In January 1989, George Bush the elder was elected the 41st president of the United States, convicted serial killer Ted Bundy was put to death by electrocution and a mass shooting perpetrated by Patrick Edward Purdy left five children dead and more than 30 people injured in Stockton, California.
In Chula Vista, The Star-News named former mayor Greg Cox its 1988 Newsmaker of the Year, (having also been named 1982 Newsmaker of the Year) for his continued efforts in shaping Chula Vista, a study found that air pollution would increase in South Bay if the South Bay Power Plant maximized its generating capacity, a different report found that South Bay was relatively smog free, and the Chula Vista police were asking for the pubic’s help in solving a “smash and dash” jewelry burglary in La Jolla.
Also around that time 37 years ago, Phillip Brents joined The Star-News as a full time writer.
Landing a gig at a newspaper is an accomplishment for any would-be reporter starting their career, but landing a staffer position after roughly two years of freelancing for them presumably makes the occasion all the more momentous. Add in the fact that Brents was a 1976 Sweetwater High School graduate and the script for the “local boy makes good” mini drama practically writes itself.
The 17 and 18 year olds Brents wrote about in January of 1989 would be in their 50s about now, old enough to have their own children and perhaps even grandchildren.
Covering youth and professional sports for nearly four decades has afforded him an opportunity to watch and chronicle virtually entire lives and careers of South Bay residents and families.
The professional awards and accolades are, as you might imagine, plentiful. They are befitting such a long career dedicated to the sizeable region that is South County. (Actually Brents’ accomplishments are twice as remarkable given that he also covers youth and professional sports for The Star-News sister newspaper in East County). At the end of last year, in fact, he was inducted into the Metro Conference Hall of Fame.
Thirty-seven years and counting. South County is lucky to have Phillip Brents.
