Four members of the San Diego Community News Group staff were honored recently at a local journalism awards event. The San Diego Press Club’s 43rd Annual Excellence in Journalism Awards presentation was held at The Jacobs Center at Market Creek in Southeast San Diego. Peninsula Beacon contributor Scott Hopkins received a first place award in the Health and Medicine category for his story “PLHS baseball player defies the odds,” a moving story about Dylan Vaughn who has earned a spot on the Point Loma High baseball team while dealing with cerebral palsy. Hopkins also received a second place award in sports writing for “Gulls return to SD wins back former fan,” his account of the return of professional hockey to San Diego after a nine-year period. Hopkins has been a Gulls fan since the now 50-year-old Valley View Sports Arena opened on Nov. 17, 1966. Beacon contributor Mike McCarthy earned a third place award in news photography with the shot “Spring tides soak Sunset Cliffs.” Reporter Dave Schwab garnered a third place award in general news writing for “Plum Street remodel sold; new owner to renovate Point Loma house,” an update on community concerns about an unfinished home that had sat idle for a lengthy time. Editor Thomas Melville received a third place award in feature photography for “Summer on the nose” and also a third place in sports photography for the shot “Strength and honor.” Both photos ran in the Beach & Bay Press.