NEWSWIRE

Miscellany

Eric Johnson, who has spent 10 seasons at Mater Dei as an assistant coach, has been named football coach at Fountain Valley, Principal Gary Ernst said, pending approval by the Huntington Beach Union School District’s board of education.

He is the second coach recommended to the board by Ernst, who last week withdrew the name of former Irvine assistant Lance Neal because of concerns raised by the Fountain Valley staff and community. Neal was fired last June by Irvine Principal Gail Richards after complaints about his disciplinary style.

A half marathon in Laguna Hills will be named in honor of Olympic gold medalist Florence Griffith-Joyner and will raise money for the Flo-Jo Memorial Community Empowerment Foundation. The first Flo-Jo Memorial Half Marathon & Leisure World 5K is scheduled May 31, Memorial Day. Griffith-Joyner died Sept. 21 at age 38.