[naviga:h2]Hixon ambassador of sports commission[/naviga:h2]

CRANBERRY TWP — The Butler County Sports Commission has announced Richard Hixon, president of the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, as an ambassador for the organization.

Hixon will be responsible for assisting the sports commission in promoting Butler County as a sports destination, forming regional and national relationships with prospective sports organizations and connecting with local sports organizers.

The Butler County Sports Commission was formed in 2016 as a means to help the athletic industry grow in the county and attract major regional and national sporting events.

[naviga:h2]Lernerville opens 2017 season Friday[/naviga:h2]

BUFFALO TWP — Lernerville Speedway opens its 2017 racing season at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Points will count for the Sprint, Modified and Pro Stock divisions. Late Models will not be on the card on opening night. The RUSH Modifieds will be in action.

Late Models will make their debut at the Sarver oval April 28.

Defending track champions are Jack Sodeman Jr. in Sprints, Russ King in Late Models, Mat Williamson in Modifieds and Corey McPherson in Stocks.

[naviga:h2]Tennis star Williams pregnant, out for year[/naviga:h2]

A spokesman for Serena Williams says the tennis star is pregnant.

Kelly Bush Novak wrote in an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday: “I’m happy to confirm Serena is expecting a baby this Fall.”

Earlier in the day, Williams posted a photo of herself on the social media site Snapchat with the caption “20 weeks.”

The 35-year-old Williams won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open in January and has not competed since, citing a knee injury when withdrawing from tournaments at Indian Wells, Calif., and Key Biscayne, Fla.

[naviga:h2]3-on-3 hoop draft slated next week[/naviga:h2]

NEW YORK — The Big3, the 3-on-3 league involving former NBA players such as Allen Iverson that will debut this summer, will hold its draft next week.

The league will hold a draft lottery on April 28, its combine the next night and the draft on April 30. The draft will be held at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

More than 70 players have signed up to play in entertainer Ice Cube’s league, including former NBA stars such as Latrell Sprewell, Charles Oakley, Chauncey Billups and Steve Francis.

[naviga:h2]Pats’ Brady skips White House visit[/naviga:h2]

WASHINGTON — Star quarterback Tom Brady did not join his New England Patriots teammates Wednesday when the Super Bowl champions visited the White House to accept congratulations from President Donald Trump for another NFL title.

The White House said it was notified that Brady was dealing with a “personal family matter.”