Newport Beach Police arrested more than 170 revelers who came to the
beach to celebrate Fourth of July. Most of the arrests were
alcohol-related, police said. Hundreds of people were also cited or
warned for lighting fireworks and a host of other violations.
West Newport residents, who have been gearing up to face the invasion
of the party crowd on the Fourth, said the day went well for some
streets, but was problematic for others.
Although there were no major incidents or riotous conditions,
neighbors said they were still overwhelmed by the huge crowds, which
officials say hit record numbers this year. Residents and city employees
collected tons of trash following the two-day celebration.
On Tuesday, Costa Mesa Police seized 2 grams of methamphetamine,
illegal fireworks and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from a Westside
home. Following the raid, which lasted several hours, six people were
arrested on drug-related charges at the home in the 2000 block of
President Place.
Also, as of Friday, Sheriff's Harbor Patrol deputies were still
looking for a Costa Mesa man who was reported missing at sea Wednesday
afternoon. Jason Huntress, 33, was last seen swimming in Emerald Bay near
Laguna Beach.
-- Deepa Bharath covers cops and courts. She may be reached at (949)
574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 deepa.bharath@latimes.comf7 .
Boat issue still floating
Some might say it's just a boat. But for weeks, Lodwrick M. Cook's
plan to dock his 55-foot yacht off Balboa Island has irked residents and
brought city officials to scrutinize the proposal.
Two attempts by the South Bay Front property owner to park the boat
parallel to the beach have failed already. At first, a third option to
berth it perpendicular to the shore seemed to get initial approval from
folks down at City Hall.
But after taking a closer look last week, Councilman Steve Bromberg,
who represents the island, said Cook's latest proposal might involve a
city review as well.
The boat is so wide that it crosses over the property line between
1106 and 1108 South Bay Front and that's not allowed. Cook would have to
trim back his pier to move the boat over by several feet. And such
remodeling work requires a city permit.
Cook's lawyer argues that his client owns both properties and a
January covenant recorded them as "a single parcel and building site."
That might be true for Cook's property, city officials responded, but the
covenant has no effect on what happens out on the water.
