San Diego, CA
Olen Zellweger Shines Bright in 2024 All-Star Classic | San Diego Gulls
Feb 6, 2024
By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Olen Zellweger.
The 20-year-old defenseman made his NHL debut on Jan. 23, picking up his first NHL point in the contest. After a four-game stint in Anaheim, he was sent back to San Diego for a couple more games before the rookie embarked for the AHL All-Star Classic in San Jose as the Gulls’ representative.
The weather tried its best to dampen the mood, as a heavy storm hit the Bay Area, making travel difficult. His parents missed the chance to watch him in the All-Star Skills Competition thanks to a delayed flight. But even through clouds, one of San Diego’s best young stars still shined bright in San Jose, collecting three assists to help the Pacific Division win the 2024 AHL All-Star Challenge.
“I’ve been in a lot of action here lately,” Zellweger said. “It’s pretty cool [having my parents here]. They were planning to come here, and then I got the call to play up. They really wanted to make that one. I’ve seen them here quite a bit, which is awesome throughout the season. It’s a great event for them to see live.
“That’s how you want it to be. You want to be playing against the best and you dream of playing in the NHL. If that opportunity comes at any time you go for it and you play your best.”
Zellweger’s weekend started at the Skills Competition, where he led off the event in the puck control relay. Zellweger also participated in the shooting accuracy challenge and smashed all four targets to help his Western Conference squad take home an 18-13 victory in the showcase.
“It was pretty cool,” Zellweger said. “It was not that nerve wracking, but I think it would’ve been good to be the anchor [in the relay].
“I think I shot a little too fast, but at least I hit all four [targets] eventually there. I used all the pucks, all eight, but it was good. Something I can practice… It’s cool [seeing] guys you don’t see for periods of time that you know and watch how their teams are doing. Great to catch up with some guys that I know.”
The All-Star Challenge brought a familiar sight as Zellweger was a catalyst for the Pacific Division. He picked up three helpers in the Pacific’s four games, tied for most among all skaters. Each of his assists came on goals that either gave the team the lead or tied the game, including one on Josh Doan’s game-tying goal in the championship game.
In the end, the Pacific defended their All-Star Challenge title after they took home bragging rights in the 2023 edition that saw Anaheim Ducks goaltender and former Gull Lukas Dostal take home co-MVP honors.
“Great experience. Pretty good intensity there in the final game which was really fun to be a part of,” Zellweger said. “Good to get the win.
“I told [Dostal] we’ll try to keep it here in the Pacific Division. I’ll probably joke with him here when I see him next.”
Zellweger won’t get much rest after his action-packed week. As the Gulls gear up for a playoff push, it won’t get much easier, especially with a weekend series against the third-place Calgary Wranglers starting Friday. But there’s no one more prepared to rise to the occasion than Zellweger, as he’s already shown just how quickly he can become the star of the show.
San Diego, CA
UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance
UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)
San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.
The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.
The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.
San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.
The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.
Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
San Diego, CA
Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks
SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.
The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.
Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.
Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.
The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.
As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.
The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.
Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”
Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.
San Diego, CA
SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.
The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.
The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.
Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.
The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.
Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.
Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.
“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.
The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.
Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.
“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.
Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.
“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.
Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.
Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.
“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”
Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.
“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.
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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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