West Orange County Features - Current Interest RSS Feed

High Surf & Sting Rays � Comments From Seal Beach Life Guard Chief Joe Bailey

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

Last week, Seal Beach Life Guard Chief Joe Bailey made his annual sting ray presentation at the City Council meeting. That routine presentation happened to coincide with an uptick in the numbers of sting ray injuries both in Seal Beach and in San Diego. As a result, Seal Beach, dubbed by some pundits as the Sting Ray Capitol of the World, got a lot of press attention last week. We asked Chief Bailey about beach safety and if the sting ray action was unusual.

Seal Beach BP/ARCO Gas Station Cleanup � OC Environmental Head Says No More Corrective Action Plans

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

On Monday the Seal Beach City Council heard from the Bridgeport residents anxiously awaiting cleanup of the BP/ARCO gas leak in their neighborhood. Yesterday the New York Times published an article which quoted U.S. Representative Henry Waxman, of California, whose committee is investigating the Deepwater Horizon accident. The NY Times reported �BP cut corner after corner to save a million dollars here and a few hours there,� Mr. Waxman said. �And now the whole Gulf Coast is paying the price.�

Another Daylight Coyote Sighting in Rossmoor � No Fear of Humans

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:00:00 Pacific Time

Coyotes shopping for breakfast in West Orange County neighborhoods are nothing new. But when it happens in broad daylight, the carnivorous predators show no fear of humans, there have been repeated attacks on pets, and people are out walking their dogs a mere twenty feet away, the danger could become serious.

Large Russian Plane Makes Visit to Long Beach Airport

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:43:00 Pacific Time

If you happened to notice the sound of a larger than normal plane over West Orange County around 2:40 PM Wednesday, that would have been a Russian made Antonov 124 taking off from Long Beach Airport. Don�t worry, the Russians aren�t invading, it was a cargo operation.

U.S. Supreme Court Gun Control Case Implicates Orange County Concealed Weapons Rules�OC Authorities Not Changing Policy

Fred S. Peters — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

In a case representing potential direct conflict with Orange County Sheriff�s Department policy on concealed weapons permits, the United States Supreme Court held on Monday that the Second Amendment's right to "keep and bear arms" applies equally to the 50 states as it does to the federal government. Neither Orange County officials or California�s Attorney General are moving to change a decades old policy which conflicts with this week�s high court ruling.

Los Alamitos Awards Competitive Bid Trash Hauling Contract�Residents Save 30% Over County�s Non-Bid Contract For Rossmoor

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

The competitive bid process for awarding a new trash hauling contract for the City of Los Alamitos, which ended with a contract award on Monday, was very contentious, but they are saving substantially over what residents of Rossmoor will pay without the benefit of a competitive bid contract.

Another Daylight Coyote Sighting In Rossmoor�What�s the Risk�Who�s in Charge?

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

Coyotes in Rossmoor are nothing new, but the recent rash of pet killings and sightings may represent an increase in the danger from the predators� activities. Rick Francis, Chief of Staff for Orange County Supervisor John W. Moorlach, told www.OC180NEWS.com �It probably won�t be long before there�s an encounter with humans that turns dangerous and nobody wants to see that.�

Tensions Rising in Seal Beach on ARCO Gas Leak Clean Up

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:03:00 Pacific Time

You don�t have to look across the country to find complaints with BP/ARCO pollution clean up�we have it right here in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Old Town Seal Beach. At the community meeting yesterday, it sounded like a microcosm of what is happening in the Gulf. Complete with angry and frustrated residents, seemingly continuing delays, and governmental officials somewhat impotent to make it happen right away, Bridgeport Seal Beach could have been any small town along the gulf coast.

Seal Beach Encounters Water During College Park East Repaving Project�Lots of Water

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:09:00 Pacific Time

With a broken water main and higher than expected moisture in the ground, the repaving project is temporarily halted and normal trash pick up is disrupted. The city issued the following statement:

Freeway Projects receive funding�Local Congestion Expected

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 06 May 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

With funding now approved, Caltrans is preparing to issue contracts for a major freeway project which will significantly affect the local traffic patterns. Dubbed the �West County Connector Project�, the construction will connect and enlarge the carpool lanes from I405, I605, and the 22 freeways. While this project will undoubtedly improve this hub of congestion for those motorists transiting our communities, local drivers will not see much benefit and will face major congestion during the construction.

Residents Protest ARCO Stalling on Gas Leak Cleanup�ARCO Says it Will Excavate if Ordered by County�Hires Lobbeyist Curt Pringle

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:35:00 Pacific Time

The pollution from underground gas tanks at the ARCO station in the Bridgeport section of Seal Beach is nothing new (see our related story below). It was first discovered in the 1980�s. But, now the plume of underground pollution is spreading beyond the area of the station at 490 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach. The local residents want the station demolished and the contaminated soil dug up and hauled away, but ARCO is not moving fast enough for the residents, so they picketed the station last Saturday.

Local Philanthropist Saves Fireworks Show�Makes $15,000 Donation

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

As late as last week, the annual Fourth of July fireworks show at the Joint Forces Training Base was on the verge of cancellation. In fact, at the Los Alamitos City council meeting last month, the city cancelled the show unless residents donated the $15,000 needed to cover the city�s costs of the event. Last week, the donations were few and far between and it looked as if the show would not go on. In stepped local philanthropist Kenneth M Brandyberry, of Rossmoor.

Bridgeport Gas Leak Clean Up Plans Uncertain�County Decision Expected By April 19

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

After enduring the now infamous �floods and fumes� of the last several months, Seal Beach�s Bridgeport residents must wait a little longer to hear when, and by which methods, the ARCO gas leak will be cleaned up. The Director of Orange County�s Division of Environmental Health, Richard Sanchez, told www.OC180NEWS.com �We�re hoping to get the CAP {corrective action plan} finalized, so they can start the work, some time�May�June, in that area.�

Walk through a living kelp forest�experiment on a polar ice wall�New Science Center Grand Opening�Free!

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

The California Science Center unveiled a new permanent exhibition wing, Ecosystems, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. The major expansion nearly doubles the volume of exhibition space at the Science Center and features an unprecedented blend of live animals, and hands-on science exhibits in 11 immersive environments - unique among science centers in the United States.

Half Price Carnival Tickets Today�Los Alamitos 50th Celebration This Weekend

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 06:00:00 Pacific Time

The City of Los Alamitos celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend. There will be a parade, live music, and a Carnival. The City is offering 50% discounted carnival tickets until 4:00 PM Friday. The carnival starts at 5:00 PM.

After 10 Months of Investagation, NTSB Concludes Pilots in Long Beach Mid�air Crash Didn�t See Each Other�3 Dead

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:00:00 Pacific Time

Almost ten months ago, on Monday, May 18, 2009, at about 6:01 PM, the apparently happy life of Los Alamitos father and husband Gary Gierczak, 54, along with two other men, ended suddenly in a mid-air crash off Long Beach. The weather was clear, it was during daylight, the planes were both being tracked on FAA radar, and the pilots were experienced flyers. In fact, Gierczak had an airline pilot�s license. The National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB, concluded that the pilots did not see each other.

Long Beach Girl, 9, One in a Million�Wins Gap Kids Contest

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:00:00 Pacific Time

Gap, Inc. announced yesterday the four winners of this year�s Casting Call Contest for babyGap and GapKids Stores Nationwide. Long Beach�s Madison Russell, 9, was one of the four. The national contest called for one boy and girl in the babyGap category (4 and under) and one boy and girl for GapKids (5 to 10). Madison was the winner for the girls 5-10 group and will be featured in store windows nationwide.

Sledding, Snowmen, Ice-skating, Snow Play�Free Tomorrow in Irvine

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:00:00 Pacific Time

With typical Southern California mid-winter temperatures pushing into the 70�s, how about a snow day in Irvine? The Great Park kicks off its winter series with a boatload�make that a sledload--of free winter fun tomorrow, Saturday, January 30, 2010. The GP is offering a long list of events and activities. Admission is free, parking is $8.00, and GP will even provide free sleds and skates.

Clean the Beach�Go to Disneyland Free

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:00:00 Pacific Time

At this time of year, when southern California finally gets some rain, our local beaches really get dumped upon, and we don�t mean the rain. According to Kim Masoner, Founder, Seal Beach based Save Our Beach, when it rains, the trash comes down the San Gabriel River and ends up at Seal Beach. �Trash from Diamond Bar and people in Azusa, their trash comes all the way down to Seal Beach.�

Local Girl, 9, Beats Million as Gap Stores Modeling Finalist�the California Look?

Dolores Barr, Editor and Publisher — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:00:00 Pacific Time

Gap Inc. recently revealed the 20 lovable finalists in its nationwide contest to find the next faces of babyGap and GapKids. Out of nearly a million entries submitted online by hopeful parents, Madison, 9, from Long Beach, CA, was selected by the judges as one of the 20 finalists.