Costa Mesa sues county over ballot measure

The Orange County registrar should put Costa Mesa’s city charter initiative on the June ballot because officials thought they had met the submission deadline, attorneys for the city argued in court documents filed Thursday.

Richard Grabowski, outside counsel retained by the city, filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court against the county registrar on behalf of Costa Mesa City Clerk Julie Folcik.

The filing claims Folcik misunderstood the deadline for submitting ballot initiatives and points out that the deadline was missed by one day.

– Joseph Serna, @JosephSerna, Daily Pilot

…Continue reading Costa Mesa sues county over ballot measure

Marine killed by O.C. deputy outside school wasn’t armed, sheriff says

Marine Sgt. Manuel Loggins Jr. (Courtesy Loggins family)

A Marine sergeant fatally shot by an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy in a dark San Clemente high school parking lot this week was not armed and the incident doesn’t appear to be alcohol- or drug-related, sheriff’s officials said.

A sheriff’s spokesman said the deputy feared for the safety of two young girls sitting in a parked car when he shot Marine Sgt. Manuel Loggins Jr. on Tuesday. The shooting occurred as Loggins started to get into the SUV where his two daughters — ages 9 and 14 — were sitting, authorities said.

Jim Amormino, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Department, said the deputy was fearful that Loggins — who he said appeared to be acting irrationally — was about the drive off with the girls.

– Nicole Santa Cruz, @nicolesantacruz, in Orange County, Los Angeles Times

…Continue reading Marine killed by O.C. deputy outside school wasn’t armed, sheriff says

CdM Chamber to host Government Affairs meeting Thursday

The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly Government Affairs meeting on Thursday.

The meeting’s featured topic will be presentations by Newport Beach City Council and State Assembly candidates and also will include legislative reports from representatives for U.S. Congressman John Campbell, Assemblyman Don Wagner, Sen. Tom Harmon and others.

Refreshments will be served. The meeting will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the chamber offices at 2855 E. Coast Hwy. The meeting, which is set to end at 9 a.m., does not require reservations. For more information, call (949) 673-4050.

– Amy Senk, @coronadelmartdy, Corona del Mar Today

Couple sentenced to probation for squatting in Newport Coast mansion

An Orange County couple accused of “fairly sophisticated squatting” at an ocean-view mansion in Newport Coast was sentenced to three years of probation Wednesday in Santa Ana.

Chris Wayne Duncan, 43, and Robin Ann Duncan, 37, both of Newport Beach, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of conspiracy to commit trespass and one misdemeanor count of trespass, the Orange County district attorney’s office said.

“This crime is an example of people taking advantage of the current real estate environment,” said Pete Pierce, the prosecutor who originally asked for the Duncans to be charged with a felony.

– Dalina Castellanos, Los Angeles Times

…Continue reading Couple sentenced to probation for squatting in Newport Coast mansion

Newport Beach Restaurant Week starts

Bryon Freeze, Five Crowns Chief de Cuisine, prepares Salmon Tar Tar, made with Skuna Bay Salmon from British Columbia, Vancouver Island, for guests during a media launch event for the upcoming Newport Beach Restaurant Week at Five Crowns restaurant. (KEVIN CHANG, Daily Pilot / January 18, 2012)

Several local restaurants will be showing off their most popular dishes during Newport Beach Restaurant Week, which kicks off Friday.

Area eateries will tempt diners with special prix-fixe, multicourse menus that range from $10 to $20 for lunch and $20 to $40 for dinner.

Chef Deborah Schneider of SOL Cocina at 251 E. Coast Hwy. said she sees the event as a way to give back to the community that has welcomed her since her restaurant’s launch in 2009.

“We appreciate all their support over the years; Newport Beach really made us welcome,” Schneider said. “We’ve gotten great community support here, both in summer and in the off-season.”

Schneider said SOL is a coastal Mexican concept evocative of Baja California, where seafood reigns. The menu is friendly to vegans and vegetarians as well as to those with food allergies and intolerances, and food is grilled rather than fried.

– Candice Baker, @TheDailyPilot, Daily Pilot

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Santa Ana intern convicted of taping men in City Hall restroom

A city intern in Santa Ana was convicted Thursday of surreptitiously videotaping men in the restroom at City Hall using a cellphone, Orange County prosecutors said.

Miguel Ruiz Fabian, 24, pleaded guilty Thursday to eight counts of misdemeanor disorderly conduct by unlawful viewing and has been sentenced to six months in jail in addition to three years probation.

Fabian, who was a engineering student at Cal Poly Pomona and interning in the city Public Works Department, recorded men using the restroom in Santa Ana City Hall and the City Hall Annex 64 times over 23 days between Dec. 28, 2010, and May 31, 2011.

–Rick Rojas, Los Angeles Times

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Howie Kendrick says that staying with Angels was top priority

Howie Kendrick said he was fully aware of what effect an impressive season could make on his value as a free agent before 2013, but remaining an Angel trumped taking on the speculative venture.

“It’s special to be around this organization where I grew up, to stay home,” Kendrick said Tuesday in a news conference at an Anaheim restaurant to formally announce the four-year, $33.5-million contract extension he signed with the team. “I can’t explain how happy I am to stay in Anaheim.”

Kendrick said the team’s winter acquisitions of free-agent slugger Albert Pujols, former Texas Rangers ace C.J. Wilson, veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins and catcher Chris Iannetta only emboldened his view that “you can’t find a better place to play than here.”

– Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

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Police arrest suspect in $14,000 bank scam

Officers escort an alleged identity theft suspect, connected with stealing more than $14,000 from several victims bank accounts throughout Southern California, into the Glendale Police Department on Thursday, December 15, 2011. (Roger Wilson, Glendale News-Press)

Police arrested a 48-year-old Whittier woman Thursday who was suspected of stealing $14,000 from at least two dozen personal bank accounts.

Natalie Diamond was taken into custody at a neighbor’s home in Whittier after detectives went to her home to issue court-ordered arrest and search warrants, but noticed she wasn’t there, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said. Detectives went door-to-door throughout the neighborhood until they found her, he added.

Police released surveillance photographs of Diamond last week, asking for the public’s help in finding her.

“Since her pictures were first released… we have been receiving nonstop calls here on her whereabouts,” Lorenz said.

Tipsters who knew Diamond provided police with her name and address, he said.

– Veronica Rocha, @VeronicaRochaLA, Glendale News-Press

…Continue reading Police arrest suspect in $14,000 bank scam

Pug needs new home

A female pug found in La Habra needs a new home.  To adopt her, email jamie.rowe@latimes.com.

Abandonded dog needs home

Tthis dog was left behind after the owners moved from the Club Laguna complex on El Toro.  He needs someone to give him foster home until he finds his forever home.

He appears to be some sort of terrier, and in clean and good condition.  He weighs about 10 pounds.

To adopt or foster him, contact Gina of the Animal Crackers Pet Rescue at (949) 499-1988.