Fish and game officials said they won't allow the new swan's release into the bay because it is an ecological preserve and a nonnative species could upset the environmental balance.
Newport's District 4 race gets twists
Newport Beach City Council candidates were in the news this week, first with an attorney alleging District 4 candidate Barbara Venezia has a conflict of interest that would prevent her from holding office. Venezia's husband, Stan Tkaczyk, formerly headed Rainbow Disposal, one of 24 trash haulers that have franchise agreements with the city of Newport Beach.
Venezia said her husband sold the company and any remaining interests do not violate city rules.
District 4 Councilwoman Leslie Daigle was accused of threatening to have a school security guard deported or fired last spring when he tried to oust her from the Corona del Mar High School track. Daigle denied the story, saying she merely mimicked his statement that he'd kick her out, and that she threaten to deport him.
POLITICS
DeVore challenger backs legalizing marijuana
Marijuana, not just hemp, became an issue in the 70th Assembly District race last week when Democratic candidate Michael G. Glover announced he supports the legalization and taxation of marijuana in California. Glover is challenging Republican Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, whose district includes Newport Beach.
DeVore recently cosponsored a bill that would allow farmers to grow industrial hemp, which can be made into various products but doesn't have the psychoactive effects of the related marijuana plant.
Glover said that by legalizing the drug and taxing it, the state could abandon failed efforts to eradicate marijuana use, and it would bring in money to help the state budget.
EDUCATION
Irvine Co. offers $2.5 million to Newport-Mesa schools
