Coronado’s Locally Owned & Operated News Source Since 2002
Delivering Coronado News to Readers & Quality Leads to Advertisers
The Coronado Times (published by eCoronado.com, LLC) is locally owned and operated online newspaper that was launched in 2002. Our mission is to make Coronado smarter and better connected while being fair and accurate in our Coronado coverage. Our writers are local, intentional, conversational and committed to truth telling in our coverage. Our publication has been Coronado’s trusted news source for over 20 years.
We work with dozens of local and national brands to deliver trackable traffic and quality leads to our partners. Hundreds of readers also support our publication as paid subscribers.
Contact Us:
Story Ideas/Tips/Questions: [email protected]
Letters to Editor: Submission Guidelines & Contact Info
Advertising: [email protected] / Media Kit: click here
Employment:click here
Become a Paid Supporter | Subscribe to Newsletter
Payments:
The Coronado Times
301 7th Street, Coronado, CA 92118
Your Local Coronado News Team (Bios Below):
Steve Johnson, Publisher & Owner
[email protected]
Steve founded and launched The Coronado Times in 2002. It quickly became the largest news source for Coronado and provides coverage of local news, events, business, military, education and lifestyle.
Prior to publishing The Coronado Times, Steve earned a BA in Communication Studies from Westmont College and has experience in the fields of publishing, technology, online learning and education. Steve has served on the board for the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and has been an advisor to the Coronado Schools Foundation. Steve lives in Coronado, is married and blessed to have raised his two kids “on the island.”
Dani Schwartz, Managing Editor
[email protected]
Dani’s background includes a unique combination of physics, information technology, marketing, and serving diligently as the “grammar police” (her self-appointed title) at many past positions.
Originally from upstate New York, Dani has lived in Coronado since 1996. She is happy to call Coronado home and to have raised her children here. In her free time she enjoys reading, exercising, trying new restaurants, and just walking her dog around the “island.”
Jonathan Withers, Director of Sales & Business Development
[email protected]
Jonathan has worked in the media and advertising world most of his professional career working with major ad agencies and media companies. His passion is now utilizing this experience working with local community based businesses.
Originally from the UK, Jonathan has lived in San Diego for 30 years and has two daughters that were raised in Coronado. In his spare times he enjoys surfing, fitness and travel.
Jennifer Velez, Reporter
Jennifer fell in love with Coronado as a teenager while visiting a college friend. She vowed that someday she would make it her home, and that dream has recently become a reality. Fast forward through completing college with a BA in Journalism, Public Relations and Communications, she then went on to work with a variety of clients. She also taught Journalism and coordinated fundraising for her children’s school, and was a staff writer for San Diego Family Magazine and contributed to other parenting publications.
Much of her inspiration for writing comes from a love of travel, which started when she got the opportunity to go to Brazil as an exchange student. It continues today as she travels with her family on a variety of adventures from camping trips through national parks to safaris in Kenya, never without a good book in hand.
Read Jennifer’s published stories.
Christine Van Tuyl, Reporter
Christine was born and raised in Texas, but moved to Coronado with her family as a teen in 1993. Although initially horrified by surfers, flannels and skateboards, she ultimately grew to love all things So-Cal. A graduate of UCSD, Christine got her first writing job on the KUSI ten o’clock news while simultaneously juggling a reporter position at the San Diego Community News Group. She worked as a public relations professional, a book editor, real estate professional, and a freelance writer before eventually succumbing to motherhood in 2008.
A decade later, Christine resurfaced to start the Island Girl Blog, a Coronado lifestyle blog. In addition, she writes a monthly page for Crown City Magazine. Christine loves hanging out with her husband, Ian, and their two spirited daughters, Holland and Marley, who attend Village Elementary and Coronado Middle School. When she’s not working, you’ll find her practicing yoga, spilling coffee at school drop off, meeting friends for sushi, or sailing the Bay with her family and English Bulldog, Moshi.
Read Christine’s published stories.
Brandon Mariano, Reporter
Brandon was born in Carrollton, Texas but moved to Southern California at the age of four. After high school, Brandon enlisted in the Marine Corps where he attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego and was stationed at Camp Pendleton. During his four year enlistment, Brandon worked as Inventory Management Specialist, an Armory custodian, and a Martial Arts instructor.
After being discharged, he went straight back into school at Irvine Valley College while also working as a Legal Assistant at Veterans Legal Institute in Santa Ana. Brandon transferred to UC San Diego in 2020 and graduated in 2022 where he majored in Political Science with a focus in International Relations. While at UCSD Brandon worked as a Peer Navigator at the Student Veterans Resource Center and as contributing news writer for the UCSD Guardian. In his free time Brandon likes to read, write, play guitar, go skateboarding, and explore the beautiful city of San Diego.
Read Brandon’s published stories.
Alyssa K. Burns, Reporter
Alyssa is a graduate of Coronado High School and was in the founding broadcast journalism class at CHS. She earned her BA in Communication from CSU East Bay and completed her MBA from CSU San Marcos.
Her passion for writing and interest in the behind the scenes of business, leads her to write frequently about Coronado businesses. You can find Alyssa walking around the ferry landing with her shih-tzu terrier or enjoying a cup of coffee at one of Coronado’s favorite cafes.
Read Alyssa’s published stories.
Megan Kitt, Reporter
Megan’s work as a journalist has taken her around the world, from across the United States to Tokyo and Kampala, but her passion lies in community reporting. She believes a quality news publication strengthens a community by informing and connecting its members. She holds BA degrees in journalism, English literature and creative writing; an MA degree in creative writing; and her photography has been published internationally.
While on a reporting assignment in Uganda, she founded Tuli, a fair trade fashion brand that earned her industry acclaim, most notably by earning her the title Designer to Watch at New York Fashion Week in 2022. Megan’s diverse experience in travel and career taught her to approach reporting eager to understand the many experiences and perspectives that make life so interesting. When she’s not working, you can find Megan wrangling her two toddlers, hiking with her husband, and binging podcasts.
Read Megan’s published stories.
Clyde Van Arsdall, Reporter
Clyde is a trained chef that has worked in hospitality for nearly 40 years. In addition to cooking, he is a freelance food writer and storyteller. Clyde is a third-generation Coronado local CHS graduate and father of three. He owns and operates Olive Avenue Supper Club, a boutique catering company specializing in culinary experiences. You can follow his culinary journey on Instagram @oliveavenuesupper.
Read Clyde’s published stories.
Noah Perkins, Reporter
Noah is a native of Boston, but hates the Red Sox. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2012 and then attended Journalism School at Northeastern University. Primarily a sportswriter, Noah has worked as an international NBA correspondent for a Japanese magazine and has done work for over 50 newspapers across the United States.
In his free time, Noah enjoys playing basketball, spending time with his family and fish tacos.
Read Noah’s published stories.
Mary Washington, Reporter
Mary has worked in the culinary world for most of her professional career. She started off in the kitchen at an early age and developed a delight for creating custom desserts and delicious treats for any occasion. Postponing her own education to raise a family, she returned to graduate, earn a degree and several certificates. This drive to finish what she started has influenced her need to display her craft to others.
Originally from San Antonio, she has traveled to many states around the world raising her children, grandchildren and a few eyebrows. Her career-military son brought her to Coronado where she fell in love with the art, people and environment. In her free time she enjoys working out and helping senior citizens with various daily activities.
Read Mary’s published stories.
Brad Willis, Visual Storyteller / Reporter
Brad Willis is an author and retired network news foreign correspondent who has worked in Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa, Latin America and Asia. He has received national and international awards for compassionate journalism and for his war coverage.
Brad is longtime Coronado resident who also Commissioner of Public Art for the City of Coronado.
Watch Brad’s published stories.
Caroline Minchella, Reporter
Caroline was 15 years old when her family moved to Coronado. Though she was a “transplant”, Caroline found a home in the Coronado community near-immediately: she became an intern for “The Coronado Times”; helped reinstate the CHS newspaper, “The Islander Times”; was a volunteer dog-walker for PAWS; and a faithful Concert in the Park attendee.
After completing her BA in English at the University of California Santa Barbara, she went on to craft answers for Amazon Alexa devices and write creatively on the side. Fast forward seven years, Caroline is thrilled to return as a Reporter for “The Coronado Times.”
Read Caroline’s published stories.
Pilialoha Estall, Reporter
Pilialoha has a diverse background, ranging from non-profits, and experiential marketing, to being an executive event producer, and has a pr agency focused on youth development. She is passionate about helping her community, (a 4th generation Coronadan) and is on the boards for Coronado Schools Foundation, Coronado Band & Choir Boosters, Rady Children’s Hospital – Coronado Auxiliary, and Coronado Flower Association.
She loves spending time with her family, golfing with her daughter and friends, and Polynesian dancing! She loves writing (from comedy to novels, you name it). She also has a humble weblog and global podcast PilialohaNow – Building Sustainability, available on all major platforms.
Read Pilialoha’s published stories.
Bella Villarin, Student Reporter (Coronado High School)
Bella is a proud military brat who moved to Coronado in 2015. She was born in Yokosuka, Japan, and after a short stay in Virginia, had numerous experiences traveling throughout Asia while residing in Singapore. Her favorite places to visit include Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Bali, Indonesia.
Bella first found her love of writing after joining the Coronado Middle School Surfer Yearbook Staff, where she was the managing editor. A freshman at Coronado High School, Bella can be found at the driving range or golf course when not attending school, studying, writing, reading books, playing the guitar, or spending time with her family and friends.
Read Bella’s published stories.
Graham Bower, Student Reporter (Coronado High School)
Graham Bower is a proud “navy kid” and a student at CHS, class of 2024. He is a captain of the football team and plays multiple positions, including quarterback. Graham has always had a passion to create and share content, starting in the sixth grade making videos at the skatepark in Naples, Italy. From there, it kicked off and became a huge interest. After taking video production, digital media, and photography classes from 2018-2021, he finally got a professional camera in November of 2021.
He started creating sports videos for the school and sharing them on Instagram. Since then, he has continued to create videos not only for many sports and activities, always being open to new ideas and opportunities to grow his experience. Graham plans to study film and photography and play football at college in Montana.
Read Graham’s published stories.
Kaylee Smith, Student Reporter (Coronado Homeschool)
Kaylee was born and raised in San Diego, becoming an official Coronado local in 2015. As a homeschooler, her life has looked a little different from your average teenager. From cruising amusement parks mid week to attending community college since the age of 14, life as the oldest of five stays full. When not crafting together a story, she loves training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and playing beach volleyball.
Read Kaylee’s published stories.
Maria Laguna, Student Reporter (Coronado High School)
Maria Laguna is student at Coronado High School and has lived in San Diego her whole life. She is an officer to numerous clubs on campus, including: Feminist Club, Creative Writing Club, and Activism Book Club. Maria is also very involved with community service. Her passions include fashion, reading, writing, and travel. She shows her love of literature by being a Coronado Public Library volunteer in her free time and working on her own novella. She has always loved doing activities that let her express herself creatively. Maria plans to study fashion and writing after graduating from Coronado High in 2024.
Read Maria’s published stories.
Contact Points:
Story Ideas/Tips/Questions: [email protected]
Letters to Editor: Submission Guidelines & Contact Info
Advertising / Media Kit: click here
Employment: click here
Become a Paid Supporter | Subscribe to Newsletter
Payments: The Coronado Times
301 7th Street, Coronado, CA 92118
