A quick look at the things that made news this week in Newport Beach:
– Funded substantially by donations, aesthetic upgrades are underway for two athletic fields at Newport Harbor High School, reported the Daily Pilot.
The football field is to be installed with new turf between the hash marks, which should cost $32,400. Half of the cost was supported by various high school teams’ boosters, with the rest being covered by the district.
Additionally, the practice football field is undergoing re-sodding. The $69,00 project is funded by an anonymous source.
-The California State Lands Commission delayed its decision on the city’s request to create a harbor fund, the Log newspaper reported.
Postponement was requested by Sen. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine) and Assemblyman Allan Mansoor (R-Costa Mesa) “in order to have time to review how the money will be used and residents’ concerns about the plan,” according to the paper.
The fund is slated to help pay for capital improvements in the harbor.
Voting was delayed until the June 21 meeting.
– A series of pre-dawn thefts on Wednesday are likely connected, according to police, reported Corona del Mar Today.
There were three reports of petty theft Wednesday, all between 4:19 and 5:11 a.m., the CdM website reported, and in the 500 and 600 blocks of Avocado Avenue and the 2500 block of East Coast Highway.
“It would appear that they are indeed related due to the similar time frame and locations, as well as the fact that there were similar losses (potted plants) in each incident,” said Jennifer Manzella, a Newport Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
The value of the plants was not immediately available.
– The Bank of the West will sponsor the Newport Beach Jazz Festival, its fifth year as a supporter. The bank signed a three-year extension.
The festival takes place May 31 through June 2.
Bank of the West will also sponsor Jazz Fest West in San Dimas, July 21-22.
– Girls Inc. of Orange County received a $500,000 gift from the family trust of Corona del Mar resident Gena Reed, reported the Daily Pilot.
The gift was made in memory of Reed’s late husband, who died last year of cancer.
The money is reported to go specifically toward scholarships.
– Eleven people were arrested as the Costa Mesa Police conducted a “sweep” to identify those violating the terms of their release, a factor of the latest realignment plan set to relieve prisons, reported the Daily Pilot. Of the 11, one man was a Newport Beach resident on suspicion of misappropriating an access card.
— Compiled by Justin Swanson
