LOCAL

LOCAL
Book chroniclesStruthers football
AUSTINTOWN -- "This is Wildcat Country," a history of Struthers High football from 1916-2003, has been completed by author and historian Gene Janecko and is available for purchase by the public.
The 597-page compilation in scrapbook form with pictures and commentary is the fourth similar project by Janecko, a former Campbell Memorial and Ohio State football player and area teacher and football coach, who now lives in Austintown.
The new Struthers book also chronicles other teams that played Struthers over the 87-year era, and also contains various pieces of Struthers history intertwined with its football teams.
The new Struthers book is priced at $39 and may be ordered by calling 792-0611.
NATION
Yankees officialsprobed by commission
ALBANY, N.Y. -- George Steinbrenner and other top Yankees' executives were subpoenaed by a New York state commission investigating the team's distribution of free tickets to public officials.
Subpoenas were issued Tuesday to the Yankees president Randy Levine and chief operating officer Lonn Trost, according to documents reviewed Wednesday by The Associated Press under a Freedom of Information Act request.
The subpoenas direct the three Yankees executives to turn over records on complimentary tickets for the 2002 and 2003 regular season and playoffs by Jan. 14. The three executives were also ordered to appear at the commission's Albany offices on Jan. 21 to give closed-door depositions about the free tickets.
The team's Albany lawyer, Clemente Parente, has filed free ticket information with the commission for 2002 and for the VIPs who got complimentary tickets for last year's home opener.
The subpoenas were first reported Wednesday by the New York Daily News.
Rangers close to deal with Dellucci
ARLINGTON, Texas -- A day after saying MVP shortstop Alex Rodriguez wouldn't be traded, the Texas Rangers started moving ahead for 2004 by closing in Wednesday on a $725,000, one-year contract with outfielder David Dellucci.
Dellucci became a free agent last weekend when he wasn't offered a contract by the New York Yankees. He hit .176 in 51 at-bats for New York after being obtained July 29 from Arizona, where the outfielder played for Texas manager Buck Showalter from 1998-2000.
Rangers spokesman Gregg Elkin said Dellucci hadn't signed a contract, but "he is someone we have a strong interest in."
Elkin said the Rangers aren't expected to make any moves until after Christmas.
Texas has just four outfielders on its roster. That quartet includes Rusty Greer, who won't play next season while continuing his recovery from a series of surgeries.
In 541 games over seven seasons with Baltimore, Arizona and the Yankees, Dellucci hit .267 with 27 homers and 163 RBIs. Since having 416 at-bats with Arizona in 1998, his first full season, he hasn't had more than 229 at-bats in a season.
Dellucci's contract with Texas would include $25,000 bonuses each for 300, 375 and 450 plate appearances.
Schottenheimerremains head coach
SAN DIEGO -- Marty Schottenheimer will return as coach of the San Diego Chargers next year even though they've lost 19 of their last 24 games.
Tired of speculation about Schottenheimer's future, general manager A.J. Smith said Tuesday that Schottenheimer will return for his third year with the Chargers. San Diego is 3-12 and tied with Arizona for the NFL's worst record.
"The constant questions were becoming a distraction for us, so I felt it was time to end the speculation once and for all," Smith said in a statement. "After the season we will assess the entire organization from top to bottom."
The Washington Redskins, who fired Schottenheimer after he coached them in 2001, will pay $500,000 of his salary next year.
USC-Virginia Techto play in 2004 game
INDIANAPOLIS -- Top-ranked Southern California will open next season against Virginia Tech in the Black Coaches Association Football Classic.
The Trojans and Hokies will meet for the first time Aug. 28 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. USC is 11-1 and preparing to play Michigan in the Rose Bowl with a chance to win the AP national title.
"This is a great way for USC to open up the 2004 season," USC coach Pete Carroll said after the BCA announced the matchup. "I've always said we'll play anybody anywhere. This is an outstanding intersectional matchups against one of the premier football programs in the country.
Virginia Tech (8-4) plays California in the Insight.com Bowl on Friday, a game that matches the Hokies against the only team to defeat the Trojans this season. Virginia Tech is leaving the Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference next season.
Cohen decideson coaching change
NEW YORK -- Two weeks before the national championships, Sasha Cohen is switching coaches.
With Tatiana Tarasova ill, Cohen has signed on with Robin Wagner, who guided Sarah Hughes to the Salt Lake City Olympics title.
"I have known and respected Robin for a long time and am very excited to be working with her," Cohen said Wednesday.
Cohen was having a superb 2003 season before her last two events.
From staff/wire reports