Opinion writers kick up sand over Newport Beach incursions

The Los Angeles Times published strongly worded letters in reaction to its Monday news piece on Newport Beach residents who landscape and decorate the public beaches in front of their homes.

The state has ordered them to remove the incursions, which include everything from lawn sprinklers to playground equipment.

“Charge the offending property owners for every cent spent repairing their misguided efforts to commandeer our mutually owned resources,” wrote Gerald LeGanoux of Santa Monica.

Doug Norberg of Santa Barbara took the side of residents, writing, “The California Coastal Commission’s tyranny is just another hallmark of the state’s dysfunction.”

The Los Angeles Times editorial board also editorialized against the residents in Wednesday’s newspaper, arguing “Newport Beach is a city beach. Residents don’t own anything beyond their property lines. Yet dozens of them have added landscaping that extends too far and essentially privatizes a chunk of public area, intimidating beachgoers from traipsing across land they have every right to enjoy.”

The Daily Pilot editorial board plans to take a position on the issue in Sunday’s newspaper.

Newport media cover sailing tragedy

There’s strong coverage of this weekend’s Newport-to-Ensenada deaths around the web today.

The Los Angeles Times and Daily Pilot teamed up for live coverage in San Diego and Newport.

The Orange County Register spoke to a stunned sailing community.

Newport Beach Patch explains why the sailors didn’t need to wear life vests at all times.

Corona del Mar Today describes the difficult atmosphere around the bay after the race.

Report: Obama to visit Corona del Mar

President Obama plans to attend a campaign fundraiser in Corona del Mar on Feb. 16, the Hollywood Reporter reports.

The event at the home of Jeff and Nancy Stack is closed to the public.

Tickets range “from $2,500 to $35,800,” according to the article.

Fire burning in Costa Mesa

There’s a structure fire burning in Costa Mesa at 1711 Monrovia. Firefighters say there are flames on the roof of a commercial building.  More to come…

Report: Thieves try to steal Reagan statue in Newport

Thieves attempted to steal the newly installed statue of Ronald Reagan at Bonita Canyon Sports Park, according to published reports.

The bronze statue of the 40th president was pried from its foundation but not completely removed, the Orange County Register reported. The crime happened around 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

The city removed the statue later for repairs.

… Continue reading

Mozambique restaurant to open Newport location

Known for African spices, popular Laguna Beach restaurant plans fast-casual concept for The Bluffs.

By Sarah Peters

NEWPORT BEACH — Fans of Mozambique Steakhouse and Lounge in Laguna Beach will soon be able to partake in their favorite African-inspired fare at a new eatery here, a company spokeswoman said Monday.

The fast-casual concept, also called Mozambique, will open in late November at The Bluffs shopping center on Bison Avenue in Newport Beach.

The restaurant will offer indoor and patio seating and feature variations of signature dishes at discounted prices, spokeswoman Lisa Ende said.

“One of the fasting growing trends, especially with the economy as it is, is the fast-casual dining segment,” she said. “Customers can enjoy a restaurant-type experience with high-quality food, but not at the price like you would expect at an upscale restaurant.”

Entrees, such as peri-peri chicken, peri-peri shrimp, roti wraps, curry dishes and salads, which average between $15 and $25 at the Laguna location, will cost $6 to $10 at the fast-casual concept.

Portions will be smaller, but the flavors and the quality will be the same, Ende said. … Continue Reading

Letters From The Editor: The Sun rises in Seal Beach

The Seal Beach Sun is the first newspaper that paid me to write.

The exact date escapes me. It was about 1990, maybe 1991. The article, a feature, was about a lifeguard, but I recall little else.

What I remember clearly is the freelance pay: $25. What amounted to gas money also gave me some badly needed confidence that the journalism degree I was pursuing nearby at Cal State Long Beach would lead to a paying job.

I’ve spent the days following the Seal Beach shootings thinking back on my times covering the community as a Sun freelancer while in college and, much later, as a staff reporter and editor at the nearby Long Beach Press-Telegram. I’ve had a long journalistic and personal relationship with the community, and it breaks my heart that people in one of the last friendly beach towns in Southern California remain stunned and grieving in the wake of the worst mass murder in Orange County history.
… Continue Reading

Seal Beach shooting: ‘Victims throughout the entire salon’

Seal Beach police said they do not yet know why a gunman opened fire on a busy Seal Beach salon Wednesday afternoon, killing six people and critically wounding three others.

Some witnesses familiar with employees at the salon said the suspect was involved in a domestic dispute — possibly a custody fight — with one of the stylists. Police said they could not confirm any relationship between the shooter and the salon. They also did not release his name.

Sgt. Steve Bowles said Salon Meritage, in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway, appeared to be very busy at the time of the shooting, which occurred about 1:30 p.m.

Full coverage: Deadly shooting at Seal Beach beauty salon

“There are victims throughout the entire salon,” he said. “There are survivors from inside the salon.”

One shooting victim was found outside the business, Bowles said.

“A crime of this magnitude is not something Seal Beach is familiar with,” the sergeant said.

Police said they responded to a report of shots fired at the salon. As they arrived, one officer saw the suspect leaving the parking lot. He was arrested about half a mile away, police said.

“We believe he is the only suspect at this time,” Bowles said.

Bowles said he did not know the make and model of the weapon, saying it was still too early in the investigation.

Report: Seal Beach shooter wore body armor

Six people are believed dead in a shooting at a Seal Beach beauty salon and three more were seriously wounded Wednesday afternoon.

The suspect has been arrested, police said.

The victims are believed to be both employees and customers of Salon Meritage in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway, KTLA News reported.

Full coverage: Deadly shooting at Seal Beach beauty salon

Seal Beach police Sgt. Steve Bowles said the suspect was taken into custody about half a mile from the shooting site. He was cooperative and put up no resistance, Bowles said.

KTLA reported that the suspect was wearing body armor and had a cache of weapons.

Authorities searched car to car and door to door in the strip mall, which is home to a variety of businesses, including medical offices, attorneys and a nail salon.

– Los Angeles Times

Suspect in custody in Seal Beach shooting

Salon Meritage shooting scene in Seal Beach. (KTLA)

Orange County authorities were responding to a shooting at a salon in Seal Beach on Wednesday, with reports of seven potential victims. A source familiar with the investigation said six people were believed  dead.

The shooting occurred at Salon Meritage, a beauty salon in the 500 block of Pacific Coast Highway, workers in the shopping center said.

A suspect is in custody, according to a Seal Beach police official. The entire department is responding to the scene.

– Los Angeles Times