the team made this announcement: The Chicago Cubs are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg, 65, passed away today at his home, surrounded by his family, following a […]

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Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has passed away

As you all know, Ryne Sandberg has been fighting prostate cancer for a couple of years.

Today, the team made this announcement:

The Chicago Cubs are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg, 65, passed away today at his home, surrounded by his family, following a hard-fought battle with cancer.

“Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” said Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts on behalf of his family and the Chicago Cubs organization. “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career. He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father, and grandfather.”

Sandberg is survived by his wife, Margaret, his children, Justin (Ashley), Lindsey (Adam), Steven (Megan), BR (Katie), and Adriane, and his 11 grandchildren: Joshua, Micah, Eli, Brooklyn, Owen, Nathan, Weston, Adalyn, Bode, Stella, and Roman.

“Margaret and their children and grandchildren will always be a part of the Cubs family,” Ricketts said. “Ryno will never be forgotten by the Cubs community and baseball fans around the world.”

Here is a statement from the Commissioner’s office:

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who was 65:

“Ryne Sandberg was a legend of the Chicago Cubs franchise and a beloved figure throughout Major League Baseball. He was a five-tool player who excelled in every facet of the game thanks to his power, speed and work ethic. Ryne earned 10 consecutive All-Star selections, nine straight Gold Gloves, seven Silver Sluggers and 1984 National League MVP honors.

“Ryne remained active in the game he loved as an ambassador for the Cubs, a manager for the Phillies and in the Minor Leagues, and a frequent participant at the Hall of Fame. His many friends across the game were in his corner as he courageously fought cancer in recent years. We will continue to support the important work of Stand Up To Cancer in Ryne’s memory.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Ryne’s family, Cubs fans everywhere and his admirers throughout our National Pastime.”

There are so many memories of this great player’s career that I can’t possibly do justice to them in this article. I will say that Sandberg is the first Hall of Fame player whose entire career I saw, from raw rookie in 1982 — I was in Cincinnati for his first game with the Cubs! — to the final game he played at Wrigley in 1997.

Sincere condolences to Sandberg’s family, friends, many teammates and all his fans around baseball, Cubs fans and others. He was 65 years old.

I will have a complete obituary for Sandberg, reviewing his entire Hall of Fame career, here tomorrow.

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Paris celebrates Olympic beach volleyball legacy with City Hall festival – FIVB

One year after beach volleyball enthralled audiences during the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the sport has made a triumphant return to the French capital with a lively public celebration that welcomed fans from across the globe, as well as Olympic champions and athletes from Paris 2024; Ana Patricia Silva Ramos, Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), Arnaud […]

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One year after beach volleyball enthralled audiences during the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the sport has made a triumphant return to the French capital with a lively public celebration that welcomed fans from across the globe, as well as Olympic champions and athletes from Paris 2024; Ana Patricia Silva Ramos, Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), Arnaud Gauthier-Rat and his new partner Téo Rotar.

Also present during the festivities were dignitaries including International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry, Honorary Life President of the IOC Thomas Bach, IOC Member/former President of Paris 2024 Tony Estanguet, Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo and the French Minister Delegate in charge of Sports/former Director of Impact and Legacy for Paris 2024 Marie Barsacq. During their visit, the delegation met with the beach volleyball Olympians as well as FIVB representatives on site at the activation. Tony Estanguet and Anne Hidalgo were also gifted a replica of the prized painting by British artist Peter Spens from Paris 2024.

(Photo credit: FIVB)

From 25 to 27 July 2025, the FIVB, in partnership with the City of Paris and the French Volleyball Federation (FFvolley), hosted a three-day activation at Paris City Hall, highlighting the city’s continued dedication to its Olympic legacy.

The Eiffel Tower Stadium, which hosted Olympic beach volleyball event, was widely hailed as one of the most iconic venues of the Games. It drew crowds in a festive, party-like atmosphere. This weekend’s activities captured that same spirit, bringing the sport into the heart of Paris in a free and inclusive setting.

As part of the city’s broader summer sport programme, three beach volleyball courts have been in daily operation since 12 July and will remain open until 20 August. The City Hall festival served as one of the centrepieces of this programme, offering a packed schedule of activities that encouraged both locals and visitors to get involved.

(Photo credit: FIVB)

Thousands took part over the three days, enjoying introductory volleyball sessions, casual matches and family-friendly games. The courts remained busy from early morning until late at night, with some fans arriving as early as 3:30am and staying throughout the day.

A community 4×4 tournament, featuring 32 teams, took place on Saturday afternoon where spectators also had the chance to meet the Olympic stars. The athletes took part in exhibition matches and connected with fans, bringing back the unique atmosphere of last summer’s Games.

(Photo credit: FIVB)

Adding a cultural dimension to the event was a collaborative art project led by internationally acclaimed artist and Olympian Slaven Dizdarević. Members of the public were invited to create their own artworks by cutting and arranging pieces of used volleyballs. Over two days, 103 unique artworks were produced by participants of all ages. These will now be combined by the artist into a single large-scale installation.

(Photo credit: FIVB)

By transforming one of Paris’s most historic spaces into a centre of sport and community, the event demonstrated beach volleyball’s unique power to unite people through shared experiences.

As Paris continues to build on the legacy of the Games, beach volleyball remains a shining symbol of the Olympic spirit and an indelible memory of a truly incredible Olympic beach volleyball competition.



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Ryne Sandberg, Cubs legend and Baseball Hall of Famer, dies at 65

Chicago Cubs legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has died, the team announced Monday night. He was 65. “Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said […]

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Ryne Sandberg, Cubs legend and Baseball Hall of Famer, dies at 65

Chicago Cubs legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has died, the team announced Monday night. He was 65.

“Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a team-issued statement. “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career. He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father, and grandfather.

“Margaret and their children and grandchildren will always be a part of the Cubs family. Ryno will never be forgotten by the Cubs community and baseball fans around the world.”

[Complete Ryne Sandberg coverage on the Marquee Sports Network app]

Sandberg spent 15 seasons with the Cubs and became one of the storied franchise’s icons. He amassed a .285 batting average, 2,386 hits and 282 home runs in his 16-year career, in addition to the 1984 National League MVP award, 10 All-Star appearances, nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

In January 2024, Sandberg announced he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Just seven months later, he announced his cancer was in remission, before announcing in December 2024 that it had returned.

Sandberg attended Cubs Convention one month later, appeared at the team’s facility in Mesa, Ariz., for the beginning of spring training in February, and threw out the first pitch at the home opener in April alongside fellow Cubs Hall of Famers Billy Williams, Lee Smith, Fergie Jenkins and Andre Dawson.

Sandberg provided another health update in July 2025, sharing his treatment plan and thanking fans for their support.

The Cubs acquired Sandberg ahead of the 1982 season from the Philadelphia Phillies, along with Iván de Jesús, for Larry Bowa. He immediately became an everyday player and won a Gold Glove in his second Cubs season. 

However, Sandberg’s real breakthrough came in 1984 during a June contest later dubbed “The Sandberg Game.”

On June 23, in a nationally televised game against the rival St. Louis Cardinals, Sandberg hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning against future Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter, sending the game to extras. In the bottom of the 10th, with the Cubs trailing 11-9, Sandberg hit another home run, this one a two-run shot off Sutter to tie the score and force an 11th inning, where the Cubs walked it off on a Dave Owen RBI single.

That game put Sandberg and the Cubs on the national radar, and he went on to hit .314 with 19 home runs, a league-leading 19 triples and 84 RBI that season. He was a catalyst for the Cubs team that went on to win the 1984 NL East and make the playoffs for the first time since losing the 1945 World Series.

Sandberg won nine consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 to 1991. He had a .989 fielding percentage — the major-league record among second basemen — when he retired in 1997. Sandberg ranks in the franchise top 10 in WAR, runs scored, hits, doubles, home runs and RBI.

The Cubs retired his jersey number 23 in 2005, making him the fourth player with that distinction (Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ron Santo).

Sandberg stayed close to the game after his retirement, joining the professional coaching ranks in 2006 as manager of the Cubs Class-A affiliate Peoria Chiefs. He left the Cubs organization in 2010, serving as the Phillies’ Triple-A manager from 2011 to 2012. In 2013, he was named the Phillies’ third base coach and became the interim manager in August. He served as manager until 2015, compiling a 119-159 record.

Sandberg rejoined the Cubs organization as a team ambassador in 2016. He remained around the franchise, making appearances at games, Cubs Convention and speaking to players at spring training.

Sandberg was enshrined in the Cubs’ Hall of Fame last year. He was forever immortalized with a statue outside of Wrigley Field on the 40th anniversary of The Sandberg Game, joining Fergie Jenkins, Williams, Banks, Santo and broadcaster Harry Caray.

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