Category: newport beach

Inclusionary Housing Policy a ‘California Fairy Tale’: Newport

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Newport Beach failed to move forward with its plan to create a citywide inclusionary housing ordinance because the number of units required by the state is too “mind-boggling” to be practical for the city. Inclusionary housing is a type of housing program that requires developers to make a certain portion of units within…


Newport Beach Unveils Newest Park With Live Music

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—As part of the development plan for Uptown Newport, the official launching of the city’s newest park, the Uptown Newport Park, commenced March 19 featuring local city leaders and a guest musical performance. “Were excited,” Executive Vice President of Real Estate for Shopoff Realty Investments Brian Rupp told The Epoch Times. “This is…


‘Freeway Fighters’ Saved Newport Beach From Massive Freeway System

The city of Newport Beach, Calif., would have had a large freeway running right through the heart of it, if not for a group of residents and politicians known as the Freeway Fighters. “There’s a high demand for people to go up and down the coast, and that was the idea for the freeway plan,”…


Orange County Beaches to Get $15.5 Million Federal Funds for Sand Replenishment

The eroding Orange County beaches are getting millions of dollars for sand replenishment thanks to a funding request that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last week. Introduced by Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), the funding bill will provide $15.5 million for the Surfside-Sunset & Newport Beach Replenishment Project, as part of a larger spending…


Orange County Cities See Hotel Taxes Rebound as Visitors Increase

Some Orange County cities are reporting higher than expected tax revenue from hotels this year, following an increase in visitors as pandemic restrictions ease. During a March 8 Costa Mesa City Council meeting, Finance Director Carol Molina said that the city is on track to receive $1.1 million more in hotel tax revenue than last…


Man Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Yacht, Crashing Into Docked Vessels

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—A man was taken into custody Thursday after stealing a docked yacht and joyriding with it before colliding with other vessels in Newport Harbor, police said. Joel Siam, 38, of San Diego, was taken into custody on suspicion of stealing the 60-foot yacht, according to Carrie Braun, a spokeswoman for the Orange County…


Serious Crime Down in Newport, but Overall Crime Up: Authorities

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Overall crime in Newport Beach increased in 2021 compared to 2020, though serious crimes declined during the same period, Newport Beach Police Chief John Lewis said in a presentation during a Feb. 22 city council meeting. Part 1 crimes—defined by the FBI on its uniform crime report as murder, aggravated assault, rape, robbery,…


Newport Bay Remains Closed After Sewage Spill

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—The west end of Newport Bay remained closed on Tuesday—one day after a reported sewage spill contaminated the water. A large sewage spill was reported in the area on Feb. 21, causing the Orange County Health Care Agency to close the water area from 8th Street. An estimated 35,000 to 50,000 gallons of…


Issues Reported Before California Police Helicopter Crash

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—A pilot reported mechanical issues shortly before a police helicopter crashed nose first along the Southern California coast, killing one officer, authorities said Feb. 20. A Huntington Beach officer who was injured in the crash Saturday was released from a hospital Sunday morning, police said. Authorities haven’t identified the officer or detailed his…


One Officer Killed, One Injured in Police Helicopter Crash in Newport Beach

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—A Huntington Beach Police Department helicopter crashed into shallow water in Newport Bay on Feb. 19, resulting in one officer being critically injured and the other officer dead, according to authorities. “This is a difficult night for all of us,” Huntington Beach Police Chief Eric Parra said during a Feb. 19 news conference….