This story was reported for San Diego Magazine in April 2020. It’s the recipient of a Press Club award for magazine feature writing. It’s December 16, 2019. While friends and family back home in San Diego are surrounding themselves with loved ones and dreaming of a White Christmas, Robert DeLaurentis is alone. He’s 10,000 feet above the most frigid destination… Read more →
Category: Profile
Meet The CA Woman Behind The Biggest Lesbian Party In The World
This story was reported for Patch Media on Jan. 16, 2018. It is the recipient of the San Diego Press Club award for feature writing. SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Mariah Hanson has always had big dreams for the world. Growing up in Mill Valley, Calif., Hanson saw her mother, Elizabeth, fight for civil rights every day of her life. A… Read more →
Bone marrow recipient officiates donor’s wedding
This story was reported for Uptown News on Oct. 24, 2014. One could say a couple’s wedding officiant will always be a part of the couple. But, in the case of North Park’s Kevin Zempko and Erica Wacker, it’s the groom that will always be a part of the officiant. That’s because Zempko donated his bone marrow to his officiant,… Read more →
Teen walks in graduation after paralyzing snowboarding injury
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on June 16, 2014. Miracles are possible. Just ask Cardiff resident Celia Brewer. It was Feb. 1, 2010 when her son, Spencer Fox, crashed while snowboarding at Brighton, Utah. “Spencer was faster than I was and went down a cat track,” said Brewer, who works as Carlsbad’s city attorney. “He hit a bump… Read more →
Encinitas girl, 12, now a yoga instructor
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on May 9, 2014. Jaysea DeVoe loves to ride her bike, surf and sing. But at 12 years old, Jaysea is more than just your average California girl –– she may be the youngest person in the nation to earn a yoga instructor certification. The Encinitas resident begins her days at 7 a.m.… Read more →
Cardiff man finds joy in restoring rare model train sets
This story was reported for Seaside Courier on June 17, 2014. Cardiff resident Bob Shultz was 8 years old when his father gave him a train set. Sixty years later, his father’s gift has spiraled into a hobby that has cost him about $100,000. Shultz, a retired real estate broker, said he became interested in train sets again when his… Read more →
Poway’s Hal Clement Retires From Local TV After 40 Years
This story was reported for Patch on Sept. 2, 2011. He started out in the industry earning $2 an hour and eventually worked his way up to interviewing historical figures such as César Chávez and George H.W. Bush. But now Poway’s own Hal Clement, the man who has graced San Diego’s broadcast journalism scene for 40 years, is calling it… Read more →
Unfiltered: Salas slugs it out for South Bay district seat
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on June 2, 2010. It’s one of the most contentious political races South Bay has ever seen. Millions have been poured into the contest to fill State Sen. Denise Ducheny’s seat in the 40th District by either Assemblymember Mary Salas or former Assemblymember Juan Vargas. There’s been plenty of spiteful… Read more →
Unfiltered: ‘Mayor Maker’ talks city issues, elections
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on April 14, 2010. He’s known as one of the most successful political campaign consultants in San Diego history. Not arguably. He just is. With a 90-percent success rate, Tom Shepard has been the go-to guy for Republican candidates in town. In fact, he said he rarely solicits candidates —… Read more →
Domestic violence victim Steiner to tell all in San Diego
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on March 8, 2010. Editor’s Note: This is a part of a collection of stories SDNN will publish throughout the month of March to celebrate Women’s History Month. Join us as we recognize Women’s History Month by sending in your stories too and checking SDNN every day for stories from… Read more →