Orange Avenue

AREA 1 Wallace Avenue: A vehicle was reported burglarized in the 1900 block at 8:01 a.m. Thursday. Harbor Boulevard: A grand theft was reported in the 1800 block at 10:14 a.m. Thursday. Pinecreek Drive: A vehicle was reported burglarized in the 2800 block at 10:20 a.m. Thursday. Canyon Drive: A vehicle was reported burglarized in the 2300 block at 11:16 a.m. Thursday.   AREA 2 South Coast Drive: A grand theft was reported in the 900 block at 11:04 a.m. Thursday.

Deirdre Newman One of the city's busiest thoroughfares resembles an obstacle course, where open trenches and a caterpillar of orange cones are challenging drivers' maneuvering skills. The city is reconstructing the roadway on 17th Street from Placentia Avenue to west of Superior Avenue and from Fullerton Avenue to Orange Avenue. The bulk of the project involves replacing the asphalt, which has been worn down with potholes and rutting, city engineer Ernesto Munoz said.

Lolita Harper The new and improved Old Pink House boasts a striking new face-lift and a million-dollar price tag. And the recently renovated craftsman-style home has a new lawn ornament: a for sale sign. The asking price is $1.05 million, owner Chad Ware said. Ware, who bought the once-dilapidated house on the corner of Orange Avenue and Camellia Lane when it was close to being declared a public nuisance, has decided to abandon his yearlong labor of love for another renovation project, he said.

Jennifer Kho COSTA MESA -- A judge decided last week to restrict an Orange Avenue group home from accepting new tenants, at least until a more permanent decision is made next month. The court order will be self-enforced, however, Civil Commissioner Jane Myers said. City officials dropped criminal charges earlier this month against Coastal Recovery Living LLC, at 1976 and 1978 Orange Ave., but filed a civil lawsuit in its place, asking for damages and an injunction to stop owners Robert and Tracy Tameny from operating the home.

Jennifer Kho COSTA MESA -- Side by side, the two maps of the East 17th Street plans look the same. They both show a four-lane street, with a signal at Westminster Avenue, right and left turn lanes, bus turnouts and landscaped medians. The sole difference is indiscernible, a matter of only a few feet's width in the turn lanes at Orange Avenue. But some business owners -- such as East 17th Street Merchants and Community Assn. members and the majority on the city's East 17th Street Ad Hoc Committee -- say they see major divergence in the futures where each plan could lead.

Costa Mesa officials are moving forward with plans to improve Orange Avenue and Bear Street. The improvements will include new access ramps to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the reconstruction of pavement, and the removal and renovation of damaged curbs, gutters, sidewalks and driveways. Senior Engineer Fariba Fazeli said city staff will take measures to lessen the impact on local traffic, including rerouting drivers and carrying out construction during off-peak hours.