The residents say loud, idling trucks at Hoag’s loading docks and mechanical equipment cause noise problems for residents of the Villa Balboa complex.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Bank robbery suspect, 60, tries to use bus as getaway
Police arrested suspected bank robber Daniel James Dunleavy, 60, of Long Beach, at the Iris Avenue and East Coast Highway bus stop Wednesday after allegedly robbing a Corona del Mar Bank of America.
Dunleavy entered the bank at 3300 E. Coast Highway and allegedly told the bank teller he had a bomb and demanded money, police said.
The FBI believes Dunleavy could be the “Chinstrap Bandit,” responsible for heists in Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills and Long Beach, authorities said.
COSTA MESA
Council plans to crack down on further JWA expansion
The City Council endorsed a policy opposing the potential expansion of John Wayne Airport, though further deliberations on how the city will enforce the measure will be decided at the council’s Tuesday study session.
Councilwoman Katrina Foley brought the proposal forward because she thought the council should take a more decisive stance after reviewing a nearly identical policy in Newport Beach.
“The city of Costa Mesa recognizes that JWAOC cannot meet the near-term or long-term need for air transportation for Orange County and that alternatives to the expanded use of JWAOC must be developed,” according to the policy. “It is imperative JWAOC be recognized as permanently constrained to its existing legal, environmental and physical limitations.”
BUSINESS
Congress has beef with owner of meat company
Hallmark/Westland Meat Company owner Steve Mendell was subpoenaed to appear before a congressional subcommittee this week, after allegedly rebuffing several invitations to voluntarily testify.
The company recently received national attention after a video allegedly documenting inhumane practices at the company’s Chino slaughterhouse came to light, prompting the largest beef recall in American history.
“Mr. Mendell has repeatedly avoided contact with committee staff,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), chairman of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “Mr. Mendell... told committee staff that he would contact the staff later that day with his attorney.”
“Almost two weeks later,” he said, “the committee is still awaiting his call.”
Mendell’s testimony is scheduled for this Friday. Hallmark/Westland Meat Company representatives said “they were not talking to the press at all” about the hearing.
SPORTS
Golf tournament brings pros and profit to Newport Beach
The Toshiba Classic golf tournament started Friday with Tim Simpson putting his golf talents and the wonders of modern science simultaneously on display.
Simpson, who was at one point forced out of the game by tremors, has settled down the shakes and resurrected his career thanks an electrode implanted in his head.
He shot 8-under-par to lead the field by a stroke the first day of the competition. Defending champ Jay Haas was two strokes back.
Comedian George Lopez and his good buddy Lee Trevino provided the laughs on Thursday as they horsed around. But it was a bittersweet day on the tour as Hale Irwin had to drop out because his mother died.
It’s estimated that the annual tournament generates more than $20 million in revenue to Newport Beach.
